Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP
The EU started as a common market designed to allow free movement of people and goods between European countries. Since then, the countries involved have agreed to have other common policies.
A Common Foreign and Security Policy has now developed through the so-called "Pillar II" of the EU treaties. The principles of this are set out in Title V of the EU Treaty.
Within the CFSP the most important decisions are decided by unanimity voting. A qualified majority vote is required to implement decisions.
Notes
- The EU Court in Luxembourg cannot rule against countries unwilling to implement the CFSP.
- European Defence and Security Policy is part of the CFSP, but is subject to different rules. See Defence.
- High Representative, Javier Solona is appointed at common foreign affairs minister, from the potentially entry into force of the EU Constitution, now the Lisbon Treaty.
The future
The Lisbon Treaty increases decisions by qualified majority within the area of CFSP, when the European Council has laid down strategic guidelines. For instance, when a proposal is put forward from the Foreign Minister at the request of the European Council (deciding by unanimity), when implementing a decision or when appointing a special representative.
At present, the EU is represented externally by the Council presidency and the High Representative. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the post of High Representative is merged with that of the European Commissioner for External Relations under a new title of "High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy".
The Lisbon Treaty proposes a double-hatted EU Foreign Minister appointed by the European Council, accepted by the EU Commission President and approved together with the rest of the Commission by the European Parliament as a vice-chair in the Commission for Foreign Relations. This proposal was submitted by France and Germany.
The 126 EU Commission delegations in other countries will be turned into EU embassies if the 2007 treaty is ratified. For rules on common foreign policy, see the Lisbon Treaty art. 18 TEU and from 205 TFEU.
Links
Activities of the European Union http://www.europa.eu.int/pol/cfsp/index_en.htm
