The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy

 

SUMMARY OF:

Article 18 of the Treaty on European Union

Article 36 of the Treaty on European Union

WHAT DOES THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY DO?

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (High Representative) is in charge of coordinating and carrying out the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), as well as the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The High Representative is at the same time one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Commission and as such ensures that the EU's overall external action is consistent.

KEY POINTS

Appointment

• The High Representative is appointed for a 5-year term by the European Council by a qualified majority vote (with the agreement of the President of the European Commission). The High Representative's appointment is also subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament in line with Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union. This is because the High Representative is also one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Commission and the appointment of the European Commission as a whole needs the European Parliament's consent.

Responsibilities

• The High Representative contributes to the development of the CFSP by submitting proposals to the Council of the EU and the European Council.
• The High Representative then ensures the implementation of the decisions that are adopted.
• As a Vice-President of the Commission, the High Representative ensures that the EU's overall external action in the areas of development assistance, trade, humanitarian aid and crisis response is consistent and effective.
• The High Representative chairs the Foreign Affairs ministers' meeting within the Council of the EU.
• The High Representative also represents the EU for matters relating to CFSP.
• Other duties include heading the European Defence Agency and the EU Institute for Security Studies.
• The High Representative shall regularly consult and take into consideration the views of the European Parliament on the main aspects and choices of the CFSP and the CSDP.

The European External Action Service

• The High Representative is assisted in the performance of his or her duties by the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EEAS was established by the Lisbon Treaty and is based on Article 27 of the Treaty on European Union. It is composed of officials of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission, as well as of staff seconded from EU countries' diplomatic services.

BACKGROUND

The position of the High Representative is based on Articles 18 and 27 of the Treaty on European Union. The 1999 Amsterdam Treaty created the position, although responsibilities in the matters of external policies were shared with the European Commissioner for External Relations. The 2009 Lisbon Treaty extended the responsibilities of the High Representative and made the office-holder a Vice-President of the Commission, to enable the High Representative to better represent the EU in its foreign policy objectives.

• High Representative / Vice President (European External Action Service)

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union — Title III — Provisions on the institutions — Article 18 (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 26-27)

Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union — Title V — General provisions on the Union's External Action and specific provisions on the Common Foreign and Security Policy — Chapter 2 - Specific provisions on the Common Foreign and Security Policy — Section 1 — Common provisions — Article 36 (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 35-36)

last update 09.01.2020