STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Writing Task (Report): Poles in the Administration of the European Commission
Examination Task
Write a minimum of 200 words on the topic below.
The European Commission is one of the most important institutions of the European Union. It employs a large number of civil servants from all Member States. However, reports show that citizens of some countries, including Poland, are underrepresented in the Commission’s administration.
Write a report in which you:
- describe the role of the European Commission and its staff,
- explain why balanced national representation in EU institutions is important,
- assess the current situation of Poles in the European Commission administration,
- suggest measures that could improve the participation of Polish citizens in EU jobs.
Sample Answer
Subject: Poles in the Administration of the European Commission
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to present the situation of Polish citizens in the administration of the European Commission and to explain why balanced representation of Member States is important for EU institutions. It also identifies the main challenges and suggests possible ways to improve the participation of Poles in the Commission’s staff.
The Role of the European Commission and Its Staff
The European Commission is the main executive institution of the European Union. It proposes new legislation, ensures that EU law is correctly applied, and manages important policy areas such as the internal market, competition policy, and external relations.
The Commission employs a large workforce, including administrators, assistants, contract agents, and temporary staff. Recruitment is mainly carried out through EPSO competitions and is based on the principle of merit. At the same time, the Commission aims to ensure balanced geographical representation of all Member States.
Importance of Balanced Representation
Balanced representation is important for several reasons. First, it ensures that different national perspectives are included in EU decision-making, which improves the quality of policies.
Second, it strengthens the legitimacy of EU institutions, as citizens are more likely to trust institutions where all Member States are fairly represented. Third, it ensures that all countries contributing to the EU budget have access to EU jobs. Finally, working in the Commission allows staff to gain experience and skills useful in national administrations.
Situation of Poles in the Commission
Reports show that Polish citizens are underrepresented in the European Commission compared to their population share in the EU. Although Poles are present in lower-level positions, their participation in higher administrative and managerial posts remains limited.
The main reason is the relatively low number of Polish candidates applying for EPSO competitions. Another factor is strong competition and demanding selection procedures, which require solid preparation and specific skills.
A further problem is the long duration of recruitment procedures. EPSO competitions often take up to one year or longer. This may discourage candidates, especially those who are not familiar with EU recruitment systems or who are considering other career options.
Measures to Improve the Situation
To improve the situation, Poland should increase awareness of EU career opportunities through information campaigns, training programmes, and EPSO preparation courses. Universities should also promote EU-related studies and encourage students to learn at least two foreign languages.
Mentoring programmes for students and young professionals could help candidates better understand recruitment requirements. In addition, improving the efficiency of recruitment procedures and reducing their length would make EU careers more attractive and accessible.
At the EU level, institutions should continue to improve transparency and ensure equal access to information for all Member States. Cooperation between national administrations and the European Commission could further support candidate preparation.
Conclusion
Poland is one of the Member States whose citizens are underrepresented in the European Commission, which limits their participation in EU administration. Although recruitment is based on merit, the low number of candidates and long selection procedures are key challenges. Improving awareness of EU career opportunities and the efficiency of recruitment processes could help increase Polish participation in the future.
Photo: Headquarters of the European Commission, Brussels © Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer)