WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1394/99 by Jannis SAKELLARIOU Paul van Buitenen
29. 1. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 27 E/43 Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (6 September 1999) The attention of the Commission was drawn by the Honourable Memberís letter of 22 June 1999 to alleged state aid of the Land Bavaria in favour of Vion VvaG. As explained in a letter dated 16 July 1999 the Commission has asked the German authorities for a statement and information about the alleged state aid. The German authorities have not yet answered this letter. The Commission will inform the Honourable Member about the results of the investigation. (2000/C 27 E/050) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1394/99 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Paul van Buitenen According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung of 7. 6. 1999, the EU official Paul van Buitenen who, through his report to the Commission last December, played a decisive part in the exposure of cases of corruption and fraud, has been transferred to a department which does not match his qualifications and skills (ácounting light bulbsí). Has van Buitenen in fact been transferred to the materials procurement department, and since when 1. has he been employed there and for what work is he specifically responsible? If such a transfer has taken place, was it the Commissionís intention to disqualify van Buitenen from 2. an appropriate position by transferring him in this way for disciplinary reasons? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1999) 1. Mr Van Buitenen was transferred to a new post, in the interests of the service, by decision of the Appointing Authority (AIPN) of 9 April 1999, with effect from 16 April 1999. In the Commissionís view, his new post does match his professional qualifications. It requires sound practical experience in the field of accounting as well as a thorough knowledge of the financial regulation and the use of computer tools, all of which Mr Van Buitenen possesses. In this post he is responsible for a new, centralised accounting team for the Buildings Policy and Management Unit. This team is responsible for general and analytical accounting, including outside the budget. The annual budget it is required to manage amounts to approximately EUR 210 million, plus around EUR 29 million more for its activities outside the budget. Mr Van Buitenenís first job is to set up this new team, which will be about ten strong. 2. It was decided to create this post last year, and the vacancy notice was published in March 1999 independently of Mr Van Buitenenís assignment to the post. His transfer to such a post cannot be seen as a punishment