7th October 2008

Ashton to replace Mandelson as EU Trade Commissioner

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Britain’s Catherine Ashton will replace Peter Mandelson as the EU Trade Commissioner, taking effect immediately as confirmed by the European Commission on 6 October.

Mandelson resigned as EU trade chief late last week after being named to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Cabinet as business secretary. Mandelson was requested to return to Britain’s cabinet to help manage the global financial crisis.

Ashton, who until her most recent appointment served as a Labour member in Britain’s House of Lords, will serve out the remaining five months of Mandelson’s term. Taking over the coordination of the sometimes tumultuous EPA negotiations between the African, Caribbean, and Pacific states and the European Union will be among Ashton’s main responsibilities in the coming weeks and months ahead. This swift change has raised questions over whether she will be able to sign the first full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Caribbean by 15 October as scheduled.

In a recent statement, Ashton said: “I am delighted and very proud to have been asked to serve as commissioner, to be a part of the European response to the global challenges we face.”

For more information on Ashton’s appointment, please visit the European Commission’s press release by clicking here.