Performance and prospects of would-be Commission Vice-Presidents Andrus Ansip, for the Digital Single Market, and Federica Mogherini, candidate for High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Commissioner hearings: MEPs grill Mogherini and Ansip

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11863498/n001-141006-003-en.srt

A surge of press interest  for Federica Mogherini,

the Italian face of the EU abroad  as agreed by Member States a month ago,

but presenting herself here  for ratification by MEPs.

Many had issues with  her previous ties to Russia

and only brief time in office  as Italian Foreign Minister.

There was no mistaking  the scale of her workload.

We need to think big.  And to do it together.

The neighbourhood, but also  the neighbours of our neighbours.

Starting with Ukraine  and working outwards,

eastwards and southwards  to the world’s trouble spots.

Think of terrorism.  Think of security and defence.

We need more and more  to develop a common framework

which is not a state and which is not  Islamic, but a major global threat. 

In the Middle East in particular  the EU has been an effective payer.

MEPs wanted more details on specific  approaches, particularly with Russia.

Wildlife experts say that  if you are confronted by a bear

you can choose between  standing close to others in your group

or alternatively speaking softly and  reassuringly, gently retreating backwards.

If you confront a Russian bear,  Ms Mogherini, which tactic would you use?

I would say that we need a mix  of assertiveness and diplomacy.

The balance would also depend  on the reaction of the bear.

Diplomacy does not work,  we don’t want military confrontation.

There is no ceasefire,  aggression continues.

So how do you intend to prepare us  for the worst case scenario?

I think that we have to work day by day  by day with President Poroshenko

to try and make his own efforts  of dialogue and diplomacy work.

Estonia knows plenty  about threats from neighbours.

It was the victim in 2007 of a concerted  cyber attack, blamed on Moscow,

that widely affected government  and commerce.

For Andrus Ansip, former Prime Minister,  now designate for Digital Single Market,

Globally, cyber attacks have increased  by 48% this year compared to 2013.

He went on to outline  an ambitious programme

stretching through commerce  and government

to bring Europe fully into the digital age.

In digitalising the wide area  of public services

What national measures  do you think are successful

and how can you foresee  bringing them to the EU level?

It was - it is, not just 'it was' -  a real success story.

We have to support  the sharing of those best practices. 

But let’s put some brakes on the process,  argued one MEP from the left.

We don't believe the market alone  can solve all the problems.

We know that digital is an asset,  but it's not without risks.

As a liberal I believe in markets, of course,

but I don't think the market  is able to solve all the problems.

So, from both Commission hopefuls,  a plea for more unity from Member States

to give Europe a bigger,  more fitting place in the world.