The EU in international organisations post-Lisbon - the question of representation

Abstract: The past century has seen a change in the global pattern of power; states are no longer the only recognized subjects of international law, also international organisations can assume that role. This has meant that the cooperation between these kinds of international actors has grown increasingly important. Also the EU is seeking to assert its identity on the international scene. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009, two new agents in EU external affairs were introduced: the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the European External Action Service. This has brought changes to the execution of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, both in the actors responsible for coordinating the common EU position and how that position shall be presented at international fora across the world. The Lisbon Treaty provisions that representation of the EU in the area of Common Foreign and Security Policy shall be the responsibility of the High Representative, with the assistance of the European External Action Service. This is an effort to at the same time provide the basis for a more unified external voice of the EU and ensure the coordination of the Member States’ foreign policies, to strengthen the position of the EU in international organisations. This thesis seeks to describe the functioning of these new EU agents, as well as how these changes have been perceived by the EU Member States.