Report endorses Loyola de Palacio
The Commissioner-designate for transport, energy and relations with the European Parliament, Ms Loyola de Palacio, was approved by MEPs following a hearing on 30 August. She will, however, only enter office following the vote of approval of the whole Commission by Parliament, expected on 15 September. Konstantinos Hatzidakis, Chair of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism, summarised the feelings of members in a letter to Nicole Fontaine, President of the European Parliament. Regarding Ms de Palacio's personal and professional experience and independence, the committee expressed satisfaction, noting her commitment to cooperation and to making herself available when requested. Ms de Palacio's answers were generally well received, although some members expressed reservations about her ability to ensure proper political control of the management of public funds and reserved their opinion pending the outcome of enquiries underway. However support was expressed for Ms de Palacio's position on a sustainable transport policy and improving efficiency in energy policy. Her stance on job creation, environmental objectives, nuclear safety in Central and Eastern European countries and the liberalisation of the market were considered satisfactory, although the Committee would have liked more time to examine her policies regarding energy. Concerning future relations with the Parliament, the Committee found Ms de Palacio's answers 'sensitive'. The participation of Commissioners in Parliamentary Committee meetings, the delivery of prompt information on Commission decisions and the involvement of the Parliament in the next inter-governmental conference were agreed upon. On the last point the delegations stressed their opinion that Parliament should be involved on an equal basis from the beginning of deliberations for the next IGC. The hearing was described as 'constructive', the results of which were 'positive'. MEPs expressed their overall approval of Ms de Palacio's qualifications and her working programme, and said they were looking forward to fully cooperating with her. Delegations from the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy, the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and the Committee on Petitions also took part in the hearing.