WRITTEN QUESTION P-1719/01 by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. EU's White Paper on youth policy.
Date: 2001-06-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, young person, youth policy

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/89

The competitiveness of countries and companies is a complex issue and determined by many factors
besides environmental standards and policies. The Community and the United States both have a long
history of ambitious environmental regulation and nevertheless their economies are competitive and their
companies successful in world markets. Taking into account that President Bush has indicated that he will
take a leadership role on climate change,
it will depend also on what domestic intiatives the US
government will undertake in order to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the Commission will present by end-2001 a proposal for Community-wide carbondioxide
(CO2) emission trading as an element of our policy mix to implement Kyoto. Emission trading, with its
inherent incentives to cost-minimisation, will ensure that the impact on European business to achieve a
given target will be reduced. A recent study by the Commission concludes that the Kyoto target could be
implemented at a total cost to the European economy of about € 3,7 billion per annum, corresponding to
0,06 % of expected gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010.

The implementation of the Kyoto commitments will also provide benefits for Europe(cid:146)s economies. In order
to implement Kyoto Europe(cid:146)s economies will e.g. become more energy efficient and renewable sources of
energy will gain a higher market share. The development of new energy efficient products will provide
export opportunities for European business, in particular when other countries increase their efforts to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In view of the prevailing political uncertainties at this stage therefore, a commercial advantage to US
business cannot be confirmed. Hence no particular measures are planned.

The question on import levies or export subsidies is not relevant at this moment.

(2002/C 40 E/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1719/01

by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 June 2001)

Subject: EU(cid:146)s White Paper on youth policy

Hitherto the European Union has not had a youth policy as such. EU measures affecting young people
have mostly taken the form of youth and student exchange programmes relating to the freedom of
movement of young people, and financial support for various projects. During the Finnish Presidency in
the
autumn 1999, Mrs Reding,
Commission was launching a process which would lead to the publication of a White Paper on youth
policy in autumn 2001.

the Commissioner responsible for youth matters, announced that

The European youth forum (cid:129) and European young people in general (cid:129) have noted with satisfaction the
recent news that the Commission is not abandoning its plan to publish the White Paper under the Belgian
Presidency. A White Paper is not a legally binding text, but its influence in a given section can nevertheless
be significant. In this case it could be of great importance in developing a comprehensive youth policy for
the EU.

Throughout the preparation process, the Commission has stressed the importance of listening to young
people. For over a year now,
thousands of youth organisations, youth workers, civil servants and
thousands of young people from various European countries, have been
researchers and tens of
participating in the different stages of this process. The credibility of the European Union in the eyes of
young people is now at stake. A lot has been said about the attitude of young people towards the
European Union, particularly after the low turn out in the last European Parliament elections. That being
so, it is important that the White Paper should be published, that it should put forward the Commission(cid:146)s
plans for improving the living conditions of young people with the help of the various EU policies and

C 40 E/90

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

that it should contain a vision of how the voices of youth representatives should be heard in decision
making which affects young people.

What measures does the Commission propose to take to develop the EU(cid:146)s youth policy? Does the
Commission as a whole propose to commit itself to promote young people(cid:146)s living conditions in all the
EU(cid:146)s policy sectors? How does the Commission propose in future to arrange for young people(cid:146)s opinions
to be heard in the planning and implementation of measures which affect them?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2001)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member. The policy of cooperation on matters concerning
European youth must be strengthened alongside the Youth Programme, the value of which should not be
called into question.

For this reason, at the initiative of the Member of the Commission responsible for Education and Culture,
the Commission embarked upon the preparation of a White Paper on the subject.

The Commission wished this to be preceded by widespread consultation on an unprecedented scale. It is
therefore aware of young people(cid:146)s expectations and of the responsibilities such expectations give rise to,
not only at European Union level but also (cid:129) in fact especially (cid:129) in the Member States.

The White Paper will be expected to provide possible answers and lines of action. It will cover the points
raised by the Honourable Member. Numerous mechanisms are necessary to implement a new policy of
cooperation on matters concerning European youth.
to take young people into
consideration in a number of policies, in particular because young people may turn out to be an asset
for the implementation of such policies. Finally, the Commission does not intend to put an end to the
discussion which it itself launched, but rather to give it added impetus.

is important

It

The White Paper should be published by the end of the year.

(2002/C 40 E/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1728/01

by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 June 2001)

Subject: Cyprus

Whereas Article 50 of the 1960 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus grants the Turkish Cypriot
community a veto on joining an international organisation to which Turkey does not belong, how does
the Commission propose to ensure the full legal validity of Cyprus(cid:146)s accession to the Union?

(2002/C 40 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1729/01

by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 June 2001)

Subject: Cyprus

How does the Commission intend to take Turkish Cypriot views fully into account in drawing up this
year(cid:146)s report on the state of the accession negotiations with the Republic of Cyprus?