The External Action Service of the European Union: Fit for Purpose?

The Treaty of Lisbon provided for a new foreign minister position, combining the functions of high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, the presidency of the Foreign Affairs Council, and vice president of the European Commission for external relations, supported by the European External Action Service, or EAS. Baroness Catherine Ashton in June 2010 defined the aims of the EAS as achieving greater coherence, effectiveness, and visibility for the EU’s foreign policy. Although the EAS was well placed to improve the effectiveness of foreign policy implementation, better policy formulation was confronted with an array of formidable obstacles. It would work best if the member states gave it and Ashton their full support, and if Commission services under President Barroso cooperated fully in its task of coordination. Goodwill was, however, not enough. The right structure for the EAS would be crucial. If Ashton was to succeed, she would need to change it, but also learn to delegate significant responsibilities to others rather than succumbing to the illusion that she could indeed master three jobs on her own.

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