Parliament agrees compromises on EU foreign service

THE EU’s new foreign service leaped a major hurdle towards becoming a reality when compromises were agreed with the European Parliament on how it will be constituted and run.

For weeks the MEPs’ demands have delayed progress on setting up the union’s newest institution but eventually they won a say over its budget, secured the right to be told in advance of policy decisions and interview senior staff.

Foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said she hoped to have the service functioning by the autumn. It was one of the most significant changes made by the Lisbon Treaty and is designed to better coordinate and reinforce the EU’s role on the world stage.