WRITTEN QUESTION E-2072/03 by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Rules on ships' crews.
Date: 2003-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, crew, free movement of workers, restriction on competition, working conditions

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/109

On 16 June 2003 the Commission proposed that the Union ratifies two international agreements on
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which include PCBs in the 12 listed POPs. These international
agreements,
the Stockholm Convention and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE) Protocol on POPs aim at phasing out these most toxic chemicals by controlling their production,
use, import, export, emissions and disposal. At the same time, the Commission has proposed a Regulation
to fulfil the obligations from the international agreements at home and to enable prompt ratification by
the Union (see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/pops/index_en.htm).

In general, the Commission is neither informed about incidents related to the use of PCBs, nor has it been
contacted regarding this specific incident by the Greek authorities, or any similar accident in the past.

(1) OJ L 269, 11.10.1985.
(2) OJ L 243, 24.9.1996.

(2004/C 65 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/03

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

(16 June 2003)

Subject: Free circulation of euro notes

Almost from the outset, the free circulation of euro notes has been hampered by an obstacle that, though
expected, is none the less tiresome and worrying, namely the fact that some notes, particularly those above
EUR 50, are not accepted by some traders.

Signs marked ‘notes above EUR 50 not accepted’ are a common sight in shops and other sales outlets.

Are there any provisions which allow traders to refuse to accept euro notes of whatever denomination
and,
the
if not, do prospective purchasers have any legal recourse against measures which restrict
circulation of specific denominations?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

According to Article 106 (1), 3rd sentence, of the EC Treaty and Article 10 of Council Regulation (EC)
No 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the euro (1) all denominations of euro banknotes have
legal tender status. While this Regulation introduces a further limitation (see Article 11) on the maximum
number of coins which any party is obliged to accept, no further rules are laid down in relation to
banknotes. The different banknote denominations are specified in a decision of the European Central Bank
(ECB) Governing Council. The concept of legal tender is undefined in Community law, and should
therefore be interpreted against the background of national rules and practices.

There is no European legislation, which provides legal recourse against the restricted acceptance of certain
banknotes. Different legal provisions may apply according to the monetary and civil
laws of Member
States.

(1) OJ L 139, 11.5.1998.

(2004/C 65 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2072/03

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Rules on ships’ crews

National
legislation in Denmark on the national fleet makes it impossible for a German master, for
instance, to find employment on a Danish-flagged vessel. For mariners, this very much constrains the

C 65 E/110

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

freedom of movement for workers which is enshrined in the European Treaties. Many European mariners,
particularly those from countries with small fleets, have no alternative but to switch to vessels flying flags
of convenience, with corresponding loss of prestige and poorer working conditions and pay.

The Commission:

1.

Is it aware of the precarious competitive situation with regard to European mariners?

2. What does it intend to do to eliminate such distortions of competition in Europe?

3. Would the introduction of an EU flag and/or a European register be a suitable measure to improve

matters in this connection? What are the pros and cons?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(29 August 2003)

The Commission would like to give the following information:

(cid:1) in relation to the question on free movement of workers, the Commission would refer the Honourable
Member to its reply to Written Question E-1740/02 of Mr Pronk, Mrs Martens, Mrs Peijs and
Mr Maat (1). As the two preliminary questions (2), in which the nationality condition for captains and
first officers is concerned, are still pending before the Court of Justice, the Commission continues to
refrain from making any form of prediction as to their possible outcome;

(cid:1) the Commission considers that the introduction of a Community register would,

inter alia, have
contributed to the free movement of seafarers within the Community. However, its related proposal
on the creation of the ‘Euros’ register for sea-going merchant vessels (3) was not accepted by the
Member States and was subsequently abandoned. Since then,
the Commission proposed other
measures aimed at fostering the competitiveness of the European shipping industry, in particular the
Community guidelines on State aid to maritime transport, which are in the process of being revised.

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002.
(2) Case C-405/01 Colegio de Oficiales de la Marina Mercante Española v. Administración del Estado and Case C-47/02
Albert Anker v. Federal Republic of Germany; the Advocate General gave her conclusions on both cases on the
12.6.2003.

(3) COM(89) 266, OJ C 263, 16.10.1989 (cid:1) COM(91) 483, OJ C 19, 25.1.1992.

(2004/C 65 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2082/03

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Violations of Greek air space by Turkish aircraft and security of the inhabitants of the Aegean

During a recent visit to the border islands of Samos and Ikaria I experienced the deep anxiety felt by the
inhabitants at the constant, provocative violations of Aegean air space by Turkish warplanes and the
impact which they have on the lives and security of the local people as well as their livelihood in the
tourist industry.

The alarm was compounded, in particular, following the recent incident in which two Turkish F16 fighters
harassed an Olympic Airways flight bound for Istanbul from Athens.

What view does the Council take of Turkey’s conduct in this respect and what measures will it take
forthwith to put an end to such violations by Turkey?

What measures will
through the Aegean and to restore normality and peace to the wider region?

it take to address the insecurity felt by European citizens living in or travelling