WRITTEN QUESTION E-1235/02 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Recognition of the Dolomites as part of the World Heritage.
Date: 2002-04-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Alpine Region, Italy, UN convention, Unesco, heritage protection, the EU's international role

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/163

the Staff Regulations have always applied by extension to Members of the Commission, of the Court of
Justice and the Court of Auditors along with the joint rules on transfers of part of salaries with weightings.
The rules governing these transfers relating to officials of the European Civil Service, including limits, have
identical application to Members of the Commission, the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors.

Under the terms of existing law and practice, the sum transferred to the country of origin is subject to the
adaptation of the weighting factor of the country in question. This weighting factor corrects for differences
in purchasing power as calculated by Eurostat and adopted annually by the Council. Like officials,
Members find themselves obliged to meet expenses in another Member State, normally their country of
origin, arising from the need to fulfil family or domestic obligations.

This practice has always been applied not only to the President and Members of the Commission but also
to the President, Judges, Advocates-General and the registrar of the Court of Justice, and to Members of the
Court of Auditors.

The Council and the European Parliament in their capacity as the Budgetary Authority have annually
approved the arrangements for Members of the Commission, the Court of Justice and the Court of
Auditors to make transfers with weightings by making available the necessary means under budget heading
A-1090 on ‘Weightings’. The comment on that heading says that ‘This appropriation … also covers the
cost of weightings applied to the part of emoluments transferred to a country other than the country of
employment’.

However, on 17th May 2002 the Court of Auditors informed the Commission of a decision of Court of
Audit Members on 16th May that they consider that there is not a clear legal basis for the transfer of part
of a salary with weightings and that, unless and until such clarity is achieved, Members of the Court will
suspend transfers with weightings from 1 July.

While the Commission continues to believe that the practice which has conventionally been followed is
justifiable in legal terms, it has nevertheless taken note of the Court of Auditors’ decision and thinks that it
would be right to take the same approach, as a provisional measure, from 1 July. Instructions to that effect
have been given to the relevant services.

More generally, the Commission will review this matter with the other institutions concerned and give
consideration to all relevant issues. Those issues include the fact that, as part of the Reform of the Staff
Regulations, the Commission has proposed that the scope for making transfers with weightings should be
significantly reduced for officials and 6 therefore 6 for Commissioners, and the question of whether an
explicit legal base should be developed, for the avoidance of doubt, to relate specifically to Members of the
Commission, the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors.

(1) OJ L 187, 8.8.1967.
(2)

as last amended by Council Regulation (EC, ECSC, Euratom) No 2581/2001 of 17 December 2001 adjusting with
effect
the European
Communities and the weightings applied, OJ L 345, 29.12.2001.

from 1 July 2001 the remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of

(2002/C 277 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1235/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 April 2002)

Subject: Recognition of the Dolomites as part of the World Heritage

The answer given by Commissioner Wallström on behalf of the Commission to the Written Question
E-1560/01 (1) states that ‘the Community is not a party to the World Heritage Convention’.

C 277 E/164

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Would it then not be advisable for the EU to become a party to the Convention?

The European Union is a signatory to the Alpine Convention. Could the EU not promote recognition of
the Dolomites as part of the World Heritage?

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001, p. 147.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2002)

As indicated in the reply to written question E-1560/01 by Mr Ebner (1) any request to include the
Dolomites on the Natural Heritage List would benefit most from official support by those Member States,
Parties to the Convention, which are directly affected.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Convention concerning the
Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, does not allow for a Regional Economic Integration
Organisation, such as the Community, to sign or ratify this Convention. According to its Articles 31 and
32, only States can become parties to this Unesco-Convention.

The suggestion from the Honourable Member for the Community to become Party to the Convention,
would thus necessitate the adoption of an amendment Protocol to the Convention by all of its 167 current
State Parties (Liberia, being the 168th signatory, has not yet deposited its instrument of ratification, and is
thus not yet a Party). Subsequently all 167 would need to ratify such an amendment before the
Community could become Party.

Therefore, the Commission is not considering at this stage initiating steps to become a Party to the
Unesco-Convention.

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001.

(2002/C 277 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1236/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 April 2002)

Subject: Europe-wide voluntary auxiliary service

It would be
A Europe-wide auxiliary service would undoubtedly be beneficial
particularly important and appropriate in disaster relief, first aid, welfare services and ecological work. As a
result, there would be a large number of people able to provide efficient help in emergency situations.

for a united Europe.

Can the Commission state what action it has already taken in this area, what action it intends to take in
the future, and what general plans it has in the area of disaster relief?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 2002)

Since 1996 the European Voluntary Service (EVS) has been offering young people between 18-25 years
the possibility of carrying out voluntary activities for up to one year in Europe and certain third country
priority regions (currently: Southern Mediterranean, Balkans, Commmunity of Independent States (CIS),
Latin America). Thematically these voluntary activities are situated in various fields such as the social,
environmental or cultural area. Typical examples of projects are youngsters supporting the work of refugee
centers, elderly peoples’ homes, assisting in taking care for street children or drug-addicted, contributing to
environmental education, helping with fire-protection, promoting European awareness etc. An information