Publication

After three months of preparatory work, Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, presented a Proposal for a Council decision establishing the organization and functioning of the European External Action Service (EEAS) on 25 March 2010. Although the schedule adopted by the European Council entails the completion of negotiations by the end of April 2010, finding a compromise could take longer. Adopting the decision requires both unanimity among member states and acceptance from the Commission. The European Parliament is also trying to establish its influence on future decisions.