The Committee on Foreign Affairs states that as well as ensuring that gender mainstreaming is a priority in external policies, the EU can lead by example by increasing the number of women in high-level positions, increasing personnel working on gender issues and by providing gender-related training to key staff on European Security and Defence Policy missions.
Ja Lisabonas līgums stāsies spēkā 2009. gadā atbilstoši Eiropas Savienības dalībvalstu un to valdību vadītāju izvirzītajam mērķim, Eiropas Parlaments iegūs jaunas pilnvaras , tostarp tādās jomās ka lauksaimniecība un budžets.