WRITTEN QUESTION E-1451/03 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Cooperation with the Slovak Institute of Metrology.
Date: 2003-04-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Slovakia, applied research, cooperation policy, financial aid, management, metrology, research body, research project

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/369

in 1994, entitled ‘Towards a new strategy for Asia’. This framework was reviewed in 2001, even before the
events of 11 September, resulting in the Commission communication on ‘Europe and Asia: A strategic
framework for enhanced partnerships’ (1). The European Parliament, for its part, adopted a resolution on
5 September 2002, endorsing much of the Commission communication, whose broad lines continued to
be adequate.

However, following major events such as those of 11 September 2001 and the war in Iraq, with all their
implications, would the Commission not consider it appropriate to bring the revision scheduled for 2004
forward to the second half of 2003?

(1) COM(2001) 469.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 2003)

The Commission shares the view expressed by the Honourable Member on the importance of deepening
relations between the Union and Asia. Accordingly, it has contributed to enhancing these relations through
various exchanges and fora as stated by the Honourable Member.

The Commission likewise acknowledges the changes resulting from the events of 11 September 2001 that
happened only a few days after the publication of the Communication ‘Europe and Asia: A Strategic
Framework for Enhanced Partnerships’.

However, the six general principles set out in this Communication on the Asia Strategy which were
endorsed in the Council Decision of 27 December 2001 (1), remain valid and have also covered the priority
the Resolution of Parliament of
subsequently given by the Union to Afghanistan. Furthermore,
5 September 2002 welcomed the Commission’s Asia Strategy and the consistent emphasis it attached to
the Union’s relations with Asia. This is also reflected in the Commission’s current work in co-operation
with its delegations in the region in monitoring the results of the actions proposed in the strategy paper.
First indications from this exercise suggest positive results.

In addition to this monitoring of the Asia Strategy of 2001, the Commission is now in the process of
preparing a Communication on a Strategy for Southeast Asia, which will certainly take account of recent
developments. The cross-fertilisation of the monitoring and the work on the new Southeast Asia Strategy
will then greatly contribute to the review of the overall Asia Strategy and allow the Commission to
maintain its calendar for a thorough preparation of its update in 2004.

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

(2004/C 78 E/0389)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1451/03

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Cooperation with the Slovak Institute of Metrology

(28 April 2003)

There is evidence which would appear to point to significant shortcomings in terms of the quality of
research results, health protection and also of staff at the Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMU) in Karlova
Ves.

Such concerns have been voiced, ‘inter alia’, by the national institute of health of the Slovak Republic and,
following a petition from a citizen, by the committee on health of the Slovak parliament (in its 65th
session of 11 July 2002), as well as by Mr Gabris of the dosimetry laboratory of the Austrian federal office
of metrology (BEV) in Seibersdorf.

In particular, serious irregularities have been reported in connection with the project for the building of
the cyclotron centre. The Euromet 526 project carried out in cooperation with the Physikalisch-Technische
Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig, Germany was so seriously affected that the SMU’s involvement in the
project had to be terminated.

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Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

1. What financial and other EU support does the Slovak Institute of Metrology receive/has it received
overall and within the framework of Euromet?

2.
In what specific ways, and by whom, has the use of resources and research, measurements and
equipment (for example apparatus, quality of staff employed, health protection) been monitored and
examined?

3. What is the Commission’s view of the above serious concerns and criticisms expressed regarding
research and management at the Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS SR) and the
SMU?

4. What conclusions does the Commission intend to draw with regard to further cooperation?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2003)

The cyclotron and Euromet 526 projects referred to in the question of the Honourable Member have not
been supported by Community Funds. The Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMU) was, however, a
beneficiary of a 1999 PHARE Twinning project aimed at
improving the overall administrative
infrastructure in the internal market area. In particular, the SMU received a one-off assistance supporting
the introduction of a quality management system meeting ISO 9001-2000. This was provided primarily
through the provision of expert advice from Member State experts. A total of EUR 179 245 was budgeted
for the provision of this support to the SMU. In September 2002, the main objective of this assistance was
met as the SMU received ISO 9001-2000 accreditation.

SMU is also a beneficiary of three research projects, within the specific research programme ‘Competitive
and sustainable growth’ of the Community’s 5th Framework Programme for Research and Technological
Development. More information on these projects is available on the Cordis data base at
(http://
www.cordis.lu/growth/src/projects.htm).

In the course of the Commission’s monitoring of Slovakia’s preparations for accession and the ability to
fulfil the requirements of the ‘acquis’, the Commission has generally found the Slovak Office of Standards,
Metrology and Testing (UNMS) to be functioning well, although further improvements could be made. In
view in particular of the Comprehensive Monitoring Report that the Commission will produce this
Autumn on the acceding countries preparation for accession, the Commission particularly welcomes
hearing the views of all stakeholders in order that these can be taken into account. The Commission will
continue to co-operate with the Slovak bodies concerned to identify shortcomings, including any of the
nature mentioned by the Honourable Member, and in order to support efforts aimed at
further
improvements.

(2004/C 78 E/0390)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1517/03

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Economic Partnership Agreements

Information and training sessions on how to facilitate non-state actors’ participation in dialogue on EPAs
are being prepared for EU Delegations. Would the Commission agree that, as ACP Parliaments should be
kept informed on such issues and be encouraged to scrutinise the process, these training sessions should
also be extended to ACP Parliaments?