Published 20 May 2011 | Standard notes SN05975 EU external
relations, EU institutions, European Council, United Nations The
Treaty of Lisbon created two important new EU posts: the
President of the European Council (Herman van Rompuy) and the
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
(Catherine Ashton). The intention was to give the EU a stronger,
more consistent and visible role in world affairs. The European
Community had had observer status at the United Nations (UN)
since 1974, but after the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty
and the merging of the European Community with the European
Union, the High Representative asked the UN to enhance the
former EC’s observer status by granting the EU speaking rights
at the UN General Assembly (UNGA). In September 2010 the UN
voted in favour of a CARICOM (Caribbean Community) resolution to
postpone a decision on special rights for the EU and the EU was
forced to revise its proposal. In May 2011 the UNGA voted in
favour of an amended resolution, Reso