The recent expansion of the European Union (EU) to include former communist-block countries in Eastern and Central Europe widened the border of the EU, and the number of countries counted as 'neighbors'. Benita Ferrero-Waldner is responsible for heading this and the EU's external relations around the world.
The border of the EU runs from the western border of the former Soviet Union, and over the Mediterranean Sea includes Israel and the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. The European Neighborhood Policy added to the portfolio of the EU after the latest expansion to the EU in 2004. "My top priority as Commissioner is to create through the European Neighborhood Policy a ring of friends around the borders of our enlarged Union". Benita said, adding, "The European Neighborhood Policy is at an early stage, and will be progressively developed as a result of the combined effort of the EU and its partners".
The Austrian national was appointed to her current position in November 1999. In addition to External Affairs and Neighborhood Policy, Benita's portfolio includes EuropeAid and the EU Cooperation Office. Responsibility for EuropeAid includes managing its annual budget of over EURO 6 billion (US$ 7.78 billion). "Too few Europeans know that the EU is the biggest aid donor in the world. Too few have any idea what is done with their money in this area, or the benefits that it brings". Benita asserted, "As Commissioner responsible for EuropeAid, I am determined that we should give this important part of the EU’s work the visibility it deserves. I want Europeans to feel proud of the development work we do".
Benita graduated from the University of Salzburg with a law degree and worked in the private sector for thirteen years before joining the Austrian civil service, working in Spain, France and Senegal, as well as working in the the Foreign Affairs Ministry within Austria. In 1993 she joined the United Nations as UN Chief of Protocol before turning to politics. She worked for five years as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs before being appointed Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria in 2000.
In the coming years Benita intends to oversee the expansion of the European Neighborhood Policy. "The European Neighborhood Policy is at an early stage, and will be progressively developed as a result of the combined effort of the EU and its partners". She explained, "Our intention is after this first series of seven packages to integrate a second series of partner countries into the ENP (European Neighborhood Policy). This is Egypt and Lebanon, Azerbaijan and Georgia".