Strategic Panorama 2009 - 2010 - IEEE

Aníbal Villalba Fernández
of the CFSP (article 21 TEU – Nice). The HR is furthermore responsible
for ensuring that the EP and Member States are kept fully informed of the
implementation of enhanced cooperation in the field of CFSP (article 27d
TEU - Nice).
In practice, the EP has more influence in CFSP matters than it might
seem, through its participation in the approval of the Budget, which includes
the overall sum earmarked to the CFSP and through its appearances
before the Plenary, the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittees
on Human Rights and Defence.
As to the role of the EP in the Treaty of Lisbon, Declaration 14 annexed
thereto states that the provisions covering the CFSP neither give new
powers to the Commission to initiate decisions nor broaden the role of the
European Parliament.
Under these circumstances the EP should simply be consulted and
informed by the High Representative in respect of the main aspects of the
CFSP and the CSDP.
Nevertheless, the Parliament’s powers in this area have been indirectly
reinforced, as its consent is required for the appointment of the HR as
Vice-President of the Commission, and it continues to be able to pass a
censure motion against the Commission, which would affect the HR in his
capacity as a member of the latter.
The Parliament has gone from one annual debate to two debates on
the CFSP, and the CSDP is expressly included in them. Finally, the EP
can address questions not only to the Council but also to the HR/VP, who
will be the person in charge, in lieu of the Presidency, of holding periodic
consultations with it concerning the main aspects and basic choices of the
CFSP (including the CSDP), of informing it of the development of these
policies and of ensuring that its views are duly taken into consideration.
The European Commission
The European Commission is fully associated with the work carried out
in the CFSP field (article 27 TEU - Nice). It has right of initiative in CFSP
matters (though not exclusively as in Community matters but shared with
the Member States, in accordance with article 22 TEU – Nice) and furthermore
shares with the Council the responsibility of ensuring the consistency
of the Union’s external activities as a whole (article 3 TEU - Nice). It also
shares with the Presidency the responsibility of keeping the EP regularly
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