EU foreign policy chief resists Franco-German plan to reshape bloc diplomacy

11:15

By: Azzat Manal

EU foreign policy chief resists Franco-German plan to reshape bloc diplomacy

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is reportedly pushing back against a Franco-German initiative aimed at restructuring the bloc's diplomatic system, amid growing tensions over how the EU should organize and manage its external policy.

According to diplomats cited by Politico, Kallas is concerned that the proposed changes could increase the European Commission's influence over foreign affairs, potentially reducing the autonomy of the EU's diplomatic service.

France and Germany have previously proposed transferring some responsibilities currently handled by the European External Action Service into the European Commission's institutional structure. Supporters of the plan see the move as a way to improve coordination and efficiency, while Kallas's allies fear it could give Commission President Ursula von der Leyen greater control over key aspects of EU foreign policy.

In response, Kallas has turned to the new secretary-general of the European diplomatic service, Kaisa Ollongren, who is conducting consultations with EU member states to explore alternative approaches to institutional reform.

One European official said a possible proposal could involve creating a working group informally known as a "Council of Elders." The body would provide a forum where member states could discuss potential reforms in a less politically exposed environment and seek common ground on the future structure of the bloc's diplomatic machinery.

Kallas has reportedly argued that most EU foreign ministers do not support major institutional changes. During a meeting of foreign ministers in Ireland, she stressed that the main obstacles facing European diplomacy were not necessarily linked to the institutional framework itself, but rather to the requirement for unanimous decision-making on many foreign policy issues.

The debate comes as criticism of the EU's diplomatic performance has intensified. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have placed additional pressure on European foreign policy, while member states are also facing demands to reduce spending as negotiations over the bloc's next long-term budget approach.

The disagreement reflects a broader institutional debate in Brussels over where responsibility for EU foreign policy should lie and how effectively the bloc can respond to international crises. Any major restructuring would require agreement among member states and could have lasting consequences for the balance of power between the European Commission, the EU's diplomatic service and national governments.

For now, the reform process remains politically sensitive, with France and Germany seeking greater institutional coordination and Kallas defending what she sees as a more effective framework for conducting the EU's external relations.