Hearings of new European ambassadors before the European Parliament will be held on camera to ensure that the hearings are as “open and full and frank as possible,” a spokesperson of European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said.
The head of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee has agreed to put the hearings on camera, Darren Ennis told the EUObserver. Ennis also explained that while members of the European Parliament conduct the hearings, they have no veto powers over positions within the European External Action Service.
“We hope obviously the members of the committee respect the rules that have been agreed [upon]. These are not congressional-style hearings. She [Ashton] is the appointing authority. These people have been appointed by the high representative/vice president and they will take up their posts - that is not in question,” he said.
The EUObserver said the earliest hearings are likely to take place from late November through early December.
