Development-proofing the European External Action Service

On 26 April 2010, the General Affairs Council agreed a framework for the European External Action Service (EEAS) which makes reference to international development, in particular the focus on poverty reduction enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty. The framework gives the new EU diplomatic service a role in shaping strategy and in programming development cooperation for all regions of the world. It also grants a supervisory and oversight role to the Development Commissioner.

The framework provides development with clear opportunities to contribute to building a more consistent EU external action, that is guided by the values and objectives expressed in the Treaty. Development with the aim of poverty reduction is one of these objectives alongside democracy, the rule of law, human rights, conflict prevention, global trade integration, environmental protection, disaster management and multilateral cooperation. In fact, development is about all of these objectives. Hence development-proofing the EEAS is about ensuring that all the objectives specified in Article 21 shapes the work of the EEAS.