The verdict is in: European Union diplomats are useless. But this isn’t the view of one of the EU’s usual detractors. It’s the assessment of Josep Borrell, Brussels’ very own foreign affairs chief.
In a damning briefing to the European External Action Service, Borrell said he was fed up finding out information from newspapers before hearing it from his own officials.
‘Quickly for the European standard means a couple of months,’ said Borrell
‘This is not a moment when we are going to send flowers to all of you saying that you are beautiful, you work very well and we are very happy, we are one big family,’ Borrell said, before launching into his furious rebuke to diplomats at an icy meeting this week.
‘I do not want to blame and shame but this is something that I have to tell you. I want you to be more reactive, 24 hours a day. I need you to report fast, in real time, on what is happening in your countries,’ he said.
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