Brussels, 29/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 26 July, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton submitted to the EU member states and other EU institutions a report on updating the European diplomatic corps, the EEAS (European External Action Service) (see EUROPE 10814 and 10866). This newsletter has obtained a copy of the 18-page report, that Ashton says looks at what works and what doesn't, identifying short- and medium-term problems and making recommendations to the Council of Ministers, the European Commission and European Parliament.
Proposals for change in the short and medium terms
Looking at the successes and failures of the new diplomatic corps, the high representative makes 35 recommendations, 26 for the short term and 9 for the medium term, to improve the EEAS, noting that the list is not exhaustive and all the proposals are both important and necessary.
In the short term, Ashton suggests boosting the EEAS's ability to deal with external aspects of key EU policy domains, like energy security, the environment, migration, anti-terrorism and foreign economic issues. She wants to see more regular meetings of the Relex group of European Commissioners (Enlargement, Trade, Development, Humanitarian Aid and Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioners).
Ashton says the high representative, as vice-president of the Commission, should be able to make specific external relations proposals for inclusion in the Commission annual work programme. The EEAS should present medium-term strategies for specific regions or thematic issues in line with the established policy priorities, for discussion in the Council in line with an agreed timetable, and the EEAS should contribute to the broader work programme of the trio of rotating Presidencies.
Clarification is needed of the division of labour between the EEAS and the Commission and Council Secretariat services and of external relations responsibilities in order to improve efficiency and eliminate duplication. Any necessary staff transfers could be addressed in the 2014 budget procedure, explains Ashton, who wants to boost the EEAS policy planning capability to work on strategic issues and papers.
Review of role of special representatives and delegations
The high representative wants to “promote closer co-ordination between EU delegations and embassies of member states in third countries, in particular through greater use of joint reports and mutual sharing of information”. She suggests consolidation of focal points in all EU delegations to cover key policy areas (eg human rights) and further development of the network of military and civilian security experts in the delegations. She says debate should be pursued on a possible consular role for the EU delegations, subject to political agreement and additional resources and expertise from member states. The operating budget of the delegations should be simplified and there should be greater coordination between the EEAS and European Commission on managing resources in the delegations.
On staffing, Ashton recommends human resources policies that keep the balance of permanent officials and temporary agents stable at all levels in relation to a target of one third national diplomats and at least 60% officials. She recommends a specific policy on status and management of temporary agents from member states to cover contract duration/renewal, access to mobility and rotation policies for EEAS posts, grading, promotion and reclassification and re-integration into national foreign ministries, along with sustained efforts to address residual issues on geographical balance and achieving a meaningful presence of national of all member states, along with additional gender balance measures.
EEAS management in medium term
In the medium term, Ashton wants to clarify the system of political deputy/deputies for the high representative and to rationalise the EEAS management structure. She suggests merging the posts of Executive Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer into a single post of Secretary General and reducing the number of Managing Directors.
Ashton says that in future allocation of Commission portfolios, there is a need to strengthen the high representative's position in Commission decision-making on external aid programmes, to ensure optimal coherence. She also wants to ensure the EEAS and EU delegations are the sole channel for EU external relations issues, including in areas of mixed competence and in multilateral for international fora.
The high representative suggests an amendment of the financial regulation to address problems of dual financial circuits in the delegations. She makes proposals about revising the roles of the Commission Accountant and Internal Audit Service in relation to the financial management of the EEAS and a review of the management of and procedures for common security and defence policy operations.
The report and the review of the European External Action Service will be discussed at the Gymnich-type Foreign Affairs Council in Vilnius on 6 and 7 September. (CG/transl.fl)