EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2009 - 2014
Committee on Petitions
PETI_PV(2014)03 19_20
MINUTES
Meeting of 19 March 2014, from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 15.00 to 17.30, and 20 March 2014, from 9.00 to 12.30 BRUSSELS
The meeting opened at 9.24 on Wednesday 19 March 2014, with Chrysoula Paliadeli (Vice- Chair) in the chair.
1. Approval of minutes of the meeting of: PV– PE527.915v02-00 FdR 1020678 20-21 January 2014 + annexes
The minutes were approved.
2. Chairman's announcements
The Chair informed members that:
- Item 21 had been postponed until after the elections. - The annex to the Chair's Notes had been distributed. As no objections had been received it was considered approved and would be annexed to the minutes of the meeting. - On Thursday 10 April 2014 there would be a public hearing on the second successful European Citizens' Initiative. The lead committee would be the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Petitions would be associated with the organisation of the hearing. Other committees involved would be: ITRE, LIBE, ENVI, FEMM and DROI.
3. Any other business
On a point of order Rainer Wieland commented on the committee's procedure for declaring petitions admissible/inadmissible.
PV\1029946EN.doc PE532.356v02-00
EN United in diversityEN The Chair confirmed that this matter would be discussed at the meeting of the coordinators, which would be held at the end of the meeting day.
The petitions were considered in the order as represented in these minutes
4. Petition 1229/2013 by K.Z. (German), on enforcement of a court judgement so as to allow him to exercise his visitation rights with his child (UK/Malta)
Speakers: the Chair, Klaus Zinser (petitioner), Rainer Wieland, Tatjana Ždanoka, Joanna Serdynska (Commission), Vincent McGovern (petitioner) and Carlos José Iturgaiz Angulo
The European Commission stated it had no competence in the financial aspects, that on the Brussels II A aspects the national courts were competent and that enforcement was a matter of national law. Members were disturbed by the lack of interest the European Commission showed in this matter. They agreed that the Commission should do more and should act pro-actively when it becomes aware of similar cases. Members also made it clear that the Commission should propose new legislation rapidly.
Decision: petition to be kept open. The Commission is to report back on its attempts to obtain more information from the national authorities involved.
5. Petition 1655/2013 by Laila Brice (Latvian) on alleged discrimination in the United Kingdom on the grounds of ethnicity, religion and language
Petition 1852/2013 by Maija Zargarjana (Latvian) on alleged discrimination in the United Kingdom on the grounds of ethnicity, religion and language
Petition 2287/2013 by Ale Ambrasaite (Lithuanian), on alleged discrimination by UK authorities on the grounds of ethnicity, religion and language and violation of the European Convention on Human Rights
Petition 2473/2013 by Ale Ambrasaite (Lithuanian) on alleged discrimination by UK authorities on the grounds of ethnicity, religion and language and violation of the European Convention on Human Rights
Petition 2531/2013 by Emma Thomson (British) on alleged discrimination by UK authorities on the grounds of a mother's disability
Petition 0543/2009 by Kees van Beek (Dutch), on alleged disregard for EU legislation by the Dutch Child Protection Council and Youth Welfare Office (Netherlands)
Petition 0363/2011 by Barbara Anna Blaszak (Polish), on alleged arbitrary action and discrimination on the basis of nationality by the Dutch child and adolescent welfare service (Netherlands)
PE532.356v02-00 2/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN Speakers: the Chair, Laila Brice (petitioner), Maija Zargarjana (petitioner's daughter), Sabine Kurjo McNeill (on behalf of Ale Ambrasaite, petitioner), Sina Van den Bogaert (Commission), Zbigniew Zaleski, Tatjana Ždanoka, Vytautas Landsbergis, Kinga Göncz, Angelika Werthmann and Rainer Wieland
Members expressed their concerns about what they had heard from the petitioners about the practices of youth welfare authorities in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands which removed children from "difficult" families, separated from their cultural background and mother tongue and kept contacts between the children and their parents to a minimum. Members saw a connection with the right to free movement in the EU as the most cases concerned EU citizens who had moved with their families to another EU Member State to live and work, and they urged the Commission to review and improve the relevant legislation.
The Commission stated that it was not able to intervene in these cases. The Charter of Fundamental Rights did not apply, as in these cases no EU law was being implemented and in accordance with its Article 51 the Charter is only applicable to Member States when they were implementing EU law.
Decision: petitions to be kept open. Letters would be sent to the municipal and national authorities in the Member States involved to invite them to give their reactions to the allegations made by the petitioners and to explain their actions. A letter would be sent to Commissioner Reding to urge the Commission to act and to study ways in which it could approach cases as had been brought to the attention of the Committee in the petitions and to propose legislation accordingly.
6. Petition 1707/2013 by Sabine Kurjo McNeill (German) requesting abolition of adoption without parental consent (UK)
Speakers: the Chair, Sabine Kurjo McNeill (petitioner), the Chair (on behalf of Mariya Gabriel), Patrizia De Luca (Commission), Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández, Victor Boştinaru and Willy Meyer
The petitioner alleged that in the UK thousands of children were systematically removed from their families by social authorities to be put up for adoption. She urged the Commission to act on this issue.
According to the EC representative the Commission was aware that in the UK there was a high level of adoption. However, there was no EU law which would allow the Commission to intervene. International cases of adoptions fell under the Hague Convention and national adoption under national law. Redress should be sought at national level (e.g. Ombudsman).
Members suggested that a fact-finding visit be made to the UK to investigate the allegations made by the petitioner. They also suggested that a public hearing on these issues should be organised in the next legislature.
