ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1319/98 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998)

Subject: EURO 1999

As a result of the Pact for Stability and Growth adopted by the Amsterdam European Council in June 1997, the Member States' medium-term budgetary objective will be to achieve 'positions close to balance or in surplus'. If the Member States continue their budgetary adjustments in subsequent years, their public finances will be in the best position to tackle the budgetary consequences of a possible downturn in the economy.

But what does the Commission think would be the current situation in the Netherlands if the Stability Pact had been applied during the period 1992-1997?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (2 June 1998)

The stability and growth pact is constituted by a resolution of the European Council of 7 June 1997 ((OJ C 236, 2.8.1997. )) and by Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies ((OJ L 209, 2.8.1997. )), and Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on speeding-up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure (2). The pact aims at fiscal discipline in the economic and monetary union (EMU) thus creating the appropriate stability conditions for sustained growth. It provides a powerful system of incentives for a Member State not to incur an excessive deficit and to correct it rapidly if such a situation should occur.

In 1992, the Netherlands had a general government deficit of 3.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), and in 1993 the deficit was 3.2% of GDP. This situation led to a Council decision on 26 September 1994 on the existence of an excessive deficit in the Netherlands (Article 104c (6) of the EC Treaty). The decision was abrogated in June 1997. In the period covered by the Honourable Member's question, i.e. 1992 to 1997, the Netherlands budgetary policy was mainly geared towards convergence, i.e. to correct the excessive deficit situation and thus to meet the convergence criteria on the budgetary position. Moreover, paragraphs 9 and 11 of Article 104c of the EC Treaty, which deal with sanctions, did not apply during stage two of EMU.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0944/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (30 March 1998)

Subject: EAGGF support for fisheries-related projects

Do the rules governing Objective 5a areas provide Member States with any scope to award funding to a business not involved directly in the processing or marketing of fisheries products? In particular, would a company which develops and builds frozen-food and refrigerated transporters, a key element in the delivery of fish products from the quayside to the supermarket, qualify for funding?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (8 May 1998)

The European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) is dedicated to the adjustment of agricultural structures.

Investments in fisheries projets covering objective 5a areas can be granted aid under the Financial instrument of fisheries guidance (FIFG). These investments must conform with Council Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 of 21 December 1993 laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products ((OJ L 346, 31.12.1993. )).

In this respect investments by a company manufacturing refrigerated transporters are not eligible for either FIFG or EAGGF assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1139/98 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (24 April 1998)

Subject: Internal policies/Azores

In view of the specific nature of Portugal's Azores region (an extremely remote region which, as such, has a special status enshrined in the EU Treaty), would the Commission give details of the amount of Community support received by the region under EU internal policies (excluding the Structural Funds)? What are the Commission's forecasts for the 2000-2006 financial period?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (11 June 1998)

Since 1991, when the programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature of Madeira and the Azores (Poseima) was established, the Community has taken into consideration the specific characteristics of the Portuguese region of the Azores. The programme provides for the application of certain common policies (agriculture, fisheries, etc.) to be tailored to the specific realities of the situation in this peripheral region. The report on progress made in the implementation of Poseima ((COM(94) 476 final. )) gives an overview of these measures, which are still in operation. Where necessary, the Commission takes the necessary initiatives for their continuance and improvement.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0643/98 by Jorge Hernandez Mollar (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Why, in the Spanish version of the notice of open competitions COM/A/720 and COM/A/721 (OJ C 52 A, 28.2.1991), did the Commission include the requirement that applicants be holders of a higher education qualification obtained after a five-year course, when that same requirement did not appear in any other language version of the said notice?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0638/98 by Jorge Hernandez Mollar (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Why does the Commission assert that the situation vis-à-vis the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' diploma is similar to that of the diploma obtained at a 'Fachhochschule', when the latter is accepted for the majority of category A/LA open competitions?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1995/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (30 June 1998)

Subject: The Terminator Gene

What is the Commission's estimate of the impact of Monsanto's Terminator Gene over the next few years on the livelihoods of farmers in developing countries?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 July 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0675/98 by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Why are applications accepted from holders of the British 'Bachelor of Arts', 'Bachelor of Science' and 'Bachelor of Engineering' qualifications - all of which are obtained after three years - but not from holders of the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' qualification?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1413/98 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission (11 May 1998)

Subject: Timeshare Directive

How many, and which, Member States have not yet implemented the Timeshare Directive?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1998)

Article 12 of Directive 94/47/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 26 October 1994 on the protection of purchasers in respect of certain aspects of contracts relating to the purchase of the right to use immovable properties on a timeshare basis ((OJ L 280, 29.10.1994.)) lays down 29 April 1997 as the deadline for transposition of the Directive for all the Member States.

The Member States that so far have not incorporated the Directive in their national legislation are Belgium, Greece, Spain, France, Italy and Luxembourg.

