In this interview excerpt, Philippe de Schoutheete, Belgian Permanent Representative to the European Union from 1987 to 1997, analyses the office of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which, since the Treaty of Lisbon, has combined the roles of permanent President of the Foreign Affairs Council and Vice-President of the European Commission.

In this interview excerpt, Philippe de Schoutheete, Belgian Permanent Representative to the European Union from 1987 to 1997 and Special Adviser to European Commissioner Michel Barnier from 1999 to 2004, looks at the development of the European Council, emphasising the increase in its powers and the introduction of a stable presidency following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.

In this interview excerpt, Philippe de Schoutheete, Belgian Permanent Representative to the European Union from 1987 to 1997 and Special Adviser to European Commissioner Michel Barnier from 1999 to 2004, discusses the role of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and its development following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. He particularly emphasises the contribution of smaller countries such as Belgium in holding the presidency.

In this interview excerpt, Philippe de Schoutheete, Belgian Permanent Representative to the European Union from 1987 to 1997 and Special Adviser to European Commissioner Michel Barnier from 1999 to 2004, discusses the numerical composition of the European Commission, particularly focusing on the positions adopted by Belgium and the other Member States.