After the publishing of the names of the people who will join President José Manuel Barroso at the European Commission we can say that, even if none of the potential candidates got the title of President or Ms./Mr. Pesc, Baltic countries will anyways have important positions in the new European structure.

Siim Kallas, historically the Estonian reference in Brussels, will be the next European Union’s Commissioner for Transport, also keeping his current job as vice president of the European Commission.

Algirdas Semeta, from Lithuania, will have the Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud job and Latvian Andris Piebalgs will make compatible his job as representative of the Foreign Affairs Council with his new position in the area of Development cooperation for the EU.

European Parliament will approve in January these new candidates, who will not be confirmed in their respective positions until then.

Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, said after announcing the new team that the Commission will have to face huge challenges to take the EU out of the economic crisis.

This will be the whole new team:

President – Jose Manuel Barroso (Portugal)

Transport - Siim Kallas (Estonia)

Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud – Algirdas Semeta (Lithuania)

Development – Andris Piebalgs (Latvia)
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security – Lady Ashton (UK)
Competition – Joaquin Almunia (Spain)
Economic and Monetary Affairs – Olli Rehn (Finland)
Internal Market and Services – Michel Barnier (France)
Trade - Karel De Gucht (Belgium)
Energy - Guenther Oettinger (Germany)
Environment – Janez Potocnik (Slovenia)
Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion – Laszlo Andor (Hungary )
Budget – Janusz Lewandowski (Poland )
Enlargement – Stefan Fuele (Czech Republic)
Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship – Viviane Reding (Luxembourg)
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries – Maria Damanaki (Greece)
Regional Policy – Johannes Hahn (Austria)
Climate Action – Connie Hedegaard (Denmark)
Research and Innovation – Maire Geoghegan-Quinn (Republic of Ireland)
Health and Consumer Policy – John Dalli (Malta)
Agriculture and Rural Development – Dacian Ciolos (Romania)
International Co-operation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response – Rumiana Jeleva (Bulgaria)
Digital Agenda – Neelie Kroes (the Netherlands)
Home Affairs – Cecilia Malmstroem (Sweden)
Industry and Entrepreneurship – Antonio Tajani (Italy)
Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration – Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia)
Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth – Androulla Vassiliou (Cyprus)

Related posts:

1. Siim Kallas – A (politically correct) Biography
2. European Parliament Elections: What and Who Do We Vote For
3. Ilves For President!
4. Ilves Wants the EU Presidency
5. June 2010, key date to green light for Estonia’s euro entrance