ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2613/98

by Mirja Ryynänen (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Assessment of forestry aid schemes

Under Agenda 2000 the Commission is proposing to expand forestry aid schemes. There is already provision for aid under the Structural Funds and the CAP for reafforestation and forest management measures. However, to my knowledge no comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of such aid has ever been carried out.

How did the Commission assess the practicability, effectiveness and impact of the old aid schemes on the basis of the objectives set for them?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1998)

With the exception of support for maintaining the protective role of certain forest areas, limited to zones suffering from major natural handicaps, the proposal submitted by the Commission under Agenda 2000(1) does not provide for any new Community forestry aid schemes nor for raising the ceilings for existing ones. The forest management measures which currently qualify for aid from the Structural Funds under Objectives 1 and 5(b) as well as the forestry measures in agriculture (Council Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 of 30 June 1992 instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture(2)) will therefore be renewed and adapted to the framework fixed by the new Regulation concerning assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (EAGGF) for rural development.

As far as assessment of forestry measures in agriculture is concerned, at the end of 1997 the Commission submitted a progress report to Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of Regulation (EEC) 2080/92, and it used that report's conclusions in the proposals it presented for these measures under the forestry chapter of Agenda 2000. Implementation by Member States of measures authorising funding for afforestation of agricultural land, currently compulsory under Regulation (EEC) 2080/92, has been made optional, for example.

Assessment of forestry measures adopted under Structural Fund operational programmes from 1994-99 forms part of the general assessment of the Structural Funds, since these measures are included in the priorities defined in the OPs (for example, the modernisation, diversification or profitability of agriculture, employment or the environment) in the same way as other measures in other sectors of activity.

(1) COM(98) 158.

(2) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3404/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(9 November 1998)

Subject: Electricity supply directive

1. In the EU there are currently two models for paying for the supply of electricity generated from renewable energies.

Can the Commission say by how much the proportion of electricity generated from renewable energies in the Federal Republic of Germany rose in the past three years (1994-97) as a result of cost-covering payment for supply and by how much the proportion rose in the United Kingdom as a result of the quota model?

2. How high were investments in the UK and Germany in the same period?

3. Is it true that the small proportion of wind power in the UK despite good geographical conditions is due to the fact that the quota model leaves the way open for fraud, since the award of contracts does not need to be followed by investment?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 1998)

1. According to the statistics on renewable energy sources in the Community established by the Commission, the share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources, which includes large scale hydro power, in overall national production in Germany and the United Kingdom amounted to:

>TABLE>

Official figures for the year 1997 are not yet available.

2. The Commission has no statistical data on total investment made in the renewable sector between 1994 and 1997 in Germany and the United Kingdom. However, the installed capacity (in megawatts) in renewable energies overall has developed in the following way, according to statistics officially available to the Commission:

>TABLE>

According to information available from industry sources, the installed capacity of electricity generation from wind (in megawatts) has evolved in the following way:

>TABLE>

3. The Commission has no knowledge of any fraud committed in the context of tendering procedures carried out under the "non-fossil fuel obligation" mechanism operated in the United Kingdom. From British sources, it would appear, however, that a number of renewable projects which were successful in a tendering procedure were not finally carried out.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3392/98

by Carlos Carnero González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: Support measures for the black hake fishing fleet in Cádiz (Spain)

A recent visit to Cádiz province - whose socioeconomic problems are clearly reflected in its having the highest unemployment rate in the EU - gave me the opportunity of acquainting myself with the plight currently facing the fisheries sector, whose activities include catching black hake in Mauritanian and Senegalese fishing grounds, through information supplied by the Professional Association of Shipowning Companies (Asemar).

Fishing activities in Cádiz as a means of boosting the economy and employment require protection and encouragement. Furthermore, catching black hake is an activity with distinctive features which, whilst neither worrying coastal states nor carrying the risk of overexploitation, sees the flee engaged in it disadvantaged under international agreements, is in need of more markets and incurs high operational costs.

Bearing in mind the above, does the Commission not believe it necessary to introduce measures such as those proposed by Asemar, which would include dispatching experts representing the various administrative authorities - beginning at Community level - to conduct a detailed examination in situ of the said activity and thus be primed to defend them successfully in the next negotiations on new fisheries agreements or on amendments to those already in force, as well as to promote the introduction of a subsidy for port workers per kilogramme landed, thereby ensuring that the cost of unloading to the shipowner would in no event exceed the reasonable level of 4 or 5 % of the total value of the fish at first sale?

