THE TREATY OF LISBON – AN EFFECTIVE FRAMEWORK FOR AN EFFICIENT DEFENSE POLICY

In economic, trade and monetary terms, the European Union has become a global player. Although there is still much to be done in diplomatic and political terms, many issues are on the right path now. The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), introduced by the Treaties of Maastricht (1992), Amsterdam (1997) and Nice (2001), define EU’s main tasks in the area of defense but the Treaty of Lisbon empowers the defense policy. After the Treaty of Lisbon came into force in December 2009, it ushered in a set of changes to help the EU take decisions efficiently and play a prominent role in international affairs. Changes include revamping the six-month rotating presidency to ensure close cooperation with two offices created by the treaty – the EU president and the foreign affairs chief. Keeping on the innovation path, the position of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was introduced, with responsibilities that imply the coordination and representation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). “No decoupling, no duplication and no discrimination” – the special relationship between EU and NATO on security issues.