EU's top diplomat praises Italian as possible successor

(BRUSSELS) - EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana gave a ringing endorsement Tuesday to former Italian premier Massimo D'Alema as candidate for the European Union's new foreign affairs post.

"I think he would make a great high representative for the European Union," Solana, the EU's top diplomat, told reporters in Brussels. "I think he could carry out the work in an excellent manner."

In response to press commentary that one of D'Alema's drawback is that he is not fluent in English, Solana said: "Massimo D'Alema speaks English. I would not go so far as to say like Shakespeare, but then again, neither do I."

Solana and D'Alema, also a former foreign minister, both come from similar backgrounds in left of centre politics.

The new post of high representative for foreign policy, created by the reforming Lisbon Treaty endorsed this month, is a beefed up version of Solana's post.

EU leaders want to finalise the nomination at a working dinner summit in Brussels on Thursday, as well as name the European Union's first ever president.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband was runaway favourite to win the foreign post but ruled himself out. Finland's EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Britain's EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton were also mentioned.