MaltaMedia.com

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, has announced the portfolios responsibilities for the next Commission. John Dalli was given the Health and Consumer Policy portfolio.

As part of his portfolio, John Dalli will be responsible for DG Health and Consumers, the Community Plant Variety office, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Food Safety Authority, the European Medicines Agency and the Executive Agency for health and consumers.

President Barroso said: “We have a European programme, and now we have a European team. On the basis of the nominations by the Member States, I have sought to design a College which can generate fresh ideas and new momentum on the biggest challenges we face in Europe today. This College will implement the political guidelines that I presented to the European Parliament. I am confident that this College will be decisive in steering Europe towards recovery and a sustainable social market economy that works for the people. I have put together a strong Commission to fill the enhanced role of Europe, including on the world stage, provided by the Lisbon Treaty. One of the key tasks of this College will be to give life to the new opportunities provided by the Lisbon Treaty. The Commissioners-designate will present themselves in the hearings before the European Parliament in January. After the vote of consent of the Parliament, it will be time to start to work and to produce results for our citizens.”

The new College will have 7 Vice-Presidents, including Vice-President Baroness Catherine Ashton who will, at the same time, be the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1st December. Three of the Vice-Presidents will be women.

The new College will have 27 members, including President Barroso, one from each Member State. It includes 9 women. The members of the College come from different political families, notably the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S & D), and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). 14 members, including the President, were already members of the outgoing College.

President Barroso has given a new look to the College of his second mandate. He has announced a number of new portfolios: Climate Action; Home Affairs; Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. He has reconfigured a number of other portfolios: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth; Health and Consumer Policy; Industry and Entrepreneurship; Research and Innovation; International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. There will be a new emphasis on inclusion in the Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion portfolio, and a renewed focus with the Digital Agenda portfolio.

Responsibilities of the Commissioners-designate

- Joaqu ín ALMUNIA: Competition. Vice-President of the Commission.

- László ANDOR: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

- Baroness Catherine ASHTON: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security and Vice-President of the Commission.

- Michel BARNIER: Internal Market and Services. - Dacian CIOLOS: Agriculture and Rural Development.

- John DALLI: Health and Consumer Policy.

- Maria DAMANAKI: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

- Karel DE GUCHT: Trade. - Štefan FÜLE: Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.

- Johannes HAHN: Regional Policy.

- Connie HEDEGAARD: Climate Action.

- Maire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN: Research and Innovation.

- Rumiana JELEVA: International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.