EU Names New Trade Commissioner

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday named Catherine Ashton, former leader of the British House of Lords, as the new commissioner for the powerful portfolio of external trade affairs.

The appointment followed the departure of Peter Mandelson to return to the British cabinet as Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

The European Commission said Ashton would assume the duties of trade commissioner as of Tuesday after her appointment was approved by EU member states.

I am delighted and very proud to have been asked to serve as Commissioner, to be a part of the European response to the global challenges we face. I look forward to setting out my views to EU member states and the European Parliament very soon, Ashton said following her appointment.

Ashton was until now a Labour member in the British House of Lords, the upper house of parliament. She is an economist and previously held various positions in the British government.

The Commission said Ashton brought with her significant European experience, including steering the EU's Lisbon Treaty through the British upper chamber and dealing with EU justice and home affairs issues in her previous positions.