Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) - Players
The European Council
The European Council convenes twice a year for formal meetings, and determines the principles and general guidelines of the CFSP. It consists of the Heads of State and Government of the 27 EU Member States, the President of the European Council (Herman Van Rompuy) and the President of the Commission (José Manuel Barroso).
The Foreign Affairs Council
The Foreign Affairs Council, comprising the foreign ministers of the EU Member States, is the central decision-making body in the area of the CFSP, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It bases its decisions on the general guidelines laid down by the European Council. It is chaired by the High Representative (Catherine Ashton).As a rule it convenes once a month, except for the August recess. In April, June and October it meets in Luxembourg, otherwise in Brussels. Every six months the defence and development ministers hold meetings under the auspices of the Foreign Affairs Council.
The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER)
The coordination of CFSP measures within the EU prior to a Council decision takes place in the “CFSP Council working groups”. Any proposal to the Council must be submitted to the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER II) before being considered by the ministers or Heads of State and Government.
The Political and Security Committee (PSC)
The Political and Security Committee (PSC), which always meets in Brussels, keeps track of the international situation in the areas falling within the CFSP and assists the Foreign Affairs Council. The PSC may exercise, under the responsibility of the Council, the political control and strategic direction of crisis management operations (Article 38, Treaty on European Union).The PSC is the Member States’ operational steering and controlling body, in other words the “engine room” of the CFSP. It is chaired by a representative of the High Representative.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy
The post of High Representative (who also acts as Vice-President of the Commission) was created by the Lisbon Treaty (Article 27 TEU, in force since 1 December 2009). The European Council appointed Catherine Ashton of Great Britain as the first High Representative. Her job is to represent the EU in the CFSP, and, in particular, to conduct political dialogue with third countries on the EU’s behalf and to express the Union’s position in international organizations and conferences. She therefore combines the foreign-relations tasks previously carried out by the (rotating) Presidency, the High Representative for the CSFP (who from 1999 to November 2009 was Javier Solana) and the EU Commissioner for External Relations (who up to 2009 was Benita Ferrero-Waldner). She chairs the (monthly) Foreign Affairs Council. In future she will be backed up by the European External Action Service (EEAS), whose organization and working methods will be decided by the Council (probably in spring 2010).
Last updated 20.01.2010
