The EU gradually grew in size, with more and more countries expressing their willingness to join the community. By the year 2004 there was an increase in membership from 15 to a total of 27 nations. This demanded a reformation in the policies and functioning of the EU. Thus, the Lisbon Treaty was framed, signed by various state leaders on the 13th of December, 2007.
The Lisbon Treaty incorporated necessary changes aimed at increasing the consistency and coherence of the EU’s internal and external actions. It has a provision for a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The High Representative will be responsible for coordinating the Commission’s external actions and accountable for the EU’s standard foreign and defence policies. He will also chair the EU’s External Relations Council and be a vice-president of the European Commission.
The High Representative will be supported by a European External Action Service made up of officials from both the Council and the Commission and civil servants from the EU Member States.
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