Brussels, 10/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - Spanish Prime Minister José Maria Aznar has just carried out a ministerial reshuffle. The Chairperson of the EP Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and of the Conference of EP Committee chairpersons, Ana Palacio, who is also a member of the Praesidium of the European Convention, has been appointed Foreign Minister to replace Josep Piqué, who becomes Minister for Science and Technology. He replaces Anna Birules, who is leaving the government. The Interior Affairs portfolio, hitherto held by Mariano Rajoy, who remains secretary general for the government, has been entrusted to Angel Acebes. José Maria Michavila succeeds the latter to the post of Justice Minister. The departure of Anna Palacio will mean the Committee on Citizens' Freedoms will be electing a new chairperson in September. In accordance with the d'Hondt rule and the arbitration carried out between the political groups, this chairmanship could go to one of the two Spanish EPP members of the committee: Gerardo Galeote Quecedo or Jorge Hernandez Mollar.