A series of written questions to the European Commission from Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman reveals how the European External Action Service (EEAS) led by Labour peer Baroness Ashton has expanded since it was set up three years ago – even as far as the idyllic Caribbean island.
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Here are details of the questions and answers given:
To ask the Commission what is the size of the vehicle fleet of the EAS? What is the average price of an EAS vehicle? What is the most common vehicle used by the EAS?
Answer given by High Representative/Vice President Ashton
(3.5.2013)
In Brussels, there is no EEAS vehicle fleet. Through a Servicel Level Agreement, the Commission (Office des Infrastructures de Bruxelles) makes vehicles available to senior EEAS staff on a limited basis.
In the 141 Delegations, the size of the vehicle fleet is about 650 cars (including the armoured cars) which are used by EEAS and COM staff. Cars are used for service purpose only, including diplomatic activities and visits to development projects inside the countries. The number of cars in each Delegation depends on their size, the local security environement and transport systems. Cars are usually bought locally if possible and EU public procurement rules are followed when purchasing. With the exception of the armoured cars, the average price is EUR 25.000. Delegations use a range of vehicles for different purposes (official cars for Heads of delegations, general service cars and 4X4 vehicles for field visits).
To ask the Commission what is the total workforce of the EAS, including locally employed staff; and what are the comparative figures for the diplomatic services of each member state?
Answer given by High Representative/Vice President Ashton on behalf of the Commission
(6.5.2013)
The European External Action Service (EEAS) currently employs 3392 staff altogether, 1450 in Brussels and 1942 in EU Delegations (of which 1134 EEAS local agents).
The EEAS does not have official figures for the staffing of EU national foreign ministries. Furthermore, it is difficult to compare these services on a reliable basis as national practices can vary considerabely, in particular when it comes to aid management or consular matters. Finally, the EEAS is not represented in EU Member States whereas this is generally an important component of national diplomatic services.
There are however a series of studies undertaken by academic institutions that provide some indications of orders of magnitude of the different services.
To ask the Commission how many (i) EU nationals (ii) locally employed staff are currently employed by the EAS, by location?
Answer given by High Representative/Vice President Ashton on behalf of the Commission
(6.5.2013)
The European External Action Service (EEAS) currently employs 3392 staff altogether, 1450 in Brussels and 1942 in EU Delegations. In the EU Delegations, the EEAS has 808 EU expatriate staff (EU civil servants, seconded national experts, EU contract agents and Young Professionals) and 1134 EEAS local agents.
Detailed chart by location can be found in annex, which is sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.
To ask the Commission to list the works of art commissioned by the EAS, with cost, since it was established. What is the process for deciding upon new art for EU embassies/missions?
E-002821/2013
Answer given by High Representative/Vice President Ashton
(7.5.2013)
The EEAS has not commissioned any art works to decorate its delegation since 1 January 2011 and the tight EEAS budget does not leave any margin for any spending on art. Occasionnaly, the EEAS, and EU Delegations, have benefited from protocol gifts of works of art from international partners.