WRITTEN QUESTION P-2909/01 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Council. Delay in taking-up of duties by an OLAF director.
Date: 2001-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Anti-fraud Office, European official, Italy, appointment of staff, operation of the Institutions

C 134 E/146

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

More specifically as regards the financial aspects, the Community has already contributed aid amounting to
EUR 62 million for studies relating to the international section of the project, Montmelian-Bussoleno.
Under the multiannual indicative programme 2001-2006 adopted by the Commission on 19 September
2001, additional funding of EUR 100 million has been approved for further studies and completion of the
exploratory galleries. Any further financial commitment will depend on whether the doubts surrounding
the characteristics of the project have been dispelled.

The Commission remains open to exploring other solutions, particularly public-private partnerships (PPP),
which could meet the considerable financial needs of the project. In this connection, a proposal to amend
the rules for the granting of Community financial aid, authorising a maximum contribution of 20 % as
against 10 % at present, was adopted by the Commission on 2 October 2001 (4). The increase in the rate of
Community aid for projects such as Lyon-Turin-Milan-Venice-Trieste should therefore make it easier to
involve the private sector in their funding.

the Commission shares the opinion of

In this respect,
the Honourable Members that a financial
engineering study should be carried out as soon as possible and it would be prepared to examine any
request for cofunding of such a study under the TEN-T budget. It also points out that the White Paper
clearly defines new principles for pricing in transport, which should make it possible, with the revenue
thus produced, to contribute to the funding of new infrastructures, particularly in the rail sector 7 in
accordance with the wishes of Parliament (5).

(1) COM(2001) 370 final.
(2) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.
(3) Gayssot-Lunardi meeting of 24 July 2001.
(4) Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC)
No 2236/95 of 18 September 1995 laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the
field of trans-European networks 7 COM(2001) 545.

(5) COSTA Report (A5-0345/2000).

(2002/C 134 E/145)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2909/01

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Council

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Delay in taking-up of duties by an OLAF director

In June 2001, the Director-General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) appointed Mr Alberto
Perduca Director responsible for investigations and operations.

However, Mr Perduca has not been able to take up office, because the Italian government is blocking his
leave of absence.

Is the Council aware of the reasons why it is doing so?

What steps is the Council taking to get the Italian government to lift the block it has imposed on leave of
absence, which obviously not only affects Mr Perduca but will also prevent OLAF from recruiting other
Italian public prosecutors as temporary officials?

Reply

(12 February 2002)

The Council would draw attention in this connection to point 5 of the Council Conclusions of December
2000 on the first report from the Supervisory Committee of the Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), in which it
states that it shares the view of the Supervisory Committee that the Director of OLAF must rapidly recruit
the staff provided for in the establishment plan, while observing a high level of professional competence.

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/147

The Council stresses, however, that in accordance with Regulations (EC) No 1073/1999 (1) and (Euratom)
No 1074/1999 (2) of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by OLAF, and Commission
Decision 1999/352/EC, ECSC, Euratom of 28 April 1999 establishing OLAF (3), it is not a prerogative of
the Council to intervene in internal procedures for appointments to OLAF.

(1) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 8.
(3) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 20.

(2002/C 134 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2911/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Marginalisation of the French language

The French Government recently decided to suspend state funding of the French Institute (or ‘French
Academy’ as it is known in some countries,
including Greece). As a result, dozens of the Institute’s
branches throughout Europe will close down. The French language, French literature and philosophy are a
priceless part of the European cultural heritage, and the French Government’s recent decision will, in the
long term, consign great works of European thought with worldwide influence to the margins and
obscurity. This incomprehensible decision also paves the way for the complete and definitive dominance of
the American perspective with all its tainted ‘culture’, which the EU itself has repeatedly condemned.

What is the Commission’s view of this decision? What implications does it have for the influence of the
French language and the total dominance of US culture, many of whose products are of extremely poor
quality? In the light of the French Government’s decision and the fact that the Union designated 2001 the
European Year of Languages, will the Commission support the teaching of the French language and in
what way?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2002)

The language, literature and thought of all language communities in Europe form an important part of its
cultural heritage.

The Commission continues to promote the teaching and learning of all the official languages of the Union
and encourages national authorities to take steps to promote the teaching and learning of their official
languages both at home and abroad.

As far as the funding of the Institut de France is concerned, this is clearly the responsibility of France.

(2002/C 134 E/147)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2917/01

by Carlos Carnero González (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Incorrect use of Community funds by the Municipal

Institute for Employment and Business

Education (IMEFE)

Is the Commission aware of the report by the General State Intervention Office (an agency of the Spanish
Finance Ministry) which states (cf. today’s edition of the newspaper ‘El País’) that the expenditure of EU