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EEAS
The Diplomatic Service of the European Union
  • About us
    The headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Brussels, Belgium

    The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. Since 2011, the EEAS carries out the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of Europeans across the globe.

    About the European External Action Service

    See also
    Creation of the EEAS
    Annual reports
    Structure and Organisation

    High Representative / Vice President

    The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs shapes the standing of the European Union on the global stage.

    The EU international roles

    All over the world, the European External Action Service, in coordination with  the European Union institutions, addresses EU foreign policy priorities, including civilian and military planning and crisis response.

    See also
    Consular protection for EU citizens
    Diplomatic corps

    EU special representatives

    The European Union has Special Representatives in different countries and regions of the world.

    Get in touch

    Contact the European External Action Service, ask general questions on the European Union or get information on visiting the EEAS.

    See also
    Visit the EEAS
  • EU in the World
    EU diplomatic representations around the world

    The EU maintains diplomatic relations with nearly all countries in the world and undertakes a range of actions with strategic partners, key international players, and emerging and developing powers. 

    EU Diplomatic Representations

    The Diplomatic Representations play a vital role in representing the EU and its citizens around the globe and building networks and partnerships.

    Military & civilian missions & operations

    Since the first CSDP missions and operations were launched back in 2003, the EU has undertaken over 37 overseas operations, using civilian and military missions and operations in several countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. As of today, there are 21 ongoing CSDP missions and operations, 12 of which are civilian, and 9 military.

    Regions

    See also
    Africa
    Asia – Pacific
    Central Asia
    Eastern Europe
    Latin America & the Caribbean
    Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
    North America
    Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)
    Pacific
    Western Balkans
    Western Europe

    Regional policies

    See also
    Black Sea Synergy
    EU Arctic Policy
    Eastern Partnership
    EU Facilitated Dialogue: Belgrade-Pristina relations
    European Neighbourhood Policy
    Middle East Peace Process
    EU Indo-Pacific Strategy

    Election observation missions

    Election observation missions (EOMs) provide a comprehensive, independent and impartial assessment of an electoral process according to international standards for democratic elections. The EU is a worldwide recognised credible actor in international election observation. Since 2000, the EU has deployed over 160 EOMs in more than 60 countries.

    Iran & JCPOA

    Since 2006, the EU High Representative has led diplomatic efforts between the E3/EU+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) and Iran, which led to the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program (JCPOA) in Vienna on 14 July 2015. The JCPOA is designed to ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme will be exclusively peaceful and provides for the comprehensive lifting of UN, EU and US nuclear-related sanctions.

  • What we do
    Woman holding the EU flag - Shutterstock

    All over the world, the EU works to prevent and resolve conflicts, to support resilient democracies, to promote human rights and sustainable development, to fight climate change, and to contribute to a rules-based global order.

    EU Peace, Security and Defence

    In an increasingly interconnected world, Europe’s security starts abroad. European citizens expect and deserve to live in a safe and stable environment. In the face of increased global instability, the EU needs to take more responsibility for its own security and increase its capacity to act autonomously.

    Crisis Response

    Crises can affect EU citizens, staff and interests outside of the EU. To protect them, the EU is strengthening its response to security and consular crises. The EEAS Crisis Response Centre contributes to this work.

    Human Rights & Democracy

    In a shifting geopolitical landscape, the EU has remained a strong defender of human rights. New geopolitical rivalries only serve to underline its role as a reliable and stable partner, and a champion of the rules-based international order.

    Equality

    Equality and non-discrimination are guiding principles of the European Union’s action on the international scene, as enshrined in the EU Treaties. Promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion is a matter of human rights, but also of peace and security, social justice, and economic progress. 

    EU green diplomacy

    The EEAS works in close collaboration with the European Commission and the EU Member States, and with the support of the EU Delegations, pursues climate, energy and environmental policy priorities through outreach and dialogue with partner countries, multilateralism and global action. This is known as EU Green Diplomacy.

    Multilateral relations

    In today’s world marked by major geopolitical and economic power shifts, multilateralism is still the most effective means to govern global relations in a way that benefits all. The EU stands committed to a renewed multilateralism fit for the 21st century.

    Migration, Mobility & Forced Displacement

    Migration is a global phenomenon presenting a unique set of challenges while offering substantial benefits to countries of origin and destination as well as migrants. The EU works to ensure that migration takes place in a safe, regular and sustainable manner.

