ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2059/00

by Elisa Damião (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Workplace accidents

Despite the evolution of legislation in the EU in the direction of greater workplace protection and safety, in particular in the construction and processing sectors, the numbers of accidents and mortal falls have actually increased.

Legislation is clearly not enough: we have to find out whether measures proposed are suitable and whether they are being implemented.

Can the Commission state what data exist on workplace accidents and illnesses, and provide information on its assessment of the work of the national inspection and administration bodies?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Commission fully shares the Honourable Member's conviction that it is not enough to adopt and transpose Community directives on health and safety at work; rather, what counts is that they be enforced in practice.

The whole drift of the Commission's policy in this area is to ensure that the national legislation transposing the directives is enforced on the ground, resulting in a genuine reduction in the number of accidents at work and occupational diseases.

In this regard, the Commission, already in its last programme on safety and health at work (1996-2000)(1), adopted measures to evaluate the impact of the legislation in force.

Amongst other things this evaluation will make it possible to identify the degree of practical enforcement, as well as the efforts being made and the difficulties encountered by the various players in enforcing the law.

To this end the Commission has since 1990 been developing projects to harmonise statistics on accidents at work and occupational diseases(2). These indicators confirm that from 1993 to 1996(3) there was a slight reduction in the incidence of fatal accidents at work and accidents involving absence from work of more than three days.

However, the Commission also intends to develop other indicators, for example the existence of appropriate preventive structures and the level of investment in training in this field, which should cast more light on the impact of Community law.

Finally, in order to help ensure that Community legislation is enforced effectively and consistently by the Member States, the Commission, in its Decision of 12 July 1995(4), created a Senior Labour Inspectors Committee, whose main task is to coordinate labour inspection activities and to facilitate the pooling of experience in this area.

This Committee has devoted particular attention to the problems of monitoring inspection in high-risk sectors or activities, and has organised specific sessions devoted to agriculture, the building industry, and work involving exposure to asbestos.

(1) COM(95) 282 final.

(2) SEAT and EODS projects.

(3) Eurostat Statistics in brief Population and social conditions, Theme 3-4/2000.

(4) OJ L 188, 9.8.1995.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3603/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) and Gianfranco Fini (UEN) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Social assistance the first step on the road to deportation

The German Government is continuing to pursue a policy of summary expulsions, which is all the more serious in view of the infringement proceedings being brought against Germany under Article 48 of the Treaty and the fact that it is being applied to the most vulnerable sections of the community, such as migrant workers from other EU countries who have become unemployed, or pensioners whose income is less than DEM 1 200, and who are therefore eligible to receive social assistance.

The German Government's current practice, which disregards the right of freedom of movement and freedom of establishment, clearly shows that if a citizen works and is productive (and pays tax) he is accepted and protected, regardless of his country of origin; but if his presence is no longer convenient in economic terms, he is rejected and, worse still, expelled from the country.

Yet another case of expulsion, reported by Mr Zoratto, a member of the Comites di Stoccarda (Stuttgart-based migrant workers') council and the CGIE (general council of Italians abroad), involves a citizen from the Veneto who has been living in Costanza since 1961 and, now that he is receiving social assistance, is being denied his right of residence.

Would the Commission approach the German Government to ask it to halt the expulsion procedure in this case?

Would the Commission urge the German authorities to raise the social assistance threshold and thus prevent such frequent recourse to the expulsion procedure?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2001)

The Commission is not aware of the specific situation concerning the Italian citizen from the Veneto resident in Costanza mentioned by the Honourable Members. If the Honourable Members could provide details of the case to the Commission, it could investigate further.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question P-3394/00 by Mr Musumeci(1) and to its answer to their Written Questions E-3404/00, E-3405/00, E-3406/00 and E-3408/00(2) by Mr Cossutta for an explanation of Community law on the renewal and withdrawal of residence permits as well as an explanation of the correspondence between the Commission and the German authorities on this subject. This correspondence makes it clear that Germany accepts the Commission's view that a migrant workers in receipt of social assistance may not, for that fact alone, be expelled from the Member States.

(1) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 229.

