WRITTEN QUESTION E-0680/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Involvement of elected representatives in overseeing international institutions.
Date: 2000-03-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: UNO, common foreign and security policy, competence of the Member States, interinstitutional relations, international organisation, parliament

C 53 E/16

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

The Commission has always taken initiatives to promote safety and health protection for workers at work,
and over 20 (cid:145)health and safety(cid:146) directives have been adopted by the Council on the basis of proposals from
the Commission. These directives have to be transposed by the Member States, which are responsible for
ensuring appropriate monitoring and enforcement of the resulting national provisions.

The Commission also develops non-legislative measures designed to help improve workers(cid:146) health and
safety and reduce workplace accidents and occupational diseases, focusing particularly on small and
medium-sized enterprises. For example, it is working on measures to enhance the awareness of the various
players, in a bid to establish a prevention culture as the most effective means of meeting changes and
developments in the world of work. Some of these non-legislative measures also involve the preparation of
non-binding practical guides intended to make it easier to understand the obligations imposed by the new
European legislation.

(1) Under the ESAW project, workplace accident rates cover all of the following nine main branches: agriculture,
forestry (cid:129) industry, manufacturing (cid:129) production and distribution of electricity, gas and water (cid:129)
hunting,
construction (cid:129) commerce, vehicle repair and repair of domestic items (cid:129) hotels and catering (cid:129) transport and
communications (cid:129) financial activities (cid:129) property,
leasing and services to companies (branches A and D to K
respectively of the classification of economic activities in the European Community (cid:129) NACE).

(2001/C 53 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0680/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(9 March 2000)

Subject: Involvement of elected representatives in overseeing international institutions

Will the Commission indicate whether any discussions are taking place with governments and parliament-
ary groups in order to promote the greater involvement of elected representatives in overseeing interna-
tional institutions, including the United Nations?

Is, for example, the Commission pursuing the European Parliament(cid:146)s proposal to invite the Chairs of
parliamentary environment committees to meet with officials from the UN(cid:146)s environmental agencies?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2000)

The issue raised by the Honourable Member on the involvement of elected representatives overseeing
international institutions raises matters of global governance and reform of the United Nations system.
Given that the Community is not a member of the United Nations (UN), this is an area where Member
States have primary responsibility. The Honourable Member should be aware of the encouragement
generally given by the Commission to closer contacts between elected representatives and also interna-
tional organisations. This is also the basis for the arrangement between the Parliament, the Council and the
Commission on the involvement of Members of Parliament in international conferences.

(2001/C 53 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0681/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(9 March 2000)

Subject: NGO participation in discussions about the future of the UN

Will the Commission say what provisions are being made for the participation of Southern NGOs and civil
society organisations in the deliberations of the UN(cid:146)s Millennium Civil Society Forum in May, and the UN
Millennium General Assembly in September?