WRITTEN QUESTION P-2602/03 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Progress by Member States in the transposition of Directive 2000/78/EC with specific regard to discrimination on the grounds of age.
Date: 2003-08-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU employment policy, age discrimination, equal treatment, national implementing measure

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/259

Furthermore, in the selection criteria set out in the Rules, Criteria and Procedures for the Selection and
Funding of Actions under the Public Health Programme, it is stated that the Commission will give priority
to projects which are conducted in as many Member States, applicant countries and European Free Trade
Association (EFTA)/European Economic Area (EEA) countries as possible. In the exclusion criteria set out
in the same document it is stated that ‘in principle, commercial companies cannot take part in calls for
proposals unless they can demonstrate that the immediate objective of the project proposed is non-
commercial and absolutely non-profit-making’ (1).

However, on the basis of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999, the European Regional Development Fund may
spas under operational programmes cofinanced by the Fund, where such
finance assistance for
programmes include this type of activity.

Operational programmes of course cover a specific geographical territory (regions in the case of Objective
1 and parts of regions in the case of Objective 2) and are implemented and managed by the regions
themselves.

The Honourable Member can contact the appropriate regional authorities in order to ascertain whether
their programmes include assistance for spas, and the relevant eligibility conditions and procedures.

In any event, neither the costs of medical or therapeutic treatment at spas, nor their administration costs,
are eligible for Community funding.

(1) See: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/c_062/c_06220030315en00140020.pdf.

(2004/C 51 E/281)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2602/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(8 August 2003)

Subject: Progress by Member States in the transposition of Directive 2000/78/EC with specific regard to

discrimination on the grounds of age

What information does the Commission have on the current state of progress by the Member States in
their transposition of Council Directive 2000/78/EC (1) establishing a general
framework for equal
treatment in employment and occupation, with specific regard to steps taken to tackle discrimination on
the grounds of age?

(1) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2003)

The deadline for the transposition into national law of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November
2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, is 2 December
2003. Member States may also make use of a supplementary period, of up to three years, in order to take
account of particular difficulties, to transpose the provisions dealing with discrimination on grounds of age
and disability.

The Commission maintains contact with the authorities of the Member States to ascertain what progress is
being made towards the transposition of the Directive. Although there is still some time available before
the date of transposition, only one Member State has so far formally notified the transposition of the
Directive, while another has already indicated its intention to use a part of the extra period allowed for the
transposition of the provisions on age discrimination. The Commission is also aware that legislation has
been adopted, or is about to be adopted in some other Member States, though this has not yet been
formally notified to the Commission.

All Member States have indicated their intention to transpose the Directive within the time allowed. The
Commission has expressed its concern that the deadlines for transposition must be respected and that a
failure to do so will constitute an infringement of Community law.