Decision: petition to be kept open. Letters would be sent to the relevant national and local authorities in the UK, as above, to invite them to give their reactions to the allegations
PV\1029946EN.doc 3/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN made by the petitioner and to explain their actions. The Members' request for a fact- finding visit to the UK and a public hearing would be referred to the coordinators.
7. Petition 1390/2012 by Krisztina Orosz (Hungarian) on enforcement of court ruling regarding cross-border parental responsibility and alleged infringement of her fundamental rights
Speakers: the Chair, Krisztina Orosz (petitioner), Maria Vilar Badia (Commission), Kinga Göncz, Zbigniew Zaleski, Angelika Werthmann, Victor Boştinaru and Peter Jahr
8. Petition 0943/2012 by Jelena Antonova (Latvian), on discrimination and alleged violation of free movement of persons (Netherlands)
Speakers: the Chair, Ilja Antonovs (on behalf of the petitioner), Monika Hochheim (Commission), Tatjana Ždanoka, Sina Van den Bogaert (Commission) and Maria Vilar Badia (Commission)
Mr Antonovs (the petitioner's eldest son) showed a video he had made while his younger sister and brother were being removed from their family against their will by officers of the Dutch youth welfare office accompanied by policemen. He pointed out that his sister and brother were not allowed to speak their mother tongue and that they were treated badly in the institution where they now live.
The Commission again stated that it was not able to intervene. The Charter of Fundamental Rights did not apply, as in this case no EU law was being implemented and, in accordance with its Article 51, the Charter is only applicable to Member States when they were implementing EU law. The Commission did point out however that Commissioner Reding had advocated abolishing Article 51 and that Parliament's support was needed to make that happen.
Petition 1920/2012 by Anita Kaminska (Polish) on non-compliance of Poland with Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility (Poland/Ireland)
Petition 1200/2007 by R.S. (German) concerning paternity rights (Germany/Greece)
Decision: petitions under item 7 and 8 to be kept open. Letters would be sent to the relevant authorities in the Member States involved to invite them to give their reactions to the allegations made by the petitioners and to explain their actions. A letter would be sent to Commissioner Reding to urge the Commission to act and to study ways in which it could approach cases as had been brought to the attention of the Committee in the petitions and to propose legislation accordingly.
The meeting continued at 11.47 with Carlos José Iturgaiz Angulo (Vice-Chair) in the chair.
9. Petition 1013/2012 by Eduardo Raya Retamero (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
PE532.356v02-00 4/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN Petition 1201/2012 by Rosalía Gutiérrez Valdivia (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
Petition 1209/2012 by Maria Angustias Rodriguez Fernandez (Spanish), bearing 2 signatures, on the theft of newborns at a hospital in Spain, and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the cases
Petition 1323/2012 by Encarnación Murillo López (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
Petition 1368/2012 by Encarnación Moya Gómez (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
Petition 1369/2012 by Ma del Mar Guerrero Arjona (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
Petition 1631/2012 by Maria del Carmen Gómez Heredia (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
Petition 1772/2012 by Ana Peso Haro (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
Petition 1790/2012 by Ascensión Barbero Sánchez (Spanish), on the theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to properly investigate the case
Speakers: the Chair, Willy Meyer, Vicente Miguel Garcés Ramón, Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández and Inés Ayala Sender
Members agreed that consideration of this petition should be postponed as the petitioners were not present. David Lowe (Head of the PETI Secretariat) explained that the petitioners were informed but had not reacted.
Decision: consideration of petitions to be postponed to a future meeting with petitioners present.
10. Petition 1353/2011 by D. D. (Bulgarian), on the construction of a landfill site in the Yambol region, Bulgaria
Speakers: the Chair, Dimitar Dimitrov (petitioner), Slavitza Dobreva-De Schietere (Commission), Slavi Binev, Peter Jahr, Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández and Iliana Malinova Iotova
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. A letter would be sent to the relevant Bulgarian authorities.
PV\1029946EN.doc 5/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN 11. Petition 0944/2004 by Sheila Ellis (British), on behalf of 'Residents Against Toxic Site’, bearing 7 signatures, on alleged failure of the UK to implement the EU- Directive on the landfill of waste Speakers: the Chair, Sheila Ellis (petitioner), Sibylle Grohs (Commission) and Peter Jahr
The petitioner stated that although certain remedial action (capping) had been taken the situation of the landfill was critical, with toxic water leaking out to groundwater. Increases in toxic groundwater had been identified and the level of contamination was increasing.
Decision: petition to be kept open. Given the urgency and the threat to human health and given the close presence of a large acquifer the Committee urged the European Commission to launch proceedings to obtain an injunction from the Court of Justice of the European Union to close and clean up the site. Letters would be sent to Commissioner Potočnik (DG Environment) and the UK authority responsible for the landfill.
12. Petition 1833/2013 by Gisela Urban and Gabriele Menzel (German), on behalf of several animal protection associations, bearing 7724 signatures, against animal testing and the REACH Regulation
Postponed
13. Petition 1008/2011 by M. R-W (Lithuanian), on behalf of ‘Europejska Fundacja Praw Człowieka’ (European Human Rights Foundation), on the failure of the Lithuanian authorities to comply with Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data
Speakers: the Chair, Ms Evelina Baliko (on behalf of the petitioner), Angelika Koman (Commission), Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández and Peter Jahr
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. An opinion would be requested from Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
* * * The meeting resumed at 15.13 with Erminia Mazzoni (Chair) in the chair.
