WRITTEN QUESTION E-0286/01 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Counterfeiting of euro currency.
Date: 2001-02-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: euro, fraud, industrial counterfeiting, money laundering, public awareness campaign

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/77

In the labour market, the relatively high rate of unemployment suggests that the results of the reforms
implemented so far have been modest and a bolder attitude is required, taking into account the remaining
rigidities and the government(cid:146)s objective to drastically improve the employment situation.

In the product markets, raising the still low productivity record requires the continuation of efforts for
improving the functioning of the markets, increasing competitive market conditions and promoting the
development of a knowledge-based society.

As an EMU member since 1 January 2001, Greece has no more monetary and exchange rate policy
instruments at its disposal. On the other hand, economic operators should benefit from reduced monetary
and exchange rate uncertainty and from lower interest rates implied by accession to the euro zone. Thus,
in order to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by EMU participation, it is crucial that an optimal
use is made of the other economic policy instruments available, namely appropriate fiscal, incomes and
structural policies.

(2001/C 261 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0286/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(9 February 2001)

Subject: Counterfeiting of euro currency

What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that when the euro currency is introduced shopkeepers
and traders have very clear guidance as to the nature of the new notes so as to avoid the possibility of
counterfeiting? Is the Commission cooperating with the Member States in a programme to control the
availability and exchange of black-market cash during the transition from national currencies to the euro?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2001)

The European Central Bank (ECB), the national central banks, the Commission and the Member States are
currently conducting communication campaigns with respect to the euro designed for the general public
as much as for specific groups.

Particularly as of September 2001 the campaigns will focus on the characteristics of euro banknotes and
coins, allowing users to recognise them correctly and avoid counterfeits.

For the overall protection of the euro banknotes and coins from counterfeiting, a high level of protection
has been achieved. Security features correspond to the highest technical standards. Furthermore, the
proposal for a Council Regulation laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against
counterfeiting (1), on which a political agreement was reached in Council on 12 February 2001, aims at
establishing, in particular, procedures for exchanging information on counterfeits and counterfeiting and
for cooperation involving the Member States, the Commission, the ECB and Europol.

In addition, the Commission is currently preparing a proposal for a training and assistance multi-annual
programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting and legislative mesures for supervising
cross-border transportation of cash -inter alia- in order to control availability and exchange of black-
market cash. This proposal would aim, in particular, at strengthening legislation on controls and allowing
the exchange of information.

C 261 E/78

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

Furthermore, the Commission proposed (2) an initiative to amend Directive 91/308/EEC of 10 June 1991,
on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering (3), on which a
common position was reached in Council on 30 November 2000. Most importantly, it will extend the
obligations of the Directive, in particular customer identification and reporting of suspicions of money
laundering, after its formal adoption by the Parliament and Council.

(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.
(2) OJ C 177 E, 27.6.2000.
(3) OJ L 166, 28.6.1991.

(2001/C 261 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0291/01

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 February 2001)

Subject: Religious think tanks and the EU

The Catholic European Study and Information Centre (OCIPE) and COMECE (Commission of the Bishops(cid:146)
Conferences of the European Community) both contribute to the debate on the development of the EU.

Do they receive EC monies?

What is their mandate?

What activities do they undertake with EC grants?

Who runs them?

What is the policy of the Commission in encouraging church participation, or the participation of other
religious groups, in the development of ever-closer union?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2001)

A great variety of religious organisations, including the ones mentioned by the Honourable Member, may
be eligible for small grants from Community funds, managed directly by the Commission. These are of two
types: firstly there are subsidies to help cover the running costs of coordination and representation
activities, at European level, of not-for-profit organisations; and secondly there are specific grants for
individual projects.

In the case of the first type, the so-called coordinating Committee of (cid:145)A Soul for Europe(cid:146) which regroups
organisations like the ones mentioned by the Honourable Member, has regularly applied for and received a
small subsidy to help with the running costs of its secretariat in the Ecumenical Centre in Brussels. In the
case of the second type, many small grants are also made each year to organisations which propose
projects and activities which contribute to the debate on the development of the Community, such as the
organisation of conferences and seminars bringing together participants from several member state and
candidate countries. Both the organisations mentioned have received grants for activities of this type.

As the Commission is concerned specifically with the activities to be supported, rather than the mandates
and management of the organisations as such, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member
directly to organisations themselves for precise information on these.

The policy of the Commission as regards the involvement of Churches in the development of ever-closer
union is to recognise their importance both in their own right, and as conveyors of opinion about it. For
these reasons the Commission maintains a permanent dialogue with them.