Landsbergis would make excellent European commissioner – Lithuanian PM

VILNIUS - Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, the leader of the ruling conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, would make an excellent European commissioner, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte says.

"If you ask me whether Gabrielius Landsbergis would be a good European commissioner, yes, I can say that, in my opinion, he would be an excellent commissioner," she said in an interview with Info TV on Thursday.

However, she did not say whether Landsbergis was among the candidates for the position: "Since it's a negotiation process, until everything is agreed, you could say nothing is agreed".

The prime minister has previously refused to comment on Landsbergis' chances of joining the new European Commission, only adding that his surname was making things difficult.

Simonyte is convinced that Lithuania is not late in submitting its candidate for a European commissioner.

Last week, Seimas Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen called a coalition council meeting to discuss Lithuania's possible EC candidate. However, according to its participants, there was more talk about the desired EC portfolios, rather than about the names of possible candidates.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has said he expects the prime minister to nominate a candidate for a European commissioner soon, and named to her an acceptable candidate in mind.

Landsbergis says he does not know that candidate, adding that he's not involved in the conversations.