ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2573/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 October 1996)

Subject: Duty free outlets

The closure of duty free outlets in Europe is likely to result in the loss of many jobs in a sector employing approximately 100 000 people.

The International Confederation maintains that the Community's estimates, which date back to 1993, are unacceptable and unrealistic; that closures would lead to an increase in transport costs for ferry companies and airlines and to higher airport taxes; and that the survival of regional airports would be threatened.

Given the above, would the Commission not agree that it should carry out a new, exhaustive study on the overall impact of such a decision before taking any further action?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2573/96 and E-2690/96 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

The decision to put an end to duty-free sales in travel inside the Community was taken by the Council in 1991.

At that time the Council decided to allow intra-Community duty-free sales to continue until 30 June 1999, in order to enable the businesses affected to prepare gradually for the new situation. Member States were to take account of developments in transport infrastructures and of the interests of traders operating on a duty-free basis.

The Commission recently presented a report on the vendor control systems applied by the Member States. ((COM(96) 245. )) The report uses statistical data and other information provided by Member States to carry out an economic analysis of tax-free sales and to identify the fundamental trends in tax-free sales in the Community. The report confirms that the Council decision was justified, and does not suggest any need for further study.

Maintaining duty-free sales inside the Community beyond a transitional period:

- would be contrary to the principles of the single market; and

- might seriously distort competition, not only with businesses selling goods tax-paid, but more especially between the different forms of transport, depending on whether or not they offer duty-free sales.

The same approach holds for regional airports; regional airports are not involved to any great extent in intra-Community international flights, which are the only flights which qualify for intra-Community tax-free treatment.

Turning to the arguments regarding employment, the Commission would point out that the Council decision does not call for the closure of shops located in seaports and airports. These are free to continue to trade but will have to sell on a tax-paid basis to travellers inside the Community and on a tax-free basis only to travellers proceeding to destinations outside the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2758/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (21 October 1996)

Subject: The COM in bananas

With reference to the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation No 404/93 on the common organization of the market in bananas (COM(96) 82 ((OJ C 121, 25.4.1996, p. 15. ))), does the Commission not consider it appropriate to adopt specific provisions to take account of the particular situation in Somalia and to review the increase in the tariff quota of 353 000 tonnes intended to take into account consumption in the three new Member States? Does it not also consider that the reduction in the portion of the tariff quota assigned to Category B operators is unjustified?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 November 1996)

The quota for traditional imports of bananas from Somalia was set at their highest historical level, i.e. 60 000 tonnes. Unfortunately, the country has never been able to take advantage of this opportunity for want of a national administration.

The proposed increase in the tariff quota of 353 000 tonnes is a fair reflection of the Community market situation following the accession of the three new Member States, since it represents their previous average consumption.

There has been no reduction in the tariff quota assigned to Category B operators in real terms. In absolute terms the volume of the quota is unchanged following the accession of the three new Member States, which formerly imported only 'dollar' bananas.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2938/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Money laundering in Turkey

According to Interpol, 75% of all heroin discovered and confiscated by the authorities of the EU Member States has been channelled through Turkey from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In 1994, the political leadership of Turkey for the first time put forward a bill to crack down on the circulation and laundering of illegal funds. To date however it has not been voted through by the Turkish Parliament.

1. Has the Commission brought pressure to bear on the Turkish political leadership with a view to ensuring that the bill becomes law?

2. Are current drugs trafficking activities in accordance with the principles of the EU and the Schengen Agreement?

3. Are the citizens of the Member States of the European Union aware that, while on the one hand the Commission is committed to combating drugs trafficking, it is on the other hand fully supporting the accession of Turkey to the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

On 14 November Turkey's National Assembly adopted a law addressing the circulation and laundering of illegal funds. It was signed by the Turkish President on 18 November and should be published in Turkey's official journal within the next few days.

The law establishes a financial board representing both public and private sectors and invested with wide-ranging powers of investigation. It provides for prison sentences of two to five years and fines of up to twice the amount laundered.

