The selection of France's current ambassador to Washington, Pierre Vimont, for the number two spot next to Catherine Ashton, Britain's European Union foreign policy chief, is happy news. This is not only because Vimont is one of France's best diplomats, but also because there is hope that in taking up this post, he will bring more balance to the European Union's foreign policy, which is supervised by Ashton, herself close to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in orientation. Vimont is a brilliant diplomat who enjoys great respect in all French circles, from the ruling right to the opposition Socialists. He is one of the few diplomats who devotes his life to his work. He was ambassador in Brussels and is known for being closer to the Socialists, but he is a diplomat, first and foremost, brought by Dominique de Villepin as chief of staff when he was heading the Foreign Ministry, under President Jacques Chirac. Chirac insisted on retaining him as the chief of staff of the Foreign Ministry, under those who followed de Villepin: Michel Barnier and Philippe Douste-Blazy. Under Chirac, Vimont took on key issues, from the Arab-Israeli conflict and the arrival of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to Paris and his death there, to the United States' war on Iraq and France's rejection of it, and the famous speech by de Villepin at the United Nations. This was followed by events in Lebanon before and after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and the creation of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, followed by the July war of 2006 by Israel against Lebanon. At the end of his term, Chirac appointed him ambassador to Washington, because he was among the best for this post. When he was at the Foreign Ministry, he worked late at night, studied dossiers, and read every diplomatic report in the world, about various issues. In Washington, he has remained in touch with matters related to the Arab world and has followed them closely with the former administration, as well as that of President Barack Obama. Pierre Vimont is also distinguished for his calm style in dealing with hot, tense issues. He is different from de Villepin, who is known for his fiery personality. He is also the opposite of his tense and moody president, Nicolas Sarkozy. When things do not go the way he wants, Vimont is known for being patient and calm. His new post is as the executive secretary general of the European Union's External Action Service, or the number two person in the EU's “Foreign Ministry,” after Ashton. The responsibility of this skilled diplomat, who has spent 30 years in foreign affairs, is to try and boost Europe's foreign policy and work for balance, alongside his British colleague. Certainly, the selection of Vimont is reassuring about his participation in guiding European diplomacy, because of his experience and character. However, at the same time, it offers him a greater responsibility in managing the foreign policy of 27 states in the EU. This is a difficult task, and a huge responsibility. Unifying a stance with this difference of member states is practically impossible. At the least, France's role will lie in convincing and trying to arrive at settlements, via a skilled diplomat with extensive experience. His choice to improve the performance of Europe's foreign policy and try to correct it is an important step. His presence alongside Ashton gives hope for more balance, since Ashton constantly relies on her friend Tony Blair for advice. Vimont knows US foreign and domestic policy well. He often negotiated with various administrations before becoming France's ambassador to Washington. He distinguishes between the interest of Europe in taking more independent decisions, even if this is difficult in light of the policies of 27 states and the absence of a unified foreign policy. At the least, his presence in the second position, alongside Ashton, is a guarantee of professional diplomacy, whatever the results.
