Kaja Kallas, the European Union's chief diplomat, has issued a strong defense of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in response to internal discussions and a French government paper that suggested radical reforms, including potentially shutting down the service or placing it entirely under the European Commission's control.
In an email to the EEAS's 5,000 staff, Kallas asserted that the service "added value" to the bloc, especially during the ongoing war in Europe. She acknowledged the discussions around reform, noting that the relationship between the EEAS, the Commission, and member states has been a topic since the service's inception. Kallas welcomed the debate, framing it as a reflection of a shared commitment to ensuring EU institutions deliver maximum impact for citizens.
The French discussion paper, which does not represent an official government stance, outlined three reform options for the EEAS. These included integrating the service fully into the Commission, shifting its functions to the Council of the EU, or strengthening the High Representative's role. These proposals follow persistent criticisms from national capitals and EU officials regarding the EEAS's perceived slowness and institutional dysfunction.
Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister, emphasized that the roles and responsibilities of EU institutions are clearly defined in the treaties. She indicated plans to discuss reform ideas further at an informal gathering of foreign ministers after the summer.
