Brussels, 23/08/2004 (Agence Europe) - The 25 members of the Barroso Commission held their first meeting on 20 August to discuss internal organisation and adopt a Code of Conduct broadly based on the Prodi Commission's Code of Conduct (see below). They will meet again on 17 September, ahead of their hearings at the European Parliament committees (starting 27 September). By 1 November, the new Commissioners will also be working together at the Berlaymont building in Brussels (the Prodi Commission did not move in until after the Directorate Generals).
Speaking to reporters n Friday, José Manuel Durao Barroso hailed the spirit of realism and enthusiasm of the meeting, describing it as useful for unity ahead of the Commissioners' presenting themselves to the European Parliament. According to reports in Agence France Presse, future Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said the President had expressed desire to raise the Commission up to a significant level, while Louis Michel (Development) commented that Barroso was an extremely intelligent man, who certainly has natural authority and gets where he wants through suggestion. Gunter Verheugen (Industry) is reported by Reuters as saying that Barroso had given an excellent impulse to the new Commission. Speaking to reporters, Joaquin Almunia (Economic and Monetary Affairs) said he was concerned at the hike in oil prices and hoped this would not lead to a slow down in economic recovery. Reuters reports Neeli Kroes (Competition) as saying she would try to follow Mario Monti's example, adding that she really admired what he had achieved. AFP reports Peter Mandelson (Trade) expressing admiration of Pascal Lamy concerning the Doha Agenda. Mandelson said he was taking French lessons, and adored the French language and culture. Mandelson also said that at the WTO negotiations he would ensure everyone came out a winner, including the poorest countries.
The Code of Conduct adopted by the future Commission aims to establish a strong ethical base for its work, Joao Vale de Almeida (former member of the Commission's spokespersons' group, who is heading the transition team) told reporters. The Code foresees that the Commissioners must report to the Commission's Protocol Service any gifts of 150 euros or more and may not receive payment for participating in conferences. They must declare any financial interests or assets which could lead to a conflict of interests (Le Monde notes that the issue had arisen for Danish Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, a landowner, but the Commission's Legal Service had not detected any conflict of interests since Fischer Boel has clearly separated off the ownership of her land and how they are run).