Brussels, 23/08/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission which will take up office on 1 November 2004 will include three former prime ministers, several former ministers (European or finance ministers) and the former President of a parliament. Based on the brief biographies published by the European Commission's spokespersons, we provide details below of the careers of José Manuel Durao Barroso (whom we will refer to simply as 'Barroso' as he himself suggested at the first press conference after his nomination, see Europe of 1 July, p.4) and the rest of his team of Commissioners. Some Commissioners have already been interviewed by European Parliament committees (particularly the Commissioners from new Member States, see Europe o 16 April, p.6, on President Cox's views), but new hearings at the relevant EP committees are scheduled for all Commissioners from 27 September to 1 October. This does not apply to President Barroso, of course, he was endorsed by the European Parliament plenary in July after answering questions (there was no obligation on him to do so) from the political groups (see Europe of 23 July, p.3).
José Manuel Durao Barroso. The President of the European Commission is responsible for the General Secretariat, the Legal Service, the spokespersons' group and the Political Advisors' Group. He will chair the Groups of Commissioners for the Lisbon Strategy and for External Relations.
Prime Minister of Portugal since April 2002. Born in Lisbon in 1956, graduating in law at Lisbon University and in European Studies at the Institut universitaire d'Etudes europeennes of Geneva. In 1981, for the Social and Business Science faculty of Geneva University, Barroso wrote a dissertation on "Le systeme politique portugais face a l'integration europeenne", following which he was an assistant to Professor Dusan Sidjanski for five years (see 'A Look Behind the News' of 9 July). The biographical details provided by the Commission do not mention Barroso's time as a Maoist during his student days in Lisbon during the Portuguese Revolution in 1974, but the future President remembers those days without regret… Barroso has been a member of the European Movement since 1991 (the year it was relaunched in Portugal). He entered politics in 1980 by joining the Social Democratic Party. An MP in the Portuguese parliament since 1985m he was secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation before becoming foreign minister. As foreign minister, he chaired the Council of the EU during the first Portuguese Presidency (under the Cavaco Silva government) in the first half of 1992. Barroso has participated in a series of international missions, particularly during the Angola peace process and the self-determination of East Timor.
Joaquin Almunia. Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, responsible for the Statistical Office.
Spanish European Commissioner with responsibility for Economic and Social Affairs since April 2004 (replacing Pedro Solbes, who was appointed Spanish finance minister). See Europe of 28 April, p.13, on first hearing at the EP. Born in Bilbao in 1948, graduate in law and economics at the University of Deuste (Bilbao). Almunia was chief economist at the Spanish trade union UGT and from 1972 to 1975, economics at the Council Bureau of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce in Brussels. Almunia was employment and social security minister and then minister of public administration. Elected to the Spanish parliament in 1979, he was leader of PSOE from 1997 to 2000.
Jacques Barrot. Vice-President, Commissioner for Transport, responsible for agencies covering maritime and aviation security and European railways.
French European Commissioner for regional policy since April 2004 (replacing Michel Barnier, who was appointed French foreign minister). See Europe of 27 July, p.11, on his hearing at the EP. Born in Yssigneau in 1937, graduate in law and postgraduate in sociology and social science. Elected MP for the first time in 1967, and another eight times after that. Secretary General of the Centre des Democrates Sociaux from 1983 to 1991, then (at the Assemblee Nationale) President of the Union du Centre group, Vice-President of the UDF and President of UMP since June 2002. Barrot has been secretary of state for housing, and minister for trade, crafts, health and social security, work and social affairs.
Else Mariann Fischer Boel. Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Danish agriculture, food and fisheries minister since 2001. Owner of a farm. Born in Aasum in 1943, Fischer studied modern languages in Denmark and economy and language studies in Belgium in 1963-4. After working in export, she became a member of the Mukebo Municipal Council in 1982, being second deputy mayor from 1986 to 1990, when she also became the President of the Liberal Party's Kerteminde constituency. Member of the Boel Fund's board of governors from 1992 onwards. Since 1994, President of the Folketing's agriculture committee and then the trade and industry and fiscal affairs committees.
