WRITTEN QUESTION E-0133/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Portuguese on Euronews.
Date: 2003-01-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European language, Portugal, dismissal, linguistic group, multilingualism, personnel administration, private media, television

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/37

(2003/C 280 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0124/03

by Seán Ó Neachtain (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Special tax designated areas and the west of Ireland

(21 January 2003)

Will the Commission state what its position is on the designation of new special tax areas in general and,
in particular, taking into account the very positive advantages that have been experienced in such specially
designated tax areas in urban locations, will the Commission state if it will support the designation of new
special tax areas in remote rural areas such as the west of Ireland with a view to helping such communities
to develop their economies and create important employment opportunities?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(13 February 2003)

Special tax areas are likely to involve State aid in the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty. In the case
of fiscal advantages not linked to the creation of jobs or to investment or to other purposes recognised as
presenting a Community interest, it would involve operating aid, which is in principle incompatible with
the common market and is only exceptionally considered compatible under very strict conditions in some
specific areas eligible for assistance under Article 87(1)(a) or 87(1)(c) (1). Where such a link does exist, the
Commission does not exclude the possibility that such a new policy measure, as outlined by the
Honourable Member, could be considered to be compatible with the common market, or might even be
exempted from notification pursuant to one of the Commission Exemption Regulations (2). However, on
the basis of the information provided, and in the absence of a formal notification pursuant to Article 88,
paragraph 3 of the EC Treaty, or of a formal
information pursuant to the transparency requirements
included in the above-mentioned exemption regulations, the Commission is unable to pronounce itself.

As to Ireland, the Regional Aid Map for the period 2000-2006 for Ireland provides that the ‘Border,
Midlands and Western (BMW) region’ qualifies entirely for assistance under the Article 87(3)(a) derogation
and the rest of Ireland: South-East, Mid-West, South-West, Mid-East and Dublin qualifies for assistance
under Article 87(3)(c). Any notified regional scheme for the West of Ireland would be examined by the
Commission according to the Regional Aid Map for Ireland and the regions under the derogation, as well
as to the ceilings on the intensity of aid for initial investment or the aid for job creation approved for each
region.

(1) See Guidelines on national regional aid (cid:1) OJ C 74, 10.3.1998, and its amendments (cid:1) OJ C 258, 9.9.2000.
(2) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2204/2002 of 12 December 2002 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the
EC Treaty to State aid for employment (cid:1) OJ L 337, 13.12.2002. Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of
12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized
enterprises (cid:1) OJ L 10, 13.1.2001.

(2003/C 280 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0133/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: Portuguese on Euronews

On 20 November 2002 I tabled a priority written question on the above subject (cid:1) P-3364/02 (1).

In that question, I expressed concern at recent press reports (cid:1) which do not appear to have been denied
(cid:1) that 16 Portuguese members of staff responsible for Portuguese-language Euronews broadcasts were
about to be dismissed. Apart from the social
it would jeopardise the
broadcasting of Euronews in Portuguese, and it appeared that such broadcasts would cease in the near
future.

issues raised by such action,

C 280 E/38

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

I also expressed concern that
www.euronews.net may likewise be under threat.

the information in Portuguese currently published on the website

With more than 200 million speakers, Portuguese is the sixth most widely spoken language at world level
and stands in third place among European languages used as world languages, after English and Spanish.

The answer already provided by the Commission and forwarded on 6 January 2003 states, inter alia, that
‘the Commission is involved in ongoing discussions about the evolving structure of Euronews. To date
Euronews has been uniquely pan-European in its coverage and the Commission would like to ensure that
this continues under the new regime, together with the use of a maximum of Union languages, including
Portuguese’.

This clear position is to be applauded, and it is to be hoped that it is a firm position.

However, the Commission did not answer the question relating to the alleged dismissal of 16 Portuguese
members of staff.

Does the Commission have any information on the alleged dismissal of 16 Portuguese members of the
Euronews staff? What measures has it taken or will it take to ensure, in line with its stated intention, that
Euronews services continue to be provided ‘with the use of a maximum of Union languages, including
Portuguese’?

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 54.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2003)

The Commission would like to remind to the Honourable Member that Euronews has no obligation to
report on its staff policy since the Convention signed with the Commission does not cover any questions
related to staff, which remain an internal matter for EuroNews.

Moreover, the Commission can advise that EuroNews and the public broadcaster Radiotelevisão Portuguesa
(RTP) have just concluded the renewal of their 1999 agreement to pursue their co-operation and continue
with the production of EuroNews’ Portuguese language version.

This agreement also allows the channel to maintain its current multilingual character.

(2003/C 280 E/039)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0164/03

by Francesco Speroni (NI) to the Commission

(24 January 2003)

Subject: Competition between banks

Most Italian banks impose hefty charges on account holders (EUR 100 or more) if they decide to close a
current account. Charges are higher still in the case of transfers of securities (even intangible ones).

Charges are also due if a client chooses to withdraw his custom in response to a unilateral decision on the
part of the bank to alter the conditions applicable in a way which is disadvantageous to the client.

This obviously complicates any decision to switch to a rival bank, since the financial factors to be weighed
up include not only the terms and conditions offered by the second bank but also the hefty charges
imposed by the first.

The fact that the amount of these ‘departure taxes’ varies greatly according to the bank concerned suggests,
furthermore, that the amount is not related to the cost of providing an actual service but is intended as a
means of discouraging clients from withdrawing their custom.

Is such a practice to be regarded as being in accordance with the rules on free competition?