"The European Union can only strengthen its credibility by producing results. We must respond to the needs of the moment by finding the political will for a strong EU foreign policy, capable of delivering results. That will both answer our publics’ questions about the purpose of the EU and give Europe new momentum. And it will position us to manage the challenges we will face in the future."

– Benita Ferrero-Waldner
EU External Relations/European Neighborhood Policy Commissioner

The European Union increasingly speaks with one voice in foreign policy matters. Although the individual EU Member States still retain their own foreign policies, the EU provides a platform from which the Member States can more persuasively advocate their common agenda. In international negotiations the EU is represented as an entity, for example in the Mideast Quartet (EU, US, UN & Russia) dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Asserting the EU's New Role in the World

The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) was established in 1993 when the Treaty of the European Union took effect. It aims to safeguard the common values, fundamental interests, independence and integrity of the Union; to strengthen the security of the Union; to preserve peace and strengthen international security; to promote international co-operation; and to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The policy calls for adherence to the UN Charter in accomplishing these goals.

In 1999, EU leaders agreed upon a common European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) within the overall framework of the CFSP to develop capacities to undertake security-related operations, such as peacekeeping, monitoring and conflict prevention. Since 2003, some dozen ESDP operations have been launched and the peacekeeping forces from Member States under the EU flag have been deployed, for example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Republic of Congo.

Although the European Commission is fully associated with the CFSP through its right of policy initiative, its budgetary powers and by representing the EU through a network of delegations, the ultimate power in this policy field rests with the Member States. The Council of the EU lays down the principles and general guidelines for the CFSP and adopts common strategies through intergovernmental decision-making procedures made by unanimity.

From the very beginning, one of the central aims of European integration has been securing peace in Europe. In that respect, enlargement has been one of the most successful EU policies. The Union has progressively extended its zone of peace and democracy across the European continent. In 2004, the EU also launched a European Neighborhood Policy, inviting countries bordering the Union to share in the peace, stability and prosperity enjoyed in the EU.

European Commission Delegation, Washington, DC, Staff

USEFUL Links:

European Commission Websites

• EU External Relations Directorate General
• EU External Relations/European Neighborhood Policy Commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner
• EU Enlargement Directorate General
• EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn
• EU in the World
• EU Delegations
• EU External Relations & Foreign Affairs Portal

Key Issues

• EU/US Relations
  • Transatlantic Relations under the New Obama Administration
  • European Perspectives on the New American Foreign Policy Agenda:
    On November 20, 2008 the European Union Institute for Security Studies released a report on EU-US foreign policy priorities (European perspectives on the new American foreign policy agenda), which analyzes priorities for EU-US cooperation and puts forward recommendations on areas where the EU can engage with the new American administration.
• EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)
• European Security & Defense Policy (ESDP)
• European Neighborhood Policy
• EU Sanctions
• EU & the Kimberley Process (Conflict Diamonds); Hot Topic
• EU/Russia & Eastern Europe Hot Topic

Overviews

• EU/US Relations Overview (PowerPoint)
• The EU & the US: Global Partners, Global Responsibilities
• EU Focus: European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP): Working for a Safer World
• EU Focus: The EU and Peacekeeping: Promoting Security, Stability, and Democratic Values (en español)
• EU Focus: The European Neighborhood Policy: Creating a Ring of Friends Surrounding Europe
• EU Focus: The EU & Latin America/Caribbean
• Asia Hot Topic
• Counterterrorism Hot Topic
• Enlargement Hot Topic 
• Human Trafficking Hot Topic
• Mideast Hot Topic
• Visa Waiver Reciprocity Hot Topic
• Enlargement Press Pack
• EU External Relations Activities
• EU Foreign & Security Policy Activities
• EU External Relations Legislative Summaries
• EU Foreign & Security Policy Legislative Summaries
• EU External Relations Legislation
• EU Common Foreign & Security Policy Legislation
• EU Election Observation Missions: European Parliament
• EU Election Observation Missions: EuropeAid
• Publications

Institutions

• Council of the European Union
  • Common Foreign & Security Policy (CFSP)
    • EU Common Foreign & Security Policy High Representative Javier Solana
  • European Security & Defense Policy (ESDP)
    • ESDP News
    • EU ESDP Operations
• European Defense Agency (EDA)
• EU Institute for Security Studies (ISS-EU)
• EU Satellite Centre (EUSC)
• EU Network & Information Security Agency (ENISA)