ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1048/96 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Restructuring of Olympic Airways

The general provisions of the law governing the restructuring of Olympic Airways agreed on between that airline and the European Union oblige Olympic Airways to issue within a short period of time a new establishment plan reducing the hierarchial levels to four (4), thus changing the relationship between management and workers, and to submit a new labour regulation, as indispensable preconditions for an effective modernization programme to improve labour relations and to increase productivity.

Will the Commission say whether, apart from the financial controls regularly carried out to monitor compliance with the financial agreements regarding the restructuring of the company, controls are being carried out regarding the agreements on institutional matters, such as those referred to above?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1996)

In its decision of 7 October 1994 authorizing state aid measures for Olympic Airways, the Commission included several conditions which relate not only to the economic and financial aspects of the restructuring plan of the airline, but also to many other items such as the liberalisation process in Greece, the absence of new aid, the relation between Olympic Airways and the state, and the statute of the airline.

Prior to the payment of the second instalment of the capital injection, the Commission has checked whether the conditions laid down in its 1994 decision are met. Whilst the company's restructuring plan is on target, the Commission is concerned that certain other conditions have not, as yet, been entirely fulfilled. This relates, in particular, to the degree of apparent involvement by the state in the management of the airline beyond its obligations as a shareholder, and the granting of further aids.

The Commission, therefore, decided on 30 April 1996 to reopen the case on the basis of the relevant procedures.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1509/96 by Sebastiano Musumeci (NI) to the Commission (17 June 1996)

Subject: Measures for Italian stock-breeding

Once again the European Union, when intervening in the crisis in the stock-breeding sector, has penalized Italian production, since the criteria for the allocation of the special premium do not make allowance for the differing methods of raising animals for meat production in one and the same country.

The Community provisions threaten to aggravate further the situation in the sector, which is already in a serious state of crisis and shows a foreign trade deficit of around Lit. 5 000 billion. In view of this, can the Commission say whether it considers it should take steps to ensure that the implementing rules and the granting of the special additional premium for the support of the European beef and veal industry are established by each Member State, in recognition of the great variations in European production systems?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (23 July 1996)

The method of allocating the special premium was unanimously approved by the Council of 24-26 June; it presents substantial changes with regard to the initial proposal, some of which are along the lines advocated by the Honourable Member.

The overall package set aside for supporting European breeders hit by the beef and veal crisis was increased by the Florence European Council by ECU 200 million, to a total of ECU 850 million, which must be disbursed to the producers concerned by 16 October.

The agreement adopted by the Council provides for two allocation methods.

- The first follows the approach initially proposed by the Commission, consisting of supplementing the premiums granted in 1995 for male cattle and suckler cows by lump sum payments of ECU 23 and ECU 27 respectively; this gives a total of ECU 581 million. The balance of ECU 269 million is distributed among the Member States in line with an allocation system based on non-dairy livestock other than the animals for which premiums have already been paid; these payments are designed to help producers in grave difficulties that cannot be resolved by increased premiums.

- The second method can be used when justified by production structures or payment timescales. It allows maximum leeway to the Member States, which may distribute the entire amount allocated to their producers in the manner they consider most appropriate, with the proviso that they do so objectively, do not over-compensate producers, and avoid distorting competition.

The agreement also allows Member States to grant national aid in addition to the payments detailed above, on condition that such aid does not exceed estimated loss of income, and that the total national aid granted does not exceed that obtained from the Community.

In Italy, this new allocation method has entailed a substantial increase in the amount initially provided for, while allowing the authorities maximum flexibility to allocate funds in accordance with the country's needs.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1370/96 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (22 May 1996)

Subject: Internal market and medicinal products

What action does the Commission intend to take on the Council resolution of 28 March 1996 on the introduction of policy guidelines for the medicinal products industry in the European Union (not yet published in the OJ) and in particular point IV.8 which calls on the Commission to take stock of how the internal market works in the case of the medicinal products industry? What distortions are caused by national price controls?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1996)

The Council resolution on an industrial policy for the pharmaceutical sector ((OJ C 136, 8.5.1996. )) called on the Commission to take stock of the operation of the internal market in the sector, with regard to the transparency of national measures of price control and reimbursement, with a view to evaluating at the earliest opportunity the effects of Council Directive 89/105/EEC of 21 December 1988 relating to the transparency of measures regulating the prices of medicinal products for human use and their inclusion in the scope of national health insurance systems ((OJ L 40, 11.2.1989. )).

