WRITTEN QUESTION P-0099/00 by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The situation in Croatia following the elections on 3 January 2000.
Date: 2000-01-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Croatia, EU programme, EU relations, cooperation policy, democratisation, diplomatic relations, national election, political situation

C 225 E/218

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

In view of the legal obligation to apply the precautionary principle, is not both urgent and necessary for
the Commission to investigate this dreadful problem fully before any more food safety disasters occur in
Europe?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 2000)

As stated in my hearing before Parliament last September I consider that a systematic testing for BSE
should be implemented. The Commission has initiated discussions with the Member States on the
introduction of post-mortem tests for BSE with the intention to present a proposal to the standing
veterinary committee before April 2000.

(2000/C 225 E/250)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0099/00

by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: The situation in Croatia following the elections on 3 January 2000

In view of Croatia(cid:146)s strategic importance because of its potential role as mediator in stabilising the region,
and its pro-European attitude, can the Commission answer the following questions, in order to clarify the
position it intends to adopt vis-(cid:224)-vis the new government in Croatia?

Does the European Union intend to set up the consultative Task Force so as to speed up the preparations
for closer relations between the Union and Croatia?

What approaches will the European Union make to the new Croatian Government, which has already
shown itself to be receptive?

Will Croatia be granted full access to the Phare programme?

Will the European Union act swiftly to back the new political majority at this delicate transitional stage?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 2000)

The Commission fully shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s views on the geopolitical importance of Croatia
and its key role in stabilising the region as a whole. The Commission considers that the outcome of the
election and the way in which consultations were held marks a new departure in the democratisation of
Croatia. The new leadership(cid:146)s statements and initial commitments are very encouraging. The Commission
is sure that if the new government follows them up with action this new direction will quickly lead to the
end of Croatia(cid:146)s international isolation and hopes that the strong message of democratisation given by the
Croats may serve as an example to other countries and peoples in the region.

The EU has already begun to give the first political signals of encouragement with a view to improving
relations with Croatia and will show its willingness to cooperate with a fully democratic Croatia. The
President of the Commission visited Croatia on 14 January 2000 and the Member of the Commission
(General Affairs), meeting on
responsible for external relations plans to visit shortly. The Council
24 January 2000, invited the new Croat Prime Minister to the next Council meeting on General Affairs
on 14 February 2000 and decided to set up a joint Community-Croatia consultative task force, a technical
body which will appreciably improve communication with Croatia and will be an initial instrument of
assistance with a view to establishing closer relations between Croatia and the Community. The Council is
currently discussing the mandate of this task force and will soon decide on the date of its first meeting.

8.8.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/219

In terms of Community assistance, the Commission intends to conduct an evaluation mission in February
2000 which will enable it to identify needs and priorities. Changing policy on Phare assistance (which will
in any event be substantially amended for countries in the region in 2000) and establishing contractual
relations will depend solely on the attitude of
the new government and its practical progress on
outstanding political issues. The Commission is prepared to make the necessary proposals when the time
comes.

(2000/C 225 E/251)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0102/00

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Request for specific recognition of amateur sport

(18 January 2000)

Sport has a social function and plays a role as an integral part of the culture of the Community countries,
as well as having educational, social, cultural and recreational aspects recognised in the Amsterdam Treaty.
It is necessary to bear in mind the way sport is organised in Europe,
its characteristics and recent
developments. A distinction is made in the Member States between professional sport (organised by
businesses) and amateur sport (organised by non-profit-making organisations). Amateur sport, as practised
in the Member States, must be recognised as such by the various national sports federations, in accordance
with the standards drawn up by those organisations and in compliance with the directives drawn up by
the various national Olympic committees in the Member States.

laws and the
In view of the distinction between professional and amateur sport made by national
regulations of
it considers it
the relevant sports organisations, can the Commission say whether
appropriate to make an amendment to the Amsterdam Treaty recognising the specific nature of the sector
of sport which national laws and the regulations of the sports organisations in the Member States define as
amateur sport?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2000)

The Commission has recognised that sport is an essential instrument for social integration and education (1)
in European society, and advocates a new partnership between the various actors in the sports sector (cid:129)
sports organisations, national authorities and Community institutions (cid:129) in order to maintain and
strengthen the social value of physical exercise and sport.

With regard to the way in which sport is organised, the Commission would stress that there are significant
differences from one Member State to another. Not all Member States have legislation relating to sport, in
addition to which the differences between professional and amateur sport are not always defined clearly
and precisely. As Advocate-General Cosmas emphasised in his Opinion (2), the economic or non-economic
character of an athlete(cid:146)s activities should be sought in the elements defining the nature of that activity, and
not in declarations by sports federations. It is therefore a matter for the courts, and not the sports
federations, to determine whether a sporting activity is of a professional nature or not.

The Commission also considers that Community law already takes account of certain characteristics
inherent in sport, especially amateur sport. It recognises, for example, the existence of activities of a
the sports
specifically sporting nature which are bound by rules or the self-regulating powers of
organisations but are not subject to competition rules. For this reason, the Commission does not at this
stage consider it necessary to amend the treaties in order to acknowledge the specific nature of amateur
sport.

(1)

(cid:145)The Helsinki Report on Sport(cid:146): Report from the Commission to the European Council with a view to safeguarding
current sports structures and maintaining the social
function of sport within the Community framework,
COM(1999) 644 final.

(2) Opinion of Advocate-General Cosmas in Joined Cases C-51/96 and C-191/97.