Communication of crises: after the void, the surplus
(BRUXELLES2 / humour) The earthquake in Chile prompted an unprecedented wave of press releases from the European Commission. Everyone went there with their little statement generally saying more or less the same thing: first the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Kristalina Georgieva, then the High Representative Catherine Ashton, who recounts her conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs from Chile — "I underlined that I was very impressed with the professional way in which the Chilean authorities are handling the situation." (!) —, then the President of the Commission who confides his emotion and adds "I asked to release a sum of 3 million euros". Etc... This does not take into account the reactions of other European authorities.
A certain sense of disorder...
He a l'impression that the "marking" with the panties between commissioners becomes the rule at the Berlaymont, the headquarters of the Commission. And that Catherine Ashton runs after his shadow. She was accused of not being in Haiti, she justifies herself with an admissible argument, then goes there today when Commissioner K. Georgieva is on site (cf. official calendar). Last week she was in Ukraine, taking the place of Commissioner Füle (in charge of neighborhood policy) but "brush"the informal Council of Ministers of Defense (where no other commissioner can replace her, prompting the passage of strong reactions which will not be easy to pick up).
For an armistice between commissioners...
Admittedly, the Treaty of Lisbon has shaken up habits, by establishing new functions and institutions within the European Union. But it's really not a surprise, it has been on the table for years (the device taking up that of the Constitutional Treaty). And most of those in power in Brussels have followed its development. In addition, as much, one can legitimately ask questions about the role of the President of the European Council, whose functions are only slightly detailed by the Treaty; however, for the functions of the Commissioners and the High Representative, they are framed. President Barroso, Vice-President Ashton and the Commissioners should easily find a modus vivendi that avoids duplication and puts an end to the petty war of harmful media presence.
Back to basics...
The Treaty of Lisbon has no, in effect, not removed any external competence from the Commissioners. When there is a humanitarian disaster, the commissioner who holds that position. When it comes to a country's neighborhood policy, the Commissioner for this purpose. When it comes to more diplomatic, global or security policy issues, the High Representative. Etc... And it is not the "arrival" of the High Representative at the European Commission that should shake up all the functions or lead to the High Representative taking care of...everything and everywhere. Catherine Ashton should be able to concentrate her action on the subjects over which she has a "monopoly".
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
