Before the vote, Commission President José Manuel Barroso said: "It is the first time that an accession treaty explicitly foresees a consultation of the European Parliament on the appointment of Commissioners from new Member States.
Parlamenta priekšsēdētājs José BORREL FONTELLES (PSE, ES), pasniedzot balvu, atgādināja — šī nav pirmā reize, kad Parlaments atalgo Baltkrievijas pārstāvjus.