WRITTEN QUESTION E-1314/01 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) and Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Business impact assessment on the introduction of the euro.
Date: 2001-05-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: economic analysis, economic policy, euro, impact study, third stage of EMU

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/121

(cid:129) the plant should not be in one of the excluded sectors listed in Article 4. It should be noted that the
transport and intermediate temporary storage of dangerous materials, in ports for instance, are not
covered by the Seveso Directive.

As regards compliance with Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated
pollution prevention and control (4), the Commission is already aware that there are problems with its
implementation in Spain, and has accordingly initiated infringement proceedings against Spain on the
grounds of failure to transpose the Directive in due time.

Apart from this, the Commission has no reason to suppose that the Spanish authorities would not comply
with current Community environmental protection legislation when authorising the plan in question.

The Commission will request further information from the Spanish authorities on this plan and on issues
relating to the existing plant.

As guardian of
the Commission will
Community law is respected in all the cases in point.

the Treaties,

take whatever steps are needed to ensure that

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997.
(4) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.

(2001/C 350 E/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1314/01

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) and Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Business impact assessment on the introduction of the euro

(3 May 2001)

Could the Commission please state if

1.
introduction of the euro?

it has undertaken a business impact assessment on the

If the Commission has undertaken such an assessment, could it please state how this was conducted

2.
and present any results?

If the Commission has failed to undertake such an assessment, could it explain why not, given that

3.
the introduction of the euro is likely to have a profound effect on businesses in Europe?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2001)

1. and 2.
The Commission has not undertaken a formal Business Impact Assessment on the introduction
of the euro, insofar as this procedure is designed for legislative proposals only. However, the effects of the
creation of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) were thoroughly assessed by the Commission in
various reports and working parties, e.g. the report of the working group on technical aspects and cost of
dual pricing (1), the report of the working group on small enterprises and the euro (2). This issue has also
been discussed at various Round Tables, notably the ones organised by the Commission in Brussels in May
1997 and February 1998 where the favourable impact of the euro on the different economic sectors of the
economy was recognised. The Parliament has been closely associated and has given its full support to the
process of euro introduction.

3.
The achievement of EMU will definitely have a positive effect on businesses in Europe, as illustrated
by various reports such as: (cid:145)One market, one money(cid:146) (Cecchini report). The removal of exchange risks,
higher price transparency, increased competition and, thus better functioning of the Single Market are

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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11.12.2001

important benefits for businesses. In addition, the macro-economic framework deriving from EMU has led
to significant achievements (see: (cid:145)EMU: The First Two years(cid:146), Euro Papers No 42) which are of benefit to
businesses, such as the reduction of interest rates.

(1) Euro paper No 13.
(2) Euro paper No 21.

(2001/C 350 E/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1320/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Exclusion of private vocational training institutes from the operational programme for education

and basic vocational training in Greece

The new operational programme for education and basic vocational training in Greece excludes private
vocational training institutes from receiving EU funding for the programmes, which is contrary to previous
proposals put forward by the Ministry of Education and the original agreements between that Ministry and
the Commission to maintain open procedures in the award of contracts for basic vocational training.
Furthermore, the exact opposite applies to the operational programme for further vocational training in
which the competent bodies (cid:129) public and private vocational training institutes (cid:129) once certified, are
eligible to submit offers to run programmes put out to tender by the responsible authority.

1. Why do different funding arrangements apply to basic and further vocational training when the
circumstances are fundamentally the same?

In the Commission(cid:146)s view, do these provisions ensure competition between public and private

2.
vocational training institutes?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2001)

The Commission would like to point out that Community assistance is intended as support for or
a contribution to national measures. The European Social Fund thus supports Member States(cid:146) activities to
develop the labour market and human resources.

It should also be noted, for the specific sector of vocational training in Greece, that the operational
programme for education and basic vocational training provides for a study to be carried out, as part of
the mid-term evaluation, on the conditions for the possible participation of private vocational training
centres. According to the results of this study, the possibility of allowing private vocational training centres
to participate in the programme(cid:146)s actions on the basis of open procedures will be examined in agreement
with the Greek authorities.

Consequently, the new operational programme for education and basic vocational training, which was
approved by the Commission on 14 March 2001, is in keeping with the spirit of the third Community
support framework (CSF) and will contribute significantly to the Greek authorities(cid:146) attempt to modernise
the education system.