Statement of Algirdas SEMETA (Lithuania), Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud during his hearing at the EP Committees on Economic and Monetary Affairs and on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection in Brussels.

Brussels

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

hearing of Commissioners

ŠEMETA, Algirdas (LT, EC)

2010 Commissioners' hearings (T)

hearing of Algirdas SEMETA 2010 (T)

Hearing of Algirdas SEMETA (Lithuania), Commissioner-designate for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud: extracts

Exterior of the European Parliament, Brussels

Cutaways of Algirdas SEMETA's arrival in EP Committee's room, hand shakes, sitting, speakers table, (7 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, Honourable Members I am delighted to stand before you today as Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud".

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, What is very important to all of us to ensure independence , efficiency and effectiveness of the activity if olaf, I think that so far OLAF did a great job in combatting fraud and corruption in the EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, I think that we should continue in this mood ; I think that we have to cooperate together to find the best way how to move forward with the solution on OLAF in order to finally come to the indenpendence, externalisation of OLAF , also taking into account the long term issue of European Public Prosecutor"

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, Concerning transparency I think that we did a lot in putting on the Internet the beneficiaries of EU fundings, all beneficiaries including NGOs and nowadays everyone could look at the Internet and find what funds were allocated for specific beneficiary"

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, On VAT fraud , I think about the possibility on involvement of OLAF in this particular activity although we know that in particular in taxation area most of the powers are within the Member States.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, on VAT fraud , I think about the possibility on involvement of OLAF in this particular activity although we know that in particular in taxation area most of the powers are within the Member States.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, The error for 2008 is still 11% and I think that this is really unacceptable so we have to take actions to deal with the spendings in the area of structural funds, but on the other hand we should make a clear difference between errors and fraud.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, on the conflict of interest site , yes I am ready to come to the Parliament and discuus any issue related with the conflicts of interests.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, My opinion is that the Public opinion prosecutor 's office would increase efficiently the functioning of the EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, My view is a simple one, I think that distinguished Members of the Parliament have full right to scrutinize all spendings which have been done from EU budget.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, (answering a question on the difficulty to obtain from MS annual expenditure reports of EU funds) "I just could say that I am a result oriented person and what is the most important to me is to achieve results which we had as an objective to achieve. Here I think it is very important to work with the Member States to find a solution which allows us to improve efficiency of spending of EU money.

SOUNDBITE (English), Algirdas Gediminas &Scaron;EMETA, Commissioner designate for Taxation and Customs Union Audit and Anti fraud, in English, I think that it is very important to have developments in green taxation area and an energy taxation Directive would be one of my first priorities in my future job provided that you approved me for this position.