MOSCOW, July 6 (HS/RIA Novosti) - The European Commission plans to merge several directorates into a single powerful foreign affairs department amid growing competition with the EU's diplomatic service, Politico reported on Monday, citing a source in Brussels.

The new supercharged department for external relations could fully or partially integrate the functions of the Commission's trade directorate, as well as the directorate for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf, which oversees policy toward that region, the source told Politico.

The European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen has already taken steps to bolster its role and authority in foreign policy, leading to friction with the European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the report added.

The battle over who will shape the European Union's foreign policy is only beginning, Politico reported.

According to sources, proposals for the reform of the foreign policy bloc are expected to be presented to Commission staff at a general meeting on July 13.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar