Insights Brussels September 2014

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THE NEW COMMISSION TAKES FORM INSIGHTS BRUSSELS Monthly alert on key EU policy developments Issue 23 | September 2014

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Transcript of Insights Brussels September 2014

  • THE NEW COMMISSION TAKES FORM

    INSIGHTS BRUSSELSMonthly alert on key EU policy developments Issue 23 | September 2014

  • Editorial - Leonardo Sforza 3

    Whos who of the new Commission 4

    Whos who of the new Commission: In depth 5

    Vytenis Andriukaitis - Health & Food Safety 6

    Elzbieta Bienkowska - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship

    and SMEs 7

    Jonathan Hill - Financial Stability, Financial Services & Capital

    Markets Union 8

    Miguel Arias Caete - Climate Action & Energy 9

    Gnther Oettinger - Digital Economy & Society 10

    Cecilia Malmstrm - Trade 11

    Next Steps 12

    Contents

  • All eyes and ears of the Brussels bubble, including the enlarged EU family of observers and decision makers in the European capitals and beyond, are turned to follow the best show in town. Probably less glamorous than Lady Gaga & Tony Bennetts recent concert on Brussels Grand Place, the hearings of the 27 designated members of the new European Commission taking place at the European Parliament until 7 October promise to be more insightful and inspirational.

    In a unique practice of real democratic scrutiny that has no equal in national parliaments and executive bodies, Commission nominees will be on the grill of the relevant committees of the Parliament, for at least three hours each, sharing their views, priorities and perspectives on the assigned portfolio. For five of the most controversial nominees the scrutiny risks to be tougher and the exercise may, even for experienced high profile national policy makers, reserve reputational traps that can last for a whole political carrier.

    For public affairs analysts and stake-holders at large, but also for the EU administration as such, the parliamentary hearings are the first opportunity to anticipate and understand future policy directions, goals and operational plans in the wide range of policy areas under the Commissions responsibility. Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker undertook a complete reshuffle of focus and organization, making the hearings this time even more important than in the past. In this new edition of Insights Brussels we feature six of the 27 designated Commissioners with industry specific or cross-sector competences which are most likely to affect the business of our clients.

    All eyes and ears on BrusselsThe hearings of the 27 designated members of the new European Commission taking place at the European Parliament until 7 October promise to be insightful and inspirational.

    A week of truth and understanding

    Leonardo Sforza Managing Director MSLGROUP Brussels

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    Whos who of the new Commission

    President

    First VP

    Vice-Presidents

    Frans Timmermans

    Jean-Claude Juncker

    Th

    e Neth

    erlan

    ds

    Federica Mogherini

    Italy

    alenka Bratuek

    Slo

    ven

    ia

    Jyrki katainen

    Fin

    lan

    d

    andrus ansip

    Esto

    nia

    Vladis dombrovskis

    La

    tvia

    krisTalina GeorGieva

    Bu

    lga

    ria

    Belg

    ium

    Lith

    ua

    nia

    Cro

    atia

    Cy

    pru

    s

    Cz

    ech R

    epu

    blic

    Germ

    an

    y

    Fra

    nce

    Ro

    ma

    nia

    Un

    ited K

    ing

    do

    mD

    enm

    ark

    Slo

    va

    kia

    Sw

    eden

    Hu

    ng

    ary

    Po

    rtug

    al

    Vra JouroV

    gnther Oettinger

    Pierre MoscOvici

    Marianne ThysSen

    Corina Creu

    Johannes hahn

    dimiTris avraMopouLos

    Vytenis andriukaiTis

    JonaThan hill

    elbieta Biekowska

    Miguel arias Caete

    neven MimiCa

    Margrethe Vestager

    MarO eFoVi

    CeciLia MalmStrm

    karmenu Vella

    Tibor naVracsics

    CarlOs Moedas

    Phil hogan

    ChriStos Stylianides

    Energy Union

    Euro & Social Dialogue

    High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs

    and Security Policy

    Jobs, Growth, Investment & Competitiveness

    Budget & HR

    Digital Single Market

    Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality

    Digital Economy & Society

    Economic and Financial Affairs,

    Taxation and Customs

    Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and

    Labour Mobility

    Regional Policy

    European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement

    Negotitations

    Migration & Home Affairs

    Health & Food Safety

    Financial Stability, Financial Services & Capital Markets

    Union

    Internal Market, Industry,

    Entrepreneurship and SMEs

    Climate Action & Energy

    International Cooperation & Development

    Competition Transport & Space

    TradeEnvironment,

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    Education, Culture, Youth and

    Citizenship

    Research, Science &

    Innovation

    Agriculture & Rural

    Development

    Humanitarian Aid & Crisis

    Management

    Commissioners

    Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights

    Irelan

    d

    Ma

    lta

    Greece

    Au

    striaP

    ola

    nd

    Sp

    ain

    Lu

    xem

    bo

    urg

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  • !Whos who of the new Commission: In depth ?

