EC president confirms Romanian official as European commissioner

European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso confirmed on Monday Romanian Leonard Orban as European commissioner for multilingualism, culture and education, Romania's Rompres news agency reported.

"I will do my best to fulfill my mission," Orban was quoted as saying in Lisbon by Rompres.

"I will do all that stands in my power, the more so as I come from a country that attempts to bring new elements into the European Union," said Orban.

"It is a pleasure for me to confirm the acceptance of the candidate proposed by Romania for European commissioner," said Barroso.

"I hope that this commission made up of 27 members will contribute to creating a multi-linguistic Europe," said the EC president of the EC.

Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu on Sunday sent to Brussels a new candidature for the post of European commissioner representing Romania after Liberal Senator Varujan Vosganian withdrew on Saturday, according to an earlier news release.

Orban, 45, served briefly as Romania's chief EU entry negotiator and signed the accession treaty in April 2005. He had taken part in Romania's negotiations with the European Union since 2001.

Source: Xinhua