WRITTEN QUESTION E-3634/01 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Council. History textbooks.
Date: 2002-01-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: education policy, history, school textbook, teaching curriculum

C 160 E/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

Once it has received the Greek authorities’ response, and taking into consideration the information
provided by the Honourable Member,
there is any
incompatibility with Community provisions in force and will take whatever action it deems appropriate.

the Commission will examine whether or not

(2002/C 160 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3633/01

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(11 January 2002)

Subject: Smuggling of cigarettes to Italy via Montenegro

In paragraph 30 of its resolution of 29 November 2001 on the 2000 report on measures to combat fraud
Parliament called on the Commission to take steps to secure from the Italian authorities an immediate
in the wake of two UCLAF missions to
report on the action they have taken after being provided,
Montenegro in 1996 and 1997, with evidence clearly identifying the organisers of smuggling operations.

Can the Commission state what moves it has made to comply with that call and can it summarise the key
findings of the report submitted by the competent Italian authorities and, in particular, state in how many
cases criminal proceedings have been opened against the organisers behind the smuggling operations?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2002)

The Commission, via the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), is in close and constant contact with the
Italian police, customs and judicial authorities, notably the national anti-mafia directorate (DNA) where
organised crime in cigarette smuggling is concerned.

The missions to Montenegro referred to by the Honourable Member had significant results.

The documentation obtained during the 1996 mission led to some forty people being brought before the
public prosecutor by the Italian authorities for smuggling cigarettes from Montenegro.

The 1997 mission was carried out at the request of the Bari anti-mafia judicial authorities, as part of an
investigation launched in 1996 into cigarette smuggling from Montenegro and the laundering of the
profits generated by this criminal activity. The documentary evidence obtained during this mission was
used in the investigation which led, in November 1999, to the issue of 49 arrest warrants for smuggling
and money laundering. As part of the same investigation, in May 2000 the President of the Lugano Court
was arrested for corruption and in February 2001 the Bari
judicial authority issued 17 further arrest
warrants for cigarette smuggling, money laundering and mafia-type criminal association.

(2002/C 160 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3634/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Council

(11 January 2002)

Subject: History textbooks

Can the Council state whether steps have been taken to coordinate the content of the history textbooks
used in schools in the Member States?

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/157

Reply

(25/26 March 2002)

No steps are, or could be taken by the Council to coordinate the content of history textbooks used in
schools in the EU, being expressly excluded by Article 149 paragraph 1 of the Treaty which states that
Member States are responsible for the content of teaching.

(2002/C 160 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3639/01

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Privatisation of the energy industry in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, there are plans for selling the State’s shares in the energy industry. These comprise
a 67 % share in the energy supplier CEZ and majority holdings in six further Czech distribution
companies.

There are a number of striking features to these privatisation plans in the Czech energy industry: it is
intended to sell all the above shares to a single investor, who, as a vertically integrated undertaking, would
then hold more than 80 % of the Czech electricity market. Moreover, by acquiring a wholly-owned
subsidiary of CEZ C CEP C the new market leader would gain complete control over the Czech
transmission network.

The Czech Government is attaching highly questionable conditions to the sale itself. Until 2010, parts of
the total share package may be sold only with the consent of the Czech Government. Until 2015, the new
owner is to be compelled to export massive amounts of electricity, to buy some 27 million tons of Czech
lignite per annum, and to fully operate the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear power plants.

Irregularities and breaches of the law are also said to have occurred in connection with the invitation to
tender and in the selection of the privatisation adviser.

What is the Commission’s view of the export and compulsory purchase requirements which the Czech
Government intends to impose, in the light of the common position on the energy chapter, in which the
Czech Republic is called upon not to conclude any long-term agreements on taking delivery of products?

Does the Commission see any contradiction between the monopoly which the new owner is expected to
acquire as a result of the sale C including a monopoly on control of the transmission network C and the
principles concerning liberalisation of the energy market and the opening-up of the energy market pledged
by the Czech Republic in the common position on the energy chapter?

Has the tender procedure complied with all the criteria laid down in EU law?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 2002)

The Commission is monitoring developments in the energy sector of the Czech Republic with particular
reference to the competition policy obligations of the Czech Republic under the Europe Agreement and in
the framework of the accession negotiations.

Furthermore, the Commission has received several comments and complaints regarding the privatisation of
the Czech electricity market.

In order to allow the Commission to make a proper analysis of the competition dimension of this
privatisation, we have, as a first step, contacted the Office for the Protection of Competition of the Czech
Republic, which is responsible for enforcement of the competition rules, to obtain its assessment of the
case and to ascertain what steps have been taken.