WRITTEN QUESTION E-0816/01 by Gian Gobbo (TDI) to the Commission. Support for European and Venetian businesses in Romania.
Date: 2001-03-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Italy, Romania, aid to undertakings, consortium, trade promotion, transfer of businesses

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/127

financial aid in the field of trans-European networks (2), for projects of common interest identified in
accordance with the above guidelines. The Commission is accordingly unable to provide financial support
for the construction of the (cid:145)Alemagna(cid:146) link.

(1) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.
(2) OJ L 228, 23.9.1995.

(2001/C 318 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/01

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) and Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: INA insurance company merger

(19 March 2001)

The board of directors of INA, the Italian insurer acquired by Assicurazioni Generali, has decided to
restructure the company and hive off its life assurance activities to a new company set up specifically for
this purpose called INA-VITA. The parts of the company not transferred to INA-VITA are then to merge
with the controlling company Assicurazioni Generali.

What steps does the Commission intend to take in order to safeguard the jobs at INA and to ensure that
its activities in Rome are not jeopardised?

What does it intend to do in order to protect the job security and professional status of workers of INA?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2001)

The Commission, as the guardian of the Treaties, ensures that Community law is correctly applied.

Industrial restructuring,
a matter for the Member States.

including the preservation of the level of employment, remains,

in principle,

However,
in such restructuring operations, the provisions on the rights of workers, as referred to in
Council Directive 77/187/EEC of 14 February 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member
States relating to the safeguarding of employees(cid:146) rights in the event of transfers of undertakings, businesses
or parts of businesses (1), amended by Council Directive 98/50/EC of 29 June 1998 (2), and in Council
Directive 98/59/EC of 20 July 1998 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
collective redundancies (3), especially concerning the area of
information and consultation, must be
complied with.

In view of the above, it is primarily the responsibility of the national authorities and courts to resolve any
disputes that may arise from this matter.

(1) OJ L 61, 5.3.1977.
(2) OJ L 201, 17.7.1998.
(3) OJ L 225, 12.8.1998.

(2001/C 318 E/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0816/01

by Gian Gobbo (TDI) to the Commission

(19 March 2001)

Subject: Support for European and Venetian businesses in Romania

There has been an increasing relocation of businesses from the European Union to Romania in recent
years. This has particularly affected the Veneto region, where thousands of companies have started

C 318 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

business and commercial activities, in particular with the Timisoara area. This development could lead to
a considerable improvement in Romania(cid:146)s economic situation.

The Commission:

(cid:129) Will it indicate what action the European Union intends to take to support companies setting up

business in Romania?

(cid:129) Does it not consider it appropriate to step up technical and administrative assistance, e.g. by opening

an office in Timisoara?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 June 2001)

The Commission is aware of the increasing interest of Italian companies from the Veneto region to
develop commercial and investment relations with Romania, particularly in the Timisoara area. The
Commission welcomes this development as it encourages the transfer of managerial and technical know-
how, thereby helping to develop the local economy and stimulate competitiveness.

Through its Euro Info Centre (EIC) network, the Commission has provided a service to businesses in this
area since 1996 when the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Timisoara became a relay office to
the Euro Info Correspondence Centre in Bucharest. Both offices were selected to become full EICs in 1999.
The role of the Timisoara EIC is to give assistance and information to companies in the region about
Community policy and programmes, and it may also help companies to find business partners.

The CCI Timisoara also has joint projects with the Chamber of Commerce in Ravenna and one of the
Chambers of Commerce in Venezia-Mestre, the goal of which is to reinforce co-operation between Italian
companies and companies in the Timisoara region.

During 2001 (cid:129) and subject to a decision of the Association Council (cid:129) it is hoped that Romania will begin
to participate in the Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, and in particular for
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), 2001-2005 (1). This programme includes the Joint European
Venture scheme (JEV) in which companies from any Member State may seek support for joint ventures
with Romanian companies.

Another support scheme open to Romania is the PHARE-funded SME Finance Facility. This provides credit
lines, technical assistance (training) and performance fees to banks in the candidate countries of Central
and Eastern Europe, as well as equity investment for venture capital funds, in order to increase the supply
of finance to local SMEs.

(1) Council Decision 2000/819/EC of 20 December 2000 (OJ L 333, 29.12.2000).

(2001/C 318 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0828/01

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(19 March 2001)

Subject: Tuna fishing in the North Atlantic

Given that Commissioner Fischler has apparently had no opportunity to reply to the questions I put to
him during the plenary session debate of 28 February 2001 concerning the Gallagher report (A5-0044/
2001), on the EC-Equatorial Guinea Fisheries Agreement, I would now repeat these questions in writing.

In this agreement, as in any other EU agreement on North Atlantic tuna, has the Commission taken into
account the possible impact on tuna stocks and fishing opportunities in areas such as the Azores and
Madeira?