EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas defended the European External Action Service (EEAS) in an email to staff, countering a French government paper suggesting radical reforms. The paper proposed bringing the EEAS under Commission control or shifting functions to the Council of the EU.
EU member states are reportedly considering reforms to curb the powers of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its head, Kaja Kallas, due to concerns about its "dysfunctional" operations. Proposals include returning functions to the European Commission and national governments, or limiting the EEAS chief's autonomy.
EU member states are reportedly considering reforms to curtail the powers of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its head, Kaja Kallas, citing concerns over its "dysfunctional" nature. France has proposed options including returning functions to the Commission and national governments, or limiting the EEAS chief's autonomy. Russian presidential advisor Kirill Dmitriev commented that Kallas has "succeeded in annoying everyone."
France and Germany are in talks to reform the EU's 15-year-old diplomatic service, aiming to bolster its response to geopolitical crises. Discussions include potentially reallocating powers from the EU's chief diplomat and the External Action Service back to the European Commission and member states.
UK Deputy Ambassador to Washington James Roscoe has abruptly left his post amid an investigation into a leak from a National Security Council meeting concerning strikes against Iran. Embassy staff were informed of his departure without explanation, and sources indicate Roscoe faced questions as part of the inquiry.
James Roscoe, the deputy British ambassador to the US, has abruptly left his post. Foreign Office officials declined to provide an explanation for his sudden departure from the British Embassy in Washington.
Belén Martínez Carbonell will step down from the European External Action Service, diplomats and officials told POLITICO.
Former Foreign Office chief Simon McDonald has described the Peter Mandelson security vetting scandal as the biggest crisis for the diplomatic service since 1982. Oliver Robbins was sacked as permanent secretary after it emerged he knew about Mandelson's failed security vetting for the US ambassador posting but did not inform ministers. McDonald accused No 10 of requiring "a scalp" and acting without fairness or due process. The UKSV reportedly concluded "high" overall concern and "clearance denied" for Mandelson, but this was overruled by the Foreign Office.
