ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3747/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: Urban pilot projects

The information agency of the AICCRE (the Italian Association for the Council of European Local and Regional Authorities), called Europea Regioni, reports (internal note No 30 of 19 September 1997) a comment concerning the urban pilot projects for the economic and social development of disadvantaged urban districts. As everyone knows, these projects form part of the innovative measures envisaged under Article 10 of the ERDF. According to the note, the Commission has received more than 500 aplications in this connection, out of which 26 urban pilot projects have been selected, including, for Italy, those proposed by the cities of Turin, Naples, Brindisi and Milan.

Can the Commission say:

1. whether other Italian cities, in particular Rome, have submitted applications for funding;

2. if so, why they were excluded?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1997)

Out of a total of 503 projects presented to the Commission following its call for proposals for urban pilot projects ((OJ C 319, 30.11.1995. )) under Article 10 of the Regulation concerning the European regional development fund ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993. )), 119 were submitted by Italian cities, including 3 from organisations in Rome. This high level of interest from Italy was reflected in the approval of 4 Italian cities out of the 26 selected for the Community as a whole.

The assessment of all the projects was undertaken with detailed care and rigour, with assistance from external experts. The evaluation process sought to ensure that all projects were fairly assessed. The emphasis throughout was based on the criteria outlined in the call for proposals:

- that the cities face problems common to a number of cities;

- that the proposals are innovative and have a demonstrative character;

- that there is a strong partnership between the public sector and other socio-economic partners;

- that the actions proposed would have a positive employment impact.

With such a high response, it is not possible to give details for specific cities but, within the budgetary constraints, only the very best projects could be selected.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3898/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 December 1997)

Subject: Acts of brutality committed in Somalia by soldiers from EU Member States

With reference to Written Question E-2488/97 by the Honorable Member Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE), in which he asks 'Will the Council say how it intends to react to the reports of unprecedented acts of brutality by soldiers from Member States (and notably, founding members) of the Union, acts which have dealt a devastating blow to its prestige as a whole and which give its declarations about 'protection of human rights' a hollow ring?', will the Council give an immediate response in the light of the findings of an inquiry by the Italian Ministry of Defence and the admission by the editor of 'Panorama' that he was mistaken, in order to prevent any offence to the peace forces sent to Somalia, particularly the illustrious soldiers of Folgore?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1998)

The Commission is following developments in the investigation of the accusations of bad treatment inflicted on Somalians by members of the United Nations Restore Hope mission.

The investigation falls within the competence of the countries whose troops participated in the UN mission.

The Commission would emphasise the essential role played by the Union and the countries concerned in sending peace-keeping troops as part of the Restore Hope operation, which saved thousands of human lives.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3848/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (5 December 1997)

Subject: Social security entitlement

The Greek General Accounts Office is refusing to award a survivor's pension to a Swedish national, Mrs Brit-Elizabeth, the widow of Mr Ioannis Papadopoulos, under Article 63(1)(b) of Presidential Decree 1041/79 (civil and military pensions code), on the grounds that she does not have Greek nationality.

Given that this constitutes an infringement of Community law regarding social security entitlement (Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 ((OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2. ))) and the EU Treaty (Articles 48 and 51 and F, 6 and 8) what steps will the Commission take to bring Greek legislation into line with Community law and the EU Treaties and in order to ensure that Mrs Brit-Elizabeth Papadopoulos obtains her pension entitlement?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (19 January 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's opinion that the refusal by the Greek authorities to grant a survivor's pension on the grounds that the applicant does not have Greek nationality infringes Articles 48 and 51 of the EC Treaty, as well as Regulation (EEC) 1612/68 of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community ((OJ L 257, 19.10.1968. )), Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2 December 1996 amending and updating Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community, and Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 ((OJ L 28, 30.1.1997. )).

Accordingly, the Commission has contacted the Greek authorities to draw their attention to this situation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3950/97 by Gordon Adam (PSE) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Player transfer restrictions imposed by the British Ice Hockey Association Ltd. (B.I.H.A.) and International Ice Hockey Federation (I.I.H.F.)

The British Ice Hockey Association Ltd., as the governing body of the sport of Ice Hockey for the United Kingdom, under the authority of the International Ice Hockey Federation of which it is a member, imposes a range of fees for the registration of players from Ice Hockey Associations other than those comprising the United Kingdom, which are in addition to those fees which are charged for the registration of United Kingdom players.

