WRITTEN QUESTION E-3589/00 by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission. Beatles Anthology.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, audiovisual industry, music, restriction on competition

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/235

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2000)

The situation to which the Honourable Member refers is well known to the Commission, which had
already made two reports, communicated to the Parliament, on the practical application of the general
system directives, that is Council Directive 89/48/EEC and Council Directive 92/51/EEC (1).

The Honourable Member refers to harmonisation of education and training, integration of programmes
and other measures in this field. The Commission would point out that according to Articles 149 and 150
(ex-Articles 126 and 127) of the EC Treaty, the Community contributes to the quality of education by
encouraging co-operation with the Member States and by supporting and supplementing their action in
this field. However it should be stressed that Member States are responsible for the content of teaching and
the organisation of education systems, as well as their linguistic and cultural diversity.
In this field
harmonisation of laws and regulations in the Member States is explicitly excluded.

Any demand for a specific directive for professional recognition would presuppose a consensus of the
relevant professional group in Europe as well as the support of a large majority of the Member States, as
well as additional guarantees of free movement.

According to the general system, the recognition of third country qualifications, held by Union citizens,
accorded by one Member State binds the others, albeit only to the extent of the obligations under the
general system, once the holder of those qualifications has three years professional experience in the case
of a diploma and two years professional experience in the case of a certificate, in the Member State which
first recognised the third country qualification (2).

As for third country nationals who hold qualifications obtained in one of the Member States, the above
Community law also applies to family members of a national of a Member State who has exercised his
right to free movement under Community law.

(1) Report to the Parliament and the Council on the state of application of the general system for the recognition of
higher education diplomas (cid:129) made in accordance with Article 13 of Directive 89/48/EEC (cid:129) COM(96) 46 final;
Report from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament on the application of Directive 92/51/EEC in
accordance with Article 18 of Directive 92/51/EEC (cid:129) COM(2000) 17 final.

(2) See also ECJ Case C-319/92 (HAIM I) and ECJ Case C-238/98 (Hocsman).

(2001/C 136 E/277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3589/00

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Beatles (cid:145)Anthology(cid:146)

Is the Commission aware that it is impossible to buy the Beatles (cid:145)Anthology(cid:146) in the English (original
version) in France? Is it aware that this situation is to protect the producer of the French language version
from competition? Is the Commission aware that this is giving rise to a black market in France?

What is the Commission intending to do to enforce the rules of the single market, and to protect Beatles(cid:146)
fans from unscrupulous practice and to save this important part of Europe(cid:146)s cultural heritage from unfair
commercial practice?

C 136 E/236

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 2000)

The Commission has not been informed of the problem referred to by the Honourable Member. On the
basis of the limited information at its disposal, it does not feel able to take any steps to deal with this
matter.

It would therefore ask the Honourable Member, if he can provide further information, to draft a new and
more detailed version of his question.

(2001/C 136 E/278)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3631/00

by Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE) and Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Situation of managerial staff in the European Union

(22 November 2000)

After the European Parliament(cid:146)s Committee on Social Affairs, Employment and the Working Environment
had adopted report A3-0196/93, Parliament approved the resolution on the situation of managerial staff in
the European Union contained therein on 25 June 1993 (1). What action has the Commission taken in
response to Parliament(cid:146)s demands?

(1) OJ C 194, 19.7.1993, p. 347.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2001/C 136 E/279)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3640/00

by Ant(cid:243)nio Campos (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Common Agricultural Policy

One of the Union(cid:146)s most important objectives (cid:129) if not the most important (cid:129) for the next few years is
enlargement. This will require extensive political reforms, including reform of the CAP.

Will the Commission therefore state by how much the EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure is to be
increased as a result of enlargement in relation to the three countries mentioned below, assuming that
these countries will be entitled to the same treatment as currently applies to the fifteen EU Member States:

1.

2.

3.

Increase in EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure, following the accession of Poland.

Increase in EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure, following the accession of Hungary.

Increase in EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure, following the accession of the Czech Republic.