EU foreign policy chief told to 'show she is up to the challenge'

By Martin Banks - 10th March 2010

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EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has been urged to "seize the initiative" in asserting her authority on the world stage.

Ashton, who addressed parliament at its plenary in Strasbourg, was repeatedly warned of the dangers of continued institutional wrangling over the EU's new diplomatic force, the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Her appearance before deputies comes amid persistent criticism and concern about Ashton's credibility and suitability for such a high-profile role as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

The EU is in the process of setting up the fledgling EEAS but the process has been beset by rows about various issues, including the appointment of officials.

Ashton said she hopes the service will be soon be operational but warned that it would "take time" to build up the EEAS. She also told members there would be "no favouritism" in the selection process.

She said, "Staff will be appointed on merit and nothing else. I want the brightest and the best.There will be no favourites."

Ashton is also a vice president of the commission but, during the debate, sat on the side normally occupied by the EU council presidency.

The debate, ostensibly, was about two parliamentary reports on an EU common defence policy but, on several occasions, became personal with direct attacks on Ashton.

The most cutting criticism came from UK Independence Party deputy Paul Nuttall who said Ashton lacked credibility.

He added, "Europe needs a credible foreign policy representative but how can that be possible when its high representative is incredible?

"You seem to stumble from one crisis to another so much so that the UK foreign minister at the weekend had to tell you to buck up. We said you would be out of your depth and we have been proved right."

British ECR MEP Charles Tannock told her he hopes that such disputes did not signal a return to the "instrospection" by the EU which, he said, preceded the adoption of the Lisbon treaty.

Urging his fellow Briton to "show leadership and authority", he added, "You must seize the initiative and, if necessary, knock heads together in order to chart the way forward. We will support you if you show you are up to the challenge."

Italian Mario Mauro pressed her to "show determination in defending her role" while Bulgarian Socialist Kristian Vigenin told Ashton, "There seems to be competition as to your role between the main EU institutions but division can only make the EU look weak."

Polish centre-right member Jacek Saryusz-Wolski likened the start of her tenure to a "difficult childhood" and said she should see parliament as an "honest broker" in any future wrangling over the EEAS between the different EU institutions.

UK Tory deputy Geoffrey Van Orden, meanwhile, said her role was as a "handmaiden of EU political integration", a process which he said would occur "at the expense" of Nato and member states.