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Common foreign and security policy (CFSP)

The common foreign and security policy (CFSP) is the EU’s joint foreign and security policy.

It seeks to:

  • preserve peace;
  • reinforce international security; and
  • promote international cooperation, democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The EU has a diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), which was formally launched in 2011. The EEAS acts under the authority of the EU’s High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission (HR/VP), a position currently held by Josep Borrell Fontelles. It assists the HR/VP in fulfilling their mandate (as representative of the CFSP and as chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Council, as well as in their role of Vice-President of the Commission, which constitutes fulfilling the responsibilities incumbent on the Commission in external relations).

The Political and Security Committee (PSC), comprising ambassadors from the 27 EU countries, also acts under the responsibility of the HR/VP. It monitors the international situation in the areas covered by the CFSP and plays a key role in defining and following up on the EU’s response to a crisis.

The CFSP was first established in 1993 under the Maastricht Treaty. It has been progressively reinforced by subsequent treaties, particularly the Treaty of Lisbon (Title V of the Treaty on European Union). Since the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, in December 2009, the EU has legal personality (i.e. it is able to sign international treaties).

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