The proposals of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton for the establishment of the new European External Action Service (EEAS) are reportedly nearing completion. With a meeting in Brussels of EU Foreign Ministers on Monday 22 March, and a meeting with the European Parliament's Committee on External relations scheduled for the following day, she will be seeking support for her proposals in these meetings. It is reported that an internal Spanish Presidency paper indicates that there is an emerging consensus amongst the Member States that not only should the EEAS be responsible for the strategic priorities in the use of the EU's development budget, but that it should also be involved to the greatest extent possible in its implementation.

This follows an earlier release of an outline plan of the organisational structure of the EEAS, that caused further controversy in the battle between EU institutions to gain control of the service continues. Ashton's proposal is to appoint a secretary-general to preside over the running of the service, commanding six directorates: one to manage budget and personnel, one to deal with "thematic" issues such as human rights and the UN, and four departments covering external relations with different geographical areas. The EEAS will remain ultimately responsible to Ashton, who will head a 300-strong diplomatic taskforce with a private cabinet and 11 special envoys.

A briefing note circulated by Eurostep analyses the provisions made by the Treaty for the establishment of the EEAS. It suggests that some of the proposals being made for the establishment of the EEAS run counter to the letter and spirit of the Lisbon Treaty. It warns that mixing the management of different external policies within the EEAS risks undermining the effectiveness of the role of the European Parliament and Commission, as well as national scrutiny of the intergovernmental process.

Sources:

• EUobserver (1)
• EUobserver (2)
• Eurostep

• The dysfuntionality of the EEAS
• EU diplomatic service responds to a fresh set of criticism coming from the member states
• 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
• European External Action Service: Much remains to be done
• 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
• 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