Sylvie Goulard (Modem, France), ALDE coordinator on the European Parliament's economic affairs committee (ECON) and one of the rapporteurs on the financial supervision package has expressed concerns on the way the establishment of the supervisory authorities is taking place.

"These authorities were created following a difficult negotiation in which the EP fought against Member States last year for strong, genuine European authorities.

That is the reason why this morning ECON decided to withhold its decision on the heads of the three new financial supervisory agencies until the Commission and Council answer our letter. "

This letter was sent today by Sharon Bowles, chairwoman of the committee, to commissioner Barnier and Hungarian minister-in-office, Györgu Matolcsy asking for firm guarantees of independence from Member States and the stakeholders concerned, adequate human resources and an appropriate budget.

"Until we receive cast iron guarantees that these posts will be completely independent of national influence, we will withhold approval for their appointment.  We expect the Commission and Council to provide such guarantee at the forthcoming plenary session of Parliament before we vote," said Bowles.
 
The letter also mentions other important issues such as the need for gender balance or the necessity of avoiding excessively rigid interpretations of administrative provisions in the selection procedures. These issues are important to clarify now as they will be taken into consideration when the Regulations are reviewed.
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* The ECON committee held hearings with all three nominee chairmen during the course of the morning; Steven J. Maijoor, candidate for the Securities and Markets Authority, Gabriel Rodrigo Ribeiro Bernardino for the European Insurance and Pensions Authority and Andrea Enria for the European Banking Authority.