ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/372

(2004/C 84 E/0430)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0355/04

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(12 February 2004)

Subject: Funding for young artists

The cultural association ‘Prometeo’ of Alatri in the province of Frosinone has long been involved in promoting and publicising an international art and literature prize, the aims of which include fostering the knowledge of various cultures and traditions via paintings and sculptures produced by various artists from different EU Member States.

The prize is awarded for an artistic work on a specific theme which is decided on each year, but it is left up to the artists to choose what technique they consider most appropriate.

The aim of the whole initiative is to promote the trans-national dissemination of culture and the movement of artists and artistic works, which is also one of the objectives of ‘Culture 2000’.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. what measures or programmes are envisaged to fund this kind of initiative in the context of ‘Cultura 2000’;

2. whether there are similar initiatives within the EU;

3. whether this sector is one of the priorities for 2004?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2004)

1. and 2. The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to refer to its reply to Written Question E-0938/03 (1).

3. The Commission would also remind the Honourable Member that the call for proposals for projects to be undertaken in 2004 closed on 30 October 2003 for annual projects and on 14 November 2003 for multiannual projects.

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 212.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/529

(2004/C 88 E/0542)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0760/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Implementation of the financial services action plan (FSAP) in the new Member States

Does the Commission envisage flanking measures for implementing the financial services action plan in the accession countries, which were basically not involved in drafting the main directives introduced by the FSAP?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

The measures of the Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP) which have an implementation deadline before 1 May 2004 will form part of the ‘acquis’ which all Acceding Countries will need to take over and implement from the date of accession.

Where implementation deadlines of FSAP measures are later than May 2004, the later deadline will also apply to Acceding Countries. To be fully informed about these measures, delegates from the Acceding Countries have been included as observers in all relevant preparatory and regulatory institutional committees over the last year (2003).

The Commission recalls that the Act of Accession foresees transitional measures — limited in scope and time — for specific Directives in the financial services sector. These transitional measures apply to the local market; it will not be possible to benefit from direct access to the European Internal Market while complying with less strict regulations. All transitional measures will end by the end of 2007 at the latest. The measures concern: the minimum capital requirement for co-operative credit institutions under the Banking Directive (1) (involving Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia); and the Deposit Guarantee and Investor Compensation Schemes (2) (involving Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia).

Finally, the Commission has for some time maintained an intensive dialogue with Acceding Countries in the field of financial services, notably by means of peer reviews carried out by experts from the EU15. This has led to recommendations and action plans being drawn up by the Acceding Countries to ensure effective implementation of the ‘acquis’ in this field, including FSAP measures already adopted.

(1) Directive 2000/12/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 relating to the taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions, OJ L 126, 26.5.2000.

(2) Directive 94/19/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 1994 on deposit-guarantee schemes, OJ L 135, 31.5.1994.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/522

(2004/C 88 E/0535)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0725/04

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Accession of Latvia

Latvia will join the EU on 1 May 2004. As the Commission is aware, the population of Latvia is made up of several ethnic groups, including Russians. The ‘acquis communautaire’, pursuant to which Latvian legislation may not contain discriminatory provisions, will come into force in Latvia on its accession to the EU.

1. Do national provisions still exist which discriminate against individual ethnic groups, for example with regard to freedom to travel?

2. If so, what action is the Commission taking?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(27 April 2004)

As the Commission spelled out in its Regular Reports on EU accession preparation, Latvia meets the political criteria for EU accession, which includes the protection of minorities.

The 2003 Comprehensive Monitoring Report on Latvia (1) mentioned remaining restrictions concerning citizenship and language requirements in the field of the four freedoms. The Commission underlined that legislative requirements on language proficiency and their implementation must be in full respect of the principles of justified interests, proportionality and non-discrimination and can only be applied in very exceptional circumstances, on a case by case basis. Since then, and according to the follow-up monitoring, Latvia has further amended its legislation, e.g. by eliminating restrictions regarding security services and lawyers, in line with the ‘acquis’.

