WRITTEN QUESTION E-3407/00 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Deportation of Italian citizens by Germany.
Date: 2000-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Baden-Württemberg, European Commission, Germany, Italy, free movement of persons, free movement of workers, infringement of EU law, powers of the institutions (EU), racism, sanction (EU)

C 174 E/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2001)

The Commission is clearly aware of the specific challenges posed to the work of the European Institutions
by the cultural diversity within the Community. The diverse cultural background of the staff is also
considered to be an asset in terms of meeting the needs and expectations of citizens of the EU because it
obviously reflects the various cultures within the Community. Consequently, the Commission attaches
importance to the training of its staff in relation to these issues.

There are no specific studies on this issue by the Commission, and neither is there an estimate of costs that
could be caused by misunderstandings due to cultural differences. An estimation of any such costs would
clearly have to be based on precise and reliable analysis of the causes and consequences of misunderstand-
ings. It is doubtful whether such an analysis is feasible in practical terms.

There is no specific study on problems for staff resulting from the multicultural background of the
working environment. Nevertheless, the multicultural factor is addressed on the basis of facilitating the
integration of staff who are working abroad from their home countries and the Commission consequently
provides various useful social services. Furthermore,
the multicultural working
environment are to be addressed in a publication which is currently in preparation and will be published
early in 2001: This six page brochure demonstrates the importance of coping with cultural diversity and
its consequences in the working environment. It refers to the obstacles (stereotypes, misunderstanding,
negative attitudes, etc) to be avoided, and it recommends some guidelines for behaviour which could help
to improve the quality of the intercultural relationship, where that is necessary.

the main aspects of

The Commission has for several years organised training on the issue of cultural diversity and intercultural
communication and co-operation. As well as regular special courses dedicated to this subject,
the
multicultural nature of the organisation is a feature that is taken into account in the design of all
management and behavioural training in the Commission. The Commission(cid:146)s white paper of March
2000 (1) stressed the importance of training that is related to working in a multicultural environment, to
managing diversity, and to the Commission(cid:146)s obligation to help staff to develop their potential in the
multinational environment.

A new project entitled (cid:145)Optimisation of cultural diversity(cid:146) has recently been proposed by the training
department and the social policy unit which will be of benefit to all staff.

(1) COM(2000) 200 final.

(2001/C 174 E/050)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3407/00

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(8 November 2000)

Subject: Deportation of Italian citizens by Germany

Last spring an Italian family living in Baden-W(cid:252)rttemberg was deported by Germany because the head of
household had lost his job.

The couple had moved with their four children to the German Land just over a year earlier, with a
standard employment contract, but after an accident the head of household had had to leave his new job
and together with his pregnant wife found temporary employment in a cleaning firm.

Despite this, one morning the police took the whole family, searched the two spouses as if they were
major criminals and loaded the family onto the first plane for Italy without even allowing them to collect
their personal belongings or bottles for the small children.

Does the Council not consider that it is necessary to condemn and penalise such reprehensible
1.
conduct, which has clearly racist anti-Italian overtones, and which has been going on for far too long in
Germany, where Italian citizens have also been physically attacked by gangs of neo-Nazis?

Does the Council not also believe that the violation of Community laws on the free movement of

2.
persons and workers should be condemned?

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/51

Reply

(8 March 2001)

1.
The Council has no knowledge of the events described by the Honourable Member. In any case, the
questions raised concern compliance with Community rules on free movement. They are a matter for the
Commission, as guardian of the Treaties.

2. With regard to the question of racism, the Council would draw attention to the Joint Action of
15 July 1996 adopted by the Council concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia (1).

(1) OJ L 185, 24.7.1996, p. 5.

(2001/C 174 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3412/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 November 2000)

Subject: Support for information on EMU in Sweden

In 1998 the Commission paid a contribution of € 84 317 to the Sweden in Europe Foundation (answer to
my question E-1694/00 (1)).

The Sweden in Europe Foundation is a body with strong party political links and the aims it is working for
include Swedish membership of the EMU. In the interests of democracy and pluralism will the Commission
consider paying a financial contribution to the (cid:145)No to the EU(cid:146) popular movement, and its political
campaign against Swedish membership of the EMU?

(1) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 102.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2000)

While it is correct, as the Commission informed the Honourable Member, that a grant of € 84 317 was
made to the Sweden in Europe Foundation, this occurred in 1998, before any partnership agreements had
been signed with the Swedish public authorities.

The Commission does not reject a project a priori, provided that it satisfies the conditions for eligibility
and the criteria for award and that the information disseminated is presented in an objective way, which is
in keeping with Swedish tradition.

Two agreements were signed in 1999 and 2000, since when the Commission(cid:146)s policy has been to award
no further direct grants to external institutions or organisations.

(2001/C 174 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3417/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Recruitment of staff for the Commission IT Directorate

(7 November 2000)

According to Svenska Dagbladet of 18 November 1999 there is a clear link between the nationality of the
head and key senior staff in the Commission(cid:146)s IT directorate.