WRITTEN QUESTION E-1575/01 by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission. Renovation of the Berlaymont Building.
Date: 2001-06-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, administration of the Institutions, administrative expenditure (EU), public contract, seat of institution

C 364 E/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

The Commission is now putting together the most reliable information available on the existence and
extent of organised environmental crime. As part of police and judicial cooperation (Title VI of the EU
Treaty) it will encourage the Member States to back up the proposal for a Directive with appropriate
measures, in particular to set minimum penalties applicable in all the Member States and to provide for the
extradition of eco-criminals from one Member State to another.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975 as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC (OJ L 78, 26.3.1991) and Commission Decision 96/

350/EEC (OJ L 135, 6.6.1996).

(2) OJ L 30, 6.2.1993.
(3) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(4) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.
(5) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.
(6) Commissione europea, Esempi di

successo sul

compostaggio e

la raccolta differenziata, 2000 (http://

www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/compost/index_it.htm).

(7) ANPA: La raccolta differenziata, aspetti progettuali e gestionali, 1999.
(8) See, for example, the recent judgment of the Court of Justice in Case C-365/97 Commission v. Italy (San Rocco) of

9.11.99 concerning Italy(cid:146)s breach of Directive 75/442/EEC with respect to the San Rocco River bed.

(9) COM(2000) 31 final.
(10) See p. 12 of the Sixth programme.
(11) COM(2001) 139 final.

(2001/C 364 E/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1575/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Renovation of the Berlaymont Building

(1 June 2001)

According to recent editions of Belgian newspapers (for example (cid:145)De Standaard(cid:146) of 23/24 April 2001),
Mr Daems, Belgian Minister for Public Works, has decided to instruct Tractebel to support Berlaymont
2000, to the tune of BEF 1 billion, so that the renovation of the Berlaymont Building may be put back on
track. The press reports and the statement made in the Belgian Senate lead us to believe that this cost
overrun is a result of mismanagement by Berlaymont 2000.

Is the amount involved to be added to the renovation costs, and will the Commission have to pay it?

In other words, will the European taxpayer have to foot the bill for the professional shortcomings of
Berlaymont 2000?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2001)

The Commission has given no undertakings relating to the renovation costs of the Berlaymont building.
The Commission has made it clear to the Belgian authorities and to S.A. Berlaymont 2000 that it will not
bear any direct or indirect cost due to mismanagement, including extra costs due to delays.

Negotiations with the relevant Belgian authorities are continuing, with the purpose of reaching an
agreement on a contract defining the precise rights and obligations of all of the parties involved. Following
existing procedures, and before signing takes place, this contract will be submitted for approval to the
Budgetary Authority.

For purposes of general information the Commission draws the attention of the Honourable Member to
the answer to Written Question E-936/01 submitted by Mr Sj(cid:246)stedt (1).

(1) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 155.