!!!Europäische Kommission

European Commission, one of the principal organs of the  European 
Union, consists, as of 1999, of 20 members (2 each from Germany, 
France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, one each from the other 
ten member countries of the Union, including Austria). The President 
of the European Commission is selected by the governments of the EU 
member states. The members of the Commission are appointed by the 
President of the Commission for a term of office of five years. These 
appointments require approval by the  European Parliament and 
confirmation by the governments of member states. The members of the 
European Commission each have their respective portfolios but decide 
as a panel. The European Commission is independent of the member 
governments and can only be removed from office through a vote of no 
confidence on the part of the European Parliament. The European 
Commission is the guardian of the Treaties and supervises their 
respect on the part of member states. In the area of legislation the 
Commission has the right of initiative and enjoys equal rights with 
the member governments in making proposals on matters of 
intergovernmental concern. As the Union's executive body the 
Commission prepares implementing regulations regarding decisions, 
ensures implementation of the Treaty provisions, and manages the EU 
budget. Most of the offices of the European Commission are located in 
Brussels, Belgium, with some in Luxembourg. It has approximately 15 
000 employees, who are assigned to 36 Directorates-General and 
Specialised Services. Austria's EU Commissioner, F.  Fischler has been 
responsible for agriculture since 1995 and, since 1999, also for 
fisheries.


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