Diagram showing the interaction between the different European institutions in the fields covered by the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), following the entry into force on 1 November 1993 of the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992.

Diagram showing the interaction between the different European institutions in the fields covered by the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), following the entry into force on 1 May 1999 of the Amsterdam Treaty, signed on 2 October 1997.

Diagram showing the interaction between the different European institutions in the fields covered by the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), following the entry into force on 1 February 2003 of the Nice Treaty, signed on 26 February 2001.

Press release dated 31 October 1999, on the joint visit by Chris Patten, Commissioner for External Relations, and Javier Solana, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, to Kosovo on 28 and 29 October 1999.

Speech by Chris Patten, European Commissioner responsible for External Relations, on European foreign policy and the role of the Commission within this policy area.

Diagram showing the interaction between the different European institutions in the fields of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (PJCC).

An example of initiatives taken by the Commission in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Steps leading to their adoption were accelerated as a result of the terrorist attacks carried out in New York and Washington on 11 September 2001.

Article 36 of the Treaty on European Union stipulates that the Commission shall be fully associated with the work in the areas of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Accordingly, on 18 February 2003, the European Commission signs a cooperation agreement with the European Police Office (Europol).

On 18 February, in Brussels, António Vitorino, European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs (left), and Jürgen Storbeck, Director of the European Police Office (Europol), sign a cooperation agreement between the Commission and Europol.