The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is an institutional figure, whose function is to lead the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) by contributing to its implementation, cooperating with the member states, and ensuring unity, coherence, and effectiveness of the European Union's external action.
The task of representing the European Union was initially assigned to a rotating presidency changing every six months. However, it did not provide the necessary continuity required of a diplomatic representation. To resolve this point of fragility, the Treaty of Amsterdam added to the rotating presidency the figure of the Secretary General of the Council in the capacity of High Representative for the CFSP, who was required to assist the presidency by contributing to the preparation and implementation of policy decisions, to dialogue with third parties, and to work with the Commission, particularly the Commissioner for External Relations. The Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe (2003) proposed to further reform the role of the High Representative by creating a Union Minister for Foreign Affairs that would combine in one person the functions of High Representative for CFSP and Commissioner for External Relations. As we know, following the negative outcome of the referenda in France and the Netherlands, the Constitutional Treaty did not enter into force, but some innovations in it were nevertheless included in the subsequent Lisbon Treaty: the establishment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, renamed High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in order not to touch issues concerning the national sovereignty of member states.
Thus, with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the role and functions of the High Representative were redefined. Under Article 18 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the High Representative is appointed by the European Council by qualified majority vote with the agreement of the President of the Commission. He is also subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament. The High Representative chairs the Foreign Affairs Council, and he appoints the chair of the Political and Security Committee and the chairs of Council working groups dealing with external relations matters. In addition, the High Representative is one of the ex officio vice presidents of the Commission; a position obliging him to attend the European Parliament hearings scheduled for the Commissioners, prior to the collective vote of approval to which Commission members are subject before Parliament.
As President of the Foreign Affairs Council, the High Representative leads the work and submits initiatives and proposals to the Council regarding CFSP and the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). It conducts dialogue with third parties, expressing the positions of the Union and ensuring coordination among member states in international organizations and conferences. Regarding relations with the European Parliament, the High Representative is required to consult it regularly on key decisions concerning CFSP and CSDP. Acting also as Vice-President of the Commission, he is subject to obligations and procedures governing the functioning of the Commission, including collective responsibility before Parliament and the possibility of a motion of censure, resulting in the resignation of all members of the Commission. In such a case, resignation would be required, but exclusively from the position of Vice-President of the Commission.
Today, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is Spaniard Josep Borrell. He succeeded Federica Mogherini in 2019 and previously served as Foreign Minister in the Spanish government and President of the European Parliament.
Translated by Denise Praticò.
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Bibliography:
“Federica Mogherini: i miei cinque anni da Alto rappresentante”, Istituto Affari Internazionali
https://www.iai.it/it/news/federica-mogherini-i-miei-5-anni-da-alto-rappresentante
“Alto rappresentante per gli affari esteri e la politica di sicurezza/Servizio europeo per l'azione esterna”, nota informativa Segretariato generale del Consiglio
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/31122/background-highrepresentative_it.pdf
Manuale “Diritto dell’Unione europea” di Luigi Daniele, Giuffrè, 2020
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Melissa Cortese
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Josep Borrell europe european institutions institutions foreign affairs