The establishment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) is for the S&D Group an important step forward in implementing the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).Furthermore, the EEAS should enhance the coherence between different dimensions and instruments of EU external action.

In this respect, development policy is of particular concern to the S&D Group. We need to move beyond all inter-institutional divisions and differences between the Commission and the Council. We need one active and clearly visible EEAS which is fully responsible to the European Parliament - politically as well as regards the budget and the discharge. The S&D Group is pragmatic regarding the detailed allocation of tasks for the new service but we stand firm on the principle of implementing the Common Foreign and Security Policy whilst ensuring policy coherence for development. Member States are requested to contribute actively to the EEAS, but they should not try to put into operation an EU foreign policy influenced by their national perspectives. The European perspective is decisive.

The following elements were agreed upon on 14 April 2010 in the S&D working group on the EEAS and subsequently confirmed by the full Group. The position paper is a work in progress and may be adapted to future developments.

- The Nature of the Service

We can accept the EEAS as a sui generis service, provided it is linked to the Commission and fully accountable to the European Parliament. This definition will have to be taken into account when working on the Financial Regulation, i.e. as regards the administrative budget the EEAS will be treated like a separate institution.

- Budgetary Issues

Our Group wants to ensure full transparency of all expenditures for EU external policies. Our preference is for one transparent consolidated administrative budget