The EU is working on a new intelligence service that should improve communication between European secret services.
The European Commission is working on a new intelligence service that should ensure smoother exchange between national secret services. The service will be formed by officials from across the EU intelligence community, and Ursula von der Leyen will serve as chair.
Response to War and Geopolitical Pressure
The plans are a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump threatening that the US might withdraw their military support to Europe. Brussels wants to become less dependent on American intelligence and is working on a stronger, independent security apparatus. “The intelligence services of EU member states know a lot. The commission knows a lot,” says an EU official. “We need a better way to bundle all of that and be effective and useful to our partners. In intelligence, you have to give something to get something.”
Delicate Cooperation
Sharing intelligence remains a sensitive topic within the EU. Large member states like France, which have their own well-developed intelligence services, are not eager to share sensitive information. The presence of pro-Russian governments in countries like Hungary is also not conducive to cooperation.
While member states will likely resist the expansion of Brussels’ intelligence powers, doubts about effectiveness have existed for some time, especially as foreign threats increase.