ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3763/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 December 2002)

Subject: Safety of shipping

A study by the Paris MOU concerning port state control highlights the chaotic situation in the European Union. For example, while Italy inspects almost one in every two ships which pass through its ports, France inspects only one in ten. Moreover, the latter has played a leading role in the movement to bar single-hull tankers over 15 years old from the economic exclusion zone.

What measures will the Commission take, therefore, to harmonise port state control of vessels in order to improve the safety of shipping?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2003)

As the Honourable Member has noted, the annual statistics published by the Secretariat of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control show major disparities in inspection rates between States. However, this does not mean that the situation is chaotic.

The rules on port State control were harmonised at Community level by Council Directive 95/21/EC of 19 June 1995 concerning the enforcement, in respect of shipping using Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States, of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions(1).

This Directive was reinforced following the Erika accident, inter alia by introducing a procedure for banning ships which have been detained on several occasions over the previous two or three years and which appear on the black list of flags with a higher than average number of detentions. These changes to Directive 95/21/EC will enter into force at the end of July 2003.

The Commission attaches particular importance to compliance with the rules on port State control, and has reminded the Member States several times of their obligations in this area, most recently in its communication of 3 December 2002(2). It has urged them to recruit enough inspectors to check at least 25 % of ships, as required by the Directive. It has also asked them to achieve a sufficient level of inspection in all their ports and anchorage areas to prevent them becoming ports of convenience.

Within the limits of its jurisdiction, the Commission intends to use all legal means to ensure the strict application of the aforementioned rules. Accordingly, it has instituted proceedings before the Court of Justice against France and Ireland for failure to meet the 25 % inspection requirement.

(1) OJ L 157, 7.7.1995.

(2) COM(2002) 681 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2774/02

by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 October 2002)

Subject: Euro

Swiss research (The Times, 12.9.2002) has recently discovered that euro coins release up to 320 times more nickel than is allowed under European Union rules, leading to various skin conditions for one in ten

people who suffer from an allergy to the metal. This is due to the two-tone design of the coins, which makes corrosion and nickel release more likely, particularly when exposed to sweat.

Have you investigated whether the EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins are capable of damaging health?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2002)

This conclusion drawn by the authors of the study in question is misleading, because the Parliament and Council Directive 94/27/EC of 30 June 1994 amending for the 12th time Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain substances and preparations(1), refers to objects that come into direct and prolonged contact with the human skin, such as jewellery or wrist watch cases. This Directive does not cover coins. Secondly, the results were generated by sticking EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins to the skin of patients with a known nickel allergy for 48-72 hours. After this period, they showed an allergic reaction. As these conditions clearly do not reflect the normal use of the euro coins, the Commission does not see the need for action with regard to the euro coins.

The recent publication does not change the Commission's view that the normal use of euro coins does not represent a risk for European citizens. The Commission is not aware of any particular cases of patients suffering from nickel allergy which can be traced back to the handling or use of EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence of a recent increase in nickel allergies among European citizens.

These conclusions were confirmed by a recent independent study, which showed that the amount of nickel released from the EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins is significantly lower than from the national coins used prior to the introduction of the euro.

(1) OJ L 188, 22.7.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2759/02

by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Commission

(1 October 2002)

Subject: Terrorism

In the issue of the weekly magazine Valeurs actuelles published on Friday, 13 September 2002, it was reported that, as part of the international campaign against terrorism, the Commission began drawing up a list of terrorist organisations in July 2002.

Can the Commission publish the list of those organisations?

On the basis of what criteria was the list drawn up?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 2002)

The Union has expressed its support for the international campaign against terrorism, initiated by the United Nations by means of Resolution 1373 (2001) and reinforced by Resolution 1390(2002) of the Security Council of the United Nations. This was done by means of Common Positions 2001/930/CFSP, 2001/931/CFSP and 2002/402/CFSP(1).

Pursuant to these instruments, the Council has adopted two Regulations imposing inter alia, the freezing of funds and economic resources of persons, groups and entities included in lists targeting international terrorism.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 of 27 December 2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism(2) foresees a Union list targeting terrorist persons, groups and entities with a view to combating terrorism. This list should include persons, groups and entities linked or related to third countries as well as those who otherwise are the focus of the CFSP aspects of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP. The list is adopted by Council and subsequently published in the Official Journal(3).

