With this Decision of 9 October 1961, the Council of the European Economic Community (EEC) determines the duration of trade agreements between Member States and third countries, so as to ensure that they do not constitute an obstacle to the introduction of the common commercial policy at the end of the transitional period provided for by the Treaty.

With this Decision, applicable as from the end of the transitional period, in other words as from 1 January 1970, the Council provides for standardisation at Community level of trade relations between Member States and third countries in the event of the provisional extension of existing bilateral agreements, provided that their extension does not hinder the implementation of the common commercial policy.

Exchange of documents between Javier Solana, Spanish Foreign Minister and President-in-office of the Council of the European Union and Moi Avei, Minister for Planning of Papua New Guinea and President of the ACP Council of Ministers during the signing ceremony of the fourth revised Lomé Convention (Mauritius, 4 November 1995).

Example of an international cooperation agreement, signed by the Council of the European Union on 20 September 1999.

Example of an international agreement, signed by the Council of the European Union on 12 July 2000.

On 6 December 2006, the Commission asks the Council of the European Union for a negotiating mandate so that it may conclude Association Agreements with Central America and the Andean Community.

In this interview, André Dubois, former Director of Commercial Policy at the Council of the European Communities, recalls the powers of the Council and of the Commission in the negotiations on trade agreements or association agreements between the European Community and third countries.

Declaration No 6 annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty of Amsterdam on the establishment of a policy planning and early warning unit (PPEWU).

Excerpt from the Annual Report on CFSP for 1999 concerning the Western Balkans Region as an example of the Council's action under the framework of the second pillar. In 1999, NATO authorised air raids against Yugoslavia in response to the Serbian policy of repression in Kosovo. The European Union fully supported NATO's action and developed its approach towards the countries of the region into a Stabilisation and Association process.

From 22 to 28 May 2002, the European Union conducts its first ever crisis-management exercise, CME 02, as part of the European security and defence policy (ESDP), which aims to test the framework within which the full range of civilian and military instruments is to be coordinated as well as the interaction among EU institutions and Member States in a crisis-management situation

In June 2003, the Thessaloniki European Council instructs the Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to submit a European Union security strategy to the General Affairs and External Relations Council. This document, entitled A Secure Europe in a Better World, is adopted by the European Council in Brussels on 12 December 2003. It emphasises the need for a multilateral and global approach to security in Europe and throughout the world.

In its issue of 1 September 2006, to mark the occasion of the informal meeting between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union, held in Lappeenranta in Finland, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro reports on the diplomatic and military efforts undertaken by the Union worldwide, particularly in Iran, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The consistency of the European Union's external action requires coordination between the External Relations Commissioner and the Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). This photograph shows Commissioner Christopher Patten and High Representative Javier Solana during a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 17 May 2004 in Brussels.

On 21 July 2003, the General Affairs and External Relations Council meets the Israeli and Palestinian Ministers for Foreign Affairs. From left to right: Nabel Shaath, Foreign Relations Minister of the Palestinian Authority; Franco Frattini, Italian Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council; Silvan Shalom, Foreign Minister of Israel; Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the CFSP; and Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission.

On 12 July 2004, the General Affairs and External Relations Council meets the Iraqi Foreign Minister to discuss the political, economic and social reconstruction of Iraq. The photograph shows, from left to right: Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); Hoshyar Zebari, Iraqi Foreign Minister; Bernard Bot, Netherlands Foreign Minister; and Chris Patten, External Relations Commissioner, during an interim press conference.

List of the European Union Special Representatives since 1996, in the order of their appointment.

Factsheet, published in June 2005 by the General Secretariat of the Council, on the role and the specific responsibilities of the EU Special Representatives in the field of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP).

On 25 March 1996, the Council adopts a Joint Action nominating a Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes Region. On the basis of this Joint Action, Aldo Ajello becomes the first Special Representative of the European Union.

On 25 November 1996, the Council adopts a Joint Action nominating a Special Envoy for the Middle East peace process. On the basis of this Joint Action, Miguel Ángel Moratinos becomes the second Special Representative of the European Union to be nominated by the Council.

On 29 June 2005, in his opening remarks at the first seminar, held in Brussels, attended by the European Union Special Representatives (EUSR), Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative for the CFSP, describes the key role of the EUSR in the common foreign and security policy and opens the discussion on the consistency between the various crisis-management instruments.

