WRITTEN QUESTION E-0428/98 by Spalato Belleré (NI) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Commission's representations and other offices

In many countries in the world and at international organizations, the European Union is represented by the Commission, which in its turn appoints senior officials as ambassadors to represent the European Union.

The relations between the European Union and these nations are predominantly political or economic and commercial, in addition to particular areas covered by specific multiannual cooperation and aid programmes.

In this context the task of the ambassador is essential and of fundamental importance to relations between the Union and those countries.

Can the Commission disclose the procedures and criteria for making diplomatic appointments of this nature?

What body or arrangements exist to check and monitor the activities of these representations and other offices and, more generally, the way in which the system of diplomatic appointments is operated and administered?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (17 March 1998)

Heads of Commission Delegations are selected in accordance with the Commission's rules on the appointment of officials to management posts. Proposals for such appointments are also submitted to the 'Antici Group' (Council) for Member State opinions. If there are no objections, a request for approval is made to the Government of the country where the new Head of Delegation is to be posted. Only when this has been granted, and the Head of State of the country concerned has been presented with the credentials of the new Head of Delegation can the latter fully assume his/her powers and responsibilities.

Many Commission departments monitor the work of those appointed, including the Directorate responsible for the management of external missions, which supervises the smooth running of the Delegations and EU Offices abroad, the Directorates-General responsible for the area concerned, Financial Control and the Delegations Inspection Service. Furthermore there are external checks by the Court of Auditors and, under the Treaty, the Commission is accountable to Parliament for its administration.