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Sometimes crises are just that – crises, not an excuse to grandstand or promote bureaucratic growth. On that basis, the EU is handling the Haiti crisis well.

To the people of Haiti, the earthquake of 12 January was a cataclysmic event that has transformed their society, possibly for ever. To President Obama, it has become a much-needed test to underline his role as Crisis-Manager-In-Chief. To the EU, however, the event has become yet another cause for introspection and depression.

The crisis has come at a time of bureaucratic transition. The EU's new foreign policy "czar", Catherine Ashton, is yet to be confirmed in her post and the European Parliament railroaded the appointment of EU Commissioner-Designate Rumiana Jeleva, whose portfolio includes humanitarian...