91997E4018

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4018/97 by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: Establishment of a Greek section in the third European School currently under construction

In spite of the fact that there is a large Greek community in Brussels, there is only one Greek section in Brussels' two existing European schools. A significant increase in the number of Greek speakers in Brussels is expected in the immediate future, owing to the transfer of the Court of Auditors from Luxembourg, Cyprus' accession to the European Union, while at the same time the number of Greeks coming to live in Brussels is constantly rising.

Will the Commission say whether it proposes to take steps to establish a second Greek section in the third European School currently under construction in Brussels since this request already has the support of a large number of parents (320 signatories) and meets with no objection from the Permanent Representation of Greece?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (4 February 1998)

Only the Board of Governors, the intergovernmental body responsible for the European Schools, has the power to determine the orientation and organisation of studies. Therefore, when the time comes, only the Board can decide which language sections will be in the third European School now under construction in Brussels. The decision will have to be taken in accordance with the principles underlying the educational system of the school.

The Commission is a member of the Board of Governors and is very interested in ensuring the smooth operation of the European Schools; it will make sure that the principles are observed.