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.

The Lisbon Treaty sets out clearly what should guide the European Union internationally.

"The Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law."

Discover how and when the European External Action was created.

Find out about Consular protection for EU citizens travelling or living abroad.

On 1st December 2024, Kaja Kallas has assumed the role of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP).

The HR/VP role entails making the European Union stronger and its voice heard on the international stage, working closely with the foreign and defence ministries of the member states of the European Union, the EU institutions, and fostering partnerships with the United Nations and other International Organisations.

As the EU’s chief diplomat, the HR/VP steers foreign and security policy on behalf of the European Union and coordinates the EU’s foreign policy tools. She also heads the European Defence Agency.

• Follow the HR/VP on X: @kajakallas
• Follow the HR/VP on Facebook:  Kaja Kallas
• Follow the HR/VP on Instagram: kajakallas
• Follow the HR/VP on Bluesky: @kajakallas.bsky.social

More on the role of the HR/VP and previous High Representatives.

The Secretary-General manages the EEAS under the authority of the High Representative. He is tasked to take all the necessary measures to ensure an efficient functioning of the EEAS, including its administrative and budgetary management.  

The Secretary-General provides strategic direction to the work of the EEAS and an effective coordination on foreign policy between the headquarter and the delegations, with the EU institutions, with his Member States counterparts and with third countries, including through political dialogues.

Since 1 February 2025, Bélen Martinez Carbonell is the Secretary-General of the EEAS.

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.