WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2077/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Right of association for soldiers
Date: 1998-07-07
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: armed forces, competence of the Member States, freedom of association, freedom of expression, human rights, professional association, restriction of liberty, trade union rights

C 96/32

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.4.1999

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 1998)

Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
1.
environment (1) applies to the classes of project set out in Annexes I and II thereto (including lines for long-
distance railway traffic) before they are carried out or, in certain circumstances, before they are altered. It does
not apply to existing infrastructure.

2.

This is a matter for the Member State concerned.

The Commission published a Green Paper on noise policy in 1997 (2). Having received reactions to the
3.
Green Paper, it is now preparing a proposal for a framework directive on environmental noise. Specific expert
groups will prepare position papers and report to the Commission.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) COM(96) 540 final.

(1999/C 96/044)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2077/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Right of association for soldiers

In the light of Parliament(cid:146)s resolution and the report by the Legal Affairs Committee (Doc. 1-1387/83) on the
right of association for soldiers and Parliament(cid:146)s annual report on the right of association for soldiers (paragraphs
50-51) and on respect for human rights in the European Community, tabled on 21 March 1997 and accompanied
by the resolution adopted on 18 March 1997, in which it again called for trade-union rights and freedom of
expression to be granted to the armed forces.

Will the Commission say whether:

1.

2.

3.

soldiers have been granted the right to found professional associations in all the Member States?

Italy supported the above-mentioned positions adopted by the EU?

there are certain conditions which must be fulfilled by professional soldiers(cid:146) associations in order to be
authorized by the Member States and if so what those conditions are?

4.

it will state its general position on the matter?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 1998)

The right of association is outside the scope of the Treaty (Article 137 of the future Treaty). Consequently, the
issue of the right of association of the members of the armed forces falls exclusively within the competence of the
Member States.

Unfortunately the information requested on the precise legal situation in Member States is not readily available.
However, it is generally the case that the right of association of soldiers is subject to restrictions due to their
specific functions.

(1999/C 96/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2078/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Euro-Mediterranean initiatives

Following the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in November 1995, the Euro-Mediterranean Committee of the
Barcelona process was set up to gradually implement a programme of work based on the aims and methods of the