Focusing and analysing inter-parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy is the objective of PACO. The project aims to discover and explain if and why inter-parliamentary cooperation in the field of external relations (i.e. CFSP/CSDP, human rights, development, trade, etc.) has added to an increased scrutiny via the EP and national parliaments, and if and why parliamentary diplomacy can add to diplomatic tool set (i.e. public diplomacy) in the EU’s cooperation with third partners via its own delegations at the bilateral and multilateral levels (i.e. countries, regional blocs like the ACP and the Eastern Partnership or regional organizations like the African Union). Throughout the project, PACO will focus on four dimensions in all is research, teaching and other dissemination activities :1) Conceptualisation of inter-parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy in the light of EU external action (i.e. CFSP/CSDP, human rights, development, trade, etc.) 2) Empirical analysis of inter-parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy in the light of the parliamentary scrutiny and diplomacy of EU external action (i.e. formal and informal inter-parliamentary fora, parliamentary delegations and regional assemblies (EU-ACP Joint Assembly, Euronest), etc.) 3) Comparative analysis of inter-parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy in the EU and other countries and international organizations (i.e. US, Canada, African Union, NATO, WEU, etc.) 4) Policy Recommendations and outlook (opportunities and challenges of parliamentary cooperation and diplomacy in the EU and beyond, i.e. United Nations) PACO’s impact will be substantial: it will increase the public awareness of parliamentary cooperation and diplomacy via its website and publications. Moreover, it will enable young researchers to conduct their research and education in this previously under-researched field of EU external actions.