WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1316/98 by José GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL to the Commission. EURO 1999
C 31/34 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 5. 2. 1999 to meet the convergence criteria on the budgetary position. Moreover, paragraphs 9 and 11 of Article 104c, which deal with sanctions, did not apply during stage two of EMU. (1) OJ C 236, 2. 8. 1997. (2) OJ L 209, 2. 8. 1997. (1999/C 31/041) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1316/98 by JosØ García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: EURO 1999 As a result of the Pact for Stability and Growth adopted by the Amsterdam European Council in June 1997, the Member Statesí medium-term budgetary objective will be to achieve ápositions close to balance or in surplusí. If the Member States continue their budgetary adjustments in subsequent years, their public finances will be in the best position to tackle the budgetary consequences of a possible downturn in the economy. But what does the Commission think would be the current situation in Ireland if the Stability Pact had been applied during the period 1992-1997? Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (2 June 1998) The stability and growth pact is constituted by a resolution of the European Council of 7 June 1997 (1), Council Regulation (EC) 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (2), and Council Regulation (EC) No 1467 of 7 July 1997 on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure2. The pact aims at fiscal discipline in the economic and monetary union (EMU) thus creating the appropriate stability conditions for sustained growth. It provides a powerful system of incentives for a Member State not to incur an excessive deficit and to correct it rapidly if such a situation should occur. In 1992, Ireland had a general government deficit of 2. 5 % of gross domestic product (GDP). The deficit was 2. 7 % of GDP in 1993. Ireland was never considered by the Council as having had an excessive deficit. (1) OJ C 236, 2. 8. 1997. (2) OJ L 209, 2. 8. 1997. (1999/C 31/042) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1326/98 by Rolf Berend (PPE) to the Commission (24 April 1998) Subject: Mutual recognition of teaching diplomas in the EU Is a German teaching diploma recognised as a full qualification in the EU and are the holders of such diplomas entitled to work as teachers in other EU Member States? Does this also apply to teachers working in the new German Federal Länder who acquired their diplomas in the former GDR and have decades of practical experience to draw on? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (22 June 1998) A number of legal instruments concerning the recognition of diplomas have been adopted at Community level so as to facilitate effective exercise of freedom of movement as enshrined in the EC Treaty