ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/659

(2004/C 78 E/0702)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3850/03

by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Harmful isocyanates and the protection of workers

Isocyanates are basic chemicals that are used primarily in the production of polyurethane foam, and polyurethane elastomers, etc. Isocyanates are thus found in chemical products such as paints, varnishes, surface treatments, adhesives and sealing compounds. It has recently been discovered that exposure to isocyanates also arises when mineral wool, glass wool and bakelite, etc. are heated.

For a long time now, the production and use of isocyanates has been on the increase. Most western European countries apply the same occupational exposure limits (0,005 ppm). However, studies show that the methods that have been used for many years to measure isocyanates in Europe are inadequate. Therefore, trade unions in the EU are calling for European rules for the industrial use of products that contain, or can emit, isocyanates.

1. Is the Commission aware of the harmful nature of isocyanates and the risks of exposure run by workers in many industries?

2. Does the Commission intend to take any measures and lay down European rules for the protection of workers from isocyanates?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission is well aware of the harmful effects of isocyanates for workers.

Several isocyanates are on the priority list for the work of the Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limit values (SCOEL) (1).

During 2004, the Committee (SCOEL) plans to start evaluating the available toxicological data with the aim of recommending occupational exposure limit values for isocyanates. Where appropriate, after this work has been accomplished, the Commission will propose occupational indicative exposure limit values for isocyanates, according to the provisions of Article 3, of Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (2).

(1) OJ L 188, 9.8.1995.

(2) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/158

(2004/C 88 E/0167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3824/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(12 December 2003)

Subject: Labels of origin for imports

Counterfeiting and commercial piracy are causing immense harm to EU manufacturers. Dumping continues to be used by some States as a means of gaining access to EU markets for their products. In Italy, footwear manufacturers are among those hardest-hit by fraudulent imports. With a view to ensuring fair trade, more controls should be introduced, together with rules enabling products to be clearly identified. Furthermore, the Union should decide to introduce a label for EU products, such as ‘EU’, followed by the name of the Member State of origin.

Can the Commission state:

— why it does not insist upon a compulsory label of origin for products from non-EU countries?

— why it does not consider equal customs duties to be a necessary part of reciprocity in world trade?

— why it does not make a label of origin compulsory for EU products as well, in order to ensure that consumers are properly informed?
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/728

(2004/C 84 E/0819)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1983/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Subject: Establishment of a secondary school in the small town of Rizokarpaso in Turkish-occupied Cyprus

In the small town of Rizokarpaso in Turkish-occupied Cyprus where Greek Cypriot families live in an enclave there is an elementary school which today has 23 pupils.

However, because there is no secondary school in Rizokarpaso, these pupils are obliged to move with their families to the free areas of Cyprus in order to continue their education.

Since all citizens must be given the opportunity of education and given that Cyprus has been admitted as a Member State of the European Union, what action does the Commission intend to take both in respect of the Turkish Cypriot community, whose representatives have declared that they are examining the matter, and as part of the measures it itself is promoting, with a view to facilitating the establishment of a secondary school in the occupied village of Rizokarpaso in Cyprus?
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/648

(2004/C 88 E/0665)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3396/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(17 November 2003)

Subject: Failure to pay compensation to Italian exiles in former Yugoslavia

The cultural association ‘Movimento nazionale Istria Fiume Dalmazia’ has for many years now been campaigning for recognition of the rights of the 350 000 Italian exiles who were obliged to leave Yugoslavia for historical reasons that are sufficiently well known.

Two agreements were concluded, at Osimo in 1975 and Rome in 1983, recognising the right to fair compensation of the Italian exiles who had been obliged to abandon their entire property. However, with the break-up of Yugoslavia, the successor states, Slovenia and Croatia, have failed to pay the agreed instalments. According to a recent study by the technical commission set up by Trieste province in cooperation with Rome province and the Trieste city council, the 1983 agreements need to be revised in order to put an end to the exclusion of foreign citizens under the ‘denationalisation’ laws and remove the bureaucratic obstacles to the purchase of property in Slovenia.

