European Union and post-Lisbon Public Diplomacy: The Cases of Argentina, Brazil and Mexico

Abstract

The Lisbon Treaty involves a reorganization that aims to give greater impetus to the foreign policy and actions of the European Union (EU). This article examines the public diplomacy of the EU in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico in a post-Lisbon context Public diplomacy is a diplomatic and international political communication activity that seeks to create a positive image, or to influence policy. It contributes to achieving foreign policy objectives, enhancing the “soft power” of the practitioner. The research was undertaken using academic and official sources, together with interviews with staff from the European External Action Service (eeas) in Brussels and in EU delegations in the three countries under study.