ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
B4-1238/95

Resolution on policy on visas for citizens of Central and Eastern European countries

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Article 100c of the Treaty establishing the European Community,

- having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2317/95 of 25 September 1995 determining the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States ((OJ L 234, 3.10.1995, p. 1.)),

- having regard to its opinion of 21 April 1994 on the proposal for a Council Decision, based on Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, establishing the Convention on the crossing of the external frontiers of the Member States, and particularly Amendment 3 therein ((OJ C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 351.)),

- having regard to the recommendation of the EU-Romania Joint Parliamentary Committee of 20 April 1995 ((PE 212.787, 20.4.1995.)),

A. whereas pursuant to Article 100c(1) of the EC Treaty the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, is to determine the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders,

B. whereas the European Community and its Member States have concluded Europe Agreements with six countries in Central and Eastern Europe (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania),

C. whereas, with the exception of Bulgaria and Romania, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe which are associated with the European Union do not appear on the list of countries whose nationals require visas ((OJ L 234, 3.10.1995, p. 3.)) which has been adopted by the Council,

1. Reiterates its view that the procedure for determining the countries whose nationals require visas must be based on objective criteria, which must be published;

2. Takes the view that those states which have signed an association agreement with the European Union with a view to accession should also be treated equally with regard to visa questions as a matter of principle, and considers that the visa-free movement of persons between those countries and the European Union should be the rule;

3. Calls on the Council and Commission to indicate why nationals of Bulgaria and Romania require visas, to make it possible to assess whether the reasons for this measure are sufficiently serious to warrant it;

4. Observes that, where exceptions are made to these fundamental principles, reasons must be stated, and that the exceptions should apply only for the inevitably brief transitional period during which the grounds for them persist;

5. Calls on the Council and Commission, therefore, to review the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the list of countries whose nationals require visas and initiate negotiations with both countries with a view to determining and implementing the necessary measures to achieve the aim of visa-free movement of persons as soon as possible;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the countries which are candidates for accession.
B4-1258 and 1292/95

Resolution on the heavy storms in Liguria

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the disastrous floods that have struck various parts of northern Italy, in particular Liguria and the city of Genoa, over the last few years,

B. whereas the region of Liguria, in particular the area around Savona, in the west of the region, was badly hit by the heavy storms which struck on Monday, 25 September 1995, causing many injuries and damaging the environment and infrastructures,

C. whereas the storms caused most damage to the industrial triangle formed by the valley of Vado Ligure, Quiliano and Valleggia, causing rivers and streams to overflow, thereby flooding roads and many businesses, houses, warehouses, shops and cellars,

D. whereas many people were also cut off by the flooding, leaving workers unable to work and farmers unable to harvest their crops; whereas stretches of motorway were buried under thousands of metres of soil from landslips and the historic city centre of Savona was flooded (some parts being under 50 cm of water), leading to billions of lire worth of damage,

E. whereas these are the fourth floods in four years (the last being only a few weeks ago); whereas they have been an overall disaster, causing deaths and also serious damage to the environment, the economy and communications systems,

F. whereas these cannot be said to be isolated incidents, as they are recurring at ever-frequent intervals, and whereas these disasters are due not only to the particular nature of the territory concerned but also to human blunders,

The European Parliament,

1. Expresses its sympathy for the inhabitants of the areas in question;

2. Urges the Commission to implement an emergency action plan as soon as possible, as part of a new regional planning policy, so as to activate all the specific aid initiatives required;

3. Calls on the Commission to implement an effective strategy for preventing and combating such disasters in accordance with Article 130r of the EC Treaty, which stipulates that action should be taken to prevent the causes of environmental damage rather than dealing solely with the consequences of such damage;

4. Calls on the Commission to use all the means at its disposal (including financial) to support local and regional government bodies and the Italian Government in undertaking the necessary regional planning reorganization projects and in relaunching productive and commercial activity and repairing housing in the region concerned;

5. Urges the Commission to assist those who have suffered material damage in order that they receive compensation as swiftly as possible;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the regional and local authorities concerned.
B4-1247, 1257, 1264 and 1285/95

