ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0156/01

by Jean-Maurice Dehousse (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Consequences of the merger trend in the airline company sector

The air transport sector has been characterised recently by a new trend towards mergers: Trans World Airlines has been acquired by American Airlines and U.S. Airways has been divided up between American Airlines and United Airlines. Furthermore, the press has announced that the Commission had provisionally approved these mergers on 12 January.

1. Will this merger trend affect the transatlantic market and will it influence the European market?

2. What would the consequences be in that case?

3. Is a similar trend likely to develop with regard to the European companies?

4. What will the consequences be for airline companies affiliated to the ones involved in the transactions (i.e. the six European companies affiliated to United Airlines through Star Alliance)?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2001)

1., 2. and 4. As the Honourable Member points out, there have recently been two mergers in the air transport sector in the United States: US Airways has been acquired by United Airlines and Trans World Airlines (TWA) has been acquired by American Airlines.

Although such transactions must comply with the turnover thresholds specified in Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 of 21 December 1989 on the control of concentrations between undertakings(1), they are subject to prior notification to the Commission under the Community competition rules.

United Airlines' acquisition of US Airways was duly notified to the Commission, which authorised it (subject to certain conditions) on 12 January 2001. More details of that transaction are available in the decision adopted by the Commission (Case COMP/M.2041) and published on the Internet(2).

For the effects of the merger on certain transatlantic markets or on the Star Alliance, see paragraphs 35-73 of the decision.

By contrast, TWA's acquisition by American Airlines was not notified to the Commission since the turnover thresholds specified in the Regulation were apparently not exceeded.

3. To date, the Commission has not been informed of any developments of this kind among European airlines.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989; the Regulation was amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 of 30 June 1997 (OJ L 180, 9.7.1997).

(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m2041_en.pdf.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0868/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Visits of Taiwanese government officials to the EU

Can the Commission confirm whether it is EU policy not to allow Taiwanese government officials to visit any EU Member State? If this is the case, can the Commission reveal who took the decision?

Moreover, can the Commission explain why such a decision was taken and is still in force today, since Taiwan is a strong democratic state with amicable ties with the EU, while the PRC has repeatedly been criticised over its human rights violations?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2001)

There is no Union policy to deny entry visas to Taiwanese government officials.

Under Council Regulation (EC) No 574/1999 of 12 March 1999 determining the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Members States(1), Taiwanese citizens required entry visas when travelling to the Member States.

The new Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of 15 March 2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement(2), which replaces Regulation No 574/1999, entered into force on 10 April 2001. The new negotiation, which maintains the visa obligation for Taiwanese citizens, is not applied by Ireland and the United Kingdom. They are free to review their policy in the matter should they so wish.

For the Member States which apply the Schengen acquis(3), decisions on the granting of individual short stay visas are made according to the rules of the Schengen Convention and the Common consular instructions. These rules require an individual assessment of every application. The consular services must verify, in particular, whether the applicant fulfils the conditions for entry as specified by the Schengen Convention (e.g. the applicant must be in possession of a valid travel document, have sufficient means of subsistence, shall not be a person for whom an alert has been issued for the purpose of refusing entry, shall not be considered to be a threat to public policy, national security or the international relations of any of the Member States applying the Convention).

Decisions on visa refusals may have been taken vis-à-vis Taiwanese citizens, in common with decisions concerning other third country nationals, in cases where the above-mentioned conditions for entry were not fulfilled.

It should also be mentioned that a Schengen visa is valid for all Member States (Ireland and United Kingdom excepted) and for Iceland and Norway.

(1) OJ L 72, 18.3.1999.

(2) OJ L 81, 21.3.2001.

(3) All Member States, except Ireland and United Kingdom.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0391/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Subject: FYROM/Greece: ecological damage to Lake Dojran

There has been a huge drop in the water level of Lake Dojran, which borders the FYROM and Greece, over the past 20 years (5-8 metres). According to various experts as well as local people, too much water is being pumped from the lake by the Greeks for irrigating fields. A number of publications have been drawing attention to this problem since the 1980s. It is not possible at present to assess the scale of the ecological damage.