If so, what measures does it intend to take?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 1998)

The Commission prepares its negotiating position on international fisheries agreements with non-Community countries, including those for black hake, on the basis of information supplied by the national administrations. This information is established following consultations with the national interests concerned in the industry.

In line with its international undertakings, the Commission considers that coastal countries have sovereignty over evaluating the fishing resources in their own waters and calculating the quantities that may be caught there, in particular by the fleets of third countries. The Commission takes account of the best scientific advice available when considering its demands.

The terms of access to resources in the waters of third countries are thus drawn up on the basis of these two parameters. The Commission believes this approach to be the best for reconciling defence of the Community fleet with the need to adjust fishing opportunities in line with sustainable fishing.

Furthermore, the Commission would note that the aids mentioned by the Honourable Member would not be eligible for assistance from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and that the Community's international commitments, in particular within the WTO, do not allow it to contemplate such aid.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3698/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Council

(4 December 1998)

Subject: Attendance of Council meetings

The informal meeting of Home Affairs and Justice Ministers held in Vienna on 29/30 October 1998 was not attended by the French and Belgian Ministers or the British Home Secretary.

This prompts me to ask the Council:

1. On what grounds were the ministers referred to above not present?

2. Is it usual for not all the relevant ministers to attend informal meetings?

3. Does the Council have records showing which ministers have not attended informal and formal meetings in the past two years and how often they have failed to attend?

Reply

(8 February 1999)

The Council does not keep a register of the presence or absence of Ministers at informal meetings organised by the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council, which take place without the Council framework. Ministers - or the senior officials who replace them - are not obliged to give reasons for their absence.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3251/98

by Kyösti Virrankoski (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 October 1998)

Subject: Finnish-language Natura 2000 notification forms

Areas to be included in the European Natura 2000 network must be notified to the Commission using an information form. The information to be provided on the form includes the location of the Natura area, the types of nature to be found in it, an estimate as to what percentage of the types of nature which exist in the Member State as a whole is to be found in the area and the importance of protecting the area in question to the protection of the type of nature to be found in it. A similar form is to be completed concerning each of the organisms in the area whose protection the designation of the area is intended to secure.

These forms were received from the Commission last spring (on 14 May), together with the 35-page instructions for completing them. Now, however, the Finnish Environment Ministry, which has hitherto kept the form secret, claims that the Commission cannot supply the forms in Finnish. The form is vital to enable land-owners, municipalities and provinces to establish the factual basis for the protection of each Natura area.

Does the Commission have these forms, and the instructions for completing them, in Finnish?

Does the Commission consider it right that Natura information should be supplied from Finland using a form which people cannot understand? If not, what will the Commission do, or does it intend to do nothing?

Does the situation accord with the provisions of the EU Treaty?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 1998)

The forms with explanatory notes do exist in Finnish. Commission Decision 97/266/EC, of 18 December 1996 concerning a site information format for proposed Natura 2000 sites(1) has been published. Thus there should be no linguistic problem for Finnish people.

(1) OJ L 107, 24.4.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3474/98

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Sponsorship of an Alleanza Nazionale initiative by the European Commission Representation in Italy

On Wednesday 28 October an advertisement appeared in the Italian daily newspaper "Il Giornale" announcing that the Alleanza Nazionale group of Members of the European Parliament was to hold a meeting in Milan, on Thursday 29 October, with the title "A Soul for Europe", in which MEPs Cristiana Muscardini, Gerard Collins and Raul Miguel Rosado Fernandes were to take part. The meeting, according to the advertisement in "Il Giornale", was sponsored by the European Commission's office in Milan.

Can the Commission say whether or not this information is correct? If it is, I should like to know whether sponsorship can be provided for meetings organised by any political party and what criteria are used in deciding whether or not to provide sponsorship.

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1999)

Following Ms Muscardini's request of 1 October 1998, the Commission's office in Milan decided to sponsor a symposium, the stated aim of which was to "rediscover the ethical, cultural and political values" of the Union, so that the unification of the continent should not be limited to a purely commercial achievement.

