European External Action Service

SUMMARY OF:

Decision 2010/427/EU — establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION?

It sets out the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service (EEAS), established by the Lisbon Treaty, to support the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (High Representative) in carrying out his/her tasks concerning the implementation of EU external policy.

KEY POINTS

European External Action Service (EEAS)

The EEAS is under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, supporting him/her in the following areas:

carrying out EU common foreign and security policy (CFSP), including the common security and defence policy (CSDP);
the Presidency of the European Foreign Affairs Council;
the Vice-Presidency of the European Commission in the field of external relations.

The EEAS also:

assists the General Secretariat of the Council, the Commission and the diplomatic services of the EU countries to ensure the consistency of EU external action; and
supports the Commission in preparing and implementing programmes and financial instruments relating to EU external action.

With its headquarters in Brussels, the EEAS is managed by a Secretary-General, assisted by three Deputy Secretary-Generals, operating under the authority of the High Representative. The central administration of the EEAS is organised in managing directorates dealing with:

geographic areas of action, covering all countries and all global regions;
human rights, global and multilateral issues;
CSDP and crisis response.

EU delegations

The EEAS also consists of EU delegations to non-EU countries and various international organisations. The legal basis for the delegations is Article 221 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Each is directed by a Head of Delegation, under the authority of the High Representative and of the EEAS, who represents the EU in the country concerned. The delegations cooperate and share information with the diplomatic services of the EU countries.
The Secretary-General of the EEAS is responsible for the financial and administrative evaluation of each delegation.

Crisis management

CSDP and crisis response structures include:

Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD);
Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC);
European Union Military Staff (EUMS). Departments under the authority of the EUMS Director-General:
- Concepts and Capability Directorate,
- Intelligence Directorate,
- Operations Directorate,
- Logistics Directorate,
- Communications and Information Systems and Cyber Defence Directorate;
EU Intelligence Analysis Centre (INTCEN), formerly the EU Situation Centre (SITCEN).

FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?

It has applied since 26 July 2010.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

About the European External Action Service (European External Action Service).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Decision 2010/427/EU of 26 July 2010 establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service (OJ L 201, 3.8.2010, pp. 30-40)