To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will be able to represent the UK's interests when representing the EU. (195289)

The high representative for foreign affairs and security policy will be responsible for implementing the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as mandated by the member states in the Council. He or she will represent the EU on matters on which there is an agreed policy; the president of the European Council will represent the EU at his or her level. As is the case now, it will be for member states to decide by unanimity the matters to be addressed through the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. Where we do not agree, the UK will still act independently.