WRITTEN QUESTION E-0388/03 by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Appointment of Morten Jung-Olsen as Head of Unit and Chief Negotiator for Bulgaria.
Date: 2003-02-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European official, German Democratic Republic, administration of the Institutions, appointment of staff, barring of penalties by limitation, espionage, image

C 242 E/126

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EN

9.10.2003

On the basis of this information, the Commission is planning to initiate infringement proceedings against
Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom
for failure to notify national implementing measures.

(1) Directive 2000/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2000 on port reception

facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues (cid:1) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000.

(2003/C 242 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0382/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 February 2003)

Subject: Environmental pollution caused by a factory in the Larissa area

In the Larissa area (6 kilometres along the regional road linking Larissa and Sykourio) there is a brick and
tile factory, Terra Ltd (cid:1) Viokeral, which uses the fuel Pet Coke without any sulphur dioxide filters. This
fuel has been found to have serious consequences for the environment because of the increased sulphur
content and sulphur dioxide emissions which are over the permitted limits.

Does the Commission consider that this constitutes a violation of Directive 96/61/EC (1)? If so, how does it
intend to intervene so as to prevail upon Greece to comply with this Directive and put an end to the
pollutant emissions of sulphur dioxide from the factory in question and any other similar emissions by
other factories on Greek territory?

(1) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996, p. 26.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2003)

On the basis of the situation reported by the Honourable Member, the Commission has launched an own-
initiative investigation to determine whether the factory in question complies with the Community’s
environment legislation.

A letter has been sent to the Greek authorities asking them for information on compliance with Council
Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control and
Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 (1), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March
1997 (2), on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.

Once it has received a reply from the Greek authorities, the Commission will examine whether there is any
violation of
take the necessary steps to ensure that
Community law is observed in this instance.

the aforementioned Community acts and will

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2003/C 242 E/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0388/03

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 February 2003)

Subject: Appointment of Morten Jung-Olsen as Head of Unit and Chief Negotiator for Bulgaria

Is it true that the Commissioner for Enlargement, Günter Verheugen, has appointed Morten Jung-

1.
Olsen Head of Unit and Chief Negotiator for Bulgaria?

Is there any truth in the allegations that Mr Olsen was held in custody in Denmark over alleged

2.
activities for the State Security Service of the former GDR?

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3.

4.

If so, what is the Commission’s view of these facts?

Does the Commission hold a general position regarding its employees’ past secret service activities?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2003)

1. Mr Morten Jung-Olsen was appointed Head of Unit for Unit C/1 ‘Bulgaria’ of General Direction
Enlargment (ELARG) in November 2001, in full compliance with the existing rules regarding appoint-
ments.

He was appointed by the Director General for Enlargement, in line with the decentralised procedure on
selection and appointment of Heads of Unit which has been in operation in the Commission since April
2001 and which provides that the appointing authority is the Director General concerned.

2. Mr Jung-Olsen has been acquitted of any allegations against him. As the Honourable Member will
know, it is a basic rule in democracies that detention does not carry a presumption of guilt and that legal
acquittal gives valid proof of the standing of an individual.

3.

The Commission has full confidence in Mr Jung-Olsen.

4.
Article 27 of the Staff Regulations provides that ‘recruitment shall be directed to securing for the
institution the services of officials of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity […]’. To this
end, officials must, upon entry into service, produce, inter alia, the appropriate character references, which
are generally provided by the relevant authorities of the Member State of which he or she is a national.
Recruitment does not take place if the person concerned is not able to produce these references.

(2003/C 242 E/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0395/03

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 February 2003)

Subject: Building work in the IJmeer near Uitdam

It would appear from the draft regional development plan for southern North Holland that the North
Holland Provincial Council
is about to authorise the building of a combined marina and large-scale
housing project for permanent recreational use in the IJmeer near Uitdam. This project is situated entirely
outside the dyke and thus entirely within the IJmeer, which is protected under the European Birds
Directive.

The project does not involve a small campsite with tents, but rather the construction of a large-scale
holiday centre (250 accommodation units) and the establishment of a marina (450 harbours), as a result of
which the habitat of birds and other fauna and flora in and near the IJmeer will be reduced permanently
by some 3 hectares. It is highly likely that the damage will be substantial. Should this indeed be the case,
either the project cannot go ahead as planned or the Netherlands Government will have to take
compensatory measures elsewhere so as to ensure that the total habitat for birds and other protected fauna
and flora is not reduced in size.

Does the European Commission share my view that the Netherlands authorities should investigate whether
the combined project to build a marina, together with a large-scale holiday accommodation complex for
permanent recreational use will not cause significant ecological damage in the IJmeer?

What view does the European Commission take of the planned project?