WRITTEN QUESTION No. 270/99 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS Lack of transparency at CEDEFOP
C 341/78 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 29. 11. 1999 (1999/C 341/106) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0270/99 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (17 February 1999) Subject: Lack of transparency at Cedefop Replying on 22 January 1999 to my question E-3391/98 (1) on the operation of Cedefop, Commissioner Liikanen states that ‘he has nothing to add to his previous answer to Question E-2549/98’ (2). I have repeatedly drawn the Commission’s attention to the unprecedented methods of recruitment used at the above Centre which are undermining its image and denigrating its host country (for no reason). Allegations in the Greek newspapers and magazines are growing in number, applicants for posts advertised at Cedefop are protesting at the lack of transparency that prevails, but the Commission states that ‘it has nothing to add’ to the answers it gives, so covering up the underlying intrigue. When will the Commission decide to take a serious look at the recruitment of staff to Cedefop (and other decentralised EU agencies), the lack of transparency in which is an affront and further tarnishes its image? Does the Commission not think it should intervene immediately and effectively to investigate the allegations of lack of transparency in these agencies in order to stop it being openly accused of complicity, which will inevitably result in more motions of censure against it, with serious charges against people who have political and professional responsibilities within the Commission? (1) OJ C 207, 21. 7. 1999, p. 63. (2) OJ C 118, 29. 4. 1999, p. 92. Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (31 March 1999) The Commission has nothing to add to its previous answers to Written Questions E-2549/98 and 3391/98. (1999/C 341/107) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0271/99 by Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) to the Commission Subject: Transfer of resources and the Cohesion Fund (17 February 1999) The Office for Official Publications of the European Communities has recently issued a publication on hydrological assessment in Spain and Portugal. In the said publication, the Montgomery Watson consultancy firm (MWL) proposes conducting a number of studies, one of which would deal with transfers between catchment areas in Spain, whilst another would analyse funding for hydraulic works and the establishment of guidelines enabling the EU to support multi- purpose hydraulic development. Likewise, immediate action should apparently include establishing the infrastructure to connect catchment areas. Bearing in mind the aforementioned facts, has the Commission conducted or commissioned any of the studies proposed by MWL? Does it believe it necessary to conduct studies on the feasibility of connecting the Ebro catchment area to other catchment areas?