The CFSP was established as the second pillar of the European Union in the 1993 Treaty on European Union signed at Maastricht. A number of important changes were introduced in the Amsterdam Treaty which came into force in 1999, and since then there have been numerous developments in CFSP. It has been agreed to embark on a common security and defence policy (CESDP) within the overall framework of the CFSP.
How the CFSP works
The Amsterdam Treaty spells out five fundamental objectives of CFSP:
- to safeguard the common values, fundamental interests, independence and integrity of the Union in conformity with the principle of the United Nations Charter;
- to strengthen the security of the Union in all ways;
- to preserve peace and strengthen international security, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as the principle of the Helsinki Final Act and the objectives of the Paris Charter, including those on external borders
- to promote international co-operation;
- to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The treaty also identifies several ways in which these objectives are to be pursued:
- defining the principles and general guidelines for the common foreign and security policy, which is done by the European Council;
- deciding on common strategies. These instruments were introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty and set out overall policy guidelines for activities with individual countries. Each strategy specifies its objectives, its duration and the resources that will have to be provided by the EU and the Member States. So far there are Common strategies on Russia, Ukraine, Mediterranean and the Middle East Peace Process. They too are decided by the European Council.
- adopting joint actions and common positions. These commit the Member States to adopting a certain position and a certain course of action. They are decided by the General Affairs Council.
Additionally, mechanisms for regular political dialogue with a whole range of third countries have been set up, usually with troika meetings at ministerial, senior officials and working group level, summits and in some cases, meetings with all Member States and the Commission at ministerial or senior officials level.
Outside these regular mechanisms, the EU maintains a political presence, particularly in areas of crisis or conflict. Special Representatives have been appointed to the Great Lakes (Africa), Middle East, Stability Pact, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ethiopia/Eritrea and Afghanistan. These Special Representatives provide a direct link to developments in these areas and allow the EU to have an active involvement in the search for lasting solutions.
