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European Commission President José Manuel Barroso named Janez Potocnik as the future head of the Environment directorate general on Friday. In his new position, the 51 year old Slovenian will also oversee the European Environment Agency.

Presenting his 26-strong new team in Brussels, Barroso said that he was very happy to give the portfolio to Potocnik, whom he termed as a "dedicated environmentalist".

An economist by profession, Potocnik has been serving as the commissioner for science and research since the start of the commission's present term in late November 2004.

He had said earlier that he would not mind keeping the current portfolio and that he would like to work in a field befitting his expertise and experience.

Barroso said that Potocnik would deal with important issues such as the protection of soil, water and air and the preservation of biodiversity. He added that Potocnik had demonstrated unique interest in this field.

The environment has not been mentioned among the portfolios of interest to Slovenia, but Prime Minister Borut Pahor welcomed Barroso's decision.

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