ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2670/99

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 January 2000)

Subject: Resignation of the Director-General of Social Affairs and Employment

We have heard that the Director-General of Social Affairs and Employment has recently resigned.

Could the Commission provide information concerning the reasons for this resignation and the impact which the resignation will have on the establishment of the Commission's position during the preparations for the Lisbon Council meeting on employment and competitiveness in Europe?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2000)

Allan Larsson, the Director-general of the Employment and social affairs Directorate general, has not resigned. Mr Larsson has announced his intention to leave the Commission when he completes five years in his post later this year, as he is entitled to do.

The Commission is currently preparing its contribution to the Lisbon European Council. All services are contributing in the normal way.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2137/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Ban on BADGE and BFDGE used as paints for tins

The Belgian federation has recently withdrawn from sale tins of sardines and tuna because of the possibly harmful effect of the chemical paint used for coating the tins.

Analyses conducted by the consumer organisation Test-Aankoop show that 50-65 % of the food in the tins investigated had been polluted with the chemical substances BADGE (biphenol-A-dyglycidylether) and BFDGE (biphenol-F-dyglycidylether).

BADGE is used as the innermost coating in tins. BFDGE is related to BADGE but may not be used on substances which come into contract with food. Nevertheless, Test-Aankoop found traces of BFDGE in 65 % of the tins analysed.

Given that imports of tins of sardines and tuna are not confined to the Belgian federation:

1. Is the Commission aware of similar BADGE and/or BFDGE problems in the other Member States of the European Union? If so, what action has been taken to remove contaminated food from shops? If not, will the Commission request Member States to carry out careful checks on the presence of BADGE and/or BFDGE in tinned food?

2. Is the Commission drafting a directive banning BADGE and BFDGE as innermost coating for tins? If so, what is the main thrust of this directive? If not, is the Commission prepared to issue a ban on the use of BADGE and BFDGE as coating layers for tins containing food, in the light of the carcinogenic effect of the two substances?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 1999)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2296/99

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(30 November 1999)

Subject: Humanitarian aid for Iraq

According to the Financial Times, the USA and the United Kingdom are applying pressure on the UN Secretary-General to replace the present humanitarian aid coordinator, Mr von Sponeck, because he dared publicise the devastating results of the sanctions which have been applied against the population of Iraq for the last nine years.

Given that the previous UN envoy to Baghdad was removed for exactly the same reasons and that according to current estimates 5 000 children are dying every day due to a shortage of basic medicines, will the Council say whether it intends to take initiatives with a view to ensuring that the provision of humanitarian aid to Iraq is no longer conditional upon its meeting the demand for complete disarmament? Does it agree that the position taken by the United States and the United Kingdom vis-à-vis Iraq shows the contempt with which the governments of these countries view the UN, which has become an organisation without substance which is unable to get its instructions obeyed?

Reply

(13 March 2000)

The Council notes that the UN Secretary-General recently extended for another six months the mandate of the UN humanitarian aid coordinator.

The EU fully implements all existing UN Security Council resolutions pertaining to Iraq, including those relating to the oil-for-food programme. It has urged Iraq to co-operate fully with the UN. The Council notes that Security Council Resolution 1284, adopted on 17 December 1999, aims to expand and improve the oil-for-food programme.

The Council does not share the views expressed in the last sentence of the Honourable Member's question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1901/99

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: Raphael Programme (1996-2000)

Will the Commission state what agencies (public or private), institutions, companies, cooperatives and individuals have been allocated funding (specifying whether payments have already been made) under Raphael, the Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage (1996-2000) (budget ECU 67 million, equal to LIT 130 billion) and how much each of them has been granted?

Has it checked how the amounts have actually been used and whether the proposed measures have been successfully implemented?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1999)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the Raphael programme was adopted at the end of 1997 by the Parliament and the Council with a global allocation of ECU 30 million and for a four year period, 1997-2000. However, in view of the adoption of the framework Culture 2000 programme, 1999 was the last year of the implementation of the Raphael programme.

In response to the first part of the question, the Commission is sending a list directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

As to the second part of the question, the selected projects are followed-up through intermediate and final reports and the financial contributions granted are given only after verification and acceptance of these reports by the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1926/99

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 November 1999)

Subject: Shortcomings in the Casa de Campo improvement project in Madrid

On 31 March, 20 November 1997 and, more recently, 1 October 1999, the civic association Save the Casa de Campo wrote to DG XVI of the Commission setting out the numerous shortcomings that, in their opinion, were affecting the implementation of project 95.11.61.021-E relating to the development of degraded areas and general improvements to the environment of the Casa de Campo park, financed by the Cohesion Funds and carried out by Madrid city council's environmental department.

In particular, the two much trumpeted dams in the Meaques river built in the first phase of the project; these simply turned into foul-smelling stagnant ponds producing hordes of mosquitoes, quite contrary to their initial purpose, as provided for in the project, namely keeping the watercourse biologically clean. These two dams were later destroyed.

Furthermore, on 28 February 1998, the Madrid city council approved the Second Integrated Improvement of Madrid Scheme, also financed by the Cohesion Fund, which included various plans relating to the conditioning of the Meaques river, at a cost of 388 million pesetas, and the construction of four more dams.