14. Petition 1633/2012 by Mara Bizzotto, Gino Agerde and Rosario Boschieri on behalf of the Comitato Libera informazione Radio Televisiva (Italian), bearing 11 432 signatures, on the conflict of RAI TV (Italy) license fee with EU law
Postponed
15. Petition 1845/2013 by Roland Egger (Austrian), on behalf of "atomstopp_oberoesterreich", bearing 14658 signatures, on a single EU-wide insurance about civil liability arising from accidents in nuclear power plants
PE532.356v02-00 6/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN Petition 1042/2011 by Reinhard Uhrig (German), on behalf of Friends of the Earth Austria, with approximately 98 500 signatures, on the worldwide phasing out of nuclear energy to be commenced immediately
Speakers: the Chair, Johannes Wahlmüller (on behalf of Reinhard Uhrig, petitioner), Margrete Auken, Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández, Heinz K. Becker, Roland Egger (petitioner) and Christian Attard (Commission)
The petitioners emphasised that nuclear operators had only limited liability (one billion euros). The Commission had held consultations but would not propose more appropriate liability standards nor would it propose legislation (regulation or directive). It had published only a Communication on the subject.
According to the Commission the debate on liability was on-going and the outcome of the consultations was that there was widespread consensus on extended liability. Moreover the Commission did not exclude further measures.
Decision: petitions to be kept open pending further information from the Commission
16. Petition 1403/2011 by H .W. F. (German), on expansion of the Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic
Speakers: the Chair, Paul Speight (Commission), Peter Jahr and Margrete Auken
The Commission explained that authorisation of the project had not been finalised. A technical meeting had been held with the Czech authorities. The Commission would continue monitoring the situation.
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission
17. Petition 2383/2013 by Heinz Mutzek (Austrian), on behalf of the Lessee Association of Hirschstetten (Mieterbeirat Siedlung Hirschstetten), on the planned construction of a highway expansion in the suburbs of Vienna and its impact on the environment and human health
Speakers: the Chair, Heinz Mutzek (petitioner), Werner Schandl (petitioner), Alfred Benda (petitioner), Paul Speight (Commission), Heinz K. Becker and Peter Jahr
The petitioners claimed that for the construction of the highway expansion the worst scenario had been chosen, that no strategic EIA had been carried out and that the project had been split up to circumvent EIA requirements. Also the threshold levels of fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5) had been exceeded and would be exceeded even further if the project would go ahead as planned. The Commission stated that it was evaluating the case and would report back.
Members urged the Commission to carry out a thorough investigation and noted that splitting-up of projects was against EU law.
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. A letter would be sent to the Austrian Minister of the Environment inviting him to respond
PV\1029946EN.doc 7/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN to the petitioners' concerns.
18. Petition 0559/2009 by José Vázquez Gómez (Spanish), on behalf of the "Asociación movida Pro Parque Tamarguillo", on the construction of a motorway link that would damage a park in Seville
Speakers: the Chair, Alejandro Gil Carrasco (on behalf of the petitioner), José M. Servert Martin (Commission), Willy Meyer, Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández, Luis Yáñez- Barnuevo García, Margrete Auken and Carlos José Iturgaiz Angulo
The petitioner explained that the construction of the motorway link and a shopping centre would damage the park, which was covered under Habitat Directive. No access was given to project files by the city council and no EIA had been performed. The construction would ruin all the renovation work that had been done on the park with EU funding.
The Commission stated that it was performing a legal assessment and that it was checking the EIA procedure. The road project had been split-up into smaller parts and the project was being referred to by the authorities as the construction of a "street". Alternatives had only been considered after the Commission had opened a file and the regional authorities had started providing information only after the Commission came in.
Members recalled the M30 motorway project in Madrid which was also referred to as a "street" and urged the Commission to carry out a thorough investigation and to monitor the project closely.
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. A letter would be sent to the local authorities to react to the petitioner's concerns and to invite them to a further discussion of the matter at a Committee meeting in the next legislature.
The meeting continued at 16.45 with Carlos José Iturgaiz Angulo (Vice-Chair) in the chair.
19. Petition 0971/2013 by Carlos Alonso Cidad (Spanish), on the quality of drinking water at the Oiola reservoir in the Basque Country
Speakers: the Chair, José Javier Vázquez Velasco (on behalf of the petitioner), Daniel Fernandez Gomez (Commission), Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández, Willy Meyer and Dolores García-Hierro Caraballo
The Commission stated that it had already investigated the case but that more information was needed and that it had started an EU Pilot to obtain more information. Members expressed their concern about the risks for public health in the region and they stressed that the authorities had not taken appropriate measures. Rapid action was needed.
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. A letter would be sent to the relevant authorities in Bilbao and the regional authority.
The meeting continued at 17.40 with Erminia Mazzoni (Chair) in the chair.
20. Coordinator's meeting (in camera)
PE532.356v02-00 8/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN The meeting adjourned at 18.47
THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2014
The meeting resumed at 9.10 with Erminia Mazzoni (Chair) in the chair
21. Chairman's announcements concerning Coordinators' decisions
Approval of the draft agenda of 1 April 2014
The Chair informed Members that at the coordinators' meeting a request had been made by the EPP Group to delete from the draft agenda all petitions concerning the German Jugendamt as well as a number of petitions from Spain concerning austerity measures in that Member State. A vote had been taken and a majority of the coordinators (EPP, ALDE, SD) agreed to postpone the discussion on child protection in Germany to a future meeting. Furthermore, a majority of the coordinators (EPP, ALDE, EFD) agreed that item 7 (austerity) would be removed from the draft agenda.
