Italian Mogherini closest to succeeding Catherine Ashton

Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini is closest to succeeding Catherine Ashton as EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, the BH News Agency Patria (NAP) has learned from sources in Brussels.

Mogherini is Italy's candidate and has reportedly already received the support of German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, and it is expected that the proposal will gain the consent of other member states. The position of head of European diplomacy, which is essentially the position of special representative for foreign policy and security, is traditionally held by female candidates.

Mogherini is a young politician, 41 years old, and came to the position of Italian Foreign Minister in February this year as an expert in international relations, but without any political experience. When it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, she has not made any statements, except for principled support for the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans. If elected, she will be the nominal head of Ambassador Peter Sorensen, who is implementing the European Union's policy in BiH.

A month ago, she also had a meeting in Vienna with BiH Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdžija, NAP reports.