    EU Enlargement & Neighbourhood

    The EU prioritises development and stability in the wider region and neighbourhood, working in close partnership with its neighbours to the East and South and supporting the reforms required by countries that want to become EU members.

    Humanitarian & Emergency response

    The European Union together with its Member States is the world’s leading humanitarian donor. New challenges, same principles, humanitarian aid is a key pillar of the EU’s external action and an important part of its ability to project its values globally.

    International cooperation & partnership

    The European Union, more than ever, needs to work closely with partners to face the global challenges and build together a safer, greener, more prosperous and equal world.

    Cultural relations

    Cultural diversity is one of the emblems of the EU and its Member States and a tool to strengthen cultural relations beyond our borders, to connect people worldwide, to share values, to improve international relations and to learn from each other’s practice. 

    Tackling Disinformation, Foreign Information Manipulation & Interference

    Since 2015, the EU has significantly improved its capacity to tackle Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), protecting the EU’s democratic processes, security and citizens.

    Global Gateway

    The Global Gateway is a new European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.

    Digital Diplomacy

    Digital technologies have brought new opportunities into the lives of people around the world. They have also become key competitive parameters that can shift the balance of power. The goal of EU Digital Diplomacy is to secure the EU global role in the digital world, to protect its strategic interests and to promote its dynamic, human-centric regulatory framework for an inclusive digital transformation.

    Economic relations - Trade & sustainability

    In its trade relations, the EU promotes a sustainable growth model as defined by the European Green Deal and the European Digital Strategy, which can help the recovery from the COVID-19 economic crisis.

    EU Sanctions

    Restrictive measures, or sanctions, are one of the EU's tools to promote the objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). 

    Public Diplomacy

    Building bridges between the European Union and the rest of the world

    International Days

    International days are key moments on the global calendar dedicated to celebrating, raising awareness and taking action on pressing issues that affect us all.  From honouring human rights to championing environmental sustainability, these days unite organisations, communities, and individuals worldwide for change - one celebration, one cause, one action at a time.

  • Newsroom & resources
    microphones with a EU flag in the background

    Press materials

    For media inquiries, please contact the EEAS press team

     

    Subscribe to our Press Alerts & Newsletters

    See also
    Press Releases
    Declarations / Statements
    Speeches / Remarks
    Op-eds

    Stories

    Read recent EEAS stories from around the world.

    Publications

    See also
    Factsheets
    Documents
    Reports

    Media gallery

    See also
    Videos
    Photos

    Campaigns

    Campaign pages are created around specific topic and actions.

    Audiovisual & Streaming

    See also
    Europe by Satellite
    Council of EU - Live
    Council of EU - Newsroom
    Europarl TV

    Other newsrooms

    See also
    EU Newsroom
    Other EU press release databases
    European Council Press Releases
    EU Press corner

    Document databases and Archives

    See also
    EEAS Archived Websites
    EEAS Public register
    Public register of Council documents
    EC Historical Archives
    INTPA documents library
  • Opportunities
    Opportunities Shutterstock

    Job opportunities, grants and tenders at the EEAS, EU Delegations and Missions and Operations.

    Vacancies

    Looking for an exciting job in the field of external relations, foreign affairs and security? Find our vacancies

    See also
    Contract Agents
    EU Delegation Programmes
    Traineeships
    CSDP missions
    Junior Professionals in Delegations (JPD) Programme
    EPSO

    Tenders

    Interested in one of the tenders? See how to apply for an EEAS call for tenders.

    See also
    How to apply for an EEAS call for tenders
    Useful links and documents for tenderers and contractors
    Ex-post publicity of the annual lists of contracts
    Official Journal of the European Union (TED)

    Auction sales

    Grants

    Grants can be awarded as donations to third parties that are engaged in external aid activities. Grants are managed by EuropeAid (DEVCO) or DG Near, the EEAS does not manage any grant.

    See also
    General information
    How to apply?

    Projects

    The EU supports projects worldwide covering a range of sectors.

    Events

    Every day, events are organised worldwide by the European Union Delegations and its partners.

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  3. Briefing Paper: EU-South Africa Cooperation
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Briefing Paper: EU-South Africa Cooperation

05.05.2017
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