Joe Borg. Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, President of the Green Paper on Maritime Policy Taskforce, responsible for the fisheries control agency.
Maltese European Commissioner since 1 May 2004, working with the Development Commissioner (see Europe of 15 April, p.9, on his EP hearing). Born in Malta in 1952, Borg is Doctor in Law of Malta University. He also studied at Manchester Business School and University College Wales. In 1995, he was the main author and drafter of the Companies Act. As parliamentary secretary at the Maltese foreign ministry, he drew up the 'Report regarding Malta's Membership of the European Community' in 1990. Director of the Maltese Central Bank from 1992 to 1995, he was a Nationalist Party member of the Chamber of Representatives from 1995 to 2004. Dr Borg became International Secretary of the Nationalist Party in 1997. He has been Malta's foreign minister since 1999.
Rocco Buttiglione. Vice-President, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, responsible for the Drug Control Centre, the Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (to be combined with Fundamental Rights) and the External Border Control Agency.
Italian European Affairs Minister since 2001. Born in Gallipoli in 1948, Rocco Buttiglione studied law in Turin and Rome and studied at the Liechtenstein International Academy of Philosophy (proud of his knowledge of German, he is an expert in German philosophers). Elected to the Italian parliament in May 2001, Buttiglione has also been an MEP (member of the EPP-ED group).
Stavros Dimas. Commissioner for the Environment, responsible for the European Environment Agency.
Greek European Commissioner for Social Affairs and Equality since April 2004 (replacing Anna Diamantopouou who was elected to the Greek parliament). See Europe of 1 April, p.9, for his EP hearing. Born in Athens in 1941, Dimas studied law and economics at Athens University and New York. He ahs worked for Sullivan & Cromwell and the World Bank, and as Deputy Governor of the Hellenic Industrial Development Bank. Elected to the Greek parliament (Nea Demokratia) in 1977, he was a member of the negotiating committee for the accession of Greece to the EU and Deputy Minister of Economic Co-ordination, minister of trade, agriculture, and industry, energy and technology. From 1995 to 2000 he was Secretary General of Nea Demokratia.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner. Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Vice-President of the Group of Commissioners for External Relations.
Austrian foreign minister since 2000. Born in Oberndorf in 1948, Ferrero-Waldner studied law in Salzburg and then worked in the private sector in Germany. She joined the foreign ministry in 1984, posted to Madrid, Dakar, Paris and after being Deputy Chief of Protocol in the Austrian foreign ministry, she became Chief of Protocol in the Executive Office of the UN under Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali. In 1995, became the first woman secretary of state in the Austrian foreign ministry.
Jan Figel. Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilinguism, responsible for translating and interpreting, the Centre for Professional Training and the European Training Foundation.
Slovakian European Commissioner since 1 May 2004, working with the Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner (see Europe of 16 April, p.11, on his EP hearing). Born in Vranov in 1960, Figel has a MSc in Electronic Engineering and a further qualifications in International Affairs from Georgetown University, Washington, US, and European Economic Integration from UFSIA in Antwerp, Belgium. Member of the Slovak parliament from 1992 to 1998, he became a member of the Party Presidium of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) in 1992. From 1992 to 2003, as secretary of state at the foreign ministry, Figel was Chief Negotiator for the accession of Slovakia to the EU. He was re-elected to parliament in 2002 and Chairman of the parliament's foreign affairs committee. In 2002 and 2003, Figel was a Member of the Convention on the European Constitution.
Dalia Grybauskaite. Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget.
