WRITTEN QUESTION E-1664/00 by Gianfranco Dell'Alba (TDI) to the Commission. Appointment of senior Commission officials to positions of responsibility.
Date: 2000-05-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, duties of civil servants

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.

C 89 E/70

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

After examination of all the relevant elements the Commission considered that Mr Cahn(cid:146)s duties in his new
post were consistent with the professional ethics which a temporary member of staff has to respect under
the present Staff Regulations.

As a matter of broader consideration, the Commission takes the view that the present general rules and
principles relating to the external employment of temporary and permanent officials would benefit from
greater precision in order to ensure consistency and practical guidance, as well as transparency, not least to
facilitate more exchange of qualified personnel between national and Community administrations and
between the public and private sectors. The Commission will therefore examine whether, on the basis of
best working and ethical practices in the administrations of the Member States and of other international
bodies, more precise rules and procedures can be proposed and,
if so, what practical provisions and
arrangements should be made.

(2001/C 89 E/069)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1669/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Payment of contractors and suppliers

Further to Ms Schreyer(cid:146)s answer to my Written Question No E-0505/00 (1), will the Commission please
give a comparable proportion of payments which were completed within the 60-day period for the four
previous years (i.e. 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995)?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001.

(2001/C 89 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1670/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Payment of contractors and suppliers

Further to Ms Schreyer(cid:146)s answer to my Written Question No E-0505/00 (1), will the Commission please
indicate the average period of payment across all departments from the date of receipt of the invoice to
the date on which the Commission bank account was debited for payments made in the four previous
years (i.e. 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995)?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1669/00 and E-1670/00
given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2000)

Performance and change in average payment times since 1995 (overall statistics) (1).

Performance as regards target times achieved since 1995

(Percentage of payments executed)

(cid:26) 60 days

> 60 and (cid:26) 90

> 90 days

1995
1996
1997
1998
1999

83,7
77,7
73,4
73,6
65,1

8,8
11,8
9,0
10,9
14,9

7,5
10,5
17,6
15,5
20,0