WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3939/97 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Money laundering
Date: 1997-12-04
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: EU control, Greece, application of EU law, financial legislation, law of banking, money laundering, national implementing measure

22. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 196/39

(98/C 196/54)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3939/97

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 December 1997)

Subject: Money laundering

According to reports › which have now reached the Greek Parliament › a number of banks are engaging in the
conversion  of  funds  derived  from  criminal  activities  (money  laundering),  thereby  infringing  Directive
91/308/EEC (1) which has already been transposed into Greek legislation under Law 2331, (Official Gazette 173,
24.8.1995).

27  allegations  of  this  nature  must  now  be  considered  by  the  parliamentary  committee  for  the  monitoring  of
commercial practices and transactions. The banks themselves admit that they are unable to monitor transactions,
proof of the difficulties in implementing Directive 91/308/EEC.

In answer to my previous question (2) Mr Monti indicated on 13 May 1996 that (cid:145)were it (the Commission) to have
any  doubts  as  to  its  conformity  (that  of  Greek  legislation)  with  the  directive  it  would  follow  the  standard
procedures(cid:146).

In view of the above:

1. 

Is the Commission aware of this situation and what view does it take of it?

2.  What measures will the Commission take to ensure more effective enforcement of the directive?

(1)  OJ L 166, 28.6.1991, p. 77.
(2)  Written question E-0823/96, OJ C 280, 25.9.1996, p. 87.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1998)

The Commission has no knowledge of the reports mentioned by the Honourable Member nor of the difficulties
apparently being encountered by the banking sector. The Commission therefore intends to write to the Greek
authorities to ask for full information on this matter.

At the same time the Commission would request the Honourable Member himself to supply to the Commission
any detailed information that is in his possession.

(98/C 196/55)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3941/97

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(12 December 1997)

Subject: Creation of a Greek section in the third European school

Parents(cid:146) representatives from the Greek section of the European school (No 1) in Brussels (UCCLE) have been
collecting signatures in support of their efforts to obtain an additional Greek section in the third European school
being  built  in  Brussels.  The  opening  of  a  Greek  section  is  considered  to  be  particularly  necessary  since  the
existing Greek section of the European school in Brussels (No 1) is suffering from overcrowding and the splitting
of classes with the result that many Greek children are now attending Belgian schools, which deprives them of
the possibility of learning their own language properly.

This is a particularly important issue and indicative of the sensitive approach required by a multicultural Europe
towards the languages, cultures, and traditions of its various Member States.

What is the official position of the Commission on this matter? Is it intended to open an additional Greek section
in the European school currently under construction as is the case concerning pupils of other nationalities?