The Commission has already undertaken a study of the operation of the internal market in this sector which is expected to be completed in the near future. Furthermore, the Commission intends to convene a round table to bring together Member States, the Commission and representatives of the pharmaceutical sector to see what can be done in this respect. The Commission naturally recognises that progress will only be made while paying due regard to Member States' concerns to retain the power to control their social security expenditure.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1289/96 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Council (15 May 1996)

Subject: 'DIY' artificial insemination arranged between two Scottish homosexual couples

In Scotland, a child, Jacob Henry, has been conceived as the result of artificial insemination arranged privately between two homosexual couples, one lesbian and the other gay.

Parliament has already adopted a resolution which does not recognize homosexual families.

The child is certain to have serious psychological problems and experience major difficulties in being accepted as part of society.

The Church has adopted a position firmly opposing such 'pseudo' families.

In view of the above, does the Commission not agree that it should intervene in order to prevent such situations arising again? What steps does it intend to take to protect Jacob Henry's right to live a normal life?

Reply (7 August 1996)

The matter raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within the Council's sphere of competence.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1562/96 by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt (PSE) to the Commission (17 June 1996)

Subject: Information on the level of EC funding entering Berlin between January and December 1995

What level of Community funding has entered Berlin during 1995 and for which measures from the following sources:

1. The European Regional Development Fund

2. The European Social Fund

3. The European Guidance and Guarantee Fund - Guidance Section and Guarantee Section

4. The Fourth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development

5. Community programmes relating to energy and the environment

6. Other Community programmes?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (25 July 1996)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its supplementary answer to Written Question E-911/96 by Mr Tannert ((OJ C 217, 26.7.1996, p. 127. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1168/96 by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Measures to encourage the use of durable paper in national libraries

Libraries, particularly those which house a nation's literary or documentary printed heritage, are under serious threat.

Paper manufactured after about 1840 is made from wood pulp rather than rag fibres and does not lend itself to being preserved over long periods. It turns yellow and friable, and finally crumbles. This phenomenon is now quite apparent, both to the eye and the touch.

The problem is a source of concern to librarians the world over. In the research libraries of the United States, for example, more than 80 million books are in danger. In Belgium, according to the Royal Artistic Heritage Institute (Institut Royal du Patrimoine Artistique), the 'paper sickness', which leads ultimately to the destruction of paper, is affecting some two million volumes in the Royal Library of Belgium, i.e. almost half the Library's collection! We are almost helpless to prevent this tragedy.

However, there is one way of preventing this self-destruction by paper -acid-free paper (not to be confused with unbleached paper).

This type of paper is known as 'permanent' or 'durable' paper (ISO standard 9706).

If the use of such paper is to become normal practice, thus helping to preserve our written heritage, authors and publishers must persuade, or even compel, printers to use only durable paper.

Do any legal provisions along these lines exist at European level?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (5 July 1996)

The Commission appreciates Parliament's ongoing interest in the important matter of preserving our written heritage.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that it already expressed its views when Ms Dury's oral question H308/96 was put during question time at the May part-session. ((Parliamentary debates (May 1996). )) Since then, there have been no significant changes which would warrant another answer.

On that occasion, the Commission pointed out that it supported a number of projects to promote the use of permanent paper and encouraged the use of alternative ways of preserving our written heritage (electronic storage, for example). On the specific question of standardization, there are currently no compulsory standards on permanent paper at Community level.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1545/96 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (17 June 1996)

Subject: Siting of a power station on the border between Greece and Bulgaria

Reports have appeared in the Greek press concerning a joint Greek-Bulgarian electricity generation project, intended on the one hand to improve the energy situation of Greece and, on the other hand, to make the Bulgarian economy progressively less dependent on Kozloduy.

