WRITTEN QUESTION E-2220/03 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Use of languages in Commission press reports — Midday Express.
Date: 2003-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, dissemination of information, image, press release, use of languages

C 65 E/118

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

The AGIS programme is primarily a programme for police and judicial cooperation in penal matters.
However, within the framework of the fight against organised crime, and in particular the fight against
it envisages possibilities of cofinancing for the co-ordination of projects
trafficking of human beings,
between police investigations and administrative control measures.
It also envisages possibilities of
cofinancing projects in the fight against organisations, criminal networks and criminals operating in the
field of illegal immigration in Member States and neighbouring countries.

Europol has been established to support Member States’ law enforcement authorities in their fight against
serious transnational crime,
in particular organised crime. Europol does not have any competences
concerning asylum seekers. Eurojust is a body composed of members of the judiciary. Its main task is to
assist and advise the national prosecuting authorities in judicial prosecution casework and has, basically, no
political or administrative tasks. If ‘Gruppo Atlante 2000’ has particular expertise in judicial or police
matters, it could contact Eurojust or Europol directly in order to discuss issues and possible co-operation.

The second round of EQUAL will be launched in 2004 and will continue to fund Development
Partnerships which seek to improve the social and vocational integration of Asylum Seekers. Whilst the
Commission has responsibility to set the overall framework for the Initiative, the Managing Authorities in
each Member State are responsible for setting out their priorities selecting appropriate Development
Partnerships which best meet these objectives. The national contact details are all available on the EQUAL
website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/equal.

(1) OJ L 31, 6.2.2003.
(2) OJ L 50, 25.2.2003.
(3) OJ L 316, 15.12.2000.
(4) OJ C 142, 14.6.2002.

(2004/C 65 E/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2220/03

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Use of languages in Commission press reports (cid:1) Midday Express

On Thursday, 19 June 2003, the Commission published a press report (IP/03/866) on its current inquiry
into distribution practices involving Pokemon collectible cards and stickers. The report was published in all
the official languages of the European Union.

Is the Commission aware that the immediate publication of press reports in all the official languages of the
European Union is exceptional and certainly does not exceed 10 % of the total?

Can the Commission indicate the considerations which prompted it to have that specific report translated
into all the official languages of the European Union but not others such as the reports on the approval of
new BSE tests (19 June 2003), on the Thessaloniki Summit, which was, nevertheless, referred to as a
‘milestone’ in EU relations with the western Balkans (18 June 2003), on the invitation to all citizens of the
Union to contribute to the debate on the adaptation of the ‘Television without Frontiers’ Directive (18 June
2003), on a European Code against Cancer, which recommended the adoption of healthier lifestyles
(17 June 2003), and on optimum conditions for the long-distance transport of cattle (17 June 2003)?

When it published the report about Pokemon stickers, was the Commission thinking primarily about the
media impact that it would have?

Does the Commission rate the social relevance of an inquiry into the distribution of Pokemon stickers
higher than, for example, information for European Union citizens that the adoption of certain lifestyles
will prevent cancer, and is that the reason why it published the former report in all the official languages?

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/119

If that is not the case, will it, therefore, henceforth translate all press reports which are of relevance to all
European Union citizens into all the official languages of the European Union so that all European Union
citizens may receive information in their own language not only about the possible unfair pricing of
Pokemon stickers but also about other at least equally relevant European and social themes? If not, why
not?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer it gave to the Honourable Member’s
Written Question E-1972/03 (1).

Press releases issued by the Spokesman Service of the Commission are of course available to citizens, other
institutions of the Union, businesses, governments and non-governmental organisations. However, press
releases are designed to facilitate a rapid flow of information to the public primarily through the media.
The practice applied by the Spokesman Service is, therefore, designed to facilitate the flow of information
towards the journalists. Given that the purpose of a press release is to inform different target audiences
through the media, the Spokesman Service of the Commission applies the system flexibly, taking into
account the need to put out press releases quickly.

Press releases referring to Commission decisions are translated into all official languages. In exceptional
circumstances, if the measure concerned has been adopted at a very short delay, a press release may be
released in either English or French only. In these cases translations into other languages are provided as
quickly as possible.

On other issues, press releases are translated into the languages used in the press room of the Commission
(English and French) plus the language of the country concerned.

These practices have the agreement of the International Press Association.

The Commission would also like to refer the Honourable Member to the other instruments that it uses to
provide information to the general public (Internet sites, publications, etc), which are available in all official
languages.

(1) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2004, p. 169.

(2004/C 65 E/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2222/03

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Europe-wide harmonisation of insurance against acts of terrorism

Since the terrorist attack in New York on 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist acts may
have unprecedented consequences. First and foremost,
that affects the victims and their immediate
surroundings, but a great deal of economic damage may be caused as well. The cost of compensation for
the damage caused is borne principally by the insurance companies, and insurance claims for enormous
amounts may be submitted.

Insurance companies in the Netherlands have decided to bear jointly the risk of terrorist activities because
the impact thereof can be so great. To that end, the Netherlands Reinsurance Company for Losses from
Terrorism (NHT) has been set up as an umbrella organisation for insurance companies to provide cover for
the consequences of terrorism.