Could the Commission check whether the construction and destruction of these dams has not been paid for twice over? Has the project been delayed, and if so, for what reason? What are the reasons for modifying the project to include the creation of new car parks, instead of implementing measures to control the risk of soil erosion? Why have historical and environmental features not been restored as in the case of the historical adobe wall built in the 18th Century? Why has the daily traffic flow of more than 50 000 cars across the Casa de Campo park not been restricted, in view of its detrimental effect on the environment?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 November 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2244/99

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 December 1999)

Subject: Employees of the central banks of the Member States

Please state the number of qualified economists (possessing a higher degree in economics at an institution of higher education) practising as economists in each of the national central banks and in the ECB.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission (which is unfortunately unable to supply the information requested).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1836/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 October 1999)

Subject: Utilisation of Objective 2 funds for aid for Greece

In the debate in Parliament on granting emergency aid to Athens to address the consequences of the earthquake, Commissioner Kinnock, voicing the Commission's view, stated that the Commission would examine jointly with the Greek Government the possibility of using Objective 2 funds for this purpose.

Given that Greece has been classified as Objective 1, will the Commission say how the regions affected by the earthquake will be given aid from Objective 2 funds? Was the Commissioner referring to the current Community Support Framework? Are there any proposals which the Commission would like to unveil?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 1999)

The Honourable Member's question must be based on a misunderstanding because the whole of Greece is eligible under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds, during both the current programming period and the next period, 2000-2006.

Any aid given by the Structural Funds to the disaster regions as a result of the earthquake of 7 September 1999 will therefore be granted from operational programmes under either this Community support framework or the next. The Commission is awaiting specific proposals from the Greek authorities on this point.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1589/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Aid to the families of victims of the bomb attack on the Yugoslav television headquarters

The Commission has decided to earmark 700 000 for assistance in repairing damage to the mass media caused by the war in Yugoslavia. During the bombing of Belgrade on 23 April 1999, the television headquarters was hit with the result that dozens of employees were either killed or injured.

Does the Commission intend to earmark some of the above funds to assist families of the victims of the bomb attack on the television headquarters?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

No. Moreover, funds from the relevant budget line could not be used for the purposes suggested by the Honourable Member. The 700 000 in additional assistance for the independent media in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), announced by the Commission on 25 June 1999, is designed to support displaced journalists, the establishment of independent media, and to ensure the provision of accurate information into the FRY, where the press have been subject to severe repression.

Two web-sites are being supported, to enable journalists to produce independent information, and for the citizens of the FRY to receive it. Digital satellite equipment is in the process of being granted to television stations across the whole region, to make possible the reception of daily European programmes. Assistance is being given to journalists from Kosovo, to help them resume their work. A daily information service for returned refugees, in cooperation with humanitarian agencies, is also being supported.

The Commission has so far contributed 56,1 million in humanitarian assistance to Serbia during 1999, most of which is for basic food and hygiene aid, as well as shelter for refugees and those displaced within the country. Recipients of assistance are determined by humanitarian criteria, following a careful assessment of needs.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1575/99

by Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) and Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Regional Development Programme (RDP)

In view of the regional and local elections which coincide with the timetable for the preparation of the various RDPs in Spain, does the Commission intend to extend the planned deadline for the subsmission of RDPs for the period 2000-2006 so as to facilitate an institutional consensus and the consultation of the social partners with regard to the RDPs?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1574/99 and E-1575/99 given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 1999)

The second subparagraph of Article 15(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1) states that the regional development plans must be submitted, unless otherwise agreed with the Member State concerned, not later than four months after the list of eligible Objective 1 regions has been drawn up. As the Commission adopted that list on 1 July 1999, the deadline for submitting the Objective 1 plans is 1 November 1999. At the Member State's request and if the Commission agrees, this deadline can be extended to facilitate preparation of the plan.

(1) OJ L 162, 26.6.1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1640/99

by Norbert Glante (PSE) to the Commission

(22 September 1999)

Subject: Allowing applications from German Landkreise for twinning assistance

The current programme to assist town twinning schemes is intended to help bring together the people of Europe with a view to overcoming the differences that divide them. According to the report on assistance by the European Commission for 1999, applications from German Landkreise (rural districts) for category I projects eligible for assistance, covering town twinning projects bringing citizens together, are not allowed.

Under the local government arrangements laid down in Germany's constitution, Landkreise belong to the category of local authorities, and in that respect are equal in status to cities and municipalities. German Landkreise cooperate both with local authorities in the other Member States and the newly-formed rural districts in CEECs in projects to bring citizens together, and make a valuable contribution to building a strong Europe.

1. Does the Commission consider the unequal way in which cities and municipalities, on the one hand, and German Landkreise, on the other, are treated to be legal?

2. If so, what is the justification for treating them differently?

3. Does the Commission intend to amend the criteria for assistance for town twinning projects to bring citizens together (category I projects) for the year 2000 in order to make German Landkreise eligible to apply?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1999)

The criteria applied with regard to the allocation of funding under the Community town twinning programme were decided by the Commission in close consultation with the representatives of the various Parliament committees and the national associations of local authorities, meeting in the Council of European Municipalities and Regions. These criteria are revised annually and are listed in a widely-distributed note on the subject of Commission assistance for town twinning.

