The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Article 214(2), third subparagraph, and Article 215 of the EC Treaty,

–  having regard to Article 4 of the Framework Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission(1),

–  having regard to the resignation of Mr Peter Mandelson as a Member of the Commission, tendered on 3 October 2008,

–  having regard to the nomination by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of Catherine Margaret Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, as a Member of the Commission,

–  having regard to the Council decision of 6 October 2008 appointing a new Member of the Commission of the European Communities(2),

–  having regard to the hearing of the Commissioner designate before its responsible committee held on 20 October 2008,

–  having regard to Rule 99of its Rules of Procedure,

1.  Approves the appointment of Catherine Margaret Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, as a Member of the Commission for the remainder of the Commission’s term of office until 31 October 2009;

2.  Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States.

(1) OJ C 117 E, 18.5.2006, p. 123. (2) 13920/08.