Can the Commission state:

1. whether it believes the above-mentioned agreements to be contrary to Articles 44(2)(e), 49 and 56 of the EC Treaty;

2. whether it believes those agreements to be contrary to Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, which expressly refers to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and, in particular, to Article 14 of that Convention;

3. whether it believes those agreements to be contrary to Articles 17 and 19 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2004)

The agreements concluded between Italy and Yugoslavia in 1975 and 1983 are bilateral agreements between two sovereign states concerning property ownership issues. Slovenia has informed the Commission that — as one of the successor states of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) — it has taken over obligations as concerns compensations to be paid under the agreement.

The EC Treaty and the Treaty on the European Union do not prejudice systems of property ownership in the Member States — hence property ownership issues are a matter of national legislation. Hence the principles of the Treaties cannot be applied to property ownership matters.

As concerns the provisions of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Charter concerns Union institutions and Member States only when they implement Union legislation. As property ownership regimes are not regulated by Union law, the Charter is not applicable in this area.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/451

(2004/C 88 E/0461)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3110/03

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Withdrawal of Community funding for the Juan XXIII project in Alicante (Spain)

The Finance Ministry recently notified Alicante Town Council of the formal decision taken by the Commission to suspend ERDF funding for the rehabilitation of the Juan XXIII district of Alicante.

Why has the Commission withdrawn the Community support for the project?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 2003)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the project for the rehabilitation of the Juan XXIII district of Alicante to which she refers was not included in any proposal to the Commission for part-financing under the Structural Funds.

The Commission contacted the authorities at the Ministry of Finance responsible for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in Spain, who confirm that this project was not put forward for Community part-financing under the local operational programme (2000-2006) for reasons relating to compliance with the Community rules on public procurement.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the Member States have sole responsibility for the selection of individual projects in each programme for part-financing under the Structural Funds and for their implementation.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/433

(2004/C 88 E/0438)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2700/03

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Inquiry into the kidnapping of Peter Shaw

Would the Commission give a clear and detailed account of any progress made by the Georgian authorities in the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping of Peter Shaw?

Does the Commission deem it unacceptable that so little information is available and that Peter Shaw has every right to expect that a full and comprehensive inquiry will be carried out?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 2003)

Ever since Peter Shaw regained his freedom in November 2002, the Commission has used every opportunity to stress to the Georgian Government the importance it attaches to bringing his kidnappers to justice. The Commission considers this to be an important signal of efforts to strengthen the rule of law in Georgia. The forthcoming EU-Georgia Cooperation Council will provide a further occasion to discuss the state of the investigations.

The Commission, through its Delegation and in cooperation with the British Embassy in Georgia, has regularly sought information from the Prosecutor General of Georgia on progress in the investigation. The Prosecutor General has recently informed the Commission that the case is still being investigated. Individuals involved in the kidnapping of Mr Shaw have been identified but more evidence is needed before they can be arrested and brought to court. Mr Chichiashvili, a Georgian national, wanted in Georgia in connection with several kidnappings, including that of Mr Shaw, has been arrested in Moscow.

The Commission deeply regrets that, almost one year after Mr Shaw regained his freedom, the perpetrators of his kidnapping have not been brought to justice and that the suspect arrested in Moscow has yet to be extradited.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's opinion that more information should be made available and has asked the Georgian authorities for a detailed written report on the state of the investigations. The Commission remains determined to do all that it can to pursue this case.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/331

(2004/C 78 E/0348)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3884/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Alcatel Italia: suspected infringement of rules on funding granted by the EU

It emerged from a meeting held with the trade union delegations from Alcatel Italia S.p.A. in Brussels in November 2003 that the company has benefited in the past from favourable terms for funding production activities in depressed areas of Italy, in accordance with the terms of Italian Law No 488/92, by means of EU co-financing.

