Kallas complained about von der Leyen's influence on EU foreign policy

The head of the European Diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, complained about the influence of the President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen on the foreign policy of the European Union (EU). This was announced on September 3 by the Euractiv portal.

Speaking about the reform of the European External Relations Service (EEAS), Callas said that the problem lies not in the existing treaties or the institutional structure, but in its implementation. According to her, the EC duplicates the tasks of her service. Kallas allowed support for the reform on the condition that she would receive real powers to control all areas of the EU's foreign policy.

"Callas said she could accept the offer on one condition.: She is indeed empowered to oversee all areas of foreign policy in the Commission, from migration and development to trade. According to her, this is unlikely because there is "someone above me who actually makes decisions" – in other words, Ursula von der Leyen," the publication says.

The reform of the EEAS was discussed at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland. Callas expressed broad support for the current institutional model, while Germany's proposals, according to the portal, caused a restrained reaction among the participants of the meeting.

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This time, the opposition is based on the draft sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements.

The Financial Times newspaper reported on September 2 that Germany had proposed discussing the EEAS reform. The initiative came as a surprise to a number of EU foreign ministers. According to the newspaper, Germany has also invited the heads of European foreign ministries to a conference in Berlin on December 2, where the future of the service may be discussed.