WRITTEN QUESTION E-2155/99 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Savoia family exile.
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, free movement of persons, human rights, political refugee

C 170 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

Article 6(1) of the Commission Decision 97/0579/EC of 23 July 1997 setting up scientific committees in
the field of consumer health and food safety (1) stipulates that the members of the committees (cid:145)shall act
independently of all external influence(cid:146). In order to ensure such independence, members are obliged to
make three separate declarations of all
to their
independence: a declaration of interest as part of the original expression of interest (application) to
become a member of a scientific committee; an annual declaration of interest, and a declaration of any
particular interest which could be regarded as prejudicial to the expert(cid:146)s independence in respect of an item
on the agenda of a meeting of his or her committee.

their interests that could be considered prejudicial

The question of the Honourable Member concerns the annual declarations of interest of past and current
members of the scientific committee on food.

Article 6 paragraph 2 of the above mentioned Decision stipulates that each member of a scientific
committee is required to inform (cid:145)each year the Commission of all the interests which could be considered
prejudicial to their independence(cid:146). This general rule applies to all nine scientific committees. Nevertheless,
each committee has adopted its own rules of procedure. The rules of procedure of the scientific committee
on food, adopted on 17 September 1998, stipulate that:
inform the
Commission in writing of any interest which could be regarded as prejudicial to their independence.
Interest may be of a direct or indirect financial nature or in some cases concern ethical matters(cid:146).

(cid:145)Each year, the members shall

It has to be emphasised that the scientific committees adopt their internal rules of procedure with
complete independence.

The members of the scientific committee on food submitted their declarations for the first time after the
adoption of the rules of procedure and for the second time in April 1999.

The annual statements are not automatically accessible to the public. As they contain personal information,
the declarations can only be provided to third parties if the member has given his or her express
agreement. The rules of procedure contain, as an annex, a form entitled (cid:145)annual statement of members(cid:146)
interests(cid:146). The form provides for the agreement of the member to allow the declaration to be made
publicly available. On the occasion of the last annual statement, most of the members agreed that their
declarations could be accessible to the public. In these cases, the Commission can inform third parties on
request.

Regarding past members, no particular obligations concerning this matter are in force.

(1) OJ L 237, 28.8.1997.

(2000/C 170 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2155/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Savoia family exile

Since 1946 the Savoia family, who until then had reigned over Italy, have been living in exile. This exile
seems absurd, unjustified and, furthermore, in breach of international human rights conventions.

In the context of a united Europe with a sound democracy based on solidarity and citizens(cid:146) rights, would
the Commission state:

1. whether there are any European directives stipulating that European citizens who have not committed

any crimes are entitled to move freely within the EU;

2. whether it does not consider that the case might be referred to the European Court of Justice;

3.

its general views on the matter.

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/149

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 November 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No P-2703/97 by
Mr Florio (1).

(1) OJ C 60, 25.2.1998.

(2000/C 170 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2174/99

by Salvador JovØ Peres (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Legislative acts which may affect competition

(29 November 1999)

What would the Commission(cid:146)s opinion be of a situation where a regulation granted a tariff reduction on
the raw materials used by only one firm in a certain sector, without clear justification?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1999)

It is not Commission policy to answer hypothetical questions.

(2000/C 170 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2187/99

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) and Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Treaty of Amsterdam and sport

(29 November 1999)

Although the social significance of sport was recognised, it was effectively effectively left outside the scope
of the Treaty. Declaration No 29 annexed to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty does not allow the
Community to take any action in the field of sport.

In the light of the social dimension of sport (cid:129) both professional and amateur (cid:129) particularly in forging
identity, bringing people together and promoting the Olympic ideals, and of its economic dimension in the
creation of new jobs.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether it considers that the Community should take action to encourage cooperation between
Member States or cooperation with third countries, and to complement the Member States(cid:146) measures,
as is the case with cultural affairs, for example? Is it aware of any practical results that have come out
of the above declaration to date?

2.

If so, will it take the opportunity of the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference to propose that
sport be incorporated into the new Treaty with the introduction of a relevant chapter?

3. Does it have the necessary structure available to implement a possible Community sports policy?