By Martin Banks - 2nd February 2012
The big problem is that this is insufficiently advertised for MEPs
Tim Kirkhope
Senior deputy Tim Kirkhope says MEPs' regular Q&A session with EU foreign affairs Catherine Ashton is "not sufficiently" advertised.
His comments come after Ashton appeared before a near-empty plenary on Wednesday.
The sprawling chamber was mostly empty as Ashton fielded several questions about EU foreign policy from MEPs. The initiative was launched last year in a bid to give MEPs the chance to question Ashton about a range of issues.
When asked about the apparent disinterest in the Q&A sessions, one ALDE MEP said, "Sorry, I didn't even know this was being held. If I'd known I would have been there to ask a question."
Speaking to this website on Thursday, Kirkhope, a former leader of the UK Tory delegation in parliament, said, "The big problem is that this is insufficiently advertised for MEPs. If more deputies knew about it then maybe more would turn up.
"But this is a general problem, to be honest. I watch some important debates in the British House of Commons and on many occasions very few MPs turn up for those.
"It is important that MEPs turn up for debates like this."
Further comment came from William Dartmouth, UKIP MEP, who said, "Ashton was Gordon Brown's fourth choice for the position she now holds. MEPs were today showing what they think of this appointment. That is why the chamber was virtually empty."
In the debate on Wednesday, Ashton was quizzed about new EU sanctions against Iran, saying she hoped this would "rachet up" pressure on the country's regime.
She told MEPs, "However, we have got to make sure that sanctions are effective."
She was also asked by UK Liberal deputy Andrew Duff about Turkey's threat to boycott the incoming Cypriot presidency of the EU.
Cyprus is due to take over the rotating presidency on 1 July but Turkey remains concerned about the slow progress in resolving the Cyprus issue.
Only the southern, Greek-run part of the island was allowed to join the EU in 2004 since when it is claimed the economic fortunes of the northern, Turkish-run part of Cyprus has steadily declined.
Ashton said, "As far as I know Turkey has no public position on the Cyprus presidency but we will continue to support efforts to revolve the situation in Cyprus.
"We will work closely with our Cypriot colleagues to help find a solution and will continue on that course during the Cypriot presidency."
