High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ( HV, in the treaty text briefly: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, colloquially EU foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief ) is a entered by the 1 December 2009 in force contract Lisbon newly created position within the institutional structure of the European Union. The High Representative is also the Vice President of the European Commission, Chairman of the Council for Foreign Affairs and Representative of the European Council. Shall be appointed by the High Representative by a qualified majority for the term of the European Commission after the approval of the Commission President by the European Council. Since December 1, 2009 Catherine Ashton exercises as the first incumbent of this function.

Tasks

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy combines the previous positions of High Representative for the CFSP and the Commissioner for External Relations. He will represent the EU together with the new President of the European Council to the outside. He shall contribute by his proposals to the development of the Common Foreign and Security Policy ( CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy ( CSDP) and shall carry out as mandated by the Council. He is also a Vice President of the European Commission and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Council. The High Representative thus receives important positions in two major EU institutions, namely the European Commission and the EU Council. One therefore speaks of a " small double hat ". ( The "big double hat " would be the merger of its President and the President of the European Council, which is not provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon. )

The Lisbon Treaty in the newly created European External Action Service, which builds on the previous EU Commission delegations and also includes staff seconded from national diplomatic services, is part of the High Representative. The High Representative also coordinates the work of the EU Special Representative.

History

The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe ( TCE ) provided to merge the Office of the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy with the Commissioner for External Relations and rename to " Secretary of State of the Union" (Art. I-28 TCE, so-called small double hat ). After the failure of the Constitutional Treaty, European governments agreed in the Treaty of Lisbon, at the urging of the United Kingdom on the retention of the previous title in a slightly different form. The Office is therefore called the "High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy " in the new EU Treaty. Except for the name laid down in the Constitutional Treaty provisions have been fully taken (Article 18 and Article 27 of the EU Treaty).

Candidates for the office

Just before the EU summit on 19 November 2009, on which the new High Representative has been nominated by the European Council, the Italian Massimo D' Alema and the Romanian Adrian Severin were regarded as promising candidates for the office. Previously also the Briton David Miliband was talking, but rejected the candidacy. Surprisingly finally Catherine Ashton was nominated.