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The Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere made an unprecedented public criticism of Catherine Ashton for failing to make an impact on international affairs as the EU's foreign policy chief.  The UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, in the meantime, has clearly articulated that Britain would pursue its foreign policy independent of the European Union.

Mr. Vanackere who has defended the European External Action Service and its Chief, the British Baroness steadfastly during the Belgian Presidency warned that if the EU fails to find a common voice, Belgium would look to partner with other countries such as Germany, France and the UK to achieve its foreign policy objectives.

Ms. Ashton's rise to the top job in European Foreign Policy was described by many as a "compromise" and many questioned her ability to do the job. On taking office, Ms. Ashton said her key priority would be to get all the member states to speak with one voice.

The Belgian Foreign Minister pointed out that this is yet to happen.  In an interview with the Belgian newspaper Le Soir, Mr. Vanackere said: "When I speak of impatience, I think chiefly about the Union's capacity to speak with one voice." He went on to say: ""We can accept that some react faster than Ashton, but with the condition that she can prove that she is working for the medium-term and long-term on very important issues like energy, for example. But I have not seen this either."

But he claimed that the Belgian government would continue to support the EEAS however if the "silence" continues then Belgium would seek other partners. The minister also criticised the British EU Foreign Policy Chief for her failure to tackle "key issues".

However, it is certain that EU common foreign policy would not have anywhere near the influence the Federalists thought it would have.  Naturally, all the major countries which include Eurosceptic UK to core Euro members such as France and Germany, have pursued their own foreign policy agenda independent of the EU.

Britain Charts Out Independent Foreign Policy Framework

William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary made it clear in a speech yesterday that UK would pursue its own foreign policy.

He rated relationship with the US as the key strategic priority for the UK in foreign affairs and the EU came second.  But Mr. Hague also made it clear that he does not see EU to have a role in traditional diplomacy.

"I have never believed that the EU could or should act as if it were a nation state with a national foreign policy," the Foreign Secretary said. "Any attempt by EU institutions to do so would end in embarrassing failure."  

"Over the last year we have placed a renewed emphasis on bilateral relations, alongside Britain's role in multilateral institutions," he added.

Britain believes Europe should use its trade & economic  and international development portfolios as the key foreign policy levers for the bloc.

"The EU should offer broad and deep economic integration, leading to a free-trade area and eventually a customs union, progressively covering goods, agriculture and services, as well as the improvement of conditions for investment."