ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0202/00

by Dominique Souchet (UEN) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Customs procedures employed against Saint Pierre and Miquelon

In the light of an inquiry conducted by the Unit for the Coordination of Fraud Prevention, certain European customs authorities have been instructed to refuse certificates of release for free circulation from the Saint Pierre and Miquelon territorial collectivity pursuant to Article 101 of Decision 91/482/EEC(1).

In relation to this particular case, will the Commission say what it defines as customs clearance procedures not subject to an exemption from, or a refund of, in whole or in part, customs duties or taxes having equivalent effect?

In view of the huge difficulties that such procedures can and will pose for the Saint Pierre and Miquelon territorial collectivity, is the Commission in a position to grant the collectivity a stay of execution pending the final outcome of the ongoing inquiry, given that the latter has stated its readiness to take any corrective measure proposed by the Commission?

(1) OJ L 263, 19.9.1991, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2000)

In the case referred to by the Honourable Member, it was found that transport aid was being granted in territories including Saint Pierre and Miquelon, to economic operators transhipping certain goods there.

The Commission is examining, with due regard to the information provided by the French authorities and those of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, whether the transport aid amounts to a refund of customs duties under Council Decision 91/482/EEC of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas countries and territories (OCT) with the European Economic Community.(1) Under that Decision, products not originating in an OCT which are in free circulation there and are re-exported as such to the Community may be imported into the Community free of customs duties and taxes having equivalent effect, provided the conditions in Article 101(2) have been complied with (payment in the OCT of customs duties or taxes having equivalent effect, no exemption from or refund of customs duties or taxes having equivalent effect, in whole or in part, and presentation of an export certificate).

In order to protect the financial interests of the Communities, the national authorities have been asked at this stage to take precautionary measures (deposits to be lodged by the operators concerned).

The Commission will inform the authorities concerned of the conclusions of its examination direct.

(1) OJ L 263, 19.9.1991. (amended by Decision 97/803/EC: OJ L 329, 29.11.1997).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0188/00

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Interpretation systems with over twenty languages

How far has the Commission progressed in evaluating the feasibility of providing interpretation into over twenty languages at EU meetings after enlargement to include the Central and Eastern European applicant countries? Can it confirm that a significant proportion of interpretation will have to take place through a pivot language and relayed through a second interpretation into other languages?

If so, has consideration been given to using Esperanto as the pivot language, given that:

- it is neutral and would not thereby give preference to any linguistic group in the EU

- it is a structured and logical language ideally suited to this purpose

- the language can be learnt very quickly?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2000)

The Commission has since 1990 been organising regular selection tests for freelance interpreters with the languages of the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). At present, a total of around 200 interpreters have been accredited for all CEEC languages. The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the Commission's answer to Written Question E-2064/99 by Mr Dupuis(1) of 22 December 1999.

Further investments in training have taken place in these countries and 120 bursaries have been provided for students of these languages in 1999 and 2000.

This policy is consistent with the respect for cultural and linguistic diversity that is a key element of the European construction.

As to interpretation, the Joint interpretation and conference service (JICS) endeavours to ensure that interpretation is direct from one language into any other or, if this is not possible, by relay through not more than one intermediate stage. This intermediate stage or relay language varies according to the composition of the team and the languages spoken.

Although the proportion of interpretation through the existing relay system will certainly increase, there is no reason why this should evolve into a system with the same relay or pivotal languages being used in all meetings or indeed just a single relay language in any given meeting. Interpreters may be able to choose between several relay languages depending on cultural affinities or natural relays based on languages from the same language families.

As a result of various representations from Parliament, the Commission has asked the JICS to set up a working party to examine the Neighbour and Relais projects that deal with the learning of Esperanto and the degree to which its use as an intermediate language in interpretation would be feasible.

(1) OJ C 219, 1.8.2000, p. 81.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0023/00

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 January 2000)

Subject: Leader +

In the draft communication from the Commission to the Member States laying down guidelines for the Community initiative for rural development (Leader +), the Commission made provision for up to 50 % participation at the decision-making level within the local action groups by partners that are elected office-holders. It has emerged following discussion of the communication at the STAR management committee that an amendment has been adopted which stipulates a minimum participation by economic and social bodies of 50 % at the decision-making level.

