Brussels, 12/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - As announced (EUROPE 9172), the European Commission adopted a communication on 12 April, fixing new targets for 2006 for the recruitment and appointment of women to managerial and administrative posts. The Commission has decided to set the targets for first recruitments and first appointments to senior management posts at 25% and to middle management posts at 30%, and the target for recruitment to non-management A/AD level posts at 50% in so far as the reserve lists allow. Sine the target set for middle management was not reached in 2005, the Commission is examining the possibility of implementing binding measures in 2007 such as: requesting the DGs to give reasons to explain why they were unable to achieve the targets set, laying down a rule that both men and women should be represented on any selection panel, designating a permanent equal opportunities rapporteur, and making the equal opportunities training course compulsory for all Commission managers. In parallel, the Commission plans to continue implementation of its recommendations regarding training and heightened awareness of gender equality issues.