At the last consultation meeting on 8 December 1998, it was decided that, because of the funds available, it would not be appropriate to include Landkreise under category I of this programme in 1999. However, the note states that twinning activities involving towns in the same region may benefit from assistance under category II.

The criteria for 2000 will be decided at the conference on European Town Twinning for the Third Millennium to be held in Bilbao on 3-5 December 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2186/99

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 November 1999)

Subject: Infringement of Community Customs Code

Community customs legislation applies to the transport, transit and storage in free zones of Community goods to which (and to which only) the provisions concerning simplified procedures and formalities apply.

In Greece, the local customs offices and the customs authorities are jointly responsible with the Piraeus Port Authority for implementing Community Regulations and the Community Customs Code.

Obviously, the transit and temporary storage of the goods within the free zones does not change the rules governing the goods in transit and does not affect their being subject to the simplified procedures.

Companies in the business of transporting Community goods have repeatedly asked the customs authorities, particularly those in Piraeus and the Piraeus Port Authority, for permission to use wharves in the port of Piraeus or any other location for unloading Community goods where the simplified procedures for the transit and storage of Community freight apply, so that the companies concerned can avoid moving their goods several times and incurring higher costs and delays, etc.

Both the customs authorities and the Piraeus Port Authority have put forward various reasons for not applying these procedures to Community goods in transit or storage.

Will the Commission investigate the arrangements for the transit and storage of Community goods and the failure to apply the simplified procedures in cases where those procedures must be applied?

What measures will the Commission take in response to the flagrant infringement of Community legislation and, in particular, to the failure of the customs authorities themselves and the Piraeus Port Authority in Greece to apply Community Regulations and the Community Customs Code correctly?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

I would refer the Honourable Member to the reply which the Commission gave to written question E-762/98 put by Mr Georg Jarzembowski.(1)

The Commission would add that on 26 August 1999 it issued a reasoned opinion in accordance with Article 226 (formerly Article 169) of the EC Treaty. If Greece does not comply, the Commission could pursue the matter with the Court of Justice.

(1) OJ C 323, 23.10.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2107/99

by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 1999)

Subject: Air Traffic Control

What specific improvements are being sought to current Air Traffic Control procedures by the European Commission.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2106/99, E-2107/99, E-2108/99, E-2109/99, E-2110/99, E-2111/99, E-2112/99, E-2113/99, E-2114/99, E-2115/99, E-2116/99 and E-2117/99 given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The Commission has issued a communication(1) on the current situation of air traffic delays and on new initiatives to be taken to provide the Community with the air traffic management (ATM) system it needs to ensure the proper functioning of its internal market. Most questions raised by the Honourable Member are answered in this document which has been adopted on 1 December 1999 and communicated to the Council and the Parliament.

When preparing this communication the Commission worked in close cooperation with interested parties, in particular airspace users, airports, workers, and air traffic services providers, through their representative organisations. It also consulted the civil aviation authorities of all Member States on the various actions to take to rectify the situation.

Reduction of air traffic delays is primarily a responsibility of Member States and their co-ordinating body, Eurocontrol. In this context operational procedures and technical improvements are for specialists to define and implement. The role of the Community is essentially to create the organisational framework at national and European level so as to ensure that such solutions are universally agreed and implemented in a co-ordinated and consistent manner. This is why the Community decided in 1998 to join Eurocontrol so as to exercise political control on this organisation. Negotiations to that end are nearly completed, but ratification procedures may take several years. The Commission therefore will ask early implementation of Community membership.

The ATM 2000 strategy is a document produced by Eurocontrol and it is the responsibility of that organisation to adopt and implement the proposals contained in the strategy. The Commission has contributed to the production of this document along with aviation users, Member States, and international organisations. The Commission supports the general objectives and strategic principles as indicated in the strategy, but wonders whether more work is required in order to develop a mature, reliable and robust plan which addresses the technological developments necessary to meet the estimated doubling of traffic by 2015.

(1) COM(1999) 614.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1834/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 October 1999)

Subject: Operational programme on fisheries in Greece

The operational programme on fisheries in Greece includes four subprogrammes, together with a fifth concerning technical aid.

Since each of the subprogrammes 1-4 has been given a timetable, will the Commission say:

1. What is the state of implementation of the subprogrammes so far and which actions have made progress in each subprogramme?

2. Has there been any delay in take-up and, if so, what are the main reasons for this delay?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 1999)

1. The form of this programme was amended after the Commission Decision. The new presentation has nine areas of assistance instead of the five subprogrammes originally planned.

The table sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat contains a detailed analysis of the progress of this programme in terms of both commitments and payments made.

2. The trend of the data concerning this operational programme suggests that by the end of 1999 the Greek authorities should be able to achieve the objectives of the programme as regards commitments and that by the end of 2001 it should prove possible to complete the measures for the fisheries sector so that the physical and financial goals of this programme too are achieved.