A specific act, Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 of 27 May 2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with Usama bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban, and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 467/2001 prohibiting the export of certain goods and services to Afghanistan, strengthening the flight ban and extending the freeze of funds and other financial resources in respect of the Taliban of Afghanistan(4), empowers the Commission to amend the list of persons, groups and entities associated with Al Qaida and the Taliban, that is attached to that Regulation. The Commission has meanwhile adopted seven amendments of that list(5), all on the basis of determinations made by either the United Nations Security Council or the relevant Sanctions Committee of that Council.

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001 and OJ L 139, 29.5.2002.

(2) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

(3) See Council Decision 2002/848/EC, OJ L 295, 30.10.2002.

(4) OJ L 139, 29.5.2002.

(5) Commission Regulations (EC) No 951/2002 (OJ L 145, 4.6.2002), No 1580/2002 (OJ L 237, 5.9.2002), No 1644/2002 (OJ L 247, 14.9.2002), No 1754/2002 (OJ L 264, 2.10.2002), No 1823/2002 (OJ L 276, 12.10.2002), No 1893/2002 (OJ L 286, 24.10.2002) and No 1935/2002 (OJ L 295, 30.10.2002).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2890/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 2002)

Subject: Arrest of a North Korean and her interpreter in China

Will the Commission seek clarification from the Chinese authorities concerning the fate of the 32-year-old North Korean Yu Kum-shil, who was arrested in the border town of Erenhot on 31 August while attempting to travel to Mongolia to visit her husband?

Can the Commission also have inquiries made of the Chinese authorities as to what has happened to her husband, the South Korean Mr Yong-chol, and the interpreter who was accompanying her, Mr Shin Yong-in?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2002)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for the information concerning the arrest of the North Korean Yu Kum-shil and her interpreter on 31 August 2002 in the border town of Erenhot. The Commission will investigate this particular case further.

The Union has, in the past, followed with particular attention the situation of North Korean refugees in China and has raised the issue on every possible occasion both with the DPRK and China. The treatment of North Korean refugees will be addressed during the next session of the EU-China bilateral Human Rights dialogue on 13/14 November 2002 in Beijing.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1984/02

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 July 2002)

Subject: Convention financing

Further to written question E-0486/02(1) (Subject: Civil Society), would the Commission, now that a list of organisations participating in the forum on the Convention of the Future of Europe has been published on the Internet (http://europa.eu.int/futurum/forum_convention/organlist_en.htm

list), please indicate which of these organisations have received European Community funds in the past five years?

Could the Commission please indicate how much money each of these Community funded organisations has received in each of the past five years?

Could the Commission please indicate from which budget line each organisation derived/derives its funds?

Finally, which organisations have money earmarked from the Community's budget?

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 32.

Supplementary answergiven by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(22 November 2002)

Further to the preliminary answer sent to the Honourable Member, the Commission is sending direct to him and to Parliament's Secretariat a detailed analysis of the Union's accounts for each of the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 financial years, which provides the requested information for each of the organisations concerned. This analysis was conducted using the SINCOM2 accounting system.

The Commission has registered 1575 payments, totalling EUR 154,5 million, to 139 organisations throughout the Union.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1930/02

by Françoise Grossetête (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Difference in the price of newspapers

It is reasonable that different amounts should be charged for the same newspaper or periodical depending on whether it is bought in the country of publication or in another Member State, reflecting the difference in transport costs.

However, some of the prices charged would seem to be higher than is justified by the real level of transport costs, particularly in the context of the subscription policies of some periodicals.

Also, some publications offer services only to subscribers residing in the country of origin.

Does the Commission take the view that this may constitute a violation of the rules of the single market?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(6 August 2002)

According to a study commissioned by the Commission a couple of years ago, in general significant variations exists in cross-border subscription prices due to promotional offers for:

- specific Member States;

- specific reader types, such as students, holiday-makers, businesses;

- a fixed duration, providing a discount on long-term subscriptions.

As a result, for one title a variety of subscription prices is available in individual markets and a comparison of subscription prices becomes very difficult. However, a comparison of standard annual subscriptions can provide an indicator of cross-border pricing for subscription sales.

