Political groups’ coordinators from the committees will meet shortly after the hearing to assess, within 24 hours, the performance of the Slovenian Commissioner-designate.

Disaster risk reduction, humanitarian aid and EU values

During his introductory speech, Mr. Lenarčič said that humanitarian aid is central to the European Union’s response to crises and disasters, as it stabilises host societies, displays the European Union’s leadership, and builds coalitions based on European values. His priorities include strengthening the EU’s response capacities, stepping up risk reduction, and integrating humanitarian aid, development and environmental policies. He added that this will ensure efficient delivery of aid, particularly to vulnerable groups, including children, girls and women.

MEPs put forward questions on how the commissioner-designate would ensure that humanitarian aid is driven by the EU’s values and the principle of impartiality rather than foreign policy objectives. They also asked about measures to protect civilians and the security of aid workers in complex crises as well as about efficient responses to national and man-made disasters and climate change.

Members also asked how he intends to ensure that the European Commission delivers on the commitments made at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit.

You can watch the video recording of the full hearing here.

Press point

At the end of the hearing, Committee Chair Tomas Tobé (EPP, SE) held a press point outside the meeting room.

Next steps

Based on the committees’ recommendations, the Conference of Presidents will decide on 17 October if Parliament has received sufficient information to declare the hearing process closed. If so, the plenary will vote on whether or not to elect the Commission as a whole on 23 October, in Strasbourg.

The Environment committee was associated to this hearing.