On 6 October 2014, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President designate of the EC, was heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament to test her general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to her portfolio. Federica Mogherini had the opportunity to make an opening statement, she took part in a question and answer session and made a closing statement. Although the Parliament can only vote on the Commission as a whole, a negative assessment of one of the candidates has in the past already led to the candidacy being withdrawn and replaced. Since 2014, Federica Mogherini has been Minister for Foreign Affairs in her country, Italy.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Brussels

statement

MOGHERINI, Federica (IT, EC)

hearing

2014 Commissioners' hearings (T)

hearing of Federica MOGHERINI (T)

Hearing of Federica MOGHERINI (Italy), High Representative-designate of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate: extracts from the statement by Federica MOGHERINI

Arrival of Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President designate; ambience shots before the hearing starts, greetings to MEPs

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate, "People say that member states will obviously always have a foreign and security policy. Some people say that we don't need a 29th one and I completely share that. But at the same time all of us, and all of the people out of here know very well that there is no way of dealing with these difficult times, this difficult world, if we do not exercise together our duties and our responsibilities; We need to think big and to do it together. We need a long term vision to prevent crisis and manage post-crisis. We need to think big with a far reaching look at global landscape".

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate, <p>"We need to build our common vision together from the very beginning. It's too late when we get to a table to agree a text. It's too late when we get to react to a crisis that is already in place. We need to share vision from the very beginning. That's why I will start my mandate in the first months by paying a visit to the 28 capital cities, starting with the next Presidency, Latvia. Meeting not only the government, not only the foreign ministers, but also the Parliaments and MEPs if you will be available. And also NGO's, Think Tanks, Civil society organisations, academy.. the foreign affairs community in each and every member state. To build a common vision and priorities for the EU Foreign and Security Policy".</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate, "Preserve peace, prevent conflict, strengthen international security. This will be the light for me. And as we are talking about security and defence; I know very well that that is also one of my hats, as head of the European Defence agency, that I am going to do at full, working with the European Institute for Security Studies, chairing the Defence Councils, not only the formal ones, but also the informal ones, and visiting our missions and operations, the military and the civilian ones".

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate, "Starting from the Balkans and Turkey; I believe that the enlargement policy is the best, if not only guarantee, for long term transformation in terms of democracy, stability and economic development. The East: I think we need we will need greater new attention in different forms to the East, starting from full support to Ukraine, in terms of security, institutional reforms, political process, economic challenges and energy challenges".

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate, "Russia might not be a partner at the moment, which is a picture of the situation today. Still it is a strategic country in the world and it's a neighbour, for Ukraine at first. So I guess we will need to deeply reassess together our relations to Russia in the next 5 years".

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate, "In the Middle East the EU has been an effective payer, it needs to become an effective player. At the same time we need to develop more and more a common framework for common action to stop Isis, which is not a state, not Islam, but a major global threat and a threat to all of us".

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President designate, "I think we can count on key partners that are for us not only friends, but people we can work with in a very reliable way. I think of the Transatlantic partnership, that now more than ever, is strategic".

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President designate, (on the UN Post 2015 Development agenda) "As European Union we can play a major role in shaping an agenda that is valid not only on typical development issues, but also on environment, sustainability and an agenda that is valid at the same time for the external action and for the internal action; I thank you very much and I am looking forward to your questions". Applause.