Terugblik op eerste twee jaar van Europese Dienst Extern Optreden (en)

The political decision that created the European External Action Service (EEAS) said that High Representative Catherine Ashton i should review the Service in a report in the summer of 2013 - two years after the creation of the EEAS.

The Review presents a range of proposals and suggestions from the High Representative on the organisation and functioning of the EEAS. It is divided into three sections: the organisation of the EEAS, the functioning of the EEAS, and the role of the HR/VP. On the basis of the review process a number of short-term and medium-term recommendations have been made.

The Review sets out some of the lessons that have been learned. The EEAS has sought to make the best use of scarce financial resources - and also to meet expectations that the EU should support progress towards democracy and prosperity in countries as varied as Libya and Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, Mali and Myanmar/Burma.

The EEAS and the work of the EU around the world are guided by the conviction that Europe has a special role to play in today’s world. Our own recent history reminds us of the horrors of conflict and tyranny - and shows how prosperous, open societies can be built when those horrors are banished.

Europe’s role in the world is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The EEAS is but one component of Europe’s response to this global challenge. We seek to co-operate with, but not replace, the important work done by Member States. The EEAS seeks to add value by being more than a foreign ministry - combining elements of a development and of a defence ministry. The EEAS can be a catalyst to bring together the foreign policies of Member States and strengthen the position of the EU in the world.

Catherine Ashton would like to thank all those who contributed to the establishment of the EEAS and the writing of the Review.

We hope you enjoy reading the EEAS Review 2013 [2 MB] .