1. Can the Commission confirm this? What view does it take of such a project with a view to replacing Kozloduy?

2. If an application were made, could European Union funding be provided for the project and from what sources?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (19 July 1996)

The Commission supports the objectives of the 1993 Nuclear safety account agreement with Bulgaria, which aims progressively to replace power generation by Kozloduy nuclear power plant units 1 to 4 with alternative sources of power generation. A number of investment projects have been identified which will contribute to this goal. These involve refurbishment of existing power plants, rather than construction of new plants. An improvement in the efficiency of energy use in Bulgaria will also help to reduce dependence on Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

Through the Phare cross-border cooperation programme for cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria, the Commission has allocated funds for a feasibility study on the joint operation and interconnection of the Greek and Bulgarian electricity networks. A tender has been launched, and the study is expected to start in the second half of this year. The Commission is not aware, however, of any concrete proposals for investment in a power station on the Greek-Bulgarian border.

Community assistance for any such project would depend on the assessment of its economic viability, the relative priority it is given by governments concerned for national resources and external assistance, and, in most cases, whether capital assistance is available to undertake the project. Any application should accordingly be directed to the European investment bank, or another similar international financial institution, in addition to the governments and the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1064/96 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Electricity links between France and Spain

At the beginning of February 1996 the French Government decided to suspend work on linking up the French and Spanish electricity networks between Cazaril (France) and the Region of Aragón. The Commissioner Mr Papoutsis expressed his concern at a measure which was obviously in conflict with the general plan for the major trans-European energy networks. On the Spanish side protests referred to the 'cisolation (in the energy field) of the Iberian peninsula'.

Since two months have passed since then, can the Commission say what progress has been made on this issue?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (21 June 1996)

Since the announcement of the suspension of the project, the enterprises responsible for carrying it out, Electricité de France and Red Eléctrica de Espana, have held numerous discussions to see if there are alternatives to the current project, their economic viability and their impact on the environment.

The Commission is following these contacts with great interest and will encourage a solution which, while respecting the environment meets the objectives and priorities established at Community level for the development of the trans-European energy networks. The Commission has a special interest in this project, which was declared a priority project by the Essen European Council of December 1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1287/96 by Inger Schörling (V) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Overhaul of EU environmental rules

During their membership negotiations, Sweden, Finland and Austria received undertakings that they would be able to maintain more stringent environmental rules for four years. In the meantime, EU rules are being overhauled.

Will Sweden be able to maintain its more stringent rules on the wood preservative creosote, for instance?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (6 June 1996)

Temporary derogations from the Community legislation restricting the marketing and use of dangerous substances have been agreed in the context of accession as follows:

- Sweden: cadmium, pentachlorophenol, tin compounds and arsenic compounds

- Finland: pentachlorophenol

- Austria: cadmium, pentachlorophenol and tin compounds.

The Commission will review with Member States the Community legislation concerned before 1 January 1999 and in the meantime Sweden, Finland and Austria can continue to apply their stricter national rules where they have derogations.

No derogations have been agreed with regard to creosote as the creosote Directive (Directive 94/60/EC of 20 December 1994 ((OJ L 365, 31.12.1994. ))) was adopted after signature of the Accession treaties. However the Commission and the Council made the following declaration on adoption of the creosote Directive:

'The Commission and the Council recognise that the concentration limit for consumer creosote poses a problem in view of developments since the Commission made its proposal in 1992. Should Annex 1 of Directive 67/548/EEC be adapted so as to introduce a lower Benzo (a) pyrene (BAP) classification threshold for creosote, the Commission will propose new limitations for consumer creosote and wood treated therewith to take account of the new threshold. Such new limitations would go in the direction of a total ban on creosote and creosote treated wood for consumer use.'
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1416/96 by Shaun Spiers (PSE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: EU Internet addresses

What plans has the Commission to ensure that all Directorates-General make information about funding initiatives, including guidelines and application forms, available on the Internet?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (22 July 1996)

As the Honourable Member underlines, Internet offers along with other electronic and printed media a useful tool for making available information on the Community.

The Commission is developing in cooperation with the Parliament a central server (Europa, http://europa.eu.int) covering all Community policies. The other institutions have recently indicated their interest in joining this project. Three other specialised servers deal respectively with research and development programmes (Cordis, http://www.cordis.lu) and information society initiatives (I*M Europe, http://www.echo.lu and ISPO, http://www.ispo.cec.be).

