ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3458/96 by Carlos Carnero González (GUE/NGL), Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (9 December 1996)

Subject: EU-Cuban relations

Is the Commission aware of the Spanish Government's new position on EU-Cuban relations?

What kind of relations does the Commission currently have with Cuba?

What programmes with Cuba is the Commission currently engaged on, whether with government bodies or with NGOs?

Is the Commission going to modify its EU-Cuban relations, and in what way?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (10 January 1997)

The common position on relations between the Community and Cuba adopted by the Council on 2 December 1996 lays down the guidelines for the Member States' and the Commission's future relations with Cuba. It follows and is consistent with the Community's previous positions, in particular those adopted at the Madrid and Florence European Councils. The common position maintains a balance between vigilance on human rights, and support for streamlining the economy and modernizing society. From a broader standpoint, the common position's strength lies in its reassertion of the distinctive European approach to Cuba: it reiterates the refusal to achieve progress in Cuba by adopting coercive economic measures that bear harshly on the population.

Regarding cooperation with Cuba, since 1993 the Commission has organized up a humanitarian aid programme, projects aimed at food self-sufficiency, and a number of specific economic cooperation projects tailored for the Cuban situation and aimed at supporting certain reforms. The bulk of Community aid is channelled through European Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the Cuban authorities have undertaken to ensure that these NGOs maintain ownership and control of the products distributed until their delivery to the final consignees.

The economic cooperation projects are intended to have an incentive effect, with different but complementary objectives: to support reforms and consolidate civil society, and reinforce economic links with the European partners. For instance, for a number of years now, the Commission has financed a European stand at the two main Cuban trade fairs, held in Havana and Santiago. This year, close to 100 entrepreneurs from 13 Member States attended the Community stand during the international trade fair in Havana, from 3 to 10 November 1996.

The general logic of cooperation activities with Cuba already corresponds to the spirit of the common position adopted by the Council on 2 December 1996. The Commission accordingly intends to pursue its cooperation on the same terms and using the same methods it always has, which are fully consistent with the common position adopted.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3612/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B4-3101: Subsidy to the European Environment Agency

With reference to the financial year 1995 and budget heading:

B4-3101: Subsidy to the European Environment Agency

1. can the Commission say whether the European Environment Agency granted subsidies to outside bodies?

2. If it did, can the Commission list the activities and assocations which received a subsidy and indicate the level of subsidy in each case?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3606/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B5-323: Growth and employment

With reference to the financial year 1995 and budget heading:

B5-323: Growth and employment

1. Can the Commission say whether subsidies were granted to associations, trade unions or employers' bodies?

2. If they were, can the Commission provide a breakdown of the exact amount of the subsidy for each association, trade union, body and activity?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3622/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B3-4002: Meetings of workers' organizations in the Community

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the figures for each activity, trade-union, association and works council subsidised, for the subsidies granted in the financial year 1995, under budget heading:

B3-4002: Meetings of workers' organizations in the Community?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3611/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B3-4011: Eures (European Employment Services)

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the subsidies earmarked in 1995, under budget heading B3-4011: Eures (European Employment Services)

- for each activity, trade union, association and works council?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3162/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: EBRD threat to Eastern European rural railways

Given that the Environmental Know-How Fund is financing work to encourage development of rural railways in Eastern Europe as a crucial part of sustainable tourism strategies, will the Commission make representations to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development which is exerting very strong pressure on Eastern European railways to close down their rural lines as a condition of supporting high-speed rail projects?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1997)

The Commission is supporting the restructuring and development of railways in central and eastern Europe through the Phare programme. This includes reorganization of railway companies and the upgrading of rolling stock and infrastructure.

The aim is in part to ensure the railways are economically (and not just financially) viable. This is a vital factor in a sustainable and balanced strategy for the modal development of the rail sector. Such a strategy is one of the basic conditions for projects under the Commission's assistance programme for the sector.

Phare works closely with the international financial institutions in helping restructure the railways in the countries concerned. However, its contacts with them give the Commission no grounds to believe that the EBRD has exerted any pressure on railway companies in central and eastern Europe to close down rural lines or that the institutions are supporting high-speed projects.

The Commission is aware of the role that rural railways play in the sustainable development of tourism in the region and that in this they complement rather than compete with high-speed lines. Rural railways can make a positive contribution to the general economy of this part of the world, especially as part of a balanced development strategy to harness local potential to the full.

