Brussels, 20/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - What does the future hold for the newly autonomous European development policy? The day after the vote of the European Parliament which will set the new External Action Service of the EU (EEAS) in place, this question will be debated by the informal Development Council, in Brussels (Palais d'Egmont) on 21 and 22 October. The scope of these institutional changes for a policy which now belongs under the heading of EU foreign policy will be discussed over a working dinner, to be chaired by High Representative Catherine Ashton. Commissioners Kristalina Georgieva (Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response) and Andris Piebalgs (Development) will contribute to the reflection. Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht will join the Council on Friday to take stock of the negotiations, currently at deadlock, for the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with the ACP countries. For the rest, the EU27 will discuss direct budgetary support in development policy and innovative funding for development. (A.N./transl.fl)