ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3254/96 by Carmen Fraga Estévez (PPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Amendment of the Community support framework for Italy under the FIFG

In the light of the recent agreement between the Republic of Italy and the United States, under which Italy agreed to take out of service its driftnet fleet before the end of the 1997 fishing year and to convert the fleet in its entirety by the beginning of the 1999 fishing year, making partial use of FIFG funds for this purpose, will the Commission say whether Italy has requested authorization to amend its Community support framework with a view to the withdrawal and conversion of its driftnet fleet and, if so, what progress has the Commission made in this matter?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1996)

The Commission has already been involved in preparing and implementing the section of the Italian conversion and rationalization plan concerning vessels fishing with driftnets.

The Italian authorities have announced that they plan to reprogramme the FIFG operational programmes for Objectives 1 and 5(a) and to assign funds from the initial financial allocation to a new measure to convert the driftnet fleet. The Commission is awaiting the official proposal for this reprogramming.

In the light of the information provided and the plan worked out by the Italian authorities, the Commission will soon propose a Decision for adoption by the Council concerning a specific measure for the conversion of Italian driftnet vessels.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2584/96 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (11 October 1996)

Subject: Action taken pursuant to ECJ judgment of 18 June 1991 (ERT Elliniki Radiophonia Tileorassi)

Will the Commission state what action has been taken following the judgment given by the Court of Justice of the European Communities on 18 June 1991 in the ERT Elliniki Radiophonia Tileorassi case?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (13 December 1996)

In April 1989 the Thessaloniki regional court referred to the Court of justice for a preliminary ruling under Article 177 of the EC Treaty several questions on the interpretation of the EC Treaty. The questions forwarded were raised in proceedings between Elliniki Radiophonia Tileorassi Anonimi Etairia ('ERT'), a Greek radio and television undertaking to which Greece had granted exclusive rights for carrying out its activities, and a local information company, which was in the process of setting up a television station.

The Court of justice examined the questions in the light of Community law and gave its ruling on 18 June 1991. It is up to the national court to decide whether ERT activities are compatible with the ruling given by the Court of justice.

The Honourable Member may inform himself at national level in Greece as to what action has been taken following the judgment of the Court. The Commission is not a party to the proceedings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2776/96 by Georges Berthu (I-EDN) to the Council (17 October 1996)

Subject: IGC: the role of the national parliaments

During the statement which he made to the European Parliament's Committee on Institutional Affairs on 25 September 1996 Mr Gay Mitchell, Irish Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council, maintained that the role of the national parliaments should be restricted to that which they traditionally played at national level, and that this issue clearly remained within the bounds of the constitutional law of the individual Member States.

Would the Presidency not agree, however, that the extension of qualified majority voting under the first pillar, which was also referred to during the above statement, will prevent the parliaments of Member States which find themselves in a minority opposed to any given measure from playing any role whatsoever? Might this not be seen as one of the causes of the current feeling of unease and, should this way of thinking prevail, might it not lead to an increase in the democratic deficit? Does the Presidency intend to put an end to this unhealthy trend by proposing at the IGC that the national parliaments be given a direct right of veto in European decision-making procedures?

Joint answer to Written Questions 2765/96, 2766/96, 2767/96, 2769/96, 2770/96, 2771/96, 2772/96, 2773/96, 2774/96, 2775/96 and 2776/96 (30 January 1997)

The Council cannot comment on the various proposals under discussion in the Intergovernmental Conference.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2971/96 by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Forwarding agents

The committee responsible is currently considering the complex question of forwarding agents. The EU has recognized forwarding agents as having the status of direct representatives and thus considers them as fully representing the importer-exporter, who, as declarant, remains bound by tax obligations. Is it possible for forwarding agents to perform the duties of ancillary customs staff, given the extensive experience such agents have acquired, especially in countries such as Italy, France, Spain and Greece?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (29 November 1996)

It is for the Member States to organize their customs services and to fix the minimum qualifications for anyone entrusted with specific official tasks.

The Honourable Member's attention is, however, drawn to the ongoing case-law of the Court of Justice on charges having an equivalent effect to customs duties. ((Particularly: Aprile SRL in liquidation vs. Amministrazione delle Finanze dello Stato, C-125/94. )) When private persons perform public tasks, any payments for their services are to be regarded as charges having an equivalent effect.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2920/96 by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Regulating the cultivation and marketing of potatoes throughout the European Union

Potatoes play an important part in the European diet and market and a large number of jobs are linked to this sector. The groups affected, such as the Spanish farmers' union UAG, the Alava farmers' union, etc., are demanding a definitive regulation. The Commission proposal for a regulation was published on 17 December 1992. Why has there been a delay of almost four years in adopting the final regulation?

Does the Commission consider that it would be important to establish a common organization of the market (COM) for the cultivation and marketing of potatoes?

If so, when will the Commission definitively regulate the cultivation and marketing of potatoes at Community level?

What steps will the Commission take to look into the scale of the problem and find a speedy solution?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 November 1996)

The Commission considers introduction of a common organization of the market in potatoes as essential. It is unjustifiable in a single market that an important product like the potato should be subject to uncoordinated national policies.

The Commission therefore sent the Council a proposal to establish a common organization of the market in potatoes ((COM(92) 185. )) in 1992. Parliament's scrutiny of the text resulted in the Commission presenting an amended text to the Council in May 1993.

The amended proposal did not gain majority support in the Council. Some delegations were against creating a market organization while others favoured one with higher budget costs.

