CFSP Tools and Mechanisms

The European Council, composed of Member States' leaders, determines the strategic aims, as well as strategic directives and general orientations, for the European Union.

, and Administrator

2025 September 17 . 7:01 AM

2 min read

CFSP Tools and Mechanisms

The European Union (EU) employs a variety of diplomatic strategies to shape its political interests in thematic areas and countries/regions. At the highest level, the EU is represented by the President of the European Council among Heads of State and Government, and the High Representative at the level of Foreign Ministers.

The appointment of EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) serves a crucial role in promoting the EU's strategic objectives and interests. According to Article 33, the Council can appoint an EUSR for specific political questions. The EUSR operates under the responsibility of the High Representative and maintains a close connection with the EUSR, serving as the most important point of contact for it in relation to the Member States.

Political dialogue is practiced at various levels, including Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers, high officials, and experts. When a particularly strong political signal is needed, the European Council takes the lead, while the Council of Foreign Affairs adopts conclusions almost exclusively.

Council conclusions, adopted by both the European Council and the Council of Foreign Affairs, are an important operational tool aimed at formally setting out the position of the Union on high political significance topics, crises, or conflicts. These conclusions often serve as a reference document for a position expressed by the Union for years.

Decisions of the European Council on strategic objectives and interests are generally taken unanimously. These decisions can specify actions to be taken and common positions, such as certain sanctions against a country. The EU uses restrictive measures (sanctions) to enforce political goals, targeting representatives of governments of certain third countries, but also other legal and natural persons. An overview of all currently existing EU sanctions regimes can be found at www.sanctionsmap.eu.

Another form of diplomatic activity within the framework of the EU is demarches, carried out by the representation of the EU in the respective host country based on an instruction from the High Representative. Agreement on such demarches is usually reached in the relevant working group of the Council, occasionally in the PSK or even in the Council.

Local statements are considered when an event is only of local/regional significance, so that a statement from Brussels does not appear necessary. If an event is not significant enough to require a personal statement by the High Representative, the form of a statement by the spokesperson can be chosen.

The High Representative issues declarations in personal capacity when a swift reaction to an event or specific situation is necessary and consultation with the -27 circle is not feasible due to time constraints, but the declaration must correspond to agreed positions.

You can find the currently appointed EUSRs on the website of the EU at https://eeas.europa.eu. Within the framework of the EU, political dialogue with third countries (also groups of states) has developed as an important tool to influence the approach and behavior of dialogue partners through information exchange and strengthening of cooperation.

Statements and Declarations are further operational instruments of the European Union, with four forms distinguished: Statements by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, Declarations of the High Representative in Personal Capacity, Statements by the Council, and Joint Statements by the European Council and the Council of Foreign Affairs. These instruments provide the EU with the flexibility to respond swiftly and effectively to a wide range of global issues.