The fee for players from other European Union countries is increased depending upon the country with which they have first registered.

The B.I.H.A. also asks for an International Transfer Card (I.T.C.) fee which varies depending on the charge levied by the country of origin of the player.

Are the fees imposed within the scope of the Treaty of Rome, since they restrict young people from other European Union countries from playing recreational and professional ice hockey within the United Kingdom?

Does the Bosman case have implications for other sports in addition to football, and in particular to ice hockey?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3937/97 and E-3950/97 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)

Following the information provided to the Commission by the Honourable Member, the Commission considers that special fees imposed on ice hockey players who are not members of the United Kingdom ice hockey association when they are recruited by a British club amount to a discrimination contrary to the EC Treaty.

Where such ice hockey players wish to practise ice hockey as a professional activity, the transfer fee and the registration fee would constitute obstacles to free movement of workers and would directly contravene Article 48 of the EC Treaty, in line with the Bosman ruling. Furthermore, when hockey is played as a non-professional activity, either by a family member of a European worker or by a European citizen residing in the United Kingdom, the fee for non-British players may also constitute a discrimination against European citizens and may contravene the EC Treaty.

Finally, the Commission wishes to confirm that the Bosman ruling does not only concern professional football, but also any professional or semi-professional sports activity.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3803/97 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (26 November 1997)

Subject: The FIFG and tourism

In view of the Commission's reply to my question E-2036/97 ((OJ C 391, 23.12.1997, p. 151. )) on the breakdown of ERDF activity by Member State, can the Commission provide me with the same information with regard to the FIFG, namely the sums assigned to tourism within the various operational programmes in each of the Community support frameworks in each of the Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (27 January 1998)

Assistance from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) is strictly limited to fisheries projects. Tourism projects are covered by the European Regional Development Fund.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3883/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Spalato Belleré (NI) to the Commission (5 December 1997)

Subject: Transportable pressure equipment

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council directive on transportable pressure equipment (COM(96) 674 final - 97/0011 SYN) ((OJ C 95, 24.3.1997, p. 2. )).

The implementation of this directive will lead to a reduction in costs and thus provide economic advantages for manufacturers of pressure equipment, since in future approvals and the affixing of marks will be done in a single Member State, providing for free movement of approved equipment throughout the territory of the EU. This will lead to a sharp fall in the price of this equipment as a result of competition.

Will the Commission ensure that industry in this sector (manufacturers of equipment such as gas bottles, tanks and other components, and producers and distributors of liquid gas) pass on the economic advantages they secure to consumers, in terms of the final price for these products?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (9 February 1998)

The Commission considers that when the proposed directive enters into force manufacturers should benefit from economies in the costs connected with obtaining the approval of transportable pressure equipment. Indeed, the manufacturers of this equipment will no longer have to obtain approval in all the Member States, since approval and marking in only one Member State will be sufficient to allow the marketing of equipment and use in all the Member States.

With regard to the effects of these savings on the price of this equipment, while no formal guarantee can be given that the savings will be passed on, the Commission is convinced that market forces will have this effect.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4056/97 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: Sanctions against Iraq and their impact on Iraq's population

It is recognized that the policy of imposing sanctions against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq is having tragic effects on the population of the country and, in particular, the children who are suffering from malnutrition and a shortage of drugs.

Given that it is doubtful whether sanctions have achieved the expected results, while the population is in a situation that no civilized state can tolerate, will the Commission say:

1. what its position is on the above issues, and

2. whether it intends to take any measures to relieve the afflicted population and especially the children who are suffering malnutrition and a shortage of drugs?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (4 Februay 1998)

The embargo against Iraq has always allowed for medicines and foodstuffs to be exported to Iraq, with certain restrictions between August 1990 and May 1991. As of May 1991, medicines and foodstuffs could be exported, in principle, in unlimited quantities to Iraq, depending on the willingness of the Iraqi government to spend its reserves on the import of these goods.

In order to alleviate the suffering of the people, the Community has since 1991 provided humanitarian aid to Iraq with over 200 MECU, initially almost exclusively for the Kurdish controlled North. The Community 1997 programme of 22 MECU was equally split between the Kurdish North and areas controlled by the government of Iraq. About 2 MECU of this financing is towards medical supplies for the Kurdish population provided through non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Commission has allocated 10 MECU for financing 1998 operations.