The Member States that have already notified the Commission of their national implementing measures are:

- Denmark: Law No 234 of 2 April 1997;

- Germany: Law of 20 December 1996 - BGB No 70 of 31 December 1996;

- Ireland: SI 204 1997 - Timesharing;

- The Netherlands: Law of 26 March 1997 - SB No 147 1997;

- Austria: Law TNG - BGB of 27 March 1997, I No 32/1997;

- Portugal: Decreto-lei No 275/93 of 5.8.1993 - Diario de Republica No 182 of 5 August 1993, I Series-A;

- Finland: Law No 1162 of 11 December 1997 (OJ p.4108);

- Sweden: SFS 1997:218 of 3 June 1997;

- United Kingdom: Timesharing regulations 1997, Consumer Protection 1997 - No 1081.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1573/98 by Francisco Lucas Pires (PPE) and Carlos Costa Neves (PPE) to the Council (25 May 1998)

Subject: Agreement in the UN between the British Presidency and Indonesia to prevent the latter's being condemned on the grounds of violations of fundamental rights in Timor

On 23 April 1998 it was reported in the press that an agreement had been reached between the British Presidency of the European Union and Indonesia at the United Nations in Geneva which averted a vote in the UN Commission on Human Rights on a motion for a resolution, sponsored by 34 States, strongly condemning the Jakarta Government.

What was the exact tenor of that agreement, what justification and guarantees were given and to what extent is the refusal to condemn Indonesian action in Timor compatible with the commitment, reiterated in Amsterdam, to safeguard the defence of fundamental rights as an objective of Union foreign policy?

Answer (20 July 1998)

At the 54th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights (Geneva, 16 March - 26 April 1998) agreement was reached on a statement to be read out by the CHR's chairman, ambassador Selebi, on the human rights situation in East Timor. The EU has made a direct contribution to drafting this Chairman's statement, which reflects the consensus view of the CHR.

In the Chairman's statement, the CHR stated that it continues to follow with deep concern the reports on violations of human rights in East Timor. It stressed the need for the Government of Indonesia to implement its undertakings to promote human rights in East Timor, and those contained in the CHR Chairman's statements on the matter, including concrete steps on the early trial and release of East Timorese detained or convicted, as well as for those in custody to be treated humanely. The CHR reiterated the need for further clarification of the circumstances surrounding the Dili incident of 1991.

The CHR noted the understanding between the Government of Indonesia and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning access of the programme officer to East Timor within the framework of technical cooperation. The CHR also noted the commitment by the Government of Indonesia to continue to allow greater access to East Timor by the international media and international humanitarian organisations. The CHR welcomed the Government of Indonesia's decision to invite the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to visit East Timor in advance of the 55th session of the CHR.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1318/98 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998)

Subject: EURO 1999

As a result of the Pact for Stability and Growth adopted by the Amsterdam European Council in June 1997, the Member States' medium-term budgetary objective will be to achieve 'positions close to balance or in surplus'. If the Member States continue their budgetary adjustments in subsequent years, their public finances will be in the best position to tackle the budgetary consequences of a possible downturn in the economy.

But what does the Commission think would be the current situation in Luxembourg if the Stability Pact had been applied during the period 1992-1997?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (2 June 1998)

The stability and growth pact is constituted by a resolution of the European Council of 7 June 1997 ((OJ C 236, 2.8.1997. )) and by Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies ((OJ L 209, 2.8.1997. )), and Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on speeding-up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure (2). The pact aims at fiscal discipline in the economic and monetary union (EMU) thus creating the appropriate stability conditions for sustained growth. It provides a powerful system of incentives for a Member State not to incur an excessive deficit and to correct it rapidly if such a situation should occur.

Luxembourg's government accounts were in surplus continuously since the start of the decade due, in particular, to strong economic growth. Luxembourg was never considered by the Council as having had an excessive deficit.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0893/98 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Expansion of the European School

Owing to lack of space and increased demand for the educational facilities of the European Schools, one or two more schools are to be added to the present number of two in Brussels.

1. Are the European Schools likely to be expanded again with a view to possible enlargement to the east?

2. What locations are available outside Belgium?

3. Has Austria already expressed its interest in founding a European School?

4. How much would an additional European School cost?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (4 May 1998)

The protocol of 13 April 1962 on the setting up of European schools stipulates that further schools may be established to educate the children of European Communities' staff on the territory of the Contracting Parties.

Only the Board of Governors, an intergovernmental body composed of the Minister or Ministers responsible for education and international cultural relations of the Contracting Parties and a representative of the Commission may, acting unanimously, take the decision to set up further European schools.

To solve the problem of overcrowding at the two existing European schools in Brussels, and to provide places for new pupils following enlargement of the European Union, the Board of Governors decided in 1997 and 1998 to set up two new European schools, one in Brussels and one in Luxembourg. The opening of the first of these is scheduled for 1999. An opening date has not yet been fixed for the second.

The Board may authorise the setting up of future schools where required by the needs of the Community. Austria has made no request to the Board for setting up a European school.

The cost of a new school depends on its size. The 1998 budget for the operation of the nine existing schools totals ECU 157.6 million.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0726/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Access of Spanish Technical Engineers to Grade A/LA in the European civil service

Why does the Commission assert that holders of the Ingeniero Técnico qualification are not eligible to study for doctorates, when some Member States allow them to do so?

Is it true that the Commission has expressed its concern to the Spanish authorities that making holders of the Spanish Ingeniero Técnico qualification eligible for A/LA category posts will mean having to do the same for holders of qualifications obtained from three-year courses in other Member States? Does that justify rejecting applications from holders of the Spanish Ingeniero Técnico qualification?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.