EU member states discuss major reforms to the bloc's foreign service
Germany and France, along with other EU countries, are drafting proposals to reform the European External Action Service in order to strengthen its ability to respond to geopolitical crises.
According to information obtained by the Financial Times, Germany and France, together with several other European Union member states, are discussing the possibility of making significant changes to the European External Action Service (EEAS). The aim of these reforms is to improve the bloc's capacity to respond quickly and effectively to geopolitical crises, which have become increasingly frequent and complex in recent years.
The discussions on EEAS reform come at a time when the European Union is facing several serious foreign policy challenges, including Russia's war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and growing competition from China. The foreign service, established in 2010 after the Lisbon Treaty came into force, is responsible for implementing the EU's common foreign and security policy. However, many believe its current structure and resources are insufficient to cope with modern challenges.
At present, it is not known what specific proposals are being discussed, but sources indicate that changes could affect the service's organizational structure, decision-making processes, and funding. The goal of the reform is to make the EEAS more flexible and capable of rapidly mobilizing resources in crisis situations. Possible changes could also affect the operations of EU delegations in third countries.
These discussions are expected to continue in the coming months, and final proposals could be submitted to the EU Council for consideration. Supporters of the reform emphasize that a strong and modern foreign service is essential for the EU to effectively defend its interests and values on the international stage.
