title: Proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001-2006)

eurovoc_concepts:
EU Member State
EU action
EU programme
anti-discriminatory measure
cooperation policy

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text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 25. 11. 1999 COM(1999) 567 final 1999/0251 (CNS) Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing a Community Action Programme to combat discrimination 2001 – 2006 (presented by the Commission) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM THE COMMUNITY'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION STRATEGY 1. Article 13 of the Treaty establishing the European Community as modified by the Amsterdam Treaty opens the way to appropriate Community action to contribute to combating discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. It makes it possible to add to the Community's continuing efforts to promote equality between women and men by tackling new grounds of discrimination. The amended Treaty gives a new and significant impetus to Community action in an area where there is some legislative acquis (gender) and where a fruitful co- operation has been developed with civil society (in particular, gender, disability, antiracism). its disposal, To combat discrimination, the the Community needs to use all 2. in a co-ordinated and integrated strategy. instruments at is only one Legislation is a key component of such a strategy, but component. Decades of Community efforts to promote equal treatment and equality between women and men have demonstrated that progress in combating discrimination also requires changes in practices and attitudes and the mobilisation of all the actors concerned. Community efforts with regard to gender equality as well as initiatives with regard to disability and racism have also demonstrated that practical action to enable policy-makers and practitioners to compare and contrast their experiences with those of others can develop their capacity to address discrimination effectively and create the stimulus for policy development. it The Community can and should therefore further promote this 3. transnational co-operation as a complement to its legislative action. As part of its package of anti-discrimination proposals, and its two draft directives relating to discrimination in employment and to discrimination on the grounds of ethnic and racial origin, the Commission is therefore proposing a targeted action programme to support Member States' efforts to develop their policies and practices to combat discrimination. It will do this by mobilising actors within the Member States and by encouraging the exchange of information and good practice. 4. In the light of the Commission's intention to continue with specific actions in the field of equality between women and men while integrating a gender dimension into other activities, this programme will not deal specifically with discrimination on grounds of sex, concentrating instead on the other grounds cited in Article 13. The programme will take into account the specificities, but also the similarities, in the experience of discrimination under the different grounds and the methods which have been developed to tackle it. their efforts, strengthening the multiplication of good practice and facilitating the development of integrated and co-ordinated co-operation across sectors and grounds. There is no hierarchical ranking of priorities between the grounds therefore enable allow actors to pool It will 2 5. 6. covered by the proposed action programme: it will address discrimination across the board rather than to provide separately for action on the different grounds, incorporating a gender dimension where appropriate. implementing the fight against discrimination rests Responsibility for principally with the Member States. The proposed Community programme is not intended to support action which is already taking place at local, regional and national levels, but is rather intended to add EU value to this action. To this end, the programme will combine support for legislative measures to combat discrimination with broader activities promoting both anti- discriminatory practices, based on a positive approach to diversity, and longer- term changes in attitudes. It will focus on transnational co-operation as a means to improving understanding and practice. As a result, local, regional or national projects focusing on the delivery of policy, than the transnational dissemination of good practice, will not be eligible for funding under the programme for their normal activities. The Member States will have an important role to play through the Committee established by Article 6. rather The Community is already active in the fight against discrimination. In particular, it addresses discrimination in the labour market under the European Employment Strategy and the European Social Fund and its initiatives (INTEGRA and, in the future, EQUAL). There is equally a long and continuing tradition of efforts to promote gender equality, both through specific measures and through mainstreaming equality into other policy areas. The proposed programme takes account of and builds on these efforts while taking as a starting point that discrimination goes beyond the labour market and calls for an integrated and co-ordinated approach. It is designed to be coherent with and complementary to instruments and actions which can contribute to fighting discrimination. other EU policies, THE STRATEGY FOR THE PROGRAMME Experience of past or current initiatives and programmes on gender 7. equality, disability and racism has shown that the added value of a Community programme in such areas results from its capacity to support legislation and policy development within a European framework through the improving of knowledge, the strengthening of the capacity of actors and the raising of awareness. 8. The evaluation of past initiatives as well as the analysis carried out as part of the preparatory actions for this programme suggest that to create the maximum impact with a limited budget, the programme has to focus on key interventions. It needs to work with target actors who have the ability to ensure cross fertilisation of expertise and to influence developments in policy and practice within the Member States. The strategy is therefore to promote transnational co-operation with and between these actors on a number of key themes which appear to be relevant at EU level. Such themes could be barriers to participation in decision making, access to goods and services, methodologies of mainstreaming and monitoring, the mobilisation of public administrations etc. To ensure that the themes covered remain those of 3 primary interest within the Member States, the Programme Committee will play a major role in reviewing them on a regular basis. 9. The target actors to be involved include, for example, policy makers in national, regional and local administrations, independent bodies responsible for the fight against discrimination, non-governmental organisations, social partners, the media, opinion-formers, social service the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. European-level providers, organisations active in the fight against discrimination and/or in advocacy for people exposed to discrimination will be also major partners in the programme as a whole. research institutes, OBJECTIVES in 10. Three principal objectives have been identified: first, analysing and evaluating the extent and nature of discrimination in the Community and the effectiveness of measures to combat it; second, to help to build the capacity of the actors in the Member States and at European level who are active in the fight against discrimination; and third, to promote and disseminate to practitioners and opinion-formers the values and practices underlying the fight against discrimination. to assist ACTIONS 11. To meet those objectives, the programme divides its activities into three strands, which, taking into account the different levels of experience in combating the different discrimination on the various grounds, will run concurrently: Strand 1 : (a) related to improving the understanding of discrimination through improved knowledge and measurement and through the evaluation of the effectiveness of policies, legislation and practice. This involve the development of statistical bases, of benchmarks and will indicators to assess the effectiveness of anti-discrimination policies and the analysis and evaluation of those policies and the effective dissemination of the lessons learned from the process. issues Strand 2 : developing the capacity of (b) target actors to tackle discrimination effectively, including through promoting civil dialogue as a necessary underpinning of policy development at European level. On the one hand, this will involve supporting the transnational exchange of information and good practice between target actors, based on experience which is already taking place in the Member States. The Community would support only those elements which are directly related to transnational exchange: the projects on which the exchange of information is based must be financed from national sources. On the other hand, this strand will also enable the provision of core funding to major European-level networks of organisations to enable them to contribute effectively to the process of European policy development in the field of non-discrimination. 4 the programme. This will Strand 3 : promoting awareness raising, in particular, to emphasise the (c) EU dimension of the fight against discrimination and to publicise the results of communication, publications, campaigns, conferences and events in support of the implementation of Community legislation and policy in the field of discrimination. To influence public opinion in general, the programme will concentrate on raising the awareness of opinion formers, with a view to promoting change in society. include ACHIEVING COMPLEMENTARITY 12. Coherence and complementary between all EU actions are necessary to avoid overlaps and to draw maximum benefit from the results obtained. - The programme will not itself address issues related to discrimination on grounds of sex, but it is important that it should benefit from the lessons already learned from Community and national action in this field and that it should incorporate a gender dimension when addressing other grounds of discrimination. Close links will therefore need to be developed with future actions on equality between women and men. - Particular attention also has to be paid to ensure the optimal synergy with the Community Initiative EQUAL, which will be a key tool for promoting the development of policy to overcome discrimination in employment. In dealing with employment, therefore, this programme will concentrate on areas where EQUAL will not provide support. This will, in particular, consist of analysing and evaluating data and practice in the Member States, of applying lessons learned under EQUAL to areas beyond employment and of promoting information and awareness activities. This programme will not support actions to exchange good practice between actors in the employment though particular field which are eligible for support under EQUAL, attention will be paid to making optimal use of the lessons which emerge from actions supported by EQUAL. At the same time, the good practice identified under this programme will need to be made available to actors supported by EQUAL and other programmes, for the same reasons. - A similar approach will be developed with other relevant Union and Community programmes. For instance, the results of action under the new SOCRATES, LEONARDO and YOUTH programmes which relate to the promotion, for example, of non-discriminatory attitudes in schools, training establishments and among young people more widely, will be incorporated into this programme. Adequate co-ordination will also be ensured with relevant initiatives in the area of Justice and Home Affairs with regard to migration policy on the one hand and law enforcement co-operation on the other. This will principally require information about the activities of each programme to be made available to others so that the necessary contacts and connections can be made. - It will also be important for this programme to make use of research and analysis produced by other Community activities, in particular through the 5 European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia and the Fifth RDT Framework Programme, and vice versa. the programmes. Equally, 13. Achieving this complementarity will require co-ordination mechanisms to be established at Community and Member State levels to co-ordinate the various activities. To ensure complementarity in design and implementation, Commission services responsible for a particular policy area will be involved the Member States' in relevant aspects of representatives in the programme committees, the High Level Groups on Non-Discrimination, on Disability and on Social Exclusion, the Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities for women and men and, where appropriate, the Employment and Labour Market Committee or other bodies involved in the development of related policies, will be provided with relevant information about the activities of other programmes in order to avoid overlap and to ensure that the programmes capitalise on the results achieved by the others. The question of complementarity will be covered specifically in evaluation reporting. 14. The Member States are in large part responsible for the implementation of actions under the Structural Funds. They need to ensure at their level that there is close co-ordination between officials responsible for the ESF and EQUAL and those responsible for the policy areas covered by the related programmes. CO-OPERATION WITH THIRD COUNTRIES to the adoption of 15. Under the European Economic Area Agreement and as part of the pre- accession strategy, the Community's policy is to open up participation in Community programmes to the EFTA countries and to candidate countries as widely as possible. It is particularly important to open this programme, as it is designed to support the introduction of non-discrimination legislation pursuant the two accompanying directives. These directives will be applicable to the non-EU members of the EEA following a decision of the EEA Joint Committee. They will also form a part of the Community acquis to which the candidate countries will need to conform prior to accession. In accordance with the intention signalled by the Commission in its Communication on countering racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in the candidate countries1, the Commission therefore proposes to open up the possibility of participation to these countries. 1 COM (1999) 256 final of 26 May 1999 6 Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing a Community Action Programme to combat discrimination 2001 – 2006 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 13 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission2, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament3, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee4, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions5, (1) Whereas the Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to all Member States; whereas in accordance with Article 6(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the Union should respect fundamental rights as guaranteed by the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as general principles of Community Law; (2) Whereas the European Parliament has strongly and repeatedly urged the European Union to strengthen its policy in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities across all grounds of discrimination; (3) Whereas experience of action at Community level, in particular in the field of gender, has shown that combating discrimination in practice calls for a combination of measures and in particular of legislation and of practical action designed to be mutually reinforcing; whereas similar lessons can be drawn from experience dealing with racial and ethnic origin and disability; whereas the Commission has made proposals to this end6; 2 COM (1999) XXX final 3 OJ …. 4 OJ …. 5 OJ …. 