ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2147/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: Liberia

With reference to Liberia, will the Commission draw up a list of projects approved for financing under the EU budget in 2001 and state the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1998/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 July 2002)

Subject: Micronesia

With respect to Micronesia, can the Commission specify the projects funded from the EU budget in 2000?

Can it state the total amounts granted in aid over 2000 under all the headings referring to that country?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1280/02

by Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 April 2002)

Subject: Siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

On 2 April about 230 armed Palestinians, including 30 militiamen, entered the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to take shelter from the advancing Israeli troops. Scores of Palestinian civilians, as well as Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian priests and nuns, are currently inside the complex.

The people trapped in the Church of the Nativity have repeatedly complained about the sanitary conditions now prevailing in the buildings. The bodies of two Palestinians shot dead by Israeli army snipers have been left in the complex for more than a week.

How does the Union, and especially the High Representative responsible for foreign policy, propose to deal with the extremely serious matter of the military siege of the Church of the Nativity?

Does the Commission not believe that impartial international guarantees should be provided to establish a channel or safe conduct for delivery of the most urgent relief supplies (such as food and medicines) to those under siege?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(3 June 2002)

The Commission would like to refer to the fact that the situation of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was resolved on 10 May with the help of EU representatives.

Regarding the Union's and in particular the High Representative's involvement the Commission would suggest that this question be redirected to the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1643/02

by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: South Tyrol and EU enlargement

Must the Italian province of South Tyrol expect cuts in funding following the planned EU enlargement?

If so, in what areas?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 2002)

For the 2000-06 programming period part of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano is eligible under Objective 2. The Structural Fund contribution to the programme is EUR 32 400 000. The Trentino-Alto Adige Region also has rural development eligibility (part-financing by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guarantee Section) and for that purpose EUR 118 670 000 has been assigned to Bolzano Province for the same period.

These sums remain unchanged up to the end of 2006 even though enlargement is expected to begin before than. For the period after 2006, the Commission has launched a wide debate on the future of Union cohesion policy with publication of the second Cohesion Report in January 2001. Parliament has been deeply involved in the discussions on this subject and has given a number of formal opinions on various aspects of the subject. The Commission's cohesion policy proposals, including those for regions not lagging behind in development, will be made in the third Cohesion Report to be published at the end of 2003.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2153/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: Mali

With reference to Mali, will the Commission draw up a list of projects approved for financing under the EU budget in 2001 and state the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2291/02

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Council

(25 July 2002)

Subject: Rule of law in Austria

Is the Council aware of the case of Mr Shalom Weiss, a US citizen convicted of fraud in Miami in 1999 and sentenced to 845 years in prison, who had sought refuge from this inhumane sentence in Austria?

Is the Council aware that the Austrian Minister of Justice handed over Mr Weiss into American custody before Mr Weiss's appeal against deportation had completed the appropriate procedures and despite an injunction from the Administrative Court forbidding his extradition?

Is the Council aware that the European Court of Human Rights had indicated that interim measures should be adopted pursuant to Rule 39 of its Rules of Procedure, and asked Austria to ensure that Mr Weiss was not extradited pending its examination of the case?

Is the Council aware that the United Nations Human Rights Committee had also issued interim measures asking Austria not to deport Mr Weiss while it examined the human rights issues under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?

Does the Council consider such conduct to be compatible with Austria's commitment to the principles of liberty, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law as set out in Article 6 of the EU Treaty?

Reply

(16-19 December 2002)

The questions raised by the Honourable Member of Parliament concern issues for which a Member State is responsible. The Council has no competence in these matters.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1908/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 July 2002)

Subject: Guinea Bissau

With regard to Guinea Bissau, what projects received funding under the EU Budget in 2000?

How much aid did that country receive, in total, in 2000?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2360/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: Air Safety in the light of the Überlingen disaster

Following the collision of a Russian airliner and a cargo aircraft over Überlingen at the beginning of July in which seventy-one people, mostly children, were killed, a number of system failures were identified. These included the switching-off of a collision warning system

as well as a telephone system at the Zurich headquarters of the Swiss air-traffic control authorities as well as an unauthorised absence of one of the duty controllers at the time of the crash. In addition, there are reports that the radar used by the Swiss authorities did not meet standards laid-down by Eurocontrol.

