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Ashton sets out diplomatic vision Ashton sets out diplomatic vision
(20 minutes later)
The EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, says Europe has a "once in a generation opportunity" to build a robust new diplomatic service.The EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, says Europe has a "once in a generation opportunity" to build a robust new diplomatic service.
Addressing the European Parliament, Lady Ashton pointed to EU successes in the post-conflict Western Balkans as a model for future action.Addressing the European Parliament, Lady Ashton pointed to EU successes in the post-conflict Western Balkans as a model for future action.
She said that in the Western Balkans "more than anywhere else" the EU "cannot afford to fail".She said that in the Western Balkans "more than anywhere else" the EU "cannot afford to fail".
MEPs are discussing the structure of a new European External Action Service.MEPs are discussing the structure of a new European External Action Service.
The service - known as the EEAS - is the focus of intense debate between the EU's institutions, which want to ensure their influence is not diluted.The service - known as the EEAS - is the focus of intense debate between the EU's institutions, which want to ensure their influence is not diluted.
A BBC correspondent in Brussels says Lady Ashton has been criticised as too inexperienced for the new job of EU High Representative - and she must convince MEPs that she can provide the leadership such a complex project needs. Ashton under scrutiny
The BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels says Lady Ashton has been criticised as too inexperienced for the new job of EU High Representative - and she must convince MEPs that she can provide the leadership such a complex project needs.
Our correspondent says her biggest battle remains with those in the EU's executive arm - the European Commission - who are reluctant to surrender powers that member states want to delegate to the new foreign service.Our correspondent says her biggest battle remains with those in the EU's executive arm - the European Commission - who are reluctant to surrender powers that member states want to delegate to the new foreign service.
Lady Ashton - who was confirmed in her post only last month - highlighted the EU's role in Kosovo and Bosnia-Hercegovina, calling it "multi-faceted" and "tailor-made" to local conditions.
The EU's rapid despatch of a monitoring mission to war-ravaged Georgia also showed "what the EU can do when we fully mobilise our resources". The EU brokered a truce to halt fighting between Georgia and Russia in August 2008.
Lady Ashton said the EU needed "stronger structures, more flexibility, if we want Georgia to be the benchmark for our action in future".
"Wider international credibility depends on getting our neighbourhood right," she told MEPs.
The EEAS is a key part of the structural changes envisaged by the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which is now in force.
European leaders negotiated Lisbon in the first place to "build a stronger, more assertive European foreign policy, at the service of EU citizens," she said.