Brussels, 24/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the foreign ministers' debate on Monday 23 May in Council with Catherine Ashton on the functioning of the European External Action Service (EEAS), British representatives expressed concern at seeing the new European diplomatic service nibble away at the authority of member states (“competence creep”), while imposing disproportionate budgetary requirements. The British government wants to be very clear about the fact that the respective competences of the EU and of its member states are respected, said David Lidington, the minister responsible for European affairs. William Hague, Foreign Minister, has even sent instructions all around the world warning that one should be “vigilant about any risk of competence creep”, Lidington said. “There is pressure from parts of the EU machine to push competence. We push back if it is over-ambitious”, he said. London is also taking a stance to counter Catherine Ashton's request for a 5.8% increase in the EEAS budget for 2012 (compared to 2011, the first year of EEAS existence). “I think that they have got to get real as far as the budget is concerned. This 5.8% that they are asking for is somewhat ludicrous”, Lidington stressed. Ashton rejects all criticism. “I don't know which particular aspect of competence creep he's worrying about”, she said addressing the press after the Council. On the subject of budgetary demands, she defended her request for a 5.8% rise as, she pointed out, 2011 funding will not be enough to cover EEAS operational costs in 2012. High Representative Catherine Ashton nonetheless pledged to keep costs “as low as possible”. (H.B./transl.jl)