WRITTEN QUESTION E-2854/99 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Stockholm information office scandal.
Date: 2000-01-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Sweden, fraud against the EU, information centre

C 203 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-669/99 by
Mr Mar(cid:237)nos during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s December 1999 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (December 1999).

(2000/C 203 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2783/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Shortcomings of public works in Greece

(18 January 2000)

In its answer (P-2120/98) (1) to my question concerning compliance with quality standards in public works
in Greece (2), the Commission pointed out that the first ESPEL (special quality control council) quarterly
report found that problems of the kind mentioned do exist and stressed that it (cid:145)expects this matter to make
rapid progress and hopes that any financial, disciplinary, penal or other consequences for those responsible
will have a dissuasive effect in the future and will result in lasting improvements to the situation as regards
quality(cid:146). It also noted that, depending on their seriousness, the shortcomings suffered by the projects would
either have to be corrected by the contractors, or the costs involved would be deducted from their
payments, or else the projects would have to be rebuilt at the contractors(cid:146) own expense.

Given that ESPEL recently forwarded to the services of the Ministry for Economic Affairs reports on 44
public works, of which it transpires that only four projects meet all the necessary standards:

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Will it say what progress has been made in each case in dealing with the shortcomings mentioned in
its answer, on which it expected (cid:145)rapid progress(cid:146) to be made?

2. What information does it have on further shortcomings and what measures does it intend to take?

(1) OJ L 135, 14.5.1999, p.16.
(2) Written Question E-2592/98, OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 151.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2000/C 203 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2854/99

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Stockholm information office scandal

Moderate Party MEP Per Stenmark was quoted in Aftonbladet on 20 November 1999 as saying that the
Commission should close its Stockholm office.

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/179

Sweden is outraged at the latest scandal at the Commission(cid:146)s information office in Stockholm involving
payments of money to non-existent people. What action has the Commission taken against
those
responsible for the false payments and does the Commission consider that the then head of the office is
ultimately responsible for the scandal?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-712/99 by
Mr Schori during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s December 1999 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (December 1999).