Observers of foreign ministries have reached very different conclusions as to their role and significance in the rapidly shifting patterns of world politics. There are those who argue that their essential functions remain, in essence, unaltered. A contrary view asserts that the twin forces of globalization and regionalization are challenging governments and have dramatically diminished the significance of these traditional instruments of diplomacy. Foreign Ministries and the European Union analyses this debate in the specific context of the EU and examines the foreign ministry in thirteen member states. - Съдържа: Introduction: Gatekeepers and Boundary Spanners: Thinking about Foreign Ministries in the European Union / B. Hocking -- The Evolving Role of Foreign Ministries in the European Union: The Conduct of European Affairs / D. Spence -- Austria / H. Neuhold -- Belgium / R. Coolsaet and A. Voet -- Denmark / K.E. Jorgensen -- Finland / E. Antola -- France / M. Morisse-Schilbach -- Germany / E. Regelsberger -- United Kingdom / D. Allen -- Ireland / B. Tonra -- Italy / M. Zucconi -- Netherlands / D. Hellema -- Portugal / J. Correia -- Spain / I. Molina and F. Rodrigo -- Sweden / B. Sundelius and M. Ekengren -- Conclusion / B. Hocking and D. Spence.*