The executive trio of the European External Action Service. Latest evolution

(BRUSSELS2, IN LUXEMBOURG) EU foreign ministers are still struggling to agree on the European External Action Service. The discussion continues. And on the side of Cathy Ashton, we refuse to take any bet, at the moment, on the fact of reaching a complete agreement before nightfall. The objective would thus be to obtain a "political" agreement on the decision framing the service, by "removing" the organization chart from the decision-making framework. " This would make it possible to change the organization chart or adapt it without having to review the decision “Explains a close friend of Cathy Ashton. The ultimate goal is still to have an agreement by the end of June with the European Parliament.

A trio of secretaries. As things stand, the organization chart would include a trio at its head: three executive secretaries, one in charge of political issues (policy director), the other of interinstitutional issues, the third of day-to-day management (backoffice) . There would be no "primus inter pares" among them. All would be placed on the same footing. Each of them would have a certain political level allowing them to replace the High Representative if necessary during a meeting of ministers, a session of the European Parliament or a trip abroad. The decision would mention the presence of this trio of executive secretaries without specifying the role.

(update) This format was refused by the 27 ministers. We therefore remain with the original scheme: a general secretary and two deputy general secretaries.

Autonomy of the PeSDC. The structures of the PeSDC (EU General Staff, CPCC, Sitcen) would see their autonomy preserved with a direct link to the High Representative, without being attached or depending specifically on one of the three Secretaries General. A Deputy Secretary General would, however, be in charge of security or crisis management issues. He would be in charge of the preparation of certain decisions, management issues, contracts, public procurement...