WRITTEN QUESTION P-2374/03 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Contracting and subcontracting by the Commission.
Date: 2003-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Eurostat, accounting, award of contract, invitation to tender, provision of services, services company, services contract

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/91

(2004/C 70 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2365/03

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

(17 July 2003)

Subject: Delimitation of fisheries zones as between Portugal and Spain

The president of the Spanish Association of Skilled Nautical Personnel has called for a clear delimitation of
the fishing limits between Spain and Portugal, with a view to avoiding any further arrests of Spanish
fishermen and putting the required end to such disputes between countries which are friends and
neighbours and are both EU Member States.

The same person considers it unacceptable that such problems should exist between EU Member States.
It follows, in the view of Spain’s fishermen, that the fisheries zones need to be delimited in order to
prevent any further conflicts.

Does the Commission believe it to be its responsibility, under the EU’s common fisheries policy, to act
with a view to resolving the conflict over the delimitation of fisheries zones as between Spain and
Portugal, thus putting an end to the present unacceptable climate of conflict and, especially, the practice of
punishing Spanish fishermen’s incursions into Portuguese waters with prison sentences?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 August 2003)

The new legal basis of the Common Fisheries Policy, Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 (1), clearly
enshrines the principle of free access to waters and resources by all Community vessels, subject to the
relevant Community rules on fisheries management.

Re-introducing limitations to access in areas of national jurisdiction on the basis of nationality would be
contrary to the above principle. The Commission must ensure that fisheries access and conservation and
management measures are based on the principle of non-discrimination.

The Commission also believes that the existence of certain conflicts among fishermen would not justify a
failure to apply and enforce Community principles. The Commission is actively contributing to find a
solution to the problem of the access to Portuguese continental waters in the context of the proposal for
an effort regime in western waters. But the Commission is convinced that any solution in this regard must
be fully in conformity with the above-mentioned principles.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of

fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy, OJ L 358, 31.12.2002.

(2004/C 70 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2374/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Contracting and subcontracting by the Commission

(16 July 2003)

In view of the recent OLAF investigation into the alleged misappropriation of about EUR 900 000 by
senior Eurostat staff, the fact that the Commission has launched a reform of the accounting system, which
is deemed to be inadequate, and that Eurostat subcontracted services to Eurogramme, Eurocost and
Planistat, can the Commission specify what services have been contracted out and subcontracted in the last
five years, how much they cost, and what the mechanisms for allocating contracts and selecting successful
contractors are?

C 70 E/92

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 2003)

The Commission’s modernisation of the accounting system aims to provide the institutions by 2005 with
an accrual accounting system that complies with the most recent international accounting standards for
the public sector in accordance with the Financial Regulation (1).

On the other matters raised, the Commission is collecting the very extensive information needed to answer
the Honourable Member’s question. It will communicate its findings in due course. It should be noted that,
as part of the follow-up to the discharge for 2001, the Commission has mandated the Internal Audit
Service (IAS) to examine the legality and the regularity of contracts awarded by Eurostat since 1999 and to
include in its investigation contracts awarded by other Commission departments. Its findings will be
announced in the autumn.

With regard to Planistat, the Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answer to Written Questions
P-1705/03 by Ms Stauner (2), P-1807/03 by Mr Bösch and P-1978/03 by Ms Stauner.

(1) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the

general budget of the European Communities, OJ L 248, 16.9.2002.

(2) See page 56.

(2004/C 70 E/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2377/03

by James Nicholson (PPE-DE) to the Council

(18 July 2003)

Subject: Insignia for European Union military forces

Recent press reports suggest that military forces to be sent to Congo will wear identification insignia based
upon a map of the European Union.

Reports state that this insignia does not include representation of any part of Ireland.

Would the Council indicate if such reports are accurate and if so indicate the reasons for this omission?

Reply

(5 December 2003)

The Council hereby informs the Honourable Member that the only official insignia worn by personnel
engaged in the Artemis operation is an armband in the European colours (yellow stars on a blue ground)
bearing the name of the operation (Artemis); the armband does not feature the map of Europe.

(2004/C 70 E/096)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2383/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 July 2003)

Subject: State aids assessment

1. Will the Commission expand on the reasons given in its press notice of 21 January 2003 (IP/03/89)
concerning the authorisation of the United Kingdom’s stamp duty exemption scheme for disadvantaged
areas?

2. Will the Commission make publicly available,
including to this Member, the United Kingdom’s
comments in reply to its invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty on Aid
C 13/02 (ex N27/02) concerning stamp duty exemption for non-residential property in disadvantaged
areas?