After month long intense negotiations, the European External Action Service (EEAS) was finally launched on 1 January 2011. It will however take months until the EU’s newly created diplomatic service will be fully operational. In the meanwhile, discussions about the distribution of positions within the EU’s newly created EEAS have entered a stage of intense competition for influence among member states and EU institutions.

Concerning the EEAS’ 26 senior positions appointed so far, the UK is considered the main winner in the battle for influence in the EEAS, having secured six out of 26 senior positions. Proportionate to their size and population, Germany and Poland have been the main losers. Also France, one of the EU’s ‘big three’, has secured only three positions, one of which is the position of the Executive Secretary-General, filled by Pierre Vimont.

Another issue is the prevalent gender discrepancy. Although Ashton announced her intention to consider more women in EEAS appointments, 23 out of the 26 senior positions have been filled by men.

With regards to the coherence of the EEAS with Financial Instruments, the European Commission presented a proposal to amend the Financial Regulation of the European Development Fund (EDF), which funds projects in African, Caribbean and Pacific states. The current financial regulation only applies to Commission officials; if the head of an EU delegation is not a Commission official then he or she cannot authorise the use of EDF money. Accordingly, the Commission foresees that Heads of Union Delegations are given sub-delegated implementation powers by the responsible Commission Directors Generals and be granted the status of authorising officers by the sub-delegation. The Commission remains responsible for the implementation of EDF resources.

Moreover, new provisions have been proposed, ensuring that the High Representative plays a central role for the proper coordination and exchange of information between the EEAS and the Commission.

Click here to download the EEAS provisional organisational chart (pdf).

Sources:

• European Voice
• ECDPM Talking Points

• The ongoing implementation of the EEAS
• Is there any commitment to an effective EU common foreign policy?
• Ashton responds to concerns raised in light of new External Action Service
• The EU looks to civil society organisations in the Arab region
• Ashton appoints two Managing Directors for the EEAS
• EEAS to launch on 1 December
• Parliament wins greater powers over EEAS
• Potential Delay in EEAS Launch
• Parliament demands more control over EEAS budget
• Amnesty raises concerns over position of human rights in EEAS
• MEPs protest EEAS appointments by delaying vote
• The European External Actions Service (EEAS)
• Ashton aims for balance over top EEAS appointments
• MEPs protest imbalanced EEAS appointments
• Half of DG Development staff to be moved to EEAS
• EU Parliament finally approves EEAS
• These meetings are like capacity building - for whom?
• Final details of EEAS emerge
• A political agreement reached on creation of EEAS
• Community method - the make or break for EP agreement on the EEAS
• National parliamentarians discuss EEAS with MEPs
• Should we reject Ashton's proposals on establishing the EEAS?
• Ashton's team expect agreement soon on terms for establish the EEAS
• Development policy within the External Action Service
• Development-proofing the European External Action Service
• The Development Commissioner must have full responsibility and authority over development, urge NGOs
• No progress in turf war over EEAS
• Negotiations on the EEAS need development perspective
• Court of Auditors adds its voice to concerns over EEAS
• Ashton’s EEAS proposal breaches EU law
• Lawyers say Ashton's EEAS proposal is contrary to Lisbon Treaty
• Parliament links budget approval to agreement on EEAS organisation
• Green perspectives on EEAS: Debate with Civil Society
• EU’s new diplomatic service to control development budget
• Ashton's proposal for the EEAS contradicts the intentions of the Treaty
• Ashton outlines organisational structure of EEAS
• MEPs' anger over EEAS
• Establishing the EEAS in conformity with the Treaty
• EU Commission and Member States battle for control of EEAS
• EU institutions struggle for control of EEAS
• Commission discusses terms of recruitment for EEAS
• Ashton sidelines Parliament in creation of EEAS working group
• Briefing No. 48: Defining the EU's Management and Implementation of its External Actions
• Briefing No. 44: Five Compelling Reasons why to keep Development outside the EEAS