EU High Representative must chair Foreign Policy Commissioners' meeting

The European Parliament today issued a call for the EU’s Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to better coordinate the work of the foreign policy departments of the European Commission with that of the European External Action Service (EEAS). In her capacity as Vice-President of the European Commission, the High Representative should regularly chair and coordinate the group of European Commissioners whose portfolio have an impact on the EU’s foreign policy, MEPs said today in a Report drafted by Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.

She must become a credible part of the Commission in order to achieve full co-operation, Elmar Brok said: “Too many cooks spoil the broth, both as far as the coordination within the EU Institutions is concerned as well as that between Member States.” Brok also called for the instalment of political deputies of the Vice-President/High Representative.

In today’s Resolution, Parliament called for leaner decision-making hierarchies within the External Action Service and a faster implementation of strategic decisions. “The example of Mali has shown the need for a more pro-active EU foreign policy based on clear strategic decisions”, Brok concluded.