The four-and-a-half years, which I was allowed to spend at the EUI while writing the thesis this book is based on, will certainly be one of the greatest learning experiences of my life—intellectually, professionally and personally. The first words of gratitude have to be dedicated to the person who made possible both embarking on this journey and completing it, my supervisor, Professor Marise Cremona. I am deeply thankful for the trust she had in me and in my work— not only in the moment she took me on board as her supervisee, but also throughout these years. I was in many aspects a beginner and it is thanks to her trust in me, her encouragement and guidance that I soon felt equipped to navigate myself through the research fields, the diverse methods one can draw on and academic professional life. With trust comes freedom, and I would like to thank Marise for the incredible freedom I had for developing and testing my own ideas in my research as well as in the pursuit of other projects including those in the framework of the EU External Relations working group. Yet, at the same time, the door to her office and therewith to a stimulating discussion and good advice was always open. Besides having had the enormous privilege to learn from one of the greatest teachers of EU law, I could also learn a great deal about teaching and about critically engaging with others. I was always impressed by how she approached other researchers with genuine interest and respect and never forgot to listen—not even in the most hectic times.