External Relations
Patten (55) is one of the most impressive and experienced British politicians and assumes a portfolio of huge potential in the new Commission. The former Northern Ireland minister in Margaret Thatcher's government and Tory party chairman (1990-92) under John Major, Patten will help fashion any EU foreign policy developments in the light of the Kosovo experience. With monetary union gathering pace, pressure is also increasing for common foreign and security policy.
Patten's experience in negotiating with the Chinese while serving as Britain's last governor of Hong Kong may serve him well in the foreign policy minefield. Avowedly proEurope (in growing contrast to the Conservative Party), Patten also heads the commission into the future of the RUC.