MEPs to call six ambassadors for hearings

The Heads of EU Delegations to China, Georgia, Japan, Lebanon and Pakistan will be invited to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament in October 2010, according to a decision of leading MEPs of the Committee onn the 20 September 2010. The Committee will also hear the new EU Special Representative to Sudan, Rosalind Marsden, appointed 11 August 2010.

MEPs also decided that these meetings would be held in public.

Before taking up their posts, EU Special Representatives and Heads of Delegations to countries and organisations which Parliament considers 'strategically important' have to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee, according to the deal reached on the External Action Service with the Council, the Commission and the High Representative and endorsed by Parliament in July 2010.

European Parliament: Press Release, 20.9.10: Foreign Affairs Committee to hear 5 newly appointed EU Heads of Delegations http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/030-82911-263-09-39-903-20100920IPR82910-20-09-2010-2010-false/default_en.htm

ESO: Background information: European External Action Service (EEAS) http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-decision-of-26-july-2010-establishing-the-organization-and-functioning-of-the-european-external-action-service-2010-427-eu/

European Parliament: Press Release, 5.10.10: EU ambassadors: Foreign Affairs Committee ready to discuss arrangements for organising meetings http://www.europarl.europa.eu/en/pressroom/content/20101004IPR84949

EUObserver, 4.10.10: Ashton calls off EU ambassador hearings http://euobserver.com/9/30957

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