“I am very satisfied and grateful that President Barroso has entrusted me with the Health and Consumer Policy portfolio,” Mr John Dalli told The Malta Independent in reaction to the news announced earlier in the day.
The reaction was given in an interview which will be published on Monday. “This is a very important portfolio with great challenges for the positive development of the European Commission and its people. I am looking forward to work and achieve tangible solutions,” he added.
Asked whether he was expecting that President Barroso would entrust him such a portfolio, Mr Dalli said he was not expecting anything of the sort although it was unlikely for him to accept a ceremonial role.
He explained that the responsibilities of his portfolio – specifically Health and Consumer Policy – had been separate portfolios in the past. The new portfolio includes the pharmaceutical industry, which the European Commission is planning to make a focal point, together with the Policy on Genetically Modified Organisms.
While this was a great challenge for him, he was certain competent people in the European Commission will be backing him.
Mr Dalli believed President Barroso had evaluated the CVs of the people suggested for Commissioners. He in fact quoted President Barroso to have said he distributed the portfolios between people and not countries.
“I have experience and track record in the fields of my portfolio,” he said.
With reference to the confirmation hearings, known as grilling sessions, when each of the suggested Commissioners will be approved or, disapproved, Mr Dalli said he is confident in doing well and nothing in particular was worrying him.
He had no conflicts of interests with the responsibilities entrusted to him. However, he said anything could crop up on philosophical or ethical issues.
“I will prepare myself as if sitting for an exam and must pass the process,” Mr Dalli said. He will then look forward enthusiastically for his new role.
“These sessions are no rubber stamp,” he pointed out, adding that MEPs had a right to ensure the people for Commissioners were competent.
He also would not expect problems from the Maltese Labour Party MEPs, adding his appointment was taken positively in Malta.
President Barroso explained the portfolio details to Mr Dalli in Brussels on Thursday and he met the five Maltese MEPs on the flight back to Malta in the evening. He discussed his appointment with the group, especially with PL MEP Louis Grech, who follows subjects related to health closely.
Mr Dalli noted he always tried reaching consensus on health issues, noting that discussion and resolution of conflict was "our country's salvation" and guaranteed sustainability.
The confirmation sessions will be held in mid-January and will be followed by the plenary approval on 26 January. The Commission is expected to take office on 1 February.
Mr Dalli would resign from Social Policy Minister following his approval and is looking forward to hand over his Ministerial work and assist whoever will be taking his role.
In a statement yesterday evening, the Nationalist Party said the Health and Consumer Policy portfolio is of great honour to our country.
"Health and the consumer," it said, "were two very important areas for all EU citizens.
The PN went over Mr Dalli's career in parliament, mentioning the posts he served in, including as Minister of Finance, as Foreign Affairs Minister, and lately, as Minister for Social Policy, but did not refer to his forced resignation from Foreign Affairs Minister. He was the longest serving minister in Nationalist administrations, it said.
Wishing him well and saying it was proud that Mr Dalli had been involved in all its structures, the PN also thanked outgoing Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg.
President Barroso announces his Commission
Speaking about the announcement yesterday, 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 1 December next. 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.
- Š tefan 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. *
- Siim KALLAS: Transport. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Neelie KROES: Digital Agenda. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Janusz LEWANDOWSKI: Budget and Financial Programming.
- Cecilia MALMSTRÖM: Home Affairs.
- Günter OETTINGER: Energy.
- Andris PIEBALGS: Development.*
- Janez POTO ? NIK: Environment.
- Viviane REDING: Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Olli REHN: Economic and Monetary Affairs.
- Maro š Š EF ? OVI ? : Vice-President of the Commission for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration.
- Algirdas Š EMETA: Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud.
- Antonio TAJANI: Industry and Entrepreneurship. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Androulla VASSILIOU: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
* In close cooperation with the High Representative/Vice-President in accordance with the treaties.
A table with a more detailed description of the portfolio responsibilities is attached.
Baroness Ashton will be the 1 st Vice-President. However, having regard to her specific functions, notably in the Council, the replacement of the President in his absence will be assured by the other Vice-Presidents, in the order of precedence defined by the President. The order of precedence is: Viviane Reding, Joaquín Almunia, Siim Kallas, Neelie Kroes, Antonio Tajani, Maro š Š ef ? ovi ? .
Next steps
The new Commission must gain approval from the European Parliament before it takes office for a term of office running until 31 October 2014. Commissioners-designate will appear in individual hearings before Parliamentary committees from 11-19 January. The vote of consent on the new Commission as a whole is foreseen to take place on 26 January. On the basis of the vote of consent, the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council. Then it can start working.
I t will do so on the basis of the political guidelines for the next Commission set out by President Barroso in September last. He highlighted the need for EU leadership, shaping globalisation on the basis of its values and interests. Taking global interdependence as the starting point, he set out a transformational agenda for the EU, a Europe that puts people at the heart of its agenda. He emphasized five key challenges facing Europe:
o Restarting economic growth today and ensuring long-term sustainability and competitiveness for the future
o Fighting unemployment and reinforcing our social cohesion
o Turning the challenge of a sustainable Europe to our competitive advantage
o Ensuring the security of Europeans
o Reinforcing EU citizenship and participation.
Priorities for tackling these challenges will be set in a ten year framework to deliver a vision for the EU in 2020, reinvigorating the inclusive social market economy that is the hallmark of the European way of life. The allocation of portfolios has been structured to deliver this ambitious agenda.
In his letters to each Commissioner setting out their new responsibilities, President Barroso has underlined the essential role of the Commission as the motor for the EU's efforts to address tomorrow's challenges, as well as the new opportunities provided by the Lisbon Treaty. He repeated his commitment to a smart regulation agenda, respecting subsidiarity and proportionality, focused on clear added value at EU level; paying particular attention to sound financial management; and full respect for the Code of Conduct of the Members of the European Commission. He has also stressed the need for a successful partnership with the Member States and the other institutions, in particular with the European Parliament.
