La actividad diplomática de las delegaciones de la Comisión en el exterior de la Comunidad Europea

Abstract

The diplomatic activities of the European Community are one of the characteristics by which it can be distinguished from other subjects of international law and especially from other international organisations. The article attempts to analyse the progressive development in the history of the European Community witn regard to a diplomatic practice which represents a high degree of originality and certiain homgeneous legal features. These elements are at present reflected in an important net work of delegations established by the Commission in mor then 110 countries and international organisations. In the first part of the article the author examines the setting up of these delegations and their diplomatic status. This analysis leads to the conclusion that the diplomatic practice of the Community has progressively become similar to the practice of a state. This implies that the delegations of the Commission and its staff are subject mutatis mutandis to those legal provisions which regulate the diplomatic relations between states. The second part of the article deals with the diplomatic functions of these delegations. In this respect the activities of these delegations _ which are in principle limited to Community affairs beings dealt with by the Commission_ have progressiviely expepanded into an array of functions exercised by the traditional diplomatic missions.