The post of High Representative subject to the vagaries of the Treaty

(BRUSSELS2) The High Representative is the most sensitive position to appoint in the transition period between the two Treaties because his role changes fundamentally and especially his institutional position.

• With the Treaty of Lisbon, the High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy straddles the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. He fulfills, in fact, three tasks: 1) a diplomatic role – head of EU diplomacy, he is normally responsible for the foreign service and operations of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) –; 2) political – he chairs the Council of Foreign Ministers (but not the General Affairs Council, which remains chaired by the rotating presidency) –; 3) Legislative and Economic – he is Vice-President of the Commission, in charge of coordinating the entire field of external relations with full voting rights on all subjects. Furthermore, he participates in the work of the European Council (without being a formal member, so he does not have the right to vote). In the European Commission, Lisbon version, he is therefore the “strong man” of the new college. It is named by the " European Council, by qualified majority "," with the agreement of the future President of the Commission. (NB: the secretary of the Board is then appointed by the latter).

• With the Treaty of Nice, the High Representative for the common foreign and security policy » has a double role: secretary general of the Council of the EU, therefore head of administration, whose very discreet role is nonetheless essential (preparation of advice, working groups, legal department, etc.). It is named by " the Council, by qualified majority ". His mandate ends automatically (like that of the Deputy Secretary-General of the Council) when the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force.

Under these conditions, the possible appointment to this post comes up against a real headache. Especially since, for the sake of global balance, an element outside the European Union influences: the appointment of the Secretary General of NATO. Javier Solana (PES/Spain), the current holder of the post, who created the function in 1999, after occupying the post of Secretary General of NATO, not thinking of a third mandate. “Unless the member states ask him to” assure his relatives.

(NGV)