WRITTEN QUESTION E-0154/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Compensation for good damage caused by the abolition of customs formalities at the internal frontiers.
3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/187 Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (18 February 2000) The TAXIS project forms an important part of the operational programme for the modernisation of public administration co-financed by the European regional development fund ( ERDF), the European social fund (ESF) and the Greek authorities. According to information provided by the Greek authorities, the systems specifications of this project were designed to meet the operational needs of a highly complex decentralised integrated taxation information system for a large number of financial services directorates (tax offices) in Greece. On the basis of the provisions foreseen in the existing contracts the specifications were up-dated to the latest technological developments, at the time of installation. The Secretariat general for information systems of the ministry of Finance has ensured intensive training facilities at three levels geared to meet the operational needs of the TAXIS project. Firstly, the technological familiarisation of operators with the system as a whole. Then follows training on specific taxation applications and finally, practical training facilities are provided in real working conditions. The significant delays in implementation witnessed in the preparatory phase were justified by the nature in the framework of the monitoring committee and complexity of the project as a whole. However, meetings the new timetable established and the milestones set for effective conclusion of the project in 2001 have so far been respected. (2000/C 280 E/217) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0154/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Compensation for good damage caused by the abolition of customs formalities at the internal frontiers The disappearance of the internal frontiers has significantly transformed economic activity in the areas where customs formalities were carried out and in some places, such as Ventimiglia, this has severely penalised companies which provided customs representation services. Many of these companies are being wound up and the remainder, having scaled down their activities to a minimum, will be forced to follow suit. With reference in particular to Regulation (EEC) No 3904/92 (1) on measures to adapt the profession of customs agent to the internal market, will the Commission say: ü whether the measures provided for in the above regulation have been requested for Ventimiglia? ü if, so, who has benefited from them? ü if not, who is responsible for any oversight which may have occurred? ü whether it considers that, in addition to the measures intended for employees, the regulation should also provide aid for companies in this sector? ü whether it considers that, in cases where states have not complied with the regulation, a fund should be set up to provide compensation for the damages suffered by companies whose business activities have become obsolete, leaving them with no possible alternatives? (1) OJ L 394, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1. C 280 E/188 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (2 March 2000) The financial assistance given by the Commission to Italy for funding projects within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3904/92 of 17 December 1992 on measures to adapt the profession of customs agent to the internal market (1) amounted to € 4,4 million, with the total cost of the programme being 15 888 million lire. Projects financed in Liguria accounted for 17 % of the total, i. e. 2 707 million lire. 97 % of the operations financed were designed to be of benefit to small and medium-sized enterprises in restructuring, modernisation/expansion, staff (SMEs). The contributions went training, creation of new substitute activities and diversification of the market. towards investment The Regulation in question was applicable for one year as from 1 January 1993. (1) OJ L 394, 31. 12. 1992. (2000/C 280 E/218) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0155/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Commission views on strictly limiting public access to policy documents 1. Does the Commission recall the efforts made during the Finnish Council Presidency to ensure that the best provisions on open government from individual Member States should also apply to European Union documents? Has the Commission taken note of the article EU wants document secrecyí which appeared in the 2. Dutch newspaper De Volkskrantí on 4 January 2000? 3. Can the Commission explain how these views tally with Article 255 of the Treaty of Amsterdam which deals with the right of access of citizens to Council, Commission and European Parliament documents? Specifically, documents which are: (a) working documents and discussion papers, including those coming under the heading áfreedom of thoughtí and (b) other documents, including all documents/reports leading to political decisions? Does the Commission consider that, 4. in particular after the demise of the previous Commission, openness and transparency in dealings with citizens are of crucial importance? Does the Commission also consider that this is a condition which must be applied if the various European Union bodies wish to be taken seriously by the citizens of Europe? 5. Can the Commission indicate how, with the views as expressed in the article in De Volkskrant, it thinks it will be possible in future for organisations and individuals in society to participate fully in the democratic decision-making process and to influence the process of European decision-making? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (2 March 2000) The Commission has not forgotten that during the Finnish Presidency of the Council the Member States were keen to extend to EU documents the best national provisions on open government. It was for this reason that the Commission conducted a comparative analysis of Member Statesí current legislation on access to documents and based itself on the best practices followed in the Member States most advanced in terms of transparency when it drew up its proposal for a Regulation implementing Article 225 (formerly Article 191a) of the EC Treaty. This proposal was adopted by the Commission on 26 January 2000 (1)