ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/658

(2004/C 78 E/0700)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3846/03

by Maj Theorin (PSE) to the Commission

(12 December 2003)

Subject: Women and conflict

The report on participation of women in peaceful conflict resolution adopted by Parliament in November 2000 (A5-0308/2000) describes how women are in all conflicts exposed to rape and other attacks but very seldom allowed to participate in the peace process. The UN report entitled Women, War and Peace' from 2002 covering the same subject as the above report proposes measures for empowering women.

What action is the Commission prepared to take to increase women's participation in the entire peace process?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

It is indeed necessary to take practical steps to ensure the full participation of women and the integration of the gender perspective in peace and security issues.

Within its areas of responsibility the Commission will continue to work to effectively address the gender aspects of crisis management and conflict prevention. The Commission's ‘twin track approach’ to gender mainstreaming ensures not only the integration of gender issues at the policy level, but also the support of specific gender programmes and projects. Moreover, all EU assistance includes the gender dimension as an assessment criteria. It should be noted that the Commission's approach to gender mainstreaming is subject to regular review and debate with the Member States.

Examples of practical steps the Commission has taken include support for specific actions — such as in Angola, where it has promoted the establishment of stronger links amongst women's groups, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and others; or in Cyprus, where it has supported inter-community initiatives launched by women; or in Afghanistan, where it has rehabilitated women's meeting places, such as hammams; or in Chechnya, where it has funded mother and child healthcare.

Additionally, the inclusion of a gender module in the core component of the Community's pilot courses for civilian crisis management is a concrete step toward sensitising policy makers on the importance of including a gender perspective in peace building missions. To date 260 experts have been trained by training institutions located in nine different Member States.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/71

(2004/C 78 E/0070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2051/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 June 2003)

Subject: Essential oils and consumer protection

The seventh amendment to the Cosmetics Directive went to some lengths to ensure that consumers were protected in relation to the use of essential oils. Such oils are included in products eaten by consumers, for example yoghurt with lavender oil. Would it not be consistent to put the same warning on such foods as on cosmetic products? Is the Commission proposing to do this? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products (1) does not restrict the use of essential oils as such in cosmetic products but requests the labelling of certain substances if they are present in cosmetic products above certain levels.

For the use of flavourings and food ingredients with flavouring properties (e.g. herbs and spices) in and on foods, Community legislation follows a different approach in order to protect human health. The Framework Directive 88/388/EEC on flavourings (2) prohibits the addition of substances as such to foods if they raise toxicological concern. For their unavoidable presence in flavoured/spiced foods due to their natural occurrence in plants, like common herbs, the Directive sets maximum levels. Essential oils fall under the definition of ‘flavouring preparations’ to which the limits for these substances also apply. Given this strict approach, Directive 2000/13/EC (3) does not request the labelling of specific names of substances, but requires to inform consumers about the presence of flavourings in food by the term ‘flavouring’.

At the request of the Commission, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) has evaluated a number of such naturally occurring substances during the past two years. The opinions are available from the web site ‘Flavourings’ of the Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/ fs/sfp/addit_flavor/flavourings/index_en.html).

On the basis of these opinions, the Commission is currently elaborating an update of the list of naturally occurring substances which should not be added as such to foods as well as an update of their maximum levels in foods. This update will be part of a proposal for a new framework regulation on flavourings which should replace Directive 88/388/EEC.

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2) Council Directive 88/388/EEC of 22 June 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to flavourings for use in foodstuffs and to source materials for their production, OJ L 184, 15.7.1988.

(3) Directive 2000/13/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs, OJ L 109, 6.5.2000.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/460

(2004/C 88 E/0472)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3319/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 November 2003)

Subject: Mines and migrants on the Greek-Turkish border

On numerous occasions in recent years, many migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Greek-Turkish border. Recently, seven Pakistanis were blown to pieces attempting to cross the Greek-Turkish border through a minefield. According to information from the Greek General Army Staff, since 1999 31 illegal immigrants have been killed by mines while attempting to enter Greece from Turkey.

