11. Welcomes the VP/HR's initiative to develop the concept of a ‘Comprehensive Approach’ in order to achieve the full potential of the Lisbon Treaty and ensure the overall effectiveness and coherence of the CFSP and the CSDP; calls for the VP/HR to engage in a debate with Parliament on the best way to ensure that this comprehensive approach is consistently implemented, and in particular that our foreign policy priorities are further developed in a manner consistent with our interests and values and are supported by the necessary financial means and by effective and flexible instruments; stresses that military structures and capabilities, including a permanent planning structure and military Operational Headquarters, form an integral part of such an approach, and considers that strengthening the coordination between Heads of Missions, EU Special Representatives and Heads of Delegations will also contribute to delivering consistent and coherent EU foreign and security policies on the ground; calls on the Member States to support the VP/HR in order to achieve the full potential of the comprehensive approach; 12. Regrets the fact that the EU has not yet developed a clear strategy for its relations with the rest of the world and that its activities are defined more by reaction than by action; demands, therefore, a fundamental strategic debate, which should include the Council, the Commission and Parliament; calls, as a contribution to this debate, for the European Council in December to further elaborate on the European Global Strategy initiative; 13. Stresses, therefore, that a comprehensive understanding of the CFSP covers all areas of foreign policy, including the progressive framing of the CSDP, which could lead to a common defence, with an emphasis on pursuing coherence and consistency while respecting the specificity of each component of external action; believes that there should be closer coordination, under the VP/HR's leadership, of EU internal policies and Member States' policy choices in key areas such as connectivity, trade, transport, energy, the environment and communication, where these have clearly transnational implications, in particular with regard to the diversification and security of the EU’s energy supply; 14. Calls on the Council and the VP/HR to respond to Parliament's recommendation on the 2013 review of the organisation and the functioning of the EEAS in order to ensure the further development of an appropriate and gender-balanced structure within the EEAS (with the participation of the relevant Commission services), in which geographic and thematic expertise are integrated and drive a comprehensive approach to policy planning, formulation and implementation; PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND COHERENCE IN EU FOREIGN POLICY 15. Underlines the political leadership role that the VP/HR is expected to play in ensuring the unity, consistency and effectiveness of Union action; notes that the VP/HR, in her review of the EEAS, has identified areas in which her role should be strengthened and made more effective in initiating, executing and ensuring compliance with CFSP decisions, and has issued recommendations intended to ensure close coordination with the Commission, making full use of her position as Vice-President of the Commission; underlines, with a view to the Hearings of the new Commission in 2014, the fact that the European Parliament should support this trend by strengthening the role of the Vice-President in external relations and thereby reinforcing the coordination between the EEAS and the Commission; 16. Reiterates its support for the VP/HR’s leadership, under difficult circumstances, of negotiations with Iran, and congratulates her on her success in bringing the parties together in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia; considers that these examples of