WRITTEN QUESTION E-4025/00 by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission. Refusal of grant to the International Youth Festival in Wertheim in Germany.
Date: 2000-12-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Baden-Württemberg, EU financing, East of England, European cultural event, Hungary, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, promotion of the European idea, twinning, youth policy

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/217

The first element is the change to metrics, which started in the United Kingdom during the 1960s, prior to
its accession to the Community. The metric system of units has been agreed under the SI (International
System of Units). Most countries in the world, including the Member States, apply the metric system, with
the United States as the main exception, although it is a party to the SI. The decision to implement a
common system throughout the Community on metrication was taken by the Member States in 1971,
1980 and 1989. The United Kingdom fully agreed with this approach. Given the particular situation in the
United Kingdom and Ireland, it was, however, agreed to implement metrication in phases, according to a
detailed timeframe. As regards the final items, including (cid:145)goods sold loose in bulk(cid:146), the transitional period
was set until the end of 1999, allowing, in all, 20 years for retailers in Ireland and the United Kingdom to
adapt. From that date, all products sold must have metric indication.

Another question is whether other indications may be given as well. Community Directives state to this
effect that dual labelling shall be authorised at least until 2009, so as to allow all countries world-wide to
adapt to the SI, whilst maintaining trade flows.

It is the responsibility of national authorities to ensure that national law, implementing Community law, is
implemented in a correct way.

(2001/C 174 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4025/00

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Refusal of grant to the International Youth Festival in Wertheim in Germany

I have received letters from the Huntingdon Town Council in England informing me that the European
Union has previously funded International Youth Festivals designed to promote the European Union.

Similar letters have been received form Huntingdon(cid:146)s twin towns, Wertheim am Main, Szentendre and
Salon de Provence.

This year, the European Union has decided to withdraw funding from the Wertheim am Main International
Youth Festival. I am told by Huntingdon Town Council that this has caused them (cid:145)consternation and great
concern(cid:146).

Why has the funding ceased?

Will the European Commission reconsider its decision to withdraw the funding?

What is the total amount of funding given by the European Commission to support international youth
festivals in each EU country and, specifically, to Huntingdon, Szentendre and Salon de Provence since
1 January 1986.

What is the annual budget for the European Commission(cid:146)s expenditure on international youth festivals.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

The request for funding for the Wertheim Youth Festival was submitted in the context of the Commission(cid:146)s
programme supporting actions to promote town-twinning.

C 174 E/218

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

The Commission was unable to meet the funding request because the available budget had been used up
so quickly. The fact is that town-twinning sponsorship proved so successful that demand outstripped the
Commission(cid:146)s capacity to provide financial support. In order to be able to handle grant applications with
the budget available, the Commission found itself obliged to set a closing date of 15 September for funding
applications for the year 2000 (1).

Anxious to improve the quality of the service provided, the Commission revised the grant application
procedure for the year 2001 (2).

The towns that organise the Wertheim International Youth Festival may submit their grant application for
2001 using this new procedure. In due course the Commission will verify the eligibility of the application.

The Commission has no specific statistics on the funding of international festivals.

Similarly, it does not allocate a specific portion of the budget to such activitiese, which are normally
covered by various programmes.

(1) Notice on town-twinning grants, OJ C 238, 22.8.2000.
(2) Call for proposals DG EAC No 75/00, OJ C 320, 9.11.2000.

(2001/C 174 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4027/00

by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Lorry drivers

Increasing numbers of Danish lorry drivers are being robbed of their money when they pull up in parking
areas. How can the Commission ensure that European workers, in this case Danish drivers, are not robbed
in car parks? The problem is increasing all the time, so how is the Commission going to tackle it? Are any
proposals in preparation and if so, what are they?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2001)

The described risk that Danish professional drivers run when they stop their vehicles, must be considered
as a question regarding the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security of the
Member States. The Commission can not intervene in this specific matter, as it is the Member States,
which, pursuant to Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union, are responsible for what action should be
taken to maintain law and order and to safeguard their internal security. The specific question regarding
the Danish professional drivers is therefore not a question of police or judicial cooperation in criminal
matters within the framework of the EU Treaty.

(2001/C 174 E/233)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4030/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: The killings at Racak

Has the Commission seen a copy of the Finnish autopsy report on the killings which took place in RaŁak,
Yugoslavia, in January of last year? Will it, at all events, press for the official report to be made public?