The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, welcomes the vote today by the EU to allocate funds to pay trainees in EU foreign delegations, in response to her recommendation.

The Ombudsman’s proposal followed a complaint by an Austrian trainee about the European External Action Service’s practice of not paying trainees in its delegations.

“I welcome the progressive stance of High Representative Mogherini on this issue, and now the support of the EU budgetary authorities for my recommendation that trainees in EU foreign delegations be paid. These placements, in what is essentially the EU’s foreign service, can be an important stepping stone in a young person’s career. An allowance will help to cover expenses such as travel, accommodation and insurance and therefore open up these traineeships to more people.

“This sends the message that the EU is committed to the principle of non-discrimination by making traineeships available