WRITTEN QUESTION E-2767/02 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. CELEX — public access to information about the activities and legislation of the European Union.
Date: 2002-10-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Internet site, access to EU information, corpus juris (EU), database, dissemination of EU information, information policy, right to information

C 192 E/74

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

14.8.2003

Answer from Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2002)

The list of airports which correspond to the definition of ‘international Community airport’, published by
the Commission pursuant to Article 197 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (1), is drawn up on the basis of
Member States’ contributions. Originally published in 1993, this list is regularly updated in light of
changes communicated to the Commission.

The Commission is aware of the opening of the new Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport and the transfer
of airport activity from two terminals of the old Athens airport. At present, the Commission has still not
yet received any official notification on this matter from the Greek authorities and is currently making
efforts to obtain the relevant information from them in order to adjust the list of airports if necessary.

(1) Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993, laying down provisions for the implementation of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (cid:1) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993.

(2003/C 192 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2767/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(1 October 2002)

Subject: CELEX (cid:1) public access to information about the activities and legislation of the European Union

The general public can obtain access to the European Communities’ database CELEX only:

(cid:1) either in return for a flat-rate subscription of EUR 1 140 per annum,

(cid:1) or by means of a ‘pay per view’ system, under which the average charge per document consulted is

around EUR 1,2.

How can the Commission justify this situation, particularly bearing in mind that various Community
provisions lay down that the public have a right to information concerning the activities and legislation of
the European Union, and that they have a right of equal access to it?

What will the Commission do to put an end to this violation of the rights of European citizens as swiftly
as possible, and if it is willing to take the requisite measures, when will it do so?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2002)

The general public has right of access to information on the legislative activity of the institutions and on
the legislation of the European Union through the EUR-Lex system. This Internet service has been entirely
free of charge since 1 January 2002 and all European legislation in force is thus freely accessible.

Development work is currently under way to make it possible, with the agreement of the institutions
concerned, for all preparatory acts drawn up in the course of a legislative procedure to be made available
in EUR-Lex even before their publication in the Official Journal. At present, these preparatory acts are
notified in the public registers of the Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Gradually, the full text
of these acts will be made accessible in EUR-Lex and through the registers. At the same time, a start has
been made on editorial work to make access more comprehensible for the citizen.

CELEX is not a simple means of access to legislative texts, but a database covering all
legislation,
preparatory work, case law and Parliamentary questions. The documents are systematically analysed,
indexed and linked. CELEX offers the possibility of conducting very advanced multicriteria searches and
can thus satisfy specific professional requirements. Celex also contains made-to-measure display functions,
such as the simultaneous display of a text in two languages, text zoom or the display of selected search
data. This requires a significant amount of investment which is partly financed through subscriptions and
licensing arrangements.

14.8.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192 E/75

In addition to being accessible by direct subscription or via licence-holders or gateways, CELEX can be
consulted free of charge, or at reduced rates, through recognised documentation and information centres
(network of European documentation centres, Euro Info Centres, info points, rural information centres,
etc.). In using these centres, European citizens have the further guarantee that they are able to consult
specialist documentalists who know all about the database.

(2003/C 192 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2776/02

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Seizure of the fishing vessel ‘Viduido’

(3 October 2002)

On 1 September last the Community fishing vessel ‘Viduido’ was seized by Moroccan patrol boats when it
was returning, in accordance with its right of innocent passage under the Law of the Sea, from the port of
Las Palmas through waters administered by the Kingdom of Morocco. The ‘Viduido’ had been fishing in
Mauritanian fishing grounds under the terms of the fisheries agreement between the EU and Mauritania.
This is the sixth time a Community vessel has been seized by Moroccan patrol boats in less than a year.

Does the Commission not consider that these seizures are unlawful, in that they contravene the current
provisions of the International Law of the Sea?

What steps has the Commission taken or does it intend to take, in particular via its delegation in Morocco,
to support the crew and bring about the release of the ‘Viduido’?

What steps has the Commission taken or does it intend to take, in particular vis-à-vis the Kingdom of
Morocco, to ensure that there are no more seizures of this kind?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2002)

The seizure of Spanish vessels by a State with which the Community has not concluded a fishery
agreement is an issue which falls outside the competencies of the Communities and which must find its
solution in a bilateral
framework. The Commission supports a solution based on dialogue. The
Commission has enquired with the Moroccan authorities who have assured that they will continue to
remain in close contact which their Spanish counterparts to handle individual cases as quickly and
smoothly as possible.

The Commission is pleased to know that the issue has been solved in the meantime and that the vessel is
released.

(2003/C 192 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2781/02

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 October 2002)

Subject: Kaliningrad and the protection of the Union’s financial interests

The European Commission is negotiating with the Russian authorities on relations with the Russian
enclave of Kaliningrad. The enclave lies between two applicant countries for accession to the European
Union. As a result of its unique position, it represents a risk to the financial interests of the Union.

Does the Commission recognise that Kaliningrad represents a potential risk to the financial interests

1.
of the Union as a result of its geographical situation?

2.

Has the Commission examined these risks? If so, what risks has the Commission identified?