EU leaders weigh diplomatic overhaul and the future of Kaja Kallas

Thursday 10 - 14:30

By: Azzat Manal

EU leaders weigh diplomatic overhaul and the future of Kaja Kallas

European Union leaders are expected to address the future of the bloc’s foreign policy structure at a summit later in 2026, with the position of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reportedly emerging as one of the most sensitive issues on the agenda.

According to European media reports citing an internal document, France and Germany are pushing for significant changes to the way the European External Action Service operates and how EU foreign policy is coordinated. The proposals could reshape the institutional balance between the European Commission, national governments and the bloc’s diplomatic apparatus.

One of the main ideas under discussion is to integrate key functions of the European External Action Service more closely into the European Commission. Under such a model, Kallas could take on a role as an executive vice-president of the Commission, potentially giving her a more clearly defined position within the institution and improving coordination between foreign policy and other areas of EU decision-making.

The proposed restructuring could also involve changes to the composition of the Commission’s foreign-policy administration, including greater representation for diplomats from EU member states. Supporters of the idea argue that stronger involvement by national governments could make the bloc’s external policy more closely aligned with the priorities of its capitals.

The debate comes as the EU faces increasingly complex international challenges. The war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East and changing relations with the United States have placed additional pressure on European governments to develop a more coherent and effective foreign policy. Questions over how quickly and collectively the EU can respond to international crises have also exposed longstanding differences among member states.

Kallas, who previously served as Estonia’s prime minister, took over as the EU’s foreign policy chief in December 2024. Her position places her at the centre of the bloc’s diplomatic response to major international developments. Any change to the institutional framework surrounding her role could therefore have broader implications for the EU’s foreign policy-making process.

The restructuring proposals are also linked to concerns over administrative duplication and spending. The European External Action Service has an annual budget of roughly €1 billion, making efficiency an important consideration for governments examining how the EU conducts its diplomatic operations.

However, France and Germany are not necessarily aligned on how far the reform should go. Berlin is reportedly supportive of a deeper integration of the external service into the European Commission, a move that could place Kallas more directly under the authority of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Paris, by contrast, has traditionally placed greater emphasis on the role of national governments in foreign and security policy. French officials have expressed concerns about concentrating too much authority within the Commission and argue that member states should retain a decisive role in shaping the bloc’s external strategy.

The disagreement reflects a broader institutional tension within the European Union over foreign policy. While the EU increasingly seeks to act as a unified geopolitical actor, its member states retain significant national interests and different strategic priorities. Finding a balance between collective European action and national control has therefore remained one of the bloc’s most difficult political challenges.

The forthcoming discussions could determine whether the EU moves toward a more centralized diplomatic structure or preserves a stronger role for national capitals. They may also clarify the future responsibilities of Kallas and the extent of her authority within the European foreign policy system.

Any agreement is likely to require negotiations among the member states and EU institutions, meaning that the proposals could undergo substantial changes before being formally adopted. Nevertheless, the debate signals growing pressure for the bloc to streamline its diplomatic machinery and strengthen its ability to respond to an increasingly uncertain international environment.