In 1995 the Commission contributed to a project being carried out in Turkey as part of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNIDCP). This year it has funded another programme - a regional one this time - drawn up by the UNIDCP with the Economic Cooperation Organization, members of which include Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as Turkey.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3209/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Ontinyent: deadline for projects under Article 10 of the ERDF

On 30 November 1995 the Commission published a call for the submission of pilot urban projects, in the context of the innovative measures under Article 10 of the ERDF. Of the projects submitted, 91 were from Spain.

One of the projects submitted concerns urban renewal in the municipality of Ontinyent (Valencia).

When does the Commission intend to decide whether the Ontinyent project is eligible for EU funding under Article 10 of the ERDF?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3198/96, E-3199/96, E-3200/96, E-3201/96, E-3203/96, E-3204/96, E-3205/96, E-3206/96, E-3207/96, E-3208/96, E-3209/96, E-3210/96, E-3211/96, E-3212/96, E-3213/96, E-3214/96 and E-3215/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

The Commission received over 500 applications in response to its call for proposals; of these, 97 were from Spain. The available budget of ECU 60 million will enable the Commission to part-finance some 25 projects throughout the Union.

With regard to the selection procedure, the call for proposals states that: 'a team of independent international experts will assist the Commission services to identify the most innovative ideas in order to select those proposals which correspond most closely to the criteria set. The final number of proposals to be part-financed will be decided by the Commission, taking into consideration overall availability of funds, themes of proposals and distribution of appropriate projects within the territory of the Union.'

Since this procedure is now under way, it is not at present possible to assess the chances of a town being selected or the amount of Community part-finance which it might receive. Equally, no other estimate concerning a Member State or region can be made.

With regard to the number and name of projects which could concern municipalities in the Autonomous Community of Valencia other than those expressly referred to in these Written Questions, the Commission cannot derogate from the principle of confidentiality which applies to this stage of the procedure, particularly since proposals for measures involving more than one local authority may be accepted if that cooperation increases the value added.

The time required for the thorough consideration and careful selection of the exceptionally large number of applications received means that the Commission will not be able to take a decision before the end of the year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3395/96 by Leen van der Waal (I-EDN) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: Obstacles encountered by Christians in Egypt in building and maintaining their churches

I am grateful to the Commission for its answer of 24 October 1995 to Question E-2252/95 ((OJ C 9, 15.1.1996, p. 20. )). However, it appears that there is a misunderstanding. The original question, E-1322/95 ((OJ C 213, 17.8.1995, p. 49. )), was concerned with Mokattum City, one of Cairo's satellite towns. In its answer the Commission describes the situation in Mokattum, a slum area of Cairo. The map shows both Mokattum and Mokattum City.

The Commission also says that it has received no complaints from the official Christian organizations in Egypt. However, this is not to say that there is no repression. Fear of persecution prevents the Christians from publicly expressing their complaints.

Finally, the Commission ignores the report to which I referred - Vol 6, No 2 of Human Rights Watch, Middle East of November 1994 - on the position of Christians in Egypt.

1. Can the Commission confirm the reports that in Mokattum City (see the map) there are very many Christian (Coptic) families - at least 20 000 - who have been refused permission to build even one church?

2. Is the situation in Mokattum City any different, in this respect, from the situation in other modern satellite cities such as Ramadan City or Sadat City?

3. Is the Commission able to accept the conclusions of the Human Rights Watch report?

4. Can the Commission state what action it is thinking of taking to improve the position of the Christians in Egypt so that they are able to build and maintain their own churches and practice their religion without let or hindrance?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (9 January 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3205/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Gandía: level of financing of pilot urban projects

On 30 November 1995 the Commission published a call for the submission of pilot urban projects, in the context of the innovative measures under Article 10 of the ERDF. Of the projects submitted, 91 were from Spain.

One of the projects submitted concerns urban renewal in the municipality of Gandía (Valencia).

