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Catherine Ashton questioned by MEPs
The new European Commissioner for Trade, succeeding Peter Mandelson, has successfully passed her parliamentary hearing.
Following the unexpected resignation of Peter Mandelson, who left to join Gordon Brown’s government in London, Catherine Ashton was appointed European Commissioner for Trade and appeared before the European Parliament for a hearing on October 20.
His appointment was confirmed by a vote in a plenary session two days later (538 in favor, 40 against, and 63 abstentions).
During her hearing, the former House of Lords Leader emphasized her negotiating skills rather than her technical expertise. Among her top priorities is the resumption of the Doha Round negotiations, noting her intention to meet with Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as soon as possible.