A vote was requested and taken by the Committee. A majority of the Committee members present voted against removing item 7 from the April draft agenda. The draft agenda thus modified was approved.
Web portal - update on the state of play
The coordinators had approved the proposal by the Chair to launch the web portal at the beginning of June, after which an evaluation would be carried out in September, for phase II of the project.
A technical document on the changes requested made to the Web portal after the testing phase would be distributed to the coordinators, as requested by the EPP.
Petition 2888/2013 by E.L. (Cypriot), on violation of her rights as an employed person in Cyprus and serious illness resulting from it
Coordinators had agreed that, considering the urgency of the matter, the Chair would write a letter to the Cypriot authorities seeking clarification of the situation.
Update on the Committee's activities
The Coordinators had approved the proposed method for managing the admissibility of petitions until the end of the legislature.
The coordinators had been informed that:
- the constituent meeting of the new Committee on Petitions would take place on 17 July 2014 (to be confirmed); - a document listing the petitioners requesting reimbursement of their travel expenses
PV\1029946EN.doc 9/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN would be attached to each Coordinators' agenda; - the Committee would reimburse the expenses of the following petitioners:
Number of Name of petitioner Date of meeting petition 1707/2013 Ms Sabine Kurjo McNeill 19/03/2014
2383/2013 Mr Heinz Mutzek 19/03/2014 0971/2013 Mr Carlos Alonso Cidad 19/03/2014 1273/2010 Mr. Lorenzo Torto 20/03/2014
European Citizens' Initiative - public hearing
The Chair informed Members that the day before (19 March) Commissioner Sefcovic had announced that the European Commission would bring forward a proposal which would reflect the conclusions of the Citizens' Initiative which had been discussed at the public hearing in February. The second ECI hearing, which is called "One of Us", would take place on Thursday, 10 April 2014 (morning). As with the previous one the Committee on Petitions would be co-chairing this hearing.
Any other business
The Chair informed the Members that letters had been sent to the Danish authorities and Commissioner Reding on the Danish custody cases, such as the one of Tammy Noergaard (0965/2011). At the request of Mr Salavrakos petition nr. 0070/2012 by Imre Juhasz was not to be further discussed before the end of the current legislature.
22. Petition 1873/2012 by Rolf Weber (German) concerning the leasing of land in France to a German farmer and age-based discrimination
Speakers: the Chair, Petra Schott (Commission), Peter Jahr, Victor Boştinaru, Janusz Wojciechowski and Angelika Werthmann
Members expressed concerns about the age discrimination which seemed to be the only reason for the French authorities to refuse a German farmer to lease a piece of land in France. They wondered whether the French law was equal for all and they requested that the petition as well as their comments would be sent to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality.
Decision: petition to be closed. The petition together with the comments of the Members would be forwarded to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality for information.
23. Petition 1273/2010 by Lorenzo Torto (Italian), on the right of persons with disabilities to engage in gainful employment
Speakers: the Chair, Lorenzo Torto (petitioner) and Ilaria Brazzoduro (Commission)
PE532.356v02-00 10/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission, which was also urged to act rapidly. A letter would be sent to the Italian authorities requesting clarification on the application of the relevant EU law and the ruling of the European Court of Justice on its transposition in Italy.
24. Petition 267/2012 by József Darányi (Hungarian), on the abolition of the early retirement schemes in Hungary
Petition 474/2012 by Karoly Katus (Hungarian), on behalf of ‘Szolgálat és Becsület Érdekvédelmi Mozgalom’ (Advocacy Movement for Service and Honour), bearing 1 860 signatures, on the abolishment of early retirement schemes in Hungary
Petition 479/2012by L.G.T. (Hungarian), on the abolishment of early retirement schemes in Hungary
Petition 483/2012 by Attila Fazekas (Hungarian), on the abolition of early retirement schemes in Hungary
Petition 625/2012 by Csaba Nyakó (Hungarian), concerning the abolition of early retirement schemes in Hungary
Petition 762/2012 by Florian Koczka (Hungarian), on abolishment of early retirement schemes in Hungary Petition 1144/2012 by István Balogh, (Hungarian) concerning the elimination of early retirement arrangements in Hungary
Petition 1261/2012 by László Kuti (Hungarian), on behalf of 'KNOE' on the abolition of the early retirement schemes in Hungary
Petition 0477/2013 by E.S.F. (Hungarian), on the abolition of early retirement schemes in Hungary
Speakers: the Chair, Karoly Katus (petitioner), Lázsló Baranyi Casaba (on behalf of petitioner), Lázsló Kuti (petitioner), Fritz von Nordheim (Commission), Csaba Sándor Tabajdi, Kinga Göncz, Victor Boştinaru, Tatjana Ždanoka and Ilaria Brazzoduro (Commission)
The petitioners complained that the Hungarian government had changed the pension laws for former officials (police, military, border guards, etc.) and had replaced their pensions with social benefit payment, raising the minimum age for eligibility retroactively in the process. The petitioners stated that although they had not had well-paid jobs they had always had the perspective of an early and stable pension. Now they had lost their pensioner status, which they felt was not only a financial setback but also a social degradation. They felt their employer did not keep its part of the bargain and disrespecting their years of loyal service.
The Commission stated that the EU does not have any competences as regards pensions in the Member States and it did not see age discrimination. Reference was made again to Article 51 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights (no implementation of EU law, Charter
PV\1029946EN.doc 11/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN not applicable).
Members pointed out that this was a fundamental rights issue (retroactive change of pension age) and expressed their disappointment with the Commission's response. They urged the EC to be less passive and propose new legislation.