In the context of the anti-discrimination legislation, Latvia has addressed the remaining shortcomings in this field, including further legislative alignment and the establishment of the Equality Body. Latvia has committed itself to completing alignment on outstanding issues before accession.

As regards ethnic minorities in particular, Latvia was strongly encouraged to promote the integration of the Russian minority by, in particular, continuing to accelerate the speed of naturalisation procedures, and by taking other proactive measures to increase the rate of naturalisation. Since then, several further steps have been taken to ease the process and the rate of applications for naturalisation has doubled.

As regards the freedom of travel, it falls to the competence of Member States to decide whether holders of non-Latvian passports are exempted from visa requirements or not. After accession, Member States will be able to continue to waive visa requirements for holders of non-citizen passports. Once a member of Schengen, non-citizens will be able to travel to the Schengen area on the basis of their passports and a residence permit without applying for a visa.

(1) COM(2003) 675 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/516

(2004/C 88 E/0528)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0616/04

by Klaus Hänsch (PSE) to the Commission

(1 March 2004)

Subject: Allocation of EU resources

As regards the allocation of EU resources to the district (Kreis) of Mettmann and the cities of Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Neuss, Remscheid, Solingen and Wuppertal (in North Rhine-Westphalia), will the Commission give:

1. The total amount and breakdown of EU structural resources received under the individual funds and the various Community programmes and initiatives?

2. The amount of EU resources allocated since 1999 under other budgetary headings for pilot projects or — as direct aid — to universities, research establishments, enterprises and other bodies in the above-mentioned cities and the district of Mettmann?

3. The number of jobs created or maintained by means of this assistance?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2004)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/920

(2004/C 78 E/0973)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0041/04

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Trade between Scotland and the rest of the European Union

What key actions, either at the EU or domestic level, does the Commission believe are needed to improve trade between Scotland and the rest of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 2004)

The Commission believes that any measures taken to eliminate remaining regulatory barriers to trade between Member States or to reduce the costs of trading will:

(a) improve trade between Scotland and the rest of the European Union, and,

(b) by increasing competition, stimulate prosperity.

Increasing prosperity will, in turn, improve trade still further and so create a virtuous economic circle. The Commission believes this to be true whether the measures are taken at the EU or national level.

At the EU level, Member States must implement the full Internal Market Strategy (1). But on the basis of subsidiarity, some of the Strategy's Priority Actions could be implemented by Scotland too: notably Priority Actions 1 and 2 (increasing the free movement of goods and services, notably by ensuring that market surveillance authorities apply the principle of mutual recognition), 5 (opening up public procurement), 8 (simplifying regulation), 9 (enforcing Internal Market rules) and 10 (ensuring that information on trading inside the Internal Market is easily available).

Beyond that, initiatives should be taken that facilitate trade between Scotland and the rest of the EU or reduce its cost — possible examples of such initiatives could include infrastructure investments or enhanced export promotion of Scottish products. The Accession Countries, in particular, offer significant new opportunities for Scottish businesses.

(1) Communication from the Commission to the Council, the Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Internal Market Strategy Priorities 2003-2006, COM(2003) 238 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/693

(2004/C 88 E/0711)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0221/04

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(30 January 2004)

Subject: Investigations by the Milan public prosecutor into the auditors Grant Thornton and Deloitte in connection with the Parmalat scandal

The Milan public prosecutor is investing auditors Grant Thornton and Deloitte in connection with the Parmalat affair. The charge relates to a breach of law 231 on legal persons, which is based on a European Community directive. On 31 December 2003 two Grant Thornton auditors were arrested and the investigations subsequently focused on two Deloitte and Touche auditors who were charged with market rigging, false auditing, false company statements and aggravated fraud.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

If it has any connections with Grant Thornton and/or Deloitte, does it intend to contact the Milan judicial authorities to ascertain the reasons for the investigations and the nature of any breaches of law and the involvement of the companies, not least in order to protect the Community institutions against damage from possible illegalities?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

The Commission is closely following the developments in relation with the Parmalat corporate failure. However, it is too early to draw any final conclusions from this very complex case as judicial enquiries are on going.

