EU ambassadors voice concerns over funding cuts to European External Action Service

EU ambassadors are expressing concerns over the funding cuts to the European External Action Service (the EU's unified diplomatic service).

“We know there are budget cuts and we know we have to adapt to that reality,” said one EU ambassador stationed in Africa. “It’s a huge source of worry,” said the South America-based diplomat. The 145 ambassadors will have a dedicated meeting on “resource management priorities” on February 6, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Early indications of trouble are emerging. As Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, covering mainly migration, foreign policy and Italian politics, Jacopo Barigazzi reported this week, some officials see the creation of the Directorate General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf as a tactic by the Berlaymont to undermine Kallas' External Action Service.

Kallas is likely questioning why she took on the EEAS just as it faces significant budget cuts that are expected to diminish its global influence, as we have reported. Kallas has expressed clear dissatisfaction with the EU's current diplomatic presence, stating that the bloc is losing ground to China, Russia, and Türkiye. 

“How can we not cover the whole of the world?” she asked at the conference of EU ambassadors. Von der Leyen’s strong control over the EU’s foreign policy may face criticism from national ambassadors today during their briefing on her announcement last week of a 3 euro billion partnership with Jordan. Two EU diplomats revealed that von der Leyen did not consult with member countries before making the announcement.

“We were confronted with a fait accompli while we’re the ones footing the bill,” one said. “It’s not the first time von der Leyen pulls a stunt like this because she wants to make nice with world leaders. [Member countries] are increasingly fed up with it,” the diplomat added. 

The European Council president and the high representative for foreign affairs hold significant titles, but it is von der Leyen's highly centralized European Commission that controls the funding, from trade to development policy. This centralized power will play a crucial role in the "harsher world" that von der Leyen herself acknowledges is now upon us.

By Naila Huseynova