Madrid - Top EU diplomat Javier Solana on Sunday announced plans to retire this autumn, in an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC. "I think my time has come," said Solana, 66, who has held the position for ten years. He said a decade was "more than enough."
Solana's term in office as the European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy is set to expire in October. Asked if he could be talked into staying, he said "there would be no point in trying."
He said he can look back on his time in office with pride, noting that Europe had "established itself" during this phase.
His most troubling times came when he tried to negotiate in war-torn areas, particularly in the Middle East.
The Spaniard said he would remain engaged in European issues and did not rule out getting back into Spanish politics. Solana has served as both Spain's Culture and Foreign Minister in the past, along with a stint as secretary general of NATO.