    Miguel Arias Caete Climate Action & Energy

    Elbieta Biekowska Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

    Cecilia Malmstrm Trade

    Vytenis Andriukaitis Health & Food Safety

    Jonathan Hill Financial Stability, Financial Services & Capital Markets Union

    Gnther Oettinger Digital Economy & Society

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    Lithuanian Vytenis Andriukaitis will serve as Commissioner

    for Health & Food Safety, succeeding the current Maltese

    Commissioner Tonio Borg. Given his professional and

    political expertise on healthcare issues, Andriukaitis

    nomination received broad public endorsement in particular

    by health advocacy organisations. In the new Juncker

    setup, the Lithuanian will predominantly contribute to

    projects steered and coordinated by the Vice-President for

    Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Finnish

    Commissioner Jyrki Katainen.

    The mission statement for the future Health and Food

    Safety Commissioner indicates that Commission Presi-

    dent-elect Juncker considers the existing EU food safety

    policy framework as

    well-developed, com-

    plete and mature. The

    priority thus lies in ex-

    ercising, modernizing

    and simplifying EU

    legislation to the best

    effect rather than com-

    ing up with new regulation. In this respect, Andriukaitis will

    be asked to cooperate with the Vice-President in charge of

    Better Regulation Dutchman Frans Timmermans. Specif-

    ic tasks include

    Strengthening the EUs capacity to deal with crisis

    situations in food safety or pandemics.

    Within the first six months of the mandate, reviewing the existing decision-making process applied to ge-

    netically modified organisms (GMOs).Human health is by and large a national competence.

    Andriukaitis shall thus concentrate his efforts on helping

    Member States to address the challenge of increased de-

    mands on health services and more complex technological

    choices at a time of intense pressure on public finances.

    On relevant matters, the Directorate-General for Health

    and Consumers (DG SANCO) will report to Andriukaitis. The Lithuanian Commissioner is a senior health expert.

    He worked for many years as surgeon and was member of

    the Lithuanian Heart Association, the Lithuanian Doctors

    Association and the International Doctors Association. As

    of 1990, Andriukaitis was several terms member of the

    Lithuanian Parliament and for four years Vice-Chairman of

    the Health and Social Affairs Committee. Since 2012, and

    up until his nomination as EU Commissioner, he held the

    office of Lithuanian Minister of Health.Vytenis Andriukaitis has even broader political experi-

    ence. To begin with, on top of his medical studies he also

    has a university degree in history and political science. He

    was member of the Council of Europe Parliamentary As-

    sembly, twice candidate for the office of President of the Republic of Lithuania, deputy Chairman of the Lithuanian

    Parliament, and member of the EU Convention on the Fu-

    ture of Europe (the Constitutional Convention).On a more private note, it is of interest that Andriukaitis

    was born in the former Soviet Union, following his parents

    deportation to Siberia in 1941. He was active participant in

    the anti-Soviet underground and eventually arrested and

    questioned by the KGB. In 1990, he was member of the

    Working Group which prepared the Act of Independence,

    concluding Lithuanias secession from the USSR.

    One of the first challenges to be tackled by Andriukaitis regards the transfer of control of important industry fields related to clinical devices and cosmetics from the Health

    Department to the Commissioner and Directorate Gener-

    al responsible for Industry and Single Market. The shift of

    orientation is being already questionned by several patient

    and Health NGOs and is likely to be questioned during the parliamentary hearing.

    Vytenis Andriukaitis Health & Food Safety

    Paola Testori Coggi (IT) Director General DG SANCO

    Commissioners cabinet

    human heaLth is by and Large a na-

    tiOnal CompeTence.

