WRITTEN QUESTION P-2270/03 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. Bari as the seat of the European Bank for the Mediterranean.
Date: 2003-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Apulia, European Investment Bank, Mezzogiorno, seat of institution

C 65 E/122

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

(2004/C 65 E/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2261/03

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

(8 July 2003)

Subject: Survey of government support for professional football clubs

further to the letter of 11 July 2002 to it

The Netherlands’ Government,
from the Commission
(DG Competition H3/NTI/amv D(2002) 0422), has had a survey carried out of the type and extent of the
football clubs (and their home
financial relationship between 33 local authorities and professional
grounds). As a result of the survey, the Netherlands’ Government is now taking action to eliminate the lack
of clarity surrounding the relationship between government and professional football clubs, having regard
to the role they play in society, in a collaborative effort involving central government, provinces, local
authorities, the Royal Dutch Football Association and the Commission.

However, such lack of clarity is not confined solely to the Netherlands. A similar survey of the situation
throughout Europe would therefore be particularly welcome.

Has the Commission voiced its concerns to other Member States about suspected State aid? If so, which?

What does the Commission think of a Europe-wide survey of government support for professional football
clubs? Is the Commission willing to have such a survey carried out?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(13 August 2003)

The Commission is currently assessing several potential state aid measures. In so far, questions have been
posed to the Italian government regarding a decree allowing an apparently favourable application of
accounting rules to professional sports clubs. The answers to these questions are currently being assessed.
At the same time, based on a complaint, the sale of certain real estate to football club AZ in the
Netherlands is under assessment. In this case the Commission has opened on 23 July 2003 a formal
procedure. The Commission also recalls that it examined a French government’s notification about public
subsidies for professional sports clubs in 2001 and decided not to object because the measures were
designed to assist education and initial training and as such constituted an educational or comparable
scheme but not a state aid under the EC Treaty.

The Commission maintains that its policy should be developed on the basis of individual cases. Therefore,
the Commission does at this stage not intend to launch a Europe-wide investigation regarding state aid to
professional football clubs.

(2004/C 65 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2270/03

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject: Bari as the seat of the European Bank for the Mediterranean

Southern Italy is becoming a powerhouse for development projects, and the human resources to be found
there have an increasingly high degree of professional expertise.

The authorities in southern Italy have undoubtedly matured and are able to respond to the call to cut
through the red tape and speed up the procedures.

Apulia in particular has shown itself to be capable of genuinely meshing with European programming.

Will the Commission support Bari’s application to become the seat of the European Bank for the
Mediterranean, bearing in mind the strategic geopolitical position of Apulia within the Mediterranean
region?

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/123

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(30 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.

The Commission appreciates the Honourable Member’s interest in this matter and in the location of such a
bank in Bari. While it is at this stage premature to enter into such considerations, should a decision to
create a subsidiary be taken in Autumn 2003, its location will have to be chosen taking into account the
respective advantages of each possible location.

(2004/C 65 E/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2272/03

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

Subject: Situation of workers at the Sintel company (Spain)

(7 July 2003)

Although it is now almost two years since they accepted the government’s offer and conditions (agreement
of 3 August 2001) designed to facilitate the introduction of a package of measures to resolve the crisis at
Sintel with the involvement of all the parties concerned, the workers at the bankrupt Sintel company
remain as defenceless now as they were when the crisis first arose.

The workers’ legal representatives have still not been invited to meet with receivers, the government or the
Telefónica telecommunications company, as a party involved in the bankruptcy procedure, given that the
workers are the main creditors. Without the participation of the workers it is difficult to see how the
agreement can be implemented.

It has been two years since bankruptcy was declared (by order of 28 May 2001) and yet no meeting of
creditors has as yet been called to appoint official receivers, thereby making it impossible for the workers
to exercise their rights as creditors. Many aspects of the agreement have not been complied with and the
workers’ rights have not been upheld.

1.

Is the Council aware of this situation?

Does it not believe that the Spanish Government ought to ensure compliance with the agreement

2.
reached with the workers at Sintel?

3. Will it say what action the EU is taking with regard to the Sintel case and the apparent failure on the
part of the Spanish Government to honour the agreement?

Reply

(17 November 2003)

The Council is aware of the fact that the implementation of the rescue package in respect of the failed
telecommunications company Sintel is a particularly sensitive subject in Spain.

Community legislation adopted in recent years demonstrates that the information and consultation of
employees and their representatives is an important issue for the Council.