Strasbourg, France, Dhu-AlHijjah 12, 1437, Sep 13, 2016, SPA -- The man nominated to be Britain's next EU commissioner pledged Monday to serve European interests despite his country's vote to leave the bloc, as he worked to win the support of EU parliamentarians for his candidacy, dpa reported. "I have always been proud of being British and equally proud of being European. I see no contradiction between the two," Julian King told lawmakers at a hearing in the French city of Strasbourg, days before the European Parliament is expected to vote on his appointment. "If I am confirmed, I will do everything in my power to do my work in the best way possible and serve the European general interest - and only the European general interest," he added, saying that he would not act as a "representative of the British government." "I will be completely independent in carrying out my responsibilities," he pledged. "When [Britain] leaves, my job here will cease." King would replace his countryman Jonathan Hill, who resigned from the European Commission as a consequence of the Brexit vote on June 23, when Britain voted to leave the EU in a referendum. Britain has not yet invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the formal step required to start the departure process. King last served as Britain's ambassador to France and made a point of starting his opening remarks at Monday's hearing in French. He also has experience working in EU institutions. "I dedicated my life to European affairs," King said. He noted that he had spent some 25 years "swimming in a political sea," but that he would not want "to do politics" in his new position. -- SPA 02:31 LOCAL TIME 23:31 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w