WRITTEN QUESTION E-2894/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Work experience programme (STAGE) in Greece.
Date: 2003-09-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, Greece, information society, operational programme, professional experience, traineeship, unemployed person, vocational training

C 70 E/158

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

When allowing United States’ authorities to access the whole passenger information records of all
passengers flying to and from the United States in the current conditions, airlines must respect national
legislation adopted pursuant to those provisions of the Directive, and may be subject to enforcement
action by national data protection supervisory authorities in Member States for failure to respect these
provisions.

As stated in the intervention of the Member of the Commission in charge of the Internal Market of
9 September 2003 before the Parliament’s Committee on Citizen’s Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home
Affairs (LIBE Committee), the Commission is negotiating with the United States authorities in order to
obtain improvements in the way personal data will be processed in the United States, with the aim of
allowing the Commission to adopt a formal decision under Article 25 paragraph 6 of the Data Protection
Directive recognising the protection offered as ‘adequate’.

Efforts to obtain improvements focus currently on four major issues, namely:

1.

2.

Purpose limitation: so far, the United States has refused to limit its use of Passenger Name Record
(PNR) data to the fight against terrorism, but want to cover also ‘other serious criminal offences’;

Scope of data required: the United States requires 39 different PNR elements, which seems to go
beyond what is necessary for or proportionate to the purpose;

3. The data storage periods which are too long (seven years); and

4. The fact that United States’ undertakings are insufficiently legally binding (cid:1) since the available extra-
judicial redress mechanisms are not fully independent, we must insist that rights are actionable before
United States’ courts.

An adequacy decision will only be possible if the United States is ready to improve significantly its
‘undertakings’. In the absence of an adequacy finding, a bilateral international agreement might provide an
appropriate framework to ensure legal security for the data transfers, but this too could only be concluded
on the basis of a significant improvement of the present United States undertakings as regards the
protection of the data transferred.

The Commission has informed the United States side that it is necessary to find a solution by December
2003 and the United States side has agreed to this timetable.

(1) Directive 95/46/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with

regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, OJ L 281, 23.11.1995.

(2004/C 70 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2894/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Work experience programme (STAGE) in Greece

(29 September 2003)

The data processing and communications work experience programme for unemployed graduates
(STAGE), introduced in 2002 in the ‘information society’ operational programme of the third Community
Support Framework in Greece, was presented by the Greek Government as a particularly successful
venture, reportedly providing full financial support for as many as 4 100 jobless for the duration of the
programme (nine months). However, there have been complaints that the programme, which has been in
operation for a number of years does not entitle participants to employment stamps and is not recognised
by the Higher National Council for the Selection of Public Service Personnel (ASEP) as previous work
it does not entitle those who successfully complete the
experience or employment. Furthermore,
programme to an OAED (Manpower Employment Organisation) professional training certificate, despite
the fact that this is the body responsible for organising the programme.

Does the Commission not consider that the trainees in question are being treated unfairly and that it
reflects badly on the programme itself? Will it make representations to the Greek authorities accordingly?

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/159

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 2003)

The Honourable Member’s question relates to an action under measure 3.5 of the ‘Information Society’
Operational Programme of the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece. The aim of this
action, which is cofinanced by the European Social Fund (ESF), is to give young unemployed graduates the
possibility to have a training period of nine months in the field of Information Society.

According to the Managing Authority of this Operational Programme:

(cid:1) during the training period, the participants are covered by medical insurance only;

(cid:1) their participation is not recognised as work experience by the public administration. However,
the Greek Ministry of Interior and Public Administration is acting to pass a legislative amendment
through the Greek Parliament so that these training periods are recognised as work experience;

(cid:1) a certificate of attendance is granted by the Greek Employment Organisation (OAED)

to all

participants completing the training period.

The Commission is in contact with the Greek Authorities to discuss ways to improve the direct or indirect
effects of this action.

(2004/C 70 E/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2899/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Public debt and budget deficit in Greece in 2003

(1 October 2003)

What is the Commission’s estimate of the budget deficit and public debt in Greece as a percentage of GDP
in 2003?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 2003)

In the 2003 State Budget and the 2002 Stability programme, the central government debt is projected to
be equal to EUR 171,05 billion, whereas the general government consolidated gross debt is estimated to be
EUR 150,4 billion, representing 100,2 % of gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Commission
Spring forecasts, the Greek general government deficit is projected to be equal to 1,1 % of GDP whereas
the general government debt ratio is projected to stand at 101 % of GDP at the end of 2003.

Currently, the Commission is proceeding to the Autumn forecast round and these estimates may be
revised.

(2004/C 70 E/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2901/03

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Safeguarding jobs at the Alcatel plant in Rieti

(1 October 2003)

The telecommunications sector is going through a period of recession. In order to tackle the unfavourable
situation the Alcatel group has decided on drastic job cuts. Apart from undermining the research sector
this policy also threatens to lead to the company’s activities being relocated to countries with low labour
costs.