European Foreign Policy

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

The entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty of 1993 transformed European Political Cooperation (EPC) into the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The Lisbon Treaty of 2009 further strengthened the CFSP. moreThe Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

The CSDP enables the EU to use civilian, police and military instruments to cover the full spectrum of crisis prevention and management responsibilities.

moreCommon Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The European External Action Service (EEAS)

The Treaty of Lisbon created the European External Action Service, designed to assist the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, in carrying out her tasks.
moreThe European External Action Service

The EU’s neighbourhood policy and regional agreements

The EU’s relations with third countries cover a wide spectrum. They may be rooted in historical ties, as in the case of the ACP countries, or evolve in response to new developments within the grouping, as in the case of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

moreThe EU’s neighbourhood policy and regional agreements

ECHO helping in the Horn of Africa, 2012

Humanitarian aid

Victims of natural or man-made disasters around the world need our assistance. The EU Commission's Directorate-General is the world's largest donor of humanitarian aid.
moreHumanitarian aid