Letter published in the Sunday Times - slightly edited by the newspaper – on 18 March 2012
 
Dear Sir
Bojan Pancevski’s report “I can’t fly Ryanair – the EU’s paying” (11 March) is simply incorrect. The European Commission does not ban officials from using budget carriers. On the contrary, low-cost airlines are explicitly highlighted as an option in travel guidance for staff. They have to book Ryanair flights themselves because Ryanair – unlike some other low-cost airlines – does not allow travel agents to book tickets through industry booking systems. Also contrary to the report, EU officials are in most circumstances required to fly in economy class. In 2011, more than 80% of flights were in economy.

Antony Gravili
Spokesman for Administration, European Commission

Letter to the Editor published in the Times on 25 November 2011

Sir, Your front page story “Cameron told to choose between the EU and the City” (November, 24) misrepresents the views of President Barroso and the European Commission.

President Barroso has repeatedly called for strong financial centres in Europe, including in the City of London. President Barroso did not say to Prime Minister Cameron that he must choose between protecting the City of London and influence in the European Union.

Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen
Spokeswoman of the European Commission

“After Fifa poppy fiasco, the latest bright idea from Brussels? EU flag on England shirts” Daily Mail, 11 November 2011

“How Brussels blew £3.7bn of taxpayers’ cash on energy, agriculture and transport” Daily Mail, 11 November 2011

Dear Sir

Some clarifications on EU stories. First, there are not and never will be measures “stipulating” that sports teams should wear the EU flag or that Wembley or Lords should fly it. Second, the EU Court of Auditors report did not say “Brussels squandered £3.7 billion”. It said 96% of EU spending was free from error and that 90% of errors were made at national level – including in the UK – not by “Brussels”. Furthermore, the European Commission vigorously claws back mis-spent money. And many errors were procedural and concern otherwise succesful projects. So this is a serious matter but does not mean £3.7 billion was wasted.

Mark English
Head of Media, European Commission Office in …

It is not “European bureaucrats” who will make decisions on changes to compensation for travel delays or any other aspect of the air passenger rights legislation. The European Commission, the EU’s executive, has announced a review and will make proposals after a public consultation, but any changes will be made by the European Parliament and the Council, of which the UK government is a member.

If your readers have strong views on these passenger rights, they should take part in the consultation when it is launched and get in touch with their MP and MEP, so they can be represented in the discussions on the legislation next year.

Jonathan Scheele, Head of European Commission Representation in the UK

Regarding your front page of today, only 2 buildings in the UK are expected to fly the European flag for Europe Day and the Commission would not fine countries that did not do so. The rules that make this provision were passed in 2006 by all EU countries, including the UK. No other public building has to fly the flag on 9 May though some may choose to do so. Some schools want to do something to mark the day and ask us for ideas. We send these purely on demand and they in no way constitute “instructions”.

Jonathan Scheele, Head of European Commission Representation in the UK
Michael Shackleton, Head of European Parliament Information Office in the UK

UPDATE (5:30pm) – The Editor of The Daily Express have declined to publish our letter

Dear Sirs,

We are as surprised as your readers to hear that your newspaper believes the EU wishes to merge Britain and France. The suggestion that the “EU wants to merge UK with France”, 2nd May, is absurd, and of course, untrue.

There is no proposal to create a new cross-channel region. What exist (and have done for 10 years) are a number of cross-border programmes aimed at things like boosting jobs and looking after the environment.

Yours faithfully

Johannes Hahn,
Commissioner for Regional Policy

A similar clarification was also sent to the Daily Star for their article “EU makes us French” which was also published on 2 May 2011.

Sir,

With reference to your article today on the rising cost of EU pensions, any increases in the EU’s pensions bill are due to rising numbers of pensioners – an issue faced by all pension systems – and not to increased pensions for individuals. In addition, recent reform to the pension system has meant that the rate of increase to 2059 will be substantially less than it would have been without the reform (83% rather than 168%), saving billions of euros. Average pensions for EU officials will decline by 12.5% by 2059.

Jonathan Scheele
Head of European Commission Representation in the UK

Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development Policy, writes to the Sunday Times to set the record straight concerning inaccuracies in their article “Euro billions wasted in African failures”, 17th April 2011. The Commissioner explains that contrary to claims, accountability of EU aid is in fact extremely high and the Commission’s commitment to strong and effective management of programmes and spending, has been internationally recognised.

Sir,

I refer to the article published in your newspaper on Sunday 17th April, entitled “Euro billions
wasted in African failures”. The issues that are raised, and in particular the importance of
ensuring value for money from development spending, resulting in real alleviation of poverty
amongst the world’s poorest citizens, are of great importance. However, the picture that you
paint regarding the Commission’s work is far from accurate.

The article argues that “EU (…) gives billions to corrupt governments without checking how
the money is spent”. This is incorrect; the EU’s approach to development …

Letter sent to The Editor, News of the World, 27 October 2010

Your article “We scrimp and save …. Eurocrats splurge” published 24 October incorrectly states that the 2011 budget for the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is 158 million pounds. Cedefop’s draft budget for 2011 is in fact ten times lower, ie 15.48 million pounds.

Yours faithfully

Jonathan Scheele
Head of Representation in the UK

Letter to the Editor of The Daily Mail, sent 29th September 2010

Sir,

Your headline “EU forces Cadbury to axe its glass and a half slogan” is completely inaccurate. EU measurement regulations have in no way, shape or form forced Cadbury to drop its famous phrase. Indeed, it is clear from Mr Poulter’s article that Cadbury have made this decision of their own volition but perhaps on poor advice.

Under EU legislation, imperial measurements in the UK are protected and can continue to be displayed indefinitely alongside their metric equivalent. The great British pound, pint, mile etc is here to stay.

Yours etc

David D’Arcy
European Commission Representation in the UK