Description
In a post-Brexit world, foreign policy crises have been mounting between the UK and its traditional European partners. This paper proposes to assess the extent to which these tensions have put in danger the rise of efficient informal diplomatic venues, such as E3 which, in the absence of institutionalization appears to be more vulnerable to exogenous changes. Due to the success of this informal diplomatic venue, meetings became more regular, coordination with the European Union (EU) was strengthened and additional issues were dealt with. To what extent have Brexit and the ensuing foreign policy crises impacted these types of venues and informal trilateral cooperation? Is Brexit impacting upon past socialization of actors and habits? Is there a risk of fragmentation and disjointed foreign policy initiatives? Based on interviews in London, Paris and Berlin, this paper supports the idea that past practices of cooperation have changed the interests, representations and habits of national officials and the fairly institutionalized format of E3 could prove to be an asset and be resistant to political speeches and stances. Contributing to the debates on Europeanisation, we will demonstrate how it can still happen through more informal venues going beyond the formal membership to the EU.
