European Commission 2010-2014 confirmed

European Commission 2010-2014 confirmed

Following approval by the European Parliament, the European Council (EU Heads of State and Government) has formally appointed a new European Commission for the period of 10 February 2010 to 31 October 2014.

The European Parliament confirmed the new Commission by 488 votes to 137, with 72 abstentions, in Strasbourg yesterday. The vote took the form of a single ballot on the whole College of Commissioners, consisting of one Commissioner from each of the 27 EU Member States.

This is the first European Commission under the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force on 1 December 2009.

During the debate held yesterday morning, the Parliament's President, Jerzy Buzek said, "This is the first time in our history that we are appointing the European Commission in our capacity as a real co-legislator. This is the dawn of a new decade, with a new way of working for the European institutions".

Accountability to Parliament is "crucially important for the Commission's democratic legitimacy", stressed Commission President José Manuel Barroso. The present exceptional times, with the economic crisis, climate change and energy security issues, meant that now was "a time for boldness". We need "strong European institutions" to tackle these challenges, he argued, and it was up to the Commission and Parliament acting together "to ensure that the EU is more than the sum of its parts".
Names, countries of origin and responsibilities of the Commissioners are as follows:
Baroness Catherine ASHTON: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security and Vice-President of the Commission.
Mr Joaquín ALMUNIA (Spain): Competition. Vice-President of the Commission.
Mr László ANDOR (Hungary): Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.
Mr Michel BARNIER: (France) Internal Market and Services.
Mr Dacian CIOLOS (Romania) : Agriculture and Rural Development.
Mr John DALLI (Malta) : Health and Consumer Policy.
Ms Maria DAMANAKI (Greece): Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
Mr Karel DE GUCHT (Belgium): Trade.
Mr Štefan FÜLE (Czech Republic): Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Mr Johannes HAHN (Austria) : Regional Policy.
Ms Connie HEDEGAARD (Denmark): Climate Action.
Ms Maire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN (Ireland) : Research and Innovation.
Ms Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria) : International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.
Mr Siim KALLAS (Estonia): Transport. Vice-President of the Commission.
Ms Neelie KROES (the Netherlands) : Digital Agenda. Vice-President of the Commission.
Mr Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (Poland): Budget and Financial Programming.
Ms Cecilia MALMSTRÖM (Sweden) : Home Affairs.
Mr Günter OETTINGER (Germany): Energy.
Mr Andris PIEBALGS (Latvia): Development.
Mr Janez POTOČNIK (Slovenia): Environment.
Ms Viviane REDING (Luxembourg): Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Vice-President of the Commission.
Mr Olli REHN (Finland) : Economic and Monetary Affairs.
Mr Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ (Slovakia) : Vice-President of the Commission for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration.
Mr Algirdas ŠEMETA (Lithuania): Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud.
Mr Antonio TAJANI (Italy): Industry and Entrepreneurship. Vice-President of the Commission.
Ms Androulla VASSILIOU (Cyprus): Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
The CVs with photos of the 27 members of the Barroso Commission 2010-2014 are available at :
http://www.ec.europa.eu/commission_designate_2009-2014/index_en.htm

ENDS

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