Šefčovič, the newly-appointed Slovak commissioner in charge of education, training, culture and youth, reiterated his country's interest in the energy portfolio for the next Commission.
But he also indicated that enlargement was seen as a priority by Bratislava, which wants to build on its good record in assisting the Western Balkans' transition since the wars of the 1990s. In particular, Slovakia gave strong support to Miroslav Lajčák, who until recently was the High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EurActiv 24/07/08). Lajčák is now Slovakia's foreign minister.
Šefčovič was Slovakia's permanent representative to the EU until September 2008, when he replaced Ján Figel' at the European Commission. Figel' returned to his country to lead a centre-right party.
A career diplomat, until now he had claimed to have no political colour. However, he seems to have changed his mind and now says he will represent the social democratic family in the EU executive. His change of heart may have been inspired by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the leader of SMER-Sociálna Demokracia, a relatively new centre-left party.
Šefčovič insisted that the distribution of portfolios is the exclusive competence of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, in accordance with the EU treaties. He added that too much media coverage of the rather secretive consultation procedures to distribute portfolios could be counterproductive.
Asked to comment on his expectations of Barroso II, he said that priority would be given to increasing the competitiveness of the European economy, easing the impact of the financial, economic and social crises, and creating conditions to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
Šefčovič said his country is a strong advocate of the community method in the EU.
"For middle-sized countries such as the Slovak Republic, a stable and respected legal framework is the main guarantee of its equal status on the international scene," he said.
