Ashton dineert met defensieministers (en)
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton i is to hold an informal dinner with defence ministers on Sunday evening in what is being seen by some diplomats as a chance to draw a line under a frosty start in relations.
The two sides got off on the wrong foot last month when Ms Ashton, mandated by EU foreign ministers, attended the inauguration of the Ukrainian president rather than an informal meeting of defence ministers in Spain.
Defence ministers registered their annoyance with her non-appearance in the meeting itself, through statements to the press and in the case of the Dutch defence minister i via Twitter.
Speaking about the extent of the "polemic" caused by the decision, a French diplomat said Ms Ashton "suggested this meeting as an informal gesture" towards the ministers.
"This dinner is a sign of confidence towards ministers of defence," the diplomat continued, although the gathering has long been planned.
Over the meal, there is expected to be a discussion about how defence ministers view the new diplomatic service, due to be up and running later this year, and what it will mean for them.
Under Ms Ashton's blueprint, the EU's key military and civilian crisis management units - civilian planning (CPCC), crisis managment (CMPD), military staff (EUMS) and intelligence gathering (SitCen) - are all incorporated into the service.
One large-country diplomat, explaining the set-up, said these units are "ring-fenced within the service." The diplomat noted that this could potentially give the EU a competitive advantage over other powers as it should lead to more "coherence" between policy and operations.
But the diplomat stressed that this will be done "without messing with military command."
Ministers are also likely to discuss the new format of defence meetings. This will mean that defence ministers are presided over by Catherine Ashton - previously they were chaired by the defence minister of the rotating presidency of the time - and in future will be able to meet separately, but under the auspices of the foreign affairs council, and take formal decisions.
While not creating a formal defence council, the set-up, which could be eventually extended to ministers meeting on different days to their foreign counterparts, has important symbolic value. It was strongly pushed for by France.
Ministers may discuss how often such meetings could take place - some member states are keen to meet more regularly - and the topics that could be discussed.
Speaking about the new set-up, Ms Ashton recently said it "would enable defence ministers to take decisions, for instance on capabilities development."
For Sunday, the EU foreign policy chief is hoping for a "constructive and positive meeting with the defence ministers," said a spokesperson.
The following day, the ministers will meet representatives of the European Defence Agency and will discuss the situation in Afghanistan with Nato secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen i as well the EU mission in Bosnia and the proposed EU Somalia training mission in Uganda due to start next month.
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