WRITTEN QUESTION E-3409/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Appointment of privatisation advisers for the Post Office Savings Bank.
Date: 2003-11-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, application of EU law, award of contract, competition law, investment bank, privatisation, savings bank

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/507

The proposed Directive on the management of waste from the extractive industries (2) seeks to prevent or
reduce environmental pollution and in particular to prevent accidents such as those that occurred recently
at Baia Mare (Romania) and Aznalcóllar (Spain), which not only cause significant environmental damage,
but also have wide socio-economic effects (including harming the image of the extractive industry as a
whole, which could hamper future permitting procedures). The proposal aims at establishing a level-
playing field and focuses on those aspects of the management of waste which present the greatest risk to
the environment and human health, such as the operation of large tailings ponds and spoil heaps
containing hazardous wastes or dangerous substances. The proposal provides a more limited set of
requirements for less hazardous waste, which are proportionate to the level of risk they present. The
proposal is now before the Parliament and the Council for decision.

While there are no plans for a special action programme for the extractive industry, the Commission will
continue to cooperate with the industry on issues related to its competitiveness, within the framework of
sustainable development. Furthermore, the Union’s Northern Dimension initiative already addresses the
special regional development challenges facing northern Europe, and provides a common framework for
the promotion of policy dialogue and concrete co-operation. The Second Northern Dimension Action Plan
(2004-2006) specifically recognises that the region is rich in natural resources and that these resources are
crucial to the economic development of local communities.

(1) COM(2000) 265 final.
(2) COM(2003) 319 final.

(2004/C 84 E/0584)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3409/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 November 2003)

Subject: Appointment of privatisation advisers for the Post Office Savings Bank

On 24 October Nikos Christodoulakis, the Greek Minister for the Economy and Finance, announced the
decision to privatise the Post Office Savings Bank and to appoint the firm J P Morgan as privatisation
advisers. The official decisions of the Interministerial Privatisation Committee on the Post Office Savings
Bank and the appointment of privatisation advisers have not yet been published. Nevertheless, according to
reports in the Greek press, J P Morgan has already taken up its duties.

Is the direct appointment of privatisation advisers, without a competition, consistent with Community law?
What procedures ought to have been followed?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2004)

The question should be answered in the light of the services to be provided by the privatisation advisers in
question. However, the nature of these services is not clear from the text of the question.

the Commission would ask the Honourable Member to communicate to it all relevant
Therefore,
information. Furthermore,
from the Greek authorities the necessary
information to be able to establish whether or not there has been an infringement of public procurement
Community legislation.

the Commission will

request