The Commission explained that a proposal for a Directive on social security had been made but there was unanimity for it in the Council.
Decision: petitions to be kept open. A letter would be sent to Commissioner Andor and an opinion on the matter would be sought from the Committee on Legal Affairs.
25. Petition 2761/2013 by Marek Suski and Wojciech Surkiewicz (Poland), bearing approximately 10 000 signatures, on distribution of European funds in the Mazowieckie Voivodship (a region of Poland)
Speakers: the Chair, Janusz Wojciechowski (on behalf of the petitioner), Maria Galewska (Commission), Tatjana Ždanoka and Marta Andreasen
The petitioner claims that there inequality and discrimination in the allocation and distribution of EU funds. Cohesion policy has been moved from EU level to local level. The weakest regions in Poland received less funds, which is against the principle of cohesion.
The Commission explained that a new programming period had started and that the funds had been capped since the Mazowieckie Voivodship was now considered more developed. Member States are responsible for allocating and distributing funds on the basis of a distribution document they have to send to the Commission. The Commission cannot intervene at regional level.
Members underlined that the Commission should make sure that funds are spent in accordance with the rules. The Commission should investigate and not put all its trust in an umbrella document from the Member State.
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. Clarification would be requested from the Polish government.
26. Petition 0172/2013 by Eduard Rabal Vidal (Spanish), on the renewable energy sector in Spain
Petition 0430/2013 by Jorge Barredo (Spanish), on behalf of Unión Española Fotovoltaica, bearing 14 signatures, on the framework for renewable energy sources in Spain
Petition 0709/2013 by Miguel Ruperez Marco and Elena Caminero Muñoz (Spanish) on behalf of Dulcinea Solar 61 and 62, bearing 2 signatures, on the framework for renewable energy sources in Spain
Petition 1481/2013 by Piet Holtrop (Spain), on actions of the Spanish government contrary to the aims of the Directive 2009/28/EC in the field of renewable energy
PE532.356v02-00 12/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN Speakers: the Chair, José Donoso (general director of Unión Española Fotovoltaica), Piet Holtrop (petitioner), Giulio Volpi (Commission), Teresa Riera Madurell, Pilar Ayuso, Tatjana Ždanoka and Eva Gerhards (Commission)
The petitioners complained about energy policy measures taken in Spain, which would hurt investments citizens had made in solar energy or other sources of energy for private use.
The Commission stated it was closely monitoring the issue and had already sent out a letter of formal notice on certain aspects of the new Spanish laws.
Decision: petitions to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. An opinion on the issue of the Spanish energy policy measures.
27. Petition 1331/2012 by Roberto Albanese (Italian) on the crisis in the solar energy sector in Italy
Speakers: the Chair, Roberto Albanese (petitioner), Jesus Barreiro Hurle (Commission), Harald Schmidt (Commission), Peter Jahr and Victor Boştinaru
The petitioner explained that half of the business in the solar energy sector in Italy has gone as a result of cheaper imports of solar panels. He would like the European Union and his government to take measures to bring back jobs in the hardest hit regions.
The Commission stated that special attention is being given to the photovoltaic sector in its industry policy. Significant financial resources had been allocated in the Multiannual Financial Framework through various programmes. Regions play an important role as in the context of the programmes regions can identify sectors for which such financial resources can be claimed. In photovoltaic sector two regions (in Germany and Slovakia) had identified PV as a key sector to use the funds in order to boost competitiveness. Also the globalisation fund could possibly be used. As to the trade in photovoltaic equipment anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures had been implemented.
Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission. A letter would be sent to the Italian government to draw their attention on the problem and to study the possibilities of the globalisation fund.
28. Petition 1160/2009 by Werner Sandig (German), on the erection of two windmill parks in the Czech border region Ústí nad Labem and the associated harmful environmental effects on the nearby German nature areas
Petition 1246/2010 by Thomas Kirsten (German), on behalf of the local council in the town of Altenberg in south-east Germany, on contravention of EU environment legislation in connection with the construction of a windmill park in the adjacent Czech border region
Petition 1501/2010 by Frank Legler (German), on behalf of 'Erzgebirgezweigverein Geising’, bearing some 350 signatures, on breach of EU environmental legislation in
PV\1029946EN.doc 13/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN connection with the construction of a wind farm in the neighbouring Czech border region
Speakers: the Chair, Peter Jahr and Ctibor Kocman (Commission) The Commission stated that the projects are subject to national procedures. An integrated EIA had been concluded last year and a procedure for derogation of Czech law on protection of species is still on-going. The Czech authorities are involving all stakeholders. An EU Pilot was opened and the information gathered is being assessed. So far no infringement of EU law had been identified. The Commission would continue to monitor the project.
Decision: petitions to be kept open pending further information from the Commission
29. Petition 1008/2010 by Peter Kranz (German), on a popular protest against a projected wind farm in Wolfhagen/Hessen
Speakers: the Chair, Alexander Just (Commission) and Peter Jahr
The Commission stated that it had not been able to identify any breach of EU legislation.
Decision: petition to be closed.
30. Petition 1555/2012 by Helmut Wolfram (German), supported by 1 co-signatory, on behalf of the residents of the Kleedorf district in Bad Brambach, on the erection of wind turbines near a German residential area on the border with the Czech Republic
Speakers: the Chair, Ctibor Kocman (Commission) and Peter Jahr
The Commission stated that it had not been able to identify any breach of EU legislation.
Decision: petition to be kept open. A letter would be sent to the German authorities.
