The European Commission of the European Union (EU) has begun setting up a new intelligence body under president Ursula von der Leyen, in an attempt to improve the use of information gathered by national spy agencies, reports the Financial Times (FT).

The unit, to be formed inside the commission’s secretariat-general, plans to hire officials from across the EU’s intelligence community and collate intelligence for joint purposes, said four people briefed on the plans.

A commission spokesperson told the FT that it was “examining how to strengthen its security and intelligence capabilities. As part of this approach, the creation of a dedicated cell within the [secretariat-general] is being considered.”

“The concept is being developed and discussions are ongoing. No specific timeline has been set,” they said, adding that it “would build on existing expertise within the commission and...closely co-operate with respective services of EEAS [European External Action Service].”