'It's too weak at major issues' Austrian minister calls for CULL of European Commissioners
AUSTRIA’S Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz has called for a cull of European commissioners.
Boris Johnson and Austrian Foreign Minister meet
Mr Kurz wants the number of commissioners slashed from 28 to 14 and also suggested abolishing two existing rules for each new rule it adopts.
He said the efficiency measures would streamline the European Union (EU) operation and cut down on red tape.
Mr Kurz said commissioners should be appointed according to a rota system among the member states rather than every member state providing its own commissioner.
Sebastian Kurz and the European Commission headquarters in Brussels
Sebastian Kurz: Current stance on immigration isn't working
Sebastian Kurz wants to streamline the European Commission
The European Union is too weak at major issues and too dominant in minor segments
He also wants to strengthen the bloc's common foreign and security policy and support so-called EU battle groups in securing external border controls.
He said: "The European Union is too weak at major issues and too dominant in minor segments.”
The EU's chief executive, Jean-Claude Juncker, presented a white paper to the European Parliament on Wednesday on shoring up the bloc after Britain starts its withdrawal process.
Austria takes the EU presidency for six months in July 2018.
The European Commission building in Brussels
Mr Kurz cuts a controversial figure on the European political scene.
He was recently accused by Turkey of “exceeding even the most radical racist and xenophobic political parties” for his own personal political gain after he criticised President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s planned rally in Austria on the eve of an April 16.
And he also ruffled feathers when he called for refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe to be housed in mass camps in North Africa before they cross the Mediterranean.