In this episode of the Young Diplomats' Society podcast, İrem İlksoy and Leah Tillmann-Morris are joined by Charles-Michel Geurts, former EEAS diplomat and EU ambassador to Ecuador, and current professor at the College of Europe. We begin with insights into how the internal work of EEAS compares to working abroad, and the strength that can be found in coordinating EU member states as a diplomatic force, as well as the journey of EU human rights diplomacy. Prof. Geurts also shares his experiences and reflections as ambassador to Ecuador from 2020-2024, particularly on efforts to combat the illegal cocaine trade and transnational organised crime, including drawing on European law-enforcement experience in tackling the Italian mafia to support responses to Ecuadorian drug gangs, while also navigating the tensions that can arise when EU diplomats engage with differing approaches to military involvement in law enforcement.
This podcast episode is recorded and produced by students at the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
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