French Note Floats Expanding EU High Representative Role into Trade
An informal French document outlined three options for restructuring the EU foreign policy chief position held by Kaja Kallas.
rnz.co.nzAn informal document linked to the French government proposed three options for restructuring the position of EU High Representative. One option would expand the High Representative's competencies into trade and economic development. Kaja Kallas stated in an internal email to staff that the roles and responsibilities of the EU institutions are clearly defined in the treaties and that framework remains unchanged.
The document appeared as Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico renewed calls for Kallas's dismissal. France stated that the document was an exploratory note that had not been validated by the government. The High Representative serves as one of the vice presidents of the European Commission and leads the European External Action Service.
EU foreign policy decisions require unanimity among the 27 member states. A von der Leyen spokesperson stated that the European External Action Service is part of the institutions that deliver the EU policies and that there is support from the Commission president. Luca Bertuzzi and Maïa De la Baume contributed reporting to the Euronews article.
