The EU is increasing its ambassadors in Geneva. When 2-1 = 2!

(BRUSSELS2) At a time when we are talking about a global approach to the EU and the merger of the EU delegations and the European Commission in Geneva, a reverse movement is beginning in Geneva. The European Commission proposed, in fact, on May 26, to "split" its delegation. This for excellent reasons.

The EU Delegation in Geneva has two essential functions: to represent and defend the interests of the European Commission at the United Nations and at the WTO. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU delegation will have to assume the role that was - until now - played by the rotating EU presidencies. The head of delegation, in particular, will have "a much heavier workload"; so shall he"being physically present at the various EU coordination meetings at Head of Delegation level".

He will therefore no longer be able to assume the role of head of delegation for the WTO. And having only one deputy head of delegation for "WTO" matters is unthinkable, according to the Commission. " It is essential - the Commission is told - that the EU Ambassador to the WTO remains at the highest level and retains an equivalent rank to his counterparts, as he must maintain satisfactory and fruitful relations with third countries accredited to the WTO and the Director General of the organization, and ensure coordination
effective day-to-day work with the Member States of the Union »

Because " the Union has exclusive competence in the area of ​​foreign trade ". Since the Commission has a role of "sole negotiator for the EU, as well as the weight of the Union, the largest trading bloc in the world, the delegation has important responsibilities in the context of the WTO negotiations ". And the WTO process is essentially based on ambassadors; the negotiations sometimes bring together only a limited number of heads of mission present in Geneva, including the head of the EU delegation but not the Member States”. In short, we need not one EU delegation but two: one assigned to the WTO and managed by the European Commission, the other devoted to other diplomatic issues and managed by the new EU Diplomatic Service - which will include the liaison office of the General Secretariat of the Council.

Of course, this small operation is not entirely carried out with a constant budget. The transition from deputy head to head of delegation (AD 13 to AD14/AD15 for connoisseurs) leads to a significant salary increase: + 5.000 euros per month. Not negligible! Without counting the official car (30.000 euros to purchase), the residence (difference of 29.200 for 2010) and the furniture of the residence (43.000 euros). In short, the trifle in annual cost amounts to 183.000 euros (once the investments have been made). " The additional cost remains limited says the Commission. Because the administrative and support services will remain shared between the mission. Phew! we breathe.

NB: It should be noted from a formal point of view that this proposal was made by the European Commission alone and not by the High Representative. Which is quite unusual in the context of the new organization of EEAS delegations!