During the past months, we have witnessed increasing activity regarding the establishment of a European External Action Service (EEAS) – one of the most emblematic innovations that the Treaty of Lisbon introduces to strengthen the EU external action. While the details of the EEAS organisation and functioning are still under(intense) discussion, this seminar will examine its possible contribution to the development of a EU diplomacy.

Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage and Hanna Ojanen, Research Director at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, will offer their views on this critical question. They will also react to the European Policy Analysis on the topic which will be presented on this occasion. The Analysis is co-authored by French diplomat Maxime Lefebvre and SIEPS researcher Christophe Hillion.

Speaker
Christophe Hillion, Researcher, Law, SIEPS; Professor in European law, University of Leiden and Guest Professor, Stockholm University

Discussants
Frank Belfrage, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Government Offices of Sweden
Hanna Ojanen, Research Director, The Swedish Institute of International Affairs

Chair
Anna Stellinger, Director, SIEPS


Time: Tuesday 22 June 2010 at 10.00 - 12.00. Coffee/registration from 09.30.
Venue: Medelhavsmuseet, Fredsgatan 2, Stockholm
 
The seminar – which is held in English – is free of charge and open to the public. All participants will receive a copy of the analysis The European External Action Service: towards a common diplomacy? (2010:6epa).