1. The Union's competence in matters of common foreign and security policy
shall cover all areas of foreign policy and all questions relating to the
Union's security, including the progressive framing of a common defence
policy that might lead to a common defence.
The common foreign and security policy is subject to specific rules and
procedures. It shall be defined and implemented by the European Council
and the Council acting unanimously, except where the Treaties provide otherwise.
The adoption of legislative acts shall be excluded. The common foreign
and security policy shall be put into effect by the High Representative
of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and by Member States,
in accordance with the Treaties. The specific role of the European Parliament
and of the Commission in this area is defined by the Treaties. The Court
of Justice of the European Union shall not have jurisdiction with respect
to these provisions, with the exception of its jurisdiction to monitor
compliance with Article 40 of this Treaty and to review the legality of
certain decisions as provided for by the second paragraph of Article 275
of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
2. Within the framework of the principles and objectives of its external
action, the Union shall conduct, define and implement a common foreign
and security policy, based on the development of mutual political solidarity
among Member States, the identification of questions of general interest
and the achievement of an ever-increasing degree of convergence of Member
States' actions.
3. The Member States shall support the Union's external and security policy
actively and unreservedly in a spirit of loyalty and mutual solidarity
and shall comply with the Union's action in this area.
The Member States shall work together to enhance and develop
their mutual political solidarity. They shall refrain from any action which is contrary to the interests of
the Union or likely to impair its effectiveness as a cohesive force in
international relations.
The Council and the High Representative shall ensure
compliance with these principles.
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