As far as audit work that needs to be performed by Grant Thornton and Deloitte in relation with specific projects funded by the Commission, the Commission will continue to monitor such work so as to ensure that it is carried out to the highest standards.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/412

(2004/C 84 E/0480)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0476/04

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2004)

Subject: Commission cars

Could the Commission confirm if any cars provided for Commissioners have been involved in road traffic accidents or accidents involving third parties, in the last two years? If so, please provide details.

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2004)

Since 1 January 2002, the cars placed at the disposal of the Commissioners have been involved in thirteen accidents, one resulting in minor injuries to one person.

Each of those accidents involved third parties, and Commission drivers were presumed to be at fault in eight cases. None of the incidents gave rise to civil or criminal proceedings. 11 of the accidents happened in the Brussels region and 2 in Strasbourg.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3480/98

by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Food aid for North Korea

There is now daily media coverage of the food situation which has grown worse in North Korea, from where several cases of cannibalism have been reported.

Further to the question I tabled in September last year, will the Commission now say what the situation is as regards the food aid which the EU has already given, and which it will give, to the people of North Korea.

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 1999)

For the last two years, the Commission has been closely monitoring the food security situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). There are undeniably food shortages although the extent cannot be precisely verified, given only partial co-operation from the authorities. As might be expected, there is also evidence of adverse consequences on the health and nutritional status of the population. Nevertheless, sensationalist rumours of cannibalism have not been substantiated by the 100 western expatriates now based in the DPRK assisting in the various aid programmes.

International food aid deliveries over the last two years in total amount to approximately 1,5 million tonnes. The Commission, acting on behalf of the Community, has provided considerable quantities of food aid products targeted at the most vulnerable sections of the population. The total value of this food aid and food security support in 1997-1998 has now reached 100 millions euro. This assistance has been channelled through the World food programme (WFP), European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with an expatriate presence and bilaterally. The bilateral support in 1998 has been monitored by a Commission financed technical assistance team. In addition to food aid and support for agricultural rehabilitation, the Commission has also granted in excess of 24 millions euro for public health, sanitation and emergency nutritional support over the same period.

The Commission is presently reflecting on the modalities of a possible food aid and agricultural rehabilitation programme for DPRK in 1999. No final decision has yet been taken. Since the shortages are mainly structural (the by-product of DPRK's agricultural and wider economic policies), the Commission therefore takes the view that in order to be efficient and sustainable its assistance will need to be accompanied by policy adaptations from the DPRK authorities. These should aim to modernise agricultural practices and start to implement more far-reaching market-oriented initiatives.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3913/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Ecofin Council meeting of 1 December 1998

At this meeting, Ministers discussed the first interim report of the Code of Conduct Group on business taxation.

Press reports following the Council meeting clearly indicate that some journalists have obtained copies of this report. In view of this, can the Commission make this interim report available to MEPs? In particular, can the Commission explain to MEPs what measures in what Member States the Code of Conduct Group is discussing?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 1999)

When the code of conduct group was established in March 1998 the Ecofin Council determined that its work should remain confidential.

There is an understandable concern that disclosure of information before the issues have been fully evaluated could adversely affect both the assessment process and the commitment to exchange what may be sensitive information on national legislative measures and practices. Given that the initial list of measures is not exhaustive, there are concerns that its disclosure might have negative economic, social and budgetary effects for individual Member States, as well as for the business community.

Regardless of press speculation therefore, working papers, including details of tax measures under discussion in the group, and the interim report of the group are not available for distribution.

The Commission has issued a communication(1) to the Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the code of conduct and other elements of the tax package.

(1) COM(98) 595 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1591/01

by Frank Vanhecke (TDI) to the Commission

(1 June 2001)

Subject: Pluralism in the media

The recent hunger strike entered on by Mrs Emma Bonino in Italy in protest against the unequal treatment in the media afforded to her political party during the campaign preceding the general elections in that country of 13 May 2001 showed that, in various EU Member Sates, the media big guns pursue a policy which benefits just the major established political parties. That, too, is the case in Belgium, where every set of statistics shows that a political party like the Vlaams Blok, which represents more than 15 % of the Flemish electorate, is ignored by the public media which are, nevertheless, financed from electors' taxes.

