Relations with the Rest of the World.

An article is presented that reports on the European Union's (EU) foreign policy and international relations and issues it faced in 2009. Politics in the EU changed in 2009 with the final ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon for integration and the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama. The article discusses the EU's challenges related to areas including security policy, international defense, the European Council, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and trade agreements. Information is also provided on former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and European Council President Herman van Rompuy.