WRITTEN QUESTION P-2945/01 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Data on immigration into Greece and measures concerning the illegal conferral of European citizenship.
Date: 2001-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, admission of aliens, competence of the Member States, disclosure of information, fraud, illegal migration, immigration, nationality, population statistics

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/197

As regards the mission of September 2001, the report is not available yet. Once it has been completed in
accordance with the procedures established in Commission Decision 98/139/EC of 4 February 1998 laying
down certain detailed rules concerning on-the-spot checks carried out
in the veterinary field by
Commission experts in the Member States (1), it will also be transmitted to the Parliament and published
on the Internet.

Until the report is finished, it is not possible to provide a precise or definitive reply to the questions raised.

Nevertheless, in the light of the preliminary information available after the mission, there seem to be some
indications that certain improvements have been made as regards the implementation of measures related
to the epidemio-surveillance of the disease and the removal and disposal of specified risk materials.

(1) OJ L 38, 12.2.1998.

(2002/C 115 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2945/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Data on immigration into Greece and measures concerning the illegal conferral of European

citizenship

In reply to my Oral Question H-705/01 (1) concerning Illegal conferral of Greek citizenship and a large
number of violations of Community law, the Council urged me to ask the Commission for data on
immigration into Greece for 1999 and 2000.

Since the Commission provided details for 1997 and 1998 only in reply to my Written Question
E-1438/01 (2), will it say what the figures are for immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, illegal immigrants,
naturalisations, and the number of withdrawals of passports and identity cards issued in breach of the rules
in 1999 and 2000?

Is a Member State which grants a passport or identity card to an individual who is subsequently shown not
to fulfill the criteria for granting Greek and, simultaneously, European citizenship, under an obligation to
inform the other Member States and provide the relevant details to locate that individual who is illegally
resident in the EU, and does that obligation also apply to Europol?

Are only the judicial authorities in Greece responsible for taking action and imposing penalties or ought
the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties and Community law, and other competent bodies and services
(e.g. Eurojust) take measures in regard to the illegal conferral of European citizenship in the EU, and what
are those measures?

(1) Oral reply of 3.10.2001.
(2) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001, p. 154.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2001)

In reply to Written Question E-1438/01 by the Honourable Member and Mr Dimitrakopoulos (1)
Community statistics were provided on persons who applied for asylum and persons who were accorded
refugee status in the period of 1997 > 2000 as well as on immigrant entries for 1997 and 1998. No
migrant stock data has yet been supplied by Greece for the reference period of 1998 and 1999 and data
on illegal immigration and entry is still subject to restrictions on publication.

C 115 E/198

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

There is no obligation for Member States to report a revocation of a fraudulently obtained citizenship to
other Member States or EU-bodies. However, according to Article 23 of the Schengen Implementation
agreement Member States applying the Schengen Agreements have to return third-country nationals from
their territory, who are illegally resident.

Citizenship law is a subject of national competence. The Commission or other Union bodies are, therefore,
not in the position to take measures relating to questions, which are under national
legislation and
jurisdiction.

(1) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001.

(2002/C 115 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2951/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 October 2001)

Subject: Gibraltar’s exclusion from the proposals for a European Single Sky

Could the Commission say what possible basis there is for excluding Gibraltar from the current proposals
for a European Single Sky, and whether it believes that there is a legal basis on which such discrimination
could be challenged in the Court of Justice?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

The Commission adopted proposals on the realisation of a Single European Sky, referring to the reform of
air traffic management, on 10 October 2001 (1). As the Honourable Member will have noted,
the
Explanatory Memorandum of that proposal
indicated that ‘The Commission takes note of the recent
understanding reached between the United Kingdom and Spanish authorities on Gibraltar airport which
will be addressed in the Council through a specific provision on the scope of the measures for the creation
of the single European sky.’

(1) COM(2001) 123 final and 564 final.

(2002/C 115 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2952/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Airline competition and government subsidies

(25 October 2001)

What steps has the Commission taken to ensure that the understandable decision by EU governments to
offer financial support to their airlines in the light of the terrible events of September 11 does not take the
form of illegal subsidies designed to advantage one Member State’s airline over another or to prevent the
need for restructuring on the part of certain airlines which was necessary long before the terrorist attacks?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

The Commission adopted a Communication (1) to Parliament and Council on 10 October 2001, outlining
its position with regards to the economic consequences of the terrorist attacks in the United States and to
the crisis the air transport industry is currently facing.