Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
An internal document obtained by Euronews revealed the European Commission's plan to drastically reduce the number of offices of the Directorate General for International Partnership around the world, as they will be reduced from about 100 to only 18 offices. According to what was published by the Euronews website in Brussels, which added, "This step comes within the framework of a strategic restructuring under the new leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as it aims to focus the decision-making process at the headquarters in Brussels.
The document explained that the current operating model, which has been in place for 25 years, no longer meets the requirements of strategic focus and operational flexibility required, and stated that the current structure is not suitable for implementing the "Global Gateway" initiative and the investment packages associated with it.
The directorate will maintain strategic centers in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on African countries of strategic importance in managing the migration file, such as Ghana, Senegal and Ethiopia.
According to two sources who spoke to Euronews, financial constraints and a change in geopolitical priorities are behind the Commission's decision to focus the directorate's work in Brussels. They also indicated that A new approach is to shift from local cooperation and development towards strengthening trade relations and economic activities.
The Directorate-General for International Partnerships, currently headed by Czech Commissioner Josef Sikela, oversees the European “Global Gateway” initiative, which has allocated €300 billion for sustainable projects over the period 2021-2027.
The proposed reforms also include placing the Directorate’s activities under the management of the European External Action Service, which is led by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.