Accordingly, we are clearly faced by a Europe-wide problem. After all, a free, pluralistic and objective press, which takes account of all political movements in society, is the principle which must underpin every democratic nation.

Is the Commission aware of these problems in various EU Member States?

Does not the Commission feel that political parties which are represented not only in the national parliament but also in the European Parliament should be entitled to equal media treatment in the public broadcasting systems in their respective countries in proportion to their numerical strength?

Does not the Commission feel that it bears responsibility for ensuring compliance with the principle of free, pluralistic and objective media, above all where a public broadcasting system is concerned?

What is the Commission's opinion of a Member State where politicians must go on hunger strike in order to claim a minimum of media interest?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2001)

The Commission has no authority over matters relating to the editorial line of the press in the Member States. The Commission considers that the press in Europe has very considerable freedom, for which there are few comparisons in the rest of the world. Within the limits of the responsibilities of the Union, the Commission seeks to promote political and cultural pluralism in the media so that this very high level of freedom is preserved. Naturally, the Commission cannot intervene or even comment with regard to the editorial line taken by the media in a particular Member State. That is a matter for readers and viewers to judge. In any event, it falls to the Member States to ensure that principles such as pluralism in the media and freedom of expression are observed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2073/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Projects to renovate and modernise the water supply network in Attica

According to statements made by the managing director of the Athens water company EYDAP, there is a clear danger of a water shortage in Attica since the reservoirs contain only enough water for two years. This volume is internationally considered the minimum for a secure water supply. The company management has announced projects to renovate and modernise the water supply network in 2001, with a total budget of GRD 3 billion. The EYDAP programme includes projects aimed at reducing spillage with funds totalling GRD 25 billion up to 2005.

1. Did the Commission receive proposals from the Greek Government aimed at combating the water shortage in Attica as part of the second CSF? If so, what proposals were deemed eligible?

2. Has the Commission received specific proposals from the Greek Government for projects to renovate and modernise the water supply network and combat the water shortage in Attica as part of the third CSF, and if so what do these proposals involve?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2001)

The Commission part-financed the following projects for drainage and modernisation of the distribution network for drinking water in Attica under the Cohesion Fund in 1993-1999: construction of the Evinos dam and related work at a total cost of 339,87 million and improvement of the supply and distribution networks in Attica managed by the company responsible for the

supply of water and waste-water treatment in Athens (EVDAP) at a total cost of 125,32 million. It is currently considering a request to amend these projects to permit additional work amounting to 10,94 million. No project was part-financed under the Community support framework (CSF) during the 1994-1999 programming period.

The Commission has not yet received the proposals by the Greek authorities concerning drainage projects and projects to modernise the water distribution network and combat drought in Attica to be part-financed by the CSF in the current programming period, 2000-2006. When they are sent to the Commission, these proposals will be examined on the basis of the priorities laid down in the environment operational programme of that CSF.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3178/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 November 2002)

Subject: Eurostat figures

In its regular Euro Indicator News Releases, Eurostat regularly publishes a wide range of useful and informative statistics on both the Eurozone countries and the EU15. Could the Commission indicate, however, why its Unemployment Reports only contain figures for the Eurozone countries individually and not for all the EU15 countries individually? Could the Commission also indicate whether these reports can be accessed on the internet by the general public?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2002)

The regular monthly Euroindicators News Release on unemployment always covers both the Euro-zone (EZ) and the 15 Member States (EU15) area figures. Where the latest months are unavailable for some countries, they are estimated to provide the European aggregate (EZ and EU15). These country estimates are not published. The short analysis refers only to the last or second last month and the first table of the Euroindicators News Release includes data only for the two most recent months. Where available however, complete data including the country data for five past months can be found at the end of each Euroindicators News Release.

Unfortunately, even after several attempts, it was not possible to identify a product/report headed Unemployment Report as was mentioned in the question. If the reference is to something else other than the above-mentioned News Release on unemployment, the Commission would need a more precise reference to the report.