How can the Lisbon Treaty help the European Union mainstream the responsibility to protect? [WP1042]

The coming into effect of the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty and the creation of the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, responsible for harmonising and coordinating both Council and Commission external relations policies, provides new opportunities for linking EU development, human rights and security and defence policies.

The conference discussed what needs to be done for the EU to be able to use the range of its instruments and resources to implement and mainstream the responsibility to protect (RtoP), especially in preventive action.