The European external action service: Enhancing coherence in EU external action?

Abstract

In a rapidly changing world, the success of the European Union's institutions in effectively addressing challenges and seizing opportunities is helped by the constant revision of EU strategies, as well as the focused support of and provision of resources by the Member States to make a difference. Arguably, when these elements are absent, EU external action flounders. The Union's mixed performance in external action over the past few years illustrates the importance of the Lisbon Treaty, which was intended to create the tools for the EU to develop a more coherent, effective and visible foreign policy. One of the institutional innovations provided for in the Treaty on European Union to meet those ambitions is the creation of a European External Action Service (EEAS), which is intended to support the EU external action heroes. This contribution deals with the question whether the new EEAS is likely to enhance inter-institutional coherence in the Union's external action. In order to answer this question, both the raison d'être and the mandate of the EEAS are examined, as well as the organisational structure and aspects of internal coherence of the Service. This chapter attempts to answer the question whether the envisaged structure of the Service corresponds to its mandate and whether the EEAS is likely to live up to its expectations by enhancing coherence in EU external action.