This week has been a very busy one in the European Parliament and an even busier one for the commissioners-designate who were subjected to questions from the members of the European Parliament during sessions that last for about three hours. The MEPs are free to question the commissioners not only on matters related to their technical competence but also on their views regarding the policies and politics of the European Union. The questions are thorough and the MEPs tough in their questioning.
The new set-up of the Commission will see new faces and commissioners who served during the last term. Without any doubt, in Malta, all eyes will be on John Dalli who has been entrusted with a crucial portfolio that includes health and consumer policy, two areas that are given much attention by policy makers and are high on the working agenda. José Manuel Barroso's decision to entrust Mr Dalli with such an important portfolio is a sign of confidence and a challenge to those sceptics who claim that small countries are treated differently in the EU.
During this second term as an MEP, I am sitting on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee. This committee will be dealing mainly with the portfolio designated to László Andor, who is one of the younger commissioners and comes from a new member state - Hungary. I envisage an interesting exchange of views with Mr Andor on a topic that is relevant to all member states, especially at a time when Europe is in the process of recovering from the crisis. The 10 per cent unemployment rate is an issue that Commissioner-designate Andor will undoubtedly place at the top of his agenda.
Androulla Vassiliou from Cyprus will also be involved directly with this committee, being entrusted with education, culture, multilingualism and youth.
The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will be dealing with more than one commissioner, considering the wide range of competence awarded to this committee.
Dealing with competition will be Joaquín Almunia, who, as many may recall, was Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs when Malta adopted the euro.
Finland's Olli Rehn moves from enlargement to economic and monetary affairs. He is an extremely hands-on person who, I am certain, will be effective in overcoming the many hurdles he is bound to face while occupying this post. His experience as an MEP will also prove to be a great asset in dealing with the committee members and understands our needs and claims.
Dealing with the portfolio of taxation and Customs union, audit and anti-fraud will be Algirdas Semeta from Lithuania. Like our commissioner, Mr Semeta was the Minister of Finance of his country.
His task is not an easy one, especially given the battle against economic crime with fraudsters becoming extremely creative and using the most advanced technology.
However, he must also deal with taxation and the Customs union, two very important sectors for the economy of the EU, especially in a period where the emerging industries of Asia and China are becoming more and more competitive.
The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will also be dealing with Michel Barnier of France, former vice-president of the European People's Party who has been entrusted with the portfolio of the internal market and services.
Besides these commissioners, who I will be dealing with on a regular basis, I must also mention Antonio Tajani of Italy who is a great friend of Malta and with whom our delegation has established an excellent working relationship, especially after the visit the EPP-ED Group made to Malta during the last legislature. As vice-president of the Commission his portfolio includes industry and entrepreneurship. I am confident he will put in invaluable work just as when he was an MEP, a post he held for 15 years.
Maros Sefcovic of Slovakia also deserves a mention, coming from a new member state. Mr Sefcovic was the Slovak Permanent Representative to the EU. I have had the pleasure of working with him when I was appointed rapporteur on the report that determined Slovakia's adoption of the euro and since then we have struck an excellent relationship bringing our two countries closer and co-operating on various issues that are of mutual interest.
Undoubtedly, the commissioners-designate and MEPs alike are looking forward to the outcome of these sessions. This is also one of the most important powers of Parliament as MEPs can vote against the Commission as a whole should the grilling of the commissioners-designate not yield satisfactory answers.
It is an interesting period for Europe and, maybe more than ever, it is a moment where everyone needs to prove oneself worthy of one's post. Let us hope that we MEPs, as the democratically-elected body of the EU, find the cooperation we need from the commissioners for the good of the EU and its 500 million citizens.
Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.