Informal Meeting Foreign Affairs (Gymnich): day 2
At the press conference at the end of the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in Brussels on Saturday 11 th of September Belgian Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere pointed out that the Treaty of Lisbon marks a turning point in the organization of the Union's external relations.
This is hardly new for anyone, he remarked, but he wished to repeat this because as host of the Gymnich meeting it was his ambition to make the new institutional rule happen in practice. In terms of organization and staff the European external relations are still in a transition phase and this explains why Belgium has taken up the organization of the informal meeting as a rotating presidency. In many places Belgian diplomats are still working for the EU presidency but Steven Vanackere underlined that they do so under the political responsibility of High Representative Cathy Ashton - in keeping with Belgium's strong European commitment. In organizing this meeting Belgian and High Representative teams have been in close contact and Minister Vanackere concluded that this cooperation had been excellent.
Since the start of the presidency, the Belgian Minister has observed considerable progress in setting up European diplomacy. Around the world, delegations of the European Union have effectively taken over the representation of the Union. There are only a few capital cities in which this role is still played by the embassy of one of the member states. The recruitment of new heads of delegations is well underway and by the year's end, the new External Action Service should be up and running. Lady Ashton expects to be able to announce the first appointments in the course of the week following the Gymnich.
The informal meeting in Brussels will have marked another step towards European diplomacy and will allow the establishment of a substantial basis for a new European foreign policy. Steven Vanackere wanted to particularly acknowledge the remarkable work that has been accomplished by the High Representative. In less than one year - and a year is a very short time in the history of European integration - a colossal project has been undertaken. Aside from the initial groundwork for the Service, the High Representative has also launched an in-depth project, the likes of which we have never before undertaken, for the coherence of our action towards strategic partners and our influence in multilateralism. The discussions have focussed particularly on the strategic relations that the European Union will need to strengthen with China and Turkey. The debates will be continued at the General Affairs Council which will prepare for the European Council on Thursday 16 September.
