EU E-Learning Units

HOME

CONTACT

 

E-Learning Unit 3: The EU Institutions and Modes of Governance

  1. Introduction
  2. The Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe
    1. Dissolving of the Pillar Structure
    2. Reforming the Union´s Competencies
      1. A Clear-Cut Catalogue of Competences?
      2. Categories of Competences
    3. Reforming the Procedures and Instruments
      1. Revision Procedures
      2. Legislative Procedures
      3. Budgetary Procedure
  3. A Revised Institutional Architecture
    1. The European Parliament
      1. Increase in Competence and Function
      2. With New Strength Towards a Bicameral System
      3. A Full-Fledged Parliament?
    2. The European Council
      1. An Expanded List of Tasks
      2. The President of the European Council
    3. The Council of Ministers
      1. Composition of the Council and its Presidency
      2. The New Majority Formula
      3. An Enhanced Ability?
    4. The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs
    5. The European Commission
      1. Reforms in the Light of European 'Leitideen'
      2. An Enhanced President of the Commission
      3. The College
  4. Perspectives
    1. Towards a New Institutional Balance?
    2. In a Fusion Trend?
    3. The TCE as a Further Step in the Evolution of European States?
  5. Further Readings

.

 

Source: de.news.yahoo.com/

III.4 The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs

The creation of an office for a 'Union Minister for Foreign Affairs' stands as the most central innovation of the proposed institutional architecture. It is another attempt, in line with past efforts, aimed at promoting the efficient cooperation between the Member States, as well as ensuring the "consistency between the different areas of its external action (Title V Part III TCE) and between these and its other policies" (Art. III-292 (3) TCE). For this task, it has been envisaged to merge into a "double hat" the High Representative and the Vice president of the Commission who is responsible for external relations [three functions of the Foreign Minister Art. I-28]. This constitutional set-up places him in an environment of strong inter- and intra-institutional tension. In that, he shall be supported by the "European External Action Service" (Art. III-296 (3) TCE). Already the Convention has invested great expectations in his office while the instruments at his disposal are rather limited. It is hoped that he will advance the objectives of the Union through far reaching proposals and activities on the one hand, yet as president of the Foreign Affairs Council, his main objective must remain - not least because of the dominant use of unanimity - the forging of consensus among the Member States. In fulfilling his duties, he will have to reconcile different political interests not only of Member States, but also of Commission ressorts and relevant interest networks. The election and the description of tasks of the Foreign minister are almost an ideal typical instance of the fusion trend: legitimacy and functions are merged.

     

Links:

 

Source: www.pitztaler-info.at/

 

Art. III-296(3) 'European External Action Service'

3. In fulfilling his or her mandate, the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be assisted by a European External Action Service. This service shall work in cooperation with the diplomatic services of the Member States and shall comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission as well as staff seconded from national diplomatic services of the Member States. The organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service shall be established by a European decision of the Council. The Council shall act on a proposal from the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs after consulting the European Parliament and after obtaining the consent of the Commission.

 

GLOSSARY: