WRITTEN QUESTION E-2937/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 October 2001)

Subject: Common policies implementation integrating sport

The annexes to the Nice Summit Presidency conclusions (7-9 December 2000), contain a statement by the Heads of States and of Government on the importance of taking due account of the social, educational and cultural function of sport, with a view to safeguarding the code of ethics and the solidarity essential to the preservation of its social role, despite the fact that the European Union has no direct powers in this area.

Has the Commission drawn up a balance sheet of whatever measures has proved possible to take with a view to meeting the objectives set out in the Nice European Summit Presidency conclusions with regard to including sport when implementing common policies?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2001)

The European Council highlighted the social and educational values of sport in the Nice declaration of December 2000 on the specific characteristics of sport and its social function in Europe, of which account should be taken in implementing common policies(1). The Commission had already had occasion to emphasise its support for these values in the Helsinki Report on Sport adopted in December 1999(2). The approach adopted through the Nice declaration is thus in line with the efforts made by the Commission over a period of several years.

Since the adoption of the Nice declaration, the Commission has been involved in follow-up activities under the Swedish and Belgian Presidencies. It has also remained attentive to the specific characteristics of sport in examining various issues related to sport: players' agents, public aid for professional clubs, transfers, etc. In the latter case the Commission has enforced Community law while taking account of the specific constraints imposed by the nature of sport and the need to ensure the development of football. For example, encouragement for clubs' training efforts, protection of young people, and the need to ensure the fairness of competitions and the stability of teams have been among the Commission's main concerns. Generally speaking, the Nice declaration on sport has been taken into account wherever sport-related issues have been examined. The adoption, on 16 October 2001, of a proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Year of Education through Sport 2004(3) is also consistent with the spirit of the Nice declaration. Finally, at the informal meeting of sports ministers in Brussels on 12 November 2001, the Member States and the Commission looked at how the Nice declaration has been followed up.

In accordance with the Nice declaration, the Commission, in its role as guardian of the Treaties, has ensured that account has been taken of the specific characteristics of sport.

(1) Presidency conclusions Nice European Council 7, 8 and 9 December 2000 Annex IV.

(2) Report from the Commission to the European Council with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of sport within the Community framework The Helsinki Report on Sport COM(1999) 644, 1.12.1999 final.

(3) COM(2001) 584 final.