WRITTEN QUESTION P-2862/03 by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission. Scientology's European Public Affairs and Human Rights Office.
Date: 2003-09-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU institution, administrative transparency, association, database, image, interest group, religious sect

C 70 E/148

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

Since Greece has not notified the Commission of its national measures transposing the Directive, it is
2.
currently impossible, on the basis of the information available, to check whether the Greek authorities
have set up databases on end-of-life vehicles and their treatment.

(1) Directive 2000/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000 on end-of-life vehicles

(cid:1) Commission Statements, OJ L 269, 21.10.2000.

(2004/C 70 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2860/03

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Council

(26 September 2003)

Subject: Article III-302 of the draft Constitution for the European Union

Article III-302, paragraphs 4 and 5 state that:

If the Council of Ministers approves the European Parliament’s position, the proposed act shall

4.
be adopted.

If the Council of Ministers does not approve the European Parliament’s position, it shall adopt its

5.
position at first reading and communicate it to the European Parliament.

Article 251, paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty (which is replaced by Article III-302, paragraphs 4 and 5) states
that ‘The Council, acting by a qualified majority after obtaining the opinion of the European Parliament …’
It would appear, therefore, that the procedure is being changed from qualified majority to simple majority
at the Council’s first reading.

This interpretation is underpinned by Article III-302, paragraph 8, which states that ‘If, within three
months of receiving the European Parliament’s amendments, the Council of Ministers, acting by a qualified
majority …’, i.e. an explicit reference to qualified majority.

In the light of the above, will the Council say by which majority it acts under Article III-302, paragraphs 4
and 5, and in which article(s) that procedure is laid down?

Reply

(8 December 2003)

The Council has not taken any view on any specific provisions in the draft Constitutional treaty drawn up
by the Convention. This draft is on the table of the current Inter-Governmental Conference.

(2004/C 70 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2862/03

by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 September 2003)

Subject: Scientology’s ‘European Public Affairs and Human Rights Office’

The setting up of the Church of Scientology’s European Public Affairs and Human Rights Office in
Brussels, and its lobbying activities mean that there is a risk that the work of the European Institutions are
confused with that of scientologists.

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/149

The latter avoid presenting themselves as members of the Church of Scientology, and use satellite
organisations to infiltrate the European Institutions.

In this situation, how does the Commission handle firstly, the arrangements for selecting and accrediting
scientologist sub-organisations, and secondly, scientologist lobbying?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2003)

The Commission has always adhered to the principle of open and transparent dialogue with all external
parties without, however, entering into any registration or accreditation system.

This has been emphasised in several documents: the Communication ‘An open and structured dialogue
between the Commission and special interest groups’ (1), the White Paper on Administrative Reform (2),
White Paper on European Governance (3) and, the latest, Communication on general principles and
minimum standards for consultation of interested parties (4). The Communication on consultation aims in
particular at encouraging greater
through a more transparent
consultation process.

interested parties

involvement of

In this open functional framework, the civil society database Coneccs (5) (formerly the lobbies database),
provides information on about 700 civil society organisations operating at European level. It is a voluntary
information tool, in which the organisations can register themselves and update their information. To be
included in the database organisations must fulfil some conditions of transparency and themselves provide
information on their statutes and membership. This voluntary information is one basis on which the
Commission can assess the civil society organisations asking to be included in the database. As the
Coneccs database is intended only for information,
inclusion in the directory does not constitute an
accreditation or registration on the part of the Commission. Until now, the organisation mentioned in the
question has not asked to be included in the Coneccs database.

(1) OJ C 63, 5.3.1993.
(2) COM(2000) 200 final.
(3) COM(2001) 428 final.
(4) COM(2002) 704 final.
(5) http://europa.eu.int/comm/civil_society/coneccs/index_en.htm

(2004/C 70 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/03

by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Council

(26 September 2003)

Subject: The ‘European Public Affairs and Human Rights Office’ of the Church of Scientology

The setting up of the Church of Scientology’s European Public Affairs and Human Rights Office in
Brussels, and the Church’s lobbying threatened to lead to confusion between the work of the European
institutions and those of scientologists.

The latter avoid presenting themselves as members of the Church of Scientology, and use satellite
organisations to infiltrate the European institutions.

What does the Council think of the lobbying practices of Scientology, which uses religion as a commercial
product?