WRITTEN QUESTION E-0582/01 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Aid to help research scientists set up in business.
Date: 2001-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU research policy, business start-up, research staff

C 340 E/48

Official Journal of the European Communities

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4.12.2001

Has the Council now received the official translation? Does it take the view that such decisions may violate
the right of freedom of association and constitutes discrimination against a national minority? Has the
Council asked for any explanation from the Bulgarian authorities?

Does the Council consider
criteria established in Copenhagen?

that such a decision is compatible with respect

for

the democratic

(1) Written reply dated 12 April 2000.

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The Council attaches the utmost importance to the respect, by the candidate countries, of the principles of
democracy, the rule of law and human rights. With regard to Bulgaria, the Council notes that the
Commission(cid:146)s 2000 Regular Report on Bulgaria(cid:146)s progress towards accession concluded that, in general,
Bulgaria continued to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria. The report stated, however, that (cid:145)Concerning
political representation of minorities, the Constitution forbids organisation of political parties on ethnic,
racial or religious grounds. It could be desirable to clarify these Constitutional provisions with reference to
the restrictions on the establishment of political parties, as it is important to ensure compatibility with
international obligations.(cid:146)

As regards the specific case of the declaration of the Constitutional Court in Bulgaria of 29 February 2000
that the Macedonian-based political party OMO (cid:145)llinden(cid:146) (cid:129) PIRIN was unconstitutional, as the Honourable
Parliamentarian recalls, an appeal has been lodged with the European Court of Human Rights. The Court(cid:146)s
decision on the case will assist the European Union in its analysis of the decision of the Bulgarian
Constitutional Court in the light of the political criteria established by the Copenhagen European Council.

If it turns out that there has been a violation of the fundamental principles mentioned above then the
European Union will make the appropriate representations to Bulgaria, particularly within the framework
of the bodies established by the Europe Agreement.

(2001/C 340 E/055)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0582/01

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Aid to help research scientists set up in business

(1 March 2001)

There is a growing trend in America and Asia towards schemes whereby scientists and engineers working
at official research establishments can opt to take either paid or unpaid leave in order to try to set up in
business by themselves.

The aim of such schemes lies in creating an uninterrupted cycle in which applied research and support for
innovation act as the stepping stones between basic research and the market.

Will the Commission say whether scientists and engineers working at the research establishments directly
answerable to it can opt to take either paid or unpaid leave in order to try to set up small innovative
undertakings? Do they stand to benefit from Community funding in embarking upon such a risky venture?

Answer givern by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2001)

Commission decision of 7 January 1998 setting up a European technology transfer initiative (ETTI) at the
Joint Research Centre (JRC) authorises the implementation of a number of specific actions in order to

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promote technology transfer of the Communities(cid:146) research results and access to its research facilities. These
actions may be summarised in the following: a technology transfer capital fund, an extended incubator,
access to large scale facilities and education and training initiatives.

Within this ETTI(cid:146)s last action, there is an indirect support that the JRC can provide to its researchers: an
entrepreneurship training programme aimed mostly at young staff on short-term contracts. Pilot versions
of this programme were run successfully in 1999 and 2000.

No specific direct Community funding is available for JRC researchers, either long term or short term
contract holders,
they have access to the
Community programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

to start a company. As any other European researcher,

As regards paid or unpaid leave in order to set up a company, only Commission officials according to the
staff regulations can apply for unpaid leave for a period of one year, renewable twice for one year periods.
In any case if officials wish to exercise a paid or unpaid external activity while they are employed by the
Commission, they have to ask for authorisation of such activity.

(2001/C 340 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0589/01

by Alexandros Baltas (PSE) to the Council

(2 March 2001)

Subject: Duties imposed by Brazil on canned peaches

The Brazilian authorities have imposed duty of 55 % on canned peaches. This duty is a discriminatory levy
on canned peaches exported from Greece to Brazil and was imposed by the Brazilian authorities some five
years ago.

It was to be reduced, however, each year until:

(cid:129) by December 2000 it would stand at 23 %, and

(cid:129) from 1 January 2001, it would be limited to 17 %.

I am informed, however, that in October 2000, the Brazilian authorities increased the duty to 55 % once
again. At the same time, they launched an anti-dumping inquiry, though without imposing an interim
duty. According to the Brazilian authorities, the duty was of a temporary nature and would be abolished
on 31 December 2000 when the original arrangements would be reintroduced and the applicable duty
reduced (on 1 January 2001) to 17 %. On 2 January 2001, however, the Brazilian authorities extended the
validity of the 55 % duty until 30 June 2001 with a view to discussing the rate within Mercosur.

As a result Brazil(cid:146)s action, producers and exporters of canned peaches lost the holiday period business and
suffered a serious setback. In general, the pressure exerted on EU canned peaches from third countries is
growing, threatening an important sector of European industry with disaster, which may snowball into
negative repercussions for society as a whole (higher unemployment), the farming community and, by
extension, the common agricultural policy, the environment, etc.

In the light of the above, will the Council say:

(cid:129) What measures it has taken to protect the canned peach sector and with what results?

(cid:129) What measures does the Council propose to take next?

(cid:129) To what extent are the practices adopted by Brazil taken into account and to what extent do they
influence the policy pursued by the Council in talks and negotiations with Mercosur, of which Brazil is
a member?