Common embassies in third countries

The European Commission is to suggest setting up "common offices" in third countries where EU citizens can go for passports or diplomatic assistance if their country does not have an embassy presence.

The proposal will be made in a green paper to be published next week (28 November) which will address the problems associated with the limited consular and diplomatic representation of some EU member states.

The EU "common offices" may be present in one or several national embassies or housed in Commission offices abroad.

The idea would be to make it easier to help citizens abroad who have passports or money stolen or become sick or injured and have no embassy to turn to. The plan would also make it cheaper for member states which do not have embassies or consulates abroad.

The green paper will also propose making it easier for citizens to receive financial help while abroad if their money is stolen or lost. Common training for EU member states’ consular civil servants will also be proposed.

A similar proposal was made in a report drawn earlier this year by former European commissioner and French foreign minister Michel Barnier.

The Commission is to begin a poster campaign to inform citizens of their rights under article 20 of the EC Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. These state that citizens travelling or living outside the EU where their own state does not have an embassy are entitled to diplomatic protection by the authorities of any other member states.

The green paper will also propose including this article 20 of the treaty in passports to raise awareness about rights.

According to Euro-barometer in July, only 23% of citizens are aware of their right to consular protection.

The European Commission is to suggest setting up "common offices" in third countries where EU citizens can go for passports or diplomatic assistance if their country does not have an embassy presence.