Who will lead the Political and Security Committee? — What Holly Thinks

Javier Solana. Photo: Council of the EU

An article from the Financial Times reveals that EU foreign minister-elect Cathy Ashton must appoint an individual to chair the EU’s Political and Security Committee — the person who will “be responsible for the political control and strategic direction of crisis management operations [i.e., the EU military].” Read more about it here. Will she appoint Javier Solana?

The prospect of a Solana appointment to to this post is fascinating for those of us who’ve followed his career. The Political and Security Committee (PSC) is referenced in the now infamous WEU Assembly Recommendation 666, which called for the WEU Secretary-General and CFSP High Representative to preside over the PSC. See it here. In the past, this individual was Solana. But, under the Lisbon Treaty, the EU foreign minister doesn’t preside over the PSC. Instead, the foreign minister is required to nominate someone else to preside over it.

Solana would make a great choice since he has publicly stated that he plans to continue his work in crisis management. Not only does he appear to be available for the job, but no one else is more qualified for it than he. So, will Ashton appoint Solana to this post?

Stay tuned!

— Holly Pivec
12/19/09