EU Eyes Major Diplomatic Overhaul Amid Israel Policy Disputes

France and Germany are spearheading a significant reform of the European Union's diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), potentially shifting substantial powers to the European Commission. This initiative arises amid growing internal EU disagreements over policy towards Israel and criticism directed at the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell.

Senior European Commission officials are reportedly examining which EEAS functions and positions could be transferred to existing Commission departments. This move could reverse one of the EU's major institutional changes from the past two decades. The EEAS, led by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, has faced criticism from member states for perceived ineffectiveness in coordinating EU responses to crises like the wars in Ukraine and Iran, as well as the foreign policy of former U.S. President Donald Trump and the increasing use of economic pressure.

A particularly contentious issue has been the EU's unified stance on Israel, with the bloc struggling to form a cohesive position during the recent conflict. Some member states have advocated for stricter measures against Jerusalem, including sanctions and potential arms embargoes.

The proposed reform aims to reduce functional duplication between EU structures and better align diplomatic efforts with the European Commission's existing competencies in areas such as trade, aid, digital regulation, and technology. A key driver is also budgetary pressure, with member states pushing for spending cuts in the upcoming EU budget negotiations. Proponents argue that consolidating a significant portion of the EEAS's approximately one billion euro annual budget within the Commission would enhance coordination, reduce redundancy, and lower costs.

While not a complete absorption, the plan involves distributing EEAS responsibilities across various Commission departments to improve efficiency. High-level EU officials suggest a broad agreement on this transfer of powers could be reached by December, coinciding with the 2028-2034 EU budget agreement. The reform process is expected to accelerate before the upcoming EU leaders' summit, where France and Germany intend to discuss reform options. They have also proposed a stronger personal role for Borrell within a potentially expanded Commission foreign affairs portfolio, while maintaining a streamlined EEAS outside the Commission for specific tasks like peacekeeping missions and military training.

The European Commission has confirmed discussions are underway to reform and strengthen the EU's external action, citing the need to adapt to the geopolitical landscape. Borrell is expected to discuss efficiency improvements with foreign ministers, though any final decision on the EEAS's future requires member state approval. The Franco-German push for reform intensified over the summer, with joint documents proposing greater integration of EEAS services into the Commission. Additionally, 11 EU states, including France and Germany, are reportedly demanding an end to the requirement for unanimous decisions on foreign policy matters, arguing that consensus often hinders swift crisis response.