The Foreign Affairs Face

Hello World this is Europe calling. Europe's phone number has been unknown for decades as Henry Kissinger famously pointed out years ago. Consequently Europe calls the world. Since yesterday there is at least clarity as to who will be doing the calling. Baroness Catherine Ashton. Appointed High Representative of Foreign Affairs at the beginning of December 2009. A month down the line however she seems still unsure what to call for.

Human rights in China? "[...] human rights sometimes require different approaches." Iran's nucleair programme? "[It is] regrettable that Tehran did not accept the agreement under the IAEA." Gas suplies from Russia? "We need to have a strong relationship with Russia". Israel's dirty politics in East Jerusalem? "The next step in the region is to go where we think we can do more and pull together appropriate solutions." Or worse: the frequently heard "I don't have a solution for this problem at the moment". And these statements are the words of Europe's top-diplomat for foreign affairs. Someone Europe's citizens pay for leading on the EU's foreign policies.

What if there is an urgent international crisis, say, crazy scenario, Taliban succeed in toppling the Pakistani government and want to make a point so they send a few nucleair missiles to various places including Israel and their beloved eastern neighbour. This is your correspondent reporting from Brussels to hear Europe's approach in this extremely difficult situation, Lady Ashton what will be the EU's course of action? "I don't have a solution for this problem at the moment" Hello World, this is Europe calling...now in a position to play a "stronger, more credible role in the world", as the baroness pointed out herself.

If the practical reality of that role is "I don't have a solution for this problem at the moment" I sincerely doubt Europe's credibility. Perhaps there may not be so many phone numbers anymore however when calling, countries are likely to be put on hold whilst Europe's face in foreign policy is filled in on a solution to the problem. In that case it might just be quicker to drop Sarko or Mrs. Merkel a line directly.

A euro-cynic or a political realist would say this was the idea all along as the Member States are not keen on handing over their sovereignty in foreign matters to the EU. If that is indeed the case, we should not be surprised when we find ourselves on the sideline as new emerging powers claim their place in international affairs. The political and economic weight of the individual member states might soon not be likely to convince Brazil, China or India. Hello World this is Europe calling...