Mogherini new High Representative of the EU

Brussels, 30 august 2014 - Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini was appointed new High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) following the European council meeting hold yesterday in Brussels. She will be in charge from the 1st of November until the 31st of October 2019. «I want to thank the heads of State and government for the decision and the trust», said Mogherini during the press conference. «I know the challenges are huge, especially in these times of crisis, and we are very much aware of how serious is the situation». Mogherini said talking about the current situation around the world and the work she will have to do. «All around Europe we have crisis. We have crisis on the European soil at the moment, and starting from Iraq and Syria until to Libya, if we point a compass in Brussels and we draw a circle we'll see all the neighbors suffering for a conflict». The challenge for the new High Representative will be not an easy one, especially at the beginning, and Mogherini knows that. The Italian foreign minister explained that «[me and Catherine Ashton] we were talking on the way here about her first days and I was asking what was the most difficult part of the job, and she told me it was the beginning because the external service was not there and everything was to be invented». Compared to Catherine Ashton's experience, Mogherini's will be easier, as admitted by the Italian herself. «Today I know I can count on a professional high level structure». During the mandate, Mogherini stated, «my clear and firm intention is to devote all my energies and all my work and my dedication to work in the interest of all member states, each and evey one, and all European citizens, each and everyone». (Emanuele Bonini)