WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2590/97 by Hilde HAWLICEK to the Commission. Possible legal proceedings concerning fixed book prices in the German-speaking area
3. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 102/65 The first objective is to ápress ahead in developing access to continuing training while narrowing inequalities in worker access so as to promote a Union-wide skill access strategyí. These guidelines will be discussed with the Community bodies concerned. On the basis of the discussions, the Commission will then propose a series of measures for implementing the guidelines. The legal nature of this instrument will depend on the objectives set. In view of the importance of the social partners in the field of continuing training, the Commission wishes to hold extensive consultations with them on the follow-up to the report, before presenting a proposal, and has therefore invited them to take part in discussions. As these discussions have not yet begun, it is not yet possible to state what form the instrument will take, but we can say now that the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training (ACVT) on the report on access to continuing training has shown that the employers’ and trade union representatives would not welcome the adoption, in the near future, of a binding Community instrument on access to continuing training. Nonetheless, whatever the legal nature of the act adopted, the question of equal opportunities will be taken into account. (98/C 102/95) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2588/97 by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Council (29 July 1997) Subject: New paragraph in the preamble to the EC Treaty At the Council of Heads of State and of Government in Amsterdam, it was decided to incorporate the following new paragraph in the preamble to the EC Treaty: Determined to promote the development of the highest possible level of knowledge for their peoples through a wide access to education and its continuous updating. í How does the Council intend to attain this objective if at the same time it is effectively cutting funding for existing education programmes? Answer (17 November 1997) It would be premature for the Council to comment on the question put by the Honourable Member at a stage when the Amsterdam Treaty has only just been signed and has not yet entered into force. (98/C 102/96) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2590/97 by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission (29 July 1997) Subject: Possible legal proceedings concerning fixed book prices in the German-speaking area The Austrian chain of bookshops which is currently pursuing a complaint to the Commission concerning the fixing of book prices in the German-speaking area is threatening to bring legal proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Communities. What will happen to fixed book prices in the German-speaking area between the bringing of such proceedings and a possible decision by the Court? How long are such proceedings likely to take, in the light of past experience?