EU gave the green light on Paul Wolfowitz’s nomination to the post of World Bank president after he promised to recruit a ``truly multinational’’ board to run the international development lender.

``I look forward to having a truly multinational senior staff,’’ Wolfowitz said after today’s EU meeting. ``There’s great talent here in Europe, there are impressive people in the developing world.’’

The executive European Commissioner Olli Rehn "was satisfied with everything he heard from Mr Wolfowitz concerning free trade and also on poverty reduction and development policy," a Commission spokeswoman announced.

"I understand that I’m to put it mildly a controversial figure," Wolfowitz told a news conference. "But as people get to know me better, they will understand that I really do believe deeply in the mission of the bank."