This law obliges the beneficiary company to respect, inter alia, certain parameters in terms of both increasing jobs, on the basis of the funding received, and abiding by a multiannual investment plan.

Furthermore, it would seem that Alcatel Italia has carried out an outsourcing plan, without adequately informing the workers, and contravening the ban on altering the kinds of contracts already in force.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1. what kinds of EU funding in particular Alcatel Italia has received;

2. what kind of investment plan Alcatel drew up to step up productivity and increase employment, in accordance with the provisions of Law No 488/92?

3. whether it considers that the granting of funding to businesses can be made subject to an ethical and social clause?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/453

(2004/C 88 E/0464)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3179/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Cambodian deadlock

Has the Commission made representations to the Cambodian authorities in order to help solve the current constitutional deadlock, especially in the context of the country's troubled and violent history?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2003)

The Commission and Member States represented in Phnom Penh are following the recent political developments in Cambodia closely. Commission representatives have on several occasions encouraged all political parties to do their utmost, in a peaceful manner, to find an agreement on the formation of a new government reflecting the wishes of the electorate.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/464

(2004/C 88 E/0477)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3497/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Georgia — parliamentary elections

The media report that the Georgian opposition is accusing regional government officials of manipulating the result of the recent parliamentary elections. Thousands have taken to the streets.

Opposition leaders in Georgia are demanding that President Shevarnadze be taken to court, if he does not sack those responsible for the alleged ballot fraud.

Official sources indicate that the first partial results, with 60 % of the votes counted, show that the government coalition is 2 % ahead of the opposition.

The Commission:

— what information does it have on the Georgian electoral situation?

— how much faith does it put in the official results already announced?

— what developments does it foresee in the Georgian political situation?

— in what ways could this situation affect regional stability?

— what measures has it taken, or does it intend to take to ensure the safety of EU citizens in Georgia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2003)

It would seem that the situation in Georgia, as outlined in the Honourable Member's question, has been overtaken by events.

The Union is conscious of the need to help ensure that new elections in Georgia, both presidential and parliamentary, meet international standards and is considering how best to work with the Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the wider international community to achieve this end.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that its delegation in Georgia does not have consular responsibilities for Union citizens. Security of Union citizens is handled by the Union embassies in the country and with which the Commission delegation remains in close contact.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/599

(2004/C 88 E/0612)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0796/03

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 March 2003)

Subject: Bureaucracy and the EDF

Several charities and non-governmental organisations have recently criticised the freezing by the EDF of EUR 11,2 billion earmarked for projects aimed at fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as a result of administrative problems.

Can the Commission confirm this circumstance and the figures cited?

Can the Commission explain what has been or is being done, both to resolve this situation and to ensure that it is not repeated?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2003)

This question is a welcome opportunity for the Commission to clarify something that appeared in the press and that can be qualified as a major misunderstanding of the modus operandi of the European Development Funds (EDF).

European Development Funds are put into place by the Community for the benefit of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)-countries through five-year financial protocols. Under the 6th, 7th and 8th EDF, which were still operational until the entry into force of the 9th EDF on first April 2003, a total amount of EUR 32,4 billion have been allocated to ACP countries (1). As of end February 2003, of this amount EUR 29,7 billion (92 %) were committed and EUR 21,3 billion (66 %) disbursed. This means that EUR 2,7 billion were still available for commitments (which are foreseen essentially in the course of 2003) and EUR 11,1 billion for disbursements.

Contrary to the information referred by the Honourable Member, these funds were not earmarked for projects aimed at fighting Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis and malaria. Funds from the 6th, 7th and 8th EDF were allocated to national programmes, various horizontal instruments (structural adjustment support, debt reduction, emergency assistance etc.) and to regional co-operation and integration.

