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 delegations of the EU 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 ensure the representation and defense of the interests of the European Commission before the United Nations and the WTO. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU delegation will have to assume the role that was – until now – held by the rotating EU presidencies. The head of delegation, in particular, will have “a much heavier workload” ; he must thus “being physically present at the various EU coordination meetings at head of delegation level".

He will therefore no longer be able to fulfill the role of head of delegation for the WTO. And having only one deputy head of delegation for the “WTO” subject is unthinkable, according to the Commission. “ It is essential – we explain to the Commission – that the EU Ambassador to the WTO remains at the highest level and maintains a rank equivalent to his counterparts because 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 daily life with the Member States of the Union »

Because " the Union has exclusive competence in the field of foreign trade ". The Commission having 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 WTO negotiations ". And the WTO process is essentially based on ambassadors; "the negotiations sometimes only bring together 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 devoted 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 integrate the liaison office of the General Secretariat of the Council.

Of course this small operation is not entirely carried out on a constant budget. The transition from deputy head to head of delegation (AD 13 to AD14/AD15 for those in the know) leads to a notable salary increase: + 5.000 euros per month. Not negligible! Not 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 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: Let us clarify 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!