1. To what extent has agreement been reached between the FYROM and Greece concerning use of water from Lake Dojran?

2. Does such agreement cover ecological aspects, and are there water lifting quotas based on the water level of the lake?

3. What is being done to repair the damage already observed?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2001)

The Commission has not been informed by the Greek Government of the existence of a bilateral agreement with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia concerning the use of water from Lake Doirani (Dojran).

The Commission has financed an initial diagnostic study for Lake Doirani (Dojran) as part of the PHARE cross-border cooperation (CBC) programme. The study is a precursor to addressing the technical issues, identifying the cause of the serious reduction in the water level and proposing remedial action through a lake management plan.

There is as yet no specific project for Lake Doirani (Dojran) which, co-financed through the Structural Funds, might aim to repair any environmental damage. Interest in such action has nonetheless been expressed by both countries within the framework of the abovementioned PHARE CBC programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1254/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) and María Rodríguez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(26 April 2001)

Subject: Use of dehydrated alfalfa for animal feed

Following the banning of meal of animal origin because of BSE disease, dehydrated alfalfa looks to be one of the most viable alternatives for feeding to cattle. Increasing the cultivation of this kind of fodder, of which five million tonnes are produced per year at present, could be the way of avoiding an increase in imports of genetically modified soya from third countries.

According to the European Inter-Union Committee for Dehydrated Foodstuffs (CIDE) alfalfa is preferable to soya for its nutritional qualities, financial viability, environmental properties and ease of traceability.

What is the Commission's view of the use of dehydrated alfalfa as an alternative to meal of animal origin for feeding to livestock?

Would the Commission be disposed to increase the volume of aid to this sector?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2001)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on options to promote the cultivation of plant proteins in the EU(1) and the working paper on which the latter is based(2). While dehydrated alfalfa clearly has merits from the agricultural viewpoint and in terms of nutritional value in animal feed, the extra aid needed would generate additional expenditure and the average opportunity costs per extra tonne soya oilcake-equivalent seem to be relatively high.

(1) COM(2001) 148 final.

(2) SEC(2001) 431.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0850/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Prior notification of fiscal policy actions

Will the Commission indicate whether it believes that the Finance Ministers of the Member States should notify the Commission of proposed fiscal policy actions before they take them and, if so, why?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2001)

In its Communication on strengthening economic policy co-ordination within the euro area(1), the Commission proposed that the principle of informing beforehand other members of the euro area and the Commission, before adopting an economic policy measure, should form part of a set of rules of conduct outlined in the Communication.

This pre-informing should take place at the Eurogroup or at the Eurogroup working party of the Economic and Financial Committee, and should provide the authorities of the Member State concerned with the reactions or the messages even before the finalisation of the measure at hand.

Similarly, the main points of the stability programmes should be transmitted to the Commission before their adoption by the Member States.

The Commission has indicated with its Communication that the principle that Member States inform beforehand the Eurogroup and the Commission of proposed fiscal policy actions before they take them is important as it allows to assess national policies in the light of the economic situation of the euro area as a whole and consider the repercussions on other European Monetary Union (EMU) participants.

(1) COM(2001) 82 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0133/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Schemes to vary national demand

Is the Commission aware of any schemes operating in the Member States of the euro area which have the effect of varying demand nationally in order to escape the full consequences of an interest rate and exchange rate operating only for the euro area as a whole?

Will it describe any such schemes?

Does the Commission see any legal or other impediment to:

(a) the variation of capital charges in the banking sector in order to guard against the higher risk of, for example, property lending;

(b) the variation of tax reliefs or mandatory contributions to pension funds depending on the cyclical position of the economy;

(c) the taxation or tax relief of interest payments within the territory of a Member State depending on the projection of the economic cycle?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(17 May 2001)

In the Community banking sector minimal compulsory capital charges to address risks to the financial system are established by directives at European level. National authorities may impose higher charges in order to guard against higher risks. If, however, this increased charges were to be introduced with the objective of influencing demand growth in a Member State economy, it could be interpreted as acting contrary to the EC Treaty provisions on the free movement of capital in the cross-border provision of financial services. Any such barrier would require justification under the relevant EC Treaty provisions.

