Europe’s new diplomatic service is causing discord before it’s even set up. German EPP member Ingeborg Grässle insists that the Parliament won’t allow the Council to impose its vision of Europe’s latest foreign policy tool. And she says that the Parliamen

Interview: We won’t let the Council get away with it – Ingeborg Grässle

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14996431/N001-100427-010-EN.srt

So you're saying that the Council   is taking power away from the EP.

They keep trying and we shouldn't   let them get away with it.

We have co-decision in three of the four   file, so we'll link things together.

We won't start negotiating   or dealing with this file

unless the three others   are also on the table.

This isn't really about the new   diplomatic service's budget is it?

It's about who controls   and has authority over it.

It's about how Europe is organised in this   new domain for the next 20 years.

We care about our rights,   but also about the community method.

The Council wants to have and   strengthen intergovernmental elements.

That's not what we want because the   service they want to set up will not work.

Many people in   diplomatic services worldwide

are saying we need this new EAS   to be in place as soon as possible.

This is true, but it's the Council   and not us that is responsible for this.

They create problems.   We have to solve them.

I would like to ask everybody   to avoid creating problems.

Integrate the service into the Commission   and matters will go quickly.

You're on record as saying that   Catherine Ashton is out of her depth.

She is between the European Parliament,   Council and Commission.

For the moment, she sides more with   the Council than the Parliament.

I hope she will think about her position   and move closer to the Parliament.

if you don't get the sort of parliamentary   supervision that you're looking for,

what's the Parliament's fall back position?

It's our right.   Don't give up before you start.

This is important because it concerns   efficiency and taxpayers' money.

When taxpayers understand what's going   on they will be on our side.