WRITTEN QUESTION E-1516/01 by John Purvis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The definition of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Date: 2001-05-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: competition policy, economic model, economic policy, small and medium-sized enterprises

C 350 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

(2001/C 350 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1514/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Eurovision song contest

The Eurovision song contest was started some decades ago with the aim of bringing songs from the
various countries in Europe to a wider audience. Over the years it has brought the musical work of
numerous European composers, songwriters and performers to public attention and provided an
opportunity to hear songs sung in the languages of all European countries with their own individual
musical characteristics.

In recent years, the contest has changed. There is now a widespread view that the lyrics of the songs may
be sung in a language other than that of the country being represented, increasingly the language being
English since it is considered to be more (cid:145)commercial(cid:146) and (cid:145)international(cid:146). The outcome of this situation is
an (cid:145)extrinsic(cid:146) approach to song-writing inconsistent with the European tradition and beyond anything
recognisably European. All the songs in the contest are practically identical and do not have any of the
particular musical features of the country concerned, let alone the language.

Will the Commission say:

(cid:129) whether the Eurovision song contest is financially supported (directly or indirectly) by the EU;

(cid:129) what its view is of the dominance of English lyrics at the expense, for example, of Danish, Swedish,

Greek, Portuguese or Dutch; and

(cid:129) whether it can effectively intercede with the organising committee of the contest to ensure respect for

the language and cultural diversity of the countries in the Union?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2001)

The Eurovision Song Contest is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and has not received
financial support from the Community.

The EBU is a professional association of national broadcasters throughout the world; it is based in Geneva
and acts on behalf of its members in Europe.

With regard to Community competence, particularly in the area of culture, Article 151 (ex Article 128) of
the EC Treaty grants the Community competence solely in encouraging (cid:129) by financial means (cid:129) co-
operation between Member States.

Consequently, any change to the rules for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest does not fall within
Community competence.

(2001/C 350 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1516/01

by John Purvis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: The definition of small and medium-sized enterprises

Middle-sized European companies in certain sectors, such as food manufacturers, who do not come under
the definition of SME, are facing difficult competition from powerful multinationals when trying to enter
other Member State markets. Would the Commission consider changing the definition of SME to take into
account the amount and type of competition in the market place? Alternatively would the Commission
consider establishing a new category to provide special consideration and policies for this vitally important
grouping?

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/177

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2001)

small and medium-sized enterprises

in Commission
The definition of
Recommendation 96/280/EC of 3 April 1996 concerning the definition of small and medium-sized
enterprises (1), is intended to replace the various existing national definitions and the various definitions of
SMEs at Community level in cases where a definition of SMEs is to be used in Community policies applied
within the Community and the European Economic Area. This joint definition, which has been adopted by
limits the danger of distorting competition between enterprises and the risks of
the Member States,
inconsistency in the application of Community policies within the Union and the European Economic
Area.

(SMEs), which is

set out

the 1996 Recommendation
The Commission work programme for 2001 provides for a review of
concerning the definition of SMEs. The main objective of this review is to adapt the threshold for turnover
and balance-sheet total in order to take account of economic changes and to examine other issues, taking
into account, for example, the experience acquired in the functioning of the criterion of independence of
the enterprises concerned. The fact that there are these two alternative thresholds already enables the
situation of enterprises with different characteristics to be taken into account, without the need for a more
detailed breakdown. The contribution of SMEs to employment and the difficulties they may encounter, for
example, in terms of financing, are in fact characteristics which are common to SMEs in all sectors, and
there seems to be no point in establishing a complex system which would result from treating individual
sectors differently.

Moreover, if certain enterprises or sectors needed to be looked at by the Commission or public authorities
in the Member States, the Commission is of the opinion that it would be more appropriate to deal with
the question under the relevant programmes and policies rather than adopt a definition of SMEs which
differed according to the markets, enterprises and/or sectors concerned. In particular, the definition of
SMEs should not be dependent on the degree of competition in the various sectors, which is mainly
a matter to be considered from the point of view of competition policy and policy with respect to state
aid.

In conclusion, the Recommendation concerning the definition of SMEs is not an instrument designed to
conduct sectoral policies and the Commission therefore has no plans at present
to introduce new
categories or treatment which differs according to sector.

(1) OJ L 107, 30.4.1996.

(2001/C 350 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1519/01

by Jacqueline Foster (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: The Galileo satellite navigation project

Funding

The Memorandum of Understanding signalling the provisional funding from private sector bodies of Euro
200 million needs further explanation. Could the Commission give examples of some of the industries
which have agreed to the funding? Could the Commission also confirm the reports that unless a firm
political decision is taken on the definitive phase by June 2001 then such engagement of funding by the
private sector will become obsolete?

In the interest of transparency may I call on the Commission to make absolutely clear its intentions with
the funding of this project and whether, in the absence of substantial private sector interest, it will fund the
project solely from the EU budget, including the Euro 220 million it will cost to maintain the project per
annum. Could the Commission also provide an up-to-date breakdown of the contributions foreseen from
individual Member States?