Lahbib: EU's Crisis Management portfolio is 'huge responsibility'
Belgium's outgoing Foreign minister, Hadja Lahbib, has described her appointment as European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management as a "huge responsibility". She also thanked Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for her confidence.
"The number of disasters and wars is increasing. They know no borders and have a huge impact on the population, especially on women and children," she said. "The European Union must be able to come to their aid quickly, effectively and in a united manner."
Her portfolio in full is Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality. Von der Leyen said Lahbib would be responsible for crisis management at EU level and steering European humanitarian aid and the EU's civil protection mechanism.
Positive reaction
Belgian diplomats reacted positively to Lahbib's appointment. The crisis management and humanitarian aid powers "are a very clear recognition of the leading, balanced and influential role that Belgium and the minister have played in recent years", a source told Belga, referring in particular to the Belgian stance on the war in Gaza.
On equality, she reflects the values that Belgium stands for, "where everyone deserves a chance, where everyone can be what they want to be", the source said.
"Hadja Lahbib has supported these values from her first day as foreign minister. The choice of a woman who was born in one of Belgium's mining regions and has Algerian roots is a strong signal to Europe and the world."
Limited experience
But some politicians complained that the post was not important enough. They blame the fact that the Belgian Commissioner was officially nominated three days after the deadline. Belgium was the last EU member state to nominate a candidate, starting the process on the back foot.
Lahbib's limited experience as a politician is another drawback. She only entered politics in 2022, after a career in journalism.
Her track record is also not without controversy. For example, in 2021 she visited Crimea, which had been annexed by Russia. This sparked a diplomatic row with Ukraine when she was appointed Foreign minister a year later.
© BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ
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