The Heads of the European Union adopted the composition of the new Commission
Government Information Unit
Press release 351/2004
5 November 2004
On Friday, 5 November, the Heads of the State or Government of the European Union adopted the composition of the new Commission in Brussels. The nominee for President of the Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, presented the Heads of State or Government a list of the new Members-designate of the Commission. The Members-designate of Italy and Latvia had been changed and the portfolios of the Latvian and Hungarian Members-designate of the Commission had been changed. The European Council expressed its hope that this Commission can be approved by the European Parliament as soon as possible.
The other issues discussed at the European Council included the preparation of the Mid Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy, the Hague Programme on Justice and Home Affairs, Communicating Europe and external relations. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, accompanied by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, attended the European Council.
The aim of the Lisbon Strategy, launched in 2000, is to turn the European Union into the most competitive economy in the world by 2010. The Mid Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy will be discussed at the next Spring European Council in 2005. As part of the preparation of the Mid Term Review, Mr Wim Kok, chairman of the High Level group, presented the European Council a report assessing the implementation of the strategy. The European Council reiterated the importance of the implementation of agreed measures by the Member States.
The European Council adopted a new multi-annual programme for the next five years, to be known as the Hague Programme, on the area of freedom, security and justice. This programme reflects the Union's ambitions with regard to Justice and Home Affairs as expressed in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. Finland was pleased that the European Council supported transfer to the use of qualified majority decision-making in issues regarding immigration, asylum and border control as of 1 April 2005 with the exception of legal immigration.
The European Council reiterated the need to strengthen awareness among citizens of the importance of the work of the Union. Politicians both at the national and the European level have a responsibility to involve Europeans, through public debate and active citizenship, in decision-making. The European Council welcomed the Commission's intention to present its communication strategy in 2005.
The European Council heard a presentation by the President of the European Commission, Mr Romano Prodi, on the reports concerning the EU's enlargement. The European Council will address outstanding enlargement issues at its meeting in December 2004.
The European Council adopted conclusions and a declaration on Iraq and met Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi to discuss the situation in Iraq and the EU's support package. The European Council also discussed the situation in Sudan/Darfur. In addition, the European Council adopted conclusions on the US presidential election, the nuclear programme of Iran, the situation in the Middle East, the Ukrainian presidential election and the extension of the Common Strategy on the Mediterranean region.
Further information: Antti Peltomäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2180, and Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2182, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs