The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. Since 2011, the EEAS carries out the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of Europeans across the globe.
The EEAS works under the political guidance of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (often referred to as HR/VP).
A strong asset of the EEAS is its ability to work closely with the foreign and defence ministries of the member states of the European Union (EU) as well as with the EU institutions such as the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. It also has a strong working relationship with the United Nations and other international and multilateral Organisations.
THE EU INTERNATIONAL ROLES
All over the world, the European External Action Service, in coordination with the European Union institutions, addresses EU foreign policy priorities, including civilian and military planning and crisis response.
The EU works to prevent and resolve conflicts, to support resilient democracies, to promote human rights and sustainable development, to fight climate change, and to contribute to a rules-based global order.
The role of the EEAS is to try and bring coherence and coordination to the European Union's international action.
EU DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONS
Following the Treaty of Lisbon, the EEAS is responsible for the running of EU Delegations and Offices around the world.
The Diplomatic Representations play a vital role in representing the EU and its citizens around the globe and building networks and partnerships. The main role is to represent the EU in the country where they are based and to promote the values and interests of the EU.
They are responsible for all policy areas of the relationship between the EU and the host country – be they political, economic, trade or on human rights and in building relationships with partners in civil society. In addition they analyse and report on political developments in their host country. They also programme development cooperation through projects and grants. A fundamental aspect of a Delegation is its public diplomacy role which consists in increasing the visibility, awareness and understanding of the EU.
Delegations are diplomatic representations and are usually responsible for one country, although some are representatives to several countries. The EU also has diplomatic representations to international organisations like the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation for example.
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