Conclusion: A Diplomatic Service of Different Speeds

Abstract

With the Treaty of Lisbon the European Union has taken a major step towards integrating one of the most sensitive politics areas: diplomatic representation. The Lisbon Treaty has established a Brussels-based foreign service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), which includes a network of diplomatic representations of the Union in third countries all over the world. These so-called ‘EU Delegations’ had previously existed as representations of the European Commission for over six decades. In many ways, Lisbon has transformed them into prototype ‘embassies for Europe.’ The Treaty thereby provides third countries with a local telephone number of the European Union. Hence, over time and notably through the Lisbon Treaty, the Delegations formally as well as informally obtained the power to channel diplomatic activity in EU matters.