Those invited to this symposium, entitled "Un'anima per l'Europa" (A soul for Europe), which was held in the main hall of the Region of Lombardy in Milan on 29 October 1998, included members of parliament from various Member States, national and regional Italian authorities, and the national representative of Alleanza Nazionale for matters of state.

Calling it a meeting of a party or delegation is merely the interpretation of the newspaper cited in the question.
91998E3302

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3302/98 by Kenneth COATES to the Council. Code of conduct on arms exports



Official Journal C 182 , 28/06/1999 P. 0061
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3361/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: Recruitment to the European Training Foundation in Turin

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is a decentralised EU agency. The criteria used for the recruitment of its staff are, justifiably, giving cause for concern. The list of temporary agents at 30 June 1998, for example, shows that the ETF employs 123 people, including 20 Italians, 17 Belgians, 8 Irish and 9 Dutch but only 3 Greeks, 1 Portuguese and 3 Spaniards.

This extraordinary breakdown by nationality of ETF staff raises obvious questions since countries with populations similar to that of Greece have nearly six times the number of staff (17 Belgians as opposed to only 3 Greeks), while the Netherlands' representation is exceptionally high in relation to the Spanish, for example, a country with a much bigger population than that of the Netherlands.

Is the Commission aware of this unacceptable situation and what action will it take to correct immediately the obvious imbalance in the breakdown of nationalities among ETF staff, given that all Community citizens are contributing to the running costs of the Foundation through the Union budget?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1999)

The Commission draws the Honourable Member's attention to the Foundation's autonomy as regards staff policy. Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) 1360/90 establishing a European Training Foundation, as amended by Regulation (EC) 1572/98 of 17 July 1998(1), states that the director is responsible for all staff matters.

Regarding staff status, Article 14 of the Regulation establishing the Foundation states that the staff of the Foundation are governed by the rules and regulations applicable to the officials and other servants of the European Communities. The Foundation exercises over its staff the powers devolved to the appointing authority. The governing board, in agreement with the Commission, adopts the appropriate implementing rules.

It is clear from these two articles that the Commission is not involved in the procedure for appointing Foundation staff, apart from providing the Foundation with administrative assistance to help it bring its practices as regards application of the Staff Regulations and the Rules applicable to other servants into line with those of the institutions.

It ensues from the above that there are no national quotas which might oblige the Foundation to recruit its staff on the basis of nationality. Appointments are therefore made exclusively by considering the required qualifications and skills, while attempting, as far as possible, to ensure a reasonable geographical breakdown.

The Commission considers that staff recruitment by the Foundation is fully consistent with the relevant rules.

(1) OJ L 206, 23.7.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3827/98

by Riccardo Garosci (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Final declaration of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum (Brussels, 27 and 28 October 1998)

How does the Commission intend to react to the Final declaration of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum held in Brussels on 27 and 28 October 1998 and in particular to the specific request made in point 12 of the declaration for Libya to participate as a full partner in the Barcelona process, thus ending an outdated exclusion that has been overtaken by events?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 1999)

The Commission has taken note of the final declaration adopted by the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum following its meeting in Brussels on 27 and 28 October 1998 and welcomes the contribution made by the Forum to the democratic dimension of the Partnership. It will be working with Parliament to implement the principles set out in the declaration, particularly as regards involving civil society in the partnership.

Regarding the call in paragraph 12 of the declaration for Libya to participate in full in the Barcelona process, the Commission would point out this is primarily a matter for the 27 members of the Partnership.

For its own part the Commission is guided by the statement made by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on 28 August 1998, which refers to "recent developments in the Lockerbie case" and notes that the Union "expects Libya to ... fully implement the provisions of UNSCR 1192 and all other relevant Security Council Resolutions." As far as the Commission is aware, talks are still going on between the interested parties to ensure that these resolutions are implemented in full.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2826/98

by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission

(11 September 1998)

Subject: Monitoring of agricultural subsidies

According to press reports, the Commission intends to double the level of monitoring of agricultural subsidies in Finland (by monitoring 10 % of farms instead of only 5 % as at present).Clearly the Commission believes that additional monitoring is needed because only a very low level of misuse of aid has been detected in Finland.

