Austria's Johannes Hahn was attributed the regional policy portfolio in the new Barroso II Commission. A doctor of philosophy, Hahn pursued his political career with the Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP), a party affiliated to the centre-right European People's Party (EPP).
He was speaking to EurActiv Germany's editor Ewald König, who is also an Austrian national.
To read a shortened version of this interview, please click here.
Mr Hahn: What qualifies you as a European politician?
In all my professional periods, I have had intense moments with respect to Europe and the European Union, whether working in the business community, during my time as a regional politician or at the level of federal politician.
I remember very well how intensively we promoted Austrian accession to the then European Community when I was working with other young politicians, members of the 'Junge ÖVP' (the youth organisation of the conservative Austrian People's Party): even against sceptics in my own party.
No politician could progress without European issues today; therefore all national politicians are always European politicians at the same time.
What are your aims and what are your main concerns at European level?
The question is to make use of the opportunities offered by a peacefully united Europe. Most of all, Europe is a project that enlarges, and so are the possibilities and prospects - for individuals as well as for regions and for countries. You are certainly aware of the huge number of students who make use of their exchange semesters in the framework of Erasmus. I wish that everybody could discover the added value of Europe in his individual life.
What do you think of the way the Austrian candidate for the European Commission was chosen? Should the system of nomination be reformed?
The nomination of a candidate is statutorily regulated quite clearly. Due to the commitment that the backing of the Austrian parliament has to be ensured and that the candidate has to undergo a hearing in Vienna as well as in Brussels, it will be guaranteed that the entire federal government and the majority of the members of parliament will back the nominated person.
After having talked to the Austrian members of the European Parliament, I am sure that all of them are interested in constructive cooperation.
Have you met European Commission President José Manuel Barroso before? Did he ask 'who is this Johannes Hahn?', similar to the way in which he wondered who German candidate Günther Oettinger was?
I had a very detailed and personal conversation with Mr Barroso.
Why did the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) not nominate Benita Ferrero-Waldner? Barroso was looking to boost the number of women in his Commission. Why did Ferrero-Waldner fail to attract the complete support of her own party?
In the People's Party, there were several qualified candidates, males and females. But the federal government has to find consensus over one person. This person must have the complete confidence of the coalition. The federal chancellor (Social Democrat Werner Faymann) as well as the deputy chancellor (Conservative Josef Pröll) made their choice in favour of my person at last.
Austrians have not been very enthusiastic about the European Union recently. Support for the EU in the country is among the lowest in Europe. Is this just typical Austrian moaning? How will you contribute to changing this attitude?
The attitude towards the EU has evidently improved in recent months. People realised how strongly the EU acted as a protective shield in the period of crisis. This makes people confident. They believe in the EU. This trust has to be used to make clear that the EU is not only a shelter in a period of crisis but is also good as a home for everyday life.
I believe that we are much better at communicating and informing than is sometimes assumed. What we have to upgrade is the dialogue. People have to be sure that they are heard even in a Europe of 500 million inhabitants.
The head of the right-wing party BZÖ (Bündnis Zukunft Österreich), of which Jörg Haider was a former chair, described the European Commission as a hazardous waste dump, bearing your nomination in mind. Aren't you angry about such vocabulary? Is there a risk of such vocabulary becoming the normal tone in Austria?
I had a conversation with Josef Bucher. I told him that such vocabulary is really harmful for the reputation of Austria in Europe - as well as for the reputation of Europe in Austria. In both cases I'll campaign for more appropriate political language even if someone wants to criticise somebody else.
How would you evaluate your performance as head of the Austrian People's Party in Vienna (ÖVP Wien)? How would you respond to those who reproach you for your mistakes and failures, and those who accuse you of escaping to Brussels before upcoming elections in Vienna?
The evaluation of my work has to be done by others. If political competitors are criticising me, I mainly classify this as the expression of my having indeed achieved some things. Just look at the recent election outcome in Vienna. Last summer, we had the local elections as well as the European elections. In both elections my party, the ÖVP, clearly won second position. The right-wing FPÖ, for instance, was in fifth position.
Germany intends to give a fresh impetus to achieving equality for the German language, especially in the day-to-day practice of translation management. Will you support this impetus as a commissioner from a German-speaking country?
My mother tongue is spoken by nearly a hundred million Europeans. In my work as a commissioner I'll prioritise the German language. But in everyday communication, we have to agree on the language which is spoken by all participants in talks.
What is your opinion about EU enlargement? When will Turkey, the Western Balkans and Ukraine become EU members?
The procedure for the next step of enlargement is regulated clearly. It was on Austria's initiative that the EU in the case of Turkey agreed to make the negotiations an open-ended discussion. Also vice versa - the capacity of the EU to absorb Turkey will be the result of an intensive discussion.