6 See separate proposals for Directives establishing a General Framework for Employment Equality and implementing the Principle of Equal Treatment between persons irrespective of Racial and Ethnic Origin elsewhere in this package 7 (4) Whereas the programme should deal with all grounds of discrimination with the exception of sex, which is dealt with by specific Community action; whereas discrimination on different grounds can have similar features and can be combated in similar ways; whereas the experience built up over many years in combating discrimination on some grounds, including sex, can be used to the benefit of other grounds; whereas, however, the specific features of the diverse forms of discrimination should be accommodated; whereas, therefore, the particular needs of people with disabilities should be taken into account in terms of the accessibility of activities and results; (5) Whereas many non-governmental organisations at the European level have experience and expertise in fighting discrimination, as well as acting at European level as the advocates of people who are exposed to discrimination; whereas they can therefore make an important contribution to understanding the diverse forms and effects of discrimination and to ensuring that the design, the implementation and follow-up of experience of people exposed to discrimination; the programme take account of (6) Whereas, in accordance with Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission7, measures for the implementation of Decision should be adopted by use of the advisory procedure provided for in Article 3 of that Decision; (7) Whereas it is necessary, in order to reinforce the added value of Community action, that the Commission, in co-operation with the Member States, should the coherence and complementarity of actions ensure, at all implemented in the framework of this Decision and other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular those under the European Social Fund and to promote social inclusion; levels, (8) Whereas the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) provides for greater co-operation in the social field between the European Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and the countries of the European Free Trade Association participating in the European Economic Area (EFTA/EEA), on the other; whereas provision should be made to open up this programme to participation by the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with those countries, as well as to Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with that country; and Malta, to Cyprus (9) Whereas it is necessary for the success of any Community action to monitor and evaluate the results set against the objectives 7 OJ L 184, 17. 7. 1999, p. 23. 8 (10) Whereas, in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as defined in Article 5 of the Treaty, the objectives of the proposed action concerning the contribution of the Community to combating discrimination cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States because, inter alia, of the transnational exchange of the need for multilateral partnerships, information and the Community-wide dissemination of good practice; whereas this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve those objectives; HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article1 Establishment of the Programme This Decision establishes a Community action programme to promote measures to combat discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, hereinafter referred to as 'the programme', for the period from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006. Article 2 Principles 1. 2. For the purpose of this decision, discrimination shall be defined as one person or a group of persons being treated less favourably than another on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; or as the application of an apparently neutral provision which is liable to disadvantage that person or group of persons on the same grounds, unless justified by objective reasons. implementing and following up the activities under In designing, the programme, account will be taken of the experience of people exposed to discrimination. Article 3 Objectives the level of the The programme shall support and supplement Community and in the Member States to promote measures to combat discrimination, including by complementing legislative developments. It shall have the following objectives: the efforts at (a) improve the understanding of issues related to discrimination through improved knowledge and measurement and through the evaluation of the effectiveness of policies and practice; 9 (b) develop the capacity of target actors (in particular Member States, local and regional authorities, independent bodies responsible for the fight against discrimination , the social partners and non-governmental organisations) to address discrimination effectively, through support for the exchange of information and good practice and networking at European level; in particular (c) promote and disseminate the values and practices underlying the fight against discrimination. Article 4 Community actions 1. With a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 3, the following actions may be implemented within a transnational framework: (a) (b) (c) analysis of factors related to discrimination, including through the collection of statistics, studies and the development of indicators and benchmarks; and the evaluation of anti-discrimination legislation and practice, with a view to assessing its effectiveness and impact, with effective dissemination of the results; transnational co-operation between target actors and the promotion of networking at European level between non-governmental organisations active in the fight against discrimination; awareness raising, in particular to emphasise the European dimension of the fight against discrimination and to publicise the results of the programme, in particular through communications, publications, campaigns and events. 2. Arrangements for the implementation of the Community Actions described in paragraph 1 are set out in the Annex. Article 5 Implementation of the programme and co-operation with the Member States 1. The Commission shall: (a) (b) ensure the implementation of programme in conformity with the Annex; the Community actions covered by this have a regular exchange of views with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the social partners at European level on the design, implementation and follow-up of the programme and on related policy orientations. The Commission shall inform the Committee established under Article 6 of their opinions 10 (c) promote active partnership and dialogue between all the partners involved in the programme, inter alia to encourage an integrated and co-ordinated approach to the fight against discrimination,. 2. The Commission, in co-operation with the Member States, shall take the necessary steps to: (a) (b) (c) 1. 2. 3. 4. promote the involvement in the programme of all the parties concerned; ensure the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken within the framework of this programme; provide appropriate information, publicity and follow-up with regard to actions supported by this programme. Article 6 Committee The Commission shall be composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee"). assisted by a committee Where reference is made to this paragraph, the advisory procedure laid down in Article 3 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The representative of Committee on: the Commission shall in particular consult the (a) the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme; (b) the annual budgets and the distribution of funding between measures; (c) the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions; The representative of the Commission shall also consult the Committee on other appropriate matters concerning the implementation of this programme. To ensure the consistency and complementarity of this programme with other measures referred to in Article 7, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed about other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured co-operation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 7 Consistency and complementarity 11 1. 2. 3. in co-operation with the Member States, ensure The Commission shall, overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to co- ordinate the activities of this programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under this programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community Initiative EQUAL. The Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under this programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 8 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey This programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) (b) (c) (d) 1. 2. the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CEECs) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; Cyprus and Malta, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with that country. Article 9 Monitoring and evaluation The Commission shall regularly monitor this programme in co-operation with the Member States. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of the relevance and independent experts. This evaluation will assess effectiveness of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It will also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. 12 The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under this programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 10 Entry into Force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, For the Council The President 13 Annex : indications for the implementation of the programme I. Areas of action The programme may operate in the following areas : (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) Promotion of non-discrimination within and by public administrations (e. g. police, judicial systems, health, social security, education); promotion of non-discrimination within and by the media; the removal of discriminatory barriers to participation in decision- making and the democratic process; the removal of discriminatory barriers to access goods and services, including housing, transport, culture, leisure and sport; the identification of monitoring of discrimination; tools and methodologies for the effective the identification of the effective dissemination of information about rights to equal treatment and non- discrimination tools and methodologies for identification the discriminatory policies and practices. of methodologies for mainstreaming anti- The programme themes may be adapted or supplemented in accordance with the procedure established under Article 6, on the basis of an annual review, taking into account the results of the preparatory actions for this programme and activities under other Community policies, instruments and actions. In all its activities, the programme will respect mainstreaming. the principle of gender II. Actions Strand 1 – Analysis and Evaluation The following measures may be supported: (1) (2) (3) the development and dissemination of comparable statistical series on the scale of discrimination in the Community; the development and dissemination of methodologies and indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-discrimination policy and practice (benchmarking); the analysis, by means of annual reports, of anti-discrimination legislation and practice, with a view to evaluating its effectiveness and disseminating lessons learned; 14 (4) thematic studies within the framework of the priority themes comparing and contrasting approaches within and across the different grounds of discrimination. In implementing this Strand, the Commission will in particular ensure consistency and complementarity with the activities of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia and of the Community RTD Framework Programme. Strand 2 – Capacity Building The following measures may be supported in order to improve the capacity and effectiveness of target actors involved in combating discrimination : (1) Transnational exchange actions involving a range of actors from at least 4 Member States, consisting of the transfer of information, lessons learned and good practice. Activities may include the comparison of the effectiveness of processes, methods and tools related to the chosen themes; the mutual transfer and application of good practice; exchanges of personnel; the joint development of products, processes, strategy and methodology; the adaptation to different contexts of the methods, tools and processes identified as good practices; and/or the common dissemination of results, visibility materials and events. (2) Core funding for relevant European-level non-governmental organisations with experience of fighting discrimination and acting as advocates of people exposed to discrimination in order to promote the development of an integrated and co-ordinated approach to the fight against discrimination. The criteria for determining the organisations to be supported shall be established in accordance with the procedure foreseen in Article 6. Strand 3 - Awareness Raising The following measures may be supported: (1) (2) (3) (4) The organisation of conferences, seminars and events at European level; The organisation of seminars by the Member States in support of the implementation of Community law in the field of non-discrimination; and the promotion of a European dimension to events organised at national level; The organisation of European media campaigns and events to support the transnational exchange of information and the identification and dissemination of good practice, including the award of prizes to successful actions under Strand 2, to strengthen the visibility of the fight against discrimination; The publication of materials to disseminate the results of the programme, including through the construction of an Internet Site providing examples of good practice, a forum for the exchange of ideas and a database of potential partners for transnational exchange actions. 15 III. Method of Presenting Applications for support Strand 1 this Strand will be mainly implemented through calls for tender. For co-operation with National Statistical Offices, the EuroStat procedures will apply. Strand 2 Strand 2. 1 will be implemented in response to calls for proposals which will be submitted to the Commission. Strand 2. 2 will be implemented in response to calls for proposals which will be submitted to the Commission. Strand 3 this Strand will be implemented, in general, in response to calls for tender. However, action under Strand 3. 2 and 3. 3 may be subsidised in response to requests for subsidies for example from the Member States. 16 Financial statement 1. TITLE OF OPERATION Combating discrimination 2. BUDGET HEADINGS INVOLVED (1999 headings) B3-4101 - (part of) co-operation with charities8 -4111 - preparatory measures to combat discriminations9 -2006 - pilot projects to promote multicultural integration9 3. LEGAL BASIS Article 13 of the Treaty 4. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION 4. 1. Objectives The objective is to support efforts to combat discrimination by – – – Improving the understanding and knowledge of problems related to discrimination Developing the capacity of target actors to address discrimination Promoting and disseminating the values and practices of anti- discrimination. 4. 2. Period covered From 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006 (6 years). 5. CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE 5. 1. 5. 2. Non-compulsory expenditure Differentiated appropriations € from a total 1999 budget of 3 M € 8 1,2 M 9 For the DPB2000, the Commission proposed to join budget lines 4111 and 2006 in a single one dealing with article 13 17 6. TYPE OF EXPENDITURE - - 100% for contracts for studies and provision of services, meetings of experts and the organisation of conferences and seminars, as well as for publication and dissemination expenditure agreed on the basis of an initiative from the Commission. Subsidies generally below 90% of total eligible costs in the case of grants to cover the general running costs of organisations and networks operating at European level (strand 2. 2) as well as of grants to cover costs strictly related to transnational operations of exchange of experience at European level (strand 2. 1). 7. FINANCIAL IMPACT Estimates have been based on past experience, in particular the amounts of the above mentioned budget lines. 7. 1 Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and total costs) M EUROS Year 1 1. Analysis and evaluation • Development of comparable statistical series Co-operation with EuroStat and Nat. Stat. Offices – average of 50 to 60. 000 per MS + 200. 000 for development work at EU level Amount to be increased to 1. 3 as from Year 2 • Methodologies and indicators for evaluating policies and practices - Studies on methods/indicators Restricted calls for tender (+/- 5 studies +/- 40. 000) - Related meetings – seminars with independent and governmental experts to discuss progress and proposals (Base : 5 meetings/40 participants) • Analysis of legislation/annual reports on legislation , policy and practice/Co-operation with group of experts - Reports10 - Groups of experts11 1 0. 2 0. 2 0. 2 1. 4 10 Annual report on discrimination and anti-discrimination. Figures do not include costs of translation and printing 18 Calls for tender • Thematic studies +/- 3 studies at an average of 100. 000 +/- 4 studies at an average of 30. 000 Open/restricted calls for tender Amounts to be increased to 0. 6 as from Year 2 • Monitoring : database/external evaluation 0. 4 Database 0. 1 in year 1, updating 0. 05 in subsequent years 0. 1 Ex post evaluation 0. 5 in year 4 TOTAL (Year 1) 2. Capacity building and exchange of good practice • Transnational co-operation operations 3. 5 2. 5 Average of 12 to 20 operations x average of 250 to 350. 000 per year, only 8 to 12 operations of average 200 to 250. 000 in Year 1 – (starting phase). € Increasing from 2. 5 to 5 M in Year 2 Calls for proposals each year • Core-funding of networks of NGOs 3. 5 Average of 600/800. 