31. Petition 0757/2010 by Hartmut Tannenberger (German), bearing some 11 000 signatures, on air pollution in the Erzgebirge area on the border between Germany and the Czech Republic
Speakers: the Chair, Scott Brockett (Commission) and Peter Jahr Decision: petition to be kept open pending further information from the Commission
32. Petitions under B
Petitions 0385/2008, 0971/2009, 0372/2011, 0567/2011, 0744/2011, 0075/2012, 0218/2012, 0325/2012, 0624/2012, 0663/2012, 0755/20120757/2012, 0904/2012, 0962/2012, 1008/2012, 1208/2012 1251/2012, 1252/2012, 1533/2012 1696/2012, 1807/2012, 1813/2012, 1825/2012, 1838/2012, 1868/2012, 1896/2012, 1936/2012, 1952/2012, 0001/2013, 0006/2013, 0018/2013, 0020/2013, 0022/2013, 0041/2013, 0048/2013, 0068/2013, 0075/2013, 0086/2013, 0095/2013, 0112/2013 and 0177/2013 were closed.
PE532.356v02-00 14/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN Petitions 1356/2012, 1481/2012, 1943/2012 and 0073/2013 would be moved from section "B" and kept open.
Date and place of next meeting
Tuesday, 1 April 2014, 09.00-12.30 and 15.00-18.30 in Brussels
Annexes:
- List of petitions declared admissible since the last meeting on 10-11February 2014 - List of petitions to be withdrawn, closed or re-opened under the Annex to the Chair's notes - List of questionable submissions
PV\1029946EN.doc 15/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN ПРИСЪСТВЕН ЛИСТ/LISTA DE ASISTENCIA/PREZENČNÍ LISTINA/DELTAGERLISTE/ ANWESENHEITSLISTE/KOHALOLIJATE NIMEKIRI/ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΝΤΩΝ/RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/POPIS NAZOČNIH/LISTE DE PRÉSENCE/ELENCO DI PRESENZA/APMEKLĒJUMU REĢISTRS/DALYVIŲ SĄRAŠAS/JELENLÉTI ÍV/ REĠISTRU TA' ATTENDENZA/PRESENTIELIJST/LISTA OBECNOŚCI/LISTA DE PRESENÇAS/LISTĂ DE PREZENŢĂ/ PREZENČNÁ LISTINA/SEZNAM NAVZOČIH/LÄSNÄOLOLISTA/DELTAGARLISTA
Бюро/Mesa/Předsednictvo/Formandskabet/Vorstand/Juhatus/Προεδρείο/Bureau/Predsjedništvo/Ufficio di presidenza/Prezidijs/ Biuras/Elnökség/ Prezydium/Birou/Predsedníctvo/Predsedstvo/Puheenjohtajisto/Presidiet (*)
Erminia Mazzoni (1,2) Chrysoula Paliadeli (1) Willy Meyer (1) Carlos José Iturgaiz Angulo (1,2)
Членове/Diputados/Poslanci/Medlemmer/Mitglieder/Parlamendiliikmed/Μέλη/Members/Zastupnici/Députés/Deputati/D eputāti/Nariai/Képviselõk/ Membri/Leden/Posłowie/Deputados/Deputaţi/Jäsenet/Ledamöter
Marta Andreasen (2) Margrete Auken (1,2) Heinz K. Becker (1) Victor Boştinaru (1,2) Peter Jahr (1,2) Iliana Malinova Iotova (1) Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández (1) Nikolaos Salavrakos (1) Csaba Sándor Tabajdi (2) Csaba Sándor Tabajdi (2) Rainer Wieland (1,2) Angelika Werthmann (1,2) Zbigniew Zaleski (1) Tatjana Ždanoka (1,2)
Заместници/Suplentes/Náhradníci/Stedfortrædere/Stellvertreter/Asendusliikmed/Αναπληρωτές/Substitutes/Zamjenici/Su ppléants/ Supplenti/Aizstājēji/Pavaduojantysnariai/Póttagok/Sostituti/Plaatsvervangers/Zastępcy/Membros suplentes/Supleanţi/Náhradníci/ Namestniki/Varajäsenet/Suppleanter
Daniel Caspary (2) Vicente Miguel Garcés Ramón (1) Dolores García-Hierro Caraballo (1) Kinga Göncz (1,2) Jaroslav Paška (1,2)
187 (2)
Slavi Binev (1)
193 (3)
Inés Ayala Sender (1) Pilar Ayuso (1,2) (1) Vytautas Landsbergis (1) Teresa Riera Madurell (1,2) Paul Rübig (1) Alda Sousa (1,2) László Surján (1,2) Janusz Wojciechowski (1,2) Luis Yáñez-Barnuevo García (1)
46 (6) (Точка от дневния ред/Punto del orden del día/Bod pořadu jednání (OJ)/Punkt på dagsordenen/Tagesordnungspunkt/Päevakorra punkt/Ημερήσια Διάταξη Σημείο/Agenda item/Točka dnevnog reda/Point OJ/Punto all'ordine del giorno/Darba kārtības punkts/Darbotvarkės punktas/ Napirendi pont/Punt Aġenda/Agendapunt/Punkt porządku dziennego/Ponto OD/Punct de pe ordinea de zi/Bod programu schôdze/ Točka UL/Esityslistan kohta/Föredragningslista punkt)
Наблюдатели/Observadores/Pozorovatelé/Observatører/Beobachter/Vaatlejad/Παρατηρητές/Observers/Promatrači/Obse rvateurs/ Osservatori/Novērotāji/Stebėtojai/Megfigyelők/Osservaturi/Waarnemers/Obserwatorzy/Observadores/Observatori/Pozor ovatelia/ Opazovalci/Tarkkailijat/Observatörer
