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Catherine Ashton

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description Catherine Ashton Overview

Catherine Ashton is a British Labour politician and diplomat who served as the European Union's first High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2009 to 2014. In that role, she also became the first Vice-President of the European Commission and represented the EU in international negotiations and diplomatic contacts. She was involved in talks concerning Iran's nuclear program and in efforts to coordinate the foreign policies of EU member states. Her career is relevant to the development of the EU's unified external-relations structure.

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What was Catherine Ashton's EU role?

Catherine Ashton was the first person to hold the combined EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice-President role. She served from 2009 to 2014, coordinating the EU's external policy work with the European Commission.

Why was Catherine Ashton called the first EU foreign-policy chief?

The Lisbon Treaty created the expanded High Representative/Vice-President role, which began on December 1, 2009. Javier Solana had previously been High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, so Ashton's distinction is the combined treaty-based office.

What political party did Catherine Ashton represent?

She was a British Labour politician and a life peer in the House of Lords. Before moving to Brussels, she served in Gordon Brown's government as Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council.

When did Catherine Ashton's EU mandate end?

Her mandate as High Representative/Vice-President ran until October 31, 2014. Federica Mogherini then became the second person to hold the combined post.