Overview

This book provides fresh insight into multilateral diplomacy, revealing how informal cooperation—not just formal mechanisms —drives EU foreign policy success. Drawing on interviews with diplomats and analysis of critical cases, including sanctions against Russia and Ukraine response coordination, this groundbreaking study exposes the essential role of behind the scenes negotiations and informal coalitions. From defence cooperation mechanisms like Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) to the naval Operation Irini, the book demonstrates how informality compensates for institutional rigidity, enabling swift decision-making in crisis situations. It directly speaks to international relations scholars, diplomats and policy makers seeking to understand how global governance functions in practice.

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9781529256765

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Reviews

""Marianna Lovato’s Making EU Foreign Policy Go Round takes a close look at how informality underpins foreign policymaking in Europe, despite decades of EU institutionalisation. Amidst growing geopolitical instability and rising pressure on global multilateralism, Lovato argues that informal coordination allows diplomats and negotiators to move quickly, circumvent bureaucratic rigidities, manage sensitive or urgent issues and sustain effective cooperation when formal mechanisms stall or fail. Lovato makes a strong case for old fashioned diplomacy in arguing that informality is not a sign of institutional weakness but an essential tool that helps Europe respond more effectively to crises. This is a great book for anyone who wants to understand why traditional diplomacy matters more than ever in an age of geopolitical and geoeconomic contestation, populist politics and fracturing multilateralism"" Nathaniel Copsey, British Ambassador to Bulgaria. ""Lovato masterfully reveals when and why EU foreign policy relies on informal diplomacy, persuasively showing how it complements formal institutions."" Mai'a Davis Cross, Northeastern University ""Moving beyond existing concepts and explanations, Lovato’s impressive book is an illuminating exploration of the many novel roles that informality plays in EU foreign policymaking. It offers important insights, drawing on a wealth of interviews with those involved, and should be essential reading for those who want to understand how governance – formal and informal – can work."" Charles Roger, Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals

""Marianna Lovato’s Making EU Foreign Policy Go Round takes a close look at how informality underpins foreign policymaking in Europe, despite decades of EU institutionalisation. Amidst growing geopolitical instability and rising pressure on global multilateralism, Lovato argues that informal coordination allows diplomats and negotiators to move quickly, circumvent bureaucratic rigidities, manage sensitive or urgent issues and sustain effective cooperation when formal mechanisms stall or fail. Lovato makes a strong case for old fashioned diplomacy in arguing that informality is not a sign of institutional weakness but an essential tool that helps Europe respond more effectively to crises. This is a great book for anyone who wants to understand why traditional diplomacy matters more than ever in an age of geopolitical and geoeconomic contestation, populist politics and fracturing multilateralism"" Nathaniel Copsey, British Ambassador to Bulgaria. ""Lovato masterfully reveals when and why EU foreign policy relies on informal diplomacy, persuasively showing how it complements formal institutions."" Mai'a Davis Cross, Northeastern University

Author Information

Marianna Lovato is Lecturer of International Relations at Tallinn University, in Estonia.

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