Marquardt, Stephan --- "The institutional framework, legal instruments and decision-making procedures" [2018] ELECD 1263; in Blockmans, Steven; Koutrakos, Panos (eds), "Research Handbook on the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) 22

Book Title: Research Handbook on the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy

Editor(s): Blockmans, Steven; Koutrakos, Panos

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781785364075

Section: Chapter 2

Section Title: The institutional framework, legal instruments and decision-making procedures

Author(s): Marquardt, Stephan

Number of pages: 22

Abstract/Description:

The Treaty of Lisbon introduced significant changes into the EU’s institutional architecture in the CFSP, in particular the creation of the function of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) and the establishment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) as an autonomous support service for the HR. The European Council and the Council remain the core decision-making bodies but the HR assumes an essential role in coordinating the different strands of the EU’s external action, exercising a right of initiative vis-à-vis the Council and ensuring the EU’s external representation in the CFSP, including through 140 EU delegations in third countries and at international organizations that form part of the EEAS. This chapter analyses the HR’s complex responsibilities, the specificities, legal instruments and procedures of the CFSP, and attempts to determine whether the new arrangements strengthen the EU as an international actor.