Brussels, 20/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 October, the European Parliament (EP) passed the necessary amendments to the EU financial regulation, staff regulations and the 2010 budget to allow the European External Action Service (EEAS) to be set up. The Service, which is expected ultimately to have some 3,700 diplomats and officials, should, therefore, be up and running from 1 December.
Budget rules. The financial regulation setting the budget rules was adopted by 578 votes to 39, with 28 abstentions. The EEAS will be considered an EU institution, that is, it will have its own section the EU budget and its budget will have to be discharged by the EP.
Staffing. EEAS staff regulations were adopted by 513 votes to 51, with 98 abstentions. Recruitment will be based on the quality and expertise of candidates but staffing must reflect an “appropriate and meaningful” presence of citizens from all member states to ensure a geographic balance (see EUROPE of yesterday for details).
2010 Budget. The amendment needed to the 2010 budget to fund the EEAS start-up before the end of the year was adopted by 608 votes to 41, with 11 abstentions. The changes include the addition of a 10th section to the EU budget, with a budgetary structure and a staffing plan. In all, 1270 new posts will be created, divided between delegation sand headquarters. The net financial impact of the amending budget, including related operating costs, is €9.52 million. (H.B./transl.rt)