France has proposed changes to the European Union’s diplomatic structure that could strengthen the role of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, according to an internal paper seen by Reuters.

The proposal comes amid concerns among EU officials and diplomats that the bloc has been slow and divided in responding to major international crises, including the war in Gaza and other emergencies.

The paper outlines three possible options to reform the EU’s foreign policy system. These include placing all foreign policy responsibilities under the European Commission, transferring diplomatic functions to the EU Council, or expanding Kallas’ authority as part of a wider institutional change.

Under the third option, Kallas would take on a more powerful role within the European Commission, becoming its “first executive vice president” and overseeing commissioners and departments involved in areas including foreign relations, trade and economic development.

The proposal would represent a major expansion of Kallas’ current position. She is currently one of the Commission’s six executive vice presidents and shares responsibility for several policy areas.

Diplomats have pointed to overlapping responsibilities between the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, and the EU External Action Service, the bloc’s diplomatic body established in 2011 and headed by Kallas, as a source of inefficiency.

The suggested reforms would give Kallas a closer connection with EU national leaders, while the External Action Service would take on a narrower role focused mainly on strategy.

Kallas welcomed the discussion, saying the relationship between the EU institutions and member states has been debated since the creation of the diplomatic service.

In a message to staff, she said the system could work more effectively with less duplication but stressed that the responsibilities of EU institutions are defined by the bloc’s treaties.

“That framework remains unchanged,” Kallas said, adding that the priority should be strengthening the EU’s ability to act collectively.