Czech Fule New Enlargement Commissioner

The Czech Republic's Minister for Europe Stefan Fule has been nominated to the European Union's Englargement portfolio.

Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso unvieled the portfolios for his new Commission on Friday.

Barroso also appointed Romania's candidate Dacian Ciolos, and former agriculture minister, as Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Bulgaria's former foreign minister Rumiana Jeleva as Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.

Introducing his new Commission Barroso said he believed his choice of people will be able to generate fresh ideas and momentum for Europe's biggest challenges.

Prior to being Minister for European Affairs, Fule was the Czech Republic's Ambassador and Head of his country's Permanent Mission to NATO. His portfolio will also include Neighbourhood Policy.

Ciolos, 40, headed the country's Agriculture Ministry for one year between 2007-2008. Having studied agriculture in Romania and in France, he has worked as an agricultural expert for the Commission representation in
Bucharest.

Currently, Ciolos chairs Romania's agriculture commission, a consultative body under the aegis of the presidency.

Romanian officials had previously said they hoped its next EU commissioner would have a "more significant" portfolio than current Multilingualism Commissioner Leonard Orban, who has been in his post since 2007.

The nominations will now have to be approved by the European Parliament. Nominated commissioners will face parliamentary hearings between 11-19 January, and the parliament will vote on the new Commission on 26 January.