WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3180/98 by Ian WHITE to the Commission. Financial contributions to the European Union
21. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 142/101 Under these circumstances, it cannot be ruled out that a person who receives a German pension but, for example, resides in and receives a pension from his or her Member State of origin may not be entitled to export German care benefits. (1) OJ L 149, 5. 7. 1971. (1999/C 142/123) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3166/98 by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) and Jyrki Otila (PPE) to the Council (22 October 1998) Subject: Council official’s attitude towards the European Parliament On 3 October 1998, a report by Mikko Numminen appeared on pages 22-23 of the weekend supplement to the Ilta-Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper, under the headline ‘Lost in the house of Europe’. Among other things, the article quotes the views of Council officials concerning the position of the European Parliament. According to the article, Director-General Sixten Korkman is scathing about the European Parliament, which he describes as being primarily a nuisance. This statement displays lack of judgment, as well as deep contempt for the EU’s only democratically elected institution. What is worse, it does nothing to dispel the prejudices against the EU in the minds of many citizens in various Member States. Are Mr Korkman’s views widely shared within the Council? Should he have failed to reflect the Council’s position accurately, what action will the Council take in response to this statement and with regard to Mr Korkman? Reply (18/19 January 1999) It is not the practice of the Council to comment on newspaper reports such as that referred to by the Honourable Members. The Council wishes however to emphasise that the remarks of officials of the General Secretariat of the Council, whatever their nature, are in no way attributable to the Council. The Council, as well as its General Secretariat, attaches the utmost importance to the role of the European Parliament and to good relations between the European Parliament and the Council. (1999/C 142/124) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3180/98 by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission (27 October 1998) Subject: Financial contributions to the European Union How much (in ecus) did each EU Member State contribute to the European Union in the year to 31 March 1997 and how much (in ecus) did each Member State receive from the European Union? The answer should clearly specify the method of attributing the cost of collaborative or joint activities, the benefits of which are enjoyed by all Member States, such as the cost of running the European Parliament