WRITTEN QUESTION E-0695/03 by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Pensions in the EU and the open coordination method.
Date: 2003-03-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, economic and social cohesion, pension scheme, political cooperation

C 11 E/108

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

The earthquake had its epicentre some forty kilometres east of Jiashi City, which lies in the county of the
same name, near the East Turkestan (Xinjiang) frontier with Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan. Other areas
shaken by strong tremors included Artux County and Markit County and Kashi City,
located about
55 kilometres east of the historic oasis city of Kashgar, which is still mostly populated by the Uighur.

What measures has the Commission already taken to provide immediate help to the people in the Jiashi
region in East Turkestan? Does it also intend to provide financial aid for reconstruction?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2003)

The Commission manifested in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, with a press statement released
on 24 February 2003, its intention of intervening in support of the victims in the province of Xingiang
(China) through funding of the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

However, a closer assessment of needs showed that such intervention was not necessary, as the Chinese
Government seemed to be coping well with the situation. Of the same view was the International
Federation of the Red Cross, which decided not to launch an international appeal for this earthquake. In
fact, more than 6 000 soldiers and an additional 200 medical staff were immediately on task. In the first
days, 9 000 large quilted tents were erected by the military, while more tents, food, medical supplies and
clothes were sent to the area. The medical response continues to build up and at least three mobile
hospitals are already operational and the number of medical personnel on site is now impressive. The
authorities are tackling, at present, the issues of disease outbreak and the provision of clean water.

It needs to be underlined that the earthquake area is one of the most militarised zones in China and the
government does not want foreigners in the area.

Nevertheless, one of ECHO’s partners is working in the area and, if needed, some post-disaster assistance
with regard to small-scale rehabilitation of schools, clinics, water and sanitation could be envisaged.

Regarding reconstruction, the Commission has not received any requests for financial support as yet.

(2004/C 11 E/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0695/03

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Pensions in the EU and the open coordination method

(10 March 2003)

For various EU Member States, the main weakness of the stability programme has been and continues to
be the long-term viability of their public finances, because the risk of budgetary imbalances cannot be
excluded due, above all, to increase future spending on public pensions.

Can the Commission explain how the open coordination method is being applied in the field of pensions?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

The open method of co-ordination was established by the Lisbon European Council (June 2000) as a
complementary instrument to the Treaty-based processes for achieving the new strategic goal that was
defined for the Union at the Lisbon Council in 2000. This method is to be applied in areas where no other

15.1.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Community process or policy instruments exist. It is not intended to replace existing instruments nor to
change the responsibilities of policy makers at the European and national level. The approach aims at
enhancing policy co-operation between Member States. A general basis for adapting measures designed to
encourage co-operation between Member States is given in Article 137 of the Nice Treaty which states that
the Community shall support and complement activities of Member States in certain fields, including the
modernisation of social protection systems.

In the area of pensions, the open method of co-ordination was defined in the Joint report by the Social
Protection Committee and the Economic Policy Committee to the Laeken European Council in December
2001. This report states that the aim of the open method of co-ordination is ‘to help Member States to
develop their own national strategies’. Further,
‘it does not change the respective
responsibilities of policy makers at the European and national level’ and that ‘it takes its place alongside
a range of well-functioning EU processes which, as part of their wider remit, deal with aspects of pension
policies’. The report lists these other processes, which include the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines and
the Stability and Growth Pact. Regarding the modalities of the open method of co-ordination in the field of
pensions, it involves agreeing broad common objectives for pension systems (which were defined as the
adequacy,
financial sustainability and the modernisation of pension systems), reporting on national
strategies according to these objectives, periodic monitoring of the progress towards these objectives, and
agreeing on indicators. There is no possibility to give recommendations to Member States within this
process.

it states that

Unlike the open method of co-ordination, the economic policy co-ordination is Treaty-based. It is based on
Article 99 of the EC Treaty. Stability/convergence programmes are based on the Stability and Growth Pact
which is embedded in the secondary legislation based on Article 99(4) and 104(5) of the EC Treaty. Within
the wider remits of the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines and the Stability and Growth Pact, these
instruments also deal with pension policies, notably from the points of view of their implications for the
long-term sustainability of public finances and the overall performance of Community economies. In
particular,
reviewing the long-term
sustainability of public finances,
including the expected strains caused by the demographic challenges
ahead, in the context of the Stability/Convergence Programmes and within the framework of the Broad
Economic Policy Guidelines. Thus, the budgetary impacts of ageing are examined in the context of the
Stability and Growth Pact and the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines can give recommendations to
Member States on reforming pension systems with the aim of making them sustainable in the long run
and contributing to the overall sustainability of public finances.

the Stockholm Council conclusions

(March 2001) called for

(2004/C 11 E/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0701/03

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(3 March 2003)

Subject: Implementation of the FIFG in Galicia

According to reports in the press (1), the Regional Government of Galicia has presented plans in Brussels
for a biological rest period for vessels in the Great Sole fishing grounds, and has requested authorisation to
use FIFG funds to pay for this. It seems that the rest period will run for 45 days, 30 of which will have to
be taken consecutively in the period from July to October. Ship owners will be able to choose when the
15 remaining days are taken.

This rest period will affect not only Galicia but also fleets from the Basque Country, Cantabria and
Asturias, since the autonomous governments of these regions will pay allowances to the companies and
crews from FIFG funds for the 45 rest days, and the social security for that period. The Regional
Government of Galicia will only pay allowances to ship owners and fishermen for the 30 days, with the
fishing companies having to meet the social security costs for the 45-day rest period and pay allowances to
the crews for the remaining 15 days.