91997E3480

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3480/97 by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission (31 October 1997)

Subject: Application of Community law

The report on monitoring the application of Community law (1996) shows that the Commission's 'package meetings' with the Member States produced a solution in 42% of the cases examined. In view of the fact that this purely preventive measure saves considerable amounts of money and effort for the Commission, the Court of Justice and the Member States, will the Commission say:

1. whether it plans to hold such meetings more systematically and regularly,

2 what 'package meetings' are scheduled for 1998, so as to allow more scope for preparation, and,

3. whether it has the required number of lawyers on its staff, particularly in the fields of the environment and civil liberties?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1997)

1. The Commission regularly holds package meetings with the authorities of the Member States to consider the whole range of infringement proceedings in motion in a given area. It has developed this practice wherever possible.

The Commission is also planning to pursue its bilateral meetings with the national authorities concerning the implementation of directives in general terms. These meetings (known as 'directive missions') provide an opportunity to make authorities aware of their duty to transpose directives and to help them in their job of doing so. The purpose is to speed up the transposal process and thereby avert infringement situations.

2. The schedule of meetings for 1998 is under discussion with the national authorities.

3. Yes.