European Commission considers major restructuring of the EU diplomatic service

14:10

By: Azzat Manal Azzat Manal

European Commission considers major restructuring of the EU diplomatic service

The European Commission is reportedly examining a major restructuring of the European Union's diplomatic apparatus, including plans to redistribute some responsibilities currently handled by the European External Action Service (EEAS) to departments within the Commission.

According to reports cited by the Financial Times, senior European officials have begun reviewing the powers and responsibilities of the foreign service to determine which functions could be transferred to existing Commission structures. The initiative could significantly reshape the way the EU manages its external relations and coordinates foreign policy.

The review is reportedly being carried out with the involvement of the Commission's Secretariat-General, legal services and budget departments, indicating that the proposed changes are being examined at both the administrative and financial levels.

The EEAS, headed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, has faced growing criticism from some European capitals over its ability to coordinate effective responses to a series of international crises. The war in Ukraine, continued instability in the Middle East and changes in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump have all increased pressure on the EU to strengthen its external action.

Financial considerations are also believed to be an important factor behind the proposed reform. With the diplomatic service operating on an annual budget of around €1 billion, the Commission is reportedly looking at ways to reduce overlapping responsibilities, streamline its structure and improve the use of European resources.

The plans do not currently appear to involve completely abolishing the EEAS. Instead, a smaller structure could retain key responsibilities, particularly those linked to peacekeeping missions, military preparedness and security matters. Other functions could gradually be transferred to specialized Commission departments.

At the same time, France and Germany have reportedly backed a proposal to expand Kallas's direct authority over external activities carried out by the European Commission itself. Such a move could strengthen the EU foreign policy chief's role even as the institution she currently oversees undergoes restructuring.

The proposed changes are expected to be developed alongside negotiations over the EU's long-term budget for the 2028–2034 period. A framework for redistributing responsibilities could be finalized by December, although discussions remain at an early stage and the current proposals could still undergo substantial changes.

The debate reflects a broader question facing the European Union: how to build a more efficient and coordinated foreign policy at a time when geopolitical competition is intensifying and international crises are placing greater demands on Europe's diplomatic and security institutions.