WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1703/99 by Raffaele COSTA Draft budget 2000 - expenditure resulting from special functions carried out by the Commission
Date: 1999-09-29
Institutions: COSTA Raffaele, European Parliament
Subjects: EU expenditure, draft budget (EU)

C 27 E/164

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

The present agreement covers activities up to 30 April 2000. The programmes consist of 52 approxi-
mately 2-minute spots, 222 3,5-minute inserts for after news bulletins, 64 8-minute information features
on practical implications for citizens of the main European policies (including 22 about the euro), and nine
13-minute features on external relations issues. A provisional programme listing is being sent directly to
the Honourable Member and to the Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

The Commission is responsible for steering and coordinating activities, through an internal assessment
arrangement and regular monitoring meetings with Euronews, which are attended by Parliament repre-
sentatives. The Community and Euronews each have full non-commercial retransmission and reproduction
rights for the productions. The Commission ensures that Euronews broadcasts accurate and balanced
information, particularly with regard to the positions and activities of the European Institutions. However,
this takes place with due respect for editorial freedom, which is fully guaranteed to Euronews as an
independent channel. As a result, in addition to broadcasting via the channel itself, the Community also
benefits from the production of audiovisual products which it can then put to further use to feed and
enrich the content of its other audiovisual initiatives.

All programmes are retransmitted via the satellite broadcasting system and are therefore directly available
to, and useable by, 900 TV stations in 47 countries, in addition to the 500 programme user institutions of
Europe by Satellite (EBS). The programmes constitute a thematic audiovisual resource which can be utilised
directly for Commission visit programmes, by speakers and representation offices, and by the 125 Com-
mission delegations throughout the world.

(2000/C 27 E/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1702/99

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 September 1999)

Subject: Draft budget 2000 (cid:129) expenditure relating to persons working with the Commission

In 1998, the budget heading (cid:145)expenditure relating to persons working with the institution(cid:146)
Commission) was ECU 1 641 555 000 (ITL 3 100 billion).

(i.e. the

Why is this expenditure set to increase from ITL 3 100 billion to ITL 3 500 billion in 2000 (cid:129) a rise of
over EUR 202 million (approximately ITL 400 billion)?

In the light of the austerity heralded by Mr Prodi, whereby the Commission was supposed to keep
expenditure within 1998 levels, can the Commission explain the reasons for this increase?

(2000/C 27 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1703/99

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 September 1999)

Subject: Draft budget 2000 (cid:129) expenditure resulting from special functions carried out by the Commission

In 1998 ECU 246 138 470 (ITL 477 billion) were spent on (cid:145)special functions carried out by the institution(cid:146)
(i.e. the Commission).