WRITTEN QUESTION E-0214/04 by Giles Chichester (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Details of EU funding to the Palestinian Authority.
Date: 2004-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Palestine, aid to refugees, food aid, fraud against the EU, humanitarian aid, use of aid

C 88 E/172

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Does the Commission intend, therefore, to look at strengthening the legal auditing of accounts by drawing
up stricter measures for audit firms, making them responsible for all aspects of consolidated accounts?

Will the legal loophole created when two audit firms are each responsible for part of the accounts be
tightened? If so, how will this take place?

Is a ban on auditors’ being able to take part in any kind of management decision being considered?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

indeed very complex. However,

The Commission agrees that it is still too early to draw any final conclusions from the Parmalat corporate
failure which is
the Commission had already proposed in its
Communications of 21 May 2003 on Modernising Company Law and Enhancing Corporate Governance
in the EU and on Reinforcing statutory audit in the EU, a number of measures which specifically deal with
some of the problems identified in the Parmalat case. In response to this corporate failure, the Commission
intends to accelerate some of the proposals contained in these action plans.

As far as statutory audit is concerned, the Commission intends to include a specific provision in its
proposal for a modernised Directive which confirms the principle that the statutory auditor can in no way
be involved in management decisions. A specific rule will also be introduced that the group auditor bears
full responsibility for the audit report in relation with the consolidated accounts.

(2004/C 88 E/0180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0214/04

by Giles Chichester (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Details of EU funding to the Palestinian Authority

(30 January 2004)

Several constituents of mine have written to me to express their concerns about the much publicised
doubts over the use of European Union funds by the Palestinian Authority (PA). To date, detailed
information and accounting of the funds the EU provides the PA, to either substantiate or negate the
allegations, have been lacking.

In view of the continued allegations concerning the misuse of EU funds to the PA and the confidentiality
of the European Parliament Working Group looking into this matter, can the Commission explain (a) the
level of EU funding to the PA over the past three years; (b) the details of the purpose of the budget
(as stated in the PA application) and (c) what sums are anticipated for 2003-2004?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 2004)

The total level of European Community assistance (excluding bilateral Member States assistance) to the
West Bank and Gaza, including humanitarian aid, food aid and support to non governmental organisations
(NGOs), over
the year 2000:
EUR 225,86 million, for the year 2001: EUR 149,39 million and for the year 2002: EUR 326,31 million.
This includes humanitarian assistance in favour of Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

three years has been as follows (commitment basis). For

the last

EC financial assistance over the last few years has tried to strike a balance between short-term emergency
assistance and more strategic forward-looking development support in preparation for a future democratic
Palestinian state.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/173

The total level of European Community assistance (excluding bilateral Member States assistance) to the
West Bank and Gaza,
to NGOs in 2003 was
EUR 255,78 million. This includes humanitarian assistance in favour of Palestinian refugees in Jordan,
Lebanon and Syria. Programming for 2004 has not yet been completed, but the level of support will be
comparable to the level of support extended in recent years.

including humanitarian aid,

food aid and support

(2004/C 88 E/0181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0270/04

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Follow-up to regulation on cross-border payments

(5 February 2004)

Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 (1) on cross-border payments in euro, which was adopted by the European
Parliament and entered into force on 31 December 2001, has helped to reduce the cost of cross-border
payments within the internal market. It has also encouraged the banking sector to modernise its payment
infrastructure EU-wide. This has been an important step towards establishing a single area for non-cash
payments in the internal market, which did not exist despite the introduction of the euro.

However, a recent survey in France (quoted at the hearing held by the Committee on Economic and
Monetary Affairs on 20 January 2004) has shown that the 25 banks questioned apply 180 different rates.
It is therefore extremely difficult for consumers to find their way around this administrative jungle. Indeed
more than 24 % of those interviewed said they were given incorrect information. In addition, some bank
charges have been illegally increased or even introduced to offset the entry into force of the regulation.

Given the above, what measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that
advantages of this legislation are not erased by the counter-measures taken by banking establishments?

the planned

Has the Commission considered what legislative provisions could be introduced to ensure that banks at
long last supply clear information that can be easily understood by consumers?

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001, which has been applicable to card payments and
withdrawals from ATMs since 1 July 2002 and to credit transfers since 1 July 2003, the charges made for
a cross-border payment in euros should be the same as for a domestic payment.

On the basis of the information currently in its possession, the Commission considers that, with the
exception of Spain, where the Commission has asked the Spanish authorities to take the measures
necessary for its proper application, the regulation is generally being properly applied. It is not aware of
the survey in France referred to by the Honourable Member and would be interested in receiving any
information he could provide in this connection.

In the event of failure to comply with the Regulation, the competent national authorities must impose
effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties.

Under the Regulation, the Commission will also present to the Council and Parliament by the end of June
2004 at the latest a report on its application that will focus, among other things, on the evolving situation
regarding the dramatic rates being charged. It will then be in a position to provide the Honourable
Member with a fuller answer. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the price increases of many banking
services have nothing to do with the Regulation, which deals only with charges for electronic transfers and
transactions. The Commission is of the opinion that banks are free to determine the price of their services
and that it is up to the customer to seek the best deal.