WRITTEN QUESTION No. 931/98 by Riitta MYLLER , Reino PAASILINNA , Pertti PAASIO , Jörn DONNER to the Commission. The Commission and freedom of expression
21. 10. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 323/97 The Commission is aware of the need to involve SME organisations in the process of implementing the employment guidelines at a European level and in the negotiation of social agreements. SME organisations are members of advisory committees and they are formally consulted on the legislative proposals in accordance with Article 3 of the agreement on social policy annexed to the EC Treaty. Finally, the Commission has embarked on a broad consultation on the improvement of the social dialogue at European level and will shortly publish a communication, which will outline ways to achieve this. (98/C 323/144) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0931/98 by Riitta Myller (PSE), Reino Paasilinna (PSE), Pertti Paasio (PSE) and Jo¤rn Donner (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1998) Subject: The Commission and freedom of expression It has come to our notice that the Commission has written to object to the TV series which appeared on Finlandís Yleisradio TV 1st channel entitled 30 FIM per week creates 30 000 jobs a yearí. The series was intended for the general public and its aim was to describe the employment effect of demand for products produced in Finland. Under the principles of the EUís internal market, goods, services and persons must be able to move freely within the borders of the Community. However, it is not possible to use these provisions to interfere with the freedom of expression in a Member State, as was clearly the case in the above-mentioned contact with the Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industry. How does the Commission intend to ensure that it does not attempt in future, relying on the rules of the single market or on any other grounds, to restrict the enjoyment of free expression in the Member States? The freedom of expression is one of the central principles of the European concept of democracy and thus also of the European Union. Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1998) The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible. (98/C 323/145) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0939/98 by Reimer Bo¤ge (PPE) to the Commission (30 March 1998) Subject: Imports and exports of agricultural products between the EU and the central and eastern European countries For the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, can the Commission indicate what quantities of milk, meat, cereals and potatoes entered the EU duty free or at preferential rates from individual central and eastern European countries? For the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, can the Commission indicate what quantities of milk, meat, cereals and potatoes were exported by the EU to individual central and eastern European countries?