The European External Action Service: Added Value or just a “28th Foreign Ministry”?

BÖLL LUNCH DEBATE

After the European Parliament on 20 October cleared the last hurdle for the launch of the European Action Service by approving its revised budgetary and staff regulations with an overwhelming majority, the new foreign policy institution introduced by the Lisbon treaty is finally about to take off the ground. The EAAS will come into being on 1 December and will begin its operations a month later. The new diplomatic service has the potential to strengthen the EU’s foreign policy, but it remains to be seen whether it will live up to expectations. The ideas about what the EEAS should be doing are not yet completely worked out and the battle on the selection process for top positions is still raging. Much will depend on the political skill and wisdom of High Representative Baroness Ashton who has no background in foreign policy. What will be the agenda for the EEAS in its first year of existence? Who will influence the agenda? What roll will it play in conflict prevention? How will the EEAS develop and what pitfalls will it have to avoid? Will the EEAS provide real added-value or will it function as a “28th Foreign Ministry”?

Speakers:
- Franziska Brantner, MEP, Greens
- Poul-Skytte Christoffersen, Ambassador, Special Advisor to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
- Anne Schmidt, Researcher, Brussels Office of Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)

Moderator:
Claude Weinber, Director Heinrich Böll Foundation European Union

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.