Redesigning foreign policy

THE ROLE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE

- Appointed by a qualified majority of the members of the European Council with the agreement of the European Commission president
- Conducts the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as mandated by the Council
- Contributes to development of CFSP by making his/her own proposals
- Be responsible for implementing the decisions of European Council and the Council of Ministers
- Chairs the Foreign Affairs Council 
- A vice-president of the European Commission
- Ensures the consistency of the Union's external action
- Responsible within the Commission for responsibilities in external relations and for co-ordinating other aspects of the EU external relations
- In exercising these responsibilities within the Commission, and only these responsibilities, the high representative shall be bound by Commission procedures
- Represents the EU in CFSP matters
- Conducts political dialogue with third parties on the behalf of the EU
- Expresses the EU‘s position in international organisations and at international conferences
- May request an special meeting of the European Council for 48 hours' notice (or more quickly in the case of an emergency)
- Be assisted in execution of his/duties by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and presents a proposals for the EEAS
-The Council will decide on high representative's proposal for EEAS after consulting the Parliament and obtaining the approval of the Commission
- Can propose special representatives for a policy area in the field of CFSP
- Will regularly consult the Parliament on CFSP and will report to the Parliament twice a year
- Can propose creating start-up funds for military or civilian crisis management missions that are not paid for from the EU's central budget
- Will ensure co-ordination of crisis management missions using EU and national resources in consultation with the Political and Security Committee

DELEGATIONS

With the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, the European Commission's 135 delegations around the world will be transformed into EU delegations representing all institutions of the EU.

In places where the EU has special representatives (EUSR), who currently report to the EU's foreign policy chief, the post of EUSR will be merged with that of head of delegation and become part of the EEAS. The practice, known as ‘double-hatting', is currently in effect in Skopje, Macedonia, and in the delegation to the African Union in Addis Ababa.

A similar arrangement in Kabul, supported by all member states, has been stymied by Commission opposition. Not surprisingly, Kabul tops the list of delegations where member states are proposing pilot projects for the implementation of the Lisbon provisions. The scene is set for a turf war between the Commission and the Council over these appointments.

Delegations will continue to include staff from Commission services other than the EEAS, notably trade and development. They will all work under the authority of the head of delegations.