000 – 5 to 6 major networks/ platforms Criteria of eligibility to be specified in agreement with the Committee of the programme Vade mecum rules and procedures for running costs 11 Base 5 groups: legal experts for monitoring developments in connection with the different legal instruments/fields (employment/race); expert group on monitoring of policy and practice related to discrimination, and, to be specified further, groups related to some specific grounds/fields. Cost per group (+/- 15 members/ 1 coordinator): average of 250. 000 to 350. 000 (including costs of meetings/travels). 19 grants to be applied. TOTAL (Year 1) 6 3. Awareness raising • EU conferences : 4 to 5 major EU conferences on areas relevant to the programme (in Brussels or with the Presidencies) including an annual Conference bringing together all partners of the programme. Average cost based on 200 to 250 participants – 2 days of conference : +/- 200. 000 per conference Grants to Presidencies only 3 conferences on Year 1 0. 6 • Support to national events/conferences with a European by Member organised States(rate of co-financing based on degree of European dimension) dimension Average 40 to 80. 000 / 15 to 20 grants Amount to be increased from 0. 8 in Year 1 to 1 in Year 2 Calls for proposals restricted to Member States 0. 8 • Media campaigns/events and support to media and information activities – Grants further to call for proposals or provision of services further call for tender if initiative of the Commission including prizes (ex: European Day on disability) Amount to be increased from 0. 8 in Year 1 to 1 in Year 2 • Publications of - 4 Magazine a year (production – dissemination) (only one magazine in Year 1 – amount to be increased to 0. 3 as from Year 2) - specific translation/publication costs in connection with expert groups/studies /reports and conferences etc. - other publications, internet site and dissemination costs of above mentioned 0. 8 0. 1 0. 2 20 annual publications Amount to be increased as from Year 3 Calls for tender for specific tasks/standard provision of services contracts All these amounts to be slightly increased in the second half of the programme TOTAL (Year 1) OVERALL TOTAL (Year 1) Note : Enlargement impact to be incorporated later on 0. 3 2. 8 12. 3 7. 2 Itemised breakdown of cost Commitment appropriations EUR million (at current prices) Breakdown 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total Analysis and evaluation Capacity building 3. 5 6 Awareness raising/visibility 2. 8 4 8. 5 3. 7 Total 12. 3 16. 2 4. 1 9 3. 9 17 4. 6 (1) 4. 1 9 4. 1 9 4. 1 17. 7 17. 2 4. 5 9 4. 5 18 24. 8 50. 5 23. 1 98. 4 (1) ex post evaluation starting in Year 4 7. 3 Operational expenditure for studies, experts etc. included in Part B of the budget Commitment appropriations EUR million (at current prices) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total – Studies and contracts with experts (1) 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 – Meetings of experts (2) – Information and publications 0. 2 0. 3 0. 2 0. 3 0. 2 0. 3 0. 3 0. 4 0. 3 0. 4 0. 3 0. 4 1. 2 2. 1 Total 1. 5 1. 5 1. 5 1. 7 1. 7 1. 7 9. 3 (1) excluding arrangements with EuroStat (2) excluding meetings covered by part. A of the budget 21 7. 4 Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total EUR million Commitment appropriations 12. 3 16. 2 17 17. 7 17. 2 18 98. 4 Payment appropriations 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 and subs. Total 4 6. 3 2 7 7 2. 2 7. 3 7. 3 2. 4 7. 5 7. 5 2,4 7. 4 7. 4 2. 4 12. 3 16. 2 17 17. 7 17. 2 4 13. 3 16. 3 17 17. 3 19. 1 11. 4 98. 4 9 9 18 8. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES All the measures funded are subject to ex ante, in itinere and ex post analysis regards content quality and cost by the responsible departments as effectiveness. These measures are supplemented by the work, including monitoring in the field, carried out by the financial departments of the Commission and the Court of Auditors. The documents which contractually bind the Commission and the recipients of the payments for anti-fraud measures to ensure that the financial contributions of the Community are used correctly. 9. 9. 1 ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS Objectives the fight Responsibility for against discrimination is principally a responsibility of the Member States. The Community should support the efforts of the Member States in this area, combining support for legislative measures to combat discrimination with broader activities promoting both anti-discrimination practices, based on a positive approach to diversity, and long-term changes in attitudes. Three sub-objectives have been identified to which correspond three major strands for actions under the programme : – – Improving the understanding and knowledge of problem related to discrimination Developing the capacity of target actors to address discrimination 22 – Promoting discrimination. and disseminating values and practices of anti- The programme will work with a variety of target actors selected from regional and local administrations, among policy makers in national, independent bodies responsible for the fight against discrimination, non- governmental organisations, social partners, research institutes, the media, opinion-formers, social service providers, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. European-level organisations against discrimination and/or in advocacy for people exposed to discrimination will be also major partners in the programme as a whole. in the active fight 9. 2 Grounds for the operation The Community has had experience of promoting action to combat discrimination on some of the grounds now included in Article 13. Various of these initiatives have been successful in supporting local initiatives with defined beneficiaries, but less so in producing added value at European level. This has been partly because the projects have been on a relatively small scale and because the partnerships across national boundaries have often been rather weak. In addition, the Commission has encountered difficulties in managing the numerous small projects closely enough to draw out and disseminate the lessons which have been learned. This proposal is designed to remedy these problems by concentrating on a limited number of high-quality, large-scale, co-ordinated initiatives where the emphasis will be on promoting change in the Member States. It will involve Member State governments, local and regional authorities, networks of employers and employees and large scale NGOs and will streamline the funding which has been devoted in the past to a series of ad hoc measures in fields such as race, age and disability. In this context, the programme will have three strands, which will run concurrently. However, the Community has more experience in dealing with some grounds of discrimination than on others (e. g. more on race and disability discrimination than on age and sexual orientation). This means that there will be more need for studies and analysis, especially in the early stages of the programme, on grounds where there is little experience and more scope for the exchange of existing good practice in tackling other grounds. The strands will operate as follows: a) Improving the understanding and knowledge of problems This strand aims at providing a basic tool for collecting information, putting it into a useable and comparable form and ensuring its dissemination to the target actors in the Member States. The examination of the current situation reveals that there is relatively little information available about the true scale of discrimination or of the effectiveness of the measures in place to prohibit or discourage it. The 23 programme should assist actors in the different Member States to learn from the experience of others, with the objective of improving the effectiveness of their efforts to combat discrimination. Information about what is happening in the Member States needs therefore to be made available in a form which is readily accessible and which will be used by the actors. The measures presented under this strand were defined with a view to stay within a reasonable budgetary envelope and be as cost effective as possible: all these measures are to be implemented within a transnational framework and are targeted in order to get specific outcomes : comparability of statistics through a co-operation process between EuroStat and the national statistical offices, agreed methodologies for benchmarking and evaluation, production of annual reports etc. Preparatory measures under the 1999 budget, and in particular small scale studies, will help to map the situation and enable the programme to begin more efficiently and effectively. b) developing the capacity of target actors to address discrimination This strand aims at adding value to the capacity of actors to address discrimination effectively. This is achieved by disseminating to these actors good practices and lessons from experience and involving them in a process of transnational exchange and dialogue at EU level. Past experience related to the grounds of discrimination has underlined the importance of working in partnership with target actors in the Member States and with organisations advocating the interests of people exposed to discrimination. These target actors hold the wealth of information and expertise on tackling discrimination which can be brought to the benefit of other partners and are the bodies which can affect the delivery of policy in the Member States. A means needs to be found to unlock this information and to put it at the disposal of others. Previous Community action in the fields of sex, race, disability and age discrimination has shown the value of bringing actors together in transnational partnerships which can form the basis for the exchange of good practice. The strand therefore includes support to specific operations of transnational exchange. As noted above, ex-ante evaluation suggests that the Community should not subsidise local actions which are designed with particular, identifiable beneficiaries in mind, but should resolutely concentrate on the exchange of information and good practices already in place in Member States. The themes of the programme will be defined each year. In doing so, full account will be taken of the fight against discrimination within all Community policies and programmes. The preparatory actions launched under the 1999 budget should help to identify for a gradual the areas of promising work and possible priorities implementation of the activities under this strand. the developments of This strand also includes support to a limited number of major EU networks of NGOs active in the field of anti-discrimination. Dialogue with the civil society organisations is a key component of the process to mobilise all actors to combat discrimination. It is therefore proposed to promote this dialogue 24 through EU co-ordination networks which have proved their capacity to bring together a very wide range of NGOs and to act as advocates of those exposed to discrimination. Supporting the running costs of a limited number of networks on the basis of clear commitments and work programme appears to be preferable to supporting a large number of competing bodies and groups only acting as lobbies for their particular interests. c) promoting and disseminating the values and practices of anti- discrimination This strand aims at disseminating the lessons of the programme and adding to the momentum needed for the acceptance of change in society. It will contribute to creating the political conditions necessary for legislative or other developments. Advances in practice and policy have often followed or been accompanied by campaigns of awareness-raising on a particular issue. This has been true in particular in the field of gender and race equality, but also in other areas such as the environment, where campaigns led either by Governments or by grass roots organisations have prepared public opinion for legislative proposals. The prime responsibility for such actions must remain at national level (for it is at national level that the majority of standards are set – Community law aims only to establish minimum standards below which Member States should not fall). But there can be advantages in limited Community action to support activity in the Member States, in particular by facilitating understanding of how other Member States have tackled similar problems. This strand therefore includes classical information and communication tools (a programme information bulletin and an internet site) and targeted visibility/awareness raising events or campaigns. It will also include subsidies to events organised to support the political themes selected by the successive Presidencies of the Council. These actions would be implemented as part of the overall information strategy of the Commission. Member States would be invited to play an active role to ensure the complementarity with their initiatives and ensure maximum impact and cost efficiency. 9. 3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation Given that this programme is designed to encourage new policy responses to discrimination, the functions of monitoring and evaluation naturally form part of the activities implemented, in such a way as to derive maximum benefit from them. The programme will be monitored throughout its operation. The Programme Committee will receive regular reports prepared by the Commission services. The monitoring will be adapted according to the needs of each of the strands and will include aspects of both quality assurance and financial regularity. 25 In addition, the programme will be subject to a final evaluation, assisted by external evaluators, to be carried out by 30 June 2005. The results will be fed into an implementation report to the other Community institutions by 31 December 2005. On the basis of the implementation report, the Commission will consider what further action may be necessary. The framework for the evaluation will be developed in co-operation with the the effectiveness, Programme Committee. It will efficiency and relevance of the programme, including in terms of the knowledge transfer achieved (what difference has the programme made in terms of the delivery of non-discrimination policy and practice in the Member States). look in particular at The evaluation is to be financed by the budget of the programme and, taking into account the SEM 2000 recommendations with regard to monitoring and evaluation, it is proposed to reserve an indicative amount of 0. 5 Meuros for evaluation and 0. 35 Meuros for monitoring. An external evaluation team will be selected further to a call for tenders. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (SECTION III, PART A OF THE BUDGET) Actual mobilisation of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the Commission's annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the number of staff and additional amounts authorised by the budgetary authority. expenditure necessary for Administrative the programme is provided for a fixed period of 6 years from 2000. They do not imply a supplementary budgetary allocation. implementation of the 10. 1 Effect on the number of posts Type of post Staff to be assigned to managing the operation Source Duration Permanent posts Temporary posts Additional resources Existing resources in the DG or department concerned 6 years Officials or temporary staff A B C 5. 5 2 3 Other resources Total 10. 5 5. 5 2 3 10. 5 26 10. 2 Overall financial impact of human resources Amounts (6 years) Method of calculation EUR million Officials 6. 804 Temporary staff Other resources (indicate budget heading) Total 6. 804 Based on average salary cost of 108. 000 (Headings A1, A2, A4, A5, A7) 6 years x 10. 5 x 108. 000 = 6. 804. 000 € € per man/year 10. 3 Increase in other administrative expenditure as a result of the operation No increase expected. 27 Budget heading Amounts Method of calculation EUR A-7010 (missions) 28. 000 (1 year) 168. 000 (6 years) A-7030 (meetings) 119. 000 (1 year) 714. 000 (6 years) Average of 3 missions of 1 day to 1,5 day in each Member State each (1 day) to 656 year – average cost of 590 (1,5 day) per mission. € € Regular meetings of the High Level Groups on non-discrimination (2 meetings a year, 2 representatives per Member State), and on disability (2 meetings, 1 representative per MS). Other meetings with NGOs and social partners (2 meetings a year with NGOs, 2 meetings with social partners, 15 to 20 non-governmental experts) – Average € cost of 650 for non-governmental experts per meeting/person for governmental experts and 750 € A-7031 Committees) (obligatory 29. 000 (1 year) 3 meetings a year of the Programme Committee (1 representative per MS) 174. 000 (6 years) A-7040 (conferences) 380. 000 (1 year) 2. 280. 000 (6 years) Total 556. 000 (1 year) 3. 336. 000 (6 years) Average costs of 650 meetings = annual cost : 29. 250 € per governmental experts x 15 MS x 3 2 thematic conferences (150 participants) and 1 annual programme conference (250 participants). Organisation by Commission services (SCIC). Total costs include travel and accommodation costs according to Commission rules and related organisation costs. € for Average of 100. 000 the annual conference. for the thematic conferences and 180. 000 € Calculation based on current expenditure associated with implementation of budget lines B3-2006, 4101 and 4111. The expenditure set out in the above table under Heading A-7 (obligatory committees, missions and conferences) will be covered by credits within the DG EMPL global envelope. 28


