92002E3493

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3493/02

by Colette Flesch (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 December 2002)

Subject: Re-posting to Brussels of two staff members of the Commission's Paris Representation

There have recently been press reports of suspected irregularities by the Commission's Directorate-General for Press in the management of grants awarded in France under the information policy and the opening of an investigation by OLAF and the recall to Brussels of two staff members of the Commission's Paris Representation.

Can the Commission clarify the position?

Can it explain its press release to the effect that to avoid any appearance of conflicts of interest, it has been decided in the interest of the service to post two officials from the Commission Representation in Paris to Brussels?

Given that the two staff members concerned have been named in the press, can the Commission provide any assurance, and if so what, that their right to presumption of innocence has been fully safeguarded?

Can the Commission explain the link, if any, between the investigation opened by OLAF and the Federation of Europe Houses?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2003)

As the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is in the process of conducting an investigation and all information obtained in that context is confidential, as stipulated by Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999(1), the Commission is unable to provide more details of this matter at present.

In particular, as regards the decision to move two officials working in the Commission's Paris Representation within the same Directorate-General, it should be recalled that this was a precautionary measure, the aim being to ensure that the investigation was held under the best possible conditions. This decision does not in any way prejudice the presumption of their innocence.

As regards the fact that the two officials were mentioned by name in the press, the Commission can only reiterate that it has never at any time divulged the names of the persons under investigation.

On 19 December 2002 the Commission announced that there was nothing in the organisation of OLAF's investigation to prevent the precautionary measures referred to above from being rescinded.

OLAF's investigation continues.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), OJ L 136, 31.5.1999.