ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0892/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Subsidies for the Sensus police project

Commissioner Erkki Liikanen's reply to question P-0009/01(1) was that on 25 May 1999 a new Commission decision (E/696/99) was adopted which amended the original decision in such a way as to allow Europol to take part in the Sensus project. The original decision established rules for the fourth framework programme of the European Economic Community for Community actions in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (1994-1998).

Was the original decision amended at the request of:

- EU Member States,

- law enforcement and security services such as the German federal security service (Bundesnachrichtendienst) and the front organisation, the Amt für Auslandsfragen, and/or

- Europol?

If so, what Member States or law enforcement and security services were involved?

If not, at whose request was the original decision amended by the Commission on 25 May 1999?

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 154.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2001)

The Commission would have to point out that the original decision (Commission Evaluation Decision E/1791/97), which was amended by the new Commission decision (E/696/99) concerned the evaluation of projects for future funding and did not establish the rules for the fourth framework programme as the Honourable member indicates in his question.

Europol's anticipated involvement in Sensus is referred to in the initial project work programme. However, their participation as a contractor was delayed by the fact that Europol's charter had not been ratified by all Member States at that time, and therefore there was no legal entity that could sign a contract.

The request for a Commission decision (E/696/99) to allow Europol's involvement after its charter had entered into force - required according to Article 7, indent 8 of Council Decision 94/801/EC of 23 November 1994 adopting a specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration in the field of telematics applications of common interest (1994 to 1998)(1), because of the status of Europol as an international organisation - was initiated by the unit responsible for the contract, according to the rules and procedures governing the Fourth Framework Programme (see the Commission's reply to the Honourable Member's written question E-1066/01(2)).

(1) OJ L 334, 22.12.1994.

(2) See p. 19.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1400/01

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Council

(7 May 2001)

Subject: Situation in Turkish prisons

In its resolution of 18 January 2001 Parliament called on the Turkish authorities to take the necessary legal and administrative measures forthwith to put an end to the dire situation in Turkish prisons, and urged Turkey to respect its obligations as a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights and the international conventions on torture. Three months on, however, the situation has deteriorated. According to reliable information, 49 people have died, dozens have suffered permanent damage to their health, and the number on hunger strike has risen to 2000.

Given that Parliament's appeal to the Turkish Government and the Council of Europe's representations have been ignored, what immediate measures will the Council take to make it clear to Turkey that respect for human rights and the rule of law are a condition of any cooperative relations between that country and the European Union?

Reply

(27 November 2001)

The Council deeply regrets that the hunger strikes have led to loss of life. Turkey has adopted new laws, which inter alia reduce the isolation of prisoners. Further measures to improve prison standards are in preparation. The Council recalls the medium term undertakings given by Turkey in the framework of the Accession Partnership in relation to adjusting detention conditions in prisons to bring them into line with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and other international norms.

More generally, the Council reiterates the priority undertakings given in the short term, in the same context, to:

- strengthen legal provisions and undertake all necessary measures to reinforce the fight against torture practices, and ensure compliance with the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture.

- further align legal procedures concerning pre-trial detention with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and with recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture.

The EU will continue to press for the early entry into force and full and genuine implementation of these measures including implementing fully the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture issued in January 2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1914/01

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2001)

Subject: Incentives for undertakings to adapt to the euro

With only eight months left before the single European currency comes into circulation, the proportion of undertakings in the EU that have adapted to the euro remains a mere one-third: for many businesses, the euro is something to be dealt with in due course rather than an immediate cause for concern.

However, concrete measures are required to bridge the present gap and to provide incentives for undertakings so that the cost of adaptation to the euro (between EUR 2 000 and EUR 6 000) can be subsidised.

What action does the Commission intend to take to create incentives to help those undertakings which have still not adapted to the euro to do so by providing subsidies of some kind to meet the adaptation costs?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2001)

The Ministers of Finance have adopted the general principle that each participant is to cover the costs it incurs when switching to the euro. Within the limits of this framework, many Member States have decided to cover the one-off costs arising from the introduction and withdrawal of banknotes and coins (e.g. the costs of handling, counting and transporting them) and even to take tax measures to facilitate the adaptation of cash registers (accelerated depreciation, deduction of charges, etc). Measures of this kind are the responsibility of the national authorities, not the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1466/01

by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Council

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Aggression against cultural traditions in Afghanistan

The destruction of the pre-Islamic statues of Buddha dating back to the second century BC is not only an attack on mankind's cultural heritage, perpetuating a cultural disaster which started with the damage inflicted on the archaeological finds in the museum of Kabul, it is also a symptom of a form of fanaticism which goes way beyond religious feeling and threatens to continue, regardless of the many appeals launched from various parts of the world.

What action will the Council take to safeguard the artistic and cultural heritage threatened by the present regime in Afghanistan?

What steps does it intend to take to stem this religious fanaticism?

What steps will it take to strengthen dialogue with the local authorities?

What cooperation measures does it intend to launch internationally, especially with countries such as Pakistan, the Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which have recognised the Taleban government, in order to try to find scope for agreement?

