HEARINGS OF NEW EC COMPETITION, TRANSPORT COMMISSIONERS COMPLETED

   The European Parliament has completed oral hearings of the new competition and transport commissioners proposed by Romano Prodi the recently-appointed president of the European Commission.
    Mario Monti, former EC commissioner in charge of the internal market, financial services, customs and tax, is expected to be appointed competition commissioner. He would replace Karel Van Miert, who is leaving the EC. Monti, an Italian, is a graduate of Yale University and a former academic.
    Loyola de Palacio del Valle Lersundi is the prospective EC vice-president in charge of relations with the European Parliament, transport and energy. She will take over the former responsibilities of Neil Kinnock, the current commissioner responsible for transport. De Palacio was previously Spain’s minister for agriculture, fisheries and food.
    Kinnock, one of the few EC commissioners who survived the recent changeover, will be vice-president in charge of admininistrative reform.
If the European Parliament approves the new commissioners, they will be formally appointed on Sept. 16.