The New EU Diplomacy: Learning to Add Value

Abstract

The European External Action Service (EEAS) which came into existence on 1st January 2011 has the potential to bring coherence and visibility to the external action of the European Union (EU). It could go beyond, giving new impetus to the Union’s external action and contributing to the emergence of an EU foreign policy. But it could also end up as a mere juxtaposition of previously existing organizations and policies with uncertain added value for the Union. This paper looks at the EEAS from a functional perspective and in the context of a nascent EU diplomacy. It analyzes how training can contribute towards fulfilling the EEAS objectives and in nurturing a new EU diplomacy. It proposes a training approach built around three poles – knowledge, skills and attitudes- and three levels – preparatory, pre-posting and career-long training – and presents the main parameters and options for implementation.