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Foreign policy report: review of the balance of competences

Report on foreign policy for the Government’s review of the balance of competences between the UK and the European Union.

Last fetched 03 May 2026 · gov.uk

Detail

The government is carrying out a review of the balance of competences between the EU and the UK. The review will provide an analysis of what the EU does and how it affects the UK. See this detailed guide for full details of the review programme.

Foreign Secretary William Hague launched the Government’s review of the balance of competences in Parliament on 12 July 2012.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office led on the report on foreign policy in the first semester of the review.

The call for evidence for the foreign policy report opened on 28 November 2012 and closed on 28 February 2013.

Documents

Call for evidence: foreign policy reportapplication/binary Academic workshop on foreign relations 14th February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Adviesraad Internationale Vaagstukken – 2011 annual report: evidenceapplication/binary Adviesraad Internationale Vaagstukken – european defence cooperation: evidenceapplication/binary Adviesraad Internationale Vaagstukken – Netherlands and the European Parliament: evidenceapplication/binary ADS: evidenceapplication/binary Hussam Al Husseini: evidenceapplication/binary All-Party Parliamentary Group on modern languages: evidenceapplication/binary Atalanta Operation Headquarters: evidenceapplication/binary Australian Foreign Ministry: evidenceapplication/binary Graham Avery: evidenceapplication/binary BAE Systems : evidenceapplication/binary Rosa Balfour - European External Action Service two years on: evidenceapplication/binary Rosa Balfour - European External Action Service at work: evidenceapplication/binary Rosa Balfour - equipping the European Union for the 21st century: evidenceapplication/binary Rosa Balfour - strengthening the European External Action Service: evidenceapplication/binary British Influence: evidenceapplication/binary British Red Cross: evidenceapplication/binary David Broucher: evidenceapplication/binary Brussels & Europe Liberal Democrats: evidenceapplication/binary Bulgarian Foreign Ministry: evidenceapplication/binary Frances G. Burwell: evidenceapplication/binary Center for Strategic and International Studies: evidenceapplication/binary Centre for European Policy Studies: evidenceapplication/binary Centre for European Policy Studies (2): evidenceapplication/binary Centre for European Reform: evidenceapplication/binary Centre for International Relations: evidenceapplication/binary Civil Protection Workshop 14 January 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Civilience Limited – civil protection: evidenceapplication/binary Civilience Limited – disaster management: evidenceapplication/binary Civil Protection Workshop 23 January: evidenceapplication/binary Eve Coles: evidenceapplication/binary Conciliation Resources: evidenceapplication/binary Robert Cooper – foreign policy: evidenceapplication/binary Robert Cooper – small arms: evidenceapplication/binary Richard Dalton: evidenceapplication/binary Defence and security roundtable 19 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Defence seminar with Lord Astor of Hever 27 February: evidenceapplication/binary Iain Dell: evidenceapplication/binary demosEUROPA: evidenceapplication/binary E3G: evidenceapplication/binary Emergency Planning Society West Midlands Branch: evidenceapplication/binary Essex County Council: evidenceapplication/binary Essex Fire Service: evidenceapplication/binary European Commission – civil protection: evidenceapplication/binary European Council on Foreign Relations: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – ad hoc liaison committee 12 March 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – ad hoc liaison committee 23 September 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Cairo Declaration 13 November 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council conclusions on Afghanistan and Pakistan 27 October 2009: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 October 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina 21 March 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina 25 June 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service - Council conclusions on Burma 23 April 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service - Council conclusions on enlargement 5 December 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council conclusions on enlargement 11 December 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service - Council conclusions on EU Climate Diplomacy 18 July 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council Conclusions Gaza 19 November 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council Conclusions Horn of Africa 14 November 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council Conclusions Middle East Peace Process 10 December 2012 : evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council Conclusions Middle East Peace Process 14 May 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council Conclusions Somalia 31 January 2013: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council Conclusions Ukraine 10 December 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council decision 2011/173/CFSP: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council decision 2012/225/CFSP: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council decision 2012/327/CFSP: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council decision 2012/329/CFSP: evidence application/binary European External Action Service – Council decision 2012/33/CFSP: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council decision 2012/39/CFSP: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Council decision 2012/440/CFSP: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Declaration on Middle East Peace Process 29 November 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Discussion paper on post-transition Somalia: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – EU and the Sahel factsheet: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – EU training mission in Mali: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Horn of Africa strategic implementation review: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – High Representative remarks on support and follow-up group in Mali: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – High Representative speech on water issues: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – implementation report on EU action in Afghanistan April 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – implementation report on EU action in Afghanistan October 2010: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – implementation report on EU action in Afghanistan October 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – joint communication on human rights 12 December 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – joint communication on southern Mediterranean partnership 8 March 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – joint declaration on Burma 3 November 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – joint letter on Bosnia and Herzegovina accession: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – joint working document on partnership for democracy: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – press release on Mali 12 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – press release on stabilisation and association council (Albania) 15 May 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – press release on stabilisation and association council (Albania) 19 July 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – press release on stabilisation and association council (Croatia) 6 June 