WRITTEN QUESTION P-0599/01 by Marit Paulsen (ELDR) to the Commission. Freedom of movement for workers.
Date: 2001-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Sweden, education grant, free movement of workers, redemption

C 340 E/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The Council is aware of the difficulties faced by the Community(cid:146)s canned peaches industry in some South
American countries, including Brazil.

is concerned,

As far as Brazil
it must be noted that the 55 % duty referred to by the honourable
is consistent with Brazil(cid:146)s WTO obligations.
parliamentarian is within the tariff level and, as a result,
Consequently, any measures aiming at a reduction of this duty level will have to be addressed in other
fora than the WTO (cid:129) for instance in the current bilateral negotiations between the EU and Mercosur,
which are also mentioned in Mr Baltas(cid:146) question. In this context, the Council wishes to underline that it
included in the mandate given to the Commission for these negotiations, an explicit call for trade
liberalisation and for the dismantling of duties and charges on substantially all trade.

Regarding the Brazilian anti-dumping investigation launched on 25 October 2000, the Council will as
a matter of course study very carefully its eventual outcome and, if necessary, react forcefully to any
Brazilian action which would be in breach of Brazil(cid:146)s WTO obligations.

(2001/C 340 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0599/01

by Marit Paulsen (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 February 2001)

Subject: Freedom of movement for workers

The conditions governing the repayment of student
loans negotiated in Sweden vary enormously
depending on the country in which the borrower subsequently takes up residence. For a person working in
Sweden, the annual repayments amount to a maximum of four per cent of annual income. If, however,
a person works in another Member State, completely different terms apply. Up to five per cent of the total
loan must be repaid every year irrespective of income. Taken over a year, the difference may amount to
several thousand Swedish crowns. Obviously, the main groups to suffer under these provisions are low and
middle-income earners, and part-time workers living in another Member State.

In March 2000, I asked the Commission whether the above rules were contrary to the fundamental
freedom to seek work, and to live and work in another Member State.

The answer given by Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulos dated 12 April 2000 states that
the
Commission had urged Sweden to provide details of the Swedish provisions and that it would notify me
of the outcome of the inquiries.

Now, almost a year later, I have still not been notified of the outcome of the Commission(cid:146)s inquiries.
Neither have there been any changes to Swedish law on the rules concerning the repayment of
government student loans. People living in another Member State continue to be treated unfairly compared
with those living in Sweden.

In the light of the foregoing, will the Commission say:

1. Whether the Swedish Government has replied to the Commission(cid:146)s inquiry. If so, what was Sweden(cid:146)s

reply and is the Commission satisfied with the reply?

2. Whether it intends to initiate formal proceedings to enforce compliance with Union rules and
regulations or take other measures if it is not satisfied with the reply (or has not received a reply)?

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/51

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 2001)

The Commission regrets the delay in informing the Honourable Member of the outcome of its enquiries.

The Swedish authorities have informed the Commission about the reform of the Swedish system of student
loans. A new Student Benefits Act (1999:1395) will enter into force on 1 July 2001. Under the new
system, as of 1 July 2001, all persons who have to repay student loans will be treated in the same manner,
whether they live in Sweden or abroad. Persons with outstanding loans on the basis of the old Student
Benefit Act (1973:349) can ask after 1 July 2001 that the loans be repaid according to the provisions of
the new Student Benefit Act (1999:1395).

The Commission has asked the Swedish authorities to provide information about the effects of the reform
on those who work and live abroad and have outstanding loans on the basis of the old Student Benefits
Act. On the basis of this information the Commission will assess the situation and thereafter decide if
formal proceedings are needed or not.

(2001/C 340 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0603/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Council

Subject: European Union statute for Member States(cid:146) capitals

(2 March 2001)

The representative nature of the capitals of the Member States in connection with the institutional and
administrative services which they have to render vis-(cid:224)-vis the EU institutions by virtue of their status of
state capital is a matter of some importance. Thus, there is a certain imbalance between the obligations of
state capitals and those of other cities in the Union. To date,
the former have not received any
compensation which would enable them better to fulfil their role with greater institutional and financial
support.

Does the Council consider that the European Union should adopt a Statute for State Capitals in the
European Union so as to emphasise their nature as state capitals? If so, does not the Council consider that
such a Statute should also make it possible for economic compensation to be paid and provide for an
appropriate institutional rank for these cities which bear the burden of being the official capital of the state
they represent?

Reply

(13 July 2001)

The Council has never been called upon to discuss this question.

(2001/C 340 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0617/01

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Council

(2 March 2001)

Subject: Defence budgets of European NATO countries

What are the national defence budgets of the European countries assigned to NATO for the years 1998,
1999, 2000 and 2001?