As in domestic markets, cross-border subscription prices are, in general, lower than their single copy equivalents, reflecting the guarantee of a sale. According to the study, titles with low cross-border subscription sales appear to be charging the same price for an annual subscription across the Community. Given that the majority of these subscriptions are delivered via postal systems in the country of origin, a single cost is applied for distribution.

International titles, and in particular business titles with significant cross-border subscription sales, appear to be charging different prices per market, reflecting, amongst others:

- different distribution costs per market, due to volume discounts and the use of a mixture of distribution networks:

- door-to-door postal service, which provided by either the national postal system or by the importer (for example, Nouvelles messagenes de la presse Parisienne (NMPP) in France offers a subscription delivery service);

- partial postal service, with copies distributed in bulk to a Member State where they enter the national postal system;

- domestic competition and purchasing power.

Exchange rate fluctuations no longer play a role within the eurozone.

With regard to the issue of limiting subscription services to subscribers resident in the country of origin of a publication, more detailed information is needed, in particular the reasons why editors apply such a limitation, before it can be concluded whether Community law is infringed or not.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 September 2002)

Subject: Athens airport

The list of airports drawn up pursuant to Article 197 of Regulation 2454/93(1), as announced by the Commission, which meet the criteria to be designated and operate as international Community airports includes Athens airport. To which Athens airport does the Commission refer?

(1) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.

Answer from Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2002)

The list of airports which correspond to the definition of international Community airport, published by the Commission pursuant to Article 197 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93(1), is drawn up on the basis of Member States' contributions. Originally published in 1993, this list is regularly updated in light of changes communicated to the Commission.

The Commission is aware of the opening of the new Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport and the transfer of airport activity from two terminals of the old Athens airport. At present, the Commission has still not yet received any official notification on this matter from the Greek authorities and is currently making efforts to obtain the relevant information from them in order to adjust the list of airports if necessary.

(1) Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993, laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code OJ L 253, 11.10.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3703/02

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

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Suriname

With regard to Suriname, can the Commission supply a list of projects approved for funding from the EU budget in 2001, specifying the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/02, E-3681/02, E-3682/02, E-3683/02, E-3684/02,E-3685/02, E-3686/02, E-3687/02, E-3688/02, E-3689/02, E-3690/02, E-3691/02,E-3692/02, E-3693/02, E-3694/02, E-3695/02, E-3696/02, E-3697/02, E-3698/02,E-3699/02, E-3700/02, E-3701/02, E-3702/02, E-3703/02, E-3704/02, E-3705/02,E-3706/02, E-3707/02, E-3708/02, E-3709/02, E-3710/02, E-3711/02, E-3712/02,E-3713/02, E-3714/02, E-3715/02, E-3716/02, E-3717/02, E-3718/02, E-3719/02,E-3720/02, E-3721/02, E-3722/02, E-3723/02, E-3724/02 and E-3725/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Honorary Member will find below a table giving the total amount of aid granted to the following countries:

>TABLE>

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a more detailed table, and the 2001 Annual Report on EC development policy and the implementation of external assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3699/02

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

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Tanzania

With regard to Tanzania, can the Commission supply a list of projects approved for funding from the EU budget in 2001, specifying the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/02, E-3681/02, E-3682/02, E-3683/02, E-3684/02,E-3685/02, E-3686/02, E-3687/02, E-3688/02, E-3689/02, E-3690/02, E-3691/02,E-3692/02, E-3693/02, E-3694/02, E-3695/02, E-3696/02, E-3697/02, E-3698/02,E-3699/02, E-3700/02, E-3701/02, E-3702/02, E-3703/02, E-3704/02, E-3705/02,E-3706/02, E-3707/02, E-3708/02, E-3709/02, E-3710/02, E-3711/02, E-3712/02,E-3713/02, E-3714/02, E-3715/02, E-3716/02, E-3717/02, E-3718/02, E-3719/02,E-3720/02, E-3721/02, E-3722/02, E-3723/02, E-3724/02 and E-3725/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Honorary Member will find below a table giving the total amount of aid granted to the following countries:

>TABLE>

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a more detailed table, and the 2001 Annual Report on EC development policy and the implementation of external assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3713/02

