WRITTEN QUESTION E-0787/02 by Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reform of the European Schools.
Date: 2002-03-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, European school, competence of the Member States, cultural pluralism, foreign language, mother tongue, multilingualism, teaching

C 277 E/86

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Biotope protection infrastructure can be part-financed under the environment OP, which specifies the type
of measure eligible, for the current 2000-06 programming period.

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988.
(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93 of 20 July 1993 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 laying down
provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards coordination of the activities of the different
Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other
existing financial instruments, OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.

(2002/C 277 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0786/02

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(19 March 2002)

Subject: List of safety and security measures at nuclear power plants

Will the Commission produce a list of safety and security measures taken at nuclear power plants since
11 September and assess the risks posed by a suicide attack such as occurred at the World Trade Center?
Could the risks be eliminated by fitting a 2,5 m-thick concrete shield, as suggested in Politikken on
6 November 2001 by Hans Bjerregård of the Forum for Energy and Development?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 2002)

The Honourable Member’s question concerns the security measures taken by nuclear power plants
following the events of 11 September 2001. It is important to point out that, because of concerns relating
to non-proliferation and radiological protection, the nuclear industry is one of the sectors of industry with
the highest security and safety standards.

Since 11 September 2001, the authorities in the Member States have strengthened existing protection
arrangements and the physical protection measures already in place for installations at risk, in particular
nuclear power plants. The most obvious measures have been widely reported in the press, such as the
installation of a battery of surface-to-air missiles near the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at La Hague in
France. Having said that, the physical protection measures are by their very nature confidential. If the
details were released, their dissuasive effect and hence their effectiveness could be compromised.

(2002/C 277 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0787/02

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 March 2002)

Subject: Reform of the European Schools

Is the Commission aware of proposals by the Board of Governors of the European Schools to extend the
use of the first foreign language to additional subjects and thereby reduce the use of the mother tongue in
lessons? What is the Commission’s view of the proposals for reform raised by the Board of Governors, and
what steps will it take to prevent most of the other language sections from being compromised?

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/87

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(3 June 2002)

According to the preamble to the Convention signed by all the Member States and the Communities on
17 June 1994, the European schools system ‘fully acknowledg(es) the Member States’ responsibility for the
content of teaching and the organisation of their educational system, and for their cultural and linguistic
diversity.’

The Board of Governors, the intergovernmental body responsible for these schools, has not made or
considered any proposal to extend teaching in the first foreign language.

It has established a working party to make a statistical study of the financial impact that might result if
such a change was made. The Commission will not take a view on this matter before the results of this
study are available, and it will then seek to ensure that all relevant views are taken into account.

The Commission does its utmost to ensure that cultural and linguistic diversity is respected in principle
and practice and, with one representative out of a total of 16 Members of the Board of Governors of the
European Schools, it will continue to follow that course to the best of its abilities and powers.

(2002/C 277 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0788/02

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Effects of enlargement on the European Schools

(19 March 2002)

What efforts is the Commission making to incorporate the languages of the applicant countries in the
European School system in accordance with the principle of equal treatment for all languages?

Can the Commission confirm that the children of future EU colleagues from the current applicant
countries will be taught in their mother tongues in the same way that education is provided in all
languages at the moment.

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 2002)

The Commission draws the attention of the Honourable Member to the preamble to the Convention
signed by all the Member States and the Communities on 17 June 1994, which clearly states that the
Contracting Parties ‘fully acknowledge the Member States’ responsibility for the content of teaching and the
organisation of their educational system, and for their cultural and linguistic diversity’ within the European
School system.

As with all previous Enlargements of the Union, the Commission will do its utmost to ensure that the
languages of the applicant countries are incorporated into the European schools system in accordance with
the same principles that apply to the languages currently used.

The Commission will also make all efforts to ensure that the children of staff of the future Member States
are educated in their mother tongue in a non-discriminatory fashion.