Josep Borrell Fontelles is the high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and security policy/vice-president of the Commission for a Stronger Europe in the World. Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the high representative is also vice-president of the European Commission. This allows for further coordination and ensures coherence in EU foreign policy as the European Commission has important international responsibilities such as trade, development, neighbourhood policy and humanitarian aid.

Prior to his current position, Borrell Fontelles served as Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation. He holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, a bachelor's degree and doctorate in economic science, complutense from the University of Madrid, a master's degree in oil industry economics and technology from the French Institute of Petroleum, Paris, and a master's degree in applied mathematics (operations research) from Stanford University, California.