‘Talk to Europe’s people’, Hübner tells Commission

Date: 15/04/04

POLAND'S commissioner-designate Danuta Hübner says the EU must communicate better with its citizens or risk totally losing public support.

The 55-year-old said the failure to get its message across was the "one big weak spot" in the European Commission, which she hopes to help correct if her nomination as commissioner is confirmed.

Speaking after yesterday's (14 April) confirmation hearing at the European Parliament, Hübner, currently Poland's Europe minister and one of three female new commissioners, told European Voice: "The Commission clearly has to spend more time explaining its policies to Europeans.

This means not just sending out leaflets and information packs to people - that is not enough - but taking time to talk to citizens.

With the EU set for its biggest-ever expansion, this has never been more important."

Parliament is expected to swear in the ten new commissioners early next month.

Danuta Hübner, Poland's European Commissioner-designate, believes the European Commission should spend more time explaining its policies to European citizens.