The European Union as a collective actor in the World Trade Organization. An analysis based on the principles of transparency, accountability, legitimacy and democracy

This dissertation is a unique description and in-depth examination of the institutional and legal mechanisms underpinning the special character of the WTO-membership of the EU and its Member States, starting from the finding that decision-making (initiating WTO trade negotiations and dispute settlement proceedings) towards the WTO and representation practices of the EU in the WTO political bodies and Dispute Settlement Body are not regulated by open rules and therefore raise questions as to their compatibility with the aforementioned constitutional principles, to which the EU adheres. Although the Treaty of Lisbon addresses some of these questions, the assessment of the present internal EU decision-making process and representation of the EU in WTO matters proves that there is still room for improvement. The author makes original and sensible suggestions for such improvement.