WRITTEN QUESTION P-2880/01 by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Introduction of international accounting standards/financial support for training members of the accounting profession and national standards setters.
Date: 2001-10-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: accounting, consolidated account, international standard, vocational training

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/45

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 2001)

The Commission has been following attentively the competition dimension of the various restructuring
operations in the Czech financial sector, notably in the light of the Czech Republic’s obligations under the
Europe Agreement. The Commission is of the view that greater transparency is first needed regarding these
operations, before any conclusions can be drawn regarding compliance with the Europe Agreement. To
this end, the Commission is following up in detail these issues with the Czech authorities using fully the
mechanisms of the Europe Agreement.

Furthermore, the overall track record of the Czech Republic of compliance with the competition acquis,
including in the financial sector, is currently in the process of being assessed in the framework of the
accession negotiations.

The 2001 Regular Report will assess progress of the Czech Republic in meeting the Copenhagen economic
criteria and in applying Community competition rules,
including in relation to the financial sector.
However,
it is not possible to divulge the content of the Regular Report before its publication on
13 November 2001.

(2002/C 160 E/050)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2880/01

by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 October 2001)

Subject: Introduction of international accounting standards/financial support for training members of the

accounting profession and national standards setters

In view of the proposed introduction of international accounting standards (cf. proposal for a regulation in
COM(2001) 80 final) (1), will the Commission state if there is any legal basis for providing financial support
for members of the accounting profession and national standards setters, who, very soon, will need to
undergo a huge amount of training?

If there is currently no legal basis, are there any legal obstacles to creating one? Is the Commission
prepared to draw up and present a relevant proposal in the near future?

(1) OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001, p. 285.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

The Commission adopted on 13 February 2001 a proposal for a Regulation of the Parliament and of the
Council on the application of international accounting standards in the Union. Under this proposal,
companies whose securities are traded on a regulated market as well as companies required to publish a
public-offer prospectus will have to prepare their consolidated accounts in accordance with International
Accounting Standards (IAS) from the year 2005 onwards. Member States will have the possibility to
extend this obligation to the preparation of annual accounts. Furthermore, Member States will have the
choice to permit or require other companies to prepare their consolidated accounts and /or their annual
accounts in accordance with IAS.

The Commission is aware that this switch-over from national accounting standards to IAS entails a
substantial training effort for accountants and statutory auditors involved in the preparation and the audit
of consolidated accounts. However, the Commission does not consider it either appropriate or necessary to
provide resources for supporting these activities, because the market is already catering for the training
needs of accountants, auditors and national standard setters.

C 160 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

The profession in every Member State is indeed currently preparing itself to the switch-over to IAS.
Accounting professional bodies, be they at regional or national level, are already setting up substantial
training programmes for their members. Although the adoption of IAS implies a non-negligible training
investment, it is important to recall that it will only be immediately relevant to those professionals who
already have to deal with the complex task of preparing consolidated accounts and are therefore already
equipped to evolve in a sophisticated accounting and financial reporting environment. As for those
professionals dealing primarily with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), as stated above, it will be
for Member States to decide whether they want to extend the obligation to apply IAS to SMEs. In any case,
this process will be gradual and will
leave enough time for the professionals concerned to prepare
progressively and to adapt to a new environment, as they have successfully managed previously.

To maximise the time available for this transition, the Commission urges the adoption of the proposed
Regulation as soon as possible.

(2002/C 160 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2898/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Economic cooperation with Pakistan

The Afghan population is anxiously waiting to see what is to happen in their country, because of what the
Taliban regime and bin Laden’s terrorists have done. At the same time their hopes have been aroused
because the world is beginning to understand their plight. An agreement on the establishment of a
government of national unity in Afghanistan was recently initialled in Rome. At present Pakistan still
recognises the government of the Taliban and this situation continues despite the Pakistani Government’s
claims that it wants to cooperate in the fight against international terrorism.

In view of the grave international situation created by the assistance, including military aid, which Pakistan
has given the Taliban, can the Commission say what stage has been reached in the negotiations for
economic cooperation with Pakistan?

Has it made any existing or future European aid subject

1.
government to combat terrorism and the Taliban regime?

to an undertaking by the Pakistani

2. What instruments has it devised to verify this undertaking?

Is it true that Pakistan still has military relations with representatives of the Taliban regime in the

3.
Kashmir region?

If so, what steps will the Commission take vis-à-vis the Pakistani Government with a view to

4.
effectively combating terrorism?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Extraordinary European Council Meeting of 21 September
2001 decided that the fight against terrorism will, more than ever, be a priority objective of the Union.
Furthermore the Council concluded that the fight against the scourge of terrorism will be more effective if
it is based on an in-depth political dialogue with those countries and regions of the world in which
terrorism originates.

Consequently the Council has decided to intensify the Union’s relations with countries neighbouring
Afghanistan in order to contribute to the stability of the region. It is envisaged to step up the political
dialogue with Pakistan. The Commission was asked to examine ways to reinforce Community’s assistance
to Pakistan, and has proposed new measures in the trade, development and humanitarian fields.