WRITTEN QUESTION E-2983/00 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Jas Gawronski (PPE-DE), Gianfranco Fini (UEN), Umberto Bossi (TDI), Pier Casini (PPE-DE), Rocco Buttiglione (PPE-DE) and Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission. The fall in the value of the euro.
Date: 2000-09-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Central Bank, coordination of EMU policies, euro, floating rate, single monetary policy

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/147

The Commission is aware that certain elements of the food hygiene legislation were considered, in certain
Member States, to be too stringent with regard to the production of traditional food. The rules on food
hygiene are laid down in Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June 1993, on general food hygiene (2) in
force since 1995. However, on 14 July 2000, the Commission adopted a set of proposals that aim to
consolidate and simplify the existing food hygiene rules (3). These proposals, once adopted, would leave as
a matter of subsidiarity a possibility for the Member States to adapt the hygiene requirements to take
account of traditional production methods. This offers a great flexibility and represents a tool for the
Member States to tune the food hygiene requirements in such a way that they perfectly fit with the needs
of the sectors concerned.

(1) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993.
(3) COM(2000) 438 final.

(2001/C 136 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2983/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE),
Jas Gawronski (PPE-DE), Gianfranco Fini (UEN), Umberto Bossi (TDI),
Pier Casini (PPE-DE), Rocco Buttiglione (PPE-DE)
and Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: The fall in the value of the euro

The reports received over the last few weeks, and more particularly in the last few hours, concerning the
declining value of the euro in relation to the dollar and other currencies have given rise to serious concern
in the European Parliament.

In view of the often unduly optimistic statements made by individual Members of the Commission, the
Council and the European Central Bank (ECB), we call on the Council to issue an official response to the
problem explaining the economic, financial and monetary policy the European Union intends to adopt to
address the difficult situation of its currency and reverse its hitherto apparently inexorable decline.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 2000)

In assessing developments in the exchange rate of the euro, some important considerations are often
unduly disregarded. The euro has already delivered substantial benefits to the participating Member States.
Inflation and interest rates are low by historical standards, the new macroeconomic policy framework
guarantees stability and growth, and the integration of financial markets is progressing rapidly. While the
Commission maintains the view that the current level of the euro is not in line with the economic
situation,
in an historical
perspective of the floating exchange regime since the 1970s. In the case of a relatively closed economic
area like the euro area, economic policy should generally not be directed to the exchange rate but rather at
domestic objectives such as growth and inflation.

it should be kept in mind that the recent fluctuations are not exceptional

The scope of the Commission to provide an official response as to the (cid:145)economic, financial and monetary
policy(cid:146) that the Community intends to follow to stop the decline in the euro is limited. It is worth pointing
out that Member States are required by the EC Treaty to treat their exchange rate as a matter of common
concern. The Commission provides analyses for the regular exchange rate surveillance carried out by the
Economic and financial committee, the Ecofin Council and the Eurogroup, but has no direct responsibility
for the monetary and exchange rate policies of the euro area.

C 136 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

The mandate of the Eurosystem to safeguard price stability in the euro area implies that monetary policy
reacts to exchange rate developments only to the extent that they pose a threat to price stability. However,
the European Central Bank (ECB) can intervene in foreign exchange markets, as it did on 22 September
2000 jointly with other group of seven most industrialised countries (G7) central banks, in response to a
prolonged deviation of the euro exchange rate from economically-justified levels.

In a longer term perspective, the exchange rate is influenced by all economic policies and not only by
monetary policy. Fiscal and structural policy have an indirect impact as they affect the expectations of
economic agents. Structural reform improving the functioning of the labour market would raise the
expected rate of return and thus attract investment in the euro area.

The economic policy strategy of the Community is developed in the broad economic policy guidelines for
the Member States. It aims at policy actions that both safeguard stability and raise productive capacity in
the economy. The key components of this strategy are the stability-oriented monetary policy conducted by
the ECB and supported by rule-based fiscal discipline; an extensive programme of supply-side micro-
economic reforms in product markets, capital markets and labour markets; and a set of policies specifically
geared to promoting knowledge-based economic development.

The Commission considers that the prompt implementation of the strategy set out in the broad economic
policy guidelines would improve the performance of the euro area economy and thus support the euro in
the medium term.

(2001/C 136 E/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2984/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: The trial of the Iranian Jews found guilty of espionage

As the court hearing the appeal of the ten Iranian Jews found guilty two months ago of spying for Israel
and the United States is due to pass sentence on 20 September 2000, what action does the Commission
intend to take to ensure that the standards of justice and human rights recognised by the international
community are upheld?

How will the Commission, in line with the measures it has already taken, seek to ensure that the Iranian
authorities(cid:146) actions comply with the principles that govern the conduct of civil nations and that no
considerations other than the dictates of justice prevail?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2000)

The Commission follows with deep concern the issue of human rights in Iran. Questions regarding human
rights, including the trial in Shiraz, feature prominently in the comprehensive dialogue between the Union
and Iran.

On the specific situation of the 13 Iranian Jews tried in Shiraz on charges of espionage, a number of
demarches have been made by the European Union as well as by individual Member States since the
arrests in April 1999. In these endeavours, the Union has stressed the importance of a free and fair trial, its
disappointment at the lack of sufficient defence representation and its concern that the trial was not open
to observers. Following the verdict on 1 July 2000, the Union urged the court of appeal to reduce or
retract the sentences given to ten of the defendants. The decision by the appeal court on 21 September
2000, to reduce the sentences was a welcome step. We remain concerned, however, about the lack of
transparency in the judicial proceedings and regret that the sentences were not reduced more drastically or
simply set aside. The Commission remains mindful of the fate of those convicted and will continue to
follow the matter closely.