PASOK deputy Maria Damanaki will be Greece’s next European commissioner, Prime Minister George Papandreou revealed after an EU leaders’ summit on Thursday when he hailed as “a great success” the controversial choices for the Union’s first president and foreign policy chief.

“I have chosen a person who has made a big contribution to Greek political life, with many struggles for democracy, and I am sure that she will make a contribution to Europe, whichever position she takes up on the Commission,” said Papandreou of Damanaki. Greece’s current commissioner, Stavros Dimas, holds the environment portfolio.

Papandreou also said that Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, who was appointed EU president, could “contribute to the EU’s unity.” He described EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, who will be in charge of foreign policy, as a “progressive” politician who will “strengthen Europe’s voice around the world.”