WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2588/97 by Hilde HAWLICEK to the Council. New paragraph in the preamble to the EC Treaty
Date: 1997-07-29
Institutions: European Parliament, HAWLICEK
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, European treaties, adult education, continuing education, education policy, vocational training

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/65

The first objective is to (cid:145)press ahead in developing access to continuing training while narrowing inequalities in
worker access so as to promote a Union-wide skill access strategy(cid:146).

These guidelines will be discussed with the Community bodies concerned. On the basis of the discussions, the
Commission will then propose a series of measures for implementing the guidelines. The legal nature of this
instrument will depend on the objectives set.

In view of the importance of the social partners in the field of continuing training, the Commission wishes to hold
extensive consultations with them on the follow-up to the report, before presenting a proposal, and has therefore
invited them to take part in discussions.

As these discussions have not yet begun, it is not yet possible to state what form the instrument will take, but we
can say now that the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training (ACVT) on the report on access
to continuing training has shown that the employers’ and trade union representatives would not welcome the
adoption, in the near future, of a binding Community instrument on access to continuing training.

Nonetheless, whatever the legal nature of the act adopted, the question of equal opportunities will be taken into
account.

(98/C 102/95)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2588/97

by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Council

(29 July 1997)

Subject: New paragraph in the preamble to the EC Treaty

At the Council of Heads of State and of Government in Amsterdam, it was decided to incorporate the following
new  paragraph  in  the  preamble  to  the  EC  Treaty:  (cid:145)Determined  to  promote  the  development  of  the  highest
possible level of knowledge for their peoples through a wide access to education and its continuous updating.(cid:146)

How  does  the  Council  intend  to  attain  this  objective  if  at  the  same  time  it  is  effectively  cutting  funding  for
existing education programmes?

Answer

(17 November 1997)

It would be premature for the Council to comment on the question put by the Honourable Member at a stage
when the Amsterdam Treaty has only just been signed and has not yet entered into force.

(98/C 102/96)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2590/97

by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission

(29 July 1997)

Subject: Possible legal proceedings concerning fixed book prices in the German-speaking area

The Austrian chain of bookshops which is currently pursuing a complaint to the Commission concerning the
fixing of book prices in the German-speaking area is threatening to bring legal proceedings before the Court of
Justice of the European Communities.

What will happen to fixed book prices in the German-speaking area between the bringing of such proceedings
and  a  possible  decision  by  the  Court?  How  long  are  such  proceedings  likely  to  take,  in  the  light  of  past
experience?