    Arnas Vininas (LT) Head of Cabinet

    Directorate General

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  • Following his appointment as European Council President,

    Polands former Prime Minister Donald Tusk decided to nomi-

    nate his closest aide and Deputy Prime Minister, Elzbieta Bien-

    kowska, as Commissioner. Bienkowska was assigned with the

    Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs port-

    folio, thus succeeding the current Commissioner for Internal

    Market and Services, the French Michel Barnier as well as the

    Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, the Italian

    Ferdinando Nelli Feroci. Commentators in Poland underlined

    the fact that Tusk and Bienkowska had at national level been an

    effective, charismatic, trusted and respected golden political

    couple. Some say the Polish duo would try to replay their na-

    tional success in Brussels.

    According to Commission President-elect Jean-Claude

    Juncker, the EUs single market is Europes best asset in times

    of increasing globalisation. Bienkowskas task will be to com-

    plete the internal market and make it the launch pad for Eu-

    ropean companies and industries to thrive in the global econ-

    omy. Juncker stresses the need to build synergies between a

    high-performing industrial base and a strong services sector.

    This should ensure that Europe maintains its global leadership

    in strategic sectors with high-value jobs such as the automotive,

    aeronautics, engineering, chemicals and pharmaceutical indus-

    tries. In more detail, this includes the following objectives:

    Shaping a renewed strategy for completing the internal

    market for goods and services. This includes review-

    ing the application and scope for further extending the

    principle of mutual recognition in the single market and

    designing new policy measures to address remaining ob-

    stacles.

    Raising the profile of industry in the economy, from less

    than 16% of EU GDP today towards an aspirational 20%

    by 2020. This implies stimulating investment in new

    technologies, improving the business environment, and

    easing access to markets and finance, particularly for

    SMEs.

    Contributing to the success and effectiveness of the Eu-

    ropean Semester of economic policy coordination, by

    identifying new sources of jobs and growth, looking at

    remaining bottlenecks and necessary action at national

    and European level.

    Playing a particular role in supporting the better regu-

    lation agenda.

    Encouraging Member States to create more synergies

    and stronger cooperation in defence procurement in

    order to avoid duplication of national programmes and

    match resources to our foreign policy ambitions.

    Bienkowskas mission letter stipulates that she would

    contribute, in particular, to projects steered and coordinated

    by not less than four Vice-

    Presidents: the Finn Jyrki

    Katainen, Vice-President for

    Jobs, Growth, Investment and

    Competitiveness, the Latvian

    Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-

    President for the Euro and

    Social Dialogue, the Estonian Andrus Ansip, Vice-President for

    the Digital Single Market, and the Slovene Alenka Bratuek,

    Vice-President for Energy Union. Elzbieta Bienkowska will be

    assisted in her mission by a yet to be established Directorate-

    General, result of a merger between the current DGs for

    Internal Market and Services (DG MARKT) and for Enterprise

    and Industry (DG ENTR).

    The so-called Polish iron lady is recognized for her com-

    petences, energy and pragmatism. She describes herself as a

    technocrat with a strong experience in managing EU regional

    funds. Prior to her appointment as commissioner, Bienkowska

    was Minister of Regional Development in 2007 before being

    promoted Deputy Prime Minister in 2013 with a double portfo-

    lio of infrastructure and development. She is said to have good

    communication skills and to be fluent in English.

    Elbieta Biekowska Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

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    Jonthan Faull (UK) Director General DG MARKT

    Daniel Calleja Crespo (ES)Director General DG ENTR

    eus Single market is europes

    beSt asSet

    Tomasz Husak (UK) Head of Cabinet

    Directorates General

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  • In the Juncker Commission, British Conservative Jonathan

    Hill shall become Commissioner for Financial Stability, Fi-

    nancial Services and Capital Markets Union, thus succeeding

    caretaker-Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs

    and the Euro, Jyrki Katainen. Up until 30 June 2014, this post

    was held by the latters compatriot Olli Rehn. Jonathan Hill

    even takes elements of the competences from current Com-

    missioner for Internal Market and Service Michel Barnier.

    Hills nomination was perceived by many as appeasement

    to the UK government, who had criticised in the past EU ef-

    forts to increasingly harmonise financial markets regulation

    the financial services sector being of particular importance

    to the UK economy. His selection even raised some aston-

    ishment in his home country, given Hills reputation as being

    pro-European on the one hand, yet rather low-profile on the

    other.