What level of funding does the Commission have in mind for the pilot urban projects provided for in Article 10 of the ERDF? What proportion of this funding could be allocated to the Gandía project?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3198/96, E-3199/96, E-3200/96, E-3201/96, E-3203/96, E-3204/96, E-3205/96, E-3206/96, E-3207/96, E-3208/96, E-3209/96, E-3210/96, E-3211/96, E-3212/96, E-3213/96, E-3214/96 and E-3215/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

The Commission received over 500 applications in response to its call for proposals; of these, 97 were from Spain. The available budget of ECU 60 million will enable the Commission to part-finance some 25 projects throughout the Union.

With regard to the selection procedure, the call for proposals states that: 'a team of independent international experts will assist the Commission services to identify the most innovative ideas in order to select those proposals which correspond most closely to the criteria set. The final number of proposals to be part-financed will be decided by the Commission, taking into consideration overall availability of funds, themes of proposals and distribution of appropriate projects within the territory of the Union.'

Since this procedure is now under way, it is not at present possible to assess the chances of a town being selected or the amount of Community part-finance which it might receive. Equally, no other estimate concerning a Member State or region can be made.

With regard to the number and name of projects which could concern municipalities in the Autonomous Community of Valencia other than those expressly referred to in these Written Questions, the Commission cannot derogate from the principle of confidentiality which applies to this stage of the procedure, particularly since proposals for measures involving more than one local authority may be accepted if that cooperation increases the value added.

The time required for the thorough consideration and careful selection of the exceptionally large number of applications received means that the Commission will not be able to take a decision before the end of the year.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3053/96 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (6 November 1996)

Subject: Abduction of two children to Tunisia

As the Commission is aware, Tunisia is not a signatory to the Hague Convention and consequently Member States have very little means of redress when the abduction of children by a Tunisian parent takes place.

Is the Commission aware that two young boys were illegally taken by their father from their home in my constituency in Wales at a time when their mother had legal custody?

In view of the fact that Tunisia is a recipient of substantial amounts of European aid, is it not appropriate to make such aid conditional upon their government adopting an acceptable position in relation to our international treaties.

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1996)

Although the Commission was not aware of the particular case mentioned by the Honourable Member, it has been informed of a number of abductions of children towards countries which have not ratified the Hague Convention of 1980 on civil aspects of international child abduction. The Honourable Member is right to stress that there are few means of redress against such abductions.

However, abductions such as those cited by the Honourable Member are likely to be contrary to the criminal law of the Member States, and thus to fell within their exclusive jurisdiction.

As regards relations with Tunisia, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that since the Euro-Mediterranean partnership was launched in Barcelona in November 1995 Tunisia has subscribed to new undertakings. On the multilateral level, it has agreed '... to act in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other obligations under international law...'.

On the bilateral level, the new agreement, which is to take effect shortly, regards respect for democracy and human rights as an essential factor: respect for the democractic principles of fundamental human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will, it says, underlie the internal and international policies pursued by the Community and Tunisia and is an essential factor in the agreement.

Under the agreement there is provision for political dialogue on all matters of common interest. In addition to this dialogue, positive and/or negative measures may be taken to promote democracy and human rights. Negative measures, which may range from confidential or public approaches to suspension of the partnership, must not only be based on fair and objective criteria but also be appropriate to the wide variety of situations which occur, in the interests of keeping dialogue open and to avoid penalizing the people for the actions of their government.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3277/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: Selling-off of enterprises and calculation of the public deficit

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

Can the revenue arising from the selling-off of public-sector enterprises, property or rights be taken into account to reduce the deficit where such sales occur?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3276/96, E-3277/96, E-3278/96 and E-3279/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

In the case of privatization or other forms of sale of shares and equities, receipts by the general government are recorded as financial transactions. They have therefore no direct effect on the level of the deficit of the general government, which is defined in the Treaty as the balance of non-financial operations. This rule applies to both direct sales by the government and indirect sales (organized through a holding company for example).

