Slovak diplomat Šefčovič likely to become EC Vice-president for energy union

Slovak diplomat Šefčovič likely to become EC Vice-president for energy union

Topical Issue

16.10.2014 15:10

European Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday officially proposed that Slovak diplomat Maroš Šefčovič become the Commission's Vice-President for the Energy Union. Šefčovič's initially proposed portfolio of transport and space should now be taken up by the Slovenian candidate Violeta Bulc.

In his first reaction to the proposed appointment, Šefčovič said that he'll be primarily in charge of creating an energy union. "The current crisis between the EU and Russia concerning gas supplies shows that this problem is becoming highly important and strategic," stated Šefčovič. The Slovak diplomat and incoming European Commissioner for Energy Miguel Canete are taking up their posts just ahead of winter, when the EU in its talks with Russia needs to secure sufficient energy supplies for all member countries. Šefčovič noted that they need to prevent dependence on a single source and work rather towards diversifying sources of energy carriers, build a single energy market and remove obstacles that the EU currently faces in this area.

Maroš Šefčovič is one of the most experienced Slovak EU diplomats. He held the post of the vice-president of the Commission in the previous cabinet for 5 years. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is very proud of the fact that Slovakia is likely to take up the European Commission's vice-presidency responsible for energy policy. "This is a highly strong position, a position that usually reserved for large countries", stated Fico. The composition of the new Commission Cabinet of Jean-Claude Juncker should be finalised by next month.