Joint answer given by Mr Barroso on behalf of the Commission
Written questions : E-0345/05 , E-0587/05

The staff of the institution provides the principal source of expertise for the President of the Commission and other Commissioners. The Group of Policy Advisers (GOPA) is a service of the Commission that reports directly to the President. Its task is to provide timely, informed and impartial advice to the President and Commissioners on all aspects of issues relating to the future policy of the European Union. GOPA’s role is to concentrate on multi-disciplinary issues that tend to involve longer timescales than those commonly applying in matters dealt with by other Commission departments.

However, it is also true that external experts can bring a useful perspective on matters and President Barroso, like his predecessors, does indeed intend to use groups of external experts. The identities of members of expert groups convened by GOPA will be made available on the Europa website, as well as the main documents on which they work. Transparency and compliance with current rules will be ensured with regard to these experts.

Regarding the dialogue between the Commission and the representatives of communities of faith and of conviction, foreseen in Article 52 of the Constitutional Treaty, and the participation of non-religious organisations under this heading, the Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the positive answers already given to Questions E‑2306/04 by Mr Garriga Polledo, E‑2814/04 by Mrs Reynaud, and P‑3318/04 by Mrs De Keyser.

OJ C 299, 08/12/2006