Pillar Two (Europe)

Pillar two relates to common foreign and security policy (CFSP). The Maastricht Treaty provides for the EU to develop CFSP, covering all areas of foreign and security policy with the following objectives:

1. To safeguard the common values, interests, independence and integrity of the EU, in conformity with the UN Charter
2. To protect the security of the EU
3. To preserve peace and international security, in accordance with international agreements
4. To promote international co-operation
5. To consolidate democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms

The Maastricht Treaty (as amended by the Amsterdam Treaty) declares that these will be achieved by:

1. Defining general principles and guidelines for CFSP
2. Deciding on common strategies
3. Adopting joint actions
4. Adopting common positions
5. Strengthening systematic co-operation between member states in the conduct of policy

Policy objectives and instruments (common strategies, joint actions and common positions) are decided primarily by the European Council and the General Affairs Council (GAC).

CFSP is conducted then on a primarily intergovernmental basis - due primarily to the politically sensitive nature of foreign and security policy.

The European Council is responsible for setting general principles and guidelines for the conduct of CFSP and decides common strategies.

Within this framework, the GAC is the principal decision-making body for CFSP, which implements the common strategies of the European Council through joint actions and common positions.

All Pillar Two decisions are made solely on the basis of unanimity.

The roles of the commission and the EP are very limited in regard to CFSP. The EP has a right to be consulted on the main aspects and basic choices of CFSP, but the council is not obliged to take account of its views - unless it relates to matters requiring EP agreement (eg adoption of international agreements, under the assent procedure).

Similarly, the commission only has more than an advisory role in respect of matters where a CFSP position requires the use of EU policy instruments - eg imposing economic sanctions. The commission can exercise more influence when a small member state occupies the presidency, as its foreign ministry will be less able to resist the informal pressure it exerts.