WRITTEN QUESTION E-1833/02 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Commission aid for the creation of the European General Council for Youth.
Date: 2002-06-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: political participation, youth movement, youth policy

C 309 E/168

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

In order to clarify the provisions in force with regard to driving licences for the public and the authorities
concerned before any gradual harmonisation can be envisaged, the Commission adopted an Interpretative
Communication on driver licensing (3) on 25 March 2002.

(1) Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences, OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.
(2) See judgment of 29 February 1996, Case C-193/94 Skanavi, section 27.
(3) OJ C 77, 28.3.2002.

(2002/C 309 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1833/02

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 June 2002)

Subject: Commission aid for the creation of the European General Council for Youth

The objective on the part of European youth movements of creating a European General Youth Council is
a response to the perceived need for an instrument which would bring together the youth movements of
the countries of Europe, thus making it possible to express positions on matters of particular interest to
young people on a Community-wide basis, and to put forward, on a consultative basis, proposals for
dealing with young people’s problems and realising their aspirations.

The proposal to create such a European General Youth Council deserves strong encouragement from the
Community authorities, given its potential for moving beyond purely local and national interests and
breaking down physical and psychological barriers.

Does the Commission consider that it should contribute to consolidating the idea of a European General
Youth Council, which would serve as a forum enabling young people in the Member States to seek
solutions to the problems confronting them and propose responses to the challenges thrown up by
European integration?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2002)

The Commission shares the view of
framework for listening to the young people of Europe.

the Honourable Member on the importance of promoting a

It was with this in mind that the Commission produced the White Paper entitled ‘A New Impetus for
European Youth’ (1), whose adoption in November 2001 was preceded by wide-ranging consultations of
young people. These consultations revealed inter alia a wish among young people to get more involved in
society, thus making ‘participation’ one of the priorities of the White Paper.

It is with a view to promoting such participation that one of the proposals contained in the White Paper
aims to consolidate a European youth consultation structure.

With this in mind, rather than support the creation of a new structure, as proposed by the Honourable
Member, the Commission proposes in its White Paper that the European Youth Forum, which it has been
funding since 1979 and whose membership consists of National Youth Councils and non-governmental
youth organisations, should form the basis of a European youth consultation structure, while asking it to
become more accessible to young people who are not members of youth organisations and without
excluding direct youth consultations.

(1) COM(2001) 681 final.