South East MEP Sharon Bowles welcomes new EU Council President and Foreign Affairs High Representative

3.10.00pm GMT Fri 20th Nov 2009

Sharon Bowles MEP

Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles has welcomed the EU's decision to appoint a President of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

The two positions were made possible by the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty on the 3rd of November and will give a face to the EU's highest offices.

Sharon Bowles MEP said: "It is good the European Council finally has a permanent President. Before the creation of this post the Presidency was a political merry-go-round chaired by member states every six months."

The new President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, will take up the post on 1st December, while Baroness Ashton, who was the EU's Trade Commissioner, must face tough questions by the European Parliament before she secures the appointment of Foreign Affairs supremo in January 2010.

Sharon Bowles said: "I am disappointed the EU has chosen an incumbent Prime Minister to be the first President of the European Council. It would have been better in my opinion to have appointed someone who has finished their service at the national level and who is not so close to their member state."

"However, as the first Briton to chair the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, I am delighted the EU has appointed a British woman to the position of Foreign Affairs supremo. It is a key role and will hopefully create a consensus in Europe on foreign policy."

"I just hope the horse-trading for positions in the new Commission doesn't preclude the most able. Just because there is a Briton in a top job doesn't mean it's another country's 'turn' to get a job of similar influence. Jobs should be given to the best people regardless of nationality."

ENDS