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Spain's foreign minister denies candidacy as EU foreign policy head
Nov 18, 2009, 9:00 GMT
Madrid - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos denied Wednesday that he is a candidate for heading the European Union's foreign policy arm.
'I am very happy to be Spanish foreign minister,' Moratinos, a former European envoy to the Middle East, told Cadena Ser radio.
'It is true I am talked about (as future EU foreign policy chief), but I am not a candidate and do not want the job,' Moratinos said.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero confirmed on Tuesday that some countries had proposed Moratinos for the post, but said he wanted Moratinos to remain in his government.
The daily El Pais, however, said Zapatero backed Moratinos for the job. That would require another Spaniard, Joaquin Almunia, to leave his post as European economic affairs commissioner.
Others tipped for EU foreign policy chief include British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, though has denied being a candidate.
EU leaders meeting on Thursday will seek an agreement on the bloc's new top jobs since the Lisbon Treaty is set to enter into force next month.
The posts to be filled include a permanent president to head EU summits and a head for the bloc's foreign policy arm.
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