Health Commissioner for EU nominated

Following the resignation of Markos Kyprianou as a member of the European Commission in order to become Minister of Foreign Affairs in his native country, Cyprus, the President of the EC, Jose Manuel Barroso, has written to the Presidents of the Council and the European Parliament, advising of the resignation and his own agreement to the nomination by Cyprus of former "First Lady"Androula Vassiliou as a member of the Commission. Mrs Vassiliou will take over the Health portfolio that was previously held by Mr Kyprianou.

In the letter to the President of the Council, Mr Barroso has asked it to put in place as soon as possible the procedure foreseen by the Treaty for the replacement of Mr Kyprianou. European Union member state governments and the Parliament must approve the nomination.