The EU's new foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, will take up her duties next week, in a continuation of the political whirlwind which saw her suddenly propelled from her short stint as trade commissioner to taking on what will be one of the union's most high profile jobs.
Ms Ashton, who emerged as the surprise choice during a meeting of EU leaders last week, will take up office on 1 December, when the Lisbon Treaty, creating the post, comes into force.
Shortly after starting ...
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