Implementing the Lisbon Treaty: The External Policy Dimension. Bruges Political Research Paper No.14, May 2010

Missiroli, Antonio. (2010) Implementing the Lisbon Treaty: The External Policy Dimension. Bruges Political Research Paper No.14, May 2010. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

This policy brief examines the implementation to date of the Lisbon Treaty's provisions for EU external policy, in particular the High Representative/Commission Vice President and the External Action Service. Numerous challenges inherent to the structure of the system are becoming apparent already, involving as they are complex trade-offs both between EU institutions and among the Member States. The EU's ability to act as a coherent external actor will be tested only after the new 'system' takes a clearer shape. This may take time and require adjustments along the way - while the rapid evolution of the international system and dramatic power shifts at the global level require both immediate action and strategic vision.

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