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Solving Conflicts with International Investment Treaty Law from an EU Perspective: Article 351 TFEU Revisited

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Abstract

This article is meant to contribute to the discussion of the relationship between EU and international law. It focuses on bilateral investment agreements between EU Member States (intra-EU BITs), the majority of which will continue to have practical relevance. So how should one deal with a scenario in which the compliance with EU law (for example, state aid law) means that a Member State must breach its obligation under an intra-EU BIT (for example, by cutting returns on income from an investment protected thereunder)?

The article answers this question by critically analysing the protection granted to pre-existing international obligations of the EU Member States under so-called anterior treaties. It criticizes established case law under Article 351 TFEU as having emphasized the wrong issues, and suggests to turn the discussion back to the real questions: precisely when is there a conflict, and how far do a Member State’s duties under Article 351 (2) TFEU reach? It is argued that re-considering Article 351 TFEU will foster doctrinal clarity and flexibility in dealing with the “obligations”, and also the “rights” of the EU Member States under anterior treaties. Doctrinal clarity and flexibility will then benefit the relationship between EU and international law more generally.

Acceptance Date Jul 1, 2015
Publication Date Oct 1, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Legal Issues of Economic Integration
Print ISSN 1566-6573
Publisher Kluwer Law International
Pages 325-356
Publisher URL https://ssrn.com/abstract=2726550

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