Strategic Panorama 2009 - 2010 - IEEE

Aníbal Villalba Fernández
at providing the European Union with a more harmonious structure and
enabling it to address challenges more effectively in its external action.
The appointment of the President of the European Council for a two and
a half year term, which is renewable once, is expected to afford stability to
a post that represents the Union externally in CFSP matters. The choice for
this post of the former Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy, who
has proven experience in solving complex political crises, met with the
approval of all the heads of state or government of the Member States.
The same backing was given to the choice of Catherine Ashton as the
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The fact that Ms Ashton was previously EU Trade Commissioner is expected
to benefit her work as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Commission,
a status associated with the appointment as HR.
The fact that the newly appointed High Representative will chair the
Foreign Affairs Council is expected to give impetus to the EU’s external
and security action. In this connection it is also envisaged that the Political
and Security Committee will be chaired by a representative of the High
Representative.
The creation of the European External Action Service, whose support will
be enlisted by the HR in exercising her mandate, is a challenge of outstanding
political significance. Given that both the organisation and the functioning
of the EEAS will be established by a Council decision, which will be
issued unanimously at the proposal of the HR after consulting the European
Parliament and obtaining the consent of the Commission, the EEAS is
expected to provide a balance allowing harmonious development.
The shaping of the legal personality of the European Union constitutes
an aspect of far-reaching importance which will enable the Union to conclude
agreements with states or international organisations in the areas of the
CFSP. The Union’s single legal personality will strengthen its ability to act as
an interlocutor, making it a more effective actor on the international stage and
a more visible partner for third countries and international organisations.
Following ten years of European Security and Defence Policy, the
Treaty of Lisbon has made it possible to transform this policy into a
Common Policy, in consonance with the rest of the Union’s Common
Policies. The success of the ESDP, with 22 civilian and military missions
deployed on the ground, has led to the definition of this Common Security
and Defence Policy, which will continue to generate and export security.
— 177 —