WRITTEN QUESTION E-3178/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Eurostat figures.
Date: 2002-11-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU statistics, European Union, Eurostat, Internet, dissemination of EU information, euro area, unemployment

C 137 E/170

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

12.6.2003

The Commission performs its market economy assessment on a case-by-case analysis. Upon completion of
the assessment, the Commission intends, if necessary, to indicate to the Ukrainian authorities the areas
where it believes improvement is warranted in order for Ukraine to be treated as a full market economy in
the field of trade defence. The Commission also keeps the Ukrainian side regularly informed of progress in
the analysis.

The decision as to whether or not to graduate Ukraine into the market economy category will be made
according to economic and legal rather than political criteria. In practice, however, the extent to which an
economy can function as a market economy per se is very much dependent on the authorities’ political
will to pass and enforce the relevant laws enshrining market principles.

As to the Honourable Member’s question on the long-term strategy with Ukraine, the Partnership and Co-
operation Agreement (PCA) and the 1998 Common Strategy with Ukraine, set out the framework of
Union relations with Ukraine. On this basis, and as reiterated at the Union-Ukraine Summit in Copenhagen
on 11 July 2002, Ukraine should first take full advantage of the possibilities offered by the PCA to
facilitate two-way trade and investment and should also make all necessary efforts to accede to the World
Trade Organisation as soon as possible. The Union is supporting Ukraine in this process. Furthermore, in
the context of the enlargement, discussions are on going as to the ways to strengthen Union relations with
our future neighbours, including Ukraine.

(2003/C 137 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3178/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 November 2002)

Subject: Eurostat figures

In its regular Euro Indicator News Releases, Eurostat regularly publishes a wide range of useful and
informative statistics on both the Eurozone countries and the EU15. Could the Commission indicate,
however, why its Unemployment Reports only contain figures for the Eurozone countries individually and
not for all the EU15 countries individually? Could the Commission also indicate whether these reports can
be accessed on the internet by the general public?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2002)

The regular monthly Euroindicators News Release on unemployment always covers both the Euro-zone
(EZ) and the 15 Member States (EU15) area figures. Where the latest months are unavailable for some
countries, they are estimated to provide the European aggregate (EZ and EU15). These country estimates
are not published. The short analysis refers only to the last or second last month and the first table of the
Euroindicators News Release includes data only for the two most recent months. Where available however,
complete data including the country data for five past months can be found at
the end of each
Euroindicators News Release.

Unfortunately, even after several attempts,
it was not possible to identify a product/report headed
‘Unemployment Report’ as was mentioned in the question. If the reference is to something else other than
the above-mentioned News Release on unemployment, the Commission would need a more precise
reference to the report.