Outside the Union

The Commission authorize Baroness Ashton to derogate, if necessary, in the procedures for selection and appointment for functions of middle and senior management mentioned above, any decision of the Commission thereon, while ensuring the implementation procedures conform to the status of officials and the rules applicable to other agents.

The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Spanish EU Presidency yesterday reached a compromise in Madrid regarding the organisation and operation of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EU institutions expect the Union’s diplomatic service to become operational in the autumn.

R&D and the Trade Union Majority supports the outcome of the negotiations on the final proposal for the changes to the Staff Regulations which are necessary for the establishment of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Please find enclosed the Opinion of the Council Staff Committee on the EEAS Statutory changes Adopted at the 29th plenary meeting of the Staff Committee June 2, 2010 – written procedure by June 8, 2010

The European Commission has adopted yesterday a draft proposal (COM(2010) 309 final) amending the Staff Regulations in view of the establishment of the External Action Service. The main purpose of the proposed amendments is to assure the main human resources requirements needed to set up the EEAS, by organising the transfer of Commission and Council officials to the EEAS together with the recruitment of national diplomats.