Under the subsidiarity principle Member States are free to decide on the parameters of their domestic pension systems, including the potential variation of pension contribution rates as long as they are applied in a non-discriminatory manner. History shows a number of examples when governments have reduced unit labour costs through a reduction of indirect labour costs thus causing the real exchange rate to depreciate (the Honourable Member is referred to an Annex which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat). However, such tax measures are generally taken for structural and not conjunctural reasons.

Although Member States are free to decide on their tax structure as long as it is applied in a non-discriminatory manner, it would be very difficult to vary interest taxation according to the cyclical position of a Member State. Given the lags involved, modifying interest taxation for cyclical purposes would imply rather distortive effects on financial markets.

Moreover, the provision of tax relief, e.g. for mortgage payments, should be considered as a structural measure. Changing it for cyclical reasons could distort private sector decisions as these are based upon long term factors.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0481/01

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Falun Gong

Has the Council registered its strong disapproval to the Chinese authorities regarding their treatment of Falun Gong practitioners? If so, what response has it received?

Joint answer to Written Questions P-0444/01 and P-0481/01

(10 July 2001)

The restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in China are a recurrent item on the agenda of the EU-China human rights dialogue. The issue was identified by the Council in its conclusions of 22 and 23 January 2001 as one of the specific areas in which the EU considers that the dialogue process should secure progress.

The EU has on several occasions expressed its deep concern to the Chinese authorities regarding the measures taken against followers of religious and spiritual movements, including Falun Gong practitioners. This matter was also discussed at the last round of the human rights dialogue which took place on 22 and 23 February in Stockholm. In fact, on 2 February the Troika in Beijing carried out a demarche in preparation for the upcoming round of the EU-China human rights dialogue. The EU side gave the Chines authorities a list of individual cases requesting that clemency measures be taken, and in that context orally mentioned the names of Falun Gong followers Li Xiaobing, Li Xiaomei and Yu Changxin.

There is little information on the fate of Falun Gong detainees. The Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy counted 98 such deaths nation-wide between July 1999 and mid-January 2001. It should be noted that 46 have occurred since October 2000, suggesting an increase in the incidence of mistreatment of followers in recent months. According to the Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, around 450 have been sentenced by courts, several hundred have been committed to psychiatric institutions, and as many as 10 000 are currently serving re-education labour sentences.

The EU's position is that it does not want to engage in a discussion on the nature of the movement, but that restrictions of freedom of religion and belief and freedom of assembly should be lifted and that the human rights of all, including followers of Falun Gong, should be respected.

In its conclusions of 19 May 2001, the General Affairs Council stated that it was particularly concerned about the lack of respect for fundamental freedoms in China, including the freedom of expression, religion and association, and about the ongoing violations of human rights, in particular of Falun Gong followers. In the same conclusions, the Council agreed the approach to be adopted with regard to the United States' decision to table a draft resolution on human rights in China at the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0263/01 by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Council. Right of Resale.



Official Journal 340 E , 04/12/2001 P. 0016 - 0016



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0263/01 by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Council (14 February 2001) Subject: Right of Resale In the event of a resale involving persons liable to two or more national VAT and/or sales tax regimes, how is the sale price net of tax to be calculated for the purposes of the draft Directive on the Right of Resale? In the event that the VAT/sales tax treatment rules have yet to be agreed, on what basis will the right be calculated? Joint answer to Written Questions E-0257/01, E-0259/01, E-0261/01 and E-0263/01 (13 July 2001) The questions asked by the Honourable Member relate to matters which remain the responsibility of the Member States and answers will therefore depend on the measures adopted by Member States when implementing the Directive on the resale right for the benefit of the author of an original work of art, as well as on other relevant provisions of national law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0227/01

by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission

(5 February 2001)

Subject: Freedom of movement for the disabled

Disabled persons' organisations complain that because of administrative hurdles disabled persons have great difficulty in exercising their right to freedom of movement and freedom to choose their place of work within the EU. In particular, when disabled persons return to their country of origin there are problems because the social service benefits, previously paid in the country of origin and suspended for the duration of the period of residence abroad, can only be taken up again after laborious fresh application procedures.

