WRITTEN QUESTION P-0099/00 by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The situation in Croatia following the elections on 3 January 2000.
C 225 E/218 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 In view of the legal obligation to apply the precautionary principle, is not both urgent and necessary for the Commission to investigate this dreadful problem fully before any more food safety disasters occur in Europe? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (9 February 2000) As stated in my hearing before Parliament last September I consider that a systematic testing for BSE should be implemented. The Commission has initiated discussions with the Member States on the introduction of post-mortem tests for BSE with the intention to present a proposal to the standing veterinary committee before April 2000. (2000/C 225 E/250) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0099/00 by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: The situation in Croatia following the elections on 3 January 2000 In view of Croatiaís strategic importance because of its potential role as mediator in stabilising the region, and its pro-European attitude, can the Commission answer the following questions, in order to clarify the position it intends to adopt vis-à-vis the new government in Croatia? Does the European Union intend to set up the consultative Task Force so as to speed up the preparations for closer relations between the Union and Croatia? What approaches will the European Union make to the new Croatian Government, which has already shown itself to be receptive? Will Croatia be granted full access to the Phare programme? Will the European Union act swiftly to back the new political majority at this delicate transitional stage? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (8 February 2000) The Commission fully shares the Honourable Memberís views on the geopolitical importance of Croatia and its key role in stabilising the region as a whole. The Commission considers that the outcome of the election and the way in which consultations were held marks a new departure in the democratisation of Croatia. The new leadershipís statements and initial commitments are very encouraging. The Commission is sure that if the new government follows them up with action this new direction will quickly lead to the end of Croatiaís international isolation and hopes that the strong message of democratisation given by the Croats may serve as an example to other countries and peoples in the region. The EU has already begun to give the first political signals of encouragement with a view to improving relations with Croatia and will show its willingness to cooperate with a fully democratic Croatia. The President of the Commission visited Croatia on 14 January 2000 and the Member of the Commission (General Affairs), meeting on responsible for external relations plans to visit shortly. The Council 24 January 2000, invited the new Croat Prime Minister to the next Council meeting on General Affairs on 14 February 2000 and decided to set up a joint Community-Croatia consultative task force, a technical body which will appreciably improve communication with Croatia and will be an initial instrument of assistance with a view to establishing closer relations between Croatia and the Community. The Council is currently discussing the mandate of this task force and will soon decide on the date of its first meeting. 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/219 In terms of Community assistance, the Commission intends to conduct an evaluation mission in February 2000 which will enable it to identify needs and priorities. Changing policy on Phare assistance (which will in any event be substantially amended for countries in the region in 2000) and establishing contractual relations will depend solely on the attitude of the new government and its practical progress on outstanding political issues. The Commission is prepared to make the necessary proposals when the time comes. (2000/C 225 E/251) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0102/00 by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (ELDR) to the Commission Subject: Request for specific recognition of amateur sport (18 January 2000) Sport has a social function and plays a role as an integral part of the culture of the Community countries, as well as having educational, social, cultural and recreational aspects recognised in the Amsterdam Treaty. It is necessary to bear in mind the way sport is organised in Europe, its characteristics and recent developments. A distinction is made in the Member States between professional sport (organised by businesses) and amateur sport (organised by non-profit-making organisations). Amateur sport, as practised in the Member States, must be recognised as such by the various national sports federations, in accordance with the standards drawn up by those organisations and in compliance with the directives drawn up by the various national Olympic committees in the Member States. laws and the In view of the distinction between professional and amateur sport made by national regulations of it considers it the relevant sports organisations, can the Commission say whether appropriate to make an amendment to the Amsterdam Treaty recognising the specific nature of the sector of sport which national laws and the regulations of the sports organisations in the Member States define as amateur sport? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (18 February 2000) The Commission has recognised that sport is an essential instrument for social integration and education (1) in European society, and advocates a new partnership between the various actors in the sports sector ü sports organisations, national authorities and Community institutions ü in order to maintain and strengthen the social value of physical exercise and sport. With regard to the way in which sport is organised, the Commission would stress that there are significant differences from one Member State to another. Not all Member States have legislation relating to sport, in addition to which the differences between professional and amateur sport are not always defined clearly and precisely. As Advocate-General Cosmas emphasised in his Opinion (2), the economic or non-economic character of an athleteís activities should be sought in the elements defining the nature of that activity, and not in declarations by sports federations. It is therefore a matter for the courts, and not the sports federations, to determine whether a sporting activity is of a professional nature or not. The Commission also considers that Community law already takes account of certain characteristics inherent in sport, especially amateur sport. It recognises, for example, the existence of activities of a the sports specifically sporting nature which are bound by rules or the self-regulating powers of organisations but are not subject to competition rules. For this reason, the Commission does not at this stage consider it necessary to amend the treaties in order to acknowledge the specific nature of amateur sport. (1) The Helsinki Report on Sportí: Report from the Commission to the European Council with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of sport within the Community framework, COM(1999) 644 final. (2) Opinion of Advocate-General Cosmas in Joined Cases C-51/96 and C-191/97