Solana to answer that 'call from Kissinger' 

The famous question asked by former US foreign secretary Henry Kissinger about whom he should call up in Europe if the world caught fire, has moved a good step closer to a clear answer - three decades later.

The nomination of Javier Solana, not only to continue in his role as co-ordinator of the EU's common foreign and security policy, but also to take over as the EU's first foreign minister once this function is formally established, is a major boost for continuity in the EU's foreign relations: "Europe has to adapt itself and continue to be a player in international affairs," Solana has stated.

Barring the eventuality of non-ratification of the Constitutional Treaty in one or several Member States, Solana should enter the new job by the end of 2006.

Prior to his present function, Solana was Secretary General of NATO from 1995 to 1999, a dramatic period that saw the alliance engaging in a bombing campaign against Serbia to stop the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. As foreign policy co-ordinator from 1999 onwards, Solana made a strong contribution to keeping a lid on a looming civil war in Macedonia. Later on, he ensured that the EU successfully took over the peacekeeping operation from NATO in 2003. He did not, however, manage to forge a common EU position in the run-up to the war in Iraq.

In his future role as foreign minister in the Council he will also be vice-president of the Commission. This is set to end the present state of confusion whereby Chris Patten, Commissioner for Foreign Relations, also represents the EU on the international scene.

Patten has congratulated Solana on his nomination: "I have greatly enjoyed working with him over the last 5 years, and I probably have more reason than anyone to know what a superb job he will make of developing further Europe's nascent Common Foreign and Security Policy".