Brussels, 14/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 January, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that the European External Action Service (EEAS) will not replace the embassies or consulates of the member states in third countries. “We are not replacing the states. We are doing what the EU is asking us to do. It is different from what the states do (…) We are creating European pools, which can be an efficient way of managing public money”, Ashton said in response to MEPs from the European Parliament's budgets committee, for the EEAS 2011 budgetary discharge, its very first. “Working together in the third countries through sharing buildings and administrative costs is what the future is about. It is easy to say but difficult to achieve”, added David O'Sullivan, the chief operating officer for the EEAS. Stressing the importance of the EU's “value added”, Ashton said that the member states are turning increasingly towards the EEAS with its 141 offices throughout the world. She added that the implementation of cooperation is nonetheless far from complete.
The MEPs also stressed cooperation with Commission staff in order to support the cooperation, to avoid doubling up on work and in order to make savings. Ashton said that DG Devco and the EEAS are working hand in hand.
The MEPS also questioned Ashton and O'Sullivan on the management of staff and costs - the organisational structure of the service, grades, mobility, training, staff accommodation in third countries, and the cost of competitive exams for those wishing to work in the EEAS.
The Court of Auditors highlighted a few issues that had been identified at the human resources level. It criticised the lack of information concerning the family situation of some members of staff, giving rise to incorrect payments and also the signing of contracts for temporary staff several months after their entry into force - difficulties that the explained as resulting from putting the service in place . The Court of Auditors also highlighted weaknesses in tendering procedures, in particular for security services. It is also concerned at the budgetary aid given to third countries which have weak and corrupt management systems. (CG/transl.fl)