Resolution on the case of Francisco Chaviano González

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the fifteen-year prison sentence imposed on Francisco Chaviano González, President of the Cuban Council for Civil Rights,

B. whereas this sentence was passed by a military court,

C. whereas the prisoner has been on hunger strike since 12 September 1995,

D. concerned at information that the conditions under which Francisco Chaviano is being held are particularly distressing,

E. whereas, according to reports by Amnesty International, there are hundreds of political prisoners of conscience in Cuba,

The European Parliament,

1. Calls on the Cuban authorities to review the case and ensure that this Cuban citizen is tried by a civilian court with all guarantees for his defence;

2. Demands that until the outcome of his trial is known, Francisco Chaviano should be released, as should the other political prisoners;

3. Calls on the Commission and the Council to convey to the Cuban authorities their deep concern regarding the detention of prisoners of conscience in Cuba;

4. Insists that the entire Cuban penal code should comply with the principles universally recognized in the Declaration adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, which also entails the abolition of the death penalty;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Cuba.
B4-1375, 1379 and 1396/95

Resolution on the case of Mrs Boussouf and the assassination of Mr M'Barek

The European Parliament,

A. having been informed of the threats against Mrs Malika Boussouf, an Algerian journalist,

B. concerned about the safety of a number of journalists and writers,

C. whereas a real democracy must try to promote and defend the rule of law, pluralism and freedom of expression; whereas efforts to combat terrorism can in no circumstances justify the suppression of these elementary rights,

D. condemning the murder of Mr Mahiou M'Barek, a member of the executive of the Socialist Forces Front (FFS) one of the mainstays of democratic opposition in Algeria, who was shot dead in front of his house on 4 November 1995,

The European Parliament,

1. Calls on the Algerian authorities to ensure the safety of Mrs Boussouf and of all journalists working in Algeria;

2. Expresses its condolences to the family of Mr M'Barek and to the FFS;

3. Calls on the Council and Commission to ensure in the months to come and in forthcoming agreements that the Algerian Government guarantees respect for democracy and freedom of opinion and expression in its country;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Algerian Government.
B4-1115, 1117, 1124, 1159 and 1179/95

Resolution on forest fires in the Canary Islands, Minorca and Tarragona

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the very serious forest fires which have occurred: on the island of Minorca at the end of August 1995, which was caused by lightning; in the Canary Islands, where in July 1995 alone fires destroyed an area of over 1000 hectares on the island of Tenerife; and in the Sierra de Cardó (Tarragona), affecting the municipalities of Perelló, Rasquera, Tibenys and Tortosa,

B. whereas the loss of pine and holm-oak woods in the devastated area in the Mercadal district, regarded as one of the 'green lungs' of the island of Minorca, is difficult to assess; whereas the same applies to the destructive impact of the fire that broke out on Mount Esperanza (Santa Cruz de Tenerife),

C. whereas, because Minorca is an island, the ecological consequences of the fire there will be considerable and more complex,

D. whereas the Sierra de Cardó is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty because of its flora and fauna, and the matter thus concerns the plan to develop rural tourism and improve navigability of the Ebro,

E. whereas the persistent drought constitutes a particularly high risk factor,

F. whereas Protocol 15 to the EC Treaty states that the Community cohesion funds will apply to environmental projects as well as the trans-European networks,

G. whereas Declaration 26 attached to the Treaty on European Union provides for special consideration to be given to the outermost regions of the Community on account of their remote or island nature,

The European Parliament,

1. Expresses its utmost sympathy with the victims of these disasters and calls on the Commission to grant emergency special financial aid to the municipalities affected by the fires;

2. Calls on the Commission to set up special brigades, in the context of civil protection, to provide coordinated and effective support to complement the necessarily limited resources available for fire protection in the Community's island regions; also calls on the Commission to consider the possibility of carrying out studies aimed at preserving the forests in the regions of the Union most vulnerable to forest fires;

3. Calls on the Commission and Council to use all possible economic measures, pursuant to Regulation 2158/92, to assist regeneration and reafforestation in the areas damaged by the fires;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the Regional Government of the Canary Islands, the Regional Government of Catalonia, the Minorca Island Council and the councils of the municipalities referred to in this resolution.
B4-1254 and 1290/95

