EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 70/117

(2004/C 70 E/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2600/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(6 August 2003)

Subject: Activities of the High-Level Advisory Group on Intercultural Dialogue in the Mediterranean Area and the Reflection Group on the Spiritual and Cultural Dimension of Europe

With reference to the answer to question P-2200/03 (1) given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission, the questioner totally agrees that the issue of religious values is an extremely delicate and personal matter for every citizen and should remain so, and not become an institutional and even less a constitutional question. The questioner had no intention of censuring Mr Prodi's work and personal beliefs, but was seeking an assurance that the views he expressed constituted his personal opinion and not the Commission's position.

The High-Level Advisory Group on Intercultural Dialogue in the Mediterranean Area was set up by Mr Prodi's cabinet and by the Group of Policy Advisers (GOPA), and the conclusions of the meetings will be presented in a report to be distributed at the end of 2003, together with a policy statement intended to be read in schools and universities. The Reflection Group on the Spiritual and Cultural Dimension of Europe was convened by Romano Prodi and the results will be collected in a report to be delivered at the end of 2003.

The members of these groups are not remunerated but the Commission pays the expenses for their attending meetings.

Can the Commission say:

— how much it has so far spent on organising and holding the meetings of the High-Level Advisory Group on Intercultural Dialogue in the Mediterranean Area, how much it intends to spend on possible further meetings and on publishing and distributing the report and under what budget heading;

— how much it has so far spent on organising and holding the meetings of the Reflection Group on the Spiritual and Cultural Dimension of Europe, how much it intends to spend on possible further meetings and on publishing and distributing the report and under what budget heading;

— whether the reports will express the personal opinion of Mr Prodi's advisers or a policy position on the part of the Commission?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2003)

In the reply given to question P-2200/03 (2), the Commission provided information on the two expert groups which were referred to, one working on intercultural dialogue in the Mediterranean basin, and the other on the role of values in European integration. In reply to the Honourable member's present question, concerning the cost of the work of these groups, this is specified below:

For the High Level Advisory Group on intercultural Dialogue in the Mediterranean Area, EUR 75 000 have been spent so far and further EUR 25 000 will be spent until the conclusion of its activities. These figures include the costs of publication and dissemination of the results. The credits involved are mainly from the administrative appropriations of the Commission. The work is expected to be finished by December 2003.

As for the Reflection Group on the Spiritual and Cultural Dimension of Europe, EUR 110 000 have been spent so far and a further amount of about EUR 50 000 will be spent until the conclusion of its activities, including the possibility of the publication of the report of the group. The credits are from the research budget, which includes the possibility of funding meetings of experts in support of the activities in the area of social sciences and humanities.

In the case of the Reflection Group, in addition to the meetings of its own members, the Group has organised a series of public debates which have attracted renowned intellectuals and journalists and which have stimulated significant press and media coverage. The final report will be issued around March 2004.

As indicated on the websites to which the Honourable member was referred in the earlier reply (P-2200/03), the Groups' publications are intended to contribute to the formulation and development of policy and they do not represent Commission policy.

(1) See page 79.

(2) See page 79.