WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2744/98 by Bartho PRONK to the Commission. Discrimination against EU citizens in the enforcement of the Linking Act in the Netherlands
Date: 1998-09-03
Institutions: European Parliament, PRONK
Subjects: Netherlands, anti-discriminatory measure, application of EU law, equal treatment, foreign national, free movement of workers, residence permit

C 118/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.4.1999

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 1998)

According to the EC Treaty (Article 105a 1), the issuance of euro banknotes is the competence of the
European central bank (ECB) and the National central banks (NCBs), the ECB having the exclusive right
to authorise the issue of such banknotes. The technical preparation of euro banknotes was supervised by
the European monetary institute (EMI) until the creation of the ECB (on 1 June 1998) and by the ECB
since then.

According to the information from the ECB, thirteen Member States have their own banknote printing
works. The two Member States which do not have their own printing works buy their banknotes from
European commercial security printers. As decided by the governing council of the ECB in June 1998, the
production of euro banknotes for the initial supply is going to take place at national level on the basis of
the same printing works, with the possibility of exceptional bilateral pooling arrangements for the
production of some denominations for which the volume needed would be very low.

The competence for issuing coins lies with the Member States (Article 105 a 2). The national mints will be
in charge of minting the euro coins.

Therefore, given that the bulk of production will take place at national level, the transport of euro
banknotes and coin, and consequently the associated risks and costs, will be limited.

(1999/C 118/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2744/98

by Bartho Pronk (PPE) to the Commission

(3 September 1998)

Subject: Discrimination against EU citizens in the enforcement of the Linking Act in the Netherlands

The Linking Act (Bulletin of Acts, Orders and Decrees 1998, 203) has been in force in the Netherlands
since 1 July 1998. Although the Netherlands recognizes that beneficiary EU citizens derive their right of
residence directly from European law, EU citizens must present a residence document or registration
sticker if they wish to gain access to the basic municipal register. Registration in the basic municipal
register is necessary if access is to be gained to Dutch administrative bodies. These requirements are set
out in the instructions of 28 April 1998 issued by the head of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service to
the chief constables.

1.

Is the Commission aware of this Act and these instructions?

2.
Does the Commission believe that this Act and its enforcement by means of the instructions that
have been issued may constitute prohibited discrimination against EU citizens within the meaning of
Article 6 of the EC Treaty?

3.
Does the Commission also believe that the documentation required of EU citizens as a result of this
Act or the implications of this requirement are inconsistent with the free movement of workers within the
meaning of Regulation (EEC) 1612/68 (1)?

4.

If so, what action does the Commission plan to take?

(1) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968, p. 2.