On 29 June 2005, Javier Solana meets the European Union Special Representatives (EUSR) in Brussels at the first EUSR seminar. Front row, from right to left: Heikki Talvitie (Finland), EUSR for the South Caucasus; Francesc Vendrell (Spain), EUSR for Afghanistan; Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) (SG/HR); Aldo Ajello (Italy), EUSR for the African Great Lakes Region; Paddy Ashdown (United Kingdom), EUSR for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Back row, from left to right: Adriaan Jacobvits de Szeged (Netherlands), EUSR for Moldova; Michael Sahlin (Sweden), EUSR for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Marc Otte (Belgium), former EUSR for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and Annalisa Giannella (Italy), personal representative of the SG/HR for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

In its conclusions on the European security and defence policy (ESDP), adopted on 15 May 2006, the General Affairs Council analyses the progress achieved in various fields in order to define the future needs of the ESDP more effectively in the long term. The Council considers, in particular, the development of the European Union's military capabilities, its capacity to undertake rapid response operations, the implementation of the research and technology programme and the improvement of civil-military coordination in the field. It also emphasises the importance of a comprehensive approach by the European Union to security sector reform in the Western Balkans.

In November 2006, the General Secretariat of the Council sets out the ‘background' to the development of European military capabilities. Over the course of several summits, the Member States decide to equip the European Union with the means and capabilities required for it to conduct crisis-management operations. On the basis of a strategic planning framework, the types of unit, resources and assets are listed in a requirements catalogue, enabling Member States to offer their contributions. A force catalogue may then be compiled and shortfalls identified in order to improve the capabilities of the Union by 2010.

In November 2006, the General Secretariat of the Council publishes a factsheet on Battlegroups (BGs), defined as a specific form of the European Union's rapid response elements, listing their characteristics and what is required of Member States for their provision.

Press conference held on 2 March 2005 in Brussels by Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union (EU) and High Representative for the CFSP, and Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority. During the conference, they welcome the support provided by the EU for the Middle East Peace Process and for the building of a viable and democratic Palestinian State.

Press conference held on 19 January 2006 in Brussels by Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union (EU) and High Representative for the CFSP, and Jusuf Kalla, Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia. During the conference, they express their satisfaction with the EU Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) and envisage closer cooperation between the EU and Indonesia.

Press conference held on 20 March 2006 in Brussels by Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union (EU) and High Representative for the CFSP, and Fouad Siniora, Prime Minister of Lebanon. During the conference, they reaffirm their determination to strengthen the existing national dialogue and the reform programme already being implemented in this Mediterranean country.

Press conference held in May 2006 in Brussels by Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union (EU) and High Representative for the CFSP, and Milo Djukanovic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Montenegro. During the conference, they comment on the outcome of the referendum held on 21 May 2006 concerning the independence of Montenegro and its implications for the Western Balkan region.

Press conference held on 15 June 2006 in Brussels by Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union (EU) and High Representative for the CFSP, and Zurab Nogaideli, Prime Minister of the Republic of Georgia. During the conference, they welcome, in particular, the assistance provided by the EU to the Caucasian republic aimed at bringing about the reforms required to consolidate the rule of law.

During this lecture, given on 30 November 2006 at the University of Luxembourg, Jim Cloos, Director of General Political Questions at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, outlines the historical process which led to the establishment of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) of the European Union.

During this lecture, given on 30 November 2006 at the University of Luxembourg, Jim Cloos, Director of General Political Questions at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, emphasises the importance of the establishment of a strategy for the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) of the European Union.

During this lecture, given on 30 November 2006 at the University of Luxembourg, Jim Cloos, Director of General Political Questions at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, outlines the resources of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP). He places particular emphasis on the various operations conducted in connection with the CFSP and their aims.

In this interview, Étienne Davignon, former Director-General for Policy in the Belgian Foreign Ministry, explains the influence of the ‘Davignon Report’, which was at the origin of European political cooperation (EPC) in the 1970s, on the establishment of the European Union’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP) in the 1990s.

This film, produced in June 2006, shows that the European Union possesses the necessary structures and resources for it to become a leading force in global security. Under the European security and defence policy (ESDP), the Union deploys the resources at its disposal, be they military, diplomatic, economic or civilian, in various missions around the world, such as in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, both alone and in cooperation with other international actors.

