EU FMs discuss reform of bloc’s external action in Ireland
EU foreign ministers met informally in Ireland to discuss reform of the bloc’s external action.
The agenda also included discussions on continued support for Ukraine and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, CE Report quotes STA.
Among the questions that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas sent to ministers ahead of a discussion on reforming the Union's external action are how the EU can strengthen its role in the world and where they see room for concrete improvements.
Berlin and Paris presented their own reform proposal ahead of the meeting, which, according to Brussels media reports, would weaken the European External Action Service (EEAS).
They would transfer a certain number of the EEAS's 5,000 employees, as well as some of the service's responsibilities, to the European Commission. Meanwhile, 11 member states, including Germany and France, have separately advocated for the EU to make greater use of qualified majority voting instead of unanimity when adopting foreign policy decisions. Slovenia, which supported such initiatives during the previous mandate, is not among the signatories.
Foreign ministers also discussed further support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, particularly in the military and financial fields, as well as additional sanctions against Moscow. On Tuesday, the German government also attributed responsibility to Russia for an incident involving a drone equipped with explosives that was discovered at Leipzig Airport.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul briefed his European counterparts on his government's findings regarding an alleged Russian attempt to carry out a drone attack in Leipzig. Ministers also held their first discussion on a possible European response to the incident.
The agenda also includes the Middle East, including the war in Iran, the worsening humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, and developments in the occupied West Bank.
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