VP/HR — Non-response by the Vatican to the nomination of the openly gay French ambassador

20.4.2015

Question for written answer P-006266-15
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE) , Marietje Schaake (ALDE) , Hilde Vautmans (ALDE) , Ivan Jakovčić (ALDE) , Jozo Radoš (ALDE) , Ivo Vajgl (ALDE) , Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz (ALDE) , Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) , Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE)

The French Government appointed senior diplomat Laurent Stefanini to become its ambassador to the Vatican in January this year. Three months later, the Vatican still has not responded to approve the nomination. In 2007, the Vatican, under Pope Benedict XVI, forced the withdrawal of another openly gay French ambassadorial candidate by not responding.

In the context of the EU external relations and of the diplomatic relations between the EU and the Vatican, is the VP/HR aware of the reports that the reasons for the non-response by the Vatican to the French ambassadorial candidate, Mr Stefanini, lie in the sexual orientation of the nominee?

As the EU has formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican, does the VP/HR agree that the so-called LGBTI Guidelines (or ‘Toolkit’) — designed to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people within its external actions — should apply to all countries, including the Vatican?

Does the VP/HR agree that the EU should appoint a special EU envoy to uphold the rights of LGBTI people worldwide?