What is the External Action Service?

The External Action Service, or EEAS, is the EU’s diplomatic service. It was established after the Lisbon Treaty on 1 January 2011. Via the EEAS, the EU has over 140 delegations to countries, territories and international organisations worldwide. The EEAS also has military and civilian missions across eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, helping to establish peace and security, as well as monitoring elections across the world. The EEAS does not replace but complements member state diplomatic efforts. The organisation is based in Brussels and led by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell. In 2019, it had around 4,500 employees, roughly evenly split between the headquarters and EU delegations across the world.