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

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Sierra Leona

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

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/02, E-3681/02, E-3682/02, E-3683/02, E-3684/02,E-3685/02, E-3686/02, E-3687/02, E-3688/02, E-3689/02, E-3690/02, E-3691/02,E-3692/02, E-3693/02, E-3694/02, E-3695/02, E-3696/02, E-3697/02, E-3698/02,E-3699/02, E-3700/02, E-3701/02, E-3702/02, E-3703/02, E-3704/02, E-3705/02,E-3706/02, E-3707/02, E-3708/02, E-3709/02, E-3710/02, E-3711/02, E-3712/02,E-3713/02, E-3714/02, E-3715/02, E-3716/02, E-3717/02, E-3718/02, E-3719/02,E-3720/02, E-3721/02, E-3722/02, E-3723/02, E-3724/02 and E-3725/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Honorary Member will find below a table giving the total amount of aid granted to the following countries:

>TABLE>

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a more detailed table, and the 2001 Annual Report on EC development policy and the implementation of external assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3549/02

by Benedetto Della Vedova (NI) to the Commission

(4 December 2002)

Subject: Compatibility of Law 69 of 3 February 1963 with the free movement of workers within the European Community guaranteed by the EC Treaty

On 25 July 2002 the Lombardy Association of Journalists wrote to the President of the Milan Court requesting the annulment of the decision registering Mr Claude Marie Jenacolas, a French citizen, as editor-in-chief of the Italian magazines Gente Casa and Spazio Casa published by Hachette-Rusconi.

The Lombardy Association of Journalists claimed that Claude Jenacolas could not carry out the functions of editor-in-chief because, although he had been a journalist for decades, he was not entered on the professional register of journalists: Article 46 of Law 69 of 3 February 1963 (law establishing the Association of Journalists) provides that the editor and deputy editor of a daily newspaper, periodical or press agency () must be entered on the register of professional journalists (a judgment by the Constitutional Court has since ruled that those entered on the register of publicists designed to cover those who work as journalists on a non-exclusive, but regular and paid basis may also carry out such functions).

The Lombardy Association of Journalists seems to want to resolve this issue with a solution which is anything but transparent, proposing that Mr Claude Marie Jenacolas should register with the association of publicists; however, as pointed out above this register is in fact intended to cover those who work as journalists on a non-exclusive, but regular and paid basis, and consequently does not cover the case of Mr Jenacolas who is working exclusively and permanently as a journalist. In this context, it should also be noted that the decision of the Council of the Lombardy Association of Journalists of 11 November 2002

entering Mr Jenacolas on the register of publicists appears irregular to say the least, given that Article 35 of Law 69/9063 requires those entered to have worked as publicists for at least two years, evidenced by a minimum number of published and paid articles, and certified by a statement by the editor-in-chief of the Italian publication in which the articles appeared.

Does the Commission not consider that Article 46 of Law 69 of 3 February 1963 is incompatible with Article 39 of the EC Treaty, which provides for the free movement of workers within the Community?

Supplementary answergiven by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2003)

On 16 January 2003, the Commission sent a letter to the Italian authorities asking for clarification of how the legislation in question works, particularly the requirement that journalists be entered on a professional register and the conditions of eligibility applying to journalists from the EU in particular.

The Commission has not yet received a reply from the Italian authorities.

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the case has been registered as a suspected infringement of Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3715/02

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

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Somalia

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

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/02, E-3681/02, E-3682/02, E-3683/02, E-3684/02,E-3685/02, E-3686/02, E-3687/02, E-3688/02, E-3689/02, E-3690/02, E-3691/02,E-3692/02, E-3693/02, E-3694/02, E-3695/02, E-3696/02, E-3697/02, E-3698/02,E-3699/02, E-3700/02, E-3701/02, E-3702/02, E-3703/02, E-3704/02, E-3705/02,E-3706/02, E-3707/02, E-3708/02, E-3709/02, E-3710/02, E-3711/02, E-3712/02,E-3713/02, E-3714/02, E-3715/02, E-3716/02, E-3717/02, E-3718/02, E-3719/02,E-3720/02, E-3721/02, E-3722/02, E-3723/02, E-3724/02 and E-3725/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Honorary Member will find below a table giving the total amount of aid granted to the following countries:

>TABLE>

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a more detailed table, and the 2001 Annual Report on EC development policy and the implementation of external assistance.