WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3871/98 by Christoph KONRAD Independence of the European Central Bank
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, KONRAD
Subjects: European Central Bank, European System of Central Banks, decision-making body (EU), economic concentration, monetary union, price stability

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/83

(1999/C 320/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3866/98

by Hugh McMahon (PSE) to the Commission

(9 December 1998)

Subject: Age discrimination and Article 13 of the Treaty

Can the Commission indicate to Parliament the results of the Commission’s conference in Vienna on the
implementation of the new Treaty Article 13 on discrimination and the next steps proposed by the
Commission? In particular, what specific action is the Commission considering taking to combat age
discrimination and implement the provisions of Article 13?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 1999)

In its social action programme 1998-2000 (1), the Commission announced its intention of exploring the new
scope for action opened by Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty.

A major European conference was held in Vienna on 3 and 4 December 1998 on the implementation of
Article 13. The aim of the conference was to launch a debate with those involved in anti-discrimination
policies at European and national level (European institutions, Member States, non governmental organiza-
tions (NGOs), social partners, and academics) to identify the way forward on this article.

One of the main conclusions of the conference was the need for Community action to supplement what
Member States are doing to fight discrimination. At the end of the conference the Commission announced its
intention of presenting, after the coming into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam, an Article 13 anti-
discrimination package.

The Commission will ensure that whatever proposals are put forward take proper account of relevant issues
related to preventing and combating age discrimination.

(1) COM(98) 259 final.

(1999/C 320/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3871/98

by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Independence of the European Central Bank

The latest opinion polls in the countries participating in monetary union confirm a sharp rise in the
population’s confidence in the common European currency. One reason for this is the effort so far made to
achieve and respect the convergence criteria, particularly price stability.

Under Article 107 of the EC Treaty, the governments of the Member States undertake to respect the
independence of the European Central Bank and of the national central banks and not to seek to influence the
members of their decision-making bodies in the performance of their tasks. This independence secures the
overriding objective of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB): maintaining price stability. The shaping
of monetary policy is therefore the sole responsibility of the decision-making bodies of the ESCB which have
undertaken that task.

How does the Commission plan to ensure, in the light of the most recent discussions, that the key Treaty
provisions on safeguarding the independence of the ESCB are also respected in the future?