The Communitarian Dimension of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy

An examination of the European Community’s (EC) involvement within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), whereby, the inevitable interaction between these two frameworks is exposed, despite the initial intention to shield the intergovernmental CFSP from the influence of the supranational EC to the greatest extent possible.
The work examines different aspects and consequences of the EC’s contribution to the CFSP, both in policy-defining and in practical terms. The growing EC dimension of CFSP indicates a dominant cross-pillar approach in the conduct of European foreign policy. This was essential to allow for the efficient implementation of the CFSP and enhanced the influence of the EC and its institutions. Nonetheless, this support for the CFSP seemed at times to compromise the independence of the EC.
Despite the acknowledgement of its advantages, the cross-pillar approach is not necessarily reflected in the Lisbon Treaty. As the examination of the Lisbon Treaty continues, the pillar structure is not entirely overcome.