Riga - European Union Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, who is from Latvia, confirmed Wednesday that he would seek a second term in office in Brussels.

Speaking to the press after a meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, who is responsible for naming the Baltic state's candidate for the commission, Piebalgs described himself as a "compromise candidate" acceptable to all the parties in Latvia's fragile five-party ruling coalition.

The fact that he has not been part of Latvia's fractious domestic political infighting for the five years since his first term began was an advantage, he said.

He also expressed confidence that his name would be put forward by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso when his current term expires at the end of
2009.

"Clearly, Barroso will not reject my candidacy," Piebalgs said.

The current EU energy commissioner also entertained the possibility that he might be put in charge of another brief, naming transport and competition as areas of interest to him.

"I will feel no pain if it is another position, but it should be significant, one in which the European Commission plays an important role," he said.

Piebalgs' decision to run for a second term will disappoint a host of potential candidates who had also expressed a desire to go to Brussels, including current Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and New Era party leader Solvita Aboltina.

Once nominated, the 27 EU Commissioners as a single body are subject to a vote of approval by the European Parliament. (dpa)