Blogs of the European Commissioners


Margot Wallström

Picture of Margot Wallsrtöm

As Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication since August 2004, it is my job to improve the way 'Europe' is communicated to its citizens. This blog has been set up partly with that in mind. Here, you can read my views on anything from humanitarian aid and enlargement to women in government and mobile phone roaming charges. You can also communicate directly back to me by posting a comment on any one of my articles.

see Margot Wallström's blog

Jacques Barrot

Picture of Jacques Barrot

As European Commission Vice President for justice, freedom and security, I strongly believe that this area is key to the future of European integration. Protecting citizens, respecting privacy, free movement, fundamental rights, fighting all forms of discrimination, better police and judicial cooperation, dealing with the challenges of migration flows and asylum. All these topics are of major importance for Europe! In my posts I comment on issues which have marked my week, particularly those related to my portfolio and those making European and international headlines.

see Jacques Barrot's Thought of the week

Viviane Reding

Picture of Viviane Reding

As the European Union's Commissioner for Telecoms and Media, I'm responsible for those common European policies that have a direct influence on your phone bill, on fair competition on the telecoms market and on support for European films and TV programmes. The internet offers tremendous new opportunities to all of us. This is why every week on my website, I talk about one of the many issues on my desk that concern you, EU citizens.

see Viviane Reding's video blog

Stavros Dimas

Picture of Stavros Dimas

The environment is a policy area where the EU delivers tangible benefits for its citizens in the form of an improved living and working conditions. It is also a policy area where a significant majority of European citizens support further and even more effective action. As the EU celebrates its first 50 years - and looks towards the next 50 years - it is clear that developing and implementing policies that can effectively protect Europe's environment will be at the heart of the European "project". My hope is that this diary will improve the level of debate and discussion on the shape that the next generation of environmental policies will take.

see Stavros Dimas' diary

Janez Potočnik

Picture of Janez Potočnik

As Commissioner for Science and Research since 2004, it is my objective to improve the situation for research and researchers in the EU. Through research we gain knowledge and knowledge is essential for growth and an enhanced quality of life. Here, in my blog, I share with you my views on a wide variety of topics affecting Europe.

see Janez Potočnik's Theme of the Week

Mariann Fischer Boel

Picture of Mariann Fischer Boel

As Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, it is my job to manage the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy. The CAP aims to support the production of good quality and safe food, help our farmers, promote jobs and businesses in rural areas, ensure the respect of environmental and animal welfare standards and preserve Europe's unique rural landscapes. The policy is not standing still. We are introducing a series of reforms, which aim above all to make our farmers more competitive and market-orientated. Here, in my blog, I want to share with you my thoughts as I travel around Europe talking to the people in the front line on a range of issues pertaining to agriculture, food and the rural environment.

see Mariann Fischer Boel's blog

Neelie Kroes

Picture of Neelie Kroes

As European Commissioner for Competition, my aim is to promote a fair and free environment for business in Europe. The Single Market is a precious achievement, and the best way to keep it functioning effectively is to ensure competition between companies. My job is about acting as a referee of this process. If we think of the European economy as football match: I set and enforce the rules of the game, in conjunction with the other Commissioners. We make sure it is a fair match, and that there is punishment for people and companies that break the rules and spoil the game for others

see Latest news from Neelie Kroes

Vladimir Špidla

Picture of Vladimir Špidla

As Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, I believe that to maintain the European social model we have to preserve our core values of social justice, equality, respect for rights and dignity for every individual. At the same time, we need to carry out a major reform of our labour markets and social protection systems. Personally speaking, this is the best way for Europe to cope with today’s realities of globalisation and the ageing of our populations. Meeting these two challenges will help us to achieve our goal of creating more and better jobs in Europe. For me, this is a "Social Imperative" - it is my number one priority.

see Vladimir Špidla's blog

Andris Piebalgs

Picture of Andris Piebalgs

Energy is one of the driving forces for our society. We are facing energy and environmental challenges ahead of us that need to be addressed on the European level. As the Energy Commissioner I am fully committed to secure competitive and clean energy for our citizens. I would like to use my blog as a place to engage in an active discussion with people who are interested in energy matters. I will post my views on different energy related questions and I hope to receive your comments, suggestions or listen to your experience.

