Miliband says he is not a candidate for top EU post (Roundup)

Nov 11, 2009, 17:28 GMT

   London - British Foreign Secretary David Miliband Wednesday reiterated that he will not stand as a candidate for the new job as European Union (EU) foreign policy chief to be created under the Lisbon Treaty.

   'When I said I am not a candidate, I meant it,' Miliband said in answer to a question at a joint news conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in London.

   The 44-year-old said he was 'deeply honoured' that some 'leading Europeans' believed he would 'do a good job' as a future EU High Representative, but his decision was to remain in British politics.

   'I am committed to Britain. I will stay and fight for a Britain I believe in,' said Miliband, who is considered the ruling Labour Party's rising star.

   'There is no doubt in my mind, and there should not be any doubt in yours,' Miliband told the questioner. For him there was 'only one answer' and that was to remain active in Labour politics in Britain.

   His clear rejection of a future European role immediately reignited speculation that Miliband was striving for a leadership role in the Labour Party and possible future premiership.

   He first said in a TV programme 10 days ago that he did not consider himself a candidate for the EU job. 'I am not a candidate. I am not available,' he said then.

   Miliband's name had been floated by top diplomats in Brussels, but he never received public backing for any such post from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

   The top posts in the EU, including that of president, are to be decided at a special summit of European leaders in Brussels on November 19.

   The full list of current nominees remains a closely-guarded secret.

   EU diplomats said that the union's 27 governments had so far proposed 'around 10 names' for the job of president, and a similar number for the position of a fully-fledged foreign policy supremo.

   However, consultations were ongoing.