(2) See p. 159.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3593/00

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) and Mikko Pesälä (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Availability of EU statistics in official languages

We have observed that it is not possible to obtain some of the most important statistics from the Eurostat services on the Internet in any languages other than English, French or German. As many of the indexes are complicated, this makes it awkward to access the Eurostat services.

What measures does the Commission propose to take to improve the opportunities for citizens to obtain some of the most important economic statistics in all the EU's official languages?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2000)

Eurostat is very attentive to the issue of citizens having access to statistical data in the various Community languages.

However, at present, Eurostat only has sufficient human and financial resources to make its published information available to users in English, French and German, but not in all 11 Community languages. Moreover, the need to have statistical information published more quickly, which users consider very important, also prevents documents from being made available in all the Community languages.

Nevertheless, Eurostat does try each year to produce one or more publications in all 11 Community languages (e.g. Europe in figures) with a wide circulation (300 000 copies).

Eurostat will, however, investigate the possibility of publishing a range of basic statistical indicators on the Internet in the 11 Community languages for 2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3206/00

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 October 2000)

Subject: EU-Cape Verde fisheries agreement

The EU-Cape Verde fisheries agreement expired on 6 September 2000; meanwhile, negotiations for a new protocol have still not resumed. The result is the paralysis of fishing by the Community fleet in the fishing-grounds covered by the agreement, giving rise to problems for the sector in the face of the uncertainty generated.

In view of the importance of this agreement for the Community fleet and the situation created, can the Commission indicate its reasons for not providing for the resumption of the negotiations for a new protocol?

Can the Commission state on what date these negotiations will begin?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2000)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his interest in the renewal of the protocol to the EU-Cape Verde fisheries agreement and is pleased to inform him of the following:

The Commission is aware of the importance of renewing the protocol before it expires and following a series of preliminary contacts, took part in three successive rounds of talks in Brussels on 19/20 July 2000, Praia 23-25 August 2000 and Brussels 6/7 November 2000.

Although significant progress was made during the talks, in particular concerning fishing opportunities and financial compensation, the two parties were unable to reach an agreement, particularly with regard to quayside transhipment conditions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2639/00

by Claude Turmes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Enlargement and gender impact studies

The overall changes in the 90s have had a strong impact on the social and economic situation of people in the eastern countries. Income has fallen, loss of jobs has been huge, social security systems have fallen apart and the level of crime has risen. Women, who were formally considered as equal beings before, who had equal pay in jobs and equal education and had access to child care, are generally worse off today than 15 years ago.

The Commission's commitment to gender mainstreaming means that the accession strategy should include gender awareness on all levels. For that purpose, the Commission should start with gender impact studies of the enlargement and propose on the basis of those studies activities that lead to gender equality (and empowerment of women). Of course, the focus should be on gender, i.e. both sexes.

What studies on gender impact are in progress? Concerning which countries?

Can the Commission make them available, or, if they are not advanced enough, can Parliament be given their terms of reference?

What are the criteria used in the studies?

If no such studies exist, why does the Commission not take seriously a Commission commitment which has existed since 1995?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 2000)

The Commssion is aware that changes since the fall of Communism have had a strong impact on the social and economic situation of people in the eastern countries, and that these changes have, in some cases, resulted in a worsening situation for women. Through the negotiation process and the pre-accession tools, in particular the regular reports, the Commission is actively overseeing and monitoring the full transposition and implementation of the Community acquis in this area.

With respect to studies on gender impact, the Commission has published a call for tender for a small scale study on women and enlargement which will supplement studies from the United Nations international children's emergency fund (Unicef). In the context of the new framework strategy (2001-2005) for the promotion of equality it is foreseen that more in depth studies on women in the accession countries will be launched in 2001.

The Commission reaffirms its commitment to gender mainstreaming in all areas and will continue to closely monitor the issue of gender in the particular context of the enlargement.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2213/00

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(28 June 2000)

Subject: Persecution of 13 Iranians of the Jewish faith in Iran

13 Iranians of the Jewish faith have been held in prison on groundless charges of espionage for approximately one year and their trial, which began in camera on 1 May, provides no guarantees of a fair, objective and impartial verdict. Since the verdict is due in the next two weeks, will the Council exert further pressure, in the context of the critical dialogue with Iran, to ensure that the human rights and religious freedom of the 13 Jewish Iranians are respected and that they receive fair judgment?

