The High Representative of the Union, Kaja Kallas, defended her role on Wednesday 2 September, as the functioning of the European External Action Service came under criticism and the Franco-German duo put forward ideas for reform, notably to transfer part of the EU’s diplomatic service to the European Commission in order to streamline its action, while increasing the authority and role of the High Representative.
“There was a broad support for current institutional setup, but all (the ministers) agreed that it has to be better implemented”, the High Representative explained after the informal Foreign Affairs Council (Gymnich) in Wicklow (Ireland), during which the issue was discussed. “So it should not be changed, but it should be better implemented. And by that, it is specifically the role of the High Representative, but also the function of Vice-President of the Commission (....), it is the link between the Member States and the Commission, on paper, in theory”, she stressed.
While foreign policy is shaped by the foreign ministers, the instruments that define it very often fall under the Commission, such as trade, development aid, enlargement, migration and visa policy, Ms Kallas explained, as she is responsible for ensuring coordination in her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission.
The High Representative acknowledged, with a slight smile, “but if we have issues where there is somebody above me that is actually deciding, then it does not work that way”. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, does not hesitate, in fact, to take positions on matters falling within Foreign Affairs. This is an attitude that satisfies neither Ms Kallas nor the Member States. “The Member States were clear that they do not want to lose the steering feel of the foreign policy”, Ms Kallas acknowledged.
“We support institutional strengthening at European level in order to ensure that the EU can achieve its political objectives by different means and instruments”, said Latvia’s Minister Baiba Braže for her part, explaining that, in her country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its ‘external service’, used “all [its] instruments to achieve its political objectives” not only in the common foreign and security policy, but also in trade and development aid.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, for his part, argued for an EEAS that is “more dynamic, effective, less bureaucratic and more transparent”.
According to him, the German minister Johann Wadephul suggested to his colleagues that they discuss the issue again at a meeting in Berlin, without giving a date.
Limiting use of veto
Beyond the functioning of the institutions, the High Representative highlighted shortcomings in working methods. “We should look more seriously at constructive abstention and other tools that the treaties provide. We need to respect the principles of sincere cooperation and mutual solidarity, and we also need a stronger link between Foreign Ministers’ work and the discussions of European leaders”, Ms Kallas stressed.
Around 10 Member States argued, in a joint letter, for options to limit recourse to the right to veto (see EUROPE 13928/14). “We need a strong voice for Europe, including in foreign policy. It is high time to reflect on our decision-making process and ask ourselves whether we can make progress on the basis of qualified majority voting”, stressed the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares.
Ms Kallas announced that the new Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, Kajsa Ollongren, had already begun a tour of the capitals to advance dialogue on this subject. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)