WRITTEN QUESTION E-1659/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Fisheries agreement with Morocco and Spanish Prime Minister Aznar's visit to Morocco.
Date: 2000-05-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Morocco, fishing agreement, negotiation of an agreement (EU)

C 89 E/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

event. In August, the organisers were told informally that, in view of the soundness of the project and the
limited funds available, they could reckon with about € 20 000. They decided to continue with the
initiative. But on 31 January 2000 the Commission told them that no funds were available.

1. Why can the Commission not respond to this kind of request within three months?

2. Why can the Commission not say immediately that insufficient funds are available, instead of letting
it be known informally that limited funds will probably be available?

Is the Commission aware that circumstances of this kind can (1) undermine willingness to undertake

3.
such initiatives and even (2) undermine the organisations responsible for them?

Is there any way in which these projects, which are experiencing difficulties as a result, could be

4.
subsidised retroactively?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

In general, the Commission tries to respond to grant applications within a time limit of three months.

The Commission did in fact inform the beneficiaries that their application would be considered favourably.

However, because of the considerable volume of applications in 1999, the available funds allocated to the
town-twinning programme were not enough to support this particular project.

Certain applications of particular importance or interest, including this one, were eventually able to be
supported from the budget for 2000.

(2001/C 89 E/067)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1659/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 May 2000)

Subject: Fisheries agreement with Morocco and Spanish Prime Minister Aznar(cid:146)s visit to Morocco

During Spanish Prime Minister Aznar(cid:146)s visit to Morocco, the Moroccan Prime Minister, Mr Yosoufi, was
questioned by the media about the fisheries agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of
Morocco. In Mr Aznar(cid:146)s presence, the Moroccan Prime Minister said that he was awaiting the suggestions
announced by Commissioner Fischler regarding a new agreement.

The Moroccan Prime Minister(cid:146)s remarks, coming five months after the expiry of the previous agreement
and the resulting tying-up of the fleets in Galicia, Andalucia and the Canary Islands, illustrate the total
absence of communication between the EU and Morocco, a problem which was not even raised during the
visit by Mr Aznar, despite the fact that he is Head of Government of the EU State most seriously affected
by the fleets(cid:146) inactivity.

This regrettable situation is apparently due to the lack of interest shown by the Union, which admits that,
in its relations with Morocco, it is negotiating fisheries issues separately from major economic and social
issues, and a similar attitude on the part of the Spanish Prime Minister, who did not include fisheries
among the many issues which took him to Morocco, such as political and social
tourism,
issues,
agriculture, industry and telecommunications, especially with regard to the Telef(cid:243)nica company.

Given the above, will the Commission state what stage has been reached in negotiations with Morocco on
the new Fisheries Agreement and what has been achieved by Mr Aznar(cid:146)s visit to the country?

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/69

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 June 2000)

The Commission confirms that the possibility of establishing a new framework of fisheries relations
between the Community and Morocco, remains the first priority of its action with regard to the common
fisheries policy for 2000.

This position was expressed once again to the Moroccan authorities by the responsible Member of the
Commission on the occasion of his visit to Rabat on 18 May 2000.

The Moroccan authorities confirmed their will to establish a new partnership with the Community in the
fisheries sector, and they expressed their availability to open technical discussions in July 2000.

The Commission confirms the position which it has expressed over recent months in line with the
directive for negotiation approved in October 1999 by the Council.

(2001/C 89 E/068)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1664/00

by Gianfranco Dell(cid:146)Alba (TDI) to the Commission

(26 May 2000)

Subject: Appointment of senior Commission officials to positions of responsibility

(cid:129) Andrew Cahn, Chef de cabinet to Neil Kinnock when the latter held the Commission transport

portfolio, has left the Commission to take up a senior post at British Airways.

(cid:129) Having worked on Mr Kinnock(cid:146)s staff, he has had access for many years to essential transport
information and, in particular, played a key role in shaping and running European policy specifically
where civil aviation is concerned.

(cid:129) A temporary employment contract is, by definition, limited in time, and it would be unfair and/or
inappropriate to prohibit a staff member from accepting a job offer affording high status and greater
permanence.

In the light of the foregoing, does the Commission believe that the behaviour described above is consistent
with the professional ethics which officials and other servants of the EC are required to observe?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2000)

As the Honourable Member notes, Mr Andrew Cahn was employed by the Commission under a temporary
employment contract. The Commission has always taken the view that, provided that an envisaged activity
is compatible with the relevant provisions, Articles 16 and 17 of the Staff Regulations, it would be unfair
and inappropriate in principle to prohibit a temporary agent from accepting an offer in the private sector.

After a very thorough consideration of Mr Cahn(cid:146)s new appointment he was formally authorised to take up
his new post. Naturally, that authorisation was, and continues to be, subject to his full and continued
compliance with the terms and principles of the Staff Regulations. He must, consequently, avoid use of
factual information about particular cases which have not yet been completed, acquired in the course of
his duties in the Commission, notably cases which were current during the period between December
1997 and September 1999 when he was Head of Cabinet of the Commissioner responsible for Transport.
Mr Cahn readily accepted that requirement.

Mr Cahn(cid:146)s new tasks as Director of British Airways(cid:146) Directorate of Government and Industry Affairs have
no connection with the duties which he exercised in the period from September 1999 to May 2000 when
he continued to be Head of Cabinet of the Vice President responsible for administrative reform and
consequently, engaged primarily in activities related to administrative reform.