Malta will have to exert maximum political and diplomatic pressure in the coming weeks if it wants to achieve a "meaningful representation" in the EU's new influential diplomatic corps.
The island will be starting at a disadvantage in the "race" with the other member states to grab the best positions available and so it had "to pull its socks up", according to European Commission sources.
Malta is the most under-represented member state in the Commission's External Relations Department (DG Relex), which will be the main recruiting ground of the new service.
After months of tough negotiations dominated by internal turf wars over who was getting what, the EU Presidency, the Commission and the European Parliament on Monday reached a deal to set up the new service, which will be known as the European External Action Service (EEAS). It will act as the EU's official mouthpiece around the world and representative offices will be opened in all the main capitals around the globe.
On the EP's insistence, the final compromise stipulates that at least 60 per cent of the 3,000-strong members will consist of present EU officials. The sources said there was just one Maltese official in the DG Relex, who will most probably be fully integrated into the new foreign service.
"According to its size, Malta should have nine officials in place by now but this is not the case. Other member states, especially the new ones, are also under-represented in DG Relex but Malta is in the worst position," the sources said.
DG Relex will be one of the most important departments in the foreign services reform.
"Unfortunately, Malta still has very few policy officials working in the Commission services because the majority of those working for EU institutions are engaged in translation jobs, not really the most important department in EU policy-making," the sources explained.
Other countries, such as France, Italy, Germany and the UK, have been preparing for this new service for years and now dominate DG Relex not just in numbers but also in terms of key positions.
According to the deal reached, the EEAS should be composed of three different groups of officials. The majority will be current Commission functionaries, followed by officials of the EU Council and those nominated by individual member states.
During the negotiations, Malta, together with other small member states, has been insisting that it should be "significantly represented" in the EEAS, fearing it would be marginalised in the ongoing power struggle.
According to EU Council sources, the group of small member states is still insisting there should be a minimum threshold, similar to that applicable for members of the European Parliament.
"There are still no numbers on the table and the real horse-trading on how many diplomats each member state will finally get and which position will they occupy will be decided in the coming weeks following Monday's political deal."
"The race has started and it will not be an easy game," the sources warned.
The EEAS deal is expected to be given the final green light by member states and the EP by the end July so the new service could start functioning this autumn.