BRUSSELS (CIHAN) - Turkey supports the election of former Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso as new President of the EU Commission. The former Portuguese Prime Minister is known for his support of Turkey's EU membership.
The 48-old leader was surprisingly offered to stand for the influential post following a two-week wrangle on the names proposed by the EU leaders in its June Summit. Two of the favorites were rejected. The pro-integration Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who is a key Iraq war opponent, was vetoed by the United Kingdom, while the UK's Christ Patten was rejected by France because Patten does not speak French and the United Kingdom is not a partner in the Euro currency or the Schengen visa scheme.
Face with this disagreement, the EU leaders reached a compromise with Barroso.
Germany and France will claim strong posts in the commission as a reward for their support to Barroso who will begin working on November 1. Germany wants the super commissioner post for economy and industry. The current EU Commissar for Enlargement Günter Verheugen is likely to take over this post. France is mulling to take over the post for macroeconomics.
Barroso who was supported by the EU three big members Germany, France and United Kingdom, started his political career at the Portuguese Communist Party. He attained power in Portugal in the 2002 elections as the leader of the central right Social Democrat Party.
Barroso is known for his warm relations with Turkey during his term as prime minister. He is well aware of Turkey's role in the globalized world.
The former Portuguese Prime Minister had said that there is no turning back from Turkey's EU membership process. The EU Commission president elect stated that he would seek an international role for the European Union.