WRITTEN QUESTION E-0315/04 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Language programme for minority languages.
Date: 2004-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: action programme, dissemination of EU information, language teaching, minority language, multilingualism, regional language

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/197

200 prison establishments in Italy, including 12 in Puglia, with a total staff of 2 850 officers, which means
500 fewer than requirements for a prison population of 3 800, of whom many are terrorists, or members
of the Mafia or other organised crime networks.

Despite this precarious situation, the Minister of Justice, Roberto Castelli, has decided, as part of new
personnel plans, to transfer some 300 units provisionally from the south to the north of Italy, including
77 officers from Puglia, without even providing for mission expenses, other than a tiny allowance of
EUR 12 per day.

It is well known that international organised crime and the activities of Albanian mafia groups are
constantly increasing in the south of Italy. This transfer of prison personnel has therefore given rise to
serious concern, which has been voiced by the OSAPP trade union.

In view of the above, does the Commission intend to take action to ensure that this situation does not
adversely affect the internal security of prisons in Italy, law and order, and the quality of life of prison
personnel and their families?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2004)

The transfer of prison personnel within Italy, to which the Honourable Member refers, must be considered
as a question regarding the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security in Italy.
The Commission can not intervene in this matter, as it is the Member States themselves, which, pursuant
to Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union, are responsible for what action should be taken to
maintain law and order and to safeguard their internal security. The transfer of prison personnel within
therefore, not a question of police or judicial cooperation in criminal matters within the
Italy is,
framework of the Treaty on European Union.

(2004/C 84 E/0240)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0315/04

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Language programme for minority languages

In July 2003 the Commission published a call for proposals (DG EAC/45/03) to prepare the ground for the
implementation of the Action Plan on language learning and linguistic diversity (1).

One of the goals explicitly referred to in the call for proposals was to prepare information and to raise
awareness on the potential of existing programmes and activities to promote regional and minority
languages. Following the closing date for the submission of project proposals at the end of September,
seven of the 33 project proposals submitted were approved.

Does the Commission believe that the selection of projects corresponds to the goals of the Action Plan?

(1) OJ C 180, 31.7.2003, p. 34.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2004)

In answer to the Honourable Member’s question, which refers to the Action Plan on language learning and
linguistic diversity, the Commission would like to announce that, under Call for proposals EAC/45/03, the
best seven projects were selected in accordance with the two objectives in point 2:

1.

to disseminate information and to raise awareness on the potential of existing programmes and
activities to promote regional and minority languages, and

C 84 E/198

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

2.

to set up networks to prepare the implementation of the Action Plan on language learning and
linguistic diversity.

The Commission takes the view that the projects selected meet the objectives of the Action Plan and will
help to prepare the ground for its implementation. As it specified in its answer to the Honourable
Member’s written question E-4031/03 (1), three of the seven projects are directly concerned with regional
and minority languages.

(1) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 681.

(2004/C 84 E/0241)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0316/04

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: European voluntary and solidarity service

It is widely known that compulsory military service is gradually being abolished in the various European
countries. Unfortunately, as part of these rationalisation measures certain states are also beginning to
abolish the associated civilian service. The latter provides many aid organisations with a temporary
increase in staff, and it is thus a great source of help in their many day-to-day activities.

It would therefore be useful to provide both young men and women throughout the EU with basic
training lasting three to four months in first aid, social work and environmental services, so that they
would be prepared for any situation and ready to act in emergencies.

Commissioner Reding has already commented on this issue in a joint debate with the Culture and Youth
Committee of the European Parliament held on 2 December 2003, when she promised that part of the
next programme for young people would focus on voluntary service.

Can the Commission confirm these future plans? What
connection?

further steps does it plan to take in this

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2004)

The Commission firmly believes that participation in voluntary activities, and particularly in organised
national or international voluntary services, can be an extremely important non-formal learning experience
for young people and is one that promotes their active involvement in society. Its value in terms of social
cohesion is also beyond question.

In recognition of this, the Commission is continuing to support the European Voluntary Service, set up in
1996 and now Action 2 of the EU Youth Programme (2000-2006), and is endeavouring to extend and
improve it. The interim evaluation of the EU Youth Programme, which is about to be published, is a
demonstration of the extent of the interest generated by the European Voluntary Service.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS) gives young people aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to work abroad
for up to 12 months in local projects in a wide variety of areas. Training events and educational support
are an integral part of the EVS. In 2004 the EVS had a budget of EUR 33 million, which allowed 4 000
young people to participate. Geographically, the Youth Programme covered 30 European countries plus
some third country regions.

As announced on 2 December 2003 by the Member of the Commission responsible for Education and
Culture, the intention is also to make the European Voluntary Service an established component of the
new generation of programmes starting in 2007. It is in the Community’s interest to add new, more
collective aspects to the EVS, which is currently very individual in nature, in order to continue increasing