WRITTEN QUESTION P-1531/01 by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Sixth Framework Directive.
Date: 2001-05-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, EU research policy, basic research, mathematics, research programme

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/181

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 2001)

for example in the case of

The Commission would like to remind the Honourable Members that Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (1)
requires Member States in principle to provide social security benefits acquired under their legislation to
recipients residing in another Member State. However, this Regulation provides for some exceptions to this
exportability principle,
special non-contributory benefits which fall
simultaneously within social assistance and social security, provided these benefits are listed, by Decision
of the Community legislature, in Annex IIa of the Regulation (2). The Court of Justice confirmed in its
Snares (3) ruling that this derogation from the principle of the exportability of social security benefits was
compatible with the EC Treaty, as the benefits are closely linked to a particular economic and social
context. However, the Court of Justice has just added its rulings in the Jauch (4) and Leclere (5) cases to this
jurisprudence. In these rulings, the Court felt that the derogation from exportability resulting from the
inclusion of certain benefits in Annex IIa was incompatible with the principle of free movement of
workers laid down in the EC Treaty, particularly where these were not special benefits but related to the
traditional areas of social security.

The Commission has been informed of the Dutch Government(cid:146)s intention to include in Annex IIa the
benefit provided for
the
Netherlands from awarding this benefit to persons resident in another Member State. It seems that the
objective of this benefit is to supplement traditional social security benefits in order to guarantee recipients
an income that is regarded as minimal in the social and economic context of the Netherlands.

in the (cid:145)Supplementary Benefits Act(cid:146)

(Toeslagenwet). This would exempt

The Commission is currently examining whether it is appropriate to propose that this benefit be included
in the list contained in Annex IIa mentioned above. Not only the Council but also the European Parliament
would be required, as part of the codecision procedure that applies to any amendment to Regulation (EEC)
No 1408/71, to give an opinion on any such proposals.

(1) Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of the Council of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to
employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (OJ L
149, 5.7.1971). Regulation updated by Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2 December 1996 (OJ L 28,
30.1.1997).

(2) See Article 4(2a) and Article 10a of Regulation No 1408/71, introduced by Regulation (EEC) No 1247/92.
(3) Ruling of 4 November 1997, Snares, C-20/96, Rec. p. I-6057.
(4) Ruling of 8 March 2001, Jauch, C-215/99, not yet published.
(5) Ruling of 31 May 2001, Leclere, C-43/99, not yet published.

(2001/C 350 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1531/01

by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 May 2001)

Subject: Sixth Framework Directive

Can the Commission confirm what provisions will be made for research into mathematics under the Sixth
Framework Directive?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2001)

The Commission is well aware of the important role of mathematics in scientific research and of its impact
on innovation. Research into mathematics will have a place in the new framework programme via its
contribution to the various thematic priorities, and in the planned action to meet emerging scientific and
technological requirements.