WRITTEN QUESTION E-3279/02 by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Presentation of a gift to the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, David Byrne.
Date: 2002-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commissioner, consumer protection, honour, public health, smoking

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/127

Immigration and security in the southern Adriatic are also the subject of other measures under the
Structural Funds programmes, including the ‘Sicurezza’ Programme 2000-2006 for the Italian Objective 1
regions and the Interreg III ‘Archimed’ Programme for the Mezzogiorno and Greece which the Commission
is currently approving.

In addition to the assistance provided by the Interreg Programmes between Albania and Italy/Greece, the
Commission adopted in 2001 a Country Strategy Paper for Albania (CSP). This document includes a
multiannual
indicative programme (MIP) allocating all together EUR 143,9 million to Albania between
period 2002-2004 (for the period 2001-2004 the amount increases to EUR 181,4 million). This assistance
will be implemented under the Cards programme. Almost half of the total amount is allocated to actions
such as strengthening the judiciary, assisting in the integrated border management as well as those in the
fields of public order, asylum and migration and organised crime.

In addition the CARDS Regional Programme assists the whole region in the areas of integrated border
management, democratic stabilisation,
infrastructure with a financial
allocation of EUR 80 million for the period 2002-2004.

institution building and regional

The matter of illegal migration is also raised in different political fora. It will also be discussed in the
context of the future negotiations of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the
Union and Albania.

(Justice and Home Affairs) formally authorised the
In addition, on 28 November 2002 the Council
Commission to negotiate a readmission agreement between the Community and Albania. Once concluded,
that agreement will help fight illegal immigration from Albania more effectively and promote economic
prosperity in the region, so helping solve the underlying causes of the flows of migrants.

(2003/C 155 E/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3279/02

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 2002)

Subject: Presentation of a gift to the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, David Byrne

Is it true that the Commissioner David Byrne has received a silver bust of Goethe weighing 20 kilos?

If so, did he receive it as a prize for his decisive action against smoking?

If this is the case, by whom and on what occasion was the silver bust presented?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2002)

The Member of the Commission in charge of health and consumer protection received on 26 September
2002 the Goethe Challenge Trophy for Smoke-Free Environment at the 5th European Health Forum in the
Austrian resort of Bad Hofgastein. The ‘Goethe Endowment for Non-Smoking’ presents the award every
year to institutions, university departments and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to
ensuring a smoke-free environment.

The ‘Goethe Challenge Trophy’ is a bust in silver weighing approximately 20 kilograms in the likeness of
Goethe. The trophy was donated by the internationally famous physician and chemist, Professor Friedrich
Portheine, who founded the trophy and the Endowment for Non-Smoking that bears his name in 1990.

C 155 E/128

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

As it is an annual award, the recipient can hold the trophy one year. The previous recipient was the
International Olympic Committee. The Member of the Commission accepted the award in Bad Hofgastein
but instead of bringing it to Commission premises, it was then returned immediately to the Olympic
Museum in Lausanne, where it will be kept until it will be handed to the next recipient. This was primarily
due to security and practical reasons.

(2003/C 155 E/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3286/02

by Carlos Coelho (PPE-DE) to the Council

(20 November 2002)

Subject: Principle of non-discrimination and respect for different cultures and traditions

A Portuguese citizen has complained that the law on registration of names currently in force in Spain (Law
40 of 5 November 1999) discriminates against the children of marriages between Spanish and Portuguese
people, since the names and order of names of the children are altered without the parents’ consent.

The problem arises when a child born of a Spanish mother or father is registered at a Spanish registry
office or consulate in order to obtain Spanish nationality. When registering the child both registry offices
the surnames) without
and Spanish consulates alter children’s names (by changing the order of
authorisation, almost always against
the parents’ will and without recognising identity cards, birth
certificates or any other Portuguese official document.

In view of the principles underpinning the European enterprise, namely a Europe where people have
freedom of movement and there is mutual recognition of educational qualifications and court judgments,
does this not constitute an infringement of a basic right, i.e. people’s right to choose what name to give
their children? Does it not constitute lack of respect for a person’s identity (name), culture and traditions (cid:1)
in this case a valued tradition which entails passing on the names of the father and grandfather?

Reply

(3 March 2003)

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that its powers do not extend to the laws governing
names.

The Council would, however, take this opportunity to draw the Honourable Member’s attention to the fact
that several agreements have already been drawn up in this area in the framework of the International
Commission on Civil Status. While the European Community is not a contracting party to this
international organisation, most of its Member States are.

(2003/C 155 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3288/02

by Roberto Bigliardo (UEN) to the Commission

(13 November 2002)

Subject: Environmental degradation and destruction of the Tifatini hills

In a previous parliamentary question (P-0154/02 (1)) on the subject of the particularly serious degradation
of the Tifatini hills around the city of Caserta, I asked the Commission what measures could be taken to
protect this area which had been the scene of reckless exploitation? The answer given to me was that the
Tifatini hills were the subject of an assessment by the Commission with a view to possible inclusion of the
area in an environmental protection plan (IT80010016). This apparently means that the site is protected
even in the intervening period and that Member States are obliged, under Directive 92/43/EEC (2), to
abstain from any activity that may cause such a site to deteriorate.