title: Gewijzigd voorstel voor een Richtlijn van het Europees Parlement en de Raad tot wijziging van Richtlijn 95/18/EG betreffende de verlening van vergunningen aan spoorwegondernemingen

eurovoc_concepts:
charges for use of infrastructure
rail transport
transport company
transport infrastructure
transport safety


title: Ändrat förslag till Europaparlamentets och rådets direktiv om tilldelning av järnvägsinfrastrukturkapacitet och uttag av infrastrukturavgifter och utfärdande av säkerhetsintyg


title: Kommissionens förordning (EG) nr 2490/1999 av den 25 november 1999 om fastställande av exportbidrag för spannmål och för mjöl och krossgryn av vete eller råg

eurovoc_concepts:
cereal flour
cereals
export refund
groat
meal

formats: pdf print

text: L 303/18 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 26. 11. 1999 KOMMISSIONENS FÖRORDNING (EG) nr 2490/1999 av den 25 november 1999 om fastställande av exportbidrag för spannmål och för mjöl och krossgryn av vete eller råg EUROPEISKA GEMENSKAPERNAS KOMMISSION HAR ANTAGIT DENNA FÖRORDNING med beaktande av Fördraget om upprättandet av Europeiska gemenskapen, med beaktande av rådets förordning (EEG) nr 1766/92 av den 30 juni 1992 om den gemensamma organisationen av mark- naden för spannmål (1), senast ändrad genom förordning (EG) nr 1253/1999 (2), särskilt artikel 13. 2 i denna, och med beaktande av följande: 1. 2. 3. Artikel 13 i förordning (EEG) nr 1766/92 fastställer att skillnaden mellan de noteringar eller priser som gäller på världsmarknaden för de produkter som anges i artikel 1 i den förordningen och priserna för dessa produkter inom gemenskapen kan täckas av ett exportbidrag. Exportbidragen skall fastställas med hänsyn tagen till de faktorer som anges i artikel 1 i kommissionens förord- ning (EG) nr 1501/95 av den 29 juni 1995 om vissa närmare bestämmelser till rådets förordning (EEG) nr 1766/92 om beviljande av exportbidrag för spannmål och om de åtgärder som skall vidtas vid störningar på marknaden för senast ändrad genom förordning (EG) nr 2513/98 (4). spannmål (3), Då exportbidraget för mjöl och krossgryn av vete och råg räknas ut, måste hänsyn tas till de kvantiteter spannmål som krävs för deras tillverkning. Dessa kvanti- teter fastställs i förordning (EG) nr 1501/95. 4. 5. 6. 7. Situationen på världsmarknaden eller särskilda behov på vissa marknader kan göra det nödvändigt att variera exportbidraget för vissa produkter med avseende på destination. Bidraget måste fastställas en gång i månaden. Det kan ändras inom den mellanliggande perioden. Tillämpningen av dessa närmare bestämmelser på den nuvarande marknadssituationen för spannmål, och särskilt på noteringarna eller priserna för spannmålspro- dukter inom gemenskapen och på världsmarknaden medför att exportbidragen bör fastställas till de belopp som anges i bilagan till denna förordning. De åtgärder som föreskrivs i denna förordning är fören- liga med yttrandet från Förvaltningskommittén för spannmål. HÄRIGENOM FÖRESKRIVS FÖLJANDE. Artikel 1 Exportbidragen för de produkter som anges i artikel 1 a, 1 b och 1 c i förordning (EEG) nr 1766/92 med undantag av malt, och som exporteras i obearbetat skick skall vara de som fast- ställs i bilagan till den här förordningen. Denna förordning träder i kraft den 26 november 1999. Artikel 2 Denna förordning är till alla delar bindande och direkt tillämplig i alla medlemsstater. Utfärdad i Bryssel den 25 november 1999. På kommissionens vägnar Franz FISCHLER Ledamot av kommissionen (1) EGT L 181, 1. 7. 1992, s. 21. (2) EGT L 160, 26. 6. 1999, s. 18. (3) EGT L 147, 30. 6. 1995, s. 7. (4) EGT L 313, 21. 11. 1998, s. 16. 26. 11. 1999 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning L 303/19 BILAGA till kommissionens förordning av den 25 november 1999 om fastställande av exportbidragen för spannmål och för mjöl och krossgryn av vete eller råg Produktnummer Bestämmelseland (1) Bidragsbelopp Produktnummer Bestämmelseland (1) Bidragsbelopp (EUR/ton) (EUR/ton) 1001 10 00 9200 1001 10 00 9400 1001 90 91 9000 1001 90 99 9000 1002 00 00 9000 1003 00 10 9000 1003 00 90 9000 1004 00 00 9200 1004 00 00 9400 1005 10 90 9000 1005 90 00 9000 1007 00 90 9000 1008 20 00 9000 — 01 — 03 02 03 02 — 03 02 — — — 03 02 — — — 0 — 28,50 0 58,00 0 — 20,50 0 — — — 38,00 0 — — 1101 00 11 9000 1101 00 15 9100 1101 00 15 9130 1101 00 15 9150 1101 00 15 9170 1101 00 15 9180 1101 00 15 9190 1101 00 90 9000 1102 10 00 9500 1102 10 00 9700 1102 10 00 9900 1103 11 10 9200 1103 11 10 9400 1103 11 10 9900 1103 11 90 9200 1103 11 90 9800 — 01 01 01 01 01 — — 01 — — 01 01 — 01 — — 52,75 49,25 45,50 42,00 39,25 — — 87,00 — — 15,00 (2) 13,40 (2) — 15,00 (2) — (1) Bestämmelseland identifieras på följande sätt: 01 Alla tredje länder. 02 Andra tredje länder. 03 Schweiz, Liechtenstein. (2) Inget exportbidrag beviljas om produkten innehåller sammanpressat mjöl. Obs. Zonerna är de som fastställs i kommissionens ändrade förordning (EEG) nr 2145/92 (EGT L 214, 30. 7. 1992, s. 20)


