The European External Action Service (EEAS) and the 'Department for Crisis Response & Operational Coordination' play a central coordinating role in the EU's efforts and activities in crisis response.
A guiding principle of Lisbon Treaty provisions, which also lies at the heart of the EEAS, is the desire to achieve a substantial increase in 'responsiveness' to the opportunities and challenges that exist beyond EU borders with adequate EU action during external emergencies, which require ad-hoc decision making.
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