Mandelson named as Trade Commissioner

Thursday, 12 August 2004 12:00 AM

Peter Mandelson has been named as the next EU Trade Commissioner, replacing Pascal Lamy.

The Hartlepool MP announced earlier this month he was standing down from the Commons to take up a role in Europe.

His appointment as Trade Commissioner comes as little surprise, as he had been hotly tipped for the key job by a number of newspapers.

The trade portfolio is a key position on the Commission and will help the UK retain a high profile in Europe. Mr Mandelson will be formally responsible for trade policy and the "international dimension of competitiveness" as well as being a member of the Competitiveness Council.

Britain and all other member states, regardless of size, will have only one member each on the commission, as a result of the EU's enlargement to 25 countries on May 1st.

Britain previously had two positions - held by Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten.

The new team will for an informal session on August 20th before being put to the European Parliament for a formal vote of approval on November 1st.

Mr Mandelson's confirmation in the role means that an October, or earlier, by-election in Hartlepool is highly likely.

Commenting on the appointment Malcolm Bruce, the Liberal Democrat's trade spokesman said: "The real test for Mr Mandelson is the extent to which he is prepared to broker a breakthrough in the trade talks.

"Poor countries need access to developed markets and the United States must be challenged on their protectionism. Peter Mandelson must be equal to both these tasks."

Jose Manuel Barroso, the new president of the European Commission, is believed to have been impressed by Mr Mandelson's credentials as a former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Announcing his team, Mr Barroso said: "I have organised this strong team to ensure we work efficiently and achieve the goals we set ourselves. I attach great importance to team players committed to the European general interest. Commissioners will work together and deliver real benefits for EU citizens"

He described the team as "solid and politically experienced" with in-depth experience in their respective policy areas.

Mr Barroso emphasised that the group would work as a team an each member would be "strictly equal" in collective decision making.

On his vision for the presidency, Mr Barroso said that he would seek to reinvigorate Europe's economy and that he attached particular importance to communicating with the electorate.

"The apathy shown in the last European elections is worrying. I have asked a Vice-President to work specifically on a communication strategy. What Europe does and why it does it must be communicated to people more clearly" he concluded.

Tags: