European Commissioner for External Relations
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The European Commissioner for External Relations was a member of the
The first Commissioner to hold the post was Jean Rey in 1958, who later became Commission President. The last Commissioner was Benita Ferrero-Waldner who served from 2004 to 2009 in the first Barroso Commission.
As a result of the Treaty of Lisbon, on 1 December 2009, merged the positions of Commissioner and High Representative into a composite entity called the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
List of commissioners
The post has been under various names (External Relations/External Affairs) and often combined with Trade or other portfolios. In the
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As a result of the ratification of the
Since the establishment of the High Representative, there are now only the following Commissioners dealing with international affairs;
- European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
- European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response
- European Commissioner for Trade
Related posts
The external relations policy of the Barroso Commission is based on three key basic propositions on the EU's role in the world. The EU is a global player; it pursues a specific foreign policy philosophy which one could term "effective multilateralism"; and, thanks to its specific nature, the EU disposes of a wide range of foreign policy instruments which are particularly suited to respond to today's challenges. In his first Commission, President Barroso established a Group of Commissioners, chaired by him, and in charge of six external relations services. Prior to its abolition, there were four external relations posts;
- External Relations (Relex)and the EuropeAid Co-operation Office (Aidco).
- Directorate General for Trade of the European Commissionis in charge of implementing the external trade policy of the European Union. International trade is forefront of international relations.
- European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office(ECHO) and Development.
- Olli Rehn was responsible for Enlargement. This has been the key tool in enhancing the European model and meeting the objectives of foreign and security policy. The Enlargement Directorate General managed the process under his responsibility.
See also
- Directorate-General for External Relations
- Common Foreign and Security Policy
- Foreign relations of the European Union
References
- ^ Between 1 December 2009 and the entry into office of the Barroso II Commission, Ashton (who sits in the Barroso I Commission) will take on the portfolio by swapping with Ferrero-Waldner. Ferrero-Waldner will take over Ashton's trade portfolio. The High Representative will formally take over, and become a Vice President, after Parliament approves the new Commission.
- ^ Benita Ferrero-Waldner, 3 December 2009
"On Thursday, 26 November President Barroso confirmed to the President of the European Parliament his decision to appoint Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner to take over the trade policy portfolio with effect from 1 December 2009. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will serve as Commissioner for Trade until the beginning of the mandate of the next Commission. During this period she will continue to be responsible for the European Neighbourhood Policy and for the operations of EuropeAid – Cooperation Office (Aidco)."