European Union member states are exploring options for a possible radical reform of the EU's diplomatic service amid the failures of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its head Kaia Kalas.
This was reported by the Financial Times (FT), citing sources. "It is obvious that the EEAS does not function as it should in the modern world. It is inoperable. The problem is structural, so the structure must be repaired," the newspaper quoted the source as saying. It is noted that the European countries are discussing the question of depriving Callas and his department, whose budget is 1 billion euros, of powers to transfer the functions of the EEAS to the EU member states.
According to sources, the Paris proposal includes possible restrictions on the independence of the head of the European diplomatic service and a weakening of his control over delegations around the world. As a result, the sources emphasize, "there is a real risk that the EEAS will collapse." At the same time, the representatives of the member states are confident that the reform of the EEAS can help save money in Brussels and significantly reduce bureaucracy.
