The candidate for the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, made a strong impression on Monday 7 October, during his hearing before the MEPs of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, showing a perfect command of the issues and their technical aspects with humorous notes.
While the coordinators of the political groups are meeting this Tuesday at 10 a.m. to establish their position on Mr Borrell's performance, the applause at the end of his hearing, leaves little room for doubt.
Asked by Arnaud Danjean (EPP, France) about his mission as High Representative, which he described as "impossible", Mr Borrell acknowledged that choices had to be made. According to him, "we must focus our efforts. We cannot be everywhere", because the ability to act is not the same everywhere.
The High Representative-designate highlighted the Western Balkans and Europe's eastern border. "We cannot say that we are a geopolitical power if we are not able to solve problems in our own neighbourhood", he explained.
Asked by Sandra Kalniete (EPP, Latvian) about Spain's non-recognition of Kosovo's independence, Mr Borrell wanted to defuse any possible crisis: "My first visit will be to Pristina", he promised. "It has been too long since dialogue (between Serbia and Kosovo) started, the status quo is untenable. (...) We need an agreement, it will be one of my priorities", he continued.
Mr Borrell also stressed the need to focus on North Africa, particularly Libya, and the Sahel. "We do not realise the importance of the Sahel for Europeans, it is the true southern border of Europe", he said, highlighting a triangle of security, development and climate change.
"This implies investments at all levels, the cost of our passivity will be extremely serious", he warned. The Spaniard wants to develop a new global strategy for Africa. In addition, he said migration must be part of foreign policy, explaining that agreements with countries of origin and transit are needed.
Dual approach with Russia
The relationship with Russia was discussed by many MEPs. While calling for maintaining sanctions until Moscow has changed its attitude on the Ukrainian issue, Mr Borrell felt that it was necessary to engage in a selective manner with it. "We must be strict with Russia while understanding that it is an entity with which to deal", he summarised.
On the disinformation front, Mr Borrell acknowledged that the EU has a limited capacity for intervention and that more resources should be available; and, according to him, "the problem will get worse, as technological tools are developing".
Surprisingly, while Mr Borrell stated in his speech that the EU would remain a strong ally of the United States and that reciprocity and equity should be the basic principles of the relationship with China, relations with these two major countries were not discussed at the hearing. On Iran, Mr Borrell called the nuclear deal a "major success for our diplomacy". "We cannot let this opportunity to play our geopolitical role pass us by", he added, even as the agreement is in danger.
Asked about Venezuela, Mr Borrell explained that, if additional sanctions were to be adopted, they should be targeted, so as not to "hit the population even harder on the brink of despair and misery". On Cuba, Mr Borrell called for dialogue. "We must work to ensure that society evolves and, to do so, we must have official relations and the opportunity to weigh in", he explained, recalling that the blockade policy had not worked in the past.
On human rights, Mr Borrell explained that he wanted to launch a new action plan "by involving the European Parliament and its Subcommittee on Human Rights".
Creating a common strategic culture
The Spanish Foreign Minister seemed less comfortable on defence issues, acknowledging that the EU lacked a common strategic culture, but was working on it, particularly with Permanent Structured Cooperation, the European Defence Fund and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions. Moreover, even if NATO will remain the cornerstone of the collective defence of most Member States, "by developing a European Defence, the EU will strengthen the Alliance", he explained.
Modify working methods
Mr Borrell also came back to how his job worked. "The role of the High Representative is to act as a mediator, to facilitate consensus and, above all, to propose in order to resolve the differences that exist between us", summarised Mr Borrell, expressing his awareness that it is necessary to take the risk that his proposals will not be accepted by the EU Council. "If you were to ask me anything, it would be to regain a sense of initiative and action", he told MEPs. He called for the possibility of using qualified majority voting.
Aware that he could not be everywhere, he said he hoped to be able to mandate certain foreign ministers to act on behalf of the EU, which, in his opinion, "would allow Member States to take greater ownership of foreign policy".
He also hopes to reform the EU Foreign Affairs Councils: beyond orientation debates, Mr Borrell said he wants results, "joint decisions at the end".
When asked about his conviction for insider trading, Mr Borrell denied the facts, explaining that if he had used inside information, his ex-wife would not have lost 300,000 euros. Proof of his good will: he has undertaken, if asked by the MEPs, to sell his Iberdrola shares. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)