A Conversation with Catherine Ashton

On April 13, Baronness Catherine Ashton once again engaged with students in a wide-ranging lunchtime discussion that covered topics including the situation in Syria, aspects of high-stakes negotiation and international diplomacy, and security challenges facing the European Union. that covered topics including the situation in Syria, aspects of high-stakes negotiation and international diplomacy, and security challenges facing the European Union.

Ashton previously served as the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and as First Vice President of the European Commission. Earlier in her political career, she was a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Education of Skills and the Ministry of Justice, and the European Commission’s Commissioner for Trade. She has extensive experience in international negotiations, handling such high level talks as those between Serbia and Kosovo, the P5+1 and Iran, and others.