PE532.356v02-00 16/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN По покана на председателя/Por invitación del presidente/Na pozvání předsedy/Efter indbydelse fra formanden/Auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden/Esimehe kutsel/Με πρόσκληση του Προέδρου/At the invitation of the Chair(wo)man/Na poziv predsjednika/Sur l'invitation du président/Su invito del presidente/Pēc priekšsēdētāja uzaicinājuma/Pirmininkui pakvietus/Az elnök meghívására/Fuq stedina taċ-'Chairman'/ Op uitnodiging van de voorzitter/Na zaproszenie Przewodniczącego/A convite do Presidente/La invitaţia preşedintelui/Na pozvanie predsedu/Na povabilo predsednika/Puheenjohtajan kutsusta/På ordförandens inbjudan
Klaus Zinser, Vincent McGovern, Laila Brice, Maija Zargarjana, Sabine Kurjo McNeill, Ilja Antonovs, Ranada Van Kralingen, Yvonne Fiege, Krisztina Orosz, Dimitzar Dimitrov, Sheila Eilis (Residents against toxic site), Colin Wakefield (RATS), Evelina Baliko (European Human Rights Foundation), Roland Egger (Atomstopp Atomkraftfrei leben), Johannes Wahlmüller (Friends of the Earth Austria), Heinz Mutzek (Lessee Associaton of Hirschstetten), Alfred Benda, Werner Schandl, Alejandro Gil Carrasco (Asociaciớn Movida Pro Parque Tamarguillo), José Xavier Vázquez Velasco (Plataforma Ekologista Ezpitsua de Barakaldo), Alfonso Cantera Herrera, Lorenzo Torto, Donato Paolucci, Karoly Katus (Advocacy Movement of Service and Honor) Lászlỏ Baranyi Casaba, Lászlỏ Kuti (KNOE Association), Agota Kutiné Csurgai, José Irisarri (Union Espaňola Fotovoltaica, vicepresidentge UNEF) José Donoso (general director of Union Española Fotovoltaica), Piet Holtrop, Roberto Albanese
Съвет/Consejo/Rada/Rådet/Rat/Nõukogu/Συμβούλιο/Council/Vijeće/Conseil/Consiglio/Padome/Taryba/Tanács/Kunsill/ Raad/ Conselho/Consiliu/Svet/Neuvosto/Rådet (*)
Комисия/Comisión/Komise/Kommissionen/Kommission/Euroopa Komisjon/Επιτροπή/Commission/Commissione/Komisija/Bizottság/ Kummissjoni/Commissie/Komisja/Comissão/Comisie/Komisia/Komissio/Kommissionen (*)
Anna Wlazlo, Gaby Kremer, Joannna Serdynska, Sina van den Bogaert, Patrizia de Lucca, Maria Vilar Badia, Monika Hochheim, Maria Vilar Badia, Zeta Georgiadou, Slavitza Dobreva de Schietere, Sibylle Grohs, Sylvain Bintein, Christian Attard, Angelika Koman, Paul Speight, José M. Servert Martin, Daniel Fernandez Gomez, Petra Schott, Ilaria Brazzoduro, Fritz von Nordheim, Maria Galewska, Giulio Volpi, Jesus Barreiro Hurle, Alain Gerzat, Harald Schmid, Ctibor Kocman, Alexander Just, Scott Brockett
Други институции/Otras instituciones/Ostatní orgány a instituce/Andre institutioner/Andere Organe/Muud institutsioonid/ Άλλα θεσμικά όργανα/Other institutions/Autres institutions/Altre istituzioni/Citas iestādes/Kitos institucijos/Más intézmények/ Istituzzjonijiet oħra/Andere instellingen/Inne instytucje/Outras Instituições/Alte instituţii/Iné inštitúcie/Druge institucije/Muut toimielimet/Andra institutioner/organ
Други участници/Otros participantes/Ostatní účastníci/Endvidere deltog/Andere Teilnehmer/Muud osalejad/Επίσης Παρόντες/Other participants/Drugi sudionici/Autres participants/Altri partecipanti/Citi klātesošie/Kiti dalyviai/Más résztvevők/Parteċipanti ohra/Andere aanwezigen/ Inni uczestnicy/Outros participantes/Alţi participanţi/Iní účastníci/Drugi udeleženci/Muut osallistujat/Övriga deltagare
PV\1029946EN.doc 17/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN Секретариат на политическите групи/Secretaría de los Grupos políticos/Sekretariát politických skupin/Gruppernes sekretariat/ Sekretariat der Fraktionen/Fraktsioonide sekretariaat/Γραμματεία των Πολιτικών Ομάδων/Secretariats of political groups/Tajništva klubova zastupnika/Secrétariat des groupes politiques/Segreteria gruppi politici/Politisko grupu sekretariāts/Frakcijų sekretoriai/Képviselőcsoportok titkársága/Segretarjat gruppi politiċi/Fractiesecretariaten/Sekretariat Grup Politycznych/Secr. dos grupos políticos/Secretariate grupuri politice/Sekretariát politických skupín/Sekretariat političnih skupin/Poliittisten ryhmien sihteeristöt/Gruppernas sekretariat
PPE Mina Petrucci, Anne-Michelle de Mathelin, Elena Martin S&D Ambroise Perrin, Virginia Bustos Lazaro ALDE ECR David Batt Verts/ALE Marc Jimenez GUE/NGL Miguel Deporras EFD NI
