Key facts
- Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has criticized the European Commission for overstepping its mandate in diplomacy and defense.
- Borrell stated the Commission's actions create confusion and undermine the European External Action Service (EEAS).
- He argued that the Commission represents only itself, not the EU, and that foreign policy decisions should remain with member states.
- Borrell cited a Commissioner's meeting with Israeli officials as an example of the Commission's overreach.
- He also expressed concern about the Commission's potential role in a 'European Defence Union'.
Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has delivered sharp public criticism of the European Commission's expanding role in diplomacy and defense, arguing it is overstepping its treaty powers and creating confusion. In an interview with POLITICO, Borrell stated that the increasing overlap between the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) has resulted in a "mess," asserting that "the Commission doesn’t speak representing the European Union; the Commission represents only the Commission."
Borrell, who led the EEAS from 2019 until late 2024, believes the Commission has crossed the line laid down in EU law by expanding its diplomatic footprint. He pointed to a recent meeting between Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica and Israeli officials as an example of the Commission overreaching into foreign policy, especially when Israel had banned the current EU foreign policy chief. Borrell emphasized that while the Commission handles policies with an external dimension, defining the EU's position on foreign policy matters, such as conflicts, is the responsibility of member states in the Council.
He also drew parallels to the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council, where the high representative was not a member. Borrell extended his concerns to defense policy, arguing that the Commission's efforts to establish a "European Defence Union" are an overreach, as defense policy is an intergovernmental competence. He warned that the Commission cannot act as a "shadow Pentagon" and that defense policy must remain intergovernmental.