WRITTEN QUESTION E-0172/00 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Vital institutional importance of the year 1999 in the history of the European Community.
C 280 E/194 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 Does the Commission not agree that it has a duty to ensure that there is no discrimination against customers of pharmacies, whether they purchase medicines by day or by night? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (1 March 2000) The Commission does not feel that the situation to which the Honourable Member refers raises a problem of Community law. The national measures establishing the tax in question do not, in fact, appear to be either directly or indirectly discriminatory on grounds of nationality. This tax applies to the objective situation of citizens purchasing medicines at duty pharmacies at night, irrespective of any other subjective considerations relating to the purchaser. In addition, the Commission notes that these measures do not affect the freedom of movement of pharmaceutical products, the freedom of establishment or the freedom to provide services. (2000/C 280 E/226) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0172/00 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Vital institutional importance of the year 1999 in the history of the European Community From the institutional point of view, last year was the most breathtaking and decisive year in the history of the European Community since it was established in 1957. Both as regards the serious institutional crisis it underwent, which forced the Commission to resign, and its new role as a leading player in international politics, the European Union experienced a major upheaval which should be studied by thinkers and researchers in the field of political science to draw conclusions and anticipate future developments that will need to be taken into account, especially in the institutional sphere. In the light of the above, will the Commission encourage studies and debates between experts and academics in the field of Community institutional studies, so that conclusions can be drawn from an interpretation of the institutional crisis which the Community underwent last year? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (20 March 2000) The European Commission promotes studies and encourages discussions between experts and researchers interested in the Unionís political and institutional development. For example, in the context of the Jean Monnet project it supports teaching and research into Union affairs, including questions concerning its political-institutional system. In the run-up to the 2000 Intergovernmental Conference on institutional reform, the Commission has asked the European University Institute in Florence to look into the possibilities and procedures for this study will be presented to the Heads of State and reorganising the Treaties. The findings of Government at the European Council in June. In the context of the European Community Studies Association network the Commission supports and organises exchanges of and discussions by research specialists on Union matters and European policies. The Commission is also engaged in a major project on governance in the Union for which it plans to co- opt the assistance of outside partners. It also encourages discussion and studies in research institutes and public and private think-tanks