Strasbourg, 19/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian socialist Philippe Busquin was elected on Thursday in the margins of the European Parliament session in Strasbourg to lead STOA, the Parliament body charged with soliciting scientific opinion on a wide variety of issues. The body decides on the studies which are to be carried out and selects the experts who will give opinions to the Parliament. Fifteen MEPs, members of committees which are likely to need scientific opinions and representing the different political groups make up the panel which organises the studies and checks the findings. It was this panel that formally approved the nomination of Philippe Busquin at its inaugural meeting. The former Commissioner for research will succeed the Greek Christian democrat Antonios Trakatellis. The panel also appointed two vice-presidents: Forza Italia MEP Mauro Mauro and the British conservative Malcolm Harbour.