Lithuanian European Commissioner since 1 May 2004m working with the Education and Culture Commissioner (see Europe of 15 April, p.11, on her EP hearing). Born in Vilnius in 1956, she graduated in economics at Moscow and Leningrad Universities. From 1991 to 1993 she was Director of the European Department at the ministry of international economic relations, and in 1993 and 1994 she was Director of the Economic Relations Department at the ministry of foreign affairs. Chief Negotiator for the European Agreement with the EU in 1994-5, she was plenipotentiary minister at the Lithuanian Embassy in the US from 1996-99. In 1999-2000, she was deputy finance minister, and in 2000-2001m deputy foreign minister and Deputy Head of the Lithuanian delegation for the EU accession negotiations. From 2001-2004 she was Lithuania's finance minister.
Danuta Huebner. Polish European Commissioner since 1 May 2004, working with the Trade Commissioner (see Europe of 15 April, p.10, on her EP hearing). Born in 1948, Huebner graduated in economics at Warsaw University and before becoming Professor of Economic she studied at Sussex, Madrid and Berkeley Universities. Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Industry and Trade from 1994-1996, and then given responsibility for establishing the Committee for European Integration and being appointed secretary of state. Minister-Heed of the Chancellery of the President of Poland in 1997-1998, Huebner was Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in 2000-2001, after which she re-joined the foreign ministry as Secretary of State. She represented the Polish government at the Convention on the European Constitution, being appointed Minister for European Affairs in June 2003.
Siim Kallas. Vice-President, Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud, responsible for the anti-fraud office OLAF.
Estonian European Commissioner since 1 May 2004, working with the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs (see Europe of 16 April, p.10 on his EP hearing). Born in Tallinn in 1948, Kallas studied economics at Tartu University. As an economist, he was President of the Bank of Estonia from 1991 to 1995, when he was known as 'the father of the Estonian kroon' (currency adopted in 2002). He founded the Reform Party in 1994 (member of the Liberal International) and was elected to the Estonian parliament in 1995, becoming foreign minister later the same year. Elected to parliament for a second time in 1999 and appointed finance minister. As finance minister he was closely involved in Estonia's negotiations to join the EU. From 2002 until the elections in 2003, Kallas was Estonia's prime minister at a key stage in the country's development when it joined NATO. Elected to parliament for the third time in 2003.
Laszlo Kovacs. Commissioner for Energy, responsible for nuclear security.
Hungarian European Commissioner since July 2004 (replacing Peter Balasz, who had been working with the Commissioner for Regional Policy and Cohesion since 1 May). Born in Budapest in 1939, Kovacs studied at he Technical School for Chemical Industry, then the University of Economic Sciences of Budapest and the College of Politics. Appointed deputy foreign minister in 1986, elected to the Hungarian parliament from 1990 to 1994. Appointed foreign minister in 1994. As foreign minister he was Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE and Member of the Council of Wise Men of the Council of Europe. Elected to the Hungarian parliament again in 1998 and 2002. Became Chairman of the Hungarian Socialist Party in 2000. Appointed foreign minister in 2002 and Vice-Chairman of the Socialist International in 2003.
Neelie Kroes. Commissioner for Competition.
Member of the Supervisory Board of a series of Dutch and international companies (including the Dutch railways, Volvo and Thales), and the High Level Group for trans-European Transport Networks. Born in Rotterdam in 1941, Kroes taught transport policy at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Was an MP from 1971 to 1977 before being appointed deputy minister for transport, public works and telecommunications, being appointed minister from 1982 to 1991. From 1991 to 2000, President of Nyenrode University (private university in the Netherlands).
Markos Kyprianou. Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, responsible for the Food Safety Authority and the European Disease Prevention Centre.
Cypriot European Commissioner since 1 May 2004, working with the Budget Commissioner (see Europe of 16 April, p.9, on his hearing at the EP). Born in Limassol in 1960, Kyprianou studied law at Athens University, Trinity College Cambridge (specialising in tax law) and Harvard Law School. Worked as a lawyer from 1985 to the beginning of 2003. Entered politics in 1986 as a Municipal Councillor for Nicosia, member of the Political Committee of the Democratic Party (DIKO) since 1986. Elected to parliament in 1991, being appointed finance minister until his appointment as European Commissioner. As an MP, he chaired the House Standing Committee for the "Areas Close to the Demarcation Line" in Cyprus.
