BEACONS / Beacons

High representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy… (2)

The first person to hold this challenging role was Baroness Catherine Ashton, Commissioner for Trade in the ‘Barroso I’ Commission. She was appointed by the European Council on 19 November 2009 (at the same session as Herman Van Rompuy became its President) and was heard by the Parliament on 11 January 2010, leaving no very strong impression. Her appointment was consolation for Tony Blair’s failure to secure the Presidency of the European Council and the frustrations of the Socialist...