WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3148/97 by Klaus LUKAS to the Commission. Independence of the Commission
C 117/156 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 98 Further information on the blue flag campaign may be obtained from the FEEE. Foundation for environmental education in Europe Friluftsrådet Scandiagade 13 DK-2450 Copenhagen tel +45-33-79 00 79 fax +45-33-79 01 79 e-mail: friluftsraadet@inet. uni-c. dk (1) OJ L 31, 5. 2. 1976. (98/C 117/211) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3148/97 by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission (13 October 1997) Subject: Independence of the Commission How can the duty of Members of the Commission to be independent be compatible with the appearance of Commissioner Franz Fischler on an advertising postcard issued by the US Imadec International Business Schoolí, against the background of an official EU flag, proclaiming ácustom made for the European top managementí? Did Mr Fischler receive any fee for this appearance? Do Commissioner Fischler and the Commission believe that this US one-year course is an indispensable preparation for performing the duties of a Member of the Commission? If so, when will the present Commissioners be attending this course? Will this course be a future requirement for appointment as a Commissioner? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1997) The postcard issued by the Imadec International Business School › which Mr Fischler had not seen, but has since obtained on request › is based on photographs taken during an MBA diploma awarding ceremony for 3 000 students from Californiaís universities assembled in Hayward University in June 1997. These universities took advantage of the occasion to bestow on Mr Fischler an honorary doctorate for his lifeís activities in the agricultural area. The Commission and its members have always attached great importance to educational activities and will continue to do their utmost to support them. Mr Fischler has never received fees for his appearances. The Commission would invite the Honourable Member to transmit any documentation that could allow the Commission to evaluate to what extent the postcard involves unacceptable advertising using a picture without authorisation, or simply positive information on the merits of a training programme. Incidentally, the Honourable Member would be well advised to give a closer look to the flag that appeared on the postcard. If he did so, he might notice that the flag is not the European flag, but that of the Imadec