EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday (10 March) sought to draw a line under her stormy first 100 days in office by giving a wide-ranging speech to MEPs outlining her vision for future European foreign policy. The keenly-anticipated address emphasized the importance of the EU pulling together on foreign policy or facing the alternative of other powers - notably Asian powers - taking a leading role in world affairs instead.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday (10 March) sought to draw a line under her stormy first 100 days in office by giving a wide-ranging speech to MEPs outlining her vision for future European foreign policy.
The keenly-anticipated address emphasized the importance of the EU pulling together on foreign policy or facing the alternative of other powers - notably Asian powers - taking a leading role in world affairs instead.
Citing senior figures in the EU Parliament, German agency DPA reported that Commission president Barroso had attempted to have commissioner Piebalgs represent the commission during a symbolic address by EU top diplomat Ashton to MEPs on Wednesday. The commission said the report was "tittle tattle"
Speaking in front of the European Parliament in a debate on foreign policy on Wednesday, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said Europe must do more to defend its interests and values on the global stage. "Europe's wider international credibility depends on getting our neighborhood right," Ashton told parliamentarians in Strasbourg, adding "if we pull together we can safeguard our interests. If not, others will make decisions for us." Ashton was referring to emerging global economic powers like China and India, which she said would lead to a decline in Europe's influence abroad if it continued on its current course.
Speaking in front of the European Parliament in a debate on foreign policy on Wednesday, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said Europe must do more to defend its interests and values on the global stage.
"Europe's wider international credibility depends on getting our neighborhood right," Ashton told parliamentarians in Strasbourg, adding "if we pull together we can safeguard our interests. If not, others will make decisions for us."
Ashton was referring to emerging global economic powers like China and India, which she said would lead to a decline in Europe's influence abroad if it continued on its current course.
British peer blames plight on Brussels turf wars over shape and powers of a new European diplomatic serviceBritain's new EU foreign and security policy chief, Lady Ashton, used the platform of the European parliament today to hit back at the chorus of criticism that has enveloped her first three months in the job.In a combative performance outlining early views on how to make EU foreign policy more effective, the Labour peer signalled the start of "assertive leadership" and blamed the turf wars raging in Brussels over the shape and powers of a new European diplomatic service for her plight.
Britain's new EU foreign and security policy chief, Lady Ashton, used the platform of the European parliament today to hit back at the chorus of criticism that has enveloped her first three months in the job.
In a combative performance outlining early views on how to make EU foreign policy more effective, the Labour peer signalled the start of "assertive leadership" and blamed the turf wars raging in Brussels over the shape and powers of a new European diplomatic service for her plight.
