HC Deb 09 January 2003 vol 397 cc303-4W
Mr Heathcoat-Amory

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the establishment of(a) an EU diplomatic academy and (b) an EU diplomatic service. [89127]

Mr. MacShane

We are content with the idea of an EU diplomatic academy which would exist alongside member states' national training arrangements, as suggested in the report from the External Relations Working Group of the Convention on the Future of Europe. We will remain engaged in the debate on this issue as it develops.

On the establishment of an EU diplomatic service, we believe that it remains for EU member states to organise their respective bilateral diplomatic services at the national level, though co-ordination and co-location of diplomatic missions with EU partners may be appropriate. There are already 138 bilateral and 5 multilateral delegations overseas which represent the Commission abroad. As the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy develops under the Council of Ministers and its High Representative, currently Javier Solana, there will be increased demands upon the delegations of both the Commission and member states.