Diplomatic uncertainty casts gloom on Brussels

In March 2010 the EU's new top diplomat Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, had only been in office for 100 days, but she was already running into stiff criticism. Her detractors claim she doesn't have enough dedication, stature or independence. But the EU's leaders chose her precisely because she lacked those qualities.

The appointment of the inexperienced Briton would guarantee that no one would interfere with the national foreign policies of individual EU member states, particularly the powerful nations of France, Germany and Great Britain.

Deutsche Welle, 10.3.10: Opinion: 100 days of EU solitude http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5337467,00.html

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/

BBC News, 3.3.10: Lady Ashton takes flak in EU diplomatic battle http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8546108.stm

Spiegel Online International, 8.3.10: Walking the Thin Line with Catherine Ashton http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,682339,00.html

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