WRITTEN QUESTION E-0783/03 by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Single Market.
Date: 2003-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU control, Greece, national implementing measure, single market

14.8.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192 E/219

(2003/C 192 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0783/03

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 March 2003)

Subject: Single Market

In its answer to my question E-3516/01 (1) of 8 January 2002 on the fragmentation of the single internal
market, the Commission states that Greece runs the highest deficit in the transposition of directives in
domestic legislation. It also notes that late transposition fragments the internal market and undercuts its
ability to create growth and jobs and that the legal uncertainty created by late transposition carries
significant costs to citizens and businesses.

What are the positions of Greece and the other Member States today? What is the cost of the present state
of affairs for the economy of Europe? Has Greece transposed the Community directives on the award of
public supply contracts? What measures does the Commission intend to take to fully establish the single
internal market at European level, if it has not already been established?

(1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002, p. 241.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2003)

According to the latest figures released at the Spring European Council (21 March 2003), Greece currently
has a transposition deficit of 3,8 %, which is the third highest deficit of all Member States and corresponds
to 58 directives not implemented on time. The Greek deficit has increased substantially since last year’s
Barcelona European Council (2,6 %). The average transposition deficit across all Member States has also
increased from 1,8 % in Barcelona to 2,6 % today. However, all public procurement directives have now
been transposed by Greece and by the other Member States.

The Commission is currently looking into the question of quantifying the negative effects of
late
implementation of Internal Market legislation, but has already stated that this is a very difficult exercise (cf.
reply to written question E-3516/01).

Last December 2002 the Commission made a number of proposals to improve the monitoring of the
application of Community law (1). The forthcoming Internal Market Strategy 2003-2006 will outline
further important proposals to tackle many of the remaining problems. In view of the Parliament’s positive
report on the 2002 Review of the Internal Market Strategy (rapporteur: Mr Malcolm Harbour), the
Commission believes that
to the December
Communication and the Strategy.

the Parliament should be able to give its full support

(1) COM(2002) 725 final.

(2003/C 192 E/262)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0795/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 March 2003)

Subject: Personal data of European citizens

A Greek university professor, Mr Evgenios Angelopoulos, was arrested and questioned by US authorities as
soon as he landed in New York, despite the fact that he had been issued with a visa for the United States
by the American consular authorities in Athens.