Events
High-Level Policy Seminar on the EU’s new Diplomatic Service,4-5 October 2010
The Lisbon Treaty aims to enhance the European Union’s international profile, increasing the coherence and visibility of its external representation. Yet its entry into force has been leaving practitioners and academics with more questions than answers, particularly with regard to the tasks and responsibilities of the European External Action Service.
This unique high-level seminar explored the problems of external representation in international organisations, the service’s role in development cooperation and more existential questions that have been raised in capitals and missions abroad about the future of national diplomacy. Moving forward, it aimed to identify when the establishment of the European External Action Service could be termed a success if taken two years from now.
The meeting was organised by the Clingendael Institute, with support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It took place under Chatham House Rule, aiming at a free and open discussion. Participants were selected senior officials from the Member States of the European Union and from the European Institutions, and renown experts on EU foreign policy and diplomacy. With no less than 22 EU Member States participating at senior level, the event was a true success. Chair’s Conclusions will be posted in the coming weeks.