title: Bonjour l'Europe : le guide des jeunes sur l'Europe et l'Union européenne.

eurovoc_concepts:
EU institution
EU policy
Europe
European Union
geography
history of Europe
user guide
young person

formats: cdrom pdfx


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ E-2148/99 υποβολή: Glenys Kinnock (PSE) προς την Επιτροπή. Επιστημονική Επιτροπή για τα Τρόφιμα.

eurovoc_concepts:
ethics
human nutrition
operation of the Institutions
rules of procedure
scientific committee (EU)
scientific profession

formats: html pdf print

text: 20. 6. 2000 EL Επι΄σηµη Εφηµερι΄δα των Ευρωπαι¤κω΄ν Κοινοτη΄των C 170 E/147 (2000/C 170 E/178) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-2137/99 ypobolh·: Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) prow thn Epitroph· (24 Noembri·oy 1999) Ue·ma: Απαγο΄ρευση της χρησιµοποι΄ησης των ουσιω΄ν ΒAGDE και ΒFDGE για την επικα΄λυψη κονσερβω΄ν Προσφα΄τως η βελγικη΄ οµοσπονδιακη΄ κυβε΄ρνηση διε΄ταξε την απο΄συρση κονσερβω΄ν σαρδε΄λας και το΄νου απο΄ το εµπο΄ριο λο΄γω του πιθανου΄ κινδυ΄νου που παρουσι΄αζε η χηµικη΄ επικα΄λυψη των κονσερβω΄ν. Απο΄ αναλυ΄σεις της οργα΄νωσης προστασι΄ας των καταναλωτω΄ν Test-Aankoop προε΄κυψε ο΄τι 50 ε΄ως 65 % των τροφι΄µων που περιει΄χαν οι σχετικε΄ς κονσε΄ρβες ει΄χαν µολυνθει΄ µε τις χηµικε΄ς ουσι΄ες ΒADGE (Bisfenol (cid:129) A- Dyglycidylether) και ΒFDGE (Bisfenol (cid:129) F- Dyglycidylether). Η ουσι΄α ΒADGE χρησιµοποιει΄ται για την εσωτερικη΄ επικα΄λυψη κονσερβω΄ν. Η ουσι΄α ΒFDGE ει΄ναι ο΄µοια µε την ΒADGE, αλλα΄ δεν επιτρε΄πεται η χρησιµοποι΄ηση΄ της σε υλικα΄ τα οποι΄α ε΄ρχονται σε επαφη΄ µε τρο΄φιµα. Παρα΄ το γεγονο΄ς αυτο΄, η οργα΄νωση Test-Aankoop εντο΄πισε σε 65 % των εξετασθε΄ντων δειγµα΄των ι΄χνη της ουσι΄ας αυτη΄ς. ∆εδοµε΄νου ο΄τι η εισαγωγη΄ κονσερβω΄ν σαρδε΄λας και το΄νου δεν αφορα΄ µο΄νο το Βε΄λγιο, µπορει΄ η Επιτροπη΄ να ανακοινω΄σει: 1. Εα΄ν ει΄ναι ενη΄µερη για παρο΄µοια προβλη΄µατα σχετικα΄ µε τις ουσι΄ες ΒADGE και ΒFDGE σε α΄λλα κρα΄τη µε΄λη της Ευρωπαι¤κη΄ς Ένωσης; Εα΄ν ναι, ποια΄ µε΄τρα λαµβα΄νονται για την απο΄συρση µολυσµε΄νων τροφι΄µων απο΄ το εµπο΄ριο; Εα΄ν ο΄χι, προτι΄θεται α΄ραγε η Επιτροπη΄ να ζητη΄σει απο΄ τα κρα΄τη µε΄λη να προβου΄ν σε λεπτοµερει΄ς ελε΄γχους ο΄σον αφορα΄ την παρουσι΄α των ουσιω΄ν ΒADGE η΄ ΒFDGE σε κονσε΄ρβες τροφι΄µων; 2. Μη΄πως η Επιτροπη΄ ασχολει΄ται µε την εκπο΄νηση οδηγι΄ας που να απαγορευ΄ει την χρη΄ση των ουσιω΄ν ΒADGE και ΒFDGE για την εσωτερικη΄ επικα΄λυψη κονσερβω΄ν; Εα΄ν ναι, ποιε΄ς ει΄ναι οι γενικε΄ς γραµµε΄ς της οδηγι΄ας αυτη΄ς; Εα΄ν ο΄χι, ει΄ναι διατεθειµε΄νη η Επιτροπη΄ να απαγορευ΄σει τη χρη΄ση των ουσιω΄ν ΒADGE και ΒFDGE για την επικα΄λυψη κονσερβω΄ν τροφι΄µων, λαµβανοµε΄νου υπο΄ψη του καρκινογο΄νου χαρακτη΄ρα των δυ΄ο αυτω΄ν ουσιω΄ν; Apa·nthsh toy k. Liikanen ej ono·matow thw Epitroph·w (2 Dekembri·oy 1999) Επι΄ του παρο΄ντος, η Επιτροπη΄ εξετα΄ξει διεξοδικα΄ το προ΄βληµα που ε΄θεσε το Αξιο΄τιµο Με΄λος του Κοινοβουλι΄ου και δε θα παραλει΄ψει να τον ενηµερω΄σει σχετικα΄ το ταχυ΄τερο δυνατο΄, (2000/C 170 E/179) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-2148/99 ypobolh·: Glenys Kinnock (PSE) prow thn Epitroph· (24 Noembri·oy 1999) Ue·ma: Επιστηµονικη΄ Επιτροπη΄ για τα Τρο΄φιµα Ποια ει΄ναι η διαδικασι΄α συ΄µφωνα µε την οποι΄α ζητου΄νται, υποβα΄λλονται και δηµοσιευ΄ονται οι ετη΄σιες δηλω΄σεις ενδιαφε΄ροντος των πρω΄ην και νυν µελω΄ν της Επιστηµονικη΄ς Επιτροπη΄ς για τα Τρο΄φιµα; Apa·nthsh toy k. Byrne ej ono·matow thw Epitroph·w (16 Dekembri·oy 1999) Η ανεξαρτησι΄α κα΄θε µε΄λους της επιστηµονικη΄ς επιτροπη΄ς ει΄ναι µι΄α απο΄ τις τρεις θεµελιω΄δεις αρχε΄ς στις οποι΄ες βασι΄ζεται το ε΄ργο των νε΄ων επιστηµονικω΄ν επιτροπω΄ν, συγκεκριµε΄να: υψηλη΄ επιστηµονικη΄ αξι΄α, ανεξαρτησι΄α των µελω΄ν και διαφα΄νεια του αναλαµβανοµε΄νου ε΄ργου. C 170 E/148 Επι΄σηµη Εφηµερι΄δα των Ευρωπαι¤κω΄ν Κοινοτη΄των EL 20. 6. 2000 Το α΄ρθρο 6(1) της απο΄φασης 97/0579/ΕΚ της Επιτροπη΄ς της 23ης Ιουλι΄ου 1997 για τη συ΄σταση επιστηµονικω΄ν επιτροπω΄ν στον τοµε΄α της υγει΄ας των καταναλωτω΄ν και της ασφα΄λειας των τροφι΄µων (1) ορι΄ζει ο΄τι τα µε΄λη των επιτροπω΄ν «ενεργου΄ν ανεξα΄ρτητα απο΄ εξωτερικε΄ς επιρροε΄ς». Προκειµε΄νου να εξασφαλιστει΄ η ανεξαρτησι΄α αυτη΄, τα µε΄λη υποχρεου΄νται να υποβα΄λουν τρεις ξεχωριστε΄ς δηλω΄σεις ο΄λων των συµφερο΄ντων τους που θα µπορου΄σαν να θεωρηθου΄ν ο΄τι επηρεα΄ζουν την ανεξαρτησι΄α τους: µι΄α δη΄λωση συµφερο΄ντων στα πλαι΄σια της αρχικη΄ς εκδη΄λωσης ενδιαφε΄ροντος (αι΄τηση) να καταστου΄ν µε΄λη µιας επιστηµονικη΄ς επιτροπη΄ς• µι΄α ετη΄σια δη΄λωση συµφερο΄ντων και µι΄α δη΄λωση οποιουδη΄ποτε ιδιαι΄τερου συµφε΄ροντος που θα µπορου΄σε να θεωρηθει΄ ο΄τι επηρεα΄ζει την ανεξαρτησι΄α του εµπειρογνω΄µονα ο΄σον αφορα΄ ε΄να ζη΄τηµα στην ηµερη΄σια δια΄ταξη µιας συνεδρι΄ασης της επιτροπη΄ς του/της. Η ερω΄τηση του κ. βουλευτη΄ αφορα΄ τις ετη΄σιες δηλω΄σεις συµφερο΄ντων προηγου΄µενων και σηµερινω΄ν µελω΄ν της επιστηµονικη΄ς επιτροπη΄ς για τα τρο΄φιµα. Το α΄ρθρο 6 παρα΄γραφος 2 της προαναφερο΄µενης απο΄φασης ορι΄ζει ο΄τι κα΄θε µε΄λος επιστηµονικη΄ς επιτροπη΄ς οφει΄λει να ενηµερω΄νει «την Επιτροπη΄ κα΄θε χρο΄νο σχετικα΄ µε οποιαδη΄ποτε συµφε΄ροντα ενδε΄χεται να θεωρηθου΄ν ο΄τι επηρεα΄ζουν την ανεξαρτησι΄α τους». Αυτο΄ς ο γενικο΄ς κανο΄νας ισχυ΄ει και για τις εννε΄α επιστηµονικε΄ς επιτροπε΄ς. Ωστο΄σο, κα΄θε επιτροπη΄ ε΄χει εγκρι΄νει τους δικου΄ς της εσωτερικου΄ς κανονισµου΄ς. Οι εσωτερικοι΄ κανονισµοι΄ της επιστηµονικη΄ς επιτροπη΄ς για τα τρο΄φιµα, που εγκρι΄θηκαν στις 17 Σεπτεµβρι΄ου 1998, ορι΄ζουν ο΄τι: «κα΄θε χρο΄νο, τα µε΄λη ενηµερω΄νουν την Επιτροπη΄ γραπτω΄ς για οποιοδη΄ποτε συµφε΄ρον που θα µπορου΄σε να θεωρηθει΄ ο΄τι επηρεα΄ζει την ανεξαρτησι΄α τους. Το συµφε΄ρον µπορει΄ να ει΄ναι α΄µεσης η΄ ε΄µµεσης οικονοµικη΄ς φυ΄σης η΄ σε µερικε΄ς περιπτω΄σεις να αφορα΄ ηθικα΄ ζητη΄µατα». Πρε΄πει να τονισθει΄ ο΄τι οι επιστηµονικε΄ς επιτροπε΄ς εγκρι΄νουν τους εσωτερικου΄ς κανονισµου΄ς τους µε πλη΄ρη ανεξαρτησι΄α. Τα µε΄λη της επιστηµονικη΄ς επιτροπη΄ς για τα τρο΄φιµα υπε΄βαλαν τις δηλω΄σεις τους για πρω΄τη φορα΄ µετα΄ την ε΄γκριση του εσωτερικου΄ κανονισµου΄ τους και για δευ΄τερη φορα΄ τον Απρι΄λιο του 1999. Το κοινο΄ δεν ε΄χει αυτο΄µατα προ΄σβαση στις ετη΄σιες δηλω΄σεις. Καθω΄ς οι δηλω΄σεις περιε΄χουν προσωπικα΄ στοιχει΄α, µπορου΄ν να παρασχεθου΄ν σε τρι΄τα µε΄ρη, µο΄νο εα΄ν το µε΄λος ε΄χει εκφρα΄σει τη ρητη΄ του συµφωνι΄α. Οι εσωτερικοι΄ κανονισµοι΄ περιε΄χουν, ως παρα΄ρτηµα, ε΄ντυπο µε τι΄τλο «ετη΄σια δη΄λωση συµφερο΄ντων των µελω΄ν». Το ε΄ντυπο προβλε΄πει τη συµφωνι΄α του µε΄λους για να επιτραπει΄ η δη΄λωση να καταστει΄ διαθε΄σιµη δηµο΄σια. Στην περι΄πτωση της τελευται΄ας ετη΄σιας δη΄λωσης, τα περισσο΄τερα µε΄λη συµφω΄νησαν ο΄τι οι δηλω΄σεις τους θα µπορου΄σαν να ει΄ναι προσβα΄σιµες για το κοινο΄. Στις περιπτω΄σεις αυτε΄ς, η Επιτροπη΄ µπορει΄ να πληροφορη΄σει τα τρι΄τα µε΄ρη κατο΄πιν αι΄τηση΄ς τους. Όσον αφορα΄ τα προηγου΄µενα µε΄λη, δεν ισχυ΄ουν ιδιαι΄τερες υποχρεω΄σεις σχετικα΄ µε το ζη΄τηµα αυτο΄. (1) ΕΕ L 237 της 28. 8. 1997. (2000/C 170 E/180) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-2155/99 ypobolh·: Roberta Angelilli (NI) prow thn Epitroph· (24 Noembri·oy 1999) Ue·ma: Ο εξο΄ριστος οι΄κος της Σαβο ας Απο΄ το 1946 ο οι΄κος της Σαβο ας, ο οποι΄ος βασι΄λευσε µε΄χρι το΄τε στην Ιταλι΄α, βρι΄σκεται εξο΄ριστος πε΄ρα απο΄ τα ιταλικα΄ συ΄νορα. Η εν λο΄γω εξορι΄α ει΄ναι παρα΄λογη και αδικαιολο΄γητη, παραβαι΄νει δε τις διεθνει΄ς συµβα΄σεις περι΄ ανθρωπι΄νων δικαιωµα΄των. Στο πλαι΄σιο µιας Ενωµε΄νης Ευρω΄πης, βαθεια΄ δηµοκρατικη΄ς, η οποι΄α βασι΄ζεται στην αλληλεγγυ΄η και στα δικαιω΄µατα των πολιτω΄ν, θα µπορου΄σε η Επιτροπη΄ να αναφε΄ρει: 1. 2. 3. αν υπα΄ρχουν κα΄ποιες ευρωπαι¤κε΄ς οδηγι΄ες που επιβα΄λλουν την ελευ΄θερη κυκλοφορι΄α εντο΄ς της ΕΕ στους πολι΄τες που δεν ε΄χουν διαπρα΄ξει κα΄ποιο ε΄γκληµα; αν θεωρει΄ ο΄τι για την υπο΄θεση αυτη΄ µπορει΄ να υποβληθει΄ προσφυγη΄ στο ∆ικαστη΄ριο; τη δικη΄ της α΄ποψη επι΄ του θε΄µατος αυτου΄;


