WRITTEN QUESTION P-2671/00 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission. Macedonia.
Date: 2000-07-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, North Macedonia, university

C 81 E/214

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

The system under Regulations (EEC) 1408/71 and (EEC) 574/72 guarantees that the rights of workers
3.
who have completed their professional careers in more than one Member State will not be affected by the
fact that they have exercised their right to free movement. If an insurance period is not sufficient for a
person to qualify for a pension under the legislation of a given Member State, insurance periods completed
in other Member States will also be taken into account. Furthermore, pension rights are calculated on the
basis of all the systems of legislation which have been applicable to the person concerned, to ensure
his/her interests are served, because each competent institution in each Member State concerned is obliged
to pay either the national pension or the pro-rata pension, depending on which amount is more
advantageous to the worker. Each of these old-age benefits is then paid wherever the person concerned
(cid:145)without being subject to any
is living or staying, within the territory of the European Economic Area,
reduction, modification or suspension(cid:146).

(1) Council Regulation of 14 June 1971, on the application of social security schemes to employed persons,
to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (OJ L 149, 5.7.1971)
(latest consolidated version: Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2.12.1997 (OJ L 28, 30.1.1997)).

(2) Council Regulation of 21 March 1972 fixing the procedures implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the
application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their
families moving within the Community (OJ L 74, 27.3.1972).
Judgment of 7 June 1973, Walder (82/72, Rec. p. 599) and judgment of 9 November 1995, ThØvenon (C475/93,
Rec. p. I-3813).
Judgments of 7 February 1991, R(cid:246)nfeldt (C-227/89, Rec. p. I-323) and ThØvenon as above.
Judgment of 7 May 1998, Gomez Rodr(cid:237)guez (C-113/96, Rec. p. I-2461).

(4)
(5)

(3)

(2001/C 81 E/274)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2671/00

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(25 July 2000)

Subject: Macedonia

The Government and the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia are currently putting the final touches
to a law on higher education which will enable private universities recognised by the Macedonian State to
be set up. This law, which is due to be adopted before the summer recess, should in particular provide a
solution to the problem of access to quality higher education for the sizeable Albanian community by
creating the conditions for the establishment of a recognised university in Tetovo.

the
This political act (responsibility for which lies mainly with the Prime Minister, Mr Georgevski;
chairman of the Democratic Party of Albanians in Macedonia, Mr Xhaferi; and the OSCE Special Envoy,
Mr Van der Stoel) will also enable approximately 7 000 Albanian students in Macedonia to resume a
normal education (cid:129) students who would otherwise have no prospects and who would easily fall under the
influence of demagogues and of those trying to force a showdown over the issue of the relations between
the various communities in Macedonia.

Is the Commission aware of this welcome development? Is it also aware that without proper funding it will
not be possible for the potential offered by this new legal framework to be exploited? Is it willing to
provide extensive direct funding for the university in question?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to his oral question H-0702/00
during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s Septembre I 00 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (September 2000).