91997E3369

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3369/97 by Giacomo Santini (UPE) to the Commission (22 October 1997)

Subject: European Community Sports Club - Euroski

The European Community Sports Club - Euroski organizes skiing weeks for EU officials three times a year in Bormio, Courmayeur and San Domenico.

What is planned as a programme for the 1997/1998 season is actually a repeat of previous such holidays, since the Sports Club has been taking EU officials to the same resorts for around ten years.

When I proposed a change of venue to allow equal opportunities for all European tourist resorts, I was politely told that they were grateful for my suggestion but could not change the venue as this would be unfair to their friends in Bormio, Courmayeur and San Domenico.

Will the Commission investigate this matter to guarantee transparency and ensure that there are no private interests behind the choice of a venue?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (17 November 1997)

Under the staff welfare policy, 50 sports and cultural clubs meeting certain criteria are recognised by the Commission. The Euroski club is not one of these and therefore cannot be regarded as a Commission sports club.

Members of this group are acting in a purely private capacity, and there is absolutely no ground for the Commission to make an inquiry nor intervene in their activities.