Brussels, 04/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, will get his new team of commissioners together for a working session on Tuesday 8 December. "The president plans to hold a series of meetings with the future commissioners", a spokesperson confirmed on Friday 4 December, adding that these will be "very short and practical meetings". The first seminar will focus mainly on preparations for the hearings of the European Parliament (from 11 to 19 January with a vote on 26 January) and a whole raft of practical and operational issues to help the commissioners to get to grips with their future duties. "Naturally, the working method of the College will change profoundly", but most likely only "at future meetings".
In letters sent out last week to the commissioners designate to set their new responsibilities, Mr Barroso reiterated the outlines for the requirements of collegial work. "As president, I am determined to ensure that the College of Commissioners is the political heart of the Commission", to which everyone will make a contribution and for which responsibility will be collective (our translation). He added that "an efficient Commission must also form a successful partnership with the member states and with the other institutions, particularly the European Parliament". On this, "I would like us to bring our partnership with the European Parliament to a new level", the president stressed, adding that commissioners would make themselves available to attend plenary sessions and meetings of the parliamentary committees.
It is also worth noting that on Wednesday, before the weekly meeting of the Commission, the current College of Commissioners will be taking stock of its work. The aim is to "see whether we can draw conclusions which the next College can learn from", the spokesperson added. (A.B./transl.fl)