WRITTEN QUESTION E-0943/03 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Commission communication with citizens.
Date: 2003-03-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU national, European Commission, communications policy, information policy, promotion of the European idea, public awareness campaign

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/157

The Commission is of the opinion that the ultimate objective of the Convention can only be achieved
3.
by moving towards global participation over time, taking into account the common but differentiated
responsibilities and capabilities of developed as well as developing countries. It is therefore important to
initiate a dialogue with developing countries about options for increasing, in the future, their participation
to this end. However, because of differing circumstances and development levels from one developing
country to another, the Commission does not believe that all developing countries should join the climate
regime with binding targets in one step. Considering that many of them (most being less developed
countries (LDCs)) are currently contributing very little to global emissions, general binding targets in terms
of ‘emissions reduction’ are for the moment not likely to be appropriate. Other options should be explored
whilst examining what the objective conditions and time schedules might be for broadening participation.
Finally, those developing countries, in particular LDCs, may need appropriate assistance to ensure they
have the means and capacity to fulfil any new obligation.

(2004/C 11 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0943/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: Commission communication with citizens

On 27 June 2001 the Commission adopted the Communication on a new framework for cooperation on
activities concerning the information and communication policy of the European Union.

Part of this process included the sending out of personalised letters, whose success on the few occasions on
which it has been used has proved to be a revelation, given how it was welcomed by the citizens
concerned.

Does the sending out of personalised letters as a means of direct communication with citizens represent a
practice which will be continued by the Commission’s information policy, so as to get closer to our
citizens, who already know how important the Commission is in their daily lives?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2003)

As the Honourable Member pointed out in his previous question E-2552/01 (1) direct communication with
citizens by means of personalised letters can be an effective way of communicating. Targeted mailings,
therefore, remain an option to be used when appropriate.

It must be pointed out, however, that the costs incurred with such mailings are rather high and recent
polling confirms that for the majority of citizens (64 %) television is their preferred means of receiving
information (2). The Commission is,
focusing more efforts on audio-visual means of
communication. In addition, as proposed in the Communication on ‘An information and communication
strategy for the European Union’ (3) the Commission is increasingly working in partnership with the
Parliament, the Council and Member States on priority themes in order to generate awareness about the
Union. Decisions as to the most appropriate means to be used to reach out to citizens are naturally
considered in the context of these partnerships.

therefore,

(1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002.
(2) Standard Eurobarometer 58 released in March 2003 http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/.
(3) COM(2002) 350 final.