Reply

(7 November 2000)

As the Honourable Member knows, the verdict in the trial of the thirteen Iranians of the Jewish faith was delivered on 1 July 2000. Three of the accused were acquitted, while ten Iranian Jews were given prison sentences ranging from 4 to 13 years. The Council notes that there were no death sentences.

The EU has expressed its concern at this verdict and made known its disappointment that the trial was held in camera despite the assurances given by the Iranian authorities.

The Council notes that there exists the possibility of appealing the judgment before the Revolutionary Tribunal in Chiraz, and the defendants' lawyers have stated that they will appeal. The Council hopes that the court of appeal will overturn the convictions.

The Council will continue to make known to the Iranian authorities its concerns about this case, as well as regarding the human rights situation in Iran in general, in the framework of the comprehensive dialogue it is conducting with Iran.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2867/00

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

(14 September 2000)

Subject: The Galicia-Northern Portugal Working Community and the EU's programmes for 2000-2006

On the occasion of taking over the biannual presidency of the Galicia-Northern Portugal Working Community, Mr Manuel Fraga, President of the Galician regional government, spoke of the need to reinforce economic and social ties in this Euro-region in the context of the action programmes for 2000-2006, taking account of the changed circumstances arising from the entry into the Union of the new eastern European Member States. Is the Commission taking specific account of the existence and actions of the Galicia-Northern Portugal Euro-region, given its special function in Europe, by supporting specific investments and programmes with a view to making particular contributions to its development and organisation?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2000)

The Community is supporting very significant investments in GalicIA and the North region of Portugal under Objective I of the Community Structural Funds for 2000-2006. This assistance is included in the Community support frameworks for Spain and Portugal recently adopted by the Commission.

Beyond this action to be implemented at Member State level the Commission will be giving particular attention to joint action by the Galicia and North regions under the Interreg III Community Initiative to promote cross-European cooperation and harmonious and balanced territorial development in Europe.

NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) areas Ourense and Pontevedran Galicia and Alto-Tras-Os-Montes, Cavado and Minho-Lima in North are eligible under strand A (cross-frontier cooperation) of Interreg III. Both regions are eligible in their entirety, as forming part of the Atlantic and South-West European cooperation zones, for the purposes of strands B (transnational cooperation) and C (interregional cooperation) of the Initiative.

For 2000-2006 the indicative Interreg III allocations are 900 000 000 to Spain and 394 000 000 to Portugal. The national authorities have not yet officially notified the Commission of their breakdown of these amounts by region, strand and cooperation zone. At present therefore the Interreg III assistance for Galicia and North cannot be precisely quantified.

The Commission can nonetheless confirm that it assesses very positively the working methods of and results achieved by this Euro-region, which took the lead in a number of cooperative projects during the last programming period (1994-1999) for the Community Structural Funds. The Galicia/North Working Community already enjoys a vigorous institutional life and a tradition of cooperation that should form one of the bases for planning the future cross-frontier programme. The Commission will pay particular attention during the present period to cross-frontier projects that strengthen the social and economic links already established between the two regions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3143/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(6 October 2000)

Subject: A discotheque at Auschwitz

Press reports that authorisation has been given for a discotheque to open near Auschwitz have understandably prompted adverse reactions. It is inconceivable that a place of entertainment should be located in an area which has become a memorial to the Holocaust. The local authorities should bear in mind that it is recognised as such in the collective consciousness and avoid offending the memory of the victims and of the suffering of millions of people, most of them Jews.

Is the Commission willing to express to the Polish Government:

1. the Union's support for these legitimate concerns and

2. its request for respect to be shown for a place whose name is engraved on the memory of the world because of the tragedy of the Holocaust?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 2000)

The Commission demonstrated to all concerned, including the Polish government, its clear stance with respect to the Holocaust and the events which took place, when the Commission President marked the beginning of his term of office by visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau.

In addition the Commission monitors the progress made by Poland as it moves towards accession to the Union, and is particularly attentive to both the establishment of adequate legislative frameworks and their effective application.

In respect of the case raised by the Honourable Member, it has been noted by the Commission that in May 1999 in Poland legislation was adopted regarding the protection of former Nazi concentration camp sites. This forbids public meetings, commercial activities and adjacent construction. It is understood that this legislation clarifies the issue of the areas around the camps, by defining authoritatively the grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau site and the surrounding buffer zone, which henceforth shall be preserved in perpetuity as a memorial.

