EU Lawmakers Miffed at Ashton Over Aid Reform Plans

Frustrated over being sidelined in the proposed creation of a new European Union diplomatic corps, members of the European Parliament said they will demand a greater voice in the project in an upcoming plenary meeting in France next week, EuropeanVoice.com reports. Gabriele Albertini argued in a report that the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, which he chairs, should be more involved in the EU’s foreign, defense and security areas. He called on EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to heed MEPs’ demands to be put through parliamentary hearings all senior appointments to the proposed European External Action Service.