WRITTEN QUESTION E-1795/00 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer concerning the future of the European Union.
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU institution

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/189

Can the Commission:

(cid:129) ascertain whether the facts set out above are true;

(cid:129) if need be, take action to persuade the Italian Ministry of Labour to remove any discrimination and
any unlawful competition which might arise due to the fact that those excluded cannot obtain the
essential (cid:145)declarations of release certifying that they have regularly paid their contributions(cid:146) provided
for by Law No 415/98?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the
national authorities concerned.

(2001/C 53 E/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1795/00

by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer concerning the future of the European Union

The media (cid:129) in particular in France (cid:129) have published statements made by the Commissioner Michel
Barnier expressing approval and appreciation of the proposals concerning the future of the European
Union made publicly by the German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in Berlin on 12 May this year.

Mr Fischer(cid:146)s proposals differ on practically all the most important points from the views expressed
previously in the current debate on the forthcoming IGC and reported by the Commission, in particular
by Commissioner Barnier, who has responsibility and specific competence for preparing the IGC.
In particular they contrast sharply with the Commission(cid:146)s official position and the proposals for the
revision of the Treaties which, in accordance with the provisions and rules set out in Article 48 of the EU
Treaty, were presented by the President Romano Prodi and by Michel Barnier himself on 26 January this
year, at the special meeting held with the European Parliament in Brussels.

Can the Commission say what views are currently held by the Commission and Commissioner Michel
Barnier on the fundamental issues raised in the recent proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer
concerning the future of the European Union and its institutions? Does the Commission abide by or has it
revised its proposals? If it does back Mr Fischer(cid:146)s proposals as reported by the media, does it intend to
revise completely the opinion and plans which it presented on 26 January in accordance with the
procedure set out in the Treaties?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 2000)

Mr Fischer expressly stated that his speech did not concern the challenges to be met over the next few
months, but rather the prospects for European integration well beyond the current Intergovernmental
Conference. The Commission sees no reason to revise the opinion it issued on 26 January under Article 48
of the Treaty on European Union concerning the convocation of an intergovernmental conference with a
view to amending the Treaties.