Spring is backed by Cabinet for top EU job

The Government "is ready to do all it can" to support Mr Dick Spring's candidature for the job of Secretary-General and High Representative of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, told a press conference at the summit. It would be in the national interest for an Irish person to get the job.

The position, created by the Treaty of Amsterdam, is intended to boost the activity and international visibility of the Union's foreign policy. The Council decided it would go to "a personality with a strong political profile".

Mr Ahern stressed that so far the discussion about who would be appointed was informal. Mr Spring has not stated formally that he is launching a campaign. But his name is on an informal shortlist, along with Mr Carlos Westendorp, the former Spanish foreign minister, and the former Swedish prime minister and High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mr Carl Bildt. Sir David Hannay, a distinguished former British diplomat, has also been mentioned as a candidate but is not thought to have the necessary political profile. Mr Ahern said there were only a few names on the list and he would not envisage many others being added to it. He expected the final decision to be made at the European Council in Cologne next June. It was likely to become embroiled in bargaining about other jobs.

Mr Spring has the advantage of coming from the same social democratic political family as the majority of current EU governments. His conduct of the Irish EU presidency in 1996 impressed by its crisp decision-making and skilful political management. Although Mr Spring's party supports Irish neutrality, he has favoured Ireland joining NATO's Partnership for Peace and the security tasks of peace-keeping and crisis management.