21/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the EPP-ED Group at the European Parliament, has warned the Council and Commission that the European Parliament must be involved in any decision taken on arrangements for the setting in place of the new European Commission after enlargement, now foreseen for 1 May 2004. (See EUROPE of 18/19 November, p.5, on the subject of debates at the General Affairs Council last Monday whereby the mandate of the Prodi Commission will end before time, probably end October 2004 instead of early January 2005). The European Parliament must confirm the new Commission and its rights must be preserved, recalls the CDU member. (See yesterday's EUROPE, p.9, on similar remarks by the leader of the Socialist Group, Enrique Baron).