In contrast to Central and South Iraq, experts who have visited Northern Iraq assess the overall humanitarian situation as satisfactory. Food distribution seems to be reasonably efficient and under-nutrition is not a significant problem as previously reported. The supply of medical items is still unsatisfactory, mostly due to the distribution system. NGOs and Kurdish authorities are looking into ways of improving distribution channels.

Under the first two phases of the United Nations (UN) oil-for-food resolutions (10 December 1996 / 4 December 1997) Northern Iraq (3 million people) has been allocated 470 MECU of which 70 MECU for the health sector (comprising 50 MECU of medical supplies and 19 MECU for rehabilitation of health facilities) 200 MECU for food and a further 13.5 MECU for nutrition.

In view of the far larger amounts under the oil-for-food provisions, the Community's future assistance will depend upon the efficiency of the implementation of the oil-for-food arangement and the possibility of increasing oil sales and subsequent purchases of medicines and foodstuffs. A proposal to increase Iraqi oil sales is under consideration by the UN Secretary general for presentation to the UN Security council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3545/97 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Progress towards harmonization of motor vehicle number plates

Symbols are one of the most effective ways of making European citizens identify with the idea that they are part of a community within the European Union.

That is why the harmonization of motor vehicle number plates to include the Union logo has been one of the most successful factors in helping to popularize the ideas which help to establish this sense of community in Europe.

However, not all countries have yet adopted the new harmonized number plate, to the disappointment of the citizens concerned.

Does the Commission consider that encouragement should be given to those countries which have not yet introduced the harmonized number plate with the Community logo to do so as swiftly as possible?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his written question No E-2574/92 ((OJ C 86, 26.3.1993. )).

Since then, Germany and France have also adopted the Community model of number plates in addition to Ireland and Portugal.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3169/97 by Raymonde Dury (PSE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Programme rendered obsolete due to absence of a Council decision

The Official Journal of the European Communities of 1 August 1997 (No C 233, p. 8) states that the Commission has decided to cancel the call for proposals 'Financial support for cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations' in the Community. The Commission is thereby acting in response to the Council's failure to take a decision on the 1994-1996 multiannual programme in favour of these bodies and the fact that this programme has become obsolete.

Can the Commission outline the consequences this failure to take a decision will have for the bodies concerned and specify whether a substitute programme exists - or will exist in future - and whether there are any precedents of programmes which have become obsolete owing to the Council's failure to take a decision?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)

As the Honourable Member mentions, it is true that the call for proposals was linked to the Commission's proposal for a Council decision relating to a multi-annual work programme (1994-1996) in favour of co-operatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations (CMAFs). The call for proposals was published on 24 August 1996. Unfortunately, by the end of 1996 this proposal had not been endorsed by the Council.

The Commission was therefore obliged to find an appropriate solution for the financing of CMAF projects which were linked to the call for proposals. To this end, the Commission, on 29 July 1997, decided to withdraw first its proposal for a programme, to cancel the call and then to take a specific decision on the financing for 1997 of 12 projects selected from those submitted in the context of the call for proposals. It was also decided, in addition to the 12 actions linked to the call for proposals, to finance from the 1997 budget line B5-321 (social economy), some other actions.

The Commission is examining the option of introducing a new proposal for a multi-annual work programme. The main objective is to help CMAFs improve their performance as enterprises and to play a full part in meeting the challenges currently posed by the employment situation.

For further details the Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission's reply to Oral Question H-0717/97 by Mrs C. Jackson during question time at Parliament's October 1997 part-session ((Debates of the Parliament (October 1997). )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3610/97 by Pervenche Berès (PSE) to the Commission (13 November 1997)

Subject: Invalidity card

On 1 September 1997 I asked the Commission about the possibility of adopting a harmonized invalidity card throughout the Member States (Written Question E-2815/97) ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998, p. 144. )).

In its reply of 3 October the Commission surprisingly stated that 'on the basis of the powers and responsibilities conferred on it by the Treaties, the Commission currently has no plans to harmonise the invalidity cards issued in the various Member States'.

At the very same time, however, the Council was discussing a plan for a uniform Community model of a parking card for disabled persons.

