WRITTEN QUESTION E-2233/03 by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission. Euromediterranean Bank in Sicily.
Date: 2003-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Investment Bank, Sicily, Union for the Mediterranean, investment bank

6.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/145

(2004/C 58 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2209/03

by Peter Skinner (PSE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: VAT on repairs to listed places of worship within the UK

As churches in Scotland are facing financial pressures, securing the VAT reduction is very important and it
is of course of benefit to everyone that historic churches be well cared for. Scottish churches have always
felt it inappropriate to levy admission charges and apart from grants from bodies such as Historic
Scotland/Heritage Lottery (which are annually reducing) the cost of repairs have had to be met out of
members’ offerings. Could the Commission tell me what is the current situation with regard to this.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-1676/03 by
Mr MacCormick (1).

It would inform the Honourable Member that it recently adopted a proposal for a Directive as regards
reduced rates of value added tax (2). The main objective of this proposal is to improve the operation of the
internal market by rationalising Member States’ use of reduced rates in order to avoid distortion of
competition by giving all Member States the same opportunities to apply reduced rates.

Widening the scope of reduced rates was considered at the time the proposal was being drafted. It was
decided to extend the option to apply reduced rates to categories of goods and services for which some
Member States are already authorised to apply reduced rates under specific derogations where they do not
impair the operation of the internal market. This measure concerns accommodation but not repairs to
listed places of worship. As far as the Commission knows, most Member States do not apply reduced rates
to this type of service but subsidise it in other ways.

(1) OJ C 11 E, 15.1.2004, p. 214.
(2) COM(2003) 397 final.

(2004/C 58 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2233/03

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(3 July 2003)

Subject: Euromediterranean Bank in Sicily

At the request of the Laeken European Council of December 2001, the Commission and the Council have
examined the possibility of setting up a Euromediterranean Bank. The Barcelona European Council of
15/16 March 2002 approved the creation of a reinforced Euro-Mediterranean investment facility within
the EIB, complemented by a Euro-Mediterranean partnership arrangement and an EIB representative office
in the area.

Could the Commission therefore indicate:

1. what criteria will be adopted for selecting the country in which to base the Euro-Mediterranean

branch of the EIB;

2. whether it does not consider that Sicily might be the most appropriate region in which to site that
bank, given its geopolitical position in the Europe-Africa-Asia basin and its age-old historical, cultural
and religious tradition?

C 58 E/146

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

On 14/15 March 2002 the Ecofin and European Council decided to establish an investment Facility with
the aim of enhancing European Investment Bank (EIB) operations in Mediterranean Partner Countries, with
the clear priority of private sector development. They also decided to examine one year after the creation
of the Facility whether to incorporate it into an EIB majority-owned subsidiary.

The Facility was established in Autumn 2002 and the decision on whether to create an EIB majority-
owned subsidiary is now expected to be taken in Autumn 2003 by the Council,
in liaison with the
Commission and the EIB and after consultations with Mediterranean Partner Countries. Should a decision
to create a subsidiary be taken, its location will have to be chosen.

The Commission appreciates the Honourable Member’s interest in this matter and in the location of such a
bank in Sicily. While it is at this stage premature to enter into such considerations, the choice of the host
country and region would obviously be carefully examined in due course, taking into account the
respective advantages of each possible location.

(2004/C 58 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2235/03

by Wilhelm Piecyk (PSE) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject: Establishing responsibility within the EU for the issue of seaman’s books

It is still necessary for seafarers to have what is known as a seaman’s book, in order to provide a record of
the time at sea and the holder’s identity.

Freedom of movement within the European Union has made it possible for people to pursue a profession
throughout the EU unhindered.

Difficulties arise when it comes to ascertaining which authority is responsible for issuing this document.
The Member States of the European Union have no uniform approach regarding competence in this area.
They have different criteria concerning the conditions for issuing the document.

According to the regulations applicable in Denmark, their authorities are only responsible when the
applicant is a Danish citizen. In Germany, the law states that seafarers must sail under the German flag.
This appears to create problems.

The IMO (International Maritime Organisation)
should be determined. No conclusion has yet been reached.

is currently discussing how responsibility in this area

In the light of this, can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What stage have the IMO negotiations reached?

2. When can we expect an international regulation?

3. Does the Commission believe that the regulations in force in the EU Member States are compatible

with the fundamental freedoms of the internal market?

4.

Is the Commission considering introducing a standard European regulation until such time as an IMO
regulation is enacted?