EU Diplomacy after Brexit

Brexit may impact on the cooperation between the diplomatic missions of the Member States: as the UK has numerous diplomatic missions, its withdrawal reduces the size of the EU diplomatic and influences, albeit limitedly, the coordination of EU diplomacy. The reduced size of the EU diplomatic network might complicate consular protection of EU citizens in third countries, though this problem might be solved through the empowerment of EU delegations. In fact, Brexit impacts the second facet of EU diplomacy (the diplomacy of the Union), too. The EU delegation in the UK will perform a key role in ensuring the implementation of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement and, consequently, might have unprecedented responsibilities concerning the protection of EU nationals in the UK. The EU delegation in the UK might thus come close to full functional ‘equality with states’. It is concluded that Brexit constitutes a challenge for EU diplomacy but might also constitute an opportunity for the Union external representation.