The genesis of the European External Action Service – the main concepts and debate from the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon to the end of the legislative process (November 2010)

Abstract

This article examines the genesis of the European External Action Service (EEAS) between 2007 and 2010. The idea of the creation of the EU diplomacy appeared during the works of the European Convention in 2002. However, the process of creation of the EEAS had been suspended for more than two years as a result of the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty. In 2007, the debate was re-opened because of the Treaty of Lisbon adoption. This article analyses the most important documents and events between the adoption of the Treaty and 2010 when the secondary legislation establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service was adopted by the Council.