Bearing in mind that the Greek-Turkish border is also the external border of the European Union, will the Commission say:

1. what view it takes of this situation in the light of Parliament's resolution on anti-personnel landmines (B5-0802/2000) (1) in which Parliament asks the European Union to commit itself to work towards the total elimination of anti-personnel landmines, and

2. what steps it will take to clear the minefields at its external (Greek-Turkish) borders, taking into account the international community's recognition of the prominent role played by the European Union and the fact that the Union offers its support for measures to deal with mines in all countries affected by them?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2003)

On 25 September 2003 Greece and Turkey formally joined the Mine Ban Treaty. The Commission hopes that this joint move will put an end to the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines on the border between the two countries.

In addition, as part of the confidence building measures agreed in the context of their bilateral relations, both countries have undertaken to clear their border areas from landmines as mentioned in the Commission's Regular Report of November 2001 (2).

Council Regulation (EC) No 1725/2001 of 23 July 2001 concerning action against anti-personnel landmines in third countries other than developing countries (3) does not apply to Member States.

(1) OJ C 197, 12.7.2001, p. 193.

(2) COM(2001) 700 final.

(3) OJ L 234, 1.9.2001.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/906

(2004/C 78 E/0957)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4052/03

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 January 2004)

Subject: Support for the various Churches

As part of the policy to protect the cultural heritage and the specific cultural characteristics of Member States, will the Commission say whether it provides concrete funding, through cultural or other programmes, for the restoration of places of worship, the conservation of icons and other church treasures and the development of religious monuments?

If so, does it have at its disposal a qualitative and quantitative survey of the measures which have received funding, broken down by action and country?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 2004)

The Commission does not administer any funding intended solely for the restoration or conservation of churches or church treasures.

The Commission would also like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that one of the objectives of the Culture 2000 programme is to encourage measures which enhance, at European level, the common cultural heritage of European significance, disseminate know-how and promote good practice concerning its conservation and safeguarding.

This programme supports projects which are jointly run and financed by at least three operators from a minimum of three countries participating in the programme.

The Honourable Member may wish to consult the website below for further information and a detailed list of all projects supported by the Culture 2000 programme in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (as well as the bodies in receipt of funding, the partners involved and the amounts awarded) (http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/indexen.html).
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/360

(2004/C 78 E/0379)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1141/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Infrastructural damage caused by landslides in Greece

Enormous infrastructural damage has been caused recently by widespread landslides in different parts of Greece, including the large scale destruction of homes and farmland, together with unexpectedly severe damage to recently constructed roads (for example, the new Corinth-Tripoli motorway).

The landslides could be connected with geological shifts affecting Greece as a whole, resulting from a number of factors, possibly including intense seismic activity. Has the Commission received any information from the Greek authorities regarding these landslides? What measures will the Commission take to establish the reasons for the continuing damage to infrastructural projects co-funded by the EU in Greece?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

The Commission refers the Honourable Member to its responses to written questions E-0492/03 by Mr Hatzidakis (1), E-0657/03 by Mr Alavanos (2) and E-0910/03 by Mr Trakatellis (3).

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 136.

(2) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 116.

(3) OJ C 11 E, 15.1.2004, p. 154.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/233

(2004/C 84 E/0276)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3313/03

by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Council

(3 November 2003)

Subject: Negotiations on the EU Constitutional Treaty

On 25 October 2003, it was revealed that, at the informal Ecofin meeting in Stresa, Finance Ministers had been working on substantial changes to the EU Constitutional Treaty, drafted by the European Convention, which were then recorded in the paper, ‘Drafting suggestions on Articles of interest to Ecofin ministers, reflecting a high degree of consensus reached at the Informal Ecofin in Stresa’.

Why are these suggestions treated as confidential and not published immediately, or when did they officially become publicly accessible?

Does the Council Presidency consider it appropriate for Ecofin to take up a position in this way?

Can the Council state which EU Finance Ministers supported these suggestions at the Ecofin meeting in Stresa?

Reply

(9 March 2004)

The Council has not taken any formal position on the draft Constitutional Treaty or on any issues for discussion in the intergovernmental conference, in which the Council as an institution has no role. The paper to which the Member refers relates to an Informal meeting of Ministers of Economy and Finance.

