By Hughes Beaudouin - 31st March 2004
EU commissioner Michel Barnier has been confirmed as France’s foreign affairs minister in a new-look French government.
In a press announcement Wednesday night, the new minister declared he would put Europe at the heart of his governmental duties.
"Becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs of France is not the breaking off but rather a continuation of my career and political commitment. Europe will naturally remain at the heart of my attention in this new role, which will also lead me to deal with many other aspects of international relations."
He also insisted on the importance of the European elections in June, and committed to getting involved in engaging the French electorate.
But surprise of the day during Wednesday night’s reshuffle announcement was Claudie Haigneré to be European affairs minister.
Until now minister for research, Haigneré is a trained astronaut and was the first European woman to participate in a Soyouz mission.
The nomination of a comparitive political lightweight could be seen as strategic manoeuvering by Barnier to keep his hands on the tiller of European affairs as foreign minister.
To replace Barnier at the European Commission, president Jacques Chirac has confirmed Jacques Barrot, head of Chirac’s ruling UMP party in the national assembly.
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