A small part of the funds allocated to regional co-operation was earmarked in 2002 for a contribution of EUR 60 million from the EDF to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This amount has indeed not yet been disbursed, because the contribution agreement is being negotiated between the Global Fund and the Commission. In accordance with the provisions of the Cotonou agreement, the contribution agreement with the Global Fund must guarantee that the contribution from the EDF will be used for the benefit of ACP countries. We expect this contribution agreement to be concluded shortly.

A contribution of EUR 60 million to the Global Fund was also committed under the Community Budget.

(1) The total amount available under the 6th, 7th and 8th EDF, which cover also co-operation with Overseas Countries and Territories, is EUR 32,8 billion.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/375

(2004/C 78 E/0397)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1595/03

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Cross-border payments in euro

With reference to written question P-0327/03 (1) of 31 January 2003, the Commission's answer to which was unclear, the questioner once again seeks clarification as to whether an electronic card which serves as both a credit card and a debit card in Portugal can only be used as a credit card in the other euro countries.

More precisely, can a card which is used to withdraw cash from ATMs free of charge in Portugal be used for the same purpose in the other countries in the euro zone or might the withdrawal, without prior warning, be considered as a cash advance with the charges that entails?

Similarly, can the Commission say what it means by ‘deferred debit cards’ mentioned in point 23 of Commission Decision 2002/914/EC (2) of 24 July 2002 and what the advantages are for consumers?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2003)

The Commission is still conducting an investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform her of the outcome as soon as possible.

(1) See page 354.

(2) OJ L 318, 22.11.2002, p. 17.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/664

(2004/C 88 E/0682)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3992/03

by Giles Chichester (PPE-DE) and Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 January 2004)

Subject: Presentation of the peer review on the Kozloduy nuclear power plant

Referring to the letter from the President of Bulgaria, Mr Parvanov, to the Council and the Commission dated 24 October 2002 requesting a safety peer review of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant's units 3 and 4, and bearing in mind that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for that review were issued to the Commission on 28 January 2003, recalling that the peer review then took place on 16 and 17 November 2003, can the Commission now confirm that no more time will be wasted in conveying the expected positive results of the review to both Council and the Bulgarian Government with a recommendation that the closure demand for the said units, now having no technical or economic justification, be withdrawn and that no pre-condition of plant closure should exist with regard to the accession of Bulgaria to the European Union?
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/100

(2004/C 78 E/0100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2277/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 July 2003)

Subject: Construction faults on the Ionian highway

In a few months the bridge between Rio and Antimo which is intended to link the southern and northern parts of western Greece will be completed. The Rio-Antirrio bridge is the point where the axis leading from the southern Peloponnese to Patras meets the Athens-Corinth-Patras axis. The Antimo side of the bridge also marks the start of the axis leading to Epirus and the Albanian border which at some point crosses the Egnatia highway. The theoretical development consequences of the new project for the whole of western Greece and far beyond are obvious. However, the axis leading from Antimo to the border is essentially a very inadequate provincial road which is unable to play the part assigned to it.

Will the Commission say how and when this axis (the Ionian highway) is due to become a reality and make the investment in the bridge worthwhile? Is it true that sections of the highway have already been funded by the EU and that the Agrinio by-pass is not functioning properly and the Arta by-pass is not functioning at all owing to very serious construction faults? Does it intend to press for these problems to be corrected and, possibly, for responsibility for this state of affairs to be established?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the answers given to Written Questions E-1799/03 by Mr Hatzidakis (1) and P-0386/03 by Mr Averoff (2), as regards the questions of the co-funding with funds of the European Union and the programming for the construction of the Agrinio and Arta by-passes and of the whole Ionian road axe.

On the basis of the information available to the Commission, the by-passes of Agrinio and Arta are now under construction. They are not completed and operational. No faults or other specific problems have been reported by the national authorities for these projects.

The Commission will be informed on any new development concerning these projects and the whole Ionian axe, and will act on the basis of this and any other relevant information, as provided by the regulations in force for the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund.

(1) OJ C 58 E, 6.3.2004, p. 97.

(2) OJ C 222 E, 18.9.2003, p. 194.