Catherine Ashton, the new director of the European Union's foreign policy and diplomatic service, defended herself against accusations of inadequate diplomatic experience Wednesday in the European Parliament. Ashton, a 53 year old politician from the UK, has only served one year as EU trade commissioner and has no other foreign policy experience. Wednesday was her first appearance before parliament in her new role.

In her defense, Ashton cited her approval from EU leaders, as well as her previous experience. “I bring to this role 28 years of experience in negotiations, building consensus and advocacy," she told the parliament's foreign affairs committee. She also promised to use quiet diplomacy as well as flamboyant gestures in order to advance EU goals. “It is often the case that you get a better result when you do things out of the limelight.” she said.

The Lisbon Treaty, which gives Ashton her role in the EU, came into effect Tuesday. The treaty allows parliament new sweeping powers over EU legislation, but foreign policy is still in the hands of member states. The parliament however does have the right to approve or reject members of the European Commission, and under the Lisbon Treaty, Ashton is the vice-president of that body.

Ashton's knowledge tested

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) quizzed Ashton on a number of issues including relations with Russia and China, Iran's nuclear ambitions and her own past membership of Britain's anti-nuclear group the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

Regarding China, Ashton said it shared a "very important strategic relationship" with the EU, and stressed her "strong relationships" with Chinese Trade Minister Chen Deming, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and vice-premier Wang Qishan during her time as trade commissioner.

She called for continued dialogue with Russia, and said she wanted to give more attention to the rougher issues like energy security and human rights. Critics say the EU has failed to make its voice heard on these issues. Regarding Iran, she said she "regretted" the regime's decisions, and stressed the need for negotiations backed up by potential sanctions.

She was asked about her time as a treasurer with the CND in the early 1980s, when the group allegedly accepted funds from the Soviet bloc. However, Ashton maintained that she had not taken any direct funds from any communist state, adding that much of the CND's funds were collected in cash from buckets during protests and marches.

MEPs also questioned Ashton over her plans for the External Action Service, a new EU diplomatic corps which she is set to head. Without giving extensive details, Ashton said she is currently considering ways to set up the service. She said the main question is where to find "added value" that would allow the EU to have a stronger presence in world diplomacy. However it is also unclear how future diplomatic work will be divided between the External Action Service and the EU Commission.

Not a "traffic stopper"

Ashton, along with recently elected EU president Herman Van Rompuy, has also been criticized as being too low-key to lead the EU. German Greens MEP Franziska Brantner said Ashton displayed quick-wit and a willingness to listen, but not a capacity for leadership or vision for the EU on the world stage.

Alexander Lambsdorff of the German Free Democrats noted that Ashton's funding and operating capabilities may be reduced as a result of the fact that the EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso intends to keep authority over areas like development assistance and crisis management.

When asked whether she could "stop the traffic" in foreign capitals, Ashton said that was not her intention. "I want to keep the traffic moving," she told parliament. "What really matters to us is that we, in many different ways, make it clear what the EU stands for, the values that we hold, and that we play our part in making things work better."

The new commission can only put its plans to work on the 1st of February, after the approval of EU representatives.

mk/AFP/dpa
Editor: Michael Lawton