Peter Mandelson. Commissioner for Trade, responsible for the international dimension of competitiveness.
Member of the Chamber of Commons, President of the Policy Network. Mandelson does not give his date of birth on his CV. He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St Catherine's College Oxford. He became Labour Party Director of Campaigns and Communications in 1985, In 1996, he published "The Blair Revolution" with Roger Liddle. Director of the electoral campaign that swept Tony Blair to power in 1997, he was appointed minister without portfolio and then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1998, and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 1999 to 2001 (overseeing creation of Northern Ireland's devolved power sharing government).
Charlie McCreevy. Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, responsible for the Office for the Harmonisation of the Internal Market and Trademarks.
Irish finance minister since 1997. Born in 1949, McCreevy studied at Dublin University and then become a Chartered Accountant. Elected to the Dail in 1977 and member of Kildare County Council from 1979 to 1985. From 1992 to 1995, appointed Minister for social welfare, then for tourism and trade.
Louis Michel. Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, responsible for Humanitarian Aid Office ECHO.
Belgian foreign minister since 1999. Born in Tirlemont in 1947, Michel has taught Dutch, English and German literature. Member of the Chambre des Representatifs from 1978 to 1999, elected President of the PRL (Parti Liberal Reformateur) from 1982 to 1990 and again from 1995 onwards, later becoming President of the PRL/FDF/MCC Federation. Michel is Vice-President of the Liberal International and member of the Executive Committee of the ELDR (European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party).
Janez Potocnik. Commissioner for Science and Research, responsible for Joint Research Centre.
Slovenian European Commissioner since 1 May 2004, working with the Enlargement Commissioner (see Europe of 15 April, p.8, for his EP hearing). Born in 1958, Potocnik studied economics at Ljubljana University and worked at the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development and the Institute for Economic Research in Ljubljana from 1984 to 2001. In 1998, Chief negotiator for Slovenia's accession to the EU. From 2000 on, acting director of the Government Office for European Affairs at the foreign office. Appointed Minister Councillor to the prime minister's cabinet, Potocnik was European Affairs Minister from 2002 to 2004.
Viviane Reding. Commissioner for Information Society and Media, responsible for the European Network and Information Security Agency.
Luxembourg European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth, Media and Sport from 1999 onwards. Born in Esch-sur-Alzette in 1951, Reding was journalist and editorialist on the Luxemburger Wort from 1978 to 1999. Member of the Luxembourg parliament from 1979 to 1989, and Member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1999 (during which time she was Chair of the Petitions Committee). From 1988 to 1993, national President of the Christian Social Women, and from 1995 to 1999, Vice-President of the Parti Chretien-Social (PCS), the party of Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker.
Olli Rehn. Commissioner for Enlargement, responsible for the European Agency for Reconstruction.
Finnish European Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society since July 2004 (replacing Erkki Liikanen, who was appointed President of Finland's Central Bank, see Europe of 28 July, p.7, on Rehn's hearing at the EP). Born in Mikkelu in 1962 (making him the youngest Commissioner), Rehn studied philosophy at Oxford, politics in Helsinki and economics in Minnesota. Deputy Chairman of the Centre Party of Finland from 1988-94, member of the Finnish parliament from 1991 to 1995, during which time he was appointed special advisor to the Finnish prime minister. MEP in 1995 and 1996, Rehn was head of Commissioner Liikanen's Cabinet from 1998 to 2002, when he decided to focus on economic research. In 2003 and 2004, economic policy advisor to the prime minister.
Vladimir Spidla. Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, responsible for the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work.
