WRITTEN QUESTION E-3073/01 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Recognition of architectural diplomas.
Date: 2001-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, Germany, Greece, architecture, infringement procedure (EU), recognition of diplomas, town-planning profession

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/215

The Commission wishes to examine the provisions for the granting of motorway concessions in the
Member States and has asked the latter for detailed information on their procedures. The Commission is
currently analysing the information thus compiled in order to obtain an overall view of this sector. If on
completion of this examination it appears that the procedures followed in Italy for extending the duration
of concessions are likely to be incompatible with the provisions of the EC Treaty, the Commission will not
fail to take the necessary action.

(1) OJ C 121, 29.4.2000.

(2002/C 93 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3009/01

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Farmyard pollution control grants

Has the Commission made any decision regarding the request form the Irish Government for permission
to raise the ceiling for the national scheme for the control of farmyard pollution? (ref. N113-99)

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

The scheme the Honourable Member refers to, concerns an extension of the budget, the number of
beneficiaries and the duration of an aid scheme approved by the Commission on 14 July 1999 through
Decision SG (99) D/5100 (State aid No N 113/99). The amendments to the scheme is registered as State
aid No N 443/01 and was approved by the Commission on 30 October 2001 through Decision SG(01)
D/291979.

(2002/C 93 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3073/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 November 2001)

Subject: Recognition of architectural diplomas

Recently I have received complaints from individuals who are already registered with the Technical
Chambers of France and Germany and also wish to become members of the Technical Chamber of Greece,
but have been unable to do so. They complain that their applications are either not forwarded or remain
unanswered.

This is clearly a case of defective implementation of Directive 85/384/EEC (1) on the mutual recognition of
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in architecture, including measures to
facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and freedom to provide services, in spite of the
fact that this legislation was transposed into Greek law by the Presidential Decree of 7 April 1993. Could
the Commission investigate to what degree the charges are justified and whether the Greek authorities
responsible are applying the directive correctly?

(1) OJ L 223, 21.8.1985, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2001)

The Commission is aware of the problem raised by the Honourable Member, which is why it initiated
infringement proceedings on this matter in 1997.

C 93 E/216

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

The letter of formal notice was sent out on 30 June 1998 (and a reply received on 26 October 1998); a
second letter, which remained unanswered, was then sent on 9 July 1999.

The reasoned opinion was delivered on 24 February 2000. Greece replied in two letters of 8 May 2000
and 13 November 2000 respectively.

Following a meeting with the Commission in Athens in June 2001, the Greek authorities sent a circular to
the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) reminding it that it was obliged to comply with Presidential Decree
107/93 and register EU nationals holding architectural diplomas obtained in other Member States.

The Commission is in the process of assessing the specific action taken following this circular before it
decides whether to bring this matter before the Court of Justice.

(2002/C 93 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3094/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Counterfeit compact discs

According to reports in the Greek press and statements by representatives of record companies in Greece,
CD piracy has assumed vast proportions, with the situation in Greece comparable to Egypt in 1984. At
European level, Greece is far and away the top player in this respect, while worldwide it is in the top ten,
alongside such countries as Malaysia and Paraguay. Illegal production of compact discs accounts for 50 %
of the current market in Greece, totalling 9-10 million counterfeit discs.

Furthermore, estimates published in the Greek press indicate annual losses of government revenue from
tax of Drs 7 billion. According to the Economic Crime Squad, it constitutes a serious crime which the
public becomes inured to, it creates an uncontrolled parallel economy with high untaxed earnings, while
creating indifference among some sections of society to a criminal act on the pretext of social tolerance.

What are the Commission’s views on this unprecedented situation in Greece? What are the corresponding
figures for the other 14 Member States? Have the Greek authorities informed the Commission of the
extent of the problem? What steps will the Commission take at European level to eliminate it?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2001)

The Commission is aware of the phenomenon of Compact Disc (CD) piracy on a global scale, but also in
Europe and in certain Member States. In view of the increasing problem of counterfeit and pirated goods
and its negative effect on innovation and employment, the Commission consulted interested parties in
1998 by means of a Green Paper (1) to determine the economic impact of this phenomenon on the single
market, to assess the effectiveness of the applicable legislation and suggest approaches that could be
explored with a view to improving the situation.

this Green Paper

led to the development of an Action Plan (Communication of
The results of
30 November 2000 on the follow-up to the Green paper on combating counterfeiting and piracy in the
single market (2)) containing actions to be carried out as a matter of urgency and notably: a proposal for a
Directive for strengthening the means of enforcing intellectual property rights, improving exchange of
information and administrative cooperation; in the framework of existing programmes, training activities
for officials of law enforcement authorities; and the launching of a study on a methodology for collecting,
analysing and comparing data on counterfeiting and piracy. Of these actions, the Commission is at present
finalising the proposal for an enforcement Directive;
it is developing active training programmes for
Member States and is continuing and adapting further training programmes for applicant countries (for
example, via the TAIEX, PHARE and TACIS programmes) and has already launched the study mentioned
which should be completed in the course of 2002.