On the contrary, the sale of rights or licences by the general government is regarded, in principle, as non-financial transactions. It is recorded in the capital account and thus taken into account when determining general government deficit.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2962/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: COM for olive oil and employment

Is the Commission aware of the possible impact on employment of a reform of the COM for olive oil of the kind proposed by the Commission?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2953/96, E-2954/96, E-2955/96, E-2956/96, E-2957/96, E-2958/96, E-2959/96, E-2960/96, E-2961/96, E-2962/96 and E-2964/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1996)

The Commission will be discussing the different options for the reform of the olive oil common market organization (CMO) in the very near future. A document will then be transmitted speedily to the Parliament and the Council for discussion before any concrete proposals are finalised.

The Commission will certainly take into account the Honourable Members' remarks and questions concerning employment, intervention aid to real production, aid per tree, consumption aid, quality, impact on the environment and the specific problems of Spain and some of its producer regions.

It would not be correct to comment in detail at this stage on the various options for reforms except to repeat that the new common market organisation should be transparent, simple, easy to control and should target producers efficiently.

The Commission attaches great importance to quality and believes that, whatever option is chosen, there will be an important role for Member States and regions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2937/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Vocational training programmes under the second CSF

The second Community Support Framework includes vocational training programmes designed to improve standards in this area.

Recently, however, there have been reports of plans by the Commission to 'freeze' these programmes, investigations in Greece having revealed irregularities with regard to the administration of funds.

- What was the precise nature of the irregularities observed and in which departments or bodies was responsibility found to lie?

- Have funds for these programmes in Greece in fact been stopped and what is the amount of the funds earmarked for this purpose?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1997)

Following the discovery of irregularities at the National Certification Centre, the Commission was forced to call a halt to the work involving certification of vocational training centres (KEKs). This decision was taken so as not to jeopardise the implementation of vocational training measures provided for in the operational programmes drawn up for Greece under the 1994-99 Community Support Framework.

The Commission has asked the Greek authorities to take appropriate corrective action, for a new national certification system to be adopted and for the related activities to be carried out in a transparent, reliable manner. The Commission is endeavouring, by common agreement with the Member State, both to establish new certification procedures and, so as not to interrupt the flow of European Social Fund appropriations to Greece, to determine a number of measures to be implemented straightaway.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3311/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: 'Hidden economy' and GDP

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

What proportion of GDP in Portugal is accounted for by the 'hidden economy'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3280/96, E-3298/96, E-3299/96, E-3300/96, E-3301/96, E-3302/96, E-3303/96, E-3304/96, E-3305/96, E-3306/96, E-3307/96, E-3308/96, E-3309/96, E-3310/96, E-3311/96, E-3312/96 and E-3313/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

It is not possible at this stage to accurately estimate the impact of the hidden economy on gross domestic product, since the methods used differ considerably from one Member State to the next and several Member States also make implicit corrections which are very difficult to assess.

It is intended that the work on the issue of exhaustiveness be completed by the end of 1998, and it should then be possible to compile the estimates requested with a certain degree of reliability and comparability between Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2840/96 by Manuel Medina Ortega (PSE) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Belgian aid for tomatoes

What measures does the Commission plan to take regarding the aid recently granted by the Belgian Government to its tomato producers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 November 1996)

The Commission assumes the Honourable Member refers to a state aid concerning the glasshouse sector for vegetable growers in financial difficulties, aid no N 1043/95. That aid was notified by the Belgian authorities in accordance with the provisions of Article 93(3) EC Treaty and subsequently accepted by the Commission, in July 1996, on the basis of Article 92(3)c.

Commission policy for aid of this type, namely agricultural safeguard aid, is currently being examined. If on the basis of this work the Commission concludes that change is needed it would initiate the procedure under Article 93(1) EC Treaty. Until any such change is made the Commission has decided to maintain its current policy.