Czech prime minister since 2002, replacing Pavel Telicka (who was Commissioner from 1 May 2004 onwards). Born in Prague in 1951, Spidla studied history at Prague University and then worked in a series of different posts, including as a nature conservationist, preserving historical monuments and factory work (at a saw mill, a dairy and a building materials warehouse). Member of the Presidium of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) since 1992, becoming CSSD Chairman in 2001. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs from 1998 to 2002.
Ingrida Udre. Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union.
President of the Latvian parliament (Saeima), replacing Sandra Kalniete, who was Commissioner from 1 May 2004 on. Born in Riga in 1958, Udre studied economics at Riga University. Auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Udre was a member of the Latvian parliament from 1998 to 2002, and was re-elected in 2002. In 2002, became Chairperson of the Union of Greens and Farmers, and in 2003, Vice-Chairperson of the Centrist Party 'Latvia's Farmers' Union'.
Gunter Verheugen. Vice-President, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, Vice-Chair of Group of Commissioners on Lisbon Strategy, responsible for space, security-related research, the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products and the European Chemicals Agency.
German European Commissioner for enlargement since 1999. Born in 1944. Following studies in history, sociology and politics in Cologne and Bonn, Mr Verheugen was an official at the ministry of the interior (1969-1974) and between 1974-76 he worked at the foreign affairs office. He was Secretary General of the Liberal FDP party from 1978-82 but left the part in 1982 over a disagreement with the party leadership over the latter's refusal to support an alliance with the Social Democrats, which led to the fall of the government led by Helmut Schmidt. Verheugen joined the SDP in 1982 and was a member of the Bundestag between 1983-99. In 1998 and 1999 he was minister for state at the Aauswärtiges foreign office
Margot Wallstrom. Vice-President, Commissioner for Institutional Relations (including contacts with national parliaments) and Communication Strategy. Chair of the Group of Commissioners for Communications and Programming, she replaces President Barroso when he is absent.
Swedish European Commissioner for the Environment since 1999. Born in 1954, Wallstrom was Ombudsman of the Swedish Democratic Youth League form 1974-77. She then worked at the Alfa Savings Bank in Karlsbad and was a Swedish MP from 1979-85. Minister for consumers, women and justice between 1988-91, member of the executive committee of the Swedish Social Democratic Party since 1993 and minister for culture, and then social affairs, between 1994 and 1998. In 1998 and 1999 she was Vice-President of Worldview Media in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Barroso says France is "well-represented" - Jacques Barrot underline scale of challenges facing him
- Wallstrom says there are still not enough women
In an interview to several European newspapers, Mr Barroso responded to comments in the French press according to which, Jacques Barrot had a minor post. Barroso informed the Figaro on 20 August that he believed in the networks just as he did in research and the information society. He pointed out that transport involved a remit that went from Lisbon to the Baltic countries and was the fourth largest budget in the Union. Barroso noted that with Pierre Boissieu at the Council and Jean-Claude Trichet at the ECB, France was well represented in the Union. Barroso said that Mr Barrot was a leader of our epoch and was experienced and that he counted him as one of his closest collaborators. In a meeting to the backdrop of the informal Commissioners' meeting last Friday (see other article), Mr Barrot, according to AFP, said that he would have a co-ordinating role as vice president which would be on a “case by case tailor made system. He also indicated that he may have to deal with public services. In a declaration, Jacques Barrot underlined the growing importance of transport policy over the years, explaining that it was essential for promoting territorial cohesion in the enlarged Union and guaranteeing equal access for all citizens to transport services. He also said that it was a useful tool for increasing the competitiveness of the European economy. Mr Barrot pointed out that the Transport Commissioner was responsible for supervising the three main agencies (maritime, air and railways), as well as state aid and would be managing one of the fourth largest EU budgets. In the context of the challenges that he would have to face, Barrot said that there should be greater maritime, air and road safety and balanced development in modes of transport and inter-modality and the dynamism of European transport industries, with emphasis on the “significant Galileo radio-navigation satellite project”, setting up the single European sky and negotiations with the USA on common air space.