Resolution on the outbreak of cholera in Cape Verde

The European Parliament,

A. whereas the outbreak of cholera in Cape Verde, principally in Praia, the capital, has caused some 220 deaths and widespread infection, with over 10 000 cases already identified,

B. aware of the existence of unsatisfactory conditions in the hospitals of Cape Verde, particularly the lack of technical equipment and human resources, which makes it difficult to treat victims or to prevent the spread of the epidemic,

C. noting that the Cape Verde authorities are mounting effective action to combat the epidemic, and concerned at the inadequate hygiene conditions in many parts of the country, which increases the vulnerability of the population to outbreaks of disease,

D. whereas cholera epidemics regularly claim many victims in Africa,

E. whereas the response to epidemic crises is piecemeal, since no international coordination currently exists to guarantee efficient and rapid aid in disasters of this kind, resulting in a certain amount of confusion and occasionally a wasteful scattering of resources,

F. stressing that Cape Verde's cooperation with the European Union has always been exemplary,

The European Parliament,

1. Extends its sympathy to the victims of cholera in Cape Verde and their families;

2. Voices its concern at the cholera epidemic in Cape Verde, particularly in Praia and on the island of São Vicente, and acknowledges the urgent need to take vigorous measures to control infection;

3. Calls on the Commission and Council to consult the Executive Committee of the WHO with a view to initiating procedures which will allow emergency measures to be taken within the framework of the Organization's powers and resources to tackle situations which call for immediate intervention;

4. Calls on the Commission to maintain its strategic aid to Cape Verde and provide special emergency aid to help it combat the cholera epidemic;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, to the Government of the Republic of Cape Verde and to the WHO.
B4-0179, 0191, 0195, 0199 and 0227/96

Resolution on the arrest of Alexander Nikitin

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolution of 16 November 1995 on the harassment of the Bellona Foundation by Russian security authorities ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 8(a).)),

A. whereas the Russian Federal Security Bureau arrested Alexander Nikitin, a co-worker of the Bellona Foundation, on 6 February 1996 and subsequently charged him with espionage against the Russian State under Article 64 of the Russian Constitution,

B. whereas the maximum penalty on conviction for this offence is death,

C. whereas the Commission has publicly recognised the value of the scientific research carried out by members of the Bellona Foundation in connection with the storage of nuclear waste,

D. whereas the TACIS Programme for 1996 is largely concentrated on the problem of nuclear pollution in north-west Russia, which is one of the most poisoned regions of the world,

E. whereas by joining the Council of Europe, Russia has once again undertaken to respect human rights to which she is committed by her membership of the OSCE and the UN,

1. Calls on the Russian authorities to provide a full and detailed explanation of all the charges made against Alexander Nikitin and to investigate the reasons for his arrest by the Federal Security Bureau;

2. Calls on the Commission to take immediate action through its mission in Moscow to investigate the reasons for this action and calls on the Council to take up this persecution of a scientific researcher with vigour;

3. Calls on the Commission to make clear to the Russian Government that such actions against environmental research can only make the task of cleansing Russia of the immense burden of pollution left by the Soviet Government more difficult and are thus in contradiction with the aims of the Partnership Agreement and the TACIS Programme;

4. Instructs its Delegation for Relations with Russia to raise this matter at the earliest opportunity with their Russian colleagues;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Russia, the Government of Norway and the Bellona Foundation.
B4-0173, 0257 and 0258/96

Resolution on the crisis in the EU salmon market

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the crisis in the salmon sector, in particular its resolution of 15 December 1995 ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 20.)),

- having regard to Chapter 4, Articles 112 - 114 of the EEA Agreement entitled 'Safeguard Measures', which was the legal basis used for the introduction of a minimum import price on 15 December 1995,

A. whereas the dumping of Norwegian salmon on the European market, which has been going on since 1989, has resulted in price instability in the EU salmon market with a knock-on effect on other fish products throughout the European Union,

B. whereas evidence called for by the Commission shows that the minimum import price introduced under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2907/95 of 15 December 1995 making the release for free circulation of salmon of EEA origin conditional upon observance of a floor price ((OJ L 304, 16.12.1995, p. 38.)) has failed to halt the continued decline in the price of salmon,

