A question so old, it has concerned scholars for decades:

How can we get Europe to agree on one phone number? Europe should have one by now, with the post-Lisbon office of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. It is indeed one of her tasks to “represent CFSP/CSDP externally” (Common Foreign and Security Policy/Common Security and Defence Policy). She is also the one to speak for the Union in international organisations and conferences.

Who did Mubarak call, when he wanted to know Europe’s opinion, did he ask at all? He will have called Angela, Nicolas, Dave and probably Silvio. He might probably not have called Lady Ashton. Is this the her fault, and is this her problem at all?

I don’t see it so much as her fault. I think she was appointed by the European Council in order to establish the European External Action Service, and not to intervene with the Foreign Policies of the member states. Of course one can argue that someone else who could have been chosen, would be a brighter star in the international scene. But wouldn’t that be a fading glance? I think it would have been at the cost of a long-term sustainable creation of an influental office, that a bright star (like Tony Blair, who has not been chosen also for several other reasons) had been appointed. I see it as her main task to establish a well functioning service. I am sure that the next one in office will be able to profit from this work, and will be able to establish his or her own agenda.

So is this a problem for her, that she can only present watered down statements, while others like Angela Merkel can shine with their revolutionary experiences? I don’t think so, because this is not her task. Right now, she represents more of a behind the scenes diplomatic office, while the elected heads of state and government can express more subjective and not so balanced views. This is a good thing to do, while you still are suited with only little resources, and are not able to sufficiently push your agenda within Brussels. As soon as the EEAS is up and running this will change, trust me. It’s a principal/agent problem and as soon as the agent has his own resources, he will be able to become more independent. So, until then, the European Heads of state will continue to be the choir they have always been. But do not underestimate this movement: The turn from intergovernmental to supranational policy-making has been done. It will not go back beyond this.

By the way: External Action is more than CFSP/CSDP. Trade, Environment and others are externally already represented by Commission president Barroso.