PE532.356v02-00 18/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN Кабинет на председателя/Gabinete del Presidente/Kancelář předsedy/Formandens Kabinet/Kabinett des Präsidenten/Presidendi kantselei/Γραφείο Προέδρου/President's Office/Ured predsjednika/Cabinet du Président/Gabinetto del Presidente/Priekšsēdētāja kabinets/Pirmininko kabinetas/Elnöki hivatal/Kabinett tal- President/Kabinet van de Voorzitter/Gabinet Przewodniczącego/Gabinete do Presidente/ Cabinet Preşedinte/Kancelária predsedu/Urad predsednika/Puhemiehen kabinetti/Talmannens kansli
Кабинет на генералния секретар/Gabinete del Secretario General/Kancelář generálního tajemníka/Generalsekretærens Kabinet/ Kabinett des Generalsekretärs/Peasekretäri büroo/Γραφείο Γενικού Γραμματέα/Secretary-General's Office/Ured glavnog tajnika/Cabinet du Secrétaire général/Gabinetto del Segretario generale/Ģenerālsekretāra kabinets/Generalinio sekretoriaus kabinetas/Főtitkári hivatal/Kabinett tas-Segretarju Ġenerali/Kabinet van de secretaris-generaal/Gabinet Sekretarza Generalnego/Gabinete do Secretário-Geral/Cabinet Secretar General/Kancelária generálneho tajomníka/Urad generalnega sekretarja/Pääsihteerin kabinetti/ Generalsekreterarens kansli
Генерална дирекция/Dirección General/Generální ředitelství/Generaldirektorat/Generaldirektion/Peadirektoraat/Γενική Διεύθυνση/ Directorate-General/Glavna uprava/Direction générale/Direzione generale/Ģenerāldirektorāts/Generalinis direktoratas/Főigazgatóság/ Direttorat Ġenerali/Directoraten-generaal/Dyrekcja Generalna/Direcção-Geral/Direcţii Generale/Generálne riaditeľstvo/Generalni direktorat/ Pääosasto/Generaldirektorat
DG PRES DG IPOL DG EXPO DG COMM Natalia Dasilva DG PERS DG INLO DG TRAD DG INTE DG FINS DG ITEC Правна служба/Servicio Jurídico/Právní služba/Juridisk Tjeneste/Juristischer Dienst/Õigusteenistus/Νομική Υπηρεσία/Legal Service/ Service juridique/Servizio giuridico/Juridiskais dienests/Teisės tarnyba/Jogi szolgálat/Servizz legali/Juridische Dienst/Wydział prawny/ Serviço Jurídico/Serviciu Juridic/Právny servis/Pravna služba/Oikeudellinen yksikkö/Rättstjänsten
Секретариат на комисията/Secretaría de la comisión/Sekretariát výboru/Udvalgssekretariatet/Ausschusssekretariat/Komisjoni sekretariaat/Γραμματεία επιτροπής/Committee secretariat/Tajništvo odbora/Secrétariat de la commission/Segreteria della commissione/Komitejas sekretariāts/Komiteto sekretoriatas/A bizottság titkársága/Segretarjat tal-kumitat/Commissiesecretariaat/ Sekretariat komisji/ Secretariado da comissão/Secretariat comisie/Sekretariat odbora/Valiokunnan sihteeristö/Utskottssekretariatet
David Lowe, Jos Heezen, Giorgio Mussa, Natalia Papasteriadou, Martina Schonard, Giorgiana Sandu, Jari Erholm, Francesco Calazzo
Сътрудник/Asistente/Asistent/Assistent/Assistenz/Βοηθός/Assistant/Assistente/Palīgs/Padėjėjas/Asszisztens/Asystent/P omočnik/ Avustaja/Assistenter
Sybille Pecsteen de Buytswerve
* (P) = Председател/Presidente/Předseda/Formand/Vorsitzender/Esimees/Πρόεδρος/Chair(wo)man/Predsjednik/Président/ Priekšsēdētājs/Pirmininkas/Elnök/'Chairman'/Voorzitter/Przewodniczący/Preşedinte/Predseda/Predsednik/Puheenjo
PV\1029946EN.doc 19/20 PE532.356v02-00 EN htaja/ Ordförande (VP) =Заместник-председател/Vicepresidente/Místopředseda/Næstformand/Stellvertretender Vorsitzender/Aseesimees/Αντιπρόεδρος/ Vice-Chair(wo)man/Potpredsjednik/Vice-Président/Priekšsēdētāja vietnieks/Pirmininko pavaduotojas/Alelnök/Viċi 'Chairman'/ Ondervoorzitter/Wiceprzewodniczący/Vice- Presidente/Vicepreşedinte/Podpredseda/Podpredsednik/Varapuheenjohtaja/ Vice ordförande (M) = Член/Miembro/Člen/Medlem./Mitglied/Parlamendiliige/Μέλος/Member/Član/Membre/Membro/Deputāts/Narys/K épviselő/ Membru/Lid/Członek/Membro/Membru/Člen/Poslanec/Jäsen/Ledamot (F) = Длъжностно лице/Funcionario/Úředník/Tjenestemand/Beamter/Ametnik/Υπάλληλος/Official/Dužnosnik/Fonctionnaire/ Funzionario/Ierēdnis/Pareigūnas/Tisztviselő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcionário/Funcţionar/Úradník/Uradnik /Virkamies/ Tjänsteman
PE532.356v02-00 20/20 PV\1029946EN.doc EN