Cathy in Tripoli to open the EU Delegation

(BRUXELLES2) Hush, it's an open secret. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, will be in Tripoli on Saturday (12 November). A few hours before the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 27 (Monday November 14), she will notably inaugurate the European Union delegation in the Libyan capital. A highly symbolic act which means for the EU the start of a process of normalization after the death of Colonel Gaddafi and the arrival of a new government. The delegation is expected to be led by James Moran, director for Asia at the European diplomatic service (EEAS).

The opening of a delegation in Libya - the 136th - was planned on the European Commission's schedule in 2010. But it had to be postponed due to the civil conflict. The European Union had very quickly opened a technical liaison office on the side of the insurgents in Benghazi. This was a first, the EU having never formalized contacts so high with an organization fighting against the legitimately recognized power. Several "exploratory" missions also went to Libya during the recent conflict both to assess the humanitarian and security situation, and also to maintain political contacts both with the representatives of the new Libya and with the former power of Gaddafi.

Read also:

• The European flag flies over Tripoli
• An exploratory mission ready to go. The watchwords of European aid
• The head of liaison office in Benghazi appointed
• Cathy among the Benghazi rebels. Finally Europe is here! (Shift)
• An EU liaison office soon to open in Benghazi (Maj)