1. Is the Commission aware of such legal and administrative hurdles making it difficult for disabled persons to exercise their right of freedom of movement?

2. Does the Commission see any way of removing these obstacles?

3. Does the Commission have any plans for legislation to do away with such problems and, if so, when can a legislative proposal be expected?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2001)

The Commission has not received any complaint concerning legal and administrative hurdles making it difficult for disabled persons to exercise their right to freedom of movement or their freedom to choose their place of work within the Community.

If the Honourable Member has information about any specific cases, she is invited to forward it to the Commission. This would enable an investigation to be carried out to see if any infringement of Community-law has occurred and, if so, to decide what measures should be taken.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1550/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 May 2001)

Subject: Building of a radar station on Ipsarion on the island of Thassos

The Ministry for Civil Aviation and the Ministry for Transport have decided to build a 130 m2 radar station in a 3 000 m2. enclosure on the mountain of Ipsarion on the island of Thassos, an area protected under the Natura 2000 network, thereby provoking complaints from the mayor of Thassos and local residents concerning the adverse environmental impact of the project, the threat to the continued existence of protected plant species and the danger from electromagnetic radiation.

The local residents have registered a complaint with the public prosecutor's office in Kavala, alleging that in connection with the project, a number of irregularities have occurred, such as failure to observe the environmental regulations issued by the Prefecture, failure to obtain the necessary authorisation from the archaeological authorities and infringement of environmental protection legislation.

In order to protect the area, which is classified as being of outstanding natural beauty, can the Commission provide the following information:

1. Have possible alternative locations for the radar been considered?

2. Can it investigate whether the works being carried out on Ipsarion are in accordance with environmental protection legislation such as Directive 92/43/EEC(1) and, if this is not the case, can it take action to prevent the installation of the radar and have the area restored?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2001)

The Greek authorities have proposed Mount Ypsarion on Thassos as a site for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Accordingly, they must see to it that the site's conservation value is not compromised by activities undertaken there.

The Commission is unable to tell the Honourable Member whether alternative solutions have been examined for the project in question, as such examination falls primarily within the jurisdiction of the Member States. Nonetheless, in order that it may examine the reported situation properly, the Commission would ask the Honourable Member to provide more detailed information on the project's potential impact on the site.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0719/01

by Frédérique Ries (ELDR) to the Council

(14 March 2001)

Subject: Transnationally abducted children and the case of the Limet/de Brouwer children in Kenya

In 1994, Marie de Brouwer, a Belgian citizen, left Belgium to start a new life in Kenya and separated from her husband and her three children.

The custody of the three children was awarded to the father, Olivier Limet and confirmed by the Brussels Court of Appeal in 1997.

Since 9 August 1998, Mrs de Brouwer, who in the meantime acquired Kenyan citizenship, has refused to return the children to their father and has prevented any contact between the children on the one hand and their father and close relations in Belgium on the other.

The Belgian Courts have issued an international warrant for the arrest of Mrs de Brouwer and an extradition order against her on the grounds of hostage taking. They have also condemned her to a jail sentence.

The Kenyan authorities, through their attorney-general, have issued legal objections to the Belgian Courts' decision and have placed the children under the protection of the Kenyan Court.

Since the summer of 1998, the three children have not seen their father.

Could this case be raised in meetings with Kenyan officials at all levels and the Kenyan authorities be invited to do their utmost to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties involved, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that every child has the right to maintain direct contact with both parents if separated from one or both?

Reply

(13 July 2001)

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that the European Community has neither signed nor ratified the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Nor has the European Community concluded bilateral agreements with third States containing provisions relating to child abduction.

The matter is therefore one for examination at the level of the arrangements in force between the Member States and third States.