Europa is addressed both to the general public and to specific audiences such as universities, public administrations, media and economic operators. The description of Community programmes and funding possibilities represents part of the information disseminated through this server.

As the Honourable Member suggests, notices of tender opportunities, guidelines, vademecums and useful material about Community programmes is increasingly made available on Europa and the other servers in the most user-friendly formats. Phare, Tacis, the Media programme, the Advanced television action plan, environment programmes such as Life, the research and development programmes, programmes in the field of education, the European regional development and Cohesion funds, programmes in the field of energy such as Thermie, Altener, Save and Synergy are widely publicised on Europa. Other funds such as the European development fund and the European social fund are under consideration.

Experience since the launching of Europa in February 1995 shows that users are increasingly satisfied with these new opportunities. This information precedes the publication by Office for official publications of the calls for tender in the Official journal and on the Ted data basis.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1090/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Failure to implement a regulation

Article 1(2) of Regulation 684/92 ((OJ L 74, 20.3.1992, p. 1. )) specifically states that 'In the event of carriage from a Member State to a third country and vice-versa, this Regulation shall apply to the part of the journey on the territory of the Member State of picking up or setting down, after conclusion of the necessary agreement between the Community and the third country concerned'.

Such an agreement was concluded between the European Union and Bulgaria and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 31.12.1994.

Nevertheless, the Greek Government refuses to grant permission to a tourist bus cooperative in Greece as regards Bulgaria, thereby reserving this privilege as a monopoly of the OSE (Greek Railways).

Will the Commission say whether the above provisions apply, and, if so, what steps it intends to take to prevail on the Greek Government to come into line with European legislation?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1996)

Article 82 of the agreement of 8 March 1993 between the Community and Member States ((OJ L 358, 31.12.1994. )) and Bulgaria limits itself to envisaging the development of cooperation relating to transport matters between the contracting parties, with transport by road as a dominant priority of this cooperation. This agreement does not lay down rules concerning reciprocal access to the road transport markets of passengers by coach and bus. However, Article 57, paragraph 3, establishes that 'With a view to assuring a coordinated development and progressive liberalization of transport between the Parties adapted to their reciprocal commercial needs, the conditions of mutual market access in air transport and in inland transport, shall be dealt with by special transport agreements to be negotiated between the Parties after the entry into force of this agreement'.

Consequently, transport services by coach and bus between Greece and Bulgaria are subject to the rules laid down in the bilateral agreement established between these two countries, pending the conclusion of the necessary agreement between the Community and Bulgaria.

The Council, in its meeting of 7 and 8 December 1995, authorized the Commission to negotiate an agreement on international occasional transport of passengers by road for hire or reward with certain third countries of central and eastern Europe, amongst which is included Bulgaria. These negotiations are continuing.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1494/96 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Recruitment procedures

I understand that in recruitment procedures the Commission is increasingly taking the applicant's nationality into consideration. That criterion is even said to take priority over examination results.

Can the Commission state if that is in fact the case? If so, does the Commission not consider that it is acting contrary to the prohibition on discrimination on grounds of nationality?

Can the Commission inform me how many cases of judicial proceedings have been brought hitherto in this connection and in how many such cases judgment was given against the Commission?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (12 July 1996)

Article 27 of the Staff Regulations stipulates that 'recruitment shall be directed to securing for the institutions the services of officials of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of Member States of the Communities.' It also states that no posts are to be reserved for nationals of any specific Member State. The Commission's recruitment policy complies with these requirements.

In March 1995, Council Regulation 626/95 ((OJ L 66, 24.3.1995. )) was introduced allowing the institutions to derogate from the normal rules and to reserve posts for nationals of Austria, Sweden and Finland. Most of the recruitment competitions organised by the Commission in 1995-96 have been under this derogating Regulation.

Apart from the exceptions allowed for the recruitment of nationals of the new Member States, the Commission ensures strict compliance with the abovementioned provisions of the Staff Regulations. In the extremely rare instances where the nationality of the candidate has been taken into account on recruitment the institution has been admonished by the Community courts. The Commission is willing to provide the Honourable Member with any information he may require on the cases concerned.