WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1031/98 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. City of Dresden 51/2% Sterling Loan of 1927 - 7 certificates of £100
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, HOWITT
Subjects: Saxony, United Kingdom, bond, competence of the Member States, interest, redemption

21. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 323/107

Answer

(13/14 July 1998)

The  Council  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  the  reply  that  the  Commission  gave  on  14  May  to  his
question on the same subject (Written Question E-1018/98).

In  its  reply  the  Commission  said  that  it  was  planning  to  continue  in  1999  the  financial  support  traditionally
granted by the Community to the (cid:145)European City of Culture(cid:146) project.

(98/C 323/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1023/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Council

(3 April 1998)

Subject: Schengen Agreement and need for more personnel at Greek borders

Article 1 of the (cid:145)Convention applying the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985(cid:146) defines the internal and external
borders of the Schengen countries. Articles 2 and 3 concern the crossing of the internal and external borders.

Implementation of the Agreement calls for an increase in personnel to guard the external borders, particularly in
the case of countries such as Greece which, following its adoption of the Agreement, is required to man hundreds
of Schengen entry points. It should be noted that the Greek coastline is 80% the length of Africa(cid:146)s and 150% that
of Europe(cid:146)s, while its mainland borders (all with non-Schengen countries) are over 1 500 km.

Is there any provision for financial assistance to Greece to cover the sharp increase in manning requirements at
Schengen entry points, a cost which the rest of the countries participating in the Schengen Agreement not only do
not have but have been relieved of to a significant extent as they were able to release a substantial number of
personnel from duty at their borders with countries which are also members of Schengen?

Answer

(29 June 1998)

The question put by the Honourable Member is connected with the application of the Schengen Agreement and
does not therefore fall within the Council(cid:146)s field of competence.

(98/C 323/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1031/98

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: City of Dresden 5‰% Sterling Loan of 1927 › 7 certificates of £100

In 1927, the City of Dresden and the State of Saxony sought help from Lazard Bros and Hambros bank so that
they might raise money in Britain. Investors paid cash in return for Loan Bonds that were to be repaid no later
than 1952. Interest of 5‰% was to be paid by Dresden and 6% by Saxony. In 1939, the interest payments ceased,
and  Saxony  and  Dresden  were  subsequently  occupied  by  Soviet  troops.  Although  they  are  now  part  of  the
reunified German Republic, no one wishes to accept liability to UK Bondholders. Could the Commission advise
my constituent, Mrs Briggs, whether the above bonds are still valid and if so, who is responsible for paying out?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1998)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the national
authorities concerned.