Europe has appointed its first commissioner to hold a separate justice portfolio, taking a ‘step in the right direction’ towards separating the conflicting demands of justice and security.

Viviane Reding (pictured), from Luxembourg, was appointed commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship on 27 November. She shares the portfolio of the directorate general (DG) for justice, freedom and security with Sweden’s Cecilia Malmstrom, the new commissioner for home affairs, who has responsibilities for border controls, the police and drug ­monitoring. The two areas were previously the responsibilities of one commissioner.

Antoine Fobe, external liaison director for the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, said: ‘Splitting the portfolio is a step in the right direction towards focusing attention on Europe’s most important justice issues and easing the tensions and conflicts between security and justice. But we are concerned that two commissioners sitting above a combined administrative staff within the one DG will not be fully independent. Hopefully, another reorganisation will take place soon.’

The appointments of Reding, Malmstrom and the other proposed members of the next European Commission will be confirmed following individual hearings before parliamentary committees in mid-January 2010. Once confirmed, they will hold their positions until 31 October 2014.