Without prejudice to the findings of the accident investigators, what lessons does the Commission believe the European Union can learn from the disaster, and what impact does the Commission believe the Single Sky proposals would have, with particular reference to the quality of ground radar and onboard collision warning systems?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2002)

According to the information available at present, the accident occurred in a sector of airspace above German territory but managed by Swiss air traffic control, as provided for in an agreement between the two countries, at a moment when there was not much air traffic in that area and shortly after the aircraft had crossed the boundary separating the German sector and the sector controlled by Switzerland, i.e. the transfer of the Russian aircraft from one centre to another. The Commission proposals on the Single European Sky(1) package include measures to harmonise the definition of upper airspace and establish functional airspace blocks, which should in the long run reduce the number of times aircraft have to be transferred from one control centre to another and optimise the transfer procedure. Transfer represents a break in continuity, and, as such, a risk factor.

The Commission proposal on the interoperability of the European air traffic control network (part of the Single European Sky package) will also have a positive impact on ground equipment (radar). The development of interoperable equipment and procedures will benefit the aviation industry throughout Europe. Switzerland is involved in the Single European Sky initiative, and under the Community/Switzerland agreement it will adopt part of the Community acquis in the field of air transport.

Within the framework of its research policy, the Commission has for several years been supporting work on tools which will give pilots a much clearer picture of the flight environment and improve the standard and relevance of the information supplied to pilots and air traffic controllers. The introduction of these new instruments and procedures should improve safety and at the same time free up spare capacity.

(1) COM(2001) 123 final and COM(2001) 564 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2460/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 September 2002)

Subject: Beach cleanliness

Will the Commission estimate the proportion of EU bathing beaches approved as meeting minimum standards of water cleanliness in each year for the last five years?

Joint answerto Written Questions P-2459/02 and E-2460/02given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 2002)

The 1976 Bathing Water Directive (Council Directive 76/160/EEC of 8 December 1975 concerning the quality of bathing water(1)) reflects the state of knowledge and experience of the early 1970s, both as regards the technical-scientific basis, the managerial approach and the involvement of the public. This is one of the reasons why the Commission is scheduled to make a proposal to revise the Directive.

The water quality standards which will be brought forward in the new Directive are based on recent World Health Organisation (WHO) research and represent the latest scientific/technical knowledge.

Every year before the start of the bathing season, the Commission publishes a report on the quality of 19 000 bathing waters in the EU. The report publishes the degree of compliance of bathing waters with respect to two standards: the legally binding and imperative standard and the stricter guide standard, both defined by the above-mentioned 1976 Bathing Water Directive. The report is published in document form(2) and can also be found on the Internet(3).

Over the last five years, compliance figures for coastal and fresh water were as follows:

>TABLE>

The Commission refers to the report for more detailed figures and for a technical explanation of the imperative and guide values.

(1) OJ L 31, 5.2.1976.

(2) ISBN 92-894-3193-8, available from OPOCE.

(3) http://www.europa.eu.int/water/cgi-bin/bw.pl and http://www.europa.eu.int/water/water-bathing/report/eu.html.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1865/02

by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Council

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Special Olympics 2003 and creating an inclusive sporting environment

As the Council is aware, in 2003 the Special Olympics will be held in Ireland. Will the Council indicate how it intends to contribute to the success of this event which will be the biggest sporting event to be held in 2003 and what measures will it support in the future to ensure an inclusive sporting environment for all?

Reply

(16-19 December 2002)

The Council considers that measures and events, such as the Special Olympics to be held in Ireland in 2003, can be of great assistance in promoting equal opportunities, combating discrimination and ensuring an inclusive society. However, it should be pointed out that initiatives relating purely to sport do not fall within the scope of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

In this context it could however be mentioned that some Council decisions are related to ensuring an inclusive society for all, and thus, indirectly, an inclusive sporting environment.

For example, the year 2003 has been designated as the European Year of People with Disabilities. The Council Decision to that effect was adopted in November 2001(1). This Decision stresses the importance of promoting equal opportunities (in general) for disabled people in Europe.

At the moment the European Parliament and the Council are considering the Commission proposal concerning the establishment of the European Year of Education through Sport 2004(2). One of the objectives of the proposal (Article 2(5)) is to encourage reflection and discussion on what needs to be done to promote the social integration of the disadvantaged groups through sport in education.

(1) OJ L 335, 19.12.2001, p. 15.

(2) COM(2001) 584 final of 16.10.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1813/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 June 2002)

Subject: CITES

Is it the Commission's intention to press at the next opportunity to have the basking shark listed as having priority status as an endangered species under the CITES?

If so, how strongly does the Commission rate its chances of success?

Are there any steps which the European Parliament, parliaments in Member States, or individual parliamentarians should take with a view to improving the chances of success?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2002)

As the Community is not yet a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Commission does not have the authority to make proposals of its own.