C. whereas imports of Norwegian salmon into the European Union remain high,

D. whereas the price of salmon on the market is now even lower than the minimum import price,

E. whereas Norwegian salmon production is set to increase further in 1996,

F. whereas salmon production, in particular in Scotland and Ireland, is a vital source of employment, particularly in many rural and peripheral maritime areas; whereas price stability is essential for the future of the industry,

G. whereas the crisis in the salmon aquaculture industry has been a recurring theme for many years which has never been adressed in a comprehensive way,

1. Calls on the Commission to acknowledge that the imposition of a minimum import price has failed in its aim of restabilising the EU salmon market;

2. Calls on the Commission to take urgent action to restore market stability by introducing quantitative restrictions on EU imports of Norwegian salmon, in accordance with the provisions of the EEA Agreement on 'Safeguard Measures';

3. Calls on the Commission to work with the industry in the European Union and the Norwegian authorities to seek longer term stability for salmon production;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Norwegian Government.
B4-0174, 0185, 0186, 0189 and 0201/96

Resolution on the posting of workers and transfer of pension rights

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council for a Directive on the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (COM(91)0230),

- having regard to its opinion thereon at first reading on 10 February 1993 ((OJ C 72, 15.3.1993, p. 85.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 15 June 1995 on the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services ((OJ C 166, 3.7.1995, p. 123.)),

A. whereas the definition of the common social rules applicable in the case of posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services within the Community is an essential aspect of the Union's social policy which should accompany the single market,

B. whereas it has become apparent in certain Member States and sectors that Community legislation is urgently required on the posting of workers,

C. whereas the new proposal for an agreement put forward by the Italian Presidency, which has been welcomed by most Member States, could contribute to a solution in the forthcoming months, under the Italian or the Irish Presidency,

1. Welcomes the proposal for an agreement put forward by the Italian Presidency, in particular the decision to apply the 'zero threshold' which will lead to the immediate application of the existing national legislation;

2. Repeats its call to the Commission and Council to include in the agreement all areas of provision of services without exception, to prevent problems of social dumping;

3. Calls on the Council to agree that the wages and leave entitlement of posted workers should be governed by the principle of lex locis;

4. Recalls the need for a Union-level solution to the problem of the posting of workers, since national legislation can only provide insufficient guarantees as regards the Union-wide harmonization of workers' rights;

5. Calls on the Commission to take a fresh look at the possibility of making occupational pensions transferable within the EU; recalls that the absence of legislation to cover cross-border transfers of occupational pensions is an obstacle to the free movement of workers within the EU;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council.
B4-0711/96

Resolution on the human rights situation in Morocco

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights violations and missing persons in Morocco, as well as its resolutions on the conflict in Western Sahara,

A. whereas Morocco has ratified the international conventions on human rights and against torture,

B. having regard to the decision by the United Nations Security Council to reduce its staff and forces in Western Sahara and the consequences this may have,

C. whereas, under the present circumstances, the suspension of the process for preparing the referendum is jeopardizing the peace plan,

D. wishing to see the European Union and Morocco succeed in developing their relations, with a view to institutionalizing the political dialogue needed in order to meet the common challenges in the Mediterranean, while supporting the general objectives of the new Mediterranean policy as contained in the Euro-Mediterranean Agreements,

1. Expresses concern at the human rights situation in Morocco;

2. Calls on the European Union, the Member States and Morocco to support unreservedly a wide-ranging and ongoing dialogue aimed at promoting respect for human rights and freedoms and calls on the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front to do all in their power to reach a swift solution to the problem of Western Sahara, in full compliance with the United Nations resolutions;

3. Notes the wish expressed by the United Nations Security Council that the Moroccan authorities and the Polisario Front should intensify their direct dialogue in order to overcome the obstacles to the process of preparing the referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara;

4. Calls on the Commission to monitor constantly respect for human rights and moves towards democracy in Morocco and asks it to submit a report to the European Parliament on the human rights situation and the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement at least once a year;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Morocco.