High Representative for CFSP

High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy

The High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (HR) is the main co-ordinator of the Common Foreign and Security Policy within the European Union. The position is currently held by Javier Solana and is based in the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.

The post was introduced by the Treaty of Amsterdam and its holder, together with the national Foreign Minister holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, represents the council of Foreign Ministers of the Union. The Clinton administration claimed in May 2000 that Solana was the fulfilment of Henry Kissinger's desire to have a phone number to talk to Europe (“Who do I call if I want to call Europe?” - Henry Kissinger).

Powers and responsibilities

Where foreign policy is agreed between EU member-states the High Representative can speak for the Union in that area, such as negotiating on behalf of the member-states. The representative co-ordinates the work of the Special Representatives as well as other appointments such as anti-terrorist co-ordinator. He/She makes reports and proposals for the Council, as Secretary General, the High Representative examines and prepares most decisions before they are presented for decision.

At its inception, it was decided that the Secretary General of the Council would fill the position. This meant that the Secretary General at the time, Jürgen Trumpf was the first High Representative, although he would only serve a few months. During the tenure of Javier Solana, the position was expanded rapidly, with several more functions combined into the function of High Representative for the CFSP:

High Representative for the CFSP

Co-ordinating the European Security and Defence Policy
Responsible for the European Union Special Representatives

Secretary General of the Council of the European Union
Secretary General of the Western European Union
President of the European Defence Agency
Head of the proposed External Action Service

List of office holders

Jürgen Trumpf (of Germany) - appointed by virtue of Amsterdam Treaty (May - October 1999))
Javier Solana (of Spain) - Cologne European Council (October 1999 - incumbent)

Future of the post

Under the Lisbon Treaty, the post of High Representative will be merged with that of the European Commissioner for External Relations under a new title of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Under the rejected European Constitution it would have been named the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Minister would also be a Vice-President in the Commission and chair the Council of Ministers in its Foreign Affairs configuration. Although the Minister has powers to make proposals he/she can only represent the Union in matters where there is an agreed policy between all member states. The post would be backed by an External Action Service, which will help the new combined High Representative to generate consensus in the European Union and implement that consensus when achieve.

This combination of posts has been seen as furthering the answer to Kissinger's question; “The creation of a High Representative for foreign policy, or, better still, a Minister for foreign affairs would be a big change compared with the current situation. It would put an end to the double job which exists between the current function of Mr. Javier Solana, and that carried out within the Commission by Mme Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in charge of the external aid of the EU. One and the same person would therefore deal with problems and respond to the famous telephone calls of Henry Kissinger: ‘ I want to speak to Europe.’ ” - Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in his blog, 5 July 2007