What view does the Commission take of this provision? Does it consider it to be more flexible or more restrictive towards elected office-holders? Does the Commission perhaps have certain reasons for aiming at some kind of elimination of local government, and if so, could it state them?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 2000)

The implications for local representatives of the amended provision referred to by the Honourable Member are no different from the Commission's original proposal, which it is intended simply to clarify.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that this provision is in no way designed to exclude local representatives and authorities from local action groups (LAGs). The Commission's objective is to ensure that participation by the public sector as a whole, including elected representatives, in decision making does not exceed the 50 % limit to enable the private sector to develop its own initiatives, given the bottom-up approach of Leader+ and in particular its aim of stimulating socio-economic operators to come up with ideas and become actively involved in the future of their regions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0154/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Compensation for good damage caused by the abolition of customs formalities at the internal frontiers

The disappearance of the internal frontiers has significantly transformed economic activity in the areas where customs formalities were carried out and in some places, such as Ventimiglia, this has severely penalised companies which provided customs representation services. Many of these companies are being wound up and the remainder, having scaled down their activities to a minimum, will be forced to follow suit.

With reference in particular to Regulation (EEC) No 3904/92(1) on measures to adapt the profession of customs agent to the internal market, will the Commission say:

- whether the measures provided for in the above regulation have been requested for Ventimiglia?

- if, so, who has benefited from them?

- if not, who is responsible for any oversight which may have occurred?

- whether it considers that, in addition to the measures intended for employees, the regulation should also provide aid for companies in this sector?

- whether it considers that, in cases where states have not complied with the regulation, a fund should be set up to provide compensation for the damages suffered by companies whose business activities have become obsolete, leaving them with no possible alternatives?

(1) OJ L 394, 31.12.1992, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2000)

The financial assistance given by the Commission to Italy for funding projects within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3904/92 of 17 December 1992 on measures to adapt the profession of customs agent to the internal market(1) amounted to 4,4 million, with the total cost of the programme being 15 888 million lire. Projects financed in Liguria accounted for 17 % of the total, i.e. 2 707 million lire. 97 % of the operations financed were designed to be of benefit to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The contributions went towards investment in restructuring, modernisation/expansion, staff training, creation of new substitute activities and diversification of the market.

The Regulation in question was applicable for one year as from 1 January 1993.

(1) OJ L 394, 31.12.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0473/00

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Albania's membership of the WTO

In his answer 2526/99(1) to the written question on Albania's membership of the WTO, Commissioner Lamy gave evasive information on the progress made in applying WTO consistent rules and maintained that Albania's membership of the WTO was in its final stages of preparation.

However Commissioner Lamy failed to reply to the main question the Commission was asked, in particular whether it could confirm or deny the information that Albania's membership of the WTO was hostage to a dispute between France and another member country of the WTO, a dispute unrelated to the strict question of Albania's membership of the WTO.

If this is the case, what action has the Commission taken or does it intend to take so that, in accordance with the decision taken by the Union, Albania can quickly become a full member of the WTO?

(1) OJ C 219, 1.8.2000, p. 177.

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2000)

The Commission is sorry if the Honourable Member thought the previous answer was evasive. The fact of the matter is that the Community was not able to accept the commitments proposed by Albania for audio-visual services. These commitments, if implemented, would hamper the development of the future relations of Albania with the Community in the field of audio-visual policy, and risked excluding Albania from the possibility of participating in various Community programmes like Media.

These commitments were proposed when almost all the bilateral negotiations on Albanian accession to the World trade organisation (WTO) had been concluded, and at the request of the United States. Given the limited market interests of the US industry in Albania, the American requests risked being counterproductive as they may delay the further integration of Albania in Europe which is at the heart of the Community strategy for the Balkans.

The Commission is therefore actively engaged in negotiations with the interested parties so that the accession of Albania to the WTO, which the Community strongly favours, can be swiftly completed.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0390/00

by Liam Hyland (UEN) to the Commission

(8 February 2000)

Subject: Israeli refusal of entry visa to EU citizens

On 10 October 1999, 25 members of a Catholic charity from Co. Wexford, Ireland were denied entry to Israel, manhandled by police and defamed in the media. Following high level intervention by the Irish government and Catholic church leaders, Israel proposes allowing the group to enter its territory but not

before 31 March 2000, for a maximum period of 30 days, and under certain other conditions which the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs deems unacceptable.

