WRITTEN QUESTION E-1673/01 by Jacqueline Foster (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Pilots over 60 years of age.
Date: 2001-06-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air safety, air transport, crew, harmonisation of standards, labour law, professional qualifications, safety standard, transport regulations

C 40 E/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

mosques and a large body of clergymen, and the Greek State completely fulfills its obligations in that area,
in total contrast to Turkey, which has wiped out the Christians of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos, and
constantly obstructs religious worship in the few remaining churches in that country.

The Greek State, however, for some totally inexplicable reason, refuses to allow the Pomaks and Roma to
be taught at school the languages which they themselves have spoken for hundreds of years. While it is
compulsory for Pomak and Roma children to be taught Turkish in schools in Greek Thrace, they attempt
by every possible means to assert their own identity and their wish to be taught their own languages. In
it is in widespread everyday use, has an alphabet and
the case of the Pomak language,
it
grammatical rules but, although reading material has been compiled for pupils by Pomak teachers,
remains unused because the Greek State insists on teaching only Turkish to young Pomaks.

in particular,

In the Council(cid:146)s view, to what extent is the Greek authorities(cid:146) policy of eradicating the Pomak and Roma
languages in Greek Thrace and replacing them with Turkish consistent with the principles and objectives
of the EU concerning respect for the linguistic and cultural diversity of minorities living on its territory?
What practical measures could the Council take to persuade the Greek authorities to respect the linguistic
identity of the Pomaks and Roma of Greek Thrace?

Reply

(8 October 2001)

Concerning the educational provision for minority languages within Greece or any other Member State the
Honourable Member is reminded that Article 149 of the Treaty states that the Community shall fully
respect (cid:145)the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the organisation of
education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity(cid:146). Similarly, as far as the field of culture is
concerned, Community actions are limited to encouraging (cid:145)cooperation between the Member states and, if
necessary, supporting and supplementing their action(cid:146) (Article 151 of the Treaty).

(2002/C 40 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1673/01

by Jacqueline Foster (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 June 2001)

Subject: Pilots over 60 years of age

Could the Commission give an up-to-date progress report on its proposal to harmonise standards and
requirements for flight crew licensing throughout the European Community, in particular, the upper age
limit for flight crew, which in some states is 65 and in others 60?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2001)

The Commission has indicated on a number of occasions that it intends to propose the creation of
common requirements for the issuing of civil aviation flight crew licences based on the standard adopted
by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), known as the JAR-FCL.

However, major analytical work is needed to check that the said standard is compatible with Community
law. The Commission will nonetheless do all it can to produce a consultation paper before the end of the
year on the expediency and content of a legislative initiative on this matter.

In this context, the question will be raised of the age of pilots and its link with the safety of air operations,
with a view to possible harmonisation at Community level.