Strategic Panorama 2009 - 2010 - IEEE

The Treaty of Lisbon and the common security and defence policy
The Preamble to the Lisbon Treaty enshrines the European Union
Member States’ determination to develop a Common Foreign and Security
Policy including the progressive framing of a common defence policy
which might lead to a common defence, thereby reinforcing the European
identity and its independence in order to foster peace, security and progress
in Europe and in the world.
It falls to Spain to carry out the transition to the design envisaged
by the Lisbon Treaty for the CFSP and CSDP. As holder of the rotating
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Spain must facilitate the adjustment
of the new structures in an exercise that requires rigour, flexibility and
political leadership.
THE CFSP IN THE TREATY OF LISBON
The Common Foreign and Security Policy has acquired a new dimension
following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. A significant change
in the new architecture of the EU is the abolishment of the structure of
«pillars» introduced by the Maastricht Treaty.
The legal personality of the EU, which is introduced in article 47 of
the Lisbon Treaty, is a very significant aspect. Article 37 states that the
Union may conclude agreements with one or several states or international
organisations in the areas covered by the chapter on the CFSP. The
Union’s single legal personality will bolster its capabilities as an interlocutor,
making it a more effective actor on the international scene and a more
visible partner for third countries and international organisations.
Nevertheless, this legal personality does not entail a different handling
of the EU’s decision-making process. Unanimity will continue to be indispensable
for any decision to allow the Union to sign a contractual document
with security or defence implications, as laid down in articles 31 and
38 of the Treaty of Lisbon.
The Treaty of Lisbon has brought substantial institutional changes
designed to give impetus to the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Two significant appointments have been made in relation to these institutional
changes: that of the President of the European Council, Herman
Van Rompuy, previously Prime Minister of Belgium; and that of the High
Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Catherine Ashton, until then European Commissioner for Trade, who is
also one of the Vice-Presidents of the Commission (hereinafter referred to
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