Diplomatic service: green light from Parliament. The way is clear…
Phew! At Cathy Ashton, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, we can open the champagne. The European Parliament finally approved, on October 20, the two regulations "staff status"And"financial" necessary for the establishment of the diplomatic service. A foreseeable approval as reported on Brussels2 (1). The "serious things" will be able to begin. The appointment in particular of the management quartet should be made very quickly, in the days to come (2).
A case settled in six months
It will probably have taken a little longer than expected. But, honestly, in a European or even national legislative circuit, less than a year to prepare, negotiate and have such important legislation approved, which sets up a new European institution, is not long. And it's even more of a record. Admittedly, the European Parliament did not manage to have the last word. But in matters of foreign policy, until now, he had no right of scrutiny (apart from grand declarations which did not matter). But he managed to put his mark on a few points: geographical balance and male-female recruitment, budgetary control, .
The majority was wide
As one might say, Parliament voted the necessary regulations for the EEAS. The majority is large and does not give rise to any discussion: 578 votes for, 39 against and 28 abstentions for the "financial" regulation, 513 votes for, 51 against and 98 abstentions for the "personal" regulation, by 608 votes for, 41 against and 11 abstentions for the 2010 amending budget.
NB: this blog follows the evolution. From today, the section "High Representative" differs from that of "diplomatic service"which will have its own existence from now on.The main points obtained by the Parliament
Geographic balance and men / women
Geographically, EEAS staff should include "an appropriate and significant presence of nationals of all Member States". In order to ensure gender balance in the new diplomatic service, the text also specifies that " appropriate measures will be taken to promote equal opportunities for the under-represented sex in certain function groups. And in mid-2013, the High Representative will have to submit a report to verify the correct application of its clauses. This clause is accompanied by a declaration which describes the measures to be taken, such as the exchange of good practices.
60% European diplomats
When the EEAS has reached its full capacity, EU officials should represent at least 60% of staff at administrator level and at least one third of all EEAS staff should come from national diplomatic services.
Recruitment open in 2013 to officials of Parliament
The Parliament obtained that from July 1, 2013, recruitment is open to civil servants of the other European institutions... therefore of the European Parliament (a clause however contested by the Court of Auditors (3).
Relations with EU ambassadors
Before taking office, EU Ambassadors/Heads of Delegation"must complete specific training on the tasks and responsibilities of authorizing officers and on the implementation of the budget". Heads of Delegation "cooperate fully"with the Parliament, provide the necessary additional information and they may be asked to attend meetings of the bodies concerned, it is specified (mainly in a recital).
A budget under control
The EEAS budget is identified specifically, by its own budget section, with a budget structure and a staffing plan. It is subject to the agreement of the Parliament, which controls it and votes the “discharge” at the end of its execution. The Commission remains in charge of the service's operating budget. It will have to provide the European Parliament and the Council, as a matter of transparency, with a “detailed working document presenting all the administrative and operational expenditure relating to the EU's external action, as well as the draft EU budget”. It remains accountable for the budget and can withdraw the delegation of payment given to a head of delegation.
A reservation on the 2011 budget
If Parliament asks the Council to adopt the 2011 amending budget as soon as possible so that the European External Action Service can begin to operate with sufficient means from the very beginning of 2011 “, he has at the same time decided to carry out his threat and” to place the appropriations in reserve until the (High Representative) consults the competent bodies of Parliament on the priorities to be pursued with the resources freed up by the merger of the current structures of the Commission and the Council ". A measure of no consequence if it is lifted in the following month (as expected in Brussels).
It should be noted that by amending letter of 2010, 170 new posts were created, distributed between the delegations and headquarters. Cost, including related operating expenses: 9,52 million euros.
Read also:
- (1) EEAS: last straight line or last stand of the European Parliament?
- (2) Polish hiccup in the diplomatic service quartet…
- The first names in the "Top ten" of the diplomatic service
- (3) The draft “staff” regulations are not entirely in line…
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