    Jonathan Hill shall, in

    particular, contribute to

    projects steered and co-

    ordinated by the Commis-

    sion Vice-President for

    Jobs, Growth, Investment

    and Competitiveness,

    Finnish Jyrki Katainen,

    and the Vice-President

    for the Euro and Social

    Dialogue, Latvian Valdis

    Dombrovskis.

    In Hills mission statement, Jean-Claude Juncker assigns

    the Brit with the task to ensure in particular that the Commis-

    sion remains active and vigilant in implementing the existing

    supervisory and resolution rules fully in order to make Eu-

    ropean banks more robust. He shall also look at corporate

    governance in these industries and strengthen the rights of

    consumers. Additional focus shall be given to develop and

    integrate capital markets as a source of financing for innova-

    tive projects and long-term investment.

    In more detail, this includes amongst others:

    Measures to improve the investment environment and

    initiatives on the long-term financing of the economy

    (revive sustainable and high quality securitisation mar-

    kets, reduce the cost of raising capital limit companies

    dependence on bank funding).

    Ensuring timely and effective implementation of the fi-

    nancial services regulatory reform agenda (esp. on time

    set up of the Single Resolution Board).

    Reviewing the functioning and the operation of the Eu-

    ropean Systemic Risk Board and the (governance and

    financing of the) three Supervisory Agencies (ESAs),

    including identification of financing models for ESAs

    that exclude national budget contributions.

    Bringing about an integrated Capital Markets Union by

    2019.

    Ensuring the safety and modernisation of the Unions

    regulatory framework on digital/electronic payments in

    order to facilitate online purchases.

    A new Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial

    Services and Capital Markets Union will report to Commission-

    er Hill.

    Jonathan Hill (or Jonathan Hopkin Hill, Baron Hill of Oar-

    eford) is lifelong member of the House of Lords. A former

    political lobbyist and PR consultant, Hill was special adviser

    to Cabinet Minister Kenneth Clarke and adviser to Conserva-

    tive PM John Major. From 2010-2013 he served Prime Minister

    David Cameron as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for

    Schools in the Department for Education. In January 2013, Hill

    became leader of the House of Lords. Jonathan Hill has a de-

    gree in history.

    Beyond the organisation of a newly created department,

    Hills operations will be under close scrutiny by the financial

    services industry and by the European Parliament when tack-

    ling the implementation of the financial regulation package al-

    ready adopted and when addressing new regulatory tools that

    may be required to improve the EU investment environment.

    Jonathan Hill Financial Stability, Financial Services & Capital Markets Union

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    Matthew Baldwin (UK) Head of Cabinet

    deVeLop and inTe-grate capitaL mar-

    keTs as a source Of financing for inno-

    VaTive ProjeCts.

    A new Directorate General for Financial Stability, Financialy Services and Capital Markets Union will be set up.

    Directorate General

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  • As an early supporter of Commission President-elect

    Jean-Claude Juncker, Spain had a good opportunity to get

    an important portfolio. It therefore came as no surprise that

    Miguel Arias Caete was appointed Commissioner for Cli-

    mate Action and Energy, succeeding the current Commis-

    sioner for Energy, German Gnther Oettinger, and Com-

    missioner for Climate Action, Danish Connie Hedegaard.

    The Spanish government expressed satisfaction after this

    appointment, especially because energy interconnections

    have been a top priority for Spain over the last years. How-

    ever, Caete is likely to face a tough hearing in the Euro-

    pean Parliament because of his supposed lack of climate

    knowledge, his personal interests and investments in the

    energy sector and after having made comments during

    the May electoral campaign

    which were interpreted by

    some as being sexist. So-

    cialist and Green MEPs al-

    ready confirmed that they will scrutinize the Commission-

    er-designate very closely.

    In Caetes mission statement, the Commission Pres-

    ident-elect Juncker indicated that the new Commissioner

    for Climate Action and Energy would, as a rule, liaise close-

    ly with the Vice-President for Energy Union, the Slovene

    Alenka Bratuek and would contribute to projects coordi-

    nated by Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and

    Competitiveness, the Finn Jyrki Katainen.

    Juncker also underlined the prominent role Caete will

    have to play in establishing a European Energy Union, unit-

    ing Europes negotiating power vis--vis third countries,

    diversifying supply sources, enhancing the share of renew-

    able energies in Europe and increasing energy efficiency. This includes in particular the following objectives:

    Contributing to the completion of the internal market

    for energy, based on the identification and selection

    of infrastructure projects on which to focus, on the

    assessment of the need to add to the current legal

    framework and on the concrete follow-up of the im-

    plementation of existing legislation.

