WRITTEN QUESTION E-1802/01 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Working languages in the European Patents Office.
Date: 2001-06-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Patent Office, European Union Intellectual Property Office, official language

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/63

While the quality of that report is to be welcomed, since it provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis
of social trends observed in Europe which maintains continuity following the Lisbon Summit and ties in
with the adoption of the Social Policy Agenda at the European Council meeting in Nice,
it would
nevertheless be useful if the Commission were to draw the proper conclusions from the analysis and
indicate the practical measures which it intends to take in the social field.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

The Social Situation Report 2001 is intended to be a reference document outlining main social trends and
developments. It presents in a comprehensive way comparative analysis and reliable data and complements
other Commission reports on topical issues such as employment, social protection, industrial relations and
gender equality.

The Report contributes to the monitoring of developments in the social field across Member States. The
harmonised social indicators play a crucial role here. The scope of the Report also makes it a solid source
for forward-looking analysis and reflection and underpins new policy initiatives.

For future editions (cid:129) from the 2002 report onwards (cid:129) and in line with the Honourable Member(cid:146)s
suggestion, it is the Commission(cid:146)s intention to draw conclusions and outline policy responses in the report.

(2002/C 81 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1802/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(21 June 2001)

Subject: Working languages in the European Patents Office

The Council has still not answered question P-0762/01 (1) on language policy in the Alicante Trade Mark
Office or the European Patents Office. The question was tabled 13 weeks ago, and the official deadline for
answers is six weeks.

The Council did nevertheless set out a Community approach to Community patents on Thursday 31 May.
But where language policy was concerned, that text was confined to stating that translation costs had to be
kept down.

The European Union upholds the principle that everyone must able to apply to the Institutions in one of
the eleven official languages. In that connection the debate on working languages in the European Patents
Office assumes a special significance.

Can the Council now answer the following questions:

1. Does the Council recognise that it must be possible for patent applications to the European Patents
Office to be submitted in any of the eleven official EU languages? If so, how does the Council
guarantee that individuals and companies can apply for a patent in the eleven official EU languages? If
not, how does the Council justify its departure from that principle?

2. Does the Council support the Greek government initiative in challenging the language policy of the

Alicante Trademarks Office?

(1) See page 6.

C 81 E/64

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Reply

(26 November 2001)

As regards the language arrangements applicable to the submission of applications for European patents to
the European Patent Office, the Council would refer the Honourable Member to the reply given to
Question E-0534/01, which he put to the Council on the same subject.

As regards the future language arrangements to apply to the submission of applications for Community
patents, the Council would refer the Honourable Member to the reply given to Question P-0762/01.

As regards the intervention of the Greek Government in case T-120/99, the Council notes the ruling
delivered by the Court of First Instance in this case, in which the Court rejects the action and the pleas
brought forward by the applicant against the language arrangements of the Office.

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that the Council is not bound by the time limits laid
down in the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament.

(2002/C 81 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1807/01

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Council

(21 June 2001)

Subject: Turkey(cid:146)s destruction of Assyrian and Syrian cultural heritage and ban on entering Assyrian and

Syrian villages

Under legislation proposed by the Turkish Interior Ministry, Turkey intends to prohibit Europeans of
Assyrian and Syrian origin from visiting their places of origin and their families in southern Turkey, in
defiance of fundamental human rights. At the same time, Turkey continues systematically to destroy the
Assyrian and Syrian cultural heritage by wrecking monasteries and churches and converting them into
mosques and stables.

This is yet another example of Turkey(cid:146)s flouting of its international commitments, following similar
measures against the Kurds, the Greek Cypriots and others, a stance which has provoked international
reaction, from the Swedish Parliament among others. Will the Council therefore say:

1. What measures it will take to safeguard the inalienable right of European Assyrians and Syrians to

visit their place of birth and their families, and

2. What, in its view, the implications of this further violation of human rights by Turkey are in relation

to that country(cid:146)s progress towards membership of the European Union?

Reply

(27 November 2001)

In the Accession Partnership for Turkey, the Council has identified priorities relating in particular to
religious freedom and cultural diversity as follows:

individuals without any discrimination and irrespective of their
Guarantee full enjoyment by all
language, race, colour, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief or religion of all human rights and
fundamental
thought,
conscience and religion.

freedoms. Further develop conditions for the enjoyment of

freedom of

Ensure cultural diversity and guarantee cultural rights for all citizens irrespective of their origin. Any
legal provisions preventing the enjoyment of these rights should be abolished, including in the field of
education.

The Council notes that several EU Member States have raised with the Turkish authorities the difficulties
for people living in Europe of Assyrian and Syrian origin with visiting their birthplace and families in
Turkey. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has said that the competent local authorities in Turkey have been
instructed to lift the restrictions on such visits. The Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Ecevit, has made a press
statement to the same effect. The Council looks forward to the early implementation of the measures
announced above and will continue to monitor the situation closely.