Introduction to the Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs - normally called the Foreign Minister - is one of the Convention's novel creations. This post is created by merging the responsibilities of the Commissioner for External Relations (at present Chris Patten) and the High Representative for the Council (at present Javier Solana). This is intended to create a stronger European voice on international issues.

The present situation

\nWithin the field of foreign and security policy, the Union basi...