The External Action Service is proposed in the Treaty of Lisbon, expected to take effect in 2009 in the European Union. Essentially a Foreign Office or Diplomatic Corps, the External Action Service will assist the new combined High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a post currently held by Javier Solana.

Article establishing the External Action Service in the Treaty of Lisbon

The mandate for the External Action Service was first laid down in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, but was subsequently included in the Treaty of Lisbon in order to bolster the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Security and Defence Policy of the European Union. The new mandate, as contained in the Treaty of Lisbon, under article 13a-III, states:

In fulfilling his or her mandate, the High Representative shall be assisted by a European External Action Service. This service shall work in cooperation with the diplomatic services

of the Member States and shall comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission as well as staff seconded from national diplomatic services of the Member States. The organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service shall be established by a decision of the Council. The Council shall act on a proposal from the High Representative after consulting the European Parliament and after obtaining the consent of the Commission.^[1]

Likely role of the External Action Service

The External Action Service will include civil servants and officials from both the Member States and the European Union. They will help the new High Representative to implement a more effective and coherent European foreign and security policy by forging a centralised institution, rather than the current set of procedures, which are undertaken in two locations: The European Commission and the Council of the European Union. A combined High Representative without a foreign office to help him or her would, as Charles Grant, Director of the Centre for European Reform, puts it '...be like having a conductor without an orchestra?or rather, a conductor trying to conduct two separate orchestras at the same time.'^[2] The new External Action Service will assume all responsibilities previously undertaken by the European Commission, and will direct European diplomatic missions and embassies overseas. It will be located in Brussels.

See also

• High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

References