Since agricultural subsidies cannot be paid out until the monitoring is complete, farmers are worried that the payment of this year's subsidies will be postponed for several months, just like Siberian miners' pay. The Finnish monitoring authorities (regional offices for their employment and commerce) may not be able to carry out the additional monitoring required with their current level of resources.

On what does the Commission base its view that the exceptionally low level of detected abuses means that additional monitoring is needed? Does the Commission consider it possible that the level of abuses may be low because Finnish farmers are exceptionally honest?

Does the Commission propose to guarantee the farmers that this growing season's subsidies will be paid without undue delays?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1998)

Regulation (EEC) 3508/92 establishing an integrated administration and control system for certain Community aid schemes(1) stipulates that all five elements making up the integrated system have to be operational in the new Member States by January 1998 at the latest. When checks were carried out by the Commission in April 1998, it was found that in Finland problems still remained in particular with the alphanumeric identification of land parcels, which also meant that it was not possible to carry out the prescribed exhaustive cross-checks. It is to make up for these shortcomings that the Commission has asked the Finnish authorities to increase the level of inspections. The same approach has also been followed in the past vis-à-vis other Member States. The Commission remains convinced, moreover, of the need for an effective and uniform control system as an instrument of sound budget management.

The Commission does not expect that the additional controls to be carried out by Finland will give rise to undue delays. In any event, the regulations stipulate that the compensatory aid for the 1998 harvest is to be paid to farmers by 31 December 1998 at the latest.

(1) OJ L 355, 5.12.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3745/98

by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Electoral law in Italy

1. Is the European Commission aware that, in the vote in the Italian Parliament on 25 July 1998, a bill was defeated which would give Italian voters living abroad the possibility of exercising their right to vote in Italian parliamentary elections (postal vote)?

2. Does the Commission believe that this legal vacuum constitutes a violation of the democratic principles that must be upheld by the Member States of the European Union and the applicant countries?

3. If so, what steps is the Commission going to take?

4. If not, why not?

5. In which other EU Member States can citizens exercise their right to vote only in their own country?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 1999)

With regard to the questions raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission would point out that the conditions under which Member States grant nationals who are resident abroad the right to vote in the various national elections fall within the exclusive powers of those Member States. The legislation referred to by the Honourable Member does not therefore violate Community law. Under the terms of Article 8b of the EC Treaty, every citizen residing in a Member State of which he is not a national shall have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal and European Parliament elections in the Member State in which he resides, under the same conditions as nationals of that State.

As regards the Honourable Member's inquiry as to legislation in the other Member States, the Commission regrets that it does not have sufficient information at its disposal to provide an answer.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3565/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Biased Euronews programme

Euronews is a television network run with European citizens' money. Despite that, it frequently presents views which upset the national and religious sensibilities of those citizens by distorting the views of their political or religious leaders.

A recent case in point was a programme on Islam broadcast at 8 p.m. on Sunday, 8 November 1998. This programme presented the Head of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Christodoulos, as an inveterate "nationalist" who inflames the passions of his fellow countrymen.

Given that the Commission oversees Euronews operations, what action will it take to protect the reputation of the Head of the Greek Orthodox Church, which represents millions of Orthodox citizens in Greece (a Member State of the EU), who contribute to the running of Euronews and whose religious leader is pilloried in this manner?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

As this concerns the nature of relations between the Community and the Euronews television channel, the Commission refers to its answer to Written Question E-1985/98 asked by the Honourable Member(1).

This channel is independent. It belongs to a consortium of more than 18 public television networks from Europe and the Mediterranean basin associated with the audiovisual news company ITN. The European Union has no capital stake in it.

In 1998, in agreement with the budgetary authority, the Commission negotiated a memorandum of understanding with this channel for a period three years. This agreement provides for the co-production and broadcasting of specific information programmes, intended for the general public, on various aspects of European current affairs. An annual agreement draws up the precise list of scheduled actions and their funding conditions. Apart from these co-productions the Commission does not accept any individual responsibility for this channel, regarding either its editorial policy or its management.

The subject raised by the Honourable Member has not been dealt with in co-productions which are covered by the contract with Euronews. Therefore, the Commission, which has no editorial power over an independent television channel, considers that it has no right to intervene with the channel to influence the way it presents information.

(1) OJ C 96, 8.4.1999, p. 22.