WRITTEN QUESTION E-1366/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Twinning in the Commission's work programme.
Date: 2000-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, twinning

C 46 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

for proposals in February 2000 specifically addressed (cid:145)the learning citizen(cid:146) and associated new
call
technologies, approaches, methods and services to facilitate motivation for and access to lifelong learning
to the population at large.

Following the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council on 23-24 March 2000, the Commission(cid:146)s
proposed action plan for the eEurope initiative includes two explicit objectives to address (cid:145)Preparing youth
for the Digital Age(cid:146) and (cid:145)Working in the knowledge-based economy(cid:146).

(2001/C 46 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1366/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Twinning in the Commission(cid:146)s work programme

(4 May 2000)

During an interview published in the Italian daily newspaper (cid:145)La Repubblica(cid:146) on 20 March 2000, Vice-
President Kinnock, speaking about the challenges and priorities for the Commission(cid:146)s future, mentioned the
question of twinning, saying that the Commission was working on twinning between cities, which was a
task it had taken on with pleasure and which its officials had always carried out well. However, the
shortage of staff meant that it had to ask itself whether twinning was one of the Commission(cid:146)s main tasks.
This last question seems to be rhetorical. Indeed, when the question is asked in this way, it is clear that
twinning cannot be seen as one of the Commission(cid:146)s main tasks. At least that is the impression given.

1.

Has the Commission already answered the question asked by its Vice-President?

Did it perhaps intend to indicate by this rhetorical question that in future neither the staff nor

2.
financial resources would be available to implement the programme currently under way?

3.
If so, does it not think that the withdrawal by the Commission of political and financial support from
twinning represents the latest in a long series of setbacks to the people(cid:146)s Europe and the involvement of
towns and cities in the Union in a measure designed to promote awareness and knowledge of the cultures
of the different peoples of Europe?

4.

Can it give formal assurances regarding its support for the programme?

(2001/C 46 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1446/00

by Massimo Carraro (PSE) to the Commission

(3 May 2000)

Subject: Twinning of towns

On 20 March 2000, in an interview given to the Italian daily newspaper (cid:145)La Repubblica(cid:146), Commissioner
Kinnock questioned whether the Commission should continue supporting the twinning of towns and cities
in Europe, given the staff shortages in the unit concerned.

Will the Commission say whether this is indeed its policy and whether, as the Commissioner responsible
maintains, it no longer sees this measure as a priority?

Does the Commission not think that the European Parliament should be properly consulted before it
adopts a position on this matter?