WRITTEN QUESTION E-0178/02 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Transfer of foreign reserve assets on joining the Euro.
Date: 2002-02-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, European Central Bank, European System of Central Banks, Sweden, capital transfer, euro area, single monetary policy

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/13

(2002/C 309 E/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0170/02

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 February 2002)

Subject: Executions in China

China holds the unenviable world record in executions, of which there were more than 2 000 in 2001
alone. Chinese law provides for the death sentence for a wide range of offences, including, in some cases,
embezzlement, the establishment of illegal sects, which are subject to widespread political manipulation,
thereby depriving citizens of their right to freedom.

Would the Commission, which stands as guarantor of human rights as upheld by the European Union, not
agree that the participation of European countries in the 2008 Olympics in China should be reconsidered?

Would it not agree that European countries should withdraw their support from the 2008 Olympics in
China unless appropriate institutional reforms are immediately introduced?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2002)

The Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Member about the continuation of the
death penalty in China, the large number of executions taking place, and the wide range of offences for
which the death penalty can be imposed.

As the Honourable Member will be aware, a bilateral dialogue on human rights was established between
the Union and China in 1996. In the course of this dialogue, the Union presses for action in the areas of
most concern to us such as the death penalty and its excessive use under the Strike Hard Campaign,
repression of political dissidence, religious freedom, ethnic minorities,
including Tibet, and arbitrary
detention conditions.

With respect to the 2008 Olympics the decision that these should be held in China was taken by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Union and the Commission did not take position on whether
or not the games should be held in China or elsewhere. The decision was for the IOC to take. In order to
make the games in Beijing a success it will require both welcome and necessary steps on the part of the
Chinese authorities which can have a positive influence on developments in China. The decision on
whether or not to participate in the 2008 Olympics is for individual countries to take.

(2002/C 309 E/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0178/02

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Transfer of foreign reserve assets on joining the Euro

(5 February 2002)

If Sweden joins the Euro, some of its foreign reserves will have to be transferred to the ECB.

Has the Commission calculated how many billion Euro Sweden will have to transfer to the ECB’s foreign
reserves if it joins the EMU? Are there any provisions that foreign reserve assets may be returned to a
Member State of the EMU if it subsequently decides to leave it?

C 309 E/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2002)

The provisions regarding transfer of foreign reserve assets to the European Central Bank (ECB) can be
found in Article 30 in the Protocol on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks (hereafter Euro-
System) and of the European Central Bank (1). Here it stipulates that the ECB ‘… shall be provided by the
national central banks with foreign reserve assets (…) up to an amount equivalent to ECU 50 000 million’
(Article 30.1). Furthermore,
‘the contributions of each national central
bank shall be fixed in proportion to its share in the subscribed capital of the ECB’. The key for capital
subscription is regulated in Article 29.1 of the same protocol. Sweden’s share amounts to 2,65 %, which
represents a contribution to cover the operational costs incurred by the ECB in connection with tasks
performed for the non-euro area National Central Banks (NCBs). The non-euro area NCBs are not required
to pay up any capital subscriptions beyond the amounts already decided until they join the Eurosystem.

in accordance with Article 30.2,

There are no provisions about leaving Economic and Monetary Union.

(1) Origin: Treaty of Maastricht. Protocol annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community.

(2002/C 309 E/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0193/02

by Bert Doorn (PPE-DE) to the Council

(5 February 2002)

Subject: Discrimination on grounds of nationality

In several of the candidate countries, laws concerning the restitution of property expropriated after the war
are in effect in which nationality is stipulated as a condition for returning confiscated property.

In the Council’s view, does this constitute discrimination on the grounds of nationality and should such
laws be repealed before accession?

Reply

(30 September 2002)

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that it has not discussed the question whether any
laws on the restitution of property expropriated after the war might be compatible with Community law.

(2002/C 309 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0194/02

by Bert Doorn (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 February 2002)

Subject: Discrimination on grounds of nationality

In several of the applicant countries, laws concerning the restitution of property expropriated after the war
are in effect in which nationality is stipulated as a condition for returning confiscated property.

In the Commission’s view, does this constitute discrimination on grounds of nationality and should such
laws be repealed before accession?