Look Who it Was Random video

Ashton tells UN of 'special development' in history of European Union

709 views · Published 5 May 2010 · 3:12 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: Euractiv · 2010 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tuesday told the United Nations Security Council in New York of a 'special development' in the history of the European Union. As she addressed the UNSC for the first time as the EU's foreign policy chief, Ashton told representatives of the rest of the world about the Lisbon Treaty, which "offers the opportunity to strengthen the EU's international impact and strategic vision, through streamlined decision-making and greater policy coherence and consistency."

From the shotlist provided by EbS:

 "Given the UN's mandate in the area of peace and security and given the expansion of EU external action in recent years, it is logical that we have built a growing partnership in peace and security - which has complemented our long standing co-operation in development and
humanitarian assistance."
  00:01:11    
Cutaways (2 shots)
  00:01:20
SOUNDBITE (English) Catherine Ashton: "I am speaking at the Security Council, Mr. President, at a special moment in the
development of the European Union. The Lisbon Treaty is now in force. This is a historic step which matters to Europeans and to non-Europeans alike. The Lisbon Treaty offers the opportunity to strengthen the EU's international impact and strategic vision, through streamlined decision-making and greater policy coherence and consistency. Work is advancing on the creation of the European External Action Service, which will operate under my authority. It will integrate diplomats from the EU institutions and the Member-States. It will also direct the delegations of the EU around the world, including here at the United Nations."
  00:02:10    
China Member listening
  00:02:16
SOUNDBITE (English) Catherine Ashton: "First, that the EU is strongly committed to an active partnership with the UN: promoting peace, protecting the vulnerable and helping people to live in safety and dignity. Second, that this partnership has grown rapidly in recent years and has demonstrated its added value on the ground. There is a good deal we have achieved together. But even more work to be done. And third, that with the Lisbon Treaty's the EU's potential will increase. We should become more capable; better able to bring politics and economics together. And better at combining different forms of intervention within a political strategy. As a result, Mr. President, I hope we shall be a stronger partner for the UN."
  00:03:02    
Wide Security Council Chamber
  00:03:08
STATEMENT(English) Catherine Ashton: "Well, the Lisbon Treaty has provided us with the opportunity to become more effective and more coherent. And so it was my chance to talk to the Security Council about the role of the European Union historically, the role of the European Union as a partner of the UN and the potential of the future as we bring together the different instruments we've got available to help support efforts that we make internationally."
"Well, it's been a visit that's taken in the General Assembly and the Security Council. And I wanted to be here to represent, in the case of the discussions along proliferation, all 27 Member States where we had the common view. And to be able to state that with one voice. And then for the Security Council to give them a real sense that Europe is moving forward, becoming more effective. And by operating through the Lisbon Treaty, we're able to do things more effectively on the ground, because we've got at at our disposal all the different elements of what Europe brings; whether that's development, whether on occasion that's military or civilian missions, the rule of law, all of those things working together."

More from this channel