WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1872/98 by Mair MORGAN to the Commission. European Commission Representation Offices in the Regions
Date: 1998-06-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MORGAN
Subjects: European Commission, access to EU information, dissemination of information, information network, public awareness campaign, regional government, source of information

C 50/108

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.2.1999

The Commission is aware of the interest of door producers in the Community. In the course of its investigation,
the Commission received written representations from a number of door producers on the possible impact of any
anti-dumping measures on their costs of production. A hearing was attended by a large proportion of the
manufacturers of lacquered door skins in the Community.

The information thus provided, together with that supplied by other interested parties, will be given careful
consideration by the Commission in drawing its conclusions as to the need, or otherwise, for protective measures
in this proceeding.

(1) OJ C 336, 7.11.1997.

(1999/C 50/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1872/98

by Mair Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(8 June 1998)

Subject: European Commission Representation Offices in the Regions

Can the Commission clarify the role of the European Commission Representation Offices in the regions. Is there
a responsibility on them to inform as well as to gather information?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 1998)

The role of the Commission(cid:146)s representations was described in the communication entitled (cid:145)The role and
organisation of the press and information offices(cid:146) (1) and later in a progress report (2) and in a document on
information and communication strategy (3).

The representations continue to have primary responsibility for information to all sections of the population in
their respective Member States, but they are increasingly devolving the task of providing information for the
general public to partner and relay organisations which work under their supervision. The latter are in close
contact with the needs of citizens and can provide a user-friendly information service, at regional and local level.
This allows the representations to concentrate on providing more specific information to opinion multipliers,
such as politicians and the media, and reporting to Brussels on developments in their Member States which are of
interest to the Commission.

This policy applies for the main representations as well as for the regional zones. Therefore the reply to the
second part of the question is (cid:145)yes(cid:146).

(1) SEC(89) 662.
(2) SEC(90) 1646.
(3) SEC(94) 80.

(1999/C 50/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1875/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Commission responsibility for backwardness of Greek railways

(16 June 1998)

The White Paper on a strategy for revitalizing the Community(cid:146)s railways states that (cid:145)the railways should play a
much greater role in tackling... transport challenges(cid:146) and (cid:145)the goal should be to make rail as attractive to use as
other means of transport(cid:146).

Why, when the Commission has decided to revitalize the railways, has it not helped to:

1. modernize the rail network in Greece, particularly in the Peloponnese,

2.

supply modern rolling-stock to enhance its competitiveness and standard of services,