WRITTEN QUESTION P-2325/00 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission. Migrants Forum.
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European organisation, eligibility criteria, migration policy

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/193

(2001/C 72 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2323/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Inclusion of Schinia (Attica) in the Natura 2000 network

(30 June 2000)

The international environmental organisation WWF has proposed that the Commission should include
2 326 new regions in the list of regions which form part of the Natura 2000 network (Directive 92/43/
EEC) (1) submitted by the Member States. Among these new regions special priority is accorded to the
Schinia wetlands in Attica.

Given that this region has been selected as a site for facilities for the 2004 Olympic Games, will the
Commission consider the WWF proposal with a view to promoting the objectives of Natura 2000? What
scope does the Commission have for intervening in this matter?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2000)

The Schinia wetlands are indeed among the additional sites (the (cid:145)shadow list(cid:146)) proposed by the Worldwide
Fund for Nature for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

When assessing, for each biogeographical region, the national lists transmitted by the Member States, the
Commission takes the WWF(cid:146)s proposals into consideration whenever a type of habitat or a species is
deemed to be insufficiently represented.

Regarding the facilities planned at Schinia for the 2004 Olympic Games, a complaint has already been
lodged with the Commission, which will be examining the case within that context.

(2001/C 72 E/249)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2325/00

by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Migrants Forum

I understand that the Directorate-General for Justice and Home Affairs took over the management of
Community subsidies for the European Union Migrants Forum from the Directorate-General for Employ-
ment and Social Affairs as of 1 January 2000. In this year(cid:146)s budget, € 800 000 was earmarked under
budget line A-3040 towards the operating cost and the work programme for this organisation.

As vice-chairman of the Committee on Budgetary Control I received a copy of an open letter, dated
8 March 2000, signed by a number of interested associations including ATMF (Association des Travailleurs
Marocains en France), FTCR (FØdØration des Tunisiens pour une CitoyennetØ des deux Rives), ATIME
(Association des Travailleurs de Turquie), AJM (Asociaci(cid:243)n de Trabajadores e Inmigrantes Marroqu(cid:237)es en
Espaæa), ELELE (Maison des Travailleurs de Turquie) and CFAIT (Conseil des Associations Fran(cid:231)aises de
Turquie), in which allegation of mismanagement are made. I understand that the Commission also received
a copy of this letter following the Annual General meeting on 16/17 December 1999.

News has also reached me, through reliable contacts in Denmark, that in addition to the concerns voiced
in the open letter, the budget was allegedly re-directed to fund an election campaign in Morocco and to
pay for private expenses.

C 72 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

Is there any basis for these allegations?

If so, what action has been taken by the Commission, including the recovery of funds?

How does the Commission ensure that this body and others funded under A-3 Community subsidies are
effective in meeting their objectives?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2000)

The Honourable Member is correct that the Directorate general for Justice and home affairs took over the
management of matters relating to the Migrants(cid:146) Forum from 1 January 2000 under
the direct
responsibility of its Director general.

The Commission also received the open letter of 8 March 2000 and has been given a detailed written reply
from the executive committee of the Migrants(cid:146) Forum covering each point.

The Commission will undertake a full audit of the activities and accounts of the Forum in the near future
and will at that time address the allegations of misuse of funds drawn to its attention by the Honourable
Member. It will then decide on any action to take. Should any irregularity be revealed, the Commission
will take all appropriate steps at its disposal to remedy the situation in addition to informing the European
Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

With regard to the Commission(cid:146)s role in ensuring that the funding is effectively spent, the Migrants(cid:146) Forum
has a contractual obligation to report to the Commission on its activities and does so regularly. This
contractual obligation extends to annual submission of accounts which are then assessed by the
Commission. A Commission official is also an observer on the executive committee of the Forum and
the board of management.

(2001/C 72 E/250)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2355/00

by Mario Mauro (PPE-DE), Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE)
and Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Infringement of the principle of non-discrimination and competition in connection with the

situation of teachers in schools officially recognised as equivalent to State schools

The perpetuation in officially recognised schools in Italy of blatant disparities and discrimination contrary
to the spirit of the Italian Constitution and European legislation on competition has prompted the
questioners to raise the following issues at a higher level.

The question is therefore not intended to refer to or interfere with Article 126 of the EC Treaty, since the
aim is not to deal with the organisation of school systems but with the infringement of the right to work
caused by discrimination between the teaching staff of State schools and of those officially recognised as
equivalent.

1.
Teachers in these officially recognised schools have been allowed access to the competitive qualifying
examination, in which, incomprehensibly, only half the years of service are recognised (cid:129) the overall mark
includes both the level achieved in the examination and half the number of years of service. Why, when
the final list is drawn up, is the service is ignored?

2.
Can the Commission explain why the Italian Ministry of Education does not systematically allow
teachers in officially recognised schools access to competitive examinations by qualification only since,
once again, the years of service do not count?