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Hearings of Vice-President Barrot and Commissioner-designate Tajani

Following his appointment as Italian Foreign Minister, Mr Franco Frattini submitted his resignation as Vice-President of the European Commission with responsibility for justice, freedom and security. The President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, decided to assign his portfolio to Vice-President Barrot, previously in charge of transport.

The Italian Government notified its intention to designate Mr Antonio Tajani as the new Commissioner and the President of the European Commission expressed his wish to assign the "transport" portfolio to him. The Council of the European Union decided by written procedure to appoint Mr Tajani as a Member of the European Commission from 9 May 2008 to the end of the current Commission's term of office on 31 October 2009.

In accordance with the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission, it was agreed, at Parliament's request, that Vice-President Barrot would appear before the committees responsible for his portfolio, whilst Mr Tajani would also appear before Parliament in full compliance with the prerogatives of the Institutions.

In keeping with its determination to enhance the transparency and accountability of the procedures for appointing new Commissioners and allocating portfolios, the European Parliament has decided to conduct hearings of both Vice-President Barrot, in respect of the "justice, freedom and security" portfolio, and Mr Tajani, as Commissionerdesignate for transport. To prepare the hearings, Vice-President Barrot and Mr Tajani have been asked to reply to a written questionnaire. On the basis of the outcome of the hearings, the European Parliament will hold a formal vote in plenary.

For details concerning Vice-President Barrot and Commissioner-designate Tajani, their hearings and the procedure in general, please click on the respective menu items on the left-hand side of this page.


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