From the case raised, it appears that there were many other buildings associated with the functioning of the camp networks and many of them are some distance away and even several kilometres from the main sites.

To address such issues, and taking into consideration that such foundation legislation is in place, the most appropriate approach would therefore be to first seek a remedy at the national level by the appropriate means.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2641/00

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Shipbuilding

On 12 July the competition services at the Commission announced their suspicion that the purchase of the Juliana shipyard and the Manises diesel engine plant by the SEPI represented state aid.

Given that the above transaction complies with the European Union's accounting and tax rules, what is the basis for these suspicions?

Bearing in mind that this is a normal operation among companies, the value of which has not been distorted, how can it be defined as state aid?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 2000)

It should firstly be clarified that on 12 July 2000 the Commission, not the services of Directorate general Competition, decided to initiate an investigation procedure under Article 88,2 (ex Article 93) of the EC Treaty into SEPI's acquisition of Juliana and Manises (as well as the shipyard at Cadiz). The Honourable Member will be aware that the Commission opens an investigation procedure when it has doubts about the compatibility of a measure with the common market. Such a decision does not in any way prejudge the Commission's final decision.

The Commission decided to open the procedure in this case, because on the basis of the information at its disposal it had doubts whether the transaction could be regarded as a commercial transaction, particularly given that SEPI was already the ultimate shareholder of the acquired entities and in view of the financial difficulties of the yards. The Commission had doubts whether SEPI's behaviour could be regarded as comparable to that of a private investor in similar circumstances. It considered that the measure could be a capital injection that could constitute state aids within the meaning of Article 87.1 (ex Article 92) of the EC Treaty.

At the same time as opening the investigation procedure, the Commission issued an injunction enjoining Spain to provide all relevant information within one month.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3044/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: Red diesel

Can the Commission detail fuel subsidies provided to farmers in the various Member States of the Union, such as the Red Diesel provided within the UK?

What plans does the Commission have, in the interests of free competition, to propose harmonisation of such subsidies?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 2000)

The Commission does not have the information requested. According to Article 8(2)(f) of Directive 92/81/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on mineral oils(1), without prejudice to other Community provisions, Member States may apply total or partial exemptions or reductions in the rate of duty to mineral oils used under fiscal control exclusively in agricultural and in horticultural works, and in forestry and inland fisheries. Directive 92/81/EEC does not oblige Member States to communicate to the Commission the duties actually applied in agriculture.

Consequently, as long as they remain within the framework set by Directive 92/81/EEC, differences between Member States in taxation of diesel used in agriculture are thus the result of this Directive. A Commission proposal for a Council directive restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products(2) is under examination in the Council.

However, it is the Commission's point of view that automatic derogations from Directive 92/81/EEC like that applicable to agricultural diesel also have to be considered state aid if they fulfil the conditions of Article 87 (1) (ex Article 92) of the EC Treaty, that means if they are selective (for example, a special rate for the producers of certain crops, or for certain types of producers). Such measures would have to be notified to the Commission under state aid rules before being implemented. If the Honourable Member has information about the existence of selective tax measures relating to agricultural diesel, the Commission would ask to be informed about this.

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.

(2) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3094/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(4 October 2000)

Subject: Thermonuclear fusion programme evaluation

Will the Commission publish an outline CV of all of the members of the panel responsible for the recently published 5-year evaluation of the sub-programme on thermonuclear fusion within the Euratom Framework Programme so as to clarify their independence in this matter?

Could the Commission also indicate how these persons were nominated and selected for this task?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 2000)

The composition of all the panels of experts who have carried out the five-year assessments of the framework programmes (FPs) and specific programmes including the subprogramme on fusion has been made available on the Cordis web-site since 24 April 2000 (www.cordis.lu/fp5/panels.htm). The panel lists include an outline curriculum vitae of all the experts.

The members of the panels were appointed by the Commission on the basis of suggestions by the Member States. The criteria for the selection of the highly qualified experts panels included an independence criterion, i.e. not be or have been programme contractors, members of or experts to any programme committee during the assessed period.