WRITTEN QUESTION E-3625/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. ACP ambassadors.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ACP countries, President of the Commission, diplomatic profession

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/183

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2000)

The Commission regrets that in the absence of more detailed information it is not able to comment on the
elements to which the Honourable Member refers or to gauge whether a breach of Community law is
involved.

(2001/C 163 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3624/00

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Payments of family allowances for migrant workers

In the case of a Turkish migrant worker employed and living in Austria, with his wife and children
resident in Belgium, is it incumbent on the Austrian or the Belgian authority to pay family allowances/
children(cid:146)s allowances?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

The EEC-Turkey Association Agreement and its Additional Protocol of 1970 contain certain social security
provisions. Under this agreement the Association Council adopted in 1980 social security provisions for
Turkish workers moving within the Community and for their families residing within the Community
(Decision No 3/80) (1).

As the Commission(cid:146)s proposal for implementing these provisions has not been adopted by the Council, the
question of whether individuals can rely directly on the provisions contained in Decision No 3/80 has
been tried by the European Court of Justice in a number of cases. As Community law now stands
(judgement of the Court of 4 May 1999 in case C-262/96 (cid:129) Sema S(cid:252)r(cid:252)l v. Bundesanstalt f(cid:252)r Arbeit) (2),
Turkish nationals falling under the scope of the above-mentioned provisions can rely on the principle of
equal treatment, as contained in that decision, for their social security rights under the national legislation
of the Member States.

In the situation mentioned by the Honourable Member, any right to family benefits for those concerned
(presuming that the Turkish migrant worker(cid:146)s wife and children are also of Turkish nationality) needs to be
answered on the basis of national
legislation in Austria and Belgium with due consideration to the
application of the above-mentioned principle of equal treatment.

In practice this means that an Austrian or Belgian institution, when applying its own national legislation
on family benefits, must put the Turkish migrant worker and his family members on an equal footing with
its own nationals.

(1) OJ C 110, 25.4.1983.
(2) ECR 1999 p. I-2685.

(2001/C 163 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3625/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: ACP ambassadors

Would the Commission clarify what the policy is on meetings with ambassadors from ACP countries? Is it
the case that they do not meet the President of the Commission, as was the case in the past?

C 163 E/184

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

All African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) Ambassadors present their credentials to the President
of the Commission. This occasion is not only ceremonial, but also an opportunity to discuss relations with
the country concerned. On other occasions, Ambassadors are usually received by the Member of the
Commission responsible for the ACP countries or by senior officials.

There has been no change in policy.

(2001/C 163 E/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3626/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Ethiopia/Eritrea

Would the Commission give details of the precise role of the EU envoy deployed at this time in Eritrea and
Ethiopia?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

Senator Serri was appointed Special Representative of the Union Presidency in January 2000, to assist the
Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in its efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict between
Ethiopia and Eritrea. All parties involved have expressed their satisfaction with this appointment. He has
an intimate knowledge of the Horn of Africa and its problems. Senator Serri has, since his appointment,
been in close and constant contact with the Algerian Presidency of the OAU in order to contribute to the
success of the mediation initiative. The OAU has expressed its strong appreciation for the Union support
to the peace process, bringing together information, perceptions and evaluations of the underlying reasons
for the conflict as well as developing scenarios for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. In his capacity as
the Union Presidency Special Representative, Senator Serri carried out his first mission to Asmara and
Addis in February 2000. He met the President of Eritrea and the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister
of Ethiopia.

In October 2000, Mr. Serri was involved in the Algiers proximity talks where he continued his support to
the peace process. In October 2000 also, on the occasion of the eighth summit of heads of state and
governments of the Intergovernmental authority on development (IGAD) in Kartoum, he again had talks
with President of Eritrea and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia as well as with the foreign ministers of both
countries.
In the meantime the permanent contact between Mr Serri and the OAU Presidency has
continued unabated. All parties expressed their appreciation for the European contribution through the
Special Representative.

Mr Serri embodies not only the Union support to the peace process led by the OAU, but also provides
both the Member States and the Commission with very valuable up to date information on the peace
process and its constraints. This helps the Union to appreciate the underlying issues of the conflict and
permits the Union to assist in resolving the conflict.

(2001/C 163 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3627/00

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: budget contributions

Can the Commission give, for the latest year available, the gross and net contributions to the European
Union budget for all Member States?