WRITTEN QUESTION E-0396/00 by Doris Pack (PPE-DE) to the Commission. FIBT TV rights.
C 303 E/188 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 before 31 March 2000, for a maximum period of 30 days, and under certain other conditions which the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs deems unacceptable. Can the Commission state that it will investigate as a matter of urgency the actions of the Israeli authorities and commit itself to intervening on behalf of these EU citizens to ensure that they are accorded access to Israel under conditions which do not treat them as a threat to national security? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (24 February 2000) The Commission is fully aware of the events involving the Catholic charity group from Co Wexford trying to visit Israel. Extensive and detailed information was handed to the Commission both by Members of the Parliament and by the Israeli Mission in Brussels. These documents described an unfortunate chain of events which led to this regrettable situation. The Commission shares the concern of the Irish authorities and trusts an appropriate solution can be found in the very near future. It notes that the Irish Foreign Ministry is in close contact with the Israeli government in order to find a swift resolution of the issue. Matters of consular protection and access to third countries do not fall within competence of the Commission, but it would be ready to offer its good services if requested by the Irish authorities. (2000/C 303 E/215) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0396/00 by Doris Pack (PPE-DE) to the Commission (15 February 2000) Subject: FIBT TV rights Every year, the Milan-based FIBT (International Bobsleighing and Tobogganing Federation) organises World Cup and European and world championship competitions for two-man and four-man bobs. It awards the right to stage these events to individual national associations and bobsleigh-run owners subject to the terms of an agreement which it draws up and which applicants are required to accept. Section 1. 13. 4 of the FIBTís International Rules states that all TV, film, video and radio rights and rights pertaining to new media, including CD-ROM and the Internet, for FIBT events are owned exclusively by the FIBT. The FIBT has concluded a long-term contract with Eurosport on the basis of this provision. Local event organisers and national associations, who bear all the financial risk in respect of the competitions, are not allowed themselves to sell broadcasting rights. Local event organisers and FIBT member associations are thus deprived of the funds they need to finance the artificial-ice bobsleigh runs in future. Will the Commission please state: 1. Whether the FIBTís rules and its agreement with event organisers run counter to Community case law as it is currently evolving with regard to sport? 2. Whether the FIBTís rules are an obstacle to the free movement of services? 24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/189 Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (27 March 2000) According to the case law of the Court of justice, sport and sport-related activities such as the organisation and broadcasting of sporting events have to comply with Community law in so far as they constitute an economic activity within the meaning of Article 2 of the Treaty (1). The Community competition rules therefore in principle apply to practices such as the collective selling by sports federations of the television (TV) rights to the events which are organised under their auspices. However, whether the collective selling of the TV rights to bobsleigh events is compatible with Commun- ity competition law cannot be decided without thoroughly examining the concrete facts and circum- stances. In that context, it must be examined whether the practice affects trade between Member States and restricts competition to an appreciable extent in the relevant market, which is likely to be the case at least when the collective selling concerns highly priced broadcasting rights to major mass-attractive sports. As far as freedom to provide services is concerned, the principles of free circulation within the internal market not only apply to the action of public authorities but extend also to rules of any other nature aimed at regulating gainful employment in a collective manner. The Commission has not received any complaints or notification concerning the broadcasting of bobsleigh events or related collective selling of TV rights for violation of the principles of free circulation (notably the free circulation of services). Since the Commission is currently examining collective selling of TV rights to other sports events, the result of which will also be relevant in respect of the collective selling of TV rights to bobsleigh events, it does not intend to investigate this matter at present. (1) See cases 36/74 (Walrave) of 12/12/1974 or C-415/93 (Bosman) of 15/12/1995. (2000/C 303 E/216) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0405/00 by Pasqualina Napoletano (PSE) to the Commission (9 February 2000) Subject: Commission-funded mission for the reform of the Albanian customs system A few days ago Mrs Natalina Cea, head of the mission sent, with Commission funding, to Albania to reform that countryís customs system, said that she would be leaving her job, which she has performed in a highly professional, committed and courageous manner over the past three years. The mission, which has overhauled the Albanian customs system, has been a success: it has brought about an extremely substantial increase in customs revenue and played a decisive role in the redrafting of Albanian customs law. However, Mrs Cea has drawn attention to a general climate of intimidation and obstruction during her work in Albania. The Italian Customs Service, from which Mrs Cea was seconded, has actively supported and praised it has forwarded a proposal for her Mrs Ceaís work as head of mission. In response to her request, replacement to the Commission, thus confirming its commitment to continuing with the difficult task of combating illegal activities and stepping up the fight against crime. Given the above, would the Commission: 1. state its views on what is happening in Albania in this extremely delicate area of cooperation; 2. not agree that the mission should be strengthened and actively supported, not least in view of the problems experienced to date;