Kallas opposes France and Germany's idea to reform the EU diplomatic service

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is resisting an initiative by France and Germany to reform the bloc's foreign policy service, fearing increased control by the European Commission (EC).

This is reported by the European outlet Politico, citing European diplomats and officials.

Paris and Berlin had previously proposed transferring some of the functions of the EU's foreign policy service to the structure of the European Commission, which, according to Kallas's allies, would allow EC head Ursula von der Leyen to strengthen control over foreign policy. In response, Kallas turned to the new secretary general of the EU foreign policy service, Kajsa Ollongren, who is holding consultations with member states and developing alternative proposals for reform. Ollongren is expected to propose creating a task force called the "Council of Elders" to discuss possible changes within its framework, a European official said.

Politico writes that at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, Kallas stated that most ministers opposed institutional changes. She insists that the problems in the diplomatic service's work are connected not with its structure, but with the need for unanimous decision-making. "The problem is not the treaties and not the institutional structure. The problem is implementation," the outlet quotes her as saying.

As the outlet notes, criticism of the diplomatic service's work has intensified against the backdrop of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as because of the need to cut spending as part of the EU's new long-term budget.