WRITTEN QUESTION E-3253/00 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European identity card.
Date: 2000-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European citizenship, citizens' Europe, competence of the Member States, free movement of persons, identity document

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/213

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2000)

The Commission is not aware of the reports mentioned. Whether use of biological agents to eradicate
is a
plants used for producing prohibited drugs contravenes the precautionary principle or is illegal
complex question which cannot be answered in general. Particular uses need to be examined on a case by
case basis.

(2001/C 136 E/249)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3253/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: European identity card

Many of the EU(cid:146)s citizens believe the Union is a good and practical idea, especially when one speaks of
companies or consumer products. However, matters change when one speaks of people and the movement
of citizens.

It may happen, for instance, that a Union citizen is informed, in a Member State other than his country of
origin, that his passport is not considered valid documentation should he apply for provisional motor
vehicle registration, or that there are obstacles to his acquiring a residence permit or work permit. For
such reasons, the vast majority of EU citizens would like to see the introduction of a European identity
card, which would make their lives easier and avoid them the kinds of inconvenience mentioned.

Can the Commission state whether any plans currently exist to introduce a European identity card and
specify what guarantees it can offer the Union(cid:146)s citizens that this aspiration can one day become a reality?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2000)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the current provisions of the EC Treaty do
not confer upon it a competence to create a (cid:145)European identity card(cid:146).

The citizenship of the Union established by Article 17 (ex-Article 8) EC Treaty does not replace national
citizenship. Member States issue identity cards to their nationals under national law (see declaration 2
annexed to the final act of the Treaty on European union). It should be noted that there are certain
Member States which do not have any such provisions.

However, action to harmonise the lay-out of identity cards in order to facilitate the free movement of
people in accordance with Article 18 (2) (ex-Article 8a) EC Treaty, and to eliminate sources of confusion is
considered an appropriate step, which the Commission is seriously considering.

(2001/C 136 E/250)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3255/00

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: Revision of the postal directive (cid:129) creation of a compensation fund

With a view to achieving a significant reduction in the reserved area of services, in its proposal of 30 May
2000 (cid:129) COM(2000) 319 final (cid:129) the European Commission seems to be relying on the compensation
fund to maintain financing of the universal service.