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-2147/99 von Patrick Cox (ELDR) und Brian Crowley (UEN) an die Kommission. Besteuerung von Wein und Bier.

eurovoc_concepts:
Ireland
beer
excise duty
infringement procedure (EU)
wine

text: 1. 8. 2000 DE Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:228)ischen Gemeinschaften C 219 E/101 (2000/C 219 E/129) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-2147/99 von Patrick Cox (ELDR) und Brian Crowley (UEN) an die Kommission Betrifft: Besteuerung von Wein und Bier (24. November 1999) Bez(cid:252)glich der Besteuerung je Einheit Alkohol ist die irische Regelung steuerlich vermutlich eine der neutralsten in der EU, da sich die S(cid:228)tze f(cid:252)r Bier, Wein und Spirituosen an dem jeweiligen Alkoholgehalt orientieren. Das Verh(cid:228)ltnis zwischen Bier und Wein ist diesbez(cid:252)glich 1:3,3, was dem (cid:252)blichen Verh(cid:228)ltnis des Alkoholgehalts von Bier (4 %) zu dem von Wein (12 %) entspricht. Das Verh(cid:228)ltnis der Verbrauchsteuer auf Wein zu der auf Bier im Vereinigten K(cid:246)nigreich entspricht dem Verh(cid:228)ltnis 3,4:1. Sieben L(cid:228)nder in der EU kennen keine Verbrauchsteuer auf Wein. Kann die Kommission ihren Standpunkt gegen(cid:252)ber Irland erl(cid:228)utern und ihre Argumente begr(cid:252)nden, die auf theoretischen Weinen mit 5 bzw. 6 % Alkoholgehalt basieren, d. h. Weinen, die in Irland (cid:252)berhaupt nicht und in anderen Mitgliedstaaten der Union nur in sehr geringen Mengen erh(cid:228)ltlich sind? Antwort von Herrn Bolkestein im Namen der Kommission (17. Januar 2000) Im Anschlu(cid:223) an die vorgelegte Petition Nr. 1229/97 des Petitionsausschusses, in der eine m(cid:246)gliche diskriminierende Besteuerung auf Kosten von Wein und zugunsten von Bier erw(cid:228)hnt wird, hat die Kommission die irischen Beh(cid:246)rden um n(cid:228)here Auskunft in dieser Angelegenheit ersucht. Da ihr nach fast f(cid:252)nf Monaten kein wesentlicher Beitrag seitens der irischen Beh(cid:246)rden zugegangen ist, hat die Kommission am 1. Juli 1999 beschlossen, gem(cid:228)(cid:223) Artikel 226 (Ex-Artikel 169) des EG-Vertrags eine mit Gr(cid:252)nden versehene Stellungnahme abzugeben. Am 22. Oktober 1999 sandte die irische Regierung der Kommission eine Antwort auf die mit Gr(cid:252)nden versehene Stellungnahme. Diese Antwort wird zur Zeit unter Wahrung der Vertraulichkeit, die die Versto(cid:223)verfahren gegen den betroffenen Mitgliedstaat erfordern, von der Kommission gepr(cid:252)ft. (2000/C 219 E/130) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-2149/99 von Glenys Kinnock (PSE) an die Kommission (24. November 1999) Betrifft: Richtlinie (cid:252)ber di(cid:228)tetische Zubereitungen Welche Ma(cid:223)nahmen wird die Kommission ergreifen, um sicherzustellen, da(cid:223) die Richtlinie f(cid:252)r di(cid:228)tetische Zubereitungen den Anforderungen des Internationalen Kodex f(cid:252)r die Vermarktung von Muttermilchersatz und den nachfolgenden Entschlie(cid:223)ungen der WHA entspricht? (2000/C 219 E/131) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-2150/99 von Glenys Kinnock (PSE) an die Kommission (24. November 1999) Betrifft: Richtlinie (cid:252)ber di(cid:228)tetische Zubereitungen Welche Konsultationen haben im Rahmen der Ausarbeitung der Richtlinie (cid:252)ber di(cid:228)tetische Zubereitungen mit Sachverst(cid:228)ndigen bez(cid:252)glich S(cid:228)uglings- und Kindernahrung und ihrer Vermarktung stattgefunden?


