The Promotion of Public Health in EU External Relations: Current Weaknesses and Future Directions
Author(s)
Elisabet Ruiz Cairó
Language
English
Pages
37
2021/ Vol. 33, No. 3, (121)
Type
Digital edition
10.00 €

The Promotion of Public Health in EU External Relations:
Current Weaknesses and Future Directions

Elisabet Ruiz Cairó

Researcher and programme coordinator, University of Geneva; PhD University of Geneva; LLM College of Europe; LLB Autónoma University of Madrid; elisabet.ruizcairo@unige.ch.

Public health has progressively been strengthened in the European Union, an evolution that has been driven by case law developments and Treaty modifications. However, the role of the European Union as a global health actor is still limited, largely due to fragmented powers and a complex institutional framework. This article examines current weaknesses and explores potential reforms to enhance the promotion of public health in EU external relations. Proposals cover EU competences, the status of the European Union in international organisations and agreements, as well as the relationship between public health and general principles and objectives of the Union, the final objective being the establishment of a more comprehensive EU public health constitutional framework. While some of the proposals are difficult to implement, the COVID-19 pandemic provides favourable conditions to undertake some much-needed reforms.

La santé publique s’est progressivement renforcée dans l’Union européenne, une évolution qui s’explique par l’évolution de la jurisprudence et les modifications du traité. Cependant, le rôle de l’Union européenne en tant qu’acteur global dans le domaine de la santé reste limité, en grande partie à cause du morcellement des pouvoirs et de la complexité du cadre ins­titutionnel. Cet article examine les faiblesses actuelles et explore les réformes possibles pour renforcer la promotion de la santé publique dans les relations extérieures de l’UE. Les propositions portent sur les compétences de l’UE, le statut de l’Union européenne dans les organisations et accords internationaux, ainsi que sur la relation entre la santé publique et les principes et objectifs généraux de l’Union, l’objectif final étant l’établissement d’un cadre constitutionnel européen plus complet en matière de santé publique. Même si certaines des propositions sont difficiles à mettre en œuvre, la pandémie de COVID-19 offre des conditions favorables pour entreprendre certaines réformes indispensables.

* This article is based on the author’s Thesis “The Promotion of Public Health in EU External Relations”, which was awarded the Thesis Prize 2021 of the European Group of Public Law (EGPL).

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