Performance and prospects of Frans Timmermans (Netherlands), First Vice-President designate for Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Commissioner hearings: MEPs grill Timmermans

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11864076/n001-141007-003-enx.srt

For the last of Parliament’s hearings:

Frans Timmermans,  First Vice-President designate

and first backstop  in a College of Commissioners

that Jean-Claude Juncker wants to deliver  better laws, better connected to citizens.

First though, a linguistic show-stopper  from the Dutch Foreign Minister.

We need to restore  our citizens’ confidence

How exactly?  Three measures to start with.

I hope to conclude an inter-institutional  agreement on better law-making next year.

We need greater transparency  within the Brussels bubble,

which is why I will promote  an inter-institutional agreement

I believe Commissioners  should engage more directly

in dialogues with national parliaments. 

Over next to MEPs for questions  ranging across many fields beyond these.

What proposals and measures will you  develop as a member of the Commission

to protect European citizens  from terrorism and organised violence?

This is a clear and present danger  to the security of all Europeans.

This is a primary responsibility, obviously,  of our Member States.

From the Socialists’ leader,  a question on the Citizens’ Initiative

and efforts to narrow the gap  between the EU and its citizens.

This initiative is of very big  political importance.

We’ve seen in the last couple of years

the Commission sometimes reacting  in a very legalistic way.

I wonder if you were aware of the great  anger and resentment in the UK

at the perverse consequences of the  European Convention on Human Rights?

We have criminals, terrorists, murderers  and rapists whom we cannot deport.

an invaluable instrument in creating rights  for people all across the European area

and yes, there are downsides, and I think  we need to discuss those downsides.

There was plenty of talk  about fundamental rights

but it’s just one part  of Mr Timmermans’ broad brief.

to improve often shaky relations  between the EU’s big three institutions,

the Council, the Commission  and the Parliament.