(Brussels) Minister in France several times (Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Environment, Agriculture), national and European member of parliament, and EU Commissioner in charge of regional policy and institutional reforms, and then, of domestic market and services: today, Michel Barnier was appointed head of Commission delegation for negotiations with the UK leaving the EU. He can boast a long political experience on national and international level. On appointing him, head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Barnier has an extensive network of contacts in the capitals of all member States, as well as in the European Parliament; that is precious to perform a task like that”. Barnier “will access all the resources of the Commission which he may need to perform his mission. He will report directly to me, and I will ask him to inform the college regularly” on the negotiations going on. “I am sure – says Juncker – the he will live up to this new challenge and help us to develop a new partnership with the United Kingdom”. As chief negotiator, Michel Barnier will play the role of a Commission general manager; he is taking office next 1 October.