European Commission fills key slots
European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis was named its new trade commissioner on Tuesday, replacing Irishman Phil Hogan, who resigned late last month.
Mairead McGuinness, one of the two candidates that Ireland had put forward to replace Hogan, has been appointed commissioner in charge of financial services and financial stability, a role previously taken by Dombrovskis of Latvia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcements on Tuesday morning.
Dombrovskis had been acting trade commissioner since the resignation of Hogan, who came under pressure over breaches of coronavirus restrictions during a golfing trip in his homeland.
Von der Leyen said she had interviewed both Irish candidates: McGuinness, who is now vice-president of the European Parliament, and Andrew McDowell, now vicepresident of the European Investment Bank.
“Following these interviews, I have decided to propose to the (European) Council and the European Parliament the appointment of Mrs McGuinness to the post of commissioner. She will be in charge of financial services, financial stability and capital market union,” von der Leyen said.
Political experience
“Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis will assume responsibility for the trade portfolio and he will remain the commission’s representative on the Eurogroup alongside Commissioner (Paolo) Gentiloni.”
Von der Leyen praised McGuinness for having “significant political experience on EU issues, having been an MEP (member of the European Parliament) since 2004 and currently holding the post of first vice-president of the European Parliament”.
“This experience is crucial in carrying forward the EU’s financial sector policy agenda and ensuring it supports and strengthens the commission’s key priorities, notably the twin green and digital transition.”
The role of trade commissioner is regarded as critical at the moment, since the European Union is negotiating trade deals with the United Kingdom, the United States and China.
Dombrovskis was involved in the negotiations for the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, which both sides hope to conclude by the end of the year.
He has spoken to Chinese VicePremier Liu He several times, including at the 8th High-Level Trade and Economic Dialogue on July 28.
“The current crisis gives us no other option but to work hand in hand with our global partners, including China,” he said in a news release after the meeting.