EU Consulates

It rears its ugly head again, despite being a part of the rejected constitution.

European citizens who lose their passports or fall foul of the law while abroad would be able to turn up to EU consulates under a plan to be put forward by Brussels.

They are determined to set up a foreign service, to further the foreign policy aims of the EU (ie to be completely ineffective wankers, but smile nicely). Why is this necessary, when it is usual practice for the citizens of countries visiting somewhere bereft of a consulate representing them, to have their issues handled by the consulate of a friendly nation. Won't we just get a duplication of effort?