The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the diplomatic service of the European Union. It runs the Union foreign policy and the relationships that frame how the EU spends money outside its own borders.
Diplomacy and money
Cross-border funding is never only financial. The EEAS sets the political terms with partner countries, while the Commission designs and delivers the instruments. The two work together on the European Neighbourhood Policy and beyond.
For anyone following the money, the EEAS is where the priorities are set before a single euro is committed.