Forwarded for information - sorry if you've already seen
it. I have detached the Italian text of the debate report,
but can forward it if anyone wants it.
Best wishes
Patrick Overy
-------------------------
Subject: EP vote on information policy
Sender: Andre De Munter <[log in to unmask]>
To: Andre De Munter <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Andre De Munter <[log in to unmask]>
Message-ID: <saaf9e01.068@INETBA>
The European Parliament adopted a resolution earlier today (14.03.2001) urging the European
Commission to issue at last its communication on the information strategy, which it announced
as far back as April 2000. MEPs note with concern that the reallocation of responsibilities in
the field of information policy (i.e. last year's decision to transfer information activities
geared to the public opinion from commissioner Viviane Reding's department to Commission
President Romano Prodi's Press and communication service) is considerably delaying the adoption
of decisions in this area.
MEPs take the view that all EU institutions should co-ordinate their information and
communication efforts and focus on specific target groups, in order to maximise effectiveness.
The information and communication policy should revolve around two main axes, i.e. the
educational dimension (the Commission and the EP should provide teachers with educational
material on Europe) and the use of appropriate instruments (financial, media etc.) designed to
meet the public's expectations. Separate information campaigns should be launched on enlargement.
MEPs further stress the need to improve information and communication on EU matters which
affect citizens in their daily lives. The aim should be to promote public debate and awareness.
The Commission should therefore mobilise to a greater extent the information relays and
networks which have direct contact with the EU's citizens, MEPs conclude.
Note on the plenary debate (12.03.2001)
Much to the surprise of MEPs it was competition commissioner Mr Monti who spoke for the
European Commission in the information and communication policy debate. He said the long
awaited Commission document was forthcoming and would be submitted "before the summer".
Most speakers were highly critical of the Commission and complained about the lack of action
in the area of information policy since it took office.
Mr. Vidal-Quadras, EP vice-president responsible for the information policy and co-president
of the recently created interinstitutional working party on information and communication
policy, urged Mr Monti to tell MEPs who their counterparts for information policy in the
Commission were, as they themselves did not have a clue. He added that Mr Prodi was no doubt
aware of personal image problems in his capacity as Commission President. These, regrettably,
rebounded on the Commission as a whole.
Annexed: full text of the debate (at present only the original language version is available)
Press enquiries:
André De Munter
tel. Brussels +32 -2-284 25 31
tel. Strasbourg: +33-388-17 36 05
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
or [log in to unmask]
--- End Forwarded Message ---
----------------------
Patrick Overy
EDC Librarian
University of Exeter
Law Library
Amory Building
Rennes Drive
EXETER
EX4 4RJ
tel. (01392) 263356 fax.no. (01392)263196
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
internet http://www.ex.ac.uk/library/internet/eurostudies.html
|