Statement by Commissioner Serafin on the presentation of the High-Level Group Report on the Future of the European Commission's Civil Service

Good afternoon,

Today marks another milestone in the process initiated by the President to carry out an in-depth review of the way in which the European Commission functions and how it could be improved.

Let me start by thanking Catherine Day and the eight other prominent external experts for the report and recommendations that we receive today.

Your task was to look at the Commission from a distance, with fresh eyes, and share with us their experience in driving innovation and change in public organisations.

This outside-in perspective is an essential element of the review. Thanks to the High-Level Group we can bring in tested ideas from other systems and learn from others who have grappled with similar challenges.

The European Commission is not alone in facing the challenges of geopolitical volatility, technological change and increasing uncertainty.

The European Commission is not the only public organisation confronted with resource constraints. We may be unique, but we must learn from others. And that is why we value a lot your recommendations.

The report which we receive today adds to the ongoing internal reflection process.

Because, as the President also mentioned, the large-scale review started as a bottom-up process. By now, it has engaged hundreds if not thousands of colleagues across the Commission.

And our staff have clearly signalled their appetite for improving our working methods and have built a powerful case for change.

The Commission is already a high performing administration, but we can certainly do more.

We can do more to increase our focus on what matters, on simplifying our internal processes and procedures, on the implementation of technological change, on the promotion of an inclusive leadership model and career paths based on merit and merit alone, as well as on reconnecting with the national administrations and our member states.

I believe that both the report of the High-Level Group and the input from the staff give us a mandate to go for far-reaching changes.

Once again, I would like to thank Catherine Day and the High-Level Group members for all the efforts that they have put into helping the Commission to be future-ready.

For my part, I would like to assure you that together with my team we will take your ideas as a source of inspiration for the final report in the coming months.