    Contributing to the jobs, growth and investment pack-

    age to be presented within the first three months of the new Commissions mandate. A particular focus

    of this package will be on infrastructure such as en-

    ergy networks, as well as on renewable energy and

    energy efficiency. Increasing Europes energy security by diversifying

    sources and routes of energy imports and combining

    Europes negotiating power.

    Steering the preparation and negotiations of the leg-

    islative instruments that will follow political agree-

    ment on the 2030 energy and climate framework.

    These proposals should be made early on in the

    mandate.

    Continuing to develop EU policy for renewables as

    well as energy efficiency. Strengthening and promoting the Emissions Trading

    System.

    Ensuring that the EU plays a leading role in interna-

    tional climate policy, starting with the 2015 interna-

    tional climate conference in Paris.

    The Commissions Directorates-General for Climate Ac-

    tion (DG CLIMA) and for Energy (DG ENER) will report to Caete.

    A lawyer by background, Caete has been agriculture

    minister in the governments of both Mariano Rajoy (2012-now) and Jos Mara Aznar (2000-2004). Besides his ca-reer at national level, the Spanish Commissioner has a

    strong EU experience with more than twelve years as an

    MEP and member of the Committees on Agriculture (AGRI) and Fisheries (PECH).

    Miguel Arias Caete Climate Action & Energy

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    Dominique Ristori (FR) Director General DG ENER

    Jos Delbeke (BE) Director General DG CLIMA

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    Cristina Lobillo Borrero (ES) Head of Cabinet

    Directorates General

    estaBlishing a euroPean enerGy

    union.

  • German Gnther Oettinger was named Commissioner

    for Digital Economy and Society, thus succeeding the cur-

    rent Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Dutch Neelie Kroes. Both the portfolio assigned to him and the fact that

    despite coming from a heavy-weight member state he

    wasnt named a Commission Vice-President came as a sur-

    prise to some commentators not at last in his home coun-

    try Germany. Oettinger has no previous expertise on digital

    issues, but he proved already in his current assignment as

    Energy Commissioner that he is well capable of swiftly fa-

    miliarising himself with a new subject matter.

    In Oettingers mission

    statement, Commission

    President-elect Juncker made

    clear that the former would

    contribute, in particular, to

    projects steered and coordinated by the Vice-President

    for the Digital Single Market, the Estonian Andrus Ansip,

    and the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and

    Competitiveness, Finlands Jyrki Katainen.

    As an important contribution to strengthen Europes dig-

    ital economy and to create jobs, Oettingers task is to break

    down national silos in telecoms regulation, in copyright and

    data protection legislation, in radio waves management and

    in the application of competition law. In more detail, this in-

    cludes amongst others:

    Within the first six months and following an assess-ment of remaining obstacles, a legislative package

    towards a connected Digital Single Market, based

    either on existing policies or new measures (reform of telecoms rules; harmonised radio spectrum policy

    approach; modernised Copyright rules). Contributing to the jobs, growth and investment pack-

    age, to be presented within the first three months of

    the mandate (focus on deployment of a high-quality, digital network infrastructure). Support for the devel-opment of creative industries as well as the European

    media and content industry.

    Help building a global Internet governance architec-

    ture and support freedom of expression, freedom of

    information, freedom and pluralism of the media, the

    openness of the internet and cultural and linguistic di-

    versity.

    Contributing to knowledge- and technology transfer

    from R&D to innovation and entrepreneurship.

    Promoting the use of eGovernment solutions and em-

    powering Europes workforce and consumers with im-

    proved digital skills.

    Contributing to cyber security preparedness and trust-

    worthy ICT, as well as supporting the negotiations on

    the Data Protection Regulation, followed by a reform

    of the e-Privacy Directive.

    The Commission Directorates-General for Communica-

    tions Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT), and for Informatics (DG DIGIT) will report to Oettinger.

    Before joining the Barroso II Commission in charge of the

    Energy portfolio, Oettinger was from 2005 - 2010 Minis-

    ter-President of the German land (province) Baden-Wrt-temberg and as of 2005 member of the Governing Board and

    the Federal Executive Committee of Angela Merkels CDU.