Can the Commission state that it will investigate as a matter of urgency the actions of the Israeli authorities and commit itself to intervening on behalf of these EU citizens to ensure that they are accorded access to Israel under conditions which do not treat them as a threat to national security?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 2000)

The Commission is fully aware of the events involving the Catholic charity group from Co Wexford trying to visit Israel. Extensive and detailed information was handed to the Commission both by Members of the Parliament and by the Israeli Mission in Brussels. These documents described an unfortunate chain of events which led to this regrettable situation.

The Commission shares the concern of the Irish authorities and trusts an appropriate solution can be found in the very near future. It notes that the Irish Foreign Ministry is in close contact with the Israeli government in order to find a swift resolution of the issue.

Matters of consular protection and access to third countries do not fall within competence of the Commission, but it would be ready to offer its good services if requested by the Irish authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0051/00

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Subject: Cologne process: implementation of the Poseima programme in the smaller islands of the Azores

Supplementary subsidies for cattle farmers in the Azores have proved to be one of the most important instruments of the Poseima programme, considerably reducing the exodus from the countryside and, indeed, helping stem emigration from the Azores Autonomous Region.

The smallest and remotest of the archipelago's nine islands, however, face greater problems of distance, remoteness and size than do their larger neighbours.

The effects of these factors are particularly glaring with regard to agriculture, resulting in lower producer prices and higher costs in terms of materials and input for milk and beef producers on the smaller islands. The highest milk price on the largest island, for example, is c. 25,5 céntimos, while on the Ilha das Flores, the price of 3,7 % fat content milk is 18,4 céntimos.

The seven smaller islands account for 18 % of the archipelago's total dairy herd. Does the Commission not think that the Poseima programme should be adjusted for these islands, and the existing agricultural subsidies increased?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0038/00, E-0043/00, E-0044/00, E-0045/00, E-0046/00, E-0047/00, E-0048/00, E-0049/00, E-0050/00, E-0051/00 and E-0052/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2000)

The Honourable Member has put a whole series of questions regarding the Poseima Programme for the Azores.

The Commission is currently drafting a report on the measures to implement Article 299(2) (ex Article 227) of the EC Treaty.

At this stage, before the Commission has adopted that report, it is not able to reply to the Honourable Member's questions concerning its content.

Lastly, the Commission's Work Programme for 2000 provides for a report to be presented to the Council and Parliament on the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the Azores and Madeira relating to certain agricultural products(1) (Poseima), together where appropriate with proposals for any adjustments that prove necessary to achieve the programme's goals. The set of measures relating to agriculture in the Azores will be considered in that connection.

(1) OJ L 173, 27.6.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0058/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Subject: Subsidies for feeding sugar

The organisation of the sugar market which came into force in 1975 abolished Community subsidies for feeding sugar.

Although the Commission's 1997 proposals concerning Agenda 2000 envisaged a further round of agricultural policy reforms in the European Union, they did not include any recommendations concerning reform of the organisation of the sugar market, in general, and subsidies for feeding sugar, in particular.

Will the Commission therefore state:

- why subsidies for feeding sugar were abolished, and

- whether the possibility exists of reintroducing Community subsidies for feeding sugar.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Legal instruments allowing assistance to be granted for the use of sugar in animal feeding-stuffs have always existed within the legislation applicable to the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector.

For these instruments to be implemented however a number of economic conditions would have to be met and it is not considered that this is the case at the present time.

Furthermore the Commission is not aware of any requests for assistance within the two sectors directly concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0212/00

by Gérard Caudron (PSE) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: Aid to the iron and steel industry

I recently addressed the House on the application in 1998 of the sixth Steel Aid Code.

Although I welcomed the quality of the Commission report, I was dismayed that it did not cover every aspect of the aid.

Although the Steel Aid Code is worded very clearly, the Commission has, on various occasions, authorised the granting to steel companies of aid which does not fall within the categories covered by the Code. With a view to ensuring a level playing field, the Code should either be strictly applied, or it should be changed if the Commission wishes to authorise aid of a kind other than those currently admissible in law.

