Hard exam for the new commissioners in EP
Ararat News-Publishing (ANP) – Brussels, Roni Alasor / Fiona Lorin, 17 /01/ 2010 -The Members of the European Parliament questioned during the past week the new candidates for Commissioners. The hearings of the two candidates for foreign affairs were widely attended by parliamentarians and the press. The British Catherine Ashton, nominated for the post of European Union's foreign policy chief, pointed the Middle East as future top priority of the EU. The Czech Štefan Füle, candidate for Enlargement Commissioner, encouraged further negotiations with Turkey which is important parthner of EU.
Catherine Ashton believes that the EU is now in a position to assume a "stronger, more credible role in the world". According Mrs. Ashton, the Middle East will be one of the priorities of the EU foreign policy in the near future. USA, Russia, China, Japan will be among the most important EU partners.
Middle East should be one of the top priorities of EU, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, declared Catherine Ashton: "It is absolutely vital that we get progress in the Middle East to get two states that exist. The State of Israel has the right to exist securely and safely in the Middle East, as does the Palestinian state". However, Mrs Ashton stressed that it is up to the Palestinians and Israelis to define the terms of the peace deal.
In response to a question about the war in Iraq, Catherine Ashton replied that in 2003 she was a British minister and she believed “it was right based on what we knew at the time.”
Mrs Ashton deplored Iran's failure to respect the international obligations on nuclear policy and said that EU has to decide on next steps towards Iran. The possibilities for economic sanctions will be also discussed, said Catherine Ashton.
Štefan Füle will be Enlargement Commissioner
In her work as foreign affairs High Representative, Catherine Ashton will be assisted by Štefan Füle, candidate for Enlargement Commissioner, whose main responsibilities will be the candidates countries of EU as well as the neighborhood policy.
During the three-hour long hearing in the European Parliament, Mr. Füle condemned the ban of the Kurdish party DTP in Turkey. However Mr. Füle encouraged further negotiation talks with Turkey, because it is important partner of Europe. He said that he respects “the achievements of Turkey, the reform process and the strong commitment of the Turkish authorities to the EU”.
“Turkey is important partner in the dialogue of the civilisations, as well as in the energy sector. That way we like very much engaging Turkey through accession talks, because this is the best leverage we have to help Turkey modernise”, added Štefan Füle.
Regarding the Kurdish question, Mr.Füle said that he was “encouraged by the Turkish position on Kurdistan”, but he was “sent back” when the Kurdish party was banned. “The Kurdish part ban don’t respond to the democratic opening”, pointed out Mr.Fule.
However Štefan Füle is convinced that Turkey must continue the reforms and implement the Ankara protocols (referring to opening of Turkish ports and airports to trade from Cyprus as EU Member). But he asked the Members of the European Parliament to give him time to work on these issues through his own contacts and he promised to give report to the Parliament by the end of 2010.
Last week the Members of the European Parliament in Brussels conducted part of the hearings of the newly nominated 26 Commissioners who will compose the new European commission. The rest of the hearings will continue on 18-19 January during the plenary session in Strasbourg. Each candidate for Commissioner represents one EU member country and has specific portfolio. The nominations of Catherine Ashton and Štefan Füle, as well as the nominations of the other 25 candidates for Commissioners, have to be approved by the European Parliament. The vote is scheduled on 26 January 2010.
Powered by Infonavia