WRITTEN QUESTION E-4035/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. 133 Committee.
Date: 2000-12-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: access to EU information, activity report, committee (EU), common commercial policy

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/115

However, it should also be pointed out that Council Directive 95/21/EC of 19 June 1995 (4) concerning
port State control of vessels stipulates (cid:129) inter alia (cid:129) on-board inspection on vessels putting into the ports
of Member States,
internationally applicable social
conditions under Convention 147 of
the International Labour Organisation (convention concerning
minimum standards to be observed on merchant vessels).

including vessels flying a non-European flag, of

(1) OJ L 113, 30.4.1992.
(2) OJ L 307, 13.12.1993.
(3) OJ L 179, 23.6.1998.
(4) OJ L 157, 7.7.1995.

(2001/C 187 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4035/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: 133 Committee

The 133 Committee is the real power behind and decision-making centre for the European Union(cid:146)s
commercial policy. It takes its name from Article 133 of the Treaty of Amsterdam. That article provides
for the establishment of a special committee appointed by the Council to assist the European Commission.
The 133 Committee constitutes the link between the European Commission and the Council.

Each Member State has one full and one substitute member to represent it on that committee. Those civil
servants take important decisions relating to international trade issues such as the banana dispute, the
supply of medicinal products to poor countries and the American levy on European steel. The Council
resolves any political problems and ratifies the decisions taken by the committee. Some proposals are
debated solely within the committee and approved en bloc by Coreper (the national civil servants
appointed to the European Union) without further debate.

Does the Commission take the view that a report should be published about the documents used by
1.
and the debates in the 133 Committee? If not, why does the Commission take the view that a report
should not be published about the documents used by and the debates in the 133 Committee?

Does it take the view that the public should have access to 133 Committee reports? If not, why does

2.
the Commission take the view that the public should not have access to 133 Committee reports?

3. Will the Commission ask for a report to be published henceforth about the documents used by and
the debates in the 133 Committee? Will the Commission also ensure that the public has access to those
reports? If not, why will the Commission not insist on the public(cid:146)s right to inspect the political decision-
making process of the 133 Committee?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2001)

the EC Treaty sets out

Article 133 (ex Article 113) of
the framework for the formulation and
implementation of trade policy within the Community. The role of the Article 133 Committee, that the
Honourable Member refers to, is to advise the Commission in the conduct of trade negotiations. Specific
objectives for the Community in important trade matters and negotiations such as a new round of trade
negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or the discussions for a trade agreement with
Mercosur are set out in Council conclusions or negotiating directives, which subsequently guide the work
taking place in the 133 Committee. On the role of the 133 Committee and democratic accountability, the
Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply to Written Question P-3674/00 by
Mr Schmid (1).

C 187 E/116

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

As regards the question of the opportunity of elaborating reports of the documents and discussions in the
133 Committee, the Commission would like to point out that the 133 Committee is a special committee
appointed by the Council. The decision on whether and how to elaborate such reports as well as their
accessibility therefore lies within the responsibility of the Council Secretariat.

Concerning more specifically the access to documents transmitted by the Commission to the 133
Committee, the Commission in its letter to the President of the industry, external trade, research and
energy committee on 20 January 2000, agreed to transmit to the Parliament significant document sent by
the Commission to the 133 Committee, as well as other important reports established by the Commission.
Documents of a more sensitive nature are transmitted as (cid:145)confidential(cid:146), or (cid:145)restricted(cid:146) documents. A large
number of documents are, however, transmitted as public documents and are posted on the Directorate
General Trade website.

Public documents include the near totality of Community submissions to the WTO, discussion papers on
major issues, as well as key documents concerning the Community(cid:146)s New Round Strategy.

(1) OJ C 163 E, 6.6.2001, p. 190.

(2001/C 187 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4039/00

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Siemens

Have Mr Liikanen and Mr Monti received the letter sent to them by the Mayor of Hengelo, Mr Kerckhaert,
concerning Siemens(cid:146) plans to close its subsidiary Demag Delaval in Hengelo and relocate it to Germany,
despite the fact that the undertaking involved is economically sound?

Is it true that Siemens(cid:146) takeover of the Demag Delaval undertakings has still to be approved by the
European Commission?

Does the Commission deem it justifiable for undertakings to be relocated immediately after takeover, even
where there are no clear business reasons for so doing, when the problems caused by job losses are
considerable?

Is the Commission prepared to investigate whether Siemens has complied with all European legislation
relating to consultations with employees and the works council in this matter, given that some 700 jobs
are at stake?

Has the Commission already replied to the letter from the Mayor of Hengelo? If not, when will it do so?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2001)

The Member of the Commission responsible for Competition and Enterprise have received the letter.

The merger decision in case Comp./M.2224-Siemens/Demag Krauss Maffei, which also concerns Demag
Delaval Werke, was approved by the Commission on 20 December 2000.

The Commission is (cid:129) within the framework of merger control (cid:129) not authorized to supervise companies(cid:146)
economic decisions in terms of location matters.