WRITTEN QUESTION E-0795/03 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Personal data of European citizens.
Date: 2003-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU national, EU relations, Greece, United States, arrest, cross-frontier data flow, disclosure of information, personal data, protection of privacy

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.

C 192 E/220

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

14.8.2003

It has been reported in an Athens daily, citing well-informed Commission sources, that the American
authorities hold a large amount of personal data concerning this Greek citizen which European authorities
had transmitted to the US authorities on the basis of an agreement in principle concluded between the
European Union and the United States providing for the personal data of travellers from the Member
States of the Union to the US to be passed on to the American authorities.

1.
Does the agreement in principle concluded with the United States on the transmission of sensitive
personal data cover the personal data of Europeans travelling to the United States? Did the Legal Affairs
Council consider this matter in any way at its meeting on 27/28 February 2003?

2.
Does the Commission know which Member States have already signed bilateral agreements with the
United States concerning the transmission of the personal data of their citizens, and which of these
agreements cover the transmission of personal data of travellers to the United States?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of the case referred to by the Honourable Member. It was informed of this case
by the Greek authority responsible for the protection of personal data. However, it does not have any
information regarding the source of the data held by the American authorities that led to the arrest of a
Greek university professor and therefore cannot confirm or deny the link between this arrest and the
information published in the Greek press.

This said, the Commission has entered into a dialogue with the American authorities following the
introduction by the United States (and not by the European authorities) of various laws making it
compulsory for companies operating flights to the United States to transmit personal data regarding
passengers and crew members. These obligations are directed at companies operating out of Europe. The
dialogue currently under way aims to prepare the ground for a solution that will guarantee that the data
submitted are properly protected in the United States in accordance with the requirements of Directive 95/
46/EC (1) on data protection.

These discussions have not given rise to any agreement in principle, but the American customs and the
Commission have issued a ‘joint declaration’ and the American customs have given an undertaking relating
specifically to the protection of sensitive data.

Lastly, the Commission is not aware of the existence of bilateral agreements between Member States and
the United States on this issue.

(1) Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of
individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (cid:1) OJ L 281,
23.11.1995.

(2003/C 192 E/263)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0844/03

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(18 March 2003)

Subject: Contracts with management consultants

Management consultants such as Andersen Consulting or Ernst & Young have hit the headlines recently for
allegedly inadequate advisory services. Andersen came in for criticism over the Enron scandal and
Ernst & Young is now faced with a demand for CHF 3 billion following more serious allegations of
unsatisfactory work for the Cantonal Bank of Geneva.