The Association of Diplomats calls for strengthening Spain’s presence in the European External Action Service

Eduardo González The Association of Spanish Diplomats (ADE) has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen Spain's presence in the European External Action Service (EEAS) by integrating more Spanish diplomatic officials, including the option of them becoming Seconded National Experts (SNEs) to the European Union. In mid-April, the ADE sent a report to the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Xavier Martí, proposing the creation of a working group to study the Association's proposals. The report also warned that the upcoming renewal of SNE positions makes "the development of a genuine strategic plan in this regard even more urgent," given that "the Ministry is not fully utilizing the potential of this relationship." "The existence of the EEAS is a fact," the ADE report states. “European diplomacy has been operating for years in a way that complements national diplomacy, and the coordination and exchange of best practices are leading to optimized coexistence,” it continues. “For the Ministry, for the Diplomatic Service as a body, and for the diplomats themselves, a relationship can be established that provides significant mutual benefits,” the Association notes. “The Ministry benefits from the training of its officials in European affairs, from experience in European institutions, from participation in their procedures and decision-making, and from learning best practices, but also from opportunities to fill priority positions for Spain and positions where it lacks representation,” it continues. As for the officials, “the European External Action Service (EEAS) offers experience within the European framework, which leads to a better understanding of how European institutions function and exposure to different working methods, resulting in improved training for the official.” “Likewise, new possibilities for selecting postings and work-life balance are opening up, with particular interest for couples of civil servants,” the ADE emphasizes. Currently, according to the Association, “access to EEAS positions, especially through the SNEs, is functioning as a mechanism to allow younger diplomatic officials to post abroad.” In this context, it warns, “the integration of Spanish diplomats into EEAS positions should be a strategic commitment and should be developed with transparency and efficiency, beyond temporary personnel management issues.” Therefore, the Association's objective is "to initiate a discussion within the Ministry to develop a strategic approach to interaction with the EEAS" in order to address "key questions," such as "what is the desirable number" of officials 'seconded' from the EEAS or converted into SNEs positions, how many 'seconded' officials the Ministry can assume, in which positions it would be desirable for career diplomats to be assigned, what the Ministry's role should be in the selection of these officials, and how to improve these procedures for both the Ministry and the officials." Among the report's various recommendations, the ADE proposes that SNEs positions of priority interest to the Ministry be identified through the selection of the corresponding Directorates General and that these positions be fixed for an extended period to guarantee that they are filled by Spanish diplomats at the end of each maximum assignment period. Furthermore, regarding Spanish officials assigned to the EEAS, the Association believes that, "from the perspective of our capacity for influence and our strategic weight, it would be desirable to fill at least ten percent of these positions." one hundred of the Delegation Headquarters and have between ten and fifteen advisors and in Brussels with two or three Division Headquarters.

Related Content

AECID to allocate eleven million euros to innovation for development projects in 2026

Madrid hosts the second Invest in Spain Summit this Monday, the leading foreign investment forum in Spain

Half a million euros for organizations helping Spaniards abroad

French Embassy highlights the strategic importance of low-carbon hydrogen in current European context

Albares begins trip to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Mexico