Reorganising Europe's foreign affairs: what role for international development, ODIOverseas Development Institute (London) Blog, April 2010

European Union Foreign Ministers are meeting today to agree the shape and functions of the new European External Action Service created by the Lisbon Treaty . This is not the final stage of the approval process. The European Parliament must agree the required budget and can thus require further change. Nevertheless, Monday's meeting will mark the point at which European Foreign Ministers sign up to the deal that gives Baroness Cathy Ashton her mandate as the EU's first Foreign Minister. International development forms part of the deal. Will the EU's contribution to poverty reduction , human security and environmental sustainability be well or badly served?................ (see link in title for full article)