Belgian minister publicly attacks EU foreign relations chief

Report of comments made by Belgium's Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere in a newspaper interview, May 2011. He was critical of Catherine Ashton, the EU's High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 20.5.11: Ashton to face tough questions from EU ministers http://euobserver.com/9/32370

Blog: Charlemagne's Notebook, 23.5.11: Low ambition for the High Representative http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2011/05/eu_foreign_policy

EUObserver, 24.5.11: UK attacks Ashton over 'ludicrous' budget proposal http://euobserver.com/9/32384

Daily Telegraph, 23.5.11: Lady Ashton due for a barracking (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/668941-lady-ashton-due-barracking

EUObserver, 11.5.11: MEPs defend Ashton from EU member states http://euobserver.com/9/32312

European Parliament: Press Release, 11.5.11: Greater EU unity needed on Arab revolts and tougher sanctions on Syria http://www.europarl.europa.eu/en/pressroom/content/20110510IPR19132/html/Greater-EU-unity-needed-on-Arab-revolts-and-tougher-sanctions-on-Syria

ECFR: Commentary: Lay off the Lady, May 2011 http://ecfr.eu/content/entry/commentary_lay_off_the_lady

ESO: Background information: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-high-representative-of-the-union-for-foreign-affairs-and-security-policy-vice-president-of-the-commission-federica-mogherini/

ESO: Background information: Waiting for the big call http://www.europeansources.info/record/charlemagne-waiting-for-the-big-call/

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