New member states from Central and Eastern Europe lack adequate representation in EU's external delegations, according to a new report released by the Polish Institute of Foreign Relations.

Top level EU diplomats are more likely to be from the original five members of the EU, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Netherlands. Out of 115 EU foreign missions, 66 are headed by diplomats from the founding members of the EU while Spain and UK, both later entrants have another 20. Only two European Union external delegations are headed by nationals of countries, in Central and Eastern Europe who joined the union following 2004.

France and Italy, with 16 ambassadors lead the pack, followed closely by Belgium which has 15. The report concludes that sixteen countries,including Poland, the largest EU state to join the union following 2004, are underrepresented. While there are overrepresentation from 11 countries.  Belgium which is far smaller in population than France, Germany or Poland is significantly overrepresented in the EU's external delegations.

Not only in population, there is gross imbalance in gender equality.  Only 11 women hold ambassadorial posts out of 115, which is less than 10 per cent.

European Union prides itself in promoting gender equality, however even though women make up over 37 per cent of staff in the Commission's external affairs department, less than 10% make it to the top.

There is also colonial history or national interests that play in appointing ambassadors the report has noted. Spaniards run the EU delegations in Chile and Columbia, the head of the Brazilian delegation is Portuguese, and a Dutchman runs the post in South Africa. Seven out of the EU’s 15 ambassadors in the Mediterranean Union countries come from the Mediterranean themselves.

However, knowledge of language does not seem to be a barrier as the EU head of delegation to Moscow does not speak Russian, similarly the person who holds the similar position in Ukraine, does not speak Ukranian or Russian.

This report comes at a time when member states are lobbying to ensure they have fair represenation in the new European External Action Service (EEAS) which is expected to become operative by the end of this year. Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy head has pledged greater geographical and gender balance in the new service.