EP approves new Trade Commissioner

The European Parliament yesterday approved the nomination of Catherine Asthon as the new EU Trade Commissioner replacing Peter Mandelson, who has returned to the UK to join Gordon Brown's Cabinet.

Despite scepticism about Ms Ashton's lack of experience in the field, the new commissioner still obtained an overwhelming approval from the Strasbourg Chamber with 538 MEPs voting in favour, 40 against and 63 abstaining.

During a public hearing held before the Trade Committee, Ms Asthon responded to questions on the future of the Doha round, the financial crisis and her own experience of trade-related issues and EU affairs.

A number of conservative MEPs, particularly British members, questioned her suitability for the post. However, the new commissioner managed to fight back and insisted she was "strongly pro-European".

Her British and European identities had always pulled her in the same direction, she said, indirectly referring to the Conservative position about the EU.

Ms Ashton, who previously served as the leader of the House of Lords, the Upper Chamber of the UK Parliament, will remain in Brussels until the Commission's mandate runs out on October 31, 2009.

According to the EU Treaty, the EP cannot prevent a commissioner from being appointed but it can remove the entire College of Commissioners. Its strong disapproval on the appointment of a particular commissioner can have a significant impact on relations between the two EU institutions.