Dutch foreign minister Timmermans in Brussels for job talks
Dutch foreign affairs minister Frans Timmermans is in Brussels on Tuesday to meet the new European Commission chairman Jean-Claude Juncker.
Timmermans is the Dutch nominee to join the new-look Commission and the Netherlands is aiming for a heavyweight role and the job of vice president.
Juncker is finalising his team this week. Sources in The Hague say Timmermans, who speaks several languages including fluent Russian, is up for the trade or economic affairs job.
Koenders
Timmermans won international praise for his performance in the wake of the flight MH17 crash in Ukraine.
If he goes to Brussels, his job is likely to be taken by Bert Koenders, who is currently the UN’s special representative in Mali, Dutch media report.
Koenders was an MP for the Labour party from 1997 to 2007 and served as aid minister from 2007 to 2010.
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