WRITTEN QUESTION P-0806/00 by Gerardo Galeote Quecedo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Role of the Commission representative during official European Parliament visits.
Date: 2000-03-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Commission Delegation, European Parliament, interinstitutional relations (EU)

28.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374 E/161

For want of more detailed information, the Commission in unable to comment on the situation the
Honourable Member is referring to. Nonetheless, as part of its follow-up of the procedure it will check that
the Italian measures remain fully compatible with the Community rules on State aid.

(1) OJ L 227, 28.8.1999.

(2000/C 374 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0806/00

by Gerardo Galeote Quecedo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 March 2000)

Subject: Role of the Commission representative during official European Parliament visits

In view of the various different practices followed in respect of the role of the Commission representative
during official visits by representatives of the European Parliament, could the Commission explain whether
there are any rules governing the role of the Commission representative during official visits to third
countries by parliamentary bodies, particularly as regards matters such as organisation, protocol, participa-
tion, etc?

Could the Commission also say whether there are any rules on its participation in meetings of
parliamentary committees and interparliamentary delegations in Brussels, when issues are discussed for
which its presence might by useful in providing information relevant to Parliament(cid:146)s work?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2000)

The role of the head of delegation of the Commission in third countries during official visits for the
Parliament is defined in the Manual of operational procedures.

This role involves, inter alia, meeting the delegation of the Parliament on arrival in the country, providing
(within reasonable limits) logistical support, briefing them on the situation in the country and on particular
points of interest and accompanying the delegation from Parliament on their visits. It can also involve
assistance, where needed, with local media contacts and where possible, offering appropriate hospitality.

The Commission adopted in 1999 a communication to the Council and Parliament in which it stated that
heads of delegation could appear before parliamentary committees and inter-parliamentary delegations in
the same way as officials of the Commission based at headquarters do. On such occasions they could
answer specific questions concerning the exercise of their functions. The Commissioner in change of
external relations has encouraged heads of delegations to offer, during visits to headquarters, to brief the
relevant committee or delegation on the state of relations between the Union and the country or countries
to which he is assigned.

(2000/C 374 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0808/00

by Hans Modrow (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 March 2000)

Subject: Sanctions against Yugoslavia

In connection with their decision to suspend air traffic with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for six
months the Member States of the European Union have drawn up a list of several hundred Yugoslav
citizens who are subject to a general ban on entry to the European Union.