The members of Jose Manuel Barroso's second Commission faced a grilling last week by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who scrutinised their policy proposals and suitability for their posts.

Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, who is also Vice President of the Commission, told MEPs that the planned European External Action Service (EEAS) "will be a top priority and not just a bureaucratic exercise", adding that it was a "once in a generation opportunity to build something that brings together all the elements of our engagement - political, economic and military - to implement one coherent [foreign policy] strategy". Ashton promised that the EEAS "would be subject to full scrutiny by Parliament".

Ashton restated that "development is absolutely at the core of the work we need to do in our relationships outside the EU". On the question of the role of the EEAS in development issues, she replied that "development desk officers will sit within the external action services in order to deliver on the ground. The development commissioner remains responsible for EDF money, within the strategic framework that we will work out together [with the EEAS]."

Development

Andris Piebalgs, the Latvian Commissioner-designate for Development, said that he looked forward to working closely with the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and saw the creation of the post as a positive opportunity for EU development policy. However, he stated that development must not "be seen in any way as simply a tool to achieve wider political goals for the EU".

Piebalgs told Parliament's Development Committee that he was in favour of integrating the European Development Fund into the EU budget, as requested by Parliament, and that he was open to the possibility of introducing a "Tobin tax" on international financial transactions.

International Trade

Karel De Gucht, the Belgian Commissioner-designate for Trade, told Parliament that his priorities would be "to deepen trade and investment links, in particular with India, Canada, Ukraine, Latin America and Euromed" and to successfully conclude the Economic Partnership Agreements with the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

De Gucht assured MEPs that while DG Trade would need good co-operation with the new EEAS, it would maintain its independence. He also promised to ensure "a broader and faster flow of information from the Commission to Parliament" concerning the latest trade negotiations.

Enlargement and Neighbourhood

Štefan Füle, the Czech Commissioner-designate for EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, spoke with passion about his portfolio, saying: "Enlargement has transformed my country and my life. It has restored hope and dignity to millions of people". He stated that he would not set timetables for the accession of new countries to the EU, but would make sure this was entirely dependent on when they achieved all the Copenhagen criteria. Regarding the EU's relationship with neighbouring countries he stated that "if we want our partners to engage more deeply, we must offer the right incentive. Democratic and market-oriented reforms in our neighbourhood should be complemented by increased market access and mobility. I will work together with the Trade Commissioner towards deep and comprehensive trade agreements where possible and with the Home Affairs Commissioner on easing visa regime of those partners who address successfully the issues of security and illegal migration."

Asked if he could ever imagine Turkey becoming a full member of the EU, Füle said: "Yes, I can very well imagine that. The EU's credibility is at stake but so is Turkey's: it must meet all the conditions. It will be a modern and reformed Turkey and its accession will be of benefit to both sides."

International Cooperation

Rumiana Jeleva, the Bulgarian Commissioner-designate for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, faced the toughest hearing of all on Tuesday 12 January. MEPs questioned her suitability for the post citing conflict of interest and a lack of disclosure of her continued ownership of Global Consult, a Bulgarian privatization firm, during the initial period of her time as an MEP. Subsequently the Bulgarian Justice Ministry released a statement saying that the Bulgarian nominee had not breached national disclosure laws. A document signed by Bulgarian deputy justice minister, Lyudmila Petrova, and published by the paper on Thursday states that the Prevention and Exposure of Conflict of Interests Act only came into force on 1 January 2009, meaning that Ms Jeleva was under no obligation to disclose the information when she was elected.

MEPs also criticised Jeleva's responses for being disappointing and vague in response to questions about the substance of her portfolio.

"When asked on improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the best she could say was that she plans to go there," said German Green MEP Ska Keller.

Sources:

• European Parliament
• New Europe
• EUobserver