title: Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Central Bank and the Economic and Social Committee - Financial services action plan - Progress report

eurovoc_concepts:
financial legislation
financial market
report
single market

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 24. 11. 1999 COM(1999)630 final REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACTION PLAN PROGRESS REPORT FINANCIAL SERVICES ACTION PLAN Progress Report Introduction The European Council in Cologne and the European Parliament have supported both the content and. The Action Plan details the work that has to be urgency of the Action Plan for Financial Services 1 accomplished to reap the full benefits of the euro and to ensure the continued stability and competitiveness of EU financial markets. The Council invited the Commission to report on a regular basis on the progress made and to present its first report before the end of 1999. This first report to the Council and to the European Parliament tracks progress over the first six months (until 10 October) since the adoption of the Action Plan. In view of the short period sice the adoption of the Action Plan, this report focuses in particular on the legislative progress that has been made. Annexed is a detailed breakdown of the separate action points. The second progress report will be made to the ECOFIN Council and the European parliament in mid 2000: it will contain an assessment of the progress, direction and results of the integration of the EU financial services sector and its contribution to growth and employment in the Union. Mechanisms & process The mechanisms for implementing the Action Plan are critical to its achievement. Over the past six months, and in line with the suggestions in the Action Plan, the Commission has put in place the following structures.    The Financial Services Policy Group (FSPG), comprising personal representatives of economic and finance ministers, has resumed its tasks as a forum to forge consensus between national ministries involved in financial services regulation. The FSPG has met twice since the adoption of the action plan and has assisted the Commission in monitoring progress and preparing this report. Initial informal discussions have taken place with representatives of the European Parliament with a view to finding arrangements to discuss major policy orientations with parliamentarians at an early stage. EU representative bodies have submitted short lists of experts to help the Commission assess certain implications of technical issues raised in the Action Plan. These ‘Forum Groups’, composed of market experts, are initially considering issues related to market manipulation; updating the Investment Services Directive; collateral; consumer information requirements for retail financial services; and differences in national legislation that hinder the cross-border marketing of financial services. Further groups may be set up in the future. Some progress has been made on implementing the Action Plan …. The challenge set by the Action Plan for all of the Union’s institutions is considerable. It will demand intense and sustained activity if we are to achieve the fierce timescale demanded by the rapidly- changing financial services sectors. The first months have seen welcome progress. Already the 1 FINANCIAL SERVICES - Implementing the Framework for financial markets: Action Plan. Commission Communication of 11. 05. 1999 COM(1999)232 2 Commission has issued its Communication on Pension Funds and is actively preparing a draft directive. It has also adopted a proposal for a directive to amend the Money Laundering Directive. With regard to wholesale markets work is well underway within the Forum of European Securities Commissions (FESCO) and the Accounting Contact Committee to meet the timeframe set out in the Action Plan. The Commission also recently adopted its Communication on the implementation of the Risk Capital Action Plan. The Commission will increase its efforts in the field of accounting policy and will present proposals to enhance regulatory co-operation between securities supervisors. Progress to achieve open and secure retail markets is also satisfactory. Discussions in the Council and the European Parliament on the distance selling proposal for financial services are continuing. The preparation of a legislative proposal for insurance intermediaries is on track as is the work on a number of Communications (consumer information, insurance) and a Green Paper on E-Commerce and financial services. Work on prudential rules has also advanced. The proposal for a E-Money Directive is advancing through Council and European Parliament. The review of bank capital rules in parallel with the G-10 Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the insurance solvency requirements, and the supervision of financial conglomerates are on schedule. The adoption of a Commission Recommendation on the disclosure of financial instruments is imminent. Finally, work on wider conditions for a single market are continuing with a view to direct taxation. The Council deliberations on the Commission proposal on a minimum taxation of savings income are continuing at full speed and it is hoped that a political agreement can be reached before the end of the year. The same holds, mutatis mutandis, for the work of the Council group working on the implementation of the Code of Conduct on business taxation. After first fruitful discussions, inter alia in the Taxation Policy group, work on the taxation of supplementary pensions and financial services in general will be continued as a priority in 2000. A Commission proposal for supplementary pensions is already under preparation. But there is a need for greater effort The pressure to make progress demands a sustained response from all institutions. The European Parliament and the Council have been invited in the Action Plan to make every effort to ensure rapid agreement and implementation of the individual legislative measures. There must be a clear political commitment by all institutions and actors to commit the necessary resources if we are to achieve the ambitious deadlines that have been agreed. Indeed, lack of progress is noticeable in particular in the following areas: (cid:1) Political agreement on the proposal for a Take Over Bids Directive, which would make the final adoption of this proposal possible, has still not been achieved in the Council. The main stumbling block is to find a mutually acceptable solution for Spain and the United Kingdom over the status of Gibraltar. (cid:1) The proposed directive on the Winding-up and Liquidation of Banks was presented to the Council and European Parliament in 1985. Here too the lack of progress is the absence of a mutually acceptable solution on the application of winding-up and liquidation procedures in Gibraltar. (cid:1) Despite successive political commitments at the most senior level, there is little progress on the European Company Statute. This has had implications for two other measures in the field of company law (10th Company Law Directive and the 14th Company Law Directive). (cid:1) The preparation of a Commission Recommendation on Prior Information for Consumers will build on progress from industry in developing best practices. Delays within industry may soon be resolved. The Commission has also established an ‘Forum Group’ with industry and consumer representatives to make progress. 3 (cid:1) The Commission Communications on Payments in the Single Market and Fraud and Counterfeiting in Payment Systems will be presented before the end of the year. The short delay in their adoption is due to administrative reasons caused by the change in the Commission over the summer. Overall assessment: The Financial Services Action Plan has injected new urgency and momentum into the task of building a single financial market. There is now a shared understanding, at the highest political level, of what is at stake – an unheralded opportunity to put modern and efficient financial markets at the service of EU enterprise, savers and investors. The six months since the endorsement of the Action Plan by the Cologne European Council have witnessed modest but tangible progress in terms of:   the ground-work for the specific initiatives in the action plan and mobilisation of input from market practitioners and other important constituencies (consumers, users); negotiation and adoption of legislation: Council and Parliament have redoubled their efforts to secure progress on number of proposals some of which have been the subject of longstanding deadlock. These efforts have not always come to fruition but with continued application, a number of key initiatives could be agreed over the coming months such as the 13th Company Law Directive, and winding-up and liquidation of insurance undertakings. An important stumbling block to the political progress of important initiatives has therefore been the absence of a solution for two Member States (Spain and the UK) over any direct or indirect reference to Gibraltar or its status in proposed legislation. Continuation of this impasse carries heavy costs for the development of a single financial market. It is to be hoped that the two Member States concerned can finalise practical solutions to break the deadlock. Over the next six months, the onus will remain on the Commission services to come forward with a series of important measures in accordance with the time-table foreseen in the Action Plan (pension funds, green paper on Investment Services Directive, modernisation of accounting strategy, e- commerce Green Paper). In addition to the preparation of specific initiatives contained in the Action Plan, the Union will need to refine its strategy in the light of accelerating structural change in financial markets. Discussions in FSPG and other fora in the coming months will be concentrated on the following areas:    EU-wide trading of securities where particular efforts needs to be devoted to allowing issuers the possibility of raising capital on an EU wide basis. This requires concerted action relating to the demand side (clear and common understanding on authorised activities, products and intermediaries and effective cooperation in market supervision); information) and supply-side transparency, (market Emergence of internationally active conglomerates as the mainstay of EU financial system which raises questions for the EU prudential and supervisory framework. Harnessing the commercial potential of E-commerce trading of financial services in manner which offers effective safeguards to individual consumers. 4 ANNEX PROGRESS ON THE ACTION PLAN FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES This annex provides a first overview of progress on actions included in the Action Plan for Financial Services (COM(1999) 232). The reporting date is 10 October 1999. A star ((cid:1)) indicates an action which has been successfully completed. A cross ((cid:2)) indicates actions where some progress has been achieved in meeting the targets set in the Action Plan. A minus sign (-) indicates those for which progress is disappointing. The tables summarise the current situation and provide the Commission’s assessment of the degree to which Community institutions and Member States are achieving the objectives set out in the Action Plan. Where appropriate a comment has been added in the final column, notably to indicate the next steps to be taken. 