    Relevant for his future assignment, he was for several years

    chairman of the CDU Federal Committee on Media Policy and

    of the partys Media Policy Experts Group. Oettinger studied

    law and speaks, in addition to his native German, English and

    some basic French.

    Gnther Oettinger Digital Economy & Society

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    Michael Hager (DE) Head of Cabinet

    Robert Madelin (UK)Director General DG CONNECT

    Stephen Quest (UK) Director General DG DIGIT

    Directorates General

    break dOwn naTionaL siloS.

    10

  • Commission President-elect Juncker rewarded Sweden

    - which initially was interested in a potential Human rights

    portfolio - for having nominated a female candidate with

    strong EU experience and assigned Cecilia Malmstrm with

    the influential trade portfolio. From 1 November, Malm-strm will replace the Belgian Karel De Gucht. In particular,

    she will be in the front line for negotiating the Transatlantic

    Trade and Investment Partnership with the United States,

    and for leading talks with Japan, Vietnam and India on other

    free trade agreements as well as a difficult investment part-nership with China.

    In Malmstrms mission

    statement, Jean-Claude

    Juncker pointed out that

    the new Commissioner

    for Trade would have to contribute to projects steered and

    coordinated by the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Invest-

    ment and Competitiveness, the Finn Jyrki Katainen, as well

    as to the work of the High Representative of the Union for

    Foreign Affairs and Security Affairs, the Italian Commission

    Vice-President Federica Mogherini.

    Given that trade policy is one of the areas where the EU

    has exclusive competence, Jean-Claude Juncker is aware

    that expectations are high for how the Commission per-

    forms in this task area. In particular, the new Commission

    wants trade policy to contribute substantially to growth and

    job creation, focusing on the following objectives:

    Continuing to engage fully in the World Trade Organ-

    isation and multilateral trade processes, with a view

    to champion global and multilateral action in this

    field and push the post-Bali work programme and multilateral negotiations forward.

    Working towards a reasonable and balanced Transat-

    lantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the Unit-

    ed States of America, which neither threatens Europes

    safety, health, social and data protection standards,

    nor jeopardises cultural diversity. Particular attention

    will be paid to enhance transparency towards citizens

    and the European Parliament during all steps of the

    negotiations.

    Taking forward the various bilateral and regional ne-

    gotiations which have been launched and considering

    whether new negotiations should be started.

    Developing a strong foreign direct investment policy.

    Taking stock of the use of Europes trade defence in-

    struments with a view to decide on the best way for-

    ward.

    Strengthening the EUs strategic partnership with Af-

    rica.

    The Commission Directorate General for Trade (DG TRADE) will report to Malmstrm.

    In the previous Commission, Cecilia Malmstrm was in

    charge of home affairs, a portfolio which was created in 2009

    following separation from the area of human rights. Observ-

    ers in Brussels particularly appreciate her pro-European

    stance and describe her as hard-working, modern and con-

    nected to social networks. Prior to her appointment as com-

    missioner, Malmstrm was a member of the European Parlia-

    ment from 19992006 and served as Swedens Minister for

    European Union Affairs from 20062010. Malmstrm holds

    a Doctorate in political sciences from the Gothenburg Univer-

    sity and speaks fluently Swedish, English, French, Spanish, German and Italian.

    Cecilia Malmstrm Trade

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    Jean-Luc Demarty (FR)Director General DG TRADE

    Directorate General

    deVeLopinG a strong fdi pOlicy.

    Maria sensius (SE) Head of Cabinet

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  • Next steps

    Individual hearings of the Commissioners-designate. These last at least three hours and will be broadcast and webstreamed live. Each committee will draw up an evaluation and send it to the President of Parliament.

    Political group leaders the Conference of Presidents meet to evaluate the hearings. If deemed necessary, individual Commissioners-designate may be invited to additional hearings.

    Earliest possible date for a vote in plenary on whether or not to approve the full Commission.

    If approved, the Juncker Commission takes office.

    New President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, takes office.

    For further information

    leonardo sforza [email protected]

    romain seignovert [email protected]

    peter strempel [email protected]

    Web WWW.MSLGROUP.COM

    tWitter @MSL_BRUSSELS

    office SQUARE DE MEES 23, 1000 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

    29 September 7 October

    9 October

    22 October

    1 November

    1 December 2014

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