WRITTEN QUESTION E-0953/04 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Discriminatory practices by Romania.
Date: 2004-03-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, Romania, accession to the European Union, corruption, discrimination on the basis of nationality, foreign investment, ownership, privatisation

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/923

Could the Commission therefore indicate:

1. Whether, besides the funds, the activities frozen can be reactivated?

2. What procedure is provided for as regards conclusion of the agreement, since an order has been

issued suspending both the conclusion of the agreement and the corresponding financing?

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

The decision to grant a subvention falls within the competence of the Designated Authority in Italy
(in conformity with Community Regulations and the Operating Programme approved by the Commission,
and Italian legislation). The case raised by the Honourable Member relates to an action decided upon by
the Designated Authority managing the project in Italy and therefore, in order to either release the funds,
or proceed with the activity, the matter should be addressed to the Designated Authority in Italy.

The Commission can provide contact details to the Honourable Member.

(2004/C 84 E/1020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0953/04

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(29 March 2004)

Subject: Discriminatory practices by Romania

With reference to the studies on the internal situation in Romania and the meetings held with the
representatives of that country in the context of the accession negotiations:

1.

Is the Commission aware of the serious discriminatory policy being pursued by the Romanian State
Italian firms, participating in procedures for the
vis-à-vis foreign investors, and in particular
privatisation of Romanian state-owned property?

2. Does it know that these undertakings, despite having contributed to the recovery of vital sectors of the
Romanian economy by way of substantial investments, are suffering repeated violations of their rights
as guaranteed under European and Romanian regulations, particularly as regards the right of
ownership, in favour of companies with links to the previous regime?

3.

4.

Is it aware of the fact that the legal protection afforded by the Romanian legal system (cid:1) under which
judgements are passed by the supreme judicial bodies in violation of general
legal principles and
binding internal rules (cid:1) has created great uncertainty as to the capacity for guaranteeing the rights of
foreign investors participating in privatisation procedures in complete compliance with the national
rules?

Is it conscious of the fact that this discriminatory policy is being pursued in spite of the public
commitments made by the Romanian State to adopt reforms on the theme of the ‘rule of law’ and
‘combating corruption’?

5. What measures will it take to counteract this discriminatory policy?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

The Commission has closely monitored the development of a functioning market economy throughout the
accession process with Romania. Although considerable progress has been made over recent years, the
Commission’s regular reports have made it clear that considerable reforms are still needed to attract greater
amounts of foreign investment. Particular attention has been drawn to the high levels of corruption that
exist, to weaknesses in the legal system, and to an overall business environment that remains difficult.

C 84 E/924

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

The Commission is not aware of any systematic discrimination against foreign investors in general or
Italian firms in particular. However,
if specific evidence of such discrimination is provided then the
Commission will
investigate fully and take the appropriate action either under the provisions of the
EU-Romania Association Agreement or in the context of the accession negotiations.

In more general terms, the Commission will continue to support Romania’s efforts to effectively tackle
corruption and to guarantee the rule of law. Bilateral contacts will be used in order to urge Romanian
authorities to prioritise these issues and financial assistance is being provided to promote anti-corruption
initiatives and to modernise the judiciary.

(2004/C 84 E/1021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0960/04

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 March 2004)

Subject: Language discrimination in recruitment procedures for European institutions

Is the Commission aware that,

in 2003, more than 700 notices of vacancy were published by
1.
European technical assistance offices, non-governmental organisations, agencies
financed by the
Commission and private companies which specified that only ‘native English speakers’ and ‘candidates
with English mother tongue’ need apply?

Does the Commission share the view that this constitutes manifest discrimination against persons

2.
who have ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ knowledge of English but are not ‘native speakers’?

Does the Commission share the view that, this being the case, candidates whose mother tongue is

3.
not English find it more difficult to find employment in the European institutions?

Is the Commission prepared to take measures to combat such discrimination which is,

4.
supported by the Commission?

in part,

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

Concerning the issue of notices of vacancy published by European Technical Assistance Offices,
Non-Governmental Organisations, agencies financed by the Commission and private companies,
the
Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its joint answer to Written Questions E-0046/04 and
E-0086/04 by Mr Dhaene and others (1).

As for recruitment in the European Institutions, the language requirements in recruitment procedures for
European institutions are laid down in the Staff Regulations. Open competition notices and vacancies
advertisements never specify that only native speakers of any language or candidates with a specific
mother tongue may apply. Some competitions or selection procedures, such as those for linguists, may
require a specific knowledge of languages; however, even in these cases there is no request for candidates
to be native speakers.

(1) See page 301.