Establishing the EEAS: A stronger parliamentary involvement?

The role and scope of the European External Action Service (EEAS)  as well as staffing issues were the focus of this interparliamentary committee meeting with national Parliaments.

The EEAS is being established following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. It will serve as a foreign ministry and diplomatic corps for the EU. The EEAS is under the authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, whom it assists.

This interparliamentary debate was held against the backdrop of the EP decision to treat all issues concerning the setting up of the new EU foreign service as a single package. According to the Conference of Presidents, the EP approval of the service's budget and staff allocations will depend on the MEPs' assessment of the main proposal on the make-up of the EEAS.