The Treaty of Lisbon has entered into force today.
The Treaty, aiming at adapting the European Union to an increasingly globalised world, has introduced major changes to the European Defence Agency.
The legal basis
The most visible and prominent implication on EDA is that the Agency is elevated to Treaty level as a substantial cornerstone of CSDP. For the time being the Council Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP of 12 July 2004 on the establishment of the European Defence Agency, will continue to apply.
The Head of the Agency
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is the Head of the European Defence Agency from the 1 December 2009.
“I am glad to take up the responsibility as Head of the Agency. EDA has proven to be a very effective and results-oriented Agency. I will continue to press for concrete output in order to further improve Europe’s defence capabilities. Connecting civil and military capability development will be a new challenge and EDA can play an important role in this”, said Catherine Ashton.