Brussels, 22/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - By 538 votes to 40, and 63 abstentions, the European Parliament, in Strasbourg on Wednesday 22 October, approved the appointment by the Council of Ministers (on 6 October) of Catherine Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, to the post of Trade Commissioner. The former speaker of the House of Lords will, then, succeed Peter Mandelson, who took up a post in the UK government on 3 October. During her hearing on 20 October, Baroness Ashton convinced the members of the international trade, foreign affairs and development committees that she was up to the task of piloting the EU's trade policy (until the end of October 2009) and, despite her relative inexperience in trade, of negotiating bilaterally and multilaterally. She also spoke of her belief in and commitment to responsible free trade with a human face (see EUROPE 9766). Her compatriot, Green MEP Caroline Lucas, said that her “commitment to community development and social justice … suggests that she will be a far more appropriate commissioner than her predecessor”. “Baroness Ashton convinced us that she understood the link between trade and the impact on the European small and medium-sized business sector and jobs,” said Ignasi Guardans (ALDE, Spain). “Her respect for the institution of the European Parliament, her commitment to the European Union and her good political judgment” were, according to Graham Watson (ALDE, UK) “strong assets in her favour”. He said that he was sure “she will not disappoint”. (E.H./transl.rt)