Gubarets, D.P. The Lisbon Treaty: formation of the EU competences in the sphere of common foreign policy and security policy

Abstract: The article contains analysis of the changes in the procedure of formation of the EU competences in the sphere of common foreign policy and security policy. It is stated that the tendency within these changes is for the strengthening of the competence of the EU institutions. The author studies the specifi c features of distribution of competences among the Union, the Communities and the EU Member States in the sphere of common foreign policy and security policy. The author states that as a result of adoption and implementation of the Lisbon Treaty there was not merging between the fi rst and the second “pillars” , since while the European Union is very similar to the federal structure, it has no political integration, that is why there is still a threat that the foreign economic policy shall be bound by common foreign political interests. These interests are formed by specifi c states, and such decisions cannot be made at the supranational level. There is no fi xed framework for the “common foreign policy and security”, and their defi nition according to the general character of this sphere of activities is left at the discretion of the states.

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