Any decisions on secondary lines, and the upkeep and resourcing of them, are policy matters for the recipient countries themselves, which also decide when and if to ask for financial support from international institutions. The Commission therefore feels that it would be unwise to exert any pressure whatsoever regarding the future of secondary lines and whether or not they should be supported or closed down.

The Commission will do everything necessary to ensure sustainable development of the transport sector and that the railways play their rightful role in it.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3079/96 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Protection of the cultural heritage in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus

Given the continuing destruction and pillaging of the Cultural heritage in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus which forms part of Europe's heritage, and the numerous EP resolutions which have repeatedly condemned these actions, does the Commission intend, as part of the policy to protect Europe's cultural heritage, to take an initiative, or to support other initiatives, aimed at preserving the island's antiquities, such as the Cypriot Government's recent appeal to Unesco to place the antiquities in Salamina and Apostolo Varnava under its protection?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (20 January 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its reply to the written question P-3094/96 by Mr Alavanos ((OJ C 83 of 14.3.1997. )).

Cyprus will be able to participate in the heritage preservation activities within the framework of the Raphael programme once it has been concluded. In the meantime Cyprus is already participating in the pre-Raphael pilot programmes in collaboration with other Community partners. An example of their cooperation has been the approval by the Commission of the project Cypria on the conservation, presentation and publication of objects of ancient Cypriot art in European museums, a project presented by the Levendis foundation of Cyprus in partnership with the Fitzwilliam museum of the United Kingdom and the Kunsthistorisches museum of Austria. In the future the Commission will be ready to consider proposals submitted by the Cypriot authorities for the preservation of the island's cultural heritage as long as they meet the necessary eligibility conditions (to be published in the official journal in early 1997).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3641/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B4-304: Legislation and other general action based on the Fifth Action Programme on the Environment

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the figures, for each association and activity subsidised, for the subsidies granted in the financial year 1995, under budget heading:

B3-304: Legislation and other general action based on the Fifth Action Programme on the Environment?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3126/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: European postage stamp

At the end of November 1996, the Commission will be presenting its programme 'Citizens First' which aims to heighten awareness among the people of Europe of the advantages they have as citizens of the EU. Postage stamps can play a very important role as symbols of a state or union of states and also serve purely practical purposes, bringing economic benefits and promoting communication between people.

Stamps usually depict important people or their achievements which inspire the human race to raise its ambitions.

Will the Commission say whether it is considering the possibility of issuing a European postage stamp, in collaboration with the Member States' national postal services, which will strongly reflect the social awareness that the EU must show towards the unemployed and low-income groups?

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

Promoting a European postage stamp is one of the Commission's initiatives towards creating a People's Europe, since this heightens citizens' awareness of the Community, which is one of the objectives of information programmes such as 'Citizens First'.

By deciding to issue a European stamp, Member States symbolize their participation in the Community and help to involve their citizens in it. It was with this in mind that the Commission supported the joint issue by the Member States in 1992 of twelve stamps depicting fundamental aspects of their common heritage, to celebrate the beginning of the internal market.

A future significant event for the Community and its Member States could provide a further opportunity for the competent national committees to issue a European postage stamp. The aim would be to use an identical design so as to make the cohesion between the fifteen Member States more visible.

This event might be the move to the single currency, the 'Euro', and the Commission's Communication mentions this possibility, in which case the relevant bodies would be contacted officially in the first half of 1997 as a first step towards realising this project.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2845/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Telecommunication terminal equipment

The proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive relating to telecommunications terminal equipment and satellite earth station equipment, including the mutual recognition of their conformity (COM(95)0612) is aimed at consolidating the following Directives:

- Council Directive 91/263/EEC ((OJ L 128, 23.5.1991, p. 1. )) of 29 April 1991 concerning telecommunications terminal equipment, including the mutual recognition of their conformity,

- Council Directive 93/97/EEC ((OJ L 290, 24.11.1993, p. 1. )) of 29 October 1993 supplementing Directive 91/263/EEC in respect of satellite earth equipment.

