The subject of the article are preparation works on the new EU external security strategy. The first part of the analysis presented the assumptions and goals of the European security strategy of 12 December 2003 together with the modifi cations introduced five years later. The second part discussed the negligence and problems of the EU in the process of implementing the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty of 13 December 2007 regarding the common security and defence policy. However, the third part presented the course of hitherto works on the new EU security strategy, the beginning of which may be considered to be the political conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 23 July 2012, whereas the fourth part of the article contains proposed changes to the common security and defence policy that the author considers to be necessary for the improvement of the EU’s effectiveness in this sphere. Key words: European Union, Lisbon Treaty, European security strategy of 12 December 2003, new EU external security strategy