WRITTEN QUESTION E-3368/03 by Koenraad Dillen (NI) to the Commission. Eurobarometer opinion poll on Iraq and world peace.
Date: 2003-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, European Commission, Israel, image, invitation to tender, opinion poll

C 78 E/530

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0551)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3367/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Laser technology and radiation emissions

Laser technology has developed dramatically over the past 10 years for the manufacture of steel parts for
the engineering sector. Is the Commission aware that such laser technoogy is generated by means of Light
Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation and that the substances included in the process with
electromagnetic dust are expelled into the atmosphere.

By comparison,
slowly. However, this process is totally environmentally friendly and produces no exhaust fumes.

‘Waterjet’ uses only water and sand to carry out exactly the same process, only more

Can the Commission indicate whether any funding is available for such environmentally friendly
engineering processes or indicate any further avenues which might be explored for funding opportunities.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2003)

Concerning Laser and Waterjet cutting applications, the Commission is well aware of the benefits and
drawbacks associated with both technologies.

A search through the Cordis projects database (http://dbs.cordis.lu/search/en/simple/EN_PROJ_simple.html)
reveals that a significant number (more than 20) of waterjet technology related projects have been financed
in various programmes of the past Framework Programmes. Due to the relative maturity of the laser and
waterjet cutting applications, the currently on-going activities in the Industrial Technologies Directorate are
few and they concentrate on more specialised areas (e.g. G1ST-CT-2002, Development of abrasive water
jet removal method for hard coatings to replace environmentally dangerous chemical stripping; G1RD-
CT2002-00746, (Laser) Machining of transparent materials by multiple absorption).

In the Sixth Framework Programme, the Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences, knowledge-based multi-
functional materials and new production processes and devices (NMP) priority could provide funding
opportunities for further Waterjet technology related research, provided that the Research and Tech-
nological Development (RTD) proposals are able to demonstrate sufficient innovation and significant
progress beyond the current state-of-the-art. More generally, the NMP priority work programme includes a
dedicated research domain to improve sustainability of industrial manufacturing as well as to reduce
environmental and health impacts.

(2004/C 78 E/0552)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3368/03

by Koenraad Dillen (NI) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Eurobarometer opinion poll on ‘Iraq and world peace’

The Eurobarometer opinion poll on ‘Iraq and world peace’ which was carried out in October at the request
of the Commission indicates that 59 % of people in Europe regard the State of Israel as a threat to world
peace. The poll was carried out by the institute EOS Gallup Europe. When the results were announced,
Italy’s Foreign Minister Frattini, speaking on behalf of the European Council, distanced himself from them
(Le Figaro, Tuesday, 4 November).

27.3.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/531

Does the Commission likewise distance itself from this survey, which it commissioned itself? If so, is this
the first time that the Commission has distanced itself from the findings of its own research? What is the
point of such opinion polls if the Commission itself says that the results do not reflect its views? Does not
the Commission consider that in that case it would be better not to commission such irresponsible
research, in order not to confuse public opinion?

Has the Commission used EOS Gallup Europe before? Was a public invitation to tender issued? What was
the cost of the opinion poll?

Who was responsible for the questions asked in the poll? Who selected the list of fifteen countries which
might possibly constitute ‘a threat to world peace’?

Does the Commission agree with the Israeli Ambassador in Rome that this poll will make it difficult for
Europe to act as an intermediary in the Middle East peace process in the near future?

Will the Commission apologise to the Israeli authorities for the damage to Israel’s image caused by this EU-
funded survey?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission’s answer to Written Question P-3334/03 by
Ms Muscardini (1).

The Commission would also remind the Honourable Member that each Eurobarometer report contains the
following caveat: ‘This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The
interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.’ The Commission has also
It does,
expressed reservations about the question on which countries are a threat to world peace.
however, consider that the results are indicative of worrying prejudices.

The Commission currently has five framework contracts under which opinion surveys are being
conducted. These were awarded through tender procedures. The Flash Eurobarometer is the instrument
through which surveys by telephone are carried out on the Commission’s behalf. As far as the EOS Gallup
Europe institute is concerned, the contract was signed with TNS Sofres in January 2002, and the TNS
Sofres coordination centre for the Flash Eurobarometer contract is EOS Gallup Europe. Since the contract
was signed, about thirty Flash Eurobarometers have been produced for the Commission. The cost of the
study on Iraq and world peace (preparation, fieldwork, statistical processing and report writing) was
EUR 150 098,34 for approximately fifteen questions.

(1) See page 263.

(2004/C 78 E/0553)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3370/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Mr Prodi’s comments on the outcome of the Swedish referendum on EMU

On 21 September 2003, the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet published comments made by Romano Prodi
on the outcome of the Swedish referendum on EMU. Mr Prodi reportedly said that the Swedes voted
against because they are afraid of new developments and because they believe that their democracy is
superior to others’. Mr Prodi went on to say that the result of the vote mirrored the general feeling in a
country and that the Swedes’ rejection was also a reflection of our sense of distinctive character and a
distance between the Swedish and European peoples, as well as showing a lack of knowledge about
Europe.