Research Papers

The Lisbon treaty reform was aimed at providing more continuity, visibility, coherence and efficiency for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). After more than two years of post-Lisbon CFSP reality, it is possible to draw a first balance based on these criteria. A particular focus is on the design and reality of the new institutional set-up, namely the High Representative and the European External Action Service. Are the new actors in Brussels gaining ground or do key players among the 27 tend to ignore them? Two observations can be made. First, while providing new possibilities, the Lisbon treaty did not fundamentally change the main characteristics of this policy field. Contrary to the initial intention, it even added complexity to the institutional structures in Brussels. Second, the current political context is unfavorable for a successful implementation of the new provisions. However, given these limitations, the full potential of the Lisbon EU foreign policy can still be unlocked and first achievements are visible.