The Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force on 1 December 2009, created the office of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, and specified that this person would be assisted by the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Lissaboni lepinguga, mis jõustus 1. detsembril 2009, loodi liidu välisasjade ja julgeolekupoliitika kõrge esindaja ning Euroopa Komisjoni asepresidendi ametikoht.