Reply

(20 November 2001)

1. When the Taliban regime announced its intention to destroy cultural artefacts in Afghanistan, the Council immediately reacted and tried to prevent the destruction of the rich cultural heritage. Several demarches were carried out, including with the Taliban Foreign Minister Mutawakil, in Pakistan, in Saudi Arabia and in Abu Dhabi. The Council also firmly condemned the ordered destruction in its declaration of 1 March 2001. Unfortunately, the Taliban, once again, turned out to be completely insensitive to the combined international pressure and unanimous condemnation, including by other Islamic countries, of their barbaric acts.

2. The Council will obviously keep up efforts to prevent any further deterioration of the situation, without, however, having unrealistic expectations as to the chances to influence the Taliban's unacceptable behaviour. As set out in the Common Position of January 2001, the Council will also continue to promote an end to the fighting in Afghanistan and a negotiated political settlement between the warring factions. To this end, the Council will continue to raise the issue of Afghanistan during the regular political dialogue meetings with neighbouring countries, inviting them to use whatever influence they have to bring about a change in the country.

3. As to the other problems raised in the question, the Council has already repeatedly and extensively informed the European Parliament of its position concerning various aspects of the situation in Afghanistan. In the absence of particular new developments, the Council therefore invites the Honourable MEP to revert to the replies given to questions O-0032/2001, O-0052/2001, H-0170/2001, H-0481/2001 and E-0088/2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1468/01

by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Council

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Women and society in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan the Taleban introduced an ultra-fundamentalist regime based on religious fundamentalism and sex discrimination.

The civil war, which has been raging in the country for years, has created more than 5 million refugees, more than one million disabled people and widespread poverty.

Women are in a majority in a country which has more than 700 000 widows. Their families live in abject poverty made worse by the edicts of the Taleban forbidding women to work outside the home.

The ban on even elementary education for women is aggravating the already high incidence of illiteracy and subjugation.

Whilst women are certainly those most affected by restrictions which are tantamount to a continual violation of human rights, the general state of civil society is also extremely bad.

What steps will the Council take to offer support to the population oppressed by the present regime?

What steps will it take at international level to ensure respect for civil and human rights?

What steps has it taken in the context of international relations to prevent the supply of arms to and the training of the fundamentalists from being supplied with arms and trained?

Reply

(20 November 2001)

In reply to various oral and written questions over the past weeks and months, the Council has repeatedly and extensively informed the European Parliament of its position concerning various aspects of the Afghan problems, and in particular of action taken in respect to the humanitarian crisis and regarding the alleviation of suffering of Afghan women. In the absence of particular new developments, the Council therefore invites the Honourable MEP to revert to the replies given to questions O-0032/2001, O-0052/2001, H-0170/2001, H-0481/2001 and E-0088/2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2713/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Subject: Failure to recognise diplomas from the Technical and Vocational Teacher Training Institute (Selete) as university diplomas in Greece

The Technical and Vocational Teacher Training Institute (Selete) in Greece provides four-year courses designed to educate and train staff to teach within secondary technical and vocational education. However, the Inter-University Centre for the Recognition of Degrees acquired Abroad (Dikatsa) does not recognise the postgraduate diplomas of graduates of the institute if their postgraduate studies are completed in other European Union countries. It should be noted that other teacher training institutes (for nursery teachers, primary teachers and professors) are treated differently.

Is the policy pursued by Dikatsa in accordance with Community Directive 89/48/EEC(1), and, if not, what action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Greece complies with the above directive?

(1) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989, p. 16.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2001)

The matter raised by the Honourable Member concerns the recognition of foreign post graduate diplomas in Greece. Apparently these diplomas are only recognized by the Greek authority responsible for academic recognition (Dikatsa) when the applicants have graduated in certain Greek universities. They are not recognised when applicants have graduated in the Selete school. The non-recognition appears to be connected to the legal position of the Selete school in the national education system, as compared to other Greek schools. Under Article 149 (ex Article 126) of the EC Treaty, each Member State is responsible for the content of teaching and the organization of its own education system. This matter, therefore, does not fall within the scope of Community law.

In this instance, there does not appear to be a breach of Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years' duration. The Directive has laid down a general system for the recognition of qualifications to ensure access to regulated professions in the different Member States. It seems, however, that in this instance there is no problem to gain access to the teaching profession in Greece for those who have graduated from the Selete school. The recognition of qualifications for purposes other than access to a regulated profession in a Member State does not fall within the scope of the Directive.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1517/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Postponement of European elections

Could the Council outline the procedure and likely timescale required for postponement of European elections to be agreed should circumstances arise in any Member State that meant there would be an impediment to political campaigning through reasons of public health concerns or similar?

Reply

(21 November 2001)

Under existing legislation, namely the Act concerning the election of European Parliament representatives by direct universal suffrage annexed to the Council Decision of 20 September 1976, the procedure for setting the dates for European elections is clear.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 10(1) of the aforementioned Act, the Council determined the period during which the dates of the first elections to the European Parliament were to be set, namely 7 to 10 June 1979. Subsequent elections take place in the corresponding period in the last year of the five-year legislative period.

