WRITTEN QUESTION P-2147/01 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Equality of treatment for pensioners in the EU.
Date: 2001-07-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Union, approximation of laws, competence of the Member States, elderly person, equal treatment, transportation tariff

C 93 E/70

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

such as the renovation of the roof, were not part of the pilot project. The Commission would ask the
Honourable Member to contact the Spanish authorities for the precise schedule of these works, on the
completions of which depends the reopening of the museum.

The steepness of the area (5 metres) prevented the carpark from being fully underground. According to
information from the Spanish authorities, construction of the carpark received all the permits required. In
addition, at the request of the Concejalía de Planificación Urbanística y Obras Municipales of the Grenada
town council, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) issued a report
through the Spanish National Committee of the International Council for Monuments and Sites (Icomos)
whose recommendations were, according to the Spanish authorities, included in the plans for the carpark.

(2002/C 93 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2147/01

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(10 July 2001)

Subject: Equality of treatment for pensioners in the EU

A visit from the London Irish Elders Forum lobby group has re-emphasised the need for a certain
harmonisation of pensioners’ travel concessions in the EU. A review by the Irish Department of Social
Community and Family Affairs in April 2000 rejected the request of Irish emigrant pensioners living in the
U.K. for entitlement to free travel. This case once again highlights the need for a senior citizens’ Europass.
As far back as May 1989 the Commission asked Member States to introduce such a Card by ’1 January
1991 at the latest’. Further support has been given to this cause by studies carried out for the Commission
by the Dane Age Association in 1993 and Age Concern England in 1997.

All EU Member States offer some form of concessionary scheme to older people, but the conditions
entitling people to transport and cultural concessions vary greatly from one state to another.

Student concessions are guaranteed throughout
Commission continue to recognise that pensioners = who like students
disadvantaged part of our community = have the right
concessionary travel throughout Europe?

I.D. Card. Does the
form an economically
to a Europass which would guarantee

the EU thanks to the student

What advances is the Commission making on harmonising the extremely diverse systems of concessions
for pensioners in Member States?

One of the major difficulties identified by the Commission in 1998 was the problem of division of
competences within Member States. In the German case, for example, these competences fall between
Länder, municipalities and the federal government. What has the Commission done since 1998 to address
this problem?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 2001)

As the Honourable Member states, arrangements for concessionary travel not only vary considerably
between the Member States but also fall within their area of competence. The legal provisions in place
must nevertheless observe the principle of non-discrimination as laid down in Article 12 (ex Article 6) of
the EC Treaty.

The Commission has no plans for harmonisation measures in this area.