Common foreign and security policy as envisaged in the Lisbon treaty

Abstract

This study examines the innovations which the new EU Reform Treaty brings to the foreign and defense policy of the European Union. The study begins with an observation on the time of entry into force of the Reform Treaty, and then stops on the main reforms introduced by the new text in the foreign policy sector. Thus, in the Common Fordign and Security Policy (CFSP) sector, two are the major institutional innovations under the Reform Treaty: “The High Representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy” and “The Eurnpean External Action Service”. The High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy, which the Constitutional Treaty boldly named “Minister of Foreign Affairs of the European Union”, will bring together the roles and powers of two different institutional figures: the High Representative (CFSP) and the Commissioner for Foreign Relations. This fusion, which should simplify the institutional framework, aims to give greater coherence and effectiveness to the European foreign policy. The study then proceeds to analyze the innovations introduced in the Common Security and Defense Policy (PSAC) and in particular: the permanent structured cooperation; the solidarity clause and the collective defense one; the increase of the peace missions of the European Union, the so-called Petersberg missions, i.e. humanitarian and aid missions, peacekeeping missions and crisis-fighting missions, including missions aimed at restoring peace.