Mixed agreement
An agreement between the EU and external countries concerning issues of Community and Member State competence - for example the Cotonou Agreement. Such agreements must be signed by both the EU and its Member States.
The future
The EU Constitution proposes mixed agreements on foreign policy and community topics. This will be possible by conferring a legal personality upon the whole EU. Hence, in areas where the Union legislates, the EU can sign various kinds of agreements on behalf of the member states, who are consequently not allowed to negotiate international agreements on their own (autonomously) in these areas.
It is proposed that agreements with third countries, the so-called 'competence of external negotiation', become a sole competence of the EU - Member States will not be allowed to negotiate within this area.
Links
See also Agreements with other Countries.
