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Mandelson takes top EU job
Downing Street has welcomed news of Peter Mandelson's appointment as European trade commissioner.
The new European commission chief, José Manuel Barroso, announced the carve-up of the EU's top policy jobs at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Mandelson, who will be Britain's only commissioner following the expansion of the EU, said he was pleased to take a major economic portfolio.
As a former trade and industry secretary in the UK, the appointment will be seen as playing to his strengths.
Commenting on his appointment the twice-dismissed former minister said: "I'm excited at being given this responsibility, both for trade policy and the international dimension of competitiveness.
"Europe will continue to benefit from globalisation as long as trade and investment are further liberalised and if Europe preserves its long-term competitiveness, its capacity for innovation and its social market economy."
A spokesman for the prime minister added: "We are delighted that Peter Mandelson has been given such an important portfolio."
Mandelson was forced to resign from the Cabinet for the second time following revelations about his role in the Hinduja brothers’ application for British passports.
Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat MP whose pursuit of the issue was instrumental in bringing Mandelson down, still has doubts about his ability to hold high office.
Baker told ePolitix.com: "Mandelson is known as Mr Fixit so I hope he will use his capabilities to improve conditions for the environment and animal welfare. However I’m not holding my breath."
Trade talks
Germany, France and the UK had all been pressing hard for the key policy portfolios related to the economy, trade and competition.
When he takes up the position in the autumn, Mandelson will be stepping into the shoes of current trade chief Pascal Lamy.
Lamy has seen repeated clashes with the French government, and one of they key issues in Mandelson's in-tray will be the continuing world trade talks.
Despite recent progress, the controversial European common agricultural policy remains a key sticking point.
Mandelson will now be tasked with leading the negotiations on behalf of the 25 EU nations during the rest of the Doha development round.
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Published: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 14:01:00 GMT+01
Author: Edward Davie
The new-look Commission
- José Manuel Barroso – Portugal, commission president.
- Margot Wallström – Sweden, vice president, ‘Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy’
- Günter Vehuegen – Germany, vice president. ‘Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry’.
- Jacques Barrot – France, vice president,
‘Commissioner for Transport’.
- Siim Kallas – Estonia, vice president, ‘Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud’.
- Rocco Buttiglione – Italy, vice president, ‘Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security’.
- Viviane Reding – Luxembourg, ‘Commissioner for Information Society and Media’.
- Stavros Dimas – Greece, ‘Commissioner for Environment’.
- Joaquin Almunia – Spain, ‘Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs’.
- Danuta Hübner - Poland, currently co-commissioner for trade, ‘Commissioner for Regional Policy’.
- Joe Borg – Malta, currently co-commissioner for development, ‘Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs’.
- Dalia Grybauskaite - Lithuania, currently co-commissioner for culture, ‘Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget’.
- Janez Potocnik – Slovenia, currently co-commissioner for enlargement, ‘Commissioner for Science and Research’.
- Ján Figel – Slovakia, currently co-commissioner for enterprise, ‘Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture, and Multilinguism’.
- Markos Kyprianou – Cyprus, currently co-commissioner for budget, ‘Commissioner for Health and Consumers Protection’.
- Olli Rehn – Finland, currently enterprise commissioner, ‘Commissioner for Enlargement’.
Louis Michel – Belgium, former foreign minister, ‘Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid’.
- László Kovács – Hungary, former foreign minister, ‘Commissioner for Energy’.
- Neelie Kroes – Netherlands, former transport minister, ‘Commissioner for Competition’.
- Mariann Mariann Fischer Boel – Denmark, former fisheries minister, ‘Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development’.
- Benita Ferrero-Waldner – Austria, ‘Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy’.
- Charlie McCreevy – Ireland, foemer finance minister, ‘Commissioner for Internal Market and Services’.
- Vladimir Spidla – Czech Republic, former prime minister, Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities’.
- Peter Mandelson – UK, former Northern Ireland and trade and industry minister, ‘Commissioner for Trade’.
- Ingrida Udre – Latvia, former speaker of the national parliament, ‘Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union’.
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