The operational diplomatic service crisis room
(BRUSSELS2) The High Representative of the Union, Cathy Ashton, today inaugurated the new "operational crisis room" of the diplomatic service (EEAS). This room will be equipped 24 hours a day, 24 days a week, and will allow you to:
- assemble, manage and develop all diplomatic service situational awareness and duty capabilities;
- ensure that the diplomatic service can have the best knowledge of the field, with constantly updated information, on the world situation, in particular in areas where EU delegations or civilian or military missions are involved CSDP/PSDC (front-line service), as well as events or situations that may affect diplomatic staff;
- provide support to the political action of the EEAS Crisis Platform;
- develop relations with the equivalent crisis coordination centers existing in international organizations or in the 27 EU Member States (NB: in general, these crisis structures are located at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Depending on the country, they are sometimes very developed, or are limited to a diplomat on duty who can be contacted by telephone).
Comment: This new equipment is not really new. It brings together staff already doing this type of watch either within the EU General Staff or the SitCen (the watchkeepers), or from the diplomatic services or relations with the Delegations. But it has the advantage of corresponding to the new organization of the diplomatic service by grouping these various functions, previously scattered, with a display effect. What was greatly lacking, especially during major crises, for example for the earthquake in Haiti.