The EU’s foreign, security and defence policies are studied as part of the Union’s external relations. Studies can focus on relations between the EU and a region such as East Asia, a super power or an organisation such as NATO or the UN. The programme’s research on EU internal security includes themes such as terrorism and immigration. Research on EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies focuses on Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, the Western Balkans and the Eulex mission in Kosovo, the Eastern Partnership and the Union for the Mediterranean. The programme’s research on institutional development and the decision-making of the EU has its emphasis on the implications of the Lisbon Treaty. Additionally, democracy in the EU and the European External Action Service are among the issues studied.    

The European Union research programme aims to support political decision-making and to serve the wider public. The programme takes part in major European networks and continues to expand and reinforce this cooperation. Additionally, at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs EU research is not confined to the EU programme; for example research on EU climate policy, relations with Russia and transatlantic relations takes place in, or in cooperation with, other FIIA research programmes.