MEP Urges Rehn Nomination as EU Foreign Minister
Former Helsinki University professor, MP and MEP Olli Rehn
Image: YLE
Member of the European Parliament Ville Itälä is calling for Finnish politicians to join forces to push for Commissioner Olli Rehn's appointment as the EU's first foreign minister.
Rehn, now Commissioner for Enlargement and a former Centre Party MP, has given his assent to the effort. Itälä, a former National Coalition minister, believes that Rehn has a good shot at the job if Finland's three big parties work together to lobby for him.
The multi-lingual Rehn, the youngest of the current commissioners, is highly respected in Brussels.
He told YLE he appreciates the efforts on his behalf, but stresses that the Lisbon Treaty must be ratified before any such appointments can be made.
YLE