Based on the outcome of the hearings, the European Parliament will proceed to a formal vote of approval during its October part-session in Strasbourg. The Parliament’s approval on the composition of the new Commission is a condition for the formal appointment of the new Commission by the Council of Ministers.

The current European Commission’s five-year term draws to a close and on 1 November a new College of Commissioners will take up office for the five-year term 2004-2009.

However, before the new executive body of the European Union can take up its duties, it needs to receive the European Parliament’s approval.

On 22 July the European Parliament approved Mr José Manuel Durao Barroso as Mr Romano Prodi’s successor as future President of the Commission.

Mr Barroso later drew up his team of commissioners, one from each EU member state, including Dr Joe Borg as Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner.

The European Parliament’s specialised committees will conduct a series of hearings with the 24 commissioners designate in preparation for Parliament’s vote of approval on the new College of Commissioners as a whole. These hearings will take place between 27 September and 8 October in Brussels.

The vote of approval or otherwise will be taken between 25 and 28 October.