Would this parking card for disabled persons not constitute a first step towards the eventual adoption of a Community model for invalidity cards?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (20 January 1998)

The granting of fiscal or tariff advantages to disabled persons is a matter that falls within the competence of the Member States. The measures introduced differ appreciably from one Member State to another, in terms both of content and beneficiaries. The mutual recognition of cards establishing such advantages is a matter for each Member State.

It is true, however, that the Commission has proposed the adoption of a Council Recommendation on a parking card for disabled persons. But it should be noted that this proposal, which is based on the Community's competence in the field of transport, does not seek to harmonise the conditions for the granting and use of parking cards. It merely seeks to provide for the mutual recognition of these cards and the adoption of a standard model in order to facilitate the implementation of this process. The proposal is facilitated by the fact that most Member States do in fact issue such cards and that the cards have the same objective.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3334/97 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Commission (22 October 1997)

Subject: Conviction of Esber Yamukdereli and the continued violation of human rights in Turkey

In an article in the Turkish newspaper Sabah of 29 September 1997, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, described Article 8 of the so-called anti-terrorism law as a 'disgrace'. In an interview with the German newspaper 'Bild' on 22 September 1997, the Turkish Prime Minister himself, Mesut Yilmaz, acknowledged that the laws on the protection of human rights needed radical change. On 1 October 1997, the Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel, said that it was a matter of priority 'to put an end to the disgrace of human rights violations'. Despite all these statements being made during the first week of October, a blind 52-year old Turkish lawyer, Esber Yamukdereli, known for his defence of numerous dissidents in the Turkish courts, was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment by the Ankara Court of Appeal under Article 8 of the anti-terrorism law.

1. What practical measures will the Commission take to secure the immediate release of Esber Yamukdereli and to compel the Turkish Government to repeal all the legal provisions which even its own officials call a 'disgrace'?

2. How long will the Commission tolerate the mockery, inconsistency and untrustworthiness of successive Turkish governments, which have been promising for two years to repeal all legal provisions used to violate human rights and restrict freedom of thought and which serve as a pretext for depriving Turkish citizens even of life itself?

3. Does the Commission not believe that it is unthinkable to strengthen relations any further between the Union and Turkey while this situation persists?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek On behalf of the Commission (24 November 1997)

The Commission is extremely concerned to see an improvement in the human rights situation and continuing democratisation in Turkey. Whenever it can the Commission presses the Turkish authorities to make headway in these two areas. The Commission has also set out its ideas on this matter in Agenda 2000 ((COM(97) 2000 final. )). During his last visit to Ankara on 30 and 31 October the Member of the Commission responsible for relations with Turkey took the opportunity to point out the European Union's efforts in these areas and to raise the imprisonment of the blind lawyer Esber Yamukdereli.

In Agenda 2000 the Commission states that the European Union must continue to support Turkey in its efforts to resolve its problems, whether economic or political, and to forge closer links with the Community. The Commission communication of 15 July on the further development of relations with Turkey ((COM(97) 394 final. )) proposes closer cooperation between the Community and Turkey on human rights to develop civil society and the rule of law in Turkey.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3676/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (10 November 1997)

Subject: Extension of the concession held by the company Autostrade spa

On 27 October 1997 the Italian Court of Auditors rejected an interministerial decree designed to extend by 20 years, until the year 2038, the concession held by Autostrade spa. In August its office responsible for the monitoring of government acts had already expressed severe doubts about the proposed extension. The reasons for rejecting the decree include its failure to comply with Community law. The Court considered the extension to be defective because of the inclusion of a concession for a new project, an alternative route for the mountain pass between Florence and Bologna, for which a European-wide call to tender would be required. This expedient has also been used in the past to obtain extensions.

Can the Commission confirm the doubts expressed by the Italian Court of Auditors?

Does the Commission intend to ensure respect for all the European regulations applicable to this sector, including in the case in point?

Can the Commission, within the scope of its competence, give its views on the management of concessions granted to Italian motorway companies?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (6 January 1998)

The Commission is not in possession of either the interministerial decree referred to by the Honourable Member or any information that would enable it to assess that instrument in the light of Community public procurement legislation.

By virtue of the prerogatives assigned to it by Article 155 of the EC Treaty, the Commission will be contacting the Italian authorities with a view to obtaining the factual and legal particulars necessary to verify the decree's compatibility with the relevant Community legislation.

Until such time as that verification has been carried out, the Commission is unable to give its views on the concessions granted to Italian motorway companies.