91999E2187

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2187/99

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) and Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 November 1999)

Subject: Treaty of Amsterdam and sport

Although the social significance of sport was recognised, it was effectively effectively left outside the scope of the Treaty. Declaration No 29 annexed to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty does not allow the Community to take any action in the field of sport.

In the light of the social dimension of sport both professional and amateur particularly in forging identity, bringing people together and promoting the Olympic ideals, and of its economic dimension in the creation of new jobs.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether it considers that the Community should take action to encourage cooperation between Member States or cooperation with third countries, and to complement the Member States' measures, as is the case with cultural affairs, for example? Is it aware of any practical results that have come out of the above declaration to date?

2. If so, will it take the opportunity of the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference to propose that sport be incorporated into the new Treaty with the introduction of a relevant chapter?

3. Does it have the necessary structure available to implement a possible Community sports policy?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

Following the Amsterdam Declaration on sport, the Commission initiated a process of reflection on the development of and prospects for Community action in the area of sport. This consultation exercise was brought to a conclusion with the organisation of the European Union Conference on Sport in Olympia (Greece) in May 1999. On the basis of the conclusions of this Conference in particular, the Commission adopted a report on sport on 1 December 1999(1), which was forwarded to the Helsinki European Council. The report proposes strengthening the social and educational dimensions of sport at all levels, primarily in sporting organisations, but also in national and European bodies. This consolidation also involves establishing a stable legal environment for sport that takes account of both the economic dimension of sport and certain characteristics of sporting activities that give them their particularity.

In the document that it submitted for the Intergovernmental Conference, the Commission considered that, as things stand, the time has not yet come to raise the question of including sport in the EC Treaty.

The Commission has a Sport unit in the Directorate-General for Education and Culture. This unit could be expanded depending on developments concerning Community action in the area of sport.

(1) COM(1999) 644 final.