Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) - Instruments and Players
The European Council
The European Council (Heads of State and Government of the 25 EU member states plus the President of the Commission) determines the principles and general guidelines of the CFSP. It convenes twice a year for formal meetings.
The General Affairs and External Relations Council
The General Affairs and External Relations Council, comprising the foreign ministers of the EU member states, is the central decision-making body in the area of CFSP, including ESDP. It bases its decisions on the general guidelines laid down by the European Council. As a rule it convenes once a month.
The Presidency of both the European Council and the General Affairs and External Relations Council (as well as in the preparatory groups in Brussels – see below) rotates between the EU member states every six months (Britain in the second half of 2005, followed by Austria in the first half and Finland in the second half of 2006, with Germany assuming the EU Council Presidency in the first half of 2007). The President is assisted by the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (see below) in consultation with the Commission.
Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER)
The coordination of common foreign and security policy measures within the EU prior to a Council decision takes place in the so-called CFSP Council working groups. Any proposal to the Council must be submitted to the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) before being considered by the ministers or Heads of State and Government (Art. 207, Treaty establishing the European Community).
The Political and Security Committee (PSC)
The Political and Security Committee (PSC), which always meets in , keeps track of the international situation in the areas falling within the common foreign and security policy and assists the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The PSC may excercise, under the responsibility of the Council, the political control and strategic direction of crisis management operations (Art. 25, Treaty on European Union).
Reports, news and statements on current foreign and security policy issues are constantly exchanged between the foreign ministries of the EU Member States via a special information network running between the EU capitals – the so-called COREU system (CORrespondence EUropéenne).
The High Representative for the CFSP
The Treaty of Amsterdam (Article 26, Treaty on European Union) combined the position of High Representative for the CFSP with the office of Council Secretary-General. Javier Solana has held this position since . He supports the General Affairs and External Relations Council and raises the profile of the CFSP in his role as “Mr CFSP”. In addition, the High Representative, who is appointed for five years, is to ensure the continuity of the CFSP beyond the biannual change of Presidency. The High Representative has appointed personal representatives on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and for human rights.
The Policy Planning and Early Warning Unit, known as Policy Unit in jargon, has been established in the Council Secretariat to assist the High Representative. This group regularly analyses foreign and security policy on all topics relating to the CFSP.
Appointment of special representatives
The Council can appoint special representatives for certain political issues (Art. 18, para. 5, Treaty on European Union). Currently there are EU Special Representatives for the Middle East Peace Process, for the African Great Lakes Region, for Central Asia, for the South Caucasus, for Sudan, for Moldova, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Afghanistan. The acting EU Council President represents the EU to third states on CFSP issues. The High Representative for the CFSP supports the Presidency in this task (c.f. Art. 18, para. 3, Treaty on European Union). The Commission is also involved, consequently the so-called troika format – the Presidency, the High Representative and the Commission – is often chosen for dealings with third states. Frequently the country due to take over the Presidency is also consulted.
Last updated 01.02.2006
