WRITTEN QUESTION E-1418/01 by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission. Measures to prevent the counterfeiting of euro coins and banknotes.
Date: 2001-05-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: euro, industrial counterfeiting, paper money

C 134 E/2

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

The Commission is aware of initiatives launched by a number of religious leaders to begin a process of
social reconciliation and has had contacts with them on several occasions. The possibility of support for
the longer term social development of the Moluccas and other targeted areas, with the aim of contributing
to an improvement in this difficult situation, will be examined in the context of the Commission’s
preparation of a country assistance strategy for Indonesia.

The Union has taken the opportunity in its political dialogue with Indonesia to voice its concerns, and has
encouraged the Indonesian authorities to continue their efforts to restore security, prevent further violence
and find solutions to regional disputes through dialogue rather than by force (cf. Union Presidency
statements of 28 November 2000 and 8 March 2001).

(2002/C 134 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1418/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Measures to prevent the counterfeiting of euro coins and banknotes

The introduction of the euro is now an imminent prospect and in a few months’ time, when the coins and
banknotes have been issued, they will be distributed and be used from early next year.

What measures are being adopted to prevent forgery and illegal marketing by counterfeiters, in particular
at the delicate stage when old national currencies are being replaced by the new European currency?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(27 September 2001)

Based on a proposal by the Commission the Council adopted on 28 June 2001 a Regulation
(EC 1338/2001), laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (1).

This fundamental tool establishes the procedures for collecting, storing and exchanging information on
counterfeits and specifies the authorities and bodies responsible at national
it requires credit
institutions to withhold and hand over counterfeits; it organises co-operation at national and Community
level, as well as with third countries and international organisations.

level;

Moreover, the Commission has adopted a proposal for a Council Decision establishing a training, exchange
and assistance programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting on 22 May 2001 (2).

A further initiative on the basis of the Treaty on European Union, (involving mainly communication of
information), is intended to supplement the above-mentioned Council Regulation and is an initiative by the
Government of the French Republic with a view to adopting a Council Decision on the protection of the
euro against counterfeiting (3). This Council Decision is to be adopted.

On 29 April 1999 the Council adopted a Decision extending Europol’s terms of reference to deal with
forgery of money and means of payment (4).

On 29 May 2000 a framework Decision was adopted on increasing protection by way of criminal
penalties and other sanctions against counterfeiting in connection with the introduction of the euro (5). It
requires Member States to protect the euro appropriately against counterfeiting by efficient criminal-law
measures, even before the currency is put into circulation on 1 January 2002.

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/3

Other action taken at both national and Community level for the effective prevention and combating of
euro counterfeiting includes:

> the European Central Bank (ECB) Recommendation of 7 July 1998 regarding the adoption of certain

measures to enhance the legal protection of euro banknotes and coins (ECB/1998/7) (6);

> the Commission Communication of 22 July 1998 covering training, an information system,

co-operation and protection under criminal law (7);

> the ECB guideline of 7 July 1998, as amended on 26 August 1999, on certain provisions regarding
euro banknotes and relating inter alia to enforcement of the copyright on euro banknotes and the
establishment of a counterfeit analysis centre and a counterfeit database at the ECB (ECB/1999/3) (8);

> the ECB Recommendation of 7 July 1998 regarding the adoption of certain measures to enhance the
legal protection of euro banknotes and coins and addressing, among other things, the control and
prohibition of the issuance of unauthorised banknotes (ECB/1998/7) (6);

> the Commission Communication of 13 January 1999 on copyright protection for the common face

design of euro coins (9);

> the Commission Recommendation of 13 January 1999 on collector coins, medals and tokens, which
recommends practices that would be applicable during the transitional period (1999/63/EC) (10);

> and the Council conclusions (Council meeting of 28 > 29 May 2001) on Europol’s role in protecting

the euro.

(1) OJ L 181, 4.7.2001, p. 6.
(2) COM(2001) 248 final.
(3) OJ C 75, 7.3.2001.
(4) OJ C 149, 28.5.1999.
(5) OJ L 140, 14.6.2000.
(6) OJ C 11, 15.1.1999.
(7) COM(98) 474.
(8) OJ L 258, 5.10.1999.
(9) SEC(1999) 24.
(10) OJ L 20, 27.1.1999.

(2002/C 134 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1668/01

by Ulla Sandbæk (EDD) to the Commission

(14 June 2001)

Subject: Adaptation of Member States’ pension schemes

Is the Danish State required to grant deductible allowances in respect of pension contributions paid by
Danish citizens in other countries? How are Member States (in this case Denmark) guaranteed access to
information concerning pension contributions paid in other countries?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

In the Commission’s view, a Danish citizen or resident should enjoy tax relief

By virtue of the EC Treaty, Denmark may not discriminate against pension institutions established in other
for
Member States.
contributions paid by him, or on his behalf, to a pension institution in another Member State, or in a State
covered by the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement, in the same way as for contributions paid to
Danish pension institutions. Due to its serious doubts about
the
Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Denmark.

the restrictive Danish legislation,

The information on the amounts paid should be provided by the taxpayer himself, who could be asked to
supply any additional
information which the Danish authorities would need in order to assess the
eligibility of the foreign pension contributions for tax relief. Where there is a need for corroboration of the
information, Member States can have recourse to the Council Directive 77/799/EEC of 19 December 1977
concerning mutual assistance by the competent authorities of the Member States in the field of direct and