Brussels, 26/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 26 July, the Council adopted the decision creating, on the basis of the agreement reached in Madrid between the three institutions (Parliament, Commission, Council), the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EEAS will bring together a central service in Brussels (regional and thematic directorates, administration, headquarters of the EU, CMPD, CPCC, situation centre, etc) and the delegations of the Union in third countries and to other organisations. Its growth in power will be very gradual. Initially, it will have a staff of around 1,200.
The high representative for foreign affairs and security policy immediately welcomed the decision, which “will now allow us to build a modern, efficient and distinctly European service (…). Europe needs to shape up to defend better our interests and values in a world of growing complexity and fundamental power shifts”, Catherine Ashton added.
Steven Vanackere observed that it took four months from Baroness Ashton's initial proposal to the decision, taken unanimously this Monday, to create the EEAS. “This decision is vital if we are to live up to our ambitions”, said the Belgian foreign minister. We have a lot of work ahead of us to recruit the people we need and to allow them to start work on 1 December, he said. It is worth noting, however, that the majority of the staff will come initially from the services of the Commission or from the secretariat general of the Council, plus a number of seconded national experts, who will be transferred to the EEAS with effect from 1 January 2011. The adoption of this decision of the Council does not close the legislative work required for the creation of the service: the three institutions have yet to agree on the revision of the status of the civil servants, or on the financial regulation and inter-institutional agreement on budgetary discipline. (O.J./transl.fl)