This work investigates the complexities of European Union external relations by analyzing how internal governance structures influence the effectiveness of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and regional partnerships. Paul James Cardwell, an expert in EU law and policy, examines the friction between the EU's supranational ambitions and the intergovernmental realities of its member states. By focusing on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and migration policy, the author argues that the EU's external influence is frequently constrained by internal institutional fragmentation and the competing interests of its constituent nations.

Scholars and practitioners of European studies frequently cite this text for its rigorous analysis of the intersection between EU law and foreign policy. Experts highlight the book as a foundational resource for understanding the structural limitations inherent in the EU's external governance models.