WRITTEN QUESTION E-2183/99

by Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 November 1999)

Subject: Committees and working parties in the field of law

Will the Commission say what committees, working parties etc. have been set up in the field of law in the EU?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2000)

The Commission understands, following a contact with the Honourable Member, that this question concerns justice and home affairs committees and working parties.

The existing programmes in the fields of justice and home affairs (OISIN(1), Falcone(2), STOP(3), Grotius(4) and Odysseus(5)) are implemented through committees managed by the Commission. These committees have their legal basis in the joint actions adopted by the Council which established the programmes themselves. Their aim is to assist the Commission in carrying out the measures provided for in the joint actions. They consist of one representative from each Member State and are chaired by the Commission.

So far as the Honourable Member's question concerns committees and working parties set up by and assisting the Council, these are not within the competence of the Commission, and the Honourable Member is invited to address his question to the Council.

(1) OJ L 7, 10.1.1997.

(2) OJ L 99, 31.3.1998.

(3) OJ L 322, 12.12.1996.

(4) OJ L 287, 8.11.1996.

(5) OJ L 99, 31.3.1998.