Commissioner-designate for the Security Union, Julian King, waits for his hearing in Strasbourg | Patrick Seeger/EPA Julian King vows to serve ‘European interest’ Britain’s commissioner-designate faces a grilling from MEPs.

STRASBOURG — Julian King told MEPs Monday that he saw "no contradiction” between being British and European, and that if approved as the U.K.'s commissioner he would serve the "European general interest and only the European general interest."

Starting off the opening statement of his confirmation hearing with MEPs in French, King sought to reassure them that despite the British vote to leave the EU, he would be able to serve a useful role in the European Commission.

"Some might question how someone nominated by a member state that has voted to leave the Union could be considered for such a vital role,” King said, “But I believe I can make a real contribution in an area which is at the top of citizens' concerns."

Before facing questioning from MEPs on the Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee, King said he had “strongly” advocated the position of the British government during the U.K. referendum.

King, currently the U.K.'s ambassador to France, was chosen by Britain to fill a vacancy on the European Commission left by Jonathan Hill, who resigned his post as financial services chief immediately after the referendum vote.

In August, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker proposed putting King in charge of a security and counter-terrorism portfolio. The choice must be confirmed by the European Parliament, which will vote Thursday on the appointment if King passes the committee audition.

The confirmation hearing takes place a few days before Juncker gives his State of the Union address and all EU leaders — except the U.K. — meet in Bratislava to talk about post-Brexit EU.

The stakes are high for King, who will be in charge of ensuring a swift implementation of the Commission’s security agenda, including after new security measures taken in April to reinforce its fight against terror.

“The only way to defeat the terrorists and criminals is by working together effectively,” he said. “We need the highest possible degree of coordination and joined-up teamwork with member states.”

In the hearing, MEPs questioned King on challenges such as improving intelligence-sharing among EU countries and containing the spread of radicalism, particularly in prisons and among disaffected youth.

King said the EU must "urgently" agree on a proposal for a directive on combating terrorism “by the end of the year,” as well as cut access to financing for terrorists. EU law enforcement agencies such as Europol, he said, should play “a stronger role” in supporting national authorities taking on terrorism and organized crime.

However, there were also questions — including from the United Kingdom Independence Party — about King's legitimacy, independence and interest in the role as he is a citizen of a country that is leaving the EU.

King responded by saying he was “not here” to defend the interests of the U.K government and wouldn't "seek nor take any instructions from any government."

"London will still be by train two hours from Paris and two hours from Brussels," King said. "Terrorists don’t make any distinction between Paris, Brussels and London.”

Nomination of British Commissioner is icing on cake for Eurosceptics, his refusal to talk about Brexit an insult to all Europeans. — Sylvie Goulard (@GoulardSylvie) September 12, 2016