Directorate-General for External Relations

Last updated
Directorate-General for the External Relations

Charlemagne building, RELEX HQ
Department overview
Formed1958
Dissolved1 December 2011
Superseding agency
TypeDepartment
Headquarters Charlemagne building
Brussels, Belgium
50°50′37.14″N4°22′49.12″E / 50.8436500°N 4.3803111°E / 50.8436500; 4.3803111
Department executives

The Directorate-General for the External Relations (DG RELEX, DG E VIII) was a Directorate-General of the European Commission, responsible for the external policy. The DG was merged into the European External Action Service in 2010, then headed by High Representative Catherine Ashton.

Contents

Role

"The Directorate-General for External Relations contributed to the formulation by the Commissioner for External Relations, together with her colleagues of an effective and coherent external relations policy for the European Union, so as to enable the EU to assert its identity on the international scene." To this end DG RELEX worked closely with other Directorates-General, notably DG Development, DG Enlargement, DG Trade, EuropeAid Co-Operation Office and European Commission's Humanitarian Office (ECHO). [1]

The DG operated the 120 Delegations and Offices around the world. In October 2010 David O'Sullivan was made the last Director General of RELEX (as he then became the first the chief operating officer of the EEAS) and the Deputy Director General was Karel Kovanda (2008). Prior to O'Sullivan taking over, the director-general was Eneko Landaburu (2003–2009), then João Vale de Almeida (2009–2010).

Merger

Under the Lisbon Treaty, the European External Action Service (EEAS) took over RELEX's functions, merging them with its counterparts in the Council of the European Union as of 1 December 2010. Under the second Barroso Commission, the elements of RELEX relating to international climate change negotiations were transferred to the new Climate Action DG. [2] This was in preparation for the merger as not all foreign policy DGs were to be merged but elements of a number. A minor turf war erupted as the Commission attempted to retain control of certain policy areas in the face of EEAS' consolidation. Those areas of RELEX that the commission retains but needs close cooperation with the EEAS were established in a new DG, the Foreign Policy Instruments Service.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy</span> Official of the European Union

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) is the chief co-ordinator and representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) within the European Union (EU). The position is currently held by Josep Borrell Fontelles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union Military Staff</span> Directorate-general of the EUs External Action Service

The Military Staff of the European Union (EUMS) is the directorate-general of the European Union's (EU) External Action Service (EEAS) that contributes to the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) by providing strategic advice to the High Representative (HR/VP) and commanding operations through its Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) operational headquarters. From the end of 2020, the MPCC will be capable of running executive operations of up to 2,500 troops, i.e. the size of one EU battle group, as well as 3 non-executive missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of the European Union</span> Relations between the European Union and other countries

Although there has been a large degree of integration between European Union member states, foreign relations is still a largely intergovernmental matter, with the 27 states controlling their own relations to a large degree. However, with the Union holding more weight as a single entity, there are at times attempts to speak with one voice, notably on trade and energy matters. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy personifies this role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directorate-General for the Environment</span>

Directorate-General for Environment is a Directorate-General of the European Commission, responsible for the Environmental policy of the European Union. In 2010 "relevant [climate change] activities in DG Environment" were moved to the new DG Climate Action. At the same time the DG Energy (ENER) was also established. The 2022 commissioner was Virginijus Sinkevičius.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Commissioner for External Relations</span>

The European Commissioner for External Relations was a member of the European Commission with responsibility over the Commissions external representation in the world and the European Union's (EU) Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The responsibility was shared though between other Commission posts and the High Representative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Commissioner for Trade</span> Member of the EU Commission

The European Commissioner for Trade is the member of the European Commission responsible for the European Union's common commercial policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directorate-General for International Partnerships</span> European Commission department

The Directorate-General for International Partnerships is the European Commission department responsible for international development policy. It operates under the authority of the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlemagne building</span> High-rise in Brussels, Belgium

The Charlemagne building is a high-rise in the European Quarter of Brussels, Belgium, which houses the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, the Directorate-General for Trade, and since 2015, the Internal Audit Service of the Commission. It is named after Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David O'Sullivan (civil servant)</span> Irish diplomat for the EU

David O'Sullivan is the Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). He was previously a European civil servant served as Ambassador of the European Union to the United States from 2014 to 2019, Chief Operating Officer of the EEAS from 2010 to 2014, Director-General of DG RELEX from October 2010 to December 2010, Director-General of DG Trade from 2005 to 2010, Secretary General of the European Commission from 2000 to 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diplomatic missions of the European Union</span> EU diplomatic missions

The member states of the European Union are aligned in their foreign policy on many issues. The EU is the world's largest economic union, customs union and donor of humanitarian and development assistance and thus has an extensive network of delegations around the world mainly operating in the framework of External Relations, for which the European Commission is the main decision body. The EU also represents shared political and security viewpoints held by its member states, as articulated in the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European External Action Service</span> Diplomatic service and combined foreign and defence ministry of the European Union

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the diplomatic service and combined foreign and defence ministry of the European Union (EU). The EEAS is led by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP), who is also President of the Foreign Affairs Council and vice-president of the European Commission, and carries out the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The EU Intelligence and Situation Centre is a "civilian intelligence function" of the European Union (EU). Structurally, it is a directorate of the External Action Service (EEAS) and reports directly to the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Article 4 of the Treaty on European Union, among other things, expressly states that "national security remains the sole responsibility of each Member State". EU INTCEN's analytical products are based on intelligence from the EU Member States' intelligence and security services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

European Union–Pakistan relations are the international relations between the common foreign policy and trade relations of the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Service for Foreign Policy Instruments</span>

The Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) is a department (Directorate-General) of the European Commission set up in response to the establishment of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EEAS merged the Commission's Directorate-General for External Relations (and various other departments) with its counterparts in the Council of Ministers. The responsible Commissioner for the service is the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles in his role as Commission Vice-President. The current Head of Service is Peter M. Wagner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs</span> Directorate-General of the European Commission

The Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs is a Directorate-General of the European Commission. The role of the body is to ensure the EU's security, to build a common EU migration and asylum policy, and to promote dialogue and cooperation with non-EU countries. Thereby, it contributes to the area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel Council on Foreign Relations</span> Public policy think tank

The Israel Council on Foreign Relations (ICFR) is an independent, non-partisan forum for the study and debate of foreign policy issues, especially those relating to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The ICFR publishes a triannual policy and scholarly journal, The Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, which offers a platform for the discussion and analysis of international affairs. The ICFR operates under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress, of which Ronald S. Lauder is president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angelina Eichhorst</span> Dutch diplomat

Angelina Julietta Francisca Eichhorst is a Dutch diplomat and European civil servant, currently the managing director for Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service in Brussels, Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability</span> Organisation within the European Union

The Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) is the directorate of the External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union (EU) that serves as operational headquarters (OHQ) for the civilian missions of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florika Fink-Hooijer</span>

Florika Fink-Hooijer is a European civil servant at the European Commission. She leads the Directorate General for the Environment, which holds large responsibilities under the European Green Deal.

References

  1. "EUROPA - European Commission - DG External Relations : Mission". Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved 2006-06-14.
  2. "Press corner". European Commission - European Commission.