Looking for High Representative available, flexible, solid, experienced...
(BRUSSELS2) "Looking for High Representative, available quickly, recognized personality but skilful diplomat, in excellent health ready to spend 40 hours a week in the plane minimum, speaking French and English (and German), connoisseur of world politics, having a Past Minister of Foreign Affairs but also familiar with military matters, supporter of Defense Europe but Atlanticist or at least friend of the Americans, rather socialist but not too much, and if it's a woman, that's perfect" In short, if it were necessary to write a classified ad for this position, drawing its profile would not lack contradictions. And above all it would be very difficult to put one or two names behind this profile.
A difficult choice. As much as finding a President of the European Council is quite easy. There is no lack of personalities who will be able to exercise this role, each with a particular style: Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker - if you want a faithful servant of Europe, coming from a small country -; the British Tony Blair - if you want a star of international brilliance even if today he is a little "grilled" -; the Irish Mary Robinson - if you want a woman and a personality that sticks more to the idea of human rights; or Tarja Halonen, the Finnish President, etc. On the other hand, finding the suitable character to occupy the position of future High Representative seems more difficult.
Commissioner... Because we forget that sometimes the High Representative must above all be a commissioner, therefore be appointed by his government... and accepted by the European Parliament. However the European Socialists repeated it, Thursday in Brussels, they want that one of their "occupies the post of High Representative". A choice considered logical and more or less supported by several members of the EPP. And people close to Sarkozy have confirmed this logic.
... socialist, not Latin. Thus the diplomatic adviser of Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed, Thursday, during a point of information with the press the "socialist color of the next diplomat in chief of the EU thus describing the various "settings" (this is his term) who must preside over the appointment of the High Representative: " It will have to obtain a majority according to the Treaty of Lisbon. So the appointment of the High Representative must take into account the need to have this majority. Barroso is from the EPP, follow my gaze, we will have to find a profile
more complementary than reductive, also ensure geographical balance, and gender balance if possible. The fact of the large or small country balance matters less. "As for him coming from a country that has not appointed a commissioner -" there are seven I believe - confirmed a French diplomat present - this is not automatically a necessity. " One can very well imagine that a consensus is made on the name of a personality coming from another country, and that this one considers that it is about a great honor and can withdraw the name thus designated “, he explains. Incidentally, concerning France, he confirmed that even if the choice of Michel Barnier is not “yet official”, that is what the President will say. And that the latter had other aims of post than that of High Representative.
Many "eliminated" names... Among the names commonly cited, many do not really fulfill the unspoken criteria that I have already mentioned (see We must start the debate on the High Representative: immediately!). Some names mentioned, such as Olli Rehn, the current Commissioner for Enlargement, have the defect of not having been Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Other names mentioned that might be suitable - Benita Ferrero Waldner, Ursula Plassnik (Austria), Joshka Fischer (Germany), Moratinos (Spain) ... - but do not appear in the Commission's "play list", and their government chose another representative in Brussels. Several valid candidates, such as Carl Bildt (EPP, Swedish), Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (EPP, Dutch), Michel Barnier (EPP, French), or Karel De Gucht (Belgian liberal) are "wrong" not to be socialists. .. Who's left then...
(NGV)
