WRITTEN QUESTION E-2514/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 September 2002)

Subject: Applicant countries and Regulation (EEC) 1408/71

After 1984, many Greek nationals who had fled during the Greek civil war of 1945-1949 to Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, the former German Democratic Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and elsewhere as political refugees were repatriated. Since returning to Greece, these Greeks have encountered a considerable number of problems despite the conclusion of bilateral agreements concerning their social security rights with the above countries because their recognised period of contributions was appreciably reduced and the nature of their work (e.g. heavy, unhealthy jobs) not taken into consideration. Despite their advanced years, therefore, they are compelled to work on well into old age to obtain a pension capable of sustaining a decent standard of living.

Will the Commission's talks with the above applicant countries cover the problems associated with the social security rights acquired by Greek political refugees whilst working in those countries, following the arrangements made for the Greek political refugees in the former German Democratic Republic (Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71(1))?

(1) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2002)

Under bilateral agreements concluded between Greece and several Eastern European countries, Greece has agreed to recognise periods during which Greek nationals worked in these countries for the purpose of calculating pension payments. This was done to protect the pension rights of these people which might otherwise have been lost. Thus the pensions are now paid by Greece. How to treat these recognised periods has been decided by the Greek authorities and is a question of national competence. Any query regarding the way these periods have been recognised should therefore be addressed to the Greek authorities.

With accession, those Greek citizens affected will have the opportunity, should they so wish, to request a recalculation of their pensions on the basis of Community provisions. However, considering the lower level of pension payments in Eastern European countries, this would be unlikely to result in a more favourable pension entitlement it will probably be more beneficial to retain the existing pension, as currently calculated and paid by Greece.

No special arrangements were foreseen for Greek nationals who worked in the former German Democratic Republic. An existing agreement on pension rights was incorporated into Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of the Council of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community, and this therefore continues to apply. Discussions have taken place in the Administrative Committee on Social Security for Migrant Workers established under this Regulation on the entries to include in its annexes. As a result of these discussions, in which both Member States and candidate countries were involved, none of the agreements concluded with the candidate countries are to be incorporated into the Regulation as an annex. However, not including these agreements under the Regulation in no way prevents individuals from requesting a recalculation of his or her entitlements.