WRITTEN QUESTION P-2542/00 by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Unnecessary administrative formalities affecting European firms.
Date: 2000-07-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European undertaking, Greece, administrative formalities, competitiveness, peripheral region

C 81 E/210

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

Accordingly, a UK insurer may, if he so wishes, provide cover for vehicles purchased in another Member
State by UK citizens and registered there in so far as it is authorised to do business by way of the freedom
to provide services.

(1) OJ L 103, 2.5.1972.
(2) OJ L 129, 19.5.1990.
(3) OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.

(2001/C 81 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2542/00

by Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 July 2000)

Subject: Unnecessary administrative formalities affecting European firms

About one year ago, on 29 April 1999, the Commission submitted to the Council of Ministers an action
plan designed to abolish unnecessary administrative formalities which restrict the competitiveness of
European firms.

Will the Commission say which Member States have taken a stance on this initiative and what has been
the response of those EU countries which are geographically remote and do not have land borders with
the other Member States, and whose firms face particular difficulties in gaining access to major markets, as
well as higher transport costs? In particular, would it say what problems have been experienced by Greece
as a geographically remote country, which also faces difficulties because of its extensive network of
islands?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2000)

in response to the European Council conclusions at Cardiff
The Industry Council of 29 April 1999,
relating to the recommendations of the BEST Task Force, unanimously endorsed the action plan to
promote entrepreneurship and competitiveness,
in accordance with the respective competences of the
Member States and the Commission. The Member States have continued subsequently to express strong
political support for the objectives of BEST. Greece has actively supported the action plan along with the
other Member States.

The Commission is not in a position to offer more information about particular problems raised by the
representatives of the Greek government or on other technical aspects of the negotiations for the adoption
of the BEST action plan in the Industry Council of 29 April 1999, as those negotiations were conducted in
the Industry Council preparatory group meetings. The Commission would therefore invite the Honourable
Member to address his questions to the Council for supplementary information.

(2001/C 81 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2544/00

by Eluned Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Budget line B3-1003 (cid:129) preparatory measures for the promotion of linguistic diversity in the

information society

When does the Commission expect to issue a call for proposals for 2000 under the budget line B3-1003
(cid:129) preparatory measures for the promotion of linguistic diversity in the information society (cid:129) in order to
spend the € 2 million commitments which are on that budget line for 2000?