Brussels, 20/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - Catherine Ashton and the leaders/representatives of the member states present this week in New York for the general debate at the General Assembly (GA) of the United Nations intend to launch intense “informal consultations” with the countries which last week blocked the vote on a draft resolution proposed by the Belgian Presidency on behalf of the EU27, with a view to reinforcing the observer status of the EU to the UN. The draft resolution, which remains on the table, will grant the permanent president of the European Council and the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs - two new positions created by the Lisbon Treaty- the right to speak and to put proposals to the General Assembly on behalf of the EU
(EUROPE 10183).
Up to now, it has always been the representative of the country holding the rotating presidency of the EU who has spoken on behalf of the bloc. On 14 September, at the end of its 64th session, the GA decided to postpone the examination of the text to the 65th session (due to start on 15 September and which will last until September 2011). This was requested by Surinam on behalf of the group of 14 states of the Community of the Caribbean (Caricom); it was approved by 76 votes in favour, 71 against and 26 abstentions. Many of the larger countries voted to postpone because they fear a precedent which could change the way the UN works, or simply because they wanted more time to analyse the proposal. On top of these come members of other regional organisations such as the African Union, the Arab League and Asean, which do not see why the EU should enjoy privileged treatment. Members of Ashton's inner circle do not believe that there will be an anti-European vote “on the substance”; they are talking instead of “procedural” problems related to the fact that many countries would like more information before they take position on the European proposal. The word of order given by Ashton is therefore to “better explain” the Lisbon Treaty and how it has changed the external representation of the EU. “This will take time”, commented a Belgian diplomat, who feels that it is “impossible” to predict when the resolution may be put to the vote once again. (H.B./transl.fl)