February 13, 2011
The current European Commission, headed by Jose Manuel Barroso, took office on 10 February 2010. One year in, how is it doing?
That’s a good question, but not one I am qualified to answer. The question I might be qualified to answer is much narrower, namely how is Andris Piebalgs doing? (more…)
December 8, 2010
The European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) have launched a joint public online consultation titled ‘What funding for EU external action after 2013?’ The consultation will run until the 31st January 2011 and the results will inform the Commission’s legislative proposal on the new EU multi-annual financial framework, the Financial Perspectives, 2014-2020, expected in mid-2011.
ODI’s background note on ‘Financing European development cooperation: the Financial Perspectives 2014-2020’ highlights some of the key issues about the future design and funding of the EU’s external action instruments.
October 13, 2010
The new European External Action Service (EEAS) is slowing coming alive. The recruitment process is in full swing, with the appointment of 28 ambassadors charged with representing the European Union’s interest abroad. Twelve of them were selected from the Member States, and sixteen from the Commission.
The next step is the selection of the senior managerial team, however, the European Parliament is yet to approve the staff and financial legal base for the service which would allow the service to become fully operational. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Catherine Ashton, would like the EEAS to be launched in December, marking the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. The Parliament, however, refuses to be held down by the deadline. (more…)
July 27, 2010
Following its inquiry on the creation of the European External Action Service, to which EDCSP submitted written evidence, the House of Lords’ EU sub-committee C has written to David Lidington MP, Minister for Europe.
The letter raises a number of concerns the Committee has with regard to the establishment of the EEAS and asks for clarification on what actions will be taken to address these concerns.
To read the letter, click here.
July 13, 2010
Simon Maxwell and Mikaela Gavas today submitted written evidence to the inquiry of the EU Sub-committee on foreign affairs, defence and development of the House of Lords into the European External Action Service. In the submission, they outline indicators of success for the EEAS. The Committee is expected to publish its views before the Council Decision establishing the EEAS is adopted on 26 July.
To read the full submission, click here.
July 13, 2010
Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, has responded to the European Think Tanks’ Open Letter of May.
Read his response here.
June 28, 2010
The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Spanish EU Presidency reached a compromise last week on the European External Action Service (EEAS). Formal approval by the European Parliament is expected early next month, and a formal Council decision to implement the service is expected this autumn.
The deal on the EEAS puts an end to months of in-fighting, turf wars and protracted negotiations. How has the EU’s contribution to development cooperation fared in the final deal? (more…)
June 4, 2010
EDCSP launched its four-part debate series on ‘Europe at the heart of international development? International development at the heart of Europe?’ with a discussion on the European External Action Service, ‘The EEAS: Delivering a coherent, whole-of-government approach?’. Watch the video, listen to the audio or read the event report here.
May 27, 2010
Today, the European Think Tanks Group – ODI, ECDPM, DIE and FRIDE – published a policy brief, Development-proofing the EEAS. The brief takes the blueprint on the EEAS agreed by the General Affairs Council as a starting point, builds on the four key priorities set out in the Think Tanks Group’s Open Letter and offers a set of proposals that address some of the ‘how’ questions in the implementation phase.
April 14, 2010
The Lisbon Treaty, the arrival of a new leadership team and the establishment of the EEAS provide a window of opportunity for the EU to recast its external relations institutions, building a more unified approach to development and foreign policy and practice.
The EEAS will be a unique institution. However, how development concerns will be represented within the EEAS is still under discussion. In this newly published Background Note, Mikaela Gavas (ODI) and Eleonora Koeb (ECDPM) explore criteria to guide an assessment of the new institutional arrangements and mandates from a development perspective, highlight the issues being discussed and lay out options for a comprehensive approach to external action by the EU.
Click here to read the Background Note online.
