Five recommendations for the reform of the European Foreign Service

The European External Action Service (EEAS) has now existed for two years, and will be subject to a formal review in the coming months. Hylke Dijkstra uses this opportunity to recommend five reforms for the EEAS that will help to make it more effective. It should become a closer part of the careers of EU member states’ diplomats; become less bureaucratic; adopt a nomination process for the position of High Representative; integrate crisis management functions more closely; and work towards providing consular services on behalf of member states.