Will the Commission, as a matter of urgency, take appropriate measures which will have the legal effect of removing existing differences in interpretation of Article 6 of Directive 91/263?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (4 December 1996)

The consolidation of Directives 91/263/EEC ((Council Directive 91/263/EEC of 21 April 1991 concerning telecommunications terminal equipment, including the mutual recognition of their conformity - OJ L 128, 31.5.1991. )) and 93/97/EEC ((Council Directive 93/97/EEC of 20 October 1993 supplementing Directive 91/263/EEC in respect of satellite earth station equipment - OJ L 290, 24.11.1993. )) was included in the Commission's legislative programme for 1995. Accordingly, on 6 December 1995 the Commission adopted a proposal for a consolidated European Parliament and Council Directive relating to telecommunications terminal equipment and satellite earth station equipment, including the mutual recognition of their conformity ((Doc. COM(95) 612. )).

This is legislative or official consolidation; it consists in adopting a new legal act which incorporates and repeals existing acts without altering their substance. In other words, no changes have been made to the two basic Directives.

With regard to Article 6 of Directive 91/263/EEC, the Commission's interpretation is fully consistent with the spirit and the letter of the Article. Having found that certain Member States had interpreted the Article differently when transposing it into national law, the Commission recently adopted a communication concerning the Directive ((Communication from the Commission concerning the use of harmonized standards for the application of Council Directive 91/263/EEC - OJ C 138, 9.5.1996. )). The Commission believes that, while not altering the legislation currently in force, this communication will give a clear indication of the way the Member States must interpret the Directive.

The Commission would also point out that a draft directive concerning terminal equipment intended for connection, to replace Directive 91/263/EEC, is currently being drawn up.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3008/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (11 November 1996)

Subject: Genetically modified soya beans

Why has the Commission permitted Monsanto Europe to import a shipment of genetically-modified soya beans into the EU without any special form of labelling whilst being aware that the Novel Foods Directive in which Parliament calls for clear labelling is still in the conciliation procedure?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (20 January 1997)

The Commission has issued under Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990. )) on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms a favourable Decision 96/281/EC ((OJ L 107, 30.4.1996. )) on the placing on the market of genetically modified soya beans. The Commission decision enabled the United Kingdom authority appointed under the Directive to issue a consent to Monsanto Europe for this product. The consent is restricted to the following uses: 'handling in the environment during import, before and during storage, and before and during its processing to non-viable products'.

The Commission did not propose specific labelling mentioning that the product contains a genetically modified organism, because under Directive 90/220/EEC no such labelling can be imposed in the absence of safety reasons. In its proposal for a decision, the Commission indicated that according to the evaluation under Directive 90/220/EEC, there were no safety reasons which justify mentioning on the label that the product was obtained by genetic modification.

In the absence of a regulation on novel food ingredients, the applicable legislation is Directive 90/220/EEC which aims to protect human health and the environment when placing on the market products containing genetically modified organisms. It is worth mentioning that the Commission on 10 December 1996 produced a report on the functioning of Directive 90/220/EC. It concluded that the question of labelling should be addressed by the Commission when it produces a proposal to amend the Directive in 1997.

Furthermore, according to the Commission decision, Member States can apply national regulations covering the processed products (i.e. edible oil or soya bean meal for animal feed), so long as they are in compliance with Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4089/96 by Jutta Haug (PSE) to the Commission (17 January 1997)

Subject: EU funding of the Emscher-Lippe region since 1994

1. How much EU funding has been channelled to the Emscher-Lippe region since 1994?

2. Through which projects and funds has this funding been provided to the region?

3. What projects have been carried out in the following specific fields, and how much funding was provided for them:

(a) cultural projects

(b) women's projects

(c) combating long-term unemployment

(d) promoting employment

(e) youth

(f) education

(g) environment?

4. What is the Commission's assessment of the success of these measures?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

Further to its answer of 25 February 1997 ((OJ C 138, 5.5.1997, p. 176. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-3642/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B4-306: Awareness and subsidies

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the figures, for each association and activity subsidised, for the subsidies granted in the financial year 1995, under budget heading B4-306: Awareness and subsidies?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1997)

Further to its answer of 14 February 1997 ((OJ C 105, 3.4.1997. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-3603/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B5-320: Business promotion (small and medium-sized enterprises)

With reference to the financial year 1995 and budget heading B5-320: Business promotion (small and medium-sized enterprises),

1. can the Commission say whether subsidies were granted to associations, trade unions or employers' bodies?

2. If they were, can the Commission provide a breakdown of the exact amount of the subsidy for each association, trade union, body and activity?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1997)

Further to its answer of 14 February 1997 ((OJ C 105, 3.4.1997. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.