spotlight europe 05/2010: External Action Service. Much Ado About Nothing

The Treaty of Lisbon was supposed to enable the EU to face up to the challenges of the 21st century in the area of foreign and security policy. However, a feeling of despondency is beginning to make itself felt only seven months after it entered into force. Nothing has changed when it comes to the image that the EU is an economic giant and a dwarf in foreign policy terms. Furthermore, as a result of the financial and economic crisis Europe is also on the verge of collapse as a global economic power.