WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2809/98 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Gender mainstreaming at meetings of the Council
Date: 1998-09-18
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: Council of the European Union, gender equality, minister, participation of women, political representation, woman

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/121

In the Commission’s view, who can be instructed to mediate between a European contractor and the
authorities on the spot? Would it not be appropriate for either the Commission itself or the Phare
administration to assume this task?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 1998)

The Commission has transferred the contracting authority for nearly all Phare projects to partner
countries. In this decentralised system, a national implementing authority, such as a programme
management unit, enters into a contract with consultants. The Commission has no legal relationship
with the consultant. If disagreement on the implementation of the contract arises between the consultant
and the implementing authority, it is to be settled according to the procedures established in the contract
between these two parties.

Normally, problems arising in implementation of a project should be addressed by the two contracting
the consultants should contact, while respecting their
parties. However, where problems persist,
contractual obligations, the relevant Commission delegation or the Commission’s Joint relex service
for the management of Community aid to non-member countries. The Commission will seek to intervene
informally with both parties, where resources allow, to help achieve the objectives of the projects while
respecting the autonomy of the partner country to manage projects entrusted to it.

(1999/C 135/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2809/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council

(18 September 1998)

Subject: Gender mainstreaming at meetings of the Council

How is the Commission’s principle of gender mainstreaming implemented at meetings of the

1.
Council?

Do the Ministers for Women’s Affairs or their nominated representatives attend the meetings of the

2.
different Councils (transport, energy, etc.)?

3.

If not, why not, or is gender mainstreaming just so much waste paper?

Reply

(20/21 December 1998)

The Council would point out to the Honourable Member that under the first paragraph of Article 146 of the
Treaty establishing the European Community and the corresponding Articles in the other Treaties, the
Council consists of a representative of each Member State at ministerial level, authorised to commit the
government of that Member State. Within each Government, women holding the offices corresponding to
the particular Council meeting do, of course, attend.

The representatives of the Member States may moreover raise questions concerning gender mainstream-
ing policy at any time on the occasion of discussions by the Council and its preparatory bodies.

Finally, the Honourable Member’s attention is drawn to the fact that Article 3 of the EC Treaty as amended
by the Amsterdam Treaty provides that in all the Community’s activities, it will aim to eliminate
inequalities, and to promote equality, between men and women.