Source: Reuters (via feed)
France expressed surprise at the participation of the European Commission in the Board of Peace in Washington. The French foreign ministry spokesperson stated on Thursday that the commission sent a commissioner without the mandate to represent EU member states. The spokesperson emphasized that the commission does not have the authority to represent the collective interests of the member countries in this forum. France’s reaction highlights tensions over the role of the European Commission in international affairs. Meanwhile, the commission’s presence marks an unusual step in EU diplomacy. The Board of Peace’s purpose and agenda were not detailed by the ministry. France’s statement was aimed at clarifying its position on EU representation in this context. The issue reflects broader questions about the distribution of foreign policy powers within the European Union. However, no further steps or responses were mentioned following France’s remarks.
France’s statement underscores challenges in EU foreign policy coherence, which can affect international negotiations and decision-making clarity.