Instead, proposals are brought forward by a Member State having been endorsed by all other Member States prior to their submission to the CITES Secretariat. They are then submitted to the Secretariat by the relevant Member State on behalf of the Member States of the European Community.

In the case of the Basking Shark, the United Kingdom, following agreement by the Community's CITES Management Committee, has submitted a revised proposal for the next CITES Conference of the Parties (to be held in Santiago, Chile, from 3-15 November 2002) to have the species listed on Appendix II of CITES. This was done in May 2002. The Commission fully supports this proposal both from an environmental and a fisheries perspective.

On the last occasion when the listing of this species was considered, the main objection raised was that this issue was more properly the responsibility of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). The proposal was narrowly defeated.

There are two factors that have changed since the last Conference of the Parties:

- FAO have in the meantime agreed an interpretation of the CITES selection criteria for commercial fish species and the proposal made on behalf of the Community Member States demonstrates that the basking shark meets these criteria;

- as a CITES Party, the United Kingdom has also consulted FAO and relevant Regional Fisheries Organisations and has not had any negative response.

Lobbying of those countries which expressed opposition at the last Conference by all those interested in the conservation of the basking shark could be helpful.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2708/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 September 2002)

Subject: Spanish national hydrological plan

Has the Commission now received a full response from the Spanish Government to all the questions asked by the Director-General Environment on 23 May 2002 regarding the Strategic Environmental Assessment supplied?

Have any questions not been answered to the Commission's satisfaction?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-2708/02 and E-2819/02given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

The Commission received the reply from the Spanish authorities at the end of July 2002. The documentation is quite detailed and technical and the Commission is still evaluating whether the material covers all the issues raised in the letter of 23 May 2002 from Directorate general Environment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1854/02

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Telecom Italia's acquisition of Telekom Serbia

Is the Commission aware that the UN investigation documents concerning Slobodan Milosevic's hidden assets, which were handed over to the Hague Tribunal, reveal that payments amounting to around EUR 500 million had been effected from Italy into offshore companies based in Cyprus?

Is the Commission aware that UN investigators have found that these payments derive from part of the sum paid for Telecom Italia's 29 % share in Telekom Serbia?

Does the Commission have any information which would be of use in the investigations into the financial sources of Milosevic's secret assets?

What initiatives is the Commission intending to undertake in order to help shed light on this issue?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 August 2002)

The Commission cooperates closely with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on issues relating to the implementation of the sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the tracing of FRY assets in the Member States and in the candidate countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2458/02

by Herman Vermeer (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 September 2002)

Subject: Special situation of small-scale fishing in extremely remote regions in the new common fisheries policy

Is the Commission aware of the situation of small-scale fishing in extremely remote regions such as the Azores? Because there is virtually no continental shelf on the coast of the Azores, local fishermen gain nothing from the 6 to 12 mile zone. They are involved in deep sea fishing and their fishing waters are therefore open. The small-scale fishing sector cannot compete with more industrial fishing and is no threat to it. Moreover, fish stocks appear to suffer little as a result of the small-scale fishing effort. Does the Commission recognise the small-scale and special character of this type of fishing?

Small-scale fishing in these areas is likely to disappear unless measures are taken. Is the Commission aware of the degree to which these areas are dependent on fishing of this kind? These regions are often largely dependent on small-scale fishing and appropriate alternatives are not always available. Is the Commission also aware of the working conditions and safety in this fishing fleet?

What measures and initiatives does the Commission envisage to protect this special fisheries sector and how are these measures reflected in the proposals for the new common fisheries policy? If the Commission will not be taking any measures, how does it justify its decision?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 2002)

In the context of the preparatory work of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) the needs of the outermost regions have always been taken fully into account, given the specific nature of the fisheries sector in these regions.

It should be noted in this regard that the Green Paper on the Future of the Common Fisheries Policy(1) refers to the approach that should be taken in order to provide support to these regions when adopting measures for the conservation and management of resources or within the framework of reinforcing the economic and social dimension of the CFP.

What is more, this approach is also explicitly mentioned in the document that the Commission presented to the Seville European Council (21 and 22 June 2002) regarding Article 299 of the EC Treaty and the implementation of the sustainable development strategy for the outermost regions.

In addition, the Commission has been able to meet with a delegation of representatives of the fisheries sector in the Azores. The meeting provided an opportunity to hold an in-depth exchange of views on the characteristics of the sector in the region. The information presented by the delegation, especially when combined with that given by the other outermost regions, provides a detailed basis for taking their needs into consideration in the context of the reform of the CFP, in line with the Commission's commitments.

(1) COM(2001) 135 final.