WRITTEN QUESTION E-3315/02 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Borrowing forecasts.
Date: 2002-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, budget estimate, budgetary equilibrium, economic forecasting, gross domestic product, inflation, stability programme

14.8.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192 E/107

An important tool for improving operational co-operation is the Handbook with recommendations for
international police cooperation and measures to prevent and control violence and disturbances in
connection with football matches with an international dimension, in which at least one Member State is
involved. The handbook was made available to police forces by means of the Council Resolution of
6 December 2001 (2). It calls for intensified co-operation with third country authorities and other persons
responsible for security of football matches.

The Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement (the Schengen Convention) does not contain
specific provisions on hooliganism. According to the general rules on entry on the territory of Member
States that are member of the free travel area, a Member State should in principle refuse the entry of third
country nationals who are reported in the Schengen Information System (SIS) to be refused entry under
art. 96 of
judicial authorities of a Member State launch an
international request for extradition against a person who has been identified as a perpetrator of criminal
acts, the relevant data concerning this person are introduced on their request in the SIS under article 95 of
the Schengen Convention.

the Schengen Convention. Besides,

if

(1) Decision 2002/348/JHA (cid:1) OJ L 121, 8.5.2002.
(2) OJ C 22, 24.1.2002.

(2003/C 192 E/104)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3315/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 November 2002)

Subject: Borrowing forecasts

Further to the Commission’s answer on 4 November to parliamentary questions E-2865/02 through
1.
E-2868/02 (1), will
the Commission now give the forecast made in each stability and convergence
programme for each Member State for real GDP, inflation and the budget balance, and compare each of
those projections with the out-turn?

Does the Commission find any systematic differences in the forecasting performance for different

2.
Member States, and if so why?

3. What conclusions does the Commission draw?

(1) OJ C 161 E, 10.7.2003, p. 47.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2002)

Stability and Convergence Programmes (SCP) are submitted by Member States at the turn of the year. After
the adoption of the Code of Conduct in 2001, SCP are submitted right after the finalisation of the
the
Commission’s Autumn forecasting exercise, which allows for a sound basis for assessment of
programmes. Moreover, the information contained in the programmes is now fairly homogeneous and
includes data on macroeconomic forecasts (gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation projections) and
budgetary developments. While making an assessment of
the Commission
provides also an appraisal of the previous year’s programme in the light of developments during the year.
For the next round of SCP it is still too early to have knowledge of what will be submitted to the
Commission for an assessment. Furthermore, any comparison between the forecasts on macroeconomic
variables or budgetary targets contained in the programmes with actual out-turns can be made only at a
later date. For data referring to 2003, a comparison can be made once statistical data become official once
the year comes to a close.

the current programme,

In order to confirm if there exist systematic differences between the forecasted variables within the context
of the SCP and actual results, an ex post study should be made. Such a comprehensive study for all
Member States has not yet been prepared by the Commission.