Analyzing the Legal Conundrum of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy

Abstract

CFSP is one of the policies of the EU based on intergovernmental cooperation in foreign relations and defense policy, including the common security and defence policy (hereinafter CSDP). This research chapter provides an overview of the common foreign and security policy (hereinafter CFSP) within the European Union (hereinafter EU). The chapter discusses the historical development of CFSP, starting from its establishment in the 1970s and its subsequent incorporation into the Treaty on the European Union (hereinafter TEU) in 1992. It outlines the instruments, institutions, and voting procedures associated with CFSP, including the common commercial policy and cooperation with third states. The chapter also explores the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and EU military and civil missions. It highlights the changes the Amsterdam, Nice, and Lisbon Treaties brought about, such as establishing the position of high representative of the union for foreign affairs and security policy (FASP) and creating the European external action service (hereinafter EEAS).