Following discussions at that informal meeting, the Presidency communicated, the outcome of the Ministers' discussions to the President of the intergovernmental conference.

In preparing its documentation for IGC discussions, the IGC President highlighted those points which were discussed by Finance Ministers, — as indicated in document CIG 37/03 Presid 3 of 24 October 2003, which is publicly available.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/466

(2004/C 88 E/0480)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3521/03

by Anne Van Lancker (PSE) to the Commission

(25 November 2003)

Subject: Human rights violations in the USA

Fernando González, Rene González, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labanino and Antonio Guerrero are five Cubans currently imprisoned in the USA for, amongst other things, conspiracy to commit espionage and conspiracy to commit murder. They had, in fact, infiltrated Cuban organisations in Miami in order to prevent terrorist attacks on Cuba. The trial of the five Cubans was held in Miami. With a Cuban immigrant community largely hostile to the Cuban Government, the city cannot be considered a neutral venue for such a trial. Holding the trial there thus constitutes a violation of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the US Constitution. They were convicted without any evidence. On the basis of this information, 105 British MPs signed a motion calling for a review of the case. In addition, the wives of two of those convicted who have already been in prison for five years (Gerardo Hernández and Rene González) have, to date, been denied the right to visit their husbands. Amnesty International has already condemned the denial of visiting rights.

Is the Commission aware of the above? Will the Commission bring this matter to the attention of the US Administration in the context of its relations with the USA?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2004)

The Union has taken no position with regard to the specific case referred to by the Honourable Member. As a general rule, the Union does not intervene in individual cases except where the death penalty is invoked, and where the case falls under the guidelines established by the Council's Common Position of 29 June 1998.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/434

(2004/C 88 E/0439)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701/03

by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Child protection funding in Bulgaria

With regard to pre-accession funding for Bulgaria, what amounts have been allocated for projects relating to child protection and welfare, and what proposals have been submitted for more resources to be targeted on this area?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 2003)

As outlined in the Commission's Regular Report 2002 (1) on Bulgaria's progress towards accession, Bulgaria needs to continue to strengthen its efforts in reform of the child care system, ensuring that the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child is fully respected, that the best interests of the child are reflected and that children are placed in institutions only as a last resort.

The Commission supports Bulgaria's efforts in this area through pre-accession funding. A Phare project entitled ‘Child Welfare Reform’, with EUR 3,5 million of funding from Phare and; and Bulgarian co-financing of EUR 0,5 million, is already being implemented, largely through twinning. The project aims to assist the authorities to improve policies towards socially marginalised children (including a significant number of Roma children and children with disabilities). It provides support and training to relevant bodies at national and regional levels and seeks to promote the development of alternative forms of childcare as well as supporting the reform of the management and care of children in a number of selected homes.

Another project has been agreed, in principle, under pre-accession assistance provided for in 2003, namely ‘Improvement of quality of life of people with mental disabilities’ (Phare budget: EUR 2 million; Bulgarian co-financing: EUR 0,67 million). This project aims to support the development and improvement of alternative medical, social and educational services for both children and adults with mental disabilities.

A number of projects provide indirect support to child protection in Bulgaria e.g. the project ‘Roma Population Integration’ (Phare budget: EUR 1,65 million). This seeks to improve school attendance by Roma children by removing economic and cultural barriers at pre-school and primary level, increase the number of skilled teachers working in a multi-cultural environment and introduce a nationwide multicultural content revised curriculum. There are also projects related to civil society which include project activities in the area of social integration of vulnerable groups.

Finally, further pre-accession assistance is envisaged in the framework of multi-annual programming 2004-2006. Relevant proposals from the Bulgarian authorities are expected in the near future.

The Commission will continue to closely follow developments in this area, working closely with other major donors and international agencies such as the World Bank and UN Development Programme (DP).

(1) COM(2002) 700 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/766

(2004/C 78 E/0816)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2926/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Council

(6 October 2003)

Subject: Urgent need to expand voluntary fire services

Mediterranean countries have again been hit this summer by devastating forest and bush fires. Large numbers of people have fallen victim to fires in Portugal and the south of France, which have been unusually frequent and have affected an unusually wide area. Enormous damage has also been caused both to the natural environment and the economy. It was only by deploying large numbers of personnel, and thanks to the help of numerous volunteers, that the fires were able to be brought under control. Discussions on the possibility of promoting the use of voluntary fire services date back to 1996.