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – press release on stabilisation and association council (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) 23 January 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – press release on stabilisation and association council (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) 24 July 2012: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – press release on stabilisation and association council (Montenegro) 18 December 2012application/binary European External Action Service – Quartet statement 23 September 2011: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – report on plan for EU action in Afghanistan October 2010: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – Sahel strategy: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – statement on instrument for stabilisation in Mali: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – statement on launch of EU training mission in Mali: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – statement on Mali 19 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – statement on support and follow-up group in Mali: evidenceapplication/binary European External Action Service – strategic framework on human rights and democracy: evidenceapplication/binary Fire Sector Federation: evidenceapplication/binary Foreign Policy Centre – Europe in the world: evidenceapplication/pdf Foreign Policy Centre – Europe in the world (2): evidenceapplication/binary Francesco Giumelli: evidenceapplication/binary Fresh Start – defence: evidenceapplication/binary Fresh Start: evidenceapplication/binary Benoît Gomis: evidenceapplication/binary Government of Japan: evidenceapplication/binary Governments of Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man Crown Dependencies: evidenceapplication/binary Heather Grabbe: evidenceapplication/binary Greater London Authority: evidenceapplication/binary Jacqueline Hale: evidenceapplication/binary Jacqueline Hale (2): evidenceapplication/binary Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service: evidenceapplication/binary Janet Hancock: evidenceapplication/binary Hanover Associates: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Christophe Hillion - coherence in external relations of the EU: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Christophe Hillion – common market law review: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Christophe Hillion – competence distribution: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Christophe Hillion – duty of cooperation: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Christophe Hillion –EU external relations: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Christophe Hillion – working papers: evidenceapplication/binary Rosemary Hollis: evidenceapplication/binary Rosemary Hollis (2): evidenceapplication/binary Rosemary Hollis (3): evidenceapplication/binary Rosemary Hollis (4): evidenceapplication/binary House of Commons European Scrutiny Commission: evidenceapplication/binary House of Commons European Scrutiny Commission (2): evidenceapplication/binary House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee: evidenceapplication/binary House of Lords European Union Select Committee: evidenceapplication/binary House of Lords European Union Select Committee – European external action service: evidenceapplication/binary Index on Censorship: evidenceapplication/binary International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Europe (ILGA): evidenceapplication/binary Theodore Konstadinides: evidenceapplication/binary London Borough of Camden: evidenceapplication/binary Peter Luff MP: evidenceapplication/binary Jaime Lynch-Staunton: evidenceapplication/binary Sir David Manning: evidenceapplication/binary James McAlister: evidenceapplication/binary Member of public: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Roger Miles: evidenceapplication/binary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Macedonia: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Rana Mitter: evidenceapplication/binary Monckton Chambers: evidenceapplication/binary Sir Alan Munro: evidenceapplication/binary NATO international staff – disaster response: evidenceapplication/binary NATO international staff – humanitarian role: evidenceapplication/binary NATO International Staff - UNOCHA: evidenceapplication/binary Notre Europe - common security and defence policy: evidenceapplication/binary Notre Europe - economy: evidenceapplication/binary Notre Europe: evidenceapplication/binary Notre Europe - migration: evidenceapplication/binary Notre Europe - neighbourhood: evidenceapplication/binary Notre Europe - strategic resources: evidenceapplication/binary Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development: evidenceapplication/binary Clara Portela: evidenceapplication/binary Quaker Council for European Affairs: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Alan Riley, City University: evidenceapplication/binary Roundtable with academics, at St Antony’s College, Oxford 18 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Robert Schutze: evidenceapplication/binary Scotch Whisky Association: evidenceapplication/binary Seminar with thinktanks, academics, NGOs, diplomatic community, 16 January 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Senior European Experts Group: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Duncan Shaw: evidenceapplication/binary SHIP Peace Practitioners: evidenceapplication/binary Prof. Karen Smith: evidenceapplication/binary Stonewall: evidenceapplication/binary Swedish Defence Research Institute: evidenceapplication/binary Charles Tannock MEP: evidenceapplication/binary TaxPayers’ Alliance – defence integration: evidenceapplication/binary TaxPayers’ Alliance – EU diplomats: evidenceapplication/binary Rebecca Taylor MEP: evidenceapplication/binary The Freedom Association: evidenceapplication/binary Thinktank event at British Embassy Berlin 26 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Thinktank event at British Embassy Dublin 27 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Thinktank event at British Embassy, Paris, 19 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary Thinktank event at UK Representation to the EU, Brussels, 12 February 2013: evidenceapplication/binary United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction: evidenceapplication/binary Geoffrey Van Orden MEP: evidenceapplication/binary Voluntary Sector Civil Protection Forum: evidenceapplication/binary Sir Graham Watson MEP: evidenceapplication/binary Wine and Spirit Trade Association: evidence application/binary Neil Winn: evidenceapplication/binary Richard Whitman: evidenceapplication/binary Nick Witney: evidenceapplication/binary Mark Wolf: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – conflict resolution: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – European neighbourhood policy in perspective: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – the EU as a conflict manager: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – the EU as a conflict manager (2): evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – lessons from the Balkans: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – South Ossetia: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff and Richard Whitman – Transnistria: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff – Libya’s Arab Spring: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff – limits of international conflict management: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff – Nagorno-Karabakh: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff – new European neighbourhood policy: evidenceapplication/binary Stefan Wolff – special representatives: evidenceapplication/binary Aiichiro Yamamoto: evidenceapplication/binary Przemyslaw Zurawski vel Grajewski: evidenceapplication/binary Foreign policy report - review of the balance of competencesapplication/binary