WRITTEN QUESTION P-2424/99 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Recognition of sport in the Treaty.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/159 However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, from which it can be deduced that there could be problems for the location of this plant, the Commission considers that Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (4), can be of application in this case. The Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to ensure the observance of Community law and in particular of the Directive mentioned. (1) OJ L 163, 14. 6. 1989. (2) OJ L 203, 15. 7. 1989. (3) OJ L 365, 31. 12. 1994. (4) OJ L 73, 14. 3. 1997. (2000/C 219 E/202) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2424/99 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Recognition of sport in the Treaty The 1992 European Sports Charter recognised the social function of sport, while the declaration on sport attached to the Amsterdam Treaty emphasises áthe social significance of sport, in particular its role in forging identity and bringing people togetherí. Because of its special characteristics, sport has a unique and specific value and cannot be treated in the same way as other economic activities, as it is under current legislation. The Bosman ruling of 15 December 1995 by the European Court of Justice has made it possible for professional athletes to be transferred freely between the Member States with no restrictions on number, a the situation which threatens to undermine national opportunities for the development of young athletes. In addition, by virtue of the subsidiarity principle, the autonomy of the sports bodies and national structures required to regulate the sector must be respected. identification with sports teams and restrict The European Council in Vienna on 11 and 12 December 1998 also recognised the social role of sport and asked the Commission to draw up a report for the European Council in Helsinki in preparation for the Intergovernmental Conference. In the light of the above: 1. Has the Commission set up working parties to draw up the report in question? 2. 3. Is the Commission making progress with the report and will it complete its work in time for the Helsinki summit? In the light of the forthcoming intergovernmental conference, does it think it would be appropriate to table a formal amendment to the Treaty, adding an article to Title XII (ex Title IX), as has already been done in the cultural sector, recognising the specific nature and special requirements of sport and stressing the need for the subsidiarity principle to govern Community action in this field? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (7 January 2000) for the Helsinki Council, In preparing the report on sport 1. the Commission adhered to the Amsterdam declarationís request that sports bodies should be consulted where important issues related to sport are concerned. To this end, the Commission published a discussion paper which received many responses and comments from the sports bodies. This document was used as a basis for the European Sports Conference, which was held in Olympia in May 1999. The Conference offered a special opportunity for all those involved in the world of sport ü federations, public authorities, other Community institutions, industry, the media ü to express their views on sport. Finally, the Commission also took into account the report by the Committee of the Regions on sport. C 219 E/160 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 At its meeting of 1 December 1999, the Commission adopted the report (1) in order to allow the 2. European Council in Helsinki to deal with this issue. The Commission has already adopted its contribution (2) for the purposes of the intergovernmental 3. conference. It was decided not to include an article on sport. (1) COM(1999) 644 final. (2) COM(1999) 592 final. (2000/C 219 E/203) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2425/99 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Council (16 December 1999) Subject: Protection of European companies in Kosovo In reply to my oral question H-0608/99 (1) of 16 November 1999 to the Commission concerning protection of the interests of European Union companies in Kosovo, Commissioner Patten indicated that he had no information concerning pressure being brought to bear or threats being made against European companies in Kosovo. To fill the gaps in his information concerning the subject, I personally gave him a copy of correspondence between the Mytilinaiosí company and Mr Kouchner and Mr Dixon. I also asked him to investigate the current situation regarding the functioning of telecommunications in Kosovo in order to obtain a full picture. Effective communications between the European Parliament and the Commission will help to protect the interests of the EU wherever they may be under threat. The sovereign rights of European companies are currently what is at stake in Kosovo. The Greek Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and the Italian STET International, which have respectively a 20 % and 29 % holding in Srbija Telekom, are suffering losses as a result of non-payment of fees to Srbija Telekom for use of telecommunications services in Kosovo, while, at the same time, the UCK and its covert supporters are insisting on the restoration by the two companies of the damaged network and its subsequent nationalisation by Albania, in violation of international agreements. However the most serious breach of the law occurred recently when a áspecial committeeí made up of UN representatives and Kosovar Albanians quite illegally transferred mobile telephony rights to the French company Alcatel. These rights are the exclusive property of the OTE and STET International, in accordance with international agreements currently in force, which state that Kosovo is part of the key area in which these two companies are entitled to operate and export their profits. What action will the Council take to protect the legitimate rights of European companies in Kosovo which at this moment are under threat by illegal networks in which even UN officials are starting to be involved, contrary to their instructions regarding observance of the law in this area? (1) Debates of the European Parliament (November 1999). Reply (14 February 2000) So far, the Council has not been approached by any of the firms mentioned in the Honorable Memberís question. The Council assumes that these firms have taken up the issues raised by the Honorable Member directly with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Country in which their headquarters is established and/or with the UN Secretary General Special Representative for Kosovo, Mr Bernard Kouchner. The Council remains firmly attached to establishing a viable and functioning market economy in Kosovo and the EU has taken on a special responsibility in this regard, since UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, entrusted the management of UNMIKís pillar IV (responsible for the area of reconstruction and economic development) to the European Union