THE EU: The European Commission has agreed that its next representative in Washington should be a political figure who can boost the EU's profile in the United States.
The EU's current head of delegation in Washington will leave his post in the summer and retire at the end of this year.The European Commission has agreed that its next representative in Washington should be a political figure who can boost the EU's profile in the United States. The EU's current head of delegation in Washington will leave his post in the summer and retire at the end of this year.
"The Commission considers it desirable that the future head of this delegation have a significant political profile and will make an appointment on this basis," a statement said.
The decision represents a victory for the External Affairs Commissioner, Mr Chris Patten, who believes, in common with EU foreign ministers, that a former senior politician should become the EU's public face in Washington.
The former Taoiseach, Mr John Bruton, is the only figure to be mentioned until now in connection with the post but the Commission has yet to make a final decision on whom to appoint.
EU foreign ministers had agreed last year that the Washington post, which has usually been held by a senior Commission official, should go to a former politician.
An appointment is likely to be announced in the Spring. Mr Bruton has declined to comment.