Does the Commission intend to do anything to clarify the situation?

Finally, we need to review the implications of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty. The aid system must continue after 2002. My view of this matter is that only a Council regulation will be able to offer the requisite legal certainty and guarantee a formal prohibition on any kind of aid not covered by the Code.

Is the Commission planning to submit any proposals along those lines?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 2000)

Every year the Commission produces a report on implementation of the steel aid code, covering all the decisions adopted in the course of the year by the Commission in accordance with it.

In 1993-1994 the Commission adopted decisions on aid to steel firms on the basis of Article 95 of the ECSC Treaty rather than the code but in accordance with the same procedure as the code and with the same force in law. Since then, no further decision of this type has been adopted. Implementation of the 1993-1994 decisions is dealt with in a separate report to the Council, as required by the decisions in question.

The Commission has not yet formulated its final position regarding the rules on state aid to the steel industry after wexpiry of the ECSC Treaty. As promised by the Member with responsibility for competition at the January 2000 part-session, the future proposal will be presented to Parliament. However, the Commission notes Parliament's position as set out in its resolution on the Commission's 1998 report and expressed by the Honourable Member in his intervention of 18 January 2000 and in this written question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0435/00

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 February 2000)

Subject: Commission proposal on the European Parliament in the planned reform of the Treaties

In the document approved by the European Commission pursuant to Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union for the Intergovernmental Conference to amend the Treaties, it is proposed that the number of Members of the European Parliament be maintained at 700, as established in Article 189 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, and that a number of Members may be elected from lists presented throughout the Union. If these proposals were approved, nations without states and European peoples such as Galicia, whom I represent, having stood for a specific list, and others in states like Spain, the United Kingdom and Belgium, which have their own specific national political parties, would suffer, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in terms of their representation in Parliament and their participation in the European institutions.

Has the Commission given due consideration to this issue, which concerns the political and cultural diversity of Europe, for which due respect must be shown? Does the Commission intend to consider alternative proposals aimed at solving this serious problem?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 2000)

In its Opinion on the Intergovernmental Conference on institutional reform(1), the Commission argued that the Community would greatly benefit if a number of Members of the European Parliament were elected from European lists. Even if this suggestion were taken up, the vast majority of Members would continue to be elected in national constituencies. In this respect the Commission felt that it was for Parliament itself to propose new arrangements for allocating seats. It would also point out that the way in which different components of a Member State are represented in the European Parliament depends largely on the electoral system used, and that under Article 190(4) (formerly Article 138) of the EC Treaty it is the prerogative of Parliament to devise a uniform electoral procedure for the elections.

(1) Adapting the institutions to make a success of enlargement, Commission Opinion in accordance with Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union on the calling of a Conference of Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to amend the Treaties, COM(00) 34 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0364/00

by Mary Banotti (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Recognition of medical qualifications by France

Given the problems faced by graduates in medicine, in particular Spanish graduates, in pursuing their studies in France, what measures will the Commission take to ensure that the French administration takes the necessary steps to respect and apply the Community legislation already in place and put an end to the present obstruction on the part of the French education authorities?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2000)

If the matter relates to academic recognition of diplomas, the Commission would like to point out that it falls within the powers of Member States. Community provisions at the present stage do not cover this type of recognition. At the present time and in accordance with the EC Treaty, each Member State is solely responsible for the content of its teaching and the organisation of its own educational system.

The authorities concerned are entitled to make enrolment in a course of education conditional on prior academic recognition of qualifications acquired in another Member State. They are also free to determine the rules governing that type of procedure since there are no Community regulations laying down that a Member State is required to recognise diplomas obtained in another Member State for academic purposes. As far as the conditions of admission for the purposes of professional training are concerned, however, Member States must refrain from any direct or indirect discrimination based on nationality, pursuant to article 12 of the EC Treaty (formerly article 6).

The Commission is not aware of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. The information supplied by the Honourable Member does not allow a thorough examination of the situation. At this stage, there is no evidence of the existence of discrimination on grounds of nationality. Notwithstanding, the Commission is ready to look into this case if more information becomes available.