Brussels at odds over new post
By George Parker and Daniel Dombey in Brussels
Published: February 27 2005 18:27 | Last updated: February 27 2005 18:27
Plans to boost Europe's role on the world stage by creating a new EU foreign minister and diplomatic service have provoked a power struggle in Brussels.
Member states will next month begin work to define the new post, amid warnings the minister could become too powerful and could be put in charge of an "uncontrollable" new bureaucracy.The warning comes in a report by Elmar Brok, the German Christian Democrat deputy, and chairman of the European parliament's foreign affairs committee.
Mr Brok fears the new foreign minister could be given a new independent bureaucracy, separate from both the European Commission, the EU's executive, and the Council of Ministers, which represents member states.
He warned: "An independent 'super administration' of that kind would take on an uncontrollable life of its own, unduly raise the status of foreign minister, even in relation to the Commission president."
The plan to create a single EU foreign minister and diplomatic service aims to sharpen the delivery and focus of European policy.
The foreign minister will wear "two hats" - those worn by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU external relations commissioner, and Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, who answers to member states. Mr Solana has been designated as foreign minister.
Although the plan cannot legally take effect until the EU constitutional treaty is ratified, plans are being drawn up to make it reality.
Alexander Stubb, Finnish MEP and constitutional specialist, said: "This debate is taking place outside the public domain and that should stop. What we don't need is a new bureaucracy."