To what extent is expansion of voluntary fire services, such as already exist in the South Tyrol, Austria and Germany, planned? Is such expansion also supported in Mediterranean countries?

Reply

(4 March 2004)

The Council would refer the Honourable Member in particular to its reply to question E-2624/03, put to the Council by Michel-Ange Scarbonchi, concerning civil protection against forest fires.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/275

(2004/C 78 E/0277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3385/03

by Karin Junker (PSE) to the Commission

(17 November 2003)

Subject: Use of metal detectors in archaeology

The use of metal detectors in the field of archaeology, controversial among experts, is subject to different rules in the various EU Member States. With the entry of a further 10 countries in May 2004, the differences will be even greater. In some Member States, it is already an offence to possess some kinds of metal probes, while in others it is not, leading to differing legal situations in the individual Member States.

What are the various rules in the Member States? Does a Community legal basis exist in this area? If not, does the Commission feel it necessary, bearing in mind the subsidiarity principle, to assess the situation with the aim of harmonising the rules in the Member States by means of European rules? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2003)

The Commission has no competence regarding the use of metal-detectors in the field of archaeology. In order to obtain information on the use of these devices in the various Member States, the Honourable Member should therefore contact the competent national authorities directly.

At Community level, the EC Treaty does not provide any legal basis for the adoption of rules on the use of metal-detectors in the field of archaeology.

The Commission therefore does not intend to consider and/or propose any provisions at European level to regulate this field of activity.

Article 151 of the EC Treaty empowers the Community to encourage cooperation between Member States in the field of culture but specifically rules out ‘any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States’.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/473

(2004/C 88 E/0485)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3591/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Côte d'Ivoire — the war breaks out again

The rebel forces controlling the northern part of Côte d'Ivoire yesterday announced a state of emergency in the regions where they operate, and accused President Laurent Gbagbo of getting ready to resume fighting the war which was interrupted at the beginning of this year.

Disagreements about a government of national unity have brought the two sides to the brink of fresh fighting, four months after the official ending of the conflict.

Politicians from other West African countries have attempted to save the peace process, but the rebels, who walked out of the ‘transition executive’ in September, are now accusing the President of planning to attack the towns of Man and Bouaké.

The Commission:

— is it following this fresh upsurge of conflict in Côte d'Ivoire? What impact will a resumption of the fighting have on political stability in that part of the world;

— is it in contact with the two sides? What means is it using in order to try to bring pressure on them to put an end to this situation, and to encourage them to reach agreement;

— what steps has it taken or does it intend to take with regard to ensuring the safety of EU citizens resident in Côte d'Ivoire?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2004)

The Commission is following closely the evolution of the political situation in Côte d'Ivoire, both from headquarters and through its Delegation in Abidjan. At headquarters, in addition to a daily monitoring of the situation, an ad hoc Task Force on Côte d'Ivoire headed by the Director for West and Central Africa, meets regularly. It is composed of representatives of all the concerned Directorates General of the Commission. In Abidjan, a Political Adviser has recently been appointed at the Delegation, and the Head of Delegation is one of the 13 members of the Monitoring Committee of the Marcoussis Agreement, which meets at least once a week.

Through the Monitoring Committee of the Marcoussis Agreement, the Commission is in contact with the two sides. Furthermore, President Prodi visited Abidjan on 13 November 2003: he met President Ggbabo, Prime Minister Diarra and members of his government, the Monitoring Committee of the Marcoussis Agreement and the ten political forces signatories of the Marcoussis Agreement. He stressed the necessity to reach agreement between them solves and that the Union was willing to disburse its aid to the country, but would do it only when peace is reached, which means that the disarmament process has to be launched and the country has to be reunified. He urged the New Forces to come back to the Council of Ministers and President Gbagbo and the government to fully implement the Marcoussis Agreement.

This matter remains within the competence of the Member States: the Commission does not have at its disposal the logistic means to ensure the safety of the Union citizens in third countries.