Parliament must be consulted on new EU president, say MEPs

MEPs have adopted a report that claims funding for EUforeign policy is "insufficient" to achieve the bloc's ambitions onthe world stage.

Members of parliament's foreign affairs committee approved theannual report on the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) onTuesday, when they stressed the institution's right to be consultedon the nomination of the first high representative for theEU.

Committee chairman Jacek Saryusz-Wolski said, "The financing of theCFSP deserves special consideration.

"The 2008-2013 budgetary provision is insufficient to achieve theambitions of the EU as a global actor, though the increase offunding for 2008 represents an important step forward," added thePolish centre-right deputy.

The post of high representative, or EU president, as it has becomeknow, should come into force on 1 January next year after theLisbon treaty has been ratified by all member states.

The candidate or candidates for the job must first appear before aparliamentary hearing before he or she takes up office.

The report also stresses the assembly's right to be consulted onthe establishment of the European external action service, andcalls for a limited number of subjects, including energy security,climate change and migration, to be given priority by the EU ininternational affairs.

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