Brussels, 05/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton refuted criticism of herself from the Belgian foreign minister, Steven Vanackere. On 4 May, in Le Soir, Vanackere had reproached Ashton for not as yet having increased the EU's ability to speak with a single voice on major international policy issues such as the upheavals in the Arab world. According to Vanackere, the European External Action Service (EEAS) headed by Catherine Ashton should be the “central axis around which member states can organise themselves”. However, given the fact that there is no strong and active EEAS, “the Germans today, the French tomorrow, and the English take on part of the role that should be played by this central body” to the detriment of the small and medium-sized countries, he had said. Furthermore, the EEAS has no strategy on major international issues for the medium and long term, the Belgian minister said. On Thursday 5 May, the spokesperson for the High Representative refuted these accusations, telling the press: “We do not share (Mr Vanackere's) point of view. We are doing our work and we are doing it well”. He went on to point out that the EU's stance on Libya was “prepared by Ms Ashton”, that she has done what was necessary to prepare sanctions against the Gaddafi regime and that she has also taken the provisions necessary to carry out a possible humanitarian mission in Libya. (H.B./transl.jl)