Brown Welcomes EU Appointments

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has welcomed the appointment of Labour peer Baroness Ashton as the European Union's first foreign minister.

Baroness Ashton was the surprise choice of the 27 EU heads of government as the new High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. She will also be Vice-President of the European Commission.

Baroness Ashton had been a government minister for eight years and was leader of the House of Lords. She is currently EU Trade Commissioner, after taking over from Lord Mandelson last year.

Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy has been appointed as Europe's first President.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr Brown praised Mr van Rompuy's "integrity and resolve". He also said that Baroness Ashton's appointment would give Britain a powerful voice in the EU.

He said: "It will ensure, of course, that Britain's voice is very loud and clear. It will ensure that we will remain, as I want us to be, at the hear of Europe. In this role, Cathy Ashton will have a unique role over the next five years in shaping the global Europe of the future."

Mr Brown had backed his predecessor Tony Blair for the post of European President.

Some critics have suggested that both van Rompuy and Ashton are relatively unknown and lack political clout. However, speaking to the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Baroness Ashton said that EU leaders were "very comfortable" with her appointment and said: "Over the next few months and years I am to show I am the best person for this job."

Commenting on the appointment, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Edward Davey said: “These appointments give the lie to the scaremongering of the anti-Europeans over the Lisbon Treaty.

 With low-profile appointees, no-one can take seriously any longer the Eurosceptic deception that these positions would challenge the supremacy of nation states acting together when they agree.

 European leaders have shown great sense in choosing such high calibre people to chair their meetings and it is good news for Europe that a British woman is in such an important post.”

(KMcA/GK)