Map showing all the civilian, police and military operations carried out under the European security and defence policy (ESDP) since 2003 (situation as of May 2006).

This memo on the missions and operations of the European Union, published in 2006 in the first EU Military Staff newsletter, identifies the four types of missions undertaken since 2003 in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia under the European security and defence policy (ESDP).

On 27 January 2003, the Council adopts a Joint Action to launch the first European Union military operation, the aim being to ensure the follow-on to the NATO operation ‘Allied Harmony’ in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

On 15 December 2003, in Skopje, a ceremony marks the end of Operation Concordia — the first European Union crisis-management operation and the first EU operation using NATO resources and capabilities — and the launch of a Police Mission, code-named ‘EUPOL Proxima', in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). From left to right: Boris Trajkovski, President of the FYROM; Javier Solana, Secretary-General/High Representative for the CFSP; Branko Crvenkovski, Macedonian Prime Minister; and Ilinka Mitreva, Foreign Minister.

By Council Joint Action of 11 March 2002, the European Union establishes a European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in order to ensure, as from 1 January 2003, the follow-on to the United Nations International Police Task Force (IPTF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 15 January 2003, in Sarajevo, Javier Solana, Secretary General and High Representative (SG/HR) for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Arrival at the main headquarters of the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in Sarajevo on the occasion of its official opening on 15 January 2003. From left to right: Sven Christian Frederiksen, Head of Mission and Police Commissioner, Javier Solana, Secretary-General and High Representative (SG/HR) for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and Paddy Ashdown, EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 2 December 2004, in Sarajevo, Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), delivers an address to mark the transfer of authority from the Stabilisation Force of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (SFOR/NATO) to EUFOR, on the day of the launch of the European Union’s military operation ‘Althea’ in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

On 15 September 2005, at the request of the Indonesian Government and of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the European Union launches a ‘Monitoring Mission in Aceh' (MMA), Indonesia, responsible for ensuring the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the two parties signed on 15 August 2005 in Helsinki.

On 15 September 2005, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, the European Union Monitoring Mission in Aceh (MMA) begins the first operation to disarm the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

On 25 November 2005, the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) begins at the border between Gaza and Egypt. This mission was established on the basis of agreements negotiated between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. The photograph shows the arrival of the first bus at the crossing point after it is opened.

This photograph demonstrates the daily work of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) between the Gaza Strip and Egypt (Palestinian Territories).

This photograph, taken on 8 February 2006, demonstrates the daily work of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories, referred to as the ‘EU Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support' (EUPOL COPPS). This police mission aims to contribute to the establishment of sustainable and efficient policing arrangements under Palestinian administration, in accordance with the highest international standards.

On 15 February 2006, Jonathan McIvor, Head of Mission/Police Commissioner of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), delivers an address at a ceremony held to mark the opening of the Palestinian Police Training Centre in Jericho (West Bank), following its renovation.

During the election process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the European Union conducts a military operation in support of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), code-named Operation EUFOR RD Congo. On 7 June 2006, Javier Solana, Secretary-General/High Representative for the CFSP holds a press conference to mark his first visit to the Operational Headquarters in Potsdam (Germany). From left to right: General Karlheinz Viereck, EUFOR RD Congo Commander; Javier Solana; and Friedbert Pfluger, German State Secretary for Defence.

During summer 2006, the European Union military operation in support of the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUFOR RDC) is deployed during the entire electoral period. This photgraph shows Belgian soldiers erecting tents in the camp at N'Dolo, where the Headquarters of EUFOR RDC is located.

This film, produced in 2006, illustrates the international role of the European Union with the deployment of troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in South Lebanon.

This film, produced in 2007, outlines the civilian and military operations (EUFOR, EUPOL and EUSEC) undertaken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under the European security and defence policy (ESDP). The European Union is called on to provide support for the United Nations' mission involving the first presidential elections by universal suffrage ever held in the country.

On 6 October 1999, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union forwards a note to the General Affairs Council on the external action of the European Union in the field of justice and home affairs (JHA).

On 24 May 2000, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union forwards a note to Coreper on the priorities and policy objectives for external relations in the field of justice and home affairs (JHA).