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'Unknown' duo picked to lead EU world push
Source: Agencies |
November 21, 2009, Saturday
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EUROPEAN Union leaders named Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, little known outside his home country, as the bloc's first president on Thursday to lead efforts to make it more influential on the world stage.
They also chose Baroness Catherine Ashton, a Briton little known even in her own country, as EU foreign affairs chief under a deal that kept out more established figures such as Tony Blair, and raised questions about how the bloc plans to lift its profile.
The appointments are intended to bolster the EU's standing and help it to match the rise of emerging powers following the global economic crisis, but neither Ashton nor Van Rompuy is a familiar figure outside Europe.
"I believe my experience will speak for itself," Ashton said. "Am I an ego on legs? No I'm not. Do I want to be seen to be out there saying everything all the time? No I don't. Judge me on what I do and I think you'll pleased with the outcome."
Von Rompuy promised to move "step by step" to help Europe out of "exceptionally difficult times, a period of anxiety, uncertainty and lack of confidence."
Van Rompuy, 62, and Ashton, 53, are compromise candidates who plan to use diplomacy and consensus. At least initially they will not have the weight in foreign capitals that a better-known figure, such as Blair, would have had.
Agreement on the positions took weeks, undermining efforts to present the bloc as a united force, partly because Britain had demanded Blair should be president.
The breakthrough came when British Prime Minster Gordon Brown dropped that demand and backed EU Trade Commissioner Ashton as high representative for foreign affairs and vice president of the EU's executive European Commission instead.
EU leaders had sought a political balance to satisfy member states and the European Parliament, whose approval is needed for Ashton. This was achieved by appointing a center-right president and a center-left high representative for foreign affairs.
Van Rompuy won plaudits for holding together Belgium's fragile coalition government after becoming prime minister less than a year ago.
Ashton, a former member of the House of Lords, Britain's upper house of parliament, has little foreign affairs experience, but has made a good impression as trade commissioner.
They also chose Baroness Catherine Ashton, a Briton little known even in her own country, as EU foreign affairs chief under a deal that kept out more established figures such as Tony Blair, and raised questions about how the bloc plans to lift its profile.
The appointments are intended to bolster the EU's standing and help it to match the rise of emerging powers following the global economic crisis, but neither Ashton nor Van Rompuy is a familiar figure outside Europe.
"I believe my experience will speak for itself," Ashton said. "Am I an ego on legs? No I'm not. Do I want to be seen to be out there saying everything all the time? No I don't. Judge me on what I do and I think you'll pleased with the outcome."
Von Rompuy promised to move "step by step" to help Europe out of "exceptionally difficult times, a period of anxiety, uncertainty and lack of confidence."
Van Rompuy, 62, and Ashton, 53, are compromise candidates who plan to use diplomacy and consensus. At least initially they will not have the weight in foreign capitals that a better-known figure, such as Blair, would have had.
Agreement on the positions took weeks, undermining efforts to present the bloc as a united force, partly because Britain had demanded Blair should be president.
The breakthrough came when British Prime Minster Gordon Brown dropped that demand and backed EU Trade Commissioner Ashton as high representative for foreign affairs and vice president of the EU's executive European Commission instead.
EU leaders had sought a political balance to satisfy member states and the European Parliament, whose approval is needed for Ashton. This was achieved by appointing a center-right president and a center-left high representative for foreign affairs.
Van Rompuy won plaudits for holding together Belgium's fragile coalition government after becoming prime minister less than a year ago.
Ashton, a former member of the House of Lords, Britain's upper house of parliament, has little foreign affairs experience, but has made a good impression as trade commissioner.
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