see Andris Piebalgs' blog

Meglena Kuneva

Picture of Meglena Kuneva

As Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, I believe that empowering consumers makes the markets function better. This, in turn, ensures a better market situation for consumers. I work towards the goal of putting consumers in the driving seat, giving them real choices, accurate information and the confidence that comes from effective protection. Through my blog, I will share my views and experiences as Consumer Commissioner, and I hope that it will stimulate discussion on a range of issues on consumer policy.

see Meglena Kuneva's blog

 

Blogs of the European Representations


Belgium - Willy Hélin

Picture of Willy Hélin

You're in touch with the Representation of the Commission in Belgium. We are there to answer your questions. Of course, you can go to our website that keeps you posted with up-to-date info : www.eu4be.eu

see Willy Hélin's blog

Estonia - Euroblog

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The Euroblog has invited various people from both Brussels and Tallinn to write on EU-related matters. The link between Tallinn and Brussels can be considered essential since the Estonian public remains under-informed about Brussels and the Brussels community does not know perhaps how exactly things are perceived in Estonia. These reflections are of a far more personal nature than the 'official views' of the Commission that we usually circulate. We hope they invite the reader to think along and to engage in a lively discussion.

see the Euroblog

Spain - Francisco Fonseca

Picture of Francisco Fonseca

The blog of the Head of the European Commission's Representation in Spain offers to the users an analysis of the most relevant European topics from a local viewpoint. Everybody is invited to contribute and share their views with us. Please visit «Visiones de Europa»: A Beautiful Vision.

see Francisco Fonseca's blog

Italy - Roberto Santaniello

Picture of Roberto Santaniello

A team of bold and adventurous Eurobloggers steps in for launching and stimulating a franc and intense dialogue with you in order to make look clearer what might seem obscure, easier what seems difficult, thus contributing to expand young people's knowledge as well as their common sense of belonging to the European Union.

see Roberto Santaniello's blog

Malta - Joanna Drake

Picture of Joanna Drake

Nothing beats personal contact - except that in today's world the internet may be the next best thing. So here it is - welcome to my blog. My objective is to provide a forum for debate on EU issues that concern us all. There are heaps of misconceptions on how the EU works and here we can sort the myth from reality. Also many have yet to find out how the EU works in their favour. This blog will provide us with a meaningful opportunity to throw more light on that subject too.

So welcome to my blog. Let's talk.

see Joanna Drake's English blog
see Joanna Drake's Maltese blog

Netherlands - Ludolf van Hasselt

Picture of Ludolf van Hasselt

What is the role of the Representation of the European Commission in the Netherlands? You can find a wealth of information on our website www.eu.nl, but not an answer to that question. In order to make it better understood how we serve the interests of the European Commisison in our country from our beautiful premises at the Korte Vijverberg in The Hague, I have decided to start a weblog. You can read here about the events we organise, how we maintain close contacts with national -, regional -, and local authorities, and how we deal with the press. I hope that you will react, because that allows us to better respond to the questions you have. What we do not address in the blog is how we report to Brussels, that has to remain a secret!!

see Ludolf van Hasselt's blog

Finland - Marjatta Hautala

Picture of Marjatta Hautala

The blog and its author, press officer Hautala, give an insight to the life of the Representation of the European Commission in Finland. Weekly stories show how the working days vary and how the Commission provides EU-information in a Member State.

see Marjatta Hautala's blog

United Kingdom - Antonia Mochan

Picture of Antonia Mochan

The Commission's head of media in the UK writes about her day-to-day work, the joys and struggles of living in London and the big EU stories of the day.

see Antonia Mochan's blog

 

Other blogs


Innovation Unlimited

Picture of Willy Hélin

The Innovation Policy unit of DG Enterprise and Industry set up the Innovation Unlimited blog in July 2009 to support a panel of business innovators developing new ideas for future European innovation policy. We were impressed by the quality and creativity of the comments made on the blog and also by the potential for this form of communication to improve our policy making. This is why, in the unit for Innovation Policy, we decided to keep the blog going, and we are now using it to communicate and get contributions from the citizens on subjects that are live topics in the debate on European innovation policy.

see Innovation Unlimited blog