Understanding doublehattedness
While there is some strategic consensus emerging around the extension of the EEAS beyond its direct remit, with clear safeguards it is important to keep focus on the fact that the treaty states explicitly that the EEAS will be established to support the High Representative in her role as High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Therefore any negotiated political outcome that extends the EEAS beyond this remit, can only potentially be acceptable if it safeguards all the other aspects of EU policy protected in the Lisbon Treaty.
The Lisbon Treaty introduced a ‘double-hatted’ function for the new function of EU High Representative of Foreign Policy and Security Policy.
The High Representative would combine this role with the role of Vice-President of the European Commission, so allowing her to credibly represent all the aspects of the EU intergovernmental Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the community-based common policies with an external dimension, notably trade, fisheries, development co-operation and humanitarian assistance.
The Lisbon Treaty does not establish a new class of double-hatted officials, or institutions, and neither does it establish a new set of double-hatted policies, decisions, procedures or laws.
The Treaty does not provide for double-hatted officials. It introduces a double-hatted High Representative, who is assisted with single-hatted officials for Foreign Policy and Security in the EEAS and single-hatted officials in the Commission for her duties as Vice President of the European Commission.
The construction of the EEAS needs to be carefully monitored against the provisions in the Treaty, especially in relation to lines of accountability.
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