IRELAND HAS set its sights on securing the top post in the EU’s diplomatic mission to China for a senior Irish diplomat, say informed sources.
As talks continue on the union’s new diplomatic corps, a process is under way to appoint a head of delegation to 29 EU international missions.
The diplomatic corps – to be known as the European External Action Service (EAS) – will be led by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Asthon. Despite lingering rivalry between EU institutions and governments over the reach of the EAS, Ms Ashton hopes to publish her plans for the new group soon.
Amid pressure from member states to establish the EAS on a “budget neutral” basis, the question of securing additional funding for the new body is under discussion.
The vacancies at the top of EU international missions include the two most senior positions in the EU delegation in Beijing. These posts are important strategically, given the rapid advance of the Chinese economy and growing trade links between EU states and China.
As such, securing the top-ranking Beijing post for an Irish diplomat would be something of a coup.
While sources say the Government believes this position is within Ireland’s grasp, a spokeswoman declined to comment.
“Ireland, as much as all other member states, looks forward to the establishment of the EAS and being involved in the EAS and having senior positions within the new service,” she said.
She also declined to comment on suggestions from informed sources that the Government had its sights on securing a head of delegation post for an Irish diplomat in an EU mission to an African country that is a big recipient of international aid. Current vacancies include the top mission posts in several African countries.
Separately, European Commission president José Manuel Barroso and European Council president Herman Van Rompuy yesterday agreed between them that they would both represent the EU at G20 and G8 meetings.
As the EU occupies only one seat at such meetings, however, Mr Barroso’s spokeswoman said they “will agree very practically the distribution of interventions” according to their powers.
This means Mr Van Rompuy will speak on foreign and security policy questions, while Mr Barroso will speak on economic issues.
Although Mr Barroso was previously the sole EU representative at the G20, his spokeswoman said there was no reduction in his role.