The EEAS is the European Union's diplomatic corps. It supports the EU foreign affairs chief (High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton) in conducting the common foreign and security policy.  

It has Delegations around the world working on behalf of the people of Europe and representing the EU as a whole.

Relationship to other EU bodies

The EEAS is functionally autonomous from other EU bodies – but has a legal responsibility to ensure its policies are consistent with other EU policies.

To help ensure this, the High Representative is also a Vice-President of the European Commission, and President of the Foreign Affairs Council. The EEAS diplomatic service also supports High Representative Catherine Ashton in these capacities.  

Origins of the EEAS

• November 2009 – Catherine Ashton (UK) chosen as future EU High Representative by EU leaders, created by the Lisbon Treaty. The appointment was later endorsed by a large majority in the European Parliament.
• December 2009 – Lisbon Treaty enters into force
• July 2010 – European External Action Service established on 26 July 2010 by decision of the Council of Ministers   [783 KB] – based on a proposal from the High Representative  endorsed by the European Parliament on  8 July 2010.
• December 2010 – Senior EEAS management team nominated and staff transferred from other EU bodies
• January 2011 – EEAS officially launched

Structure

Organisation chart – May 2013

 

Profiles

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Catherine Ashton

Members of the EEAS Corporate Board

Executive Secretary General: Pierre Vimont [31 KB]

Chief Operating Officer: David O'Sullivan [49 KB]

Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs: Helga Schmid [59 KB]    

Deputy Secretary General for Inter-institutional Affairs: Maciej Popowski [23 KB]

Managing Directors

Crisis Response: Dr Agostino Miozzo

Asia: Viorel Isticioaia Budura

Africa: Nicholas Westcott

Europe and Central Asia: Luis Felipe Fernández de la Peña

Middle East and Southern Neighbourhood: Hugues Mingarelli

Americas: Christian Leffler

Global and Multilateral Issues: Maria Marinaki

Other Senior Managers

Head of the Crisis Management and Planning Department: Walter Stevens

Director General EU Military Staff (EUMS): Lt Gen Ton Van Osch

Head of the EU Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC): Hansjoerg Haber

Director EU Intelligence Analysis Centre (EU INTCEN): Ilkka Salmi

Chair of the Political and Security Committee