Institutional Mechanisms of European Union Foreign Policy

Abstract

The article analyzes the acts of primary and secondary law governing the institutional mechanism of the joint foreign policy of the European Union (hereinafter - the EU). In the focus of the research are the legal status and powers of the EU institutions in the domain of joint foreign and security policy. The emphasis is laid on the changes in the joint foreign and security policy of the EU, introduced since the Lisbon Treaty came into force. The study has revealed that both the main EU institutions (European Council, Council, European Commission, the European Parliament) and the system of special bodies (High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, European External Action Service, the Political and Security Committee and CFSP Working Groups) are empowered to implement Common Foreign and Security Policy. The key findings of the study elucidate the features of the powers division between EU institutions and the peculiarities of the institutional mechanism functioning in the framework of the Member States cooperation in the field of common foreign and security policy. The institutional mechanism of the common foreign policy of EU is aimed to ensure the integrity, coherence and effectiveness of the external action of EU. The Lisbon Treaty clearly outlined the institutions providing the common foreign policy of EU. The introduction of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is the most important innovation in the field of common foreign and security policy, as he is the main actor in the preparation and implementation of all EU measures in the international arena.