WRITTEN QUESTION E-0769/01 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The destruction of Schinias marsh on the Attica peninsula.
Date: 2001-03-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, Olympic games, ecosystem, environmental impact, environmental protection, historic site, protected species, sports facilities

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/117

(2001/C 318 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0767/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 March 2001)

Subject: The Charter of Fundamental Rights (employers(cid:146) ability to discriminate on the basis of language

ability)

Can the Commission indicate whether it has fully thought through the implications of the extensive list of
attributes listed in Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights on the basis of which discrimination
would be prohibited were the Charter to be incorporated into the treaties, and,
the
prohibition on discrimination on the basis of language? Is the Commission seriously suggesting that the
ability to speak a language is not a justifiable basis for discrimination between job applicants, so that it
would be unlawful for a Health Authority, for example, through language aptitude tests to ensure that
doctors or nurses were able to understand and express themselves clearly to their patients, or for
translators to be required by their employer to speak a particular language, and if the Commission does
believe that language skills are not a proper basis for discrimination then does it intend to do away with
the language requirements that form part of the competitive examination (concours) which must be sat by
those wishing to join the Commission or the other European institutions?

in particular,

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2001)

The Commission would point out first of all that the Charter of Fundamental Rights, seminal provisions
intended for incorporation in the Treaties, was drawn up by a convention where the Commission
participated along with representatives of the heads of State and government, the national parliaments and
the European Parliament.

It would further point out that Article 21 of the Charter corresponds to Article 14 of the European
Convention on Human Rights, although the scope of the former is wider, particularly concerning the
prohibition on discrimination on the basis of language, to which the Honourable Member refers.

Concerning the substance, discrimination only arises if one person is treated less favourably than another
in a situation that is comparable on the basis of a specific criterion.
In the examples cited by the
Honourable Member, the language criterion could in any case be objectively justified on the basis of
a legitimate objective.

(2001/C 318 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0769/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 March 2001)

Subject: The destruction of Schinias marsh on the Attica peninsula

Can the Commission indicate whether the Greek government(cid:146)s plans to use the site of the battle of
Marathon as the venue for the rowing and canoeing events for the forthcoming Olympic Games and the
destruction which this will cause not only to the battle site but also to the adjoining Schinias marsh, which
is home to a hundred and seventy six species of birds (including eagles, herons, peregrine falcons, red kites,
pelicans and the glossy ibis) as well as four thousand species of insect and the baskia fish, found nowhere
else in the world, is legal under European law?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2001)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member of the registration of a formal complaint
related to the proposed construction of an Olympic canoeing and rowing centre in Schinias. In the
framework of the investigation of the case, the Commission sent a letter to the Greek authorities drawing

C 318 E/118

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

attention to the value of the site for nature conservation and requesting information concerning any
intended proposal of the site for the Natura 2000 network by virtue of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1).

The Commission is currently investigating the case and the elements supplied by the Greek authorities in
their reply, taking into account the conservation value of the site. A technical visit to the Schinias site is
scheduled by the Commission in order to assess the compatibility of the planned Olympic project with the
nature conservation of the site.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 318 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0771/01

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

(13 March 2001)

Subject: E-commerce and financial services

With the intention of promoting electronic commerce in financial services, the Commission submitted,
some weeks ago, a strategy aimed at achieving an integrated market in those services by 2005. This
strategy is based on the (cid:145)country of origin principle(cid:146): in other words, crossborder buying and selling of
financial services should obey the rules of the Member State in which the service is provided.

In the interests of overcoming the existing market
fragmentation, what concrete actions does the
Commission intend to take to boost consumer confidence in Internet payment systems? By what means
does the Commission propose to harmonise the codes of conduct for professionals? To what extent does it
intend to cooperate with operators on those markets to ensure that its objectives are achieved by 2005?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2001)

As explained in the Communication on (cid:145)E-Commerce and Financial Services(cid:146) (1) confidence in Internet
payment systems is essential for the development of business to consumer e-commerce. The Commission
is working on both improving the technical security and establishing a legislative framework in order to
promote consumer confidence in Internet payments.

the Commission recently adopted a Fraud Prevention Action Plan (2) which covers
In addition,
improvements to payment products and systems, as well as an improved information
technological
exchange.
levels in
It also stresses the need for close co-operation of all the parties involved at all
a payment transaction. The Commission will co-ordinate action to promote preventive measures, including
information gathering and awareness raising initiatives. A forum on security of payment products and
systems will be established as well as an experts(cid:146) group at Community level with the aim of strengthening
cross-border co-operation.

Concerning legislative measures, the Commission believes that a legal framework for a refund system that
establishes a right for refund in the event of a non-authorised transaction and non-delivery of goods
purchased at a distance is needed urgently. This framework will strengthen the existing Community
legislation on consumer protection in the area of electronic payments (3).

The Commission is supportive of industry developments in secure technical solutions, for example through
other initiatives undertaken by the Commission, such as the possibility to propose a directive on mutual
recognition of the evaluation of security product and services and as the smart card charter in the e-Europe
initiative.