WRITTEN QUESTION P-3313/03 by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Council. Negotiations on the EU Constitutional Treaty.
Date: 2003-11-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Constitution, Treaty on European Union, constitutional revision, disclosure of information, document, intergovernmental conference (EU), ministerial meeting

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/233

(2004/C 84 E/0275)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3282/03

by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Council

(30 October 2003)

Subject: Harmonisation of European legislation in respect of boatmasters’ certificates for recreational craft

Parliament and the Council recently amended Directive 94/25/EC (1) on the approximation of the laws,
regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to recreational craft.

This directive is centred on the establishment of environmental and safety standards for the construction of
such craft.

However, a further aspect which should not be overlooked is the need for Community harmonisation in
the area of boatmasters’ certificates for recreational craft.

In this connection, does the Council envisage the introduction of a European boatmaster’s certificate? If so,
what measures does it intend to take to ensure effective regulation in this area?

(1) OJ L 164, 30.6.1994, p. 15.

Reply

(9 March 2004)

The Council attaches great importance to legislative or administrative provisions designed to contribute to
raising safety standards in all areas under exclusive or shared Community competency. The recently
amended Directive by the European Parliament and the Council on recreational craft should be seen also in
this context.

Regarding possible measures to harmonise a European boatmaster’s certificate for recreational craft, the
Council points out that any such proposal would fall within the Commission’s right of initiative. To date,
no such proposal has been submitted to the Council.

(2004/C 84 E/0276)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3313/03

by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Council

(3 November 2003)

Subject: Negotiations on the EU Constitutional Treaty

On 25 October 2003, it was revealed that, at the informal Ecofin meeting in Stresa, Finance Ministers had
been working on substantial changes to the EU Constitutional Treaty, drafted by the European Convention,
which were then recorded in the paper, ‘Drafting suggestions on Articles of interest to Ecofin ministers,
reflecting a high degree of consensus reached at the Informal Ecofin in Stresa’.

Why are these suggestions treated as confidential and not published immediately, or when did they
officially become publicly accessible?

Does the Council Presidency consider it appropriate for Ecofin to take up a position in this way?

Can the Council state which EU Finance Ministers supported these suggestions at the Ecofin meeting in
Stresa?

C 84 E/234

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Reply

(9 March 2004)

The Council has not taken any formal position on the draft Constitutional Treaty, or on any issues for
discussion in the intergovernmental conference, in which the Council as an institution has no role. The
paper to which the Member refers relates to an Informal meeting of Ministers of Economy and Finance.

Following discussions at
Ministers’ discussions to the President of the intergovernmental conference.

informal meeting,

the Presidency communicated,

that

the outcome of

the

In preparing its documentation for IGC discussions, the IGC President highlighted those points which were
discussed by Finance Ministers, (cid:1) as indicated in document CIG 37/03 Presid 3 of 24 October 2003,
which is publicly available.

(2004/C 84 E/0277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3349/03

by Koenraad Dillen (NI) to the Council

(13 November 2003)

Subject: Eurobarometer opinion poll

October’s Eurobarometer opinion poll, carried out at the Commission’s request, on ‘Iraq and peace in the
world’ claims that 59 % of Europeans view the State of Israel as a threat to world peace. The opinion poll
was carried out by EOS Gallup Europe. After its findings were made known, the European Council,
through Italian Foreign Minister Frattini, distanced itself from the survey (Le Figaro, Tuesday, 4 November).

Is this an instance of disagreement between the Council and the Commission? Why did the Council say
that the Commission had sent out a ‘false signal’ with this survey? Was there any consultation between the
Council and the Commission on the matter?

What would the Council’s actual response be if it was itself asked whether ‘Israel present’s a threat to peace
in the world’?

Is this the first time that the Council has distanced itself from an opinion poll carried out at the
Commission’s request? If not, when has this happened before?

Does the Council agree with the Israeli Ambassador to Italy that such an irresponsible survey makes it
more difficult for Europe to play a part in the Middle East peace process?

What approach to the Israeli authorities will the Council take so as to combat the negative image of
Europe to which this survey may give rise among the Israeli population?

Reply

(9 March 2004)

1.
The Eurobarometer opinion poll the Honorable Member of the European Parliament is referring to
has been carried out under the authority of the European Commission, which has already explained its
position on the outcome. The Council has not commented on the opinion poll specifically.

2.
The Council is however concerned with Israel’s role in the Middle East Peace Process. The specific
expectations by the EU towards Israel in this context, and the reasoning behind it, were raised at the EU/
Israel Association Council on 18 November. They were spelled out in the EU Statement prepared for that
occasion, with a view to giving a complete and transparent picture of the EU position, including to the
Israeli population.