The first meeting of a new top-level group that the European Union planned to establish in the field of defense was canceled in Brussels after objections from some member states.
The meeting was scheduled to begin at 09:00 Brussels time. An EU official said that, following talks with ministers, it had been decided not to proceed with the initiative and that new ways of engaging with member states were being considered.
Objections from France, Germany and Italy
Opposition from France, Germany and Italy was cited as the reason for the initiative's cancellation. The group was not expected to have decision-making powers and was instead intended to operate mainly as a consultative body.
Kallas and the European External Action Service face criticism
The cancellation came as criticism mounted of Kaja Kallas and the European External Action Service she leads. The criticism included claims that Kallas had at times made statements that went beyond the common position of the EU's 27 members, launched initiatives without sufficient consultation with some capitals and struggled to build support among member states.
An informal working paper originating from the French government that became public in early June included proposals to reorganize Kallas's duties and powers. Germany was also said to have led these proposals alongside France.
The group was expected to make recommendations on defense policy
In a statement following the informal EU Defense Ministers' meeting on September 1, Kallas said that NATO had not acted quickly enough to address the identified shortfalls in Europe's conventional military capabilities.
The new top-level group was expected to consist of former senior political and military leaders from some EU countries, as well as the United Kingdom and Ukraine. It was intended to prepare a report containing concrete recommendations on the steps needed for European defense and to develop unconventional solutions.
