European External Action Service (EEAS): organisation and functioning

The Council reached a political orientation on a draft decision on the establishment of the European External Action Service (EEAS), as provided for under the Treaty of Lisbon, on the basis of the proposal presented by High Representative Catherine Ashton on 25 March 2010. The agreement provides a basis for consulting the European Parliament.

The creation of the EEAS is one of the most significant changes introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon. It aims to enable greater coherence and efficiency in the EU's external action and increase its political and economic influence in the world.

The EEAS will assist the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in fulfilling her mandate. It will work in cooperation with the diplomatic services of the Member States and comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission, as well as staff seconded from the national diplomatic services of the Member States.

The Treaty provides that the Council will act on the proposal after consulting Parliament and obtaining the consent of the Commission.