Commission To Be More Present in States

Outlining the beginnings of a strategy for the European Commission to make a bigger impression in member states, Joao Vale de Almeida, in charge of the transition of the new commission said, "We agreed on the principle of reinforcing the representations of the commission in member states' capitals." The European Commission is represented in each of the 25 member states, but they are fairly low key, information-providing offices. But these plans are to change when the Swede Margot Wallstöm starts work at the newly formed Commission for Communication Strategy. She said "communication with the European people" will be a priority for the incoming commission. She will be jumping straight into the hot water as one of the big political hurdles awaiting the new commission is how to sell the European Constitution to citizens -- many of whom will be voting in referenda next year. (EUobserver.com)