WRITTEN QUESTION E-2160/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Responsibility for freedom of movement and public safety.
8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/61 (2000/C 225 E/060) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2160/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (24 November 1999) Subject: Responsibility for freedom of movement and public safety The pressing problem of security, with reference to illegal immigration, was discussed at the Tampere European Council of 15 and 16 October 1999. It has now finally been acknowledged that immigration is an issue to be dealt with at European level, rather than by each Member State working on its own. There has nonetheless been a failure to understand the difference between the freedom of movement established following the abolition of internal borders, which comes within the Unionís sphere of responsibility, and the management of public safety issues, which is the responsibility of the Member States, whose laws have not been harmonised and are in some cases totally dissimilar. For example, the sale and use of self-defence devices, such as sprays used to ward off attacks by bag-snatchers or rapists, is permitted in some Member States, while in others even their very use is prohibited. Without going into the merits of an internal market within which some products are legal in certain in others, does the Commission not consider that it would be useful and Members States and illegal appropriate, pending the implementation of the áthird pillarí, to call on the Member States, as part of action to combat crime and protect the public, to ensure that basic self-defence devices such as sprays and low-voltage electrical fences are legalised in all Member States, with, if necessary, each being free to lay down its own rules governing the sale and installation or use of such devices? Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (27 January 2000) According to the Treaty on European Union, and as confirmed by the special meeting of the European Council held on 15 and 16 October 1999 in Tampere, one of the objectives of the Union shall be to provide citizens with a high level of safety within an area of freedom, security and justice. This shall be done by, inter alia, developing common action among Member States in the fields of police cooperation. Common action in the field of police cooperation shall include cooperation and joint initiatives in, among others, the use of equipment. Any action developed in this context shall not, nevertheless, affect the exercise of the responsibilities incumbent upon Member States with regard to the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security. The measures suggested by the Honourable Member seem to fall under the said responsibilities of Member States. Moreover, the Commission reaffirms its willingness to promote the full and immediate implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam on the basis of the Vienna action plan and of the political guidelines and concrete objectives agreed by the European Council in Tampere. (2000/C 225 E/061) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2164/99 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Inquiry into rising foreign exchange costs Will the Commission confirm that there has been a very sharp rise in the foreign exchange dealing costs between the euro and the pound sterling over the past year, and will it consider whether there has been any illicit collusion between participants in this market, or whether there is an abuse of a dominant position?