However, under Article 10 it is possible to determine another period for the dates of European elections. This period may be not more than one month before or one month after the period corresponding to that fixed for the first elections. Any such decision must be taken by the Council, acting unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1639/01

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Council

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Advance distribution of euros to the general public

The action group Euro 50 Group, chaired by Mr Edmond Alphandéry, former French Minister for Economic and Financial Affairs, has just met in Berlin to assess how prepared the euro zone is for the introduction of the common currency on 1 January 2002. It was ascertained that most of the cash dispensers in the countries concerned have only two drawers for the denominations to be distributed. In real terms this means that the dispensers will not be able to supply 5 and 10 notes as well as 20 and 50 notes. It is these large denominations which will be distributed to the public. This situation is likely to lead to a shortage of small denominations at the beginning of 2002, which will make the task of commerce more difficult when the euro is introduced.

Why is the Council not willing to allow the general public to acquire in advance, for example between Christmas 2001 and 1 January 2002, a set of two 5 banknotes and one 10 banknote, by analogy with the set of coins worth a total of 20 which the general public will be able to obtain in the various countries before the end of December 2001?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1637/01 and E-1639/01

(26 November 2001)

The Ministers, meeting informally, are not empowered to take decisions instead of the Council. However, at such a meeting they may comment publicly on subjects of common interest.

At an informal meeting in Versailles in September 2000, the Ministers and Central Banks Governors did discuss problems concerning the introduction of the euro, especially the suggestions regarding frontloading, although they did not consider it advisable that the ECB should amend the frontloading procedures provided for in its Guideline of 10 January 2001 on the 2002 cash changeover.

It should be pointed out that, under Article 106 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the ECB has the exclusive right to authorise the issue of banknotes within the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2759/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Single and double bulkheads inside road tankers

Swedish is said to have been warned in late June 1998 for not accepting the import of road tankers with single bulkheads. According to newspaper reports, the Commission maintained that the Swedish double bulkhead requirement was unjustified on safety grounds.

Are these newspaper reports true? Will the Commission give further details and describe its views on the matter?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 2001)

The Commission launched a 226 procedure after having received complaints demonstrating that only double wall tankers were allowed in Sweden. Typically such a requirement would be considered as infringing Article 28 (ex Article 30) of the EC Treaty. After contacts with the Swedish authorities, they certified that no rule or practice in Sweden imposes a ban on single wall tankers. Consequently the case was closed.

The Swedish authorities clarified that in roadworthiness tests, it was prescribed that certain simultaneous loading of different substances was not allowed, thus creating the impression that trailers with two tankers but with single walls were not allowed to be imported or used.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1415/01

by James Nicholson (PPE-DE) to the Council

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Religious persecution in Laos

Concerns have been expressed regarding a continuing campaign to force people to renounce their Christian faith.

Would the Council indicate what representations have been made to the Government of Laos and what undertakings have been received regarding the protection of the religious freedom of Christians in Laos?

Reply

(21 November 2001)

The European Union has emphasised in the UN Commission on Human Rights the need for the Government of Laos to respect religious freedom. Furthermore, the EU raised the issue of religious freedom at the second session of the EC/Lao PDR Joint Committee in Brussels on 15 and 16 May 2001.

The EU has also welcomed the signing by Laos of the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and that on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It has offered to help Laos in the implementation of these two Covenants.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2172/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(20 July 2001)

Subject: Plans for an operational riot police unit for the whole of the EU

Following the Gothenburg Summit in June 2001, there has been talk in various quarters of the need for a riot police unit to guard and protect summit meetings wherever they take place in the Union.

A working party is now about to look into this matter. Does the Council consider there to be a need to add to Europol's activities by creating a riot police unit and tasking it with gathering intelligence on potential perpetrators of acts of violence in connection with summit meetings?

Reply

(29 November 2001)

The Honourable Member of the European Parliament is informed that following the Gothenburg Summit and the riots that took place during that summit, the Council (Justice and Home Affairs) met on 13 July 2001 to discuss the issue.

At that meeting it was agreed that the cooperation between law enforcement authorities should be improved. Neither at the aforementioned Council meeting nor in any other Council body has the creation of a riot police unit been suggested. Consequently, no working party is looking into this issue nor is it relevant to address the competencies of Europol in this respect.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1950/01

by Johannes Swoboda (PSE) to the Council

(12 July 2001)

Subject: Ratification of the Traffic Protocol

When will the ratification of the Traffic Protocol be on the agenda of the Council of Ministers of Transport?

Reply

(26 November 2001)

The Council informs the Honourable Parliamentarian that it has received a Proposal for a Council Decision on the signature, on behalf of the European Community, of the Protocol on the Implementation of the Alpine Convention in the field of Transport. It has not yet received a Proposal for a Council Decision regarding the conclusion of this Protocol.

The Council recognises the importance of this Protocol for all contracting parties, including the European Community. Hence, it is aware that its signature on behalf of the Community would constitute a significant political signal to all other contracting parties.

Therefore, the Council assures the Honourable Parliamentarian of its intention to deploy all efforts with a view to the adoption of the Council Decision pertaining to the signature of the Protocol in question within a reasonable time limit. The date for the adoption of said Decision has not been scheduled yet.