The Irish presidency of the European Council in Brussels today nominated Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso as it’s chosen President of the European Commission succeeding the outgoing President, Romano Prodi.

The nomination was not a big surprise as public speculation and comment through the European press over the weekend had already placed him as the favourite candidate acceptable by all including the UK and France, which had differing views on Mr. Prodi’s replacement. Prime Minister Barros will take over the position from the 1st November until 31st October 2009. Speaking at the evening press conference the Irish Taoiseach said, “I am happy to announce that the European Council has agreed to the nomination of a successor to Romano Prodi as President of the Commission in the autumn. He is Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.”

“I am very happy to say also that Prime Minister Barroso’s appointment is by consensus. On my own behalf, and on behalf of all my colleagues on the European Council I want to congratulate Jose Manuel and wish him every success in the future.”

“The job of European Commission President is a challenging one. We will all be looking to the Commission President to provide the practical leadership to help the Union navigate its course over the coming years. The Commission President will be critical in helping to ensure that the enlarged Union works, while it continues to expand. He will be vital to ensuring that the new European Constitution is explained and understood by the people of Europe so that it achieves the legitimacy that it deserves. The new President will also be critical to the negotiation that we will have on our future financing.”

“And following a long period of constitution building, the new President will have the opportunity to concentrate on the bread and butter issues that face us all: adapting our economies to ensure the prosperity and well-being of our people into the future.”

“Jose Manuel Barroso has the qualities that a strong and independent Commission requires at this time.”

“I am delighted on a personal basis that Jose Manuel has been chosen. I know that he will lead the Commission with strength and vigour and vision. I believe that he knows that the European Council members will support him in all the challenges ahead.”

The council also announced the it’s reappointment of Javier Solana as the Secretary General/High Representitive of the EU and confirmed that when the Constitutional Treaty comes into effect he will become the first Union Foreign Minister.

Pierre de Boissieu was also reappointed as the Deputy Secretary General of the Council.

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