WRITTEN QUESTION P-0712/03 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Implementation of anti-discrimination legislation.
Date: 2003-03-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: anti-discriminatory measure, application of EU law, infringement of EU law, labour law, national implementing measure

C 192 E/210

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

14.8.2003

(2003/C 192 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0712/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Implementation of anti-discrimination legislation

What information is the European Commission gathering on the transposition of Council Directive 2000/
43/EC (1) implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic
origin in each of the EU Member States?

What information is the European Commission gathering on the transposition of Council Directive 2000/
78/EC (2) establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation in each of
the EU Member States?

(1) OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22.
(2) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16.

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-0625/03 and P-0712/03
given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 2003)

Member States have to transpose Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 establishing the principle
law by 19 July 2003. Council
of equal treatment irrespective of racial or ethnic origin into national
Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a framework for equal treatment in employment
and occupation has to be transposed by 2 December 2003 (with the possibility of an additional three years
to transpose the provisions on age and disability discrimination).

Thus far, France has notified to the Commission its transposition of parts of the two Directives. The French
legislation is currently being examined for conformity with the Directives. The Commission is also aware
that legislation has been adopted, or is about to be adopted in some other Member States, though has not
as yet received formal notification of such legislation.

The Commission is in regular contact with the authorities of the Member States to support the process of
transposition. This approach has allowed questions about the interpretation of the Directives to be
discussed in advance of
the difficulties
encountered will have been solved in this way.

transposition. The Commission hopes that

the majority of

The Commission has expressed its concern that the deadlines for transposition must be respected and that
a failure to do so will constitute an infringement of Community law. All Member States have indicated
their intention to transpose the Directives within the time allowed. In the event of a failure to transpose by
the deadline, or of incorrect transposition by a Member State, the Commission will make appropriate use
of the powers available to it under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

(2003/C 192 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0630/03

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Education in Greece

According to a Commission document which will be submitted to the Council of Education Ministers,
Member States are required to meet five criteria on the comparative evaluation of education systems by
2010.

Given that Greek students lag behind both in reading and the comprehension of texts and in mathematics
and natural sciences and also in lifelong learning,