WRITTEN QUESTION E-0211/00 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. The Commission's new information policy.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/163 (2000/C 303 E/180) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0211/00 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (4 February 2000) Subject: The Commissionís new information policy I understand that the Commission has instructed its representations in the various countries to alter their information policy in such a way that, rather than aiming to state the facts for the benefit of the public, they put across a particular political line. This will impair the credibility of the information disseminated by the EU and increase its propaganda content. What is the justification for the change? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (13 March 2000) The Commission has no intention of substituting ápolitically correct informationí for áinformation targeted at the citizení. It has not therefore issued any instructions to this effect to its representations in the Member States. Moreover, as part of its departmental restructuring operation the Commission will shortly be presented with a draft communication on the role of its representations in the Member States. (2000/C 303 E/181) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0224/00 by Carlos Costa Neves (PPE-DE) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Commission report on the application of Article 229(2) of the Treaty The June 1999 Cologne European Council asked the Commission to draw up a report on the measures designed to ensure the application of Article 229(2) of the Treaty, and submit it before the end of the year. Given that: ü there is an urgent need to establish the framework for these measures, the methodology to be used and the timetable for their implementation; ü there is an urgent need to revise Poseima and establish just what its place is to be in the overall package of specific measures to be adopted; ü conflicting reports are in circulation as to the reasons for the delay on the Commissionís part, 1. When will the Commission be submitting the report concerned? 2. What timetable does it envisage for the entry into force of the measures in question? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (9 March 2000) 1. The Commission did not adopt the report referred to by the Honourable Member by the end of 1999 so as to have the necessary time to study the memoranda communicated by the Member States concerned in November and December as well as the positions presented at the partnership meeting with the Member States and the regions concerned on 23 November. The Commission expects to be able to adopt the report in a matter of weeks. The report will contain information on the initiatives planned by the Commission, together with 2. details of the timetable wherever possible