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: A SINGLE EU WHOLESALE MARKET Raising capital on an EU-wide basis: Timeframe For issue by mid 2000 Adoption: 2002 Action Upgrade the Directives on Prospectuses through a possible legislative amendment State of Play Reflection continues within the Commission co- in close operation with a FESCO working-party Update the Directive on Regular Reporting (82/121/EEC) Launch consultation by mid 2000 Proposal: 2001 Adoption: 2002 continuing in close the in co- FESE with of EU Stock Work Commission operation (Federation Exchanges) Assessment (cid:2) (cid:2) expected Follow-up Preliminary results from FESCO in December 1999 Contact Commission’s Committee meeting first quarter of 2000 Commission’s Committee spring quarter of 2000 Consultation of FESCO and industry spring 2000 Contact meeting (cid:2) close Assessment Timeframe for Draft issue by end 1999 State of Play Draft Communication under preparation co- in operation with FESCO Action a Commission Issue on Communication distinction between “sophisticated” investors and retail investors. Establishing a common legal framework for integrated securities and derivatives markets: Follow-up FESCO work should be completed end December 1999 Commission adoption of final draft end 1999 Member and State industry consultation first quarter 2000 Industry ‘Forum Group’ to complete work by March 2000 Preliminary available first quarter 2000 Preliminary available December 1999 Industry ‘Forum Group’ to complete by February 2000 Work continuing in close co- operation with FESCO and the industry (‘Forum Group’) Work continuing in close co- operation with FESCO and the industry (‘Forum Group’) Proposal by end 2000 Adoption: 2003 Publish Green Paper: mid- 2000 Directive market manipulation. Green Paper upgrading the ISD results from FESCO results from FESCO address work (cid:2) (cid:2) to on 6 Towards a single set of financial statements for listed companies: fair Action Amend the 4th and 7th Company Law Directives value allow to accounting Commission Communication updating accounting the strategy EU Timeframe Proposal autumn-99 Adoption: 2001 For issue by end-99 (now deferred into the first half of 2000) of Modernisation the accounting provisions of the 4th and 7th Company Law Directives Proposal end-2000 Adoption: 2002 Commission Recommendation on EU auditing practices For issue by end-99 State of Play Assessment The draft proposal is being prepared for adoption by the Commission. in addition, The proposal has now been deferred until the first quarter of policy Following 2000. discussions in the FSPG and the Contact Committee, an outline for the Communication will be discussed with Member States end October the Accounting Contact Committee. In bi-lateral discussions are being pursued with Member States. Progress is linked to progress on to the Communication update the EU Accounting Strategy (see above) and is therefore on target. Following discussions in two meetings of the Committee on draft Auditing recommendation been prepared for Member States in the Contact Committee. Accounting has a (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) Follow-up by Adoption the Commission by the end of 1999 Discussion of an outline of a Communication in the Contact Accounting 21/22 Committee the October, Accounting Advisory Forum on 23 November on and in Discussion Accounting Committee early 2000 the Contact in the Discussion Contact Accounting (21/22 Committee October) the Committee on Auditing (6/7 December ) and Assessment Follow-up (cid:2) (cid:2) November: interpretation meeting MS experts Implementation 11. 12. 1999 date: Discussions industry Group’) October 1999 with (‘Forum started Containing systemic risk in securities settlement: Action Implementation of the Settlement Finality Directive Directive on cross-border use of collateral. Timeframe Commission to continue monitoring of implementat ion in a working Group. Commission report to Council end 2002 Launch consultation autumn-99: proposal end-2000. Adoption: 2003 State of Play Transposition of the Directive already completed in: BE, IR, NL done Preparation within the Commission of preliminary discussions with industry (‘Forum Group’), also taking into account the ‘Giovanni Group’ Report on EU Repo Markets 7 Towards a secure and transparent environment for cross-border restructuring: Action Political agreement of the proposed directive on Take Over Bids Political agreement on the European Company Statute Review of EU corporate governance practices Amend the 10th Company Law Directive Timeframe Mid-99 Adoption: 2000 Mid-1999 Adoption: 2000 Launch review early 2000 Proposal autumn 1999 Adoption: 2002 in State of Play Final adoption awaiting political agreement on issue of Gibraltar No further progress the A terms of reference for the proposed study is currently being drafted. Awaiting political agreement on the ECS Company 14th Directive Law Proposal autumn 1999 Adoption: 2002 in Awaiting political agreement on the ECS Assessment ϑϑϑϑ ϑϑϑϑ (cid:2) ϑϑϑϑ ϑϑϑϑ Follow-up Final adoption expected before the end of 1999 No progress expected before the end of 1999 Issue of terms of tender for a study by end of 1999 Commission led meeting of Member law State company experts on 30 September/ 1 October led Commission meeting of Member law State company experts on 30 September/ 1 October A Single Market which works for investors: Action Commission Communication on Funded pension Schemes Political agreement on the proposed directives on UCITS Timeframe Issued on 11 May 1999 Com (99)134 End-1999 Adoption: 2000 on Directive the prudential supervision of pension funds Proposal: Mid 2000 Adoption: 2002 State of Play Assessment Follow-up (cid:1) (cid:2) (cid:2) Negotiations continue the Council. EP will start its first reading in The Commission is finalising a first draft text of a directive for discussion with member states experts. The FSPG discussed the outline of a draft directive at its October meeting Political agreement should be reached end 1999. First reading in EP end 1999 First discussion of a draft outline of the directive with Member States on 25 November 1999: experts Early 2000: discussion with MS experts on draft Directive (2nd draft) 8 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: OPEN AND SECURE RETAIL MARKETS Timeframe End 99 Adoption 2000 State of Play Amended proposal adopted by the Commission (COM(1999) 385 of 23 July 1999) Discussions with industry (‘Forum Group’) in preparation Assessment Follow-up discussions Technical are underway in the Council, with a view to achieving a common position by November 1999. Meeting with industry (‘Forum Group’) started October 1999 (cid:2) (cid:2) Action Political agreement on proposal for a directive on the distance selling of financial services Commission communication codifying clear and comprehensible information for purchasers Recommendation to support best practice in respect of information provision (mortgage credit). Commission report on substantive differences between national arrangements relating to consumer-business transactions. on Interpretative Communication the freedom to provide services and the general good in insurance Proposal for amendment of Insurance Intermediaries Directive Review of market practices to begin end 99: Communica -tion: mid 2000 For issue by end-99 Review to begin autumn 1999: status report - mid-2000: Discussions with Council, EP to begin end-2000. For by: 1999 issue end Proposal mid-2000 Adoption: 2002 Commission Communication on a single market for payments Commission Action Plan to prevent fraud and counterfeiting in payment systems Commission green paper on an e-commerce policy for financial services For issue summer 1999 Communica tion for issue by: end-1999 For issue by: mid- 2000 Dialogue was interrupted: the Commission is seeking to restart ϑϑϑϑ * Recommendation end 1999 Discussions with industry (‘Forum Group’) in preparation minor All services have agreed draft. Some translation corrections to be made, but otherwise on track for adoption by Commission in end 1999. Draft proposal for a Directive has been prepared and has been discussed by Member State experts in September. Communication to be adopted by the Commission end 1999 Draft preparation Communication in Discussion on policy outline in continuing October the FSPG in (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) ϑϑϑϑ ϑϑϑϑ (cid:2) Meeting with industry (‘Forum Group’) started October 1999 Market consultation beginning 2000 Draft report consultantcy autumn 2000: for examination with MS Commission imminent adoption industry Meetings with Member States experts, and consumers will continue in the 2nd semester of 1999. The IC will be consulted beginning 2000. Proposal for a directive: summer 2000 Informal consultation of the in market will November take place A first draft Green Paper available end Nov. ; interested parties will be consulted 9 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: STATE-OF-THE-ART PRUDENTIAL RULES AND Action the Adopt proposed directive on the winding- up and liquidation of insurance undertakings the Adopt proposed directive on the winding- up and liquidation of banks proposal for Electronic Money Adopt the an directive Amendment of the money laundering directive on financial Commission Recommendation disclosure of instruments the directives Amend governing capital framework for banks and investment firms the Timeframe first New reading in EP beginning 2000. Political agreement as soon as possible. Adoption: 2001 Common position: end-99 Adoption: 2001 Common position: autumn 99 Adoption: 2000 Commission adopted on 14. 7. 99 Adoption: 2001 Communica tion mid 1999 Proposal for directive: 2001, pending develop- ments Basle Adoption: 2002 in SUPERVISION State of Play Work in Council working group progressing steadily but slowly due to technical issues. Finnish presidency very co- operative. A Council working group meeting took place on 23/24 September and other meetings has been scheduled for October and November. Assessment (cid:2) Follow-up An amended proposal will be adopted by the Commission as soon as the evolution of the file in Council makes this appropriate (most likely in november/december) The Finnish presidency will re- open discussions in the Council working group. ϑϑϑϑ Awaiting breaking of deadlock in Council on the ‘Gibraltar’ issue. is The Finnish presidency seeking a common position in the of ECOFIN Council 8 November July Commission proposal adopted on 1999 14 (COM(1999)352). A first exchange of views took place in EP in September. Adoption by the Commission scheduled for end 1999. Discussions in the BAC have been completed with a view to agreeing on relevant issues and possible policy options. The rules on impact of new securities being is firms examined. (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) Second reading in EP and likely adoption of the proposal in the first quarter of 2000. The Finnish presidency has scheduled at least 2 group meetings before end ‘99 working the towards Commission A paper consultation to the available November. industry: The the results of consultation will help EU determine position the proposals of the G-10 Basel Committee The IC will be consulted on of technical discussions in spring The Commission will draw its from conclusions these discussions and adopt its proposal mid 2000 results 2000. the Amend the margin requirements the insurance directives solvency in Proposal for directive: mid 2000 Adoption: 2003 Additional technical meetings held on 17/6 and 5/7 with follow-up meeting scheduled for 15 Nov. Work programme is proceeding satisfactorily. 10 Action Proposal to amend the insurance directives and permit the ISD exchange information with third countries to Timeframe Proposal autumn 1999 Adoption: 2001 Development of prudential rules for financial conglomerates following the recommendations of the ‘Joint Forum’ Creation of a Securities Committee Proposal: end- 2000 Adoption: 2002 Proposal end 2000 Adoption: 2002 Assessment (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) Follow-up of in Adoption a Commission proposal is scheduled for end 1999. a Discussions Council working group: November Recommendations technical the from group will be discussed in the BAC, HLSS and IC. The Commission will draw conclusions those from deliberations The Commission will define the structure and content of a proposal for a directive State of Play procedure Internal Commission proposal underway for The Commission’s regulatory committees (BAC, HLSS and IC) reached agreement on a work mandate for a technical group of experts. The first meeting of the group for end is scheduled November consequences The Commission is considering the the comitology Council’s decision of July 1999 new of 11 GENERAL OBJECTIVE: WIDER CONDITIONS FOR AN OPTIMAL SINGLE FINANCIAL MARKET Action Adopt a Directive on the minimum of savings income taxation the Implementation of December 1997 Code of Conduct on business taxation taxation of Review of financial service products proposals Commission for co-ordination of the tax arrangements governing supplementary pensions Timeframe Political agreement by November 1999 Adoption: 2000 Ongoing examination in the Code of Conduct group Discussions in Tax Policy Group Proposal 2000 Adoption: 2002/3 State of Play Work in Council is progressing steadily. Finnish The presidency is seeking progress. Work on the Code of Conduct Group as is scheduled. progressing A preliminary analysis and discussions have started. Technical discussions have taken place with Member States in a technical sub group of the Taxation Policy Group. Assessment Follow-up (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) A final report will be the ECOFIN sent to Council in November 1999. Discussions continue in 2000. will A draft proposal under preparation is 12