Belgian minister resigns to become MEP

18 June 2004

BRUSSELS – Belgian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Frederique Ries is to give up her government post to sit in Strasbourg as an MEP.

The political list headed by the former RTL radio journalist polled 123,000 votes in the June 13 election which she said was much more than expected.

“Electors sent a clear message to me and I wish to respect it by sitting as a member of the European parliament,” she told Belgian daily, La Derniere Heure.

“But one can also interpret my score as a call for me to exercise additional responsibilities,” she claimed.

Subject: Belgian news