The Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner thus justified the position of its country (and other "small" countries) over the formation of the European Commission:
"Austria is convinced of the necessary role of the European Commission, guardian of the Treaties. They must not loose this role in favour of a increasing intergovernmental cooperation. Also since we are thus in favour of a strong Commission, we grant a great deal of importance in its make-up. What counts...