Between realism and pragmatism: Legal basis and requirements for recognition of states by the European Union

The question of whether the EU has the power to recognize new States has never been seriously considered. Formally, the Member States have not attributed that function to the EU. However, recent European practice shows an increased EU influence on the recognition of new States. Utilizing both a qualitative research method concerning EU practice towards new States since the nineties and a comparative one with traditional theories concerning recognition, this article characterizes the EU as an active recognition actor and analyses the suitable conditions for carrying out this unilateral act. The article ends with a normative conclusion, which falls in line with the principled pragmatism, as advocated by the European Union Global Strategy