The roles of the President of the European Council and the High Representative in leading EU foreign policy on Kosovo

The post-Lisbon foreign and security policy has witnessed the growth in relevance of intergovernmental forums for policy coordination and joint decision-making including the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council. Rather than acting as obstacles to policy integration under certain circumstances, such forums act as its main catalysts of integration, without greater empowerment of supranational actors. This article offers an in-depth study of the ramifications of the post-Lisbon institutional dynamics and of their effects on the governance of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. The roles of the President of the European Council and that of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy are central to this policy field as it is illustrated in relation to EU’s policy approach to Kosovo.