The Commission believes that the proposal it has drawn up represents the best compromise between the divergent interests of the various Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3005/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (11 November 1996)

Subject: HCFCs and the refrigeration industry

Has the Commission considered a ban on the use of HCFCs in new refrigeration systems from early in the next century and what progress is being made?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1996)

Council Regulation (EC) No 3093/94 ((OJ L 333, 22.12.1994. )) on substances that deplete the ozone layer, in its present form, already provides for a ban on the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC):

- since 1 January 1996, as refrigerant in new domestic refrigerators and freezers;

- from 1 January 2000, as refrigerant in new public and distribution cold stores and warehouses, and as refrigerant in new equipment of 150 kw and over.

In addition, the Commission is at present considering possible measures in relation to other refrigeration applications.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3429/96 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (9 December 1996)

Subject: Non-tariff barriers to exports

The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) has just published a study on the non-tariff barriers which European undertakings face when trading with third countries. One of their major difficulties is the lack of adequate information on how to comply with the administrative regulations and customs procedures in force in those countries. The study also proposes possible solutions to problems in this area, namely worldwide harmonization of standards, approximation of tariff nomenclature, the setting up of 'standardized information desks' for the use of firms seeking to export to these countries, etc.

Has the Commission put any of these or similar measures into practice in order to help European undertakings with their exports to third countries?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (10 January 1997)

On 13 November 1996 the Commission made available on the internet the market access database (direct address http://mkaccdb.eu.int.), freely accessible for organisations, companies and individuals located within the Community. This database contains a wealth of information on obstacles to trade, including information on applied tariffs, World trade organisation (WTO) bound tariff rates, WTO services schedules as well as sectoral and trade barrier reports, which include analysis of non tariff barriers (NTBs) in the Community's major export markets.

The Commission's new market access strategy (as described in its communication entitled 'The global challenge of international trade: a market access strategy for the European Union' ((COM(96) 53 final. ))) calls for a sharper European trade policy. The information on NTBs in the database serves as a basis for the Commission to undertake multilateral or bilateral action in order to eliminate obstacles to trade.

Apart from providing information to exporters and undertaking action to remove barriers, the Commission also has an increasingly active policy in the field of harmonisation of standards and norms with third countries. The Commission is currently negotiating mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with several important third countries. The Commission's policy in this area is described in much greater detail in its communication on the Community's external trade policy in the field of standards and conformity assessment ((COM(96) 564 final. )), which was adopted by the Commission on 13 November 1996 and which has been made available to the Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3195/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Future of the PACTE Programme

What plans does the Commission have for the continuation of the PACTE Programme in 1997, given its consistent position that the Programme be merged into budget line B1282?

Will the Commission indicate the amount of money it intends to commit to the Programme from within the budget line, and whether existing arrangements for management of the Programme by local authority associations will continue?

Will the Commission identify its indicative timetable for operation of the programme for 1997?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1996)

The Commission is looking into the possibility of providing funding for these projects under Article 10 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88, as amended ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993. )), on the European Regional Development Fund. It is still to early to say what the total allocation for the programme will be. The relevant budget item is B2-1820.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3217/96 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Information about decentralized cooperation as referred to in the Lomé Convention

The Fourth Lomé Convention introduced new arrangements for cooperation between EU Member States and ACP countries.

Among them, 'decentralized cooperation' is of particular importance and aroused great expectations.

However, in recent years it has proved very difficult for decentralized agencies (whether European or ACP) to find out about the operating procedures and to make practical use of them.

How any by what means will the Commission improve the information provided to local agencies, NGOs and associations on the general and detailed planning and management of decentralized cooperation programmes backed by the European Development Fund?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1996)

The Commission has put considerable efforts into mobilizing and informing the decentralized agencies from Europe, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and other developing countries (LDC) about the goals, scope and mechanisms of decentralized cooperation, as well as specific opportunities. This was done through Commission-financed information seminars held in Community and ACP countries, numerous contacts with individual decentralized agencies or their networks, joint sessions between these agencies and ACP and Community officials in conjunction with European Development Fund (EDF) programming work and the distribution of brochures on that subject.

The Commission has also awarded- or plans to award- contracts to decentralized agencies or their networks aimed at improving information distribution and contributing to specific projects being set up.

As a result of such activities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), both European and ACP, have been able to publish and distribute a practical information brochure, and the Commission will be able to shortly produce and distribute a new, detailed and user-friendly handbook on decentralized cooperation. Among the decentralized agencies, there have recently been marked improvements in the perception towards the decentralized cooperation approach and the understanding of its specific conditions. Work will continue to focus on this.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2833/96 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM) in Zagreb

1. Was the ECMM aware that the acting head of the German delegation, Christoph von Bezold, is paid by the Federal German Intelligence Agency?

2. How does the ECMM view the employment of members of the secret service in the mission, given that it is meant to be playing an impartial role between the warring factions?

3 a) What was the outcome of the ECMM's investigation following the discovery in the spring of 1994 of ammunition in a consignment of milk destined for the hospital in Bihac?

b) Which EU monitors and EU officials were involved in this incident?

c) Is the ECMM prepared to make the report on its investigation available to the European Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1996)

The Commission invites the Honourable Member to address his questions to the European Community Monitoring Mission. The Member States provide staff for the Mission; its management is entirely the responsibility of the Council Presidency. The Commission official accredited to the Mission since 1993 was not involved in the incident referred to. The Commission is not in a position to comment on the identity and activities of the other observers.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3753/96 by Pierre Moscovici (PSE) to the Commission (11 December 1996)

Subject: Pension rights for migrant workers within the European Union

Many European citizens who have moved from one European Union country to another in the course of their working lives encounter problems with pensions agencies regarding the payment of pensions to which they have accrued entitlements in their country of origin, despite having evidence of their employment and of their pension contributions.

What is the legislative basis which should be used to assent such pension rights?

What legal basis should be used to bring an action against an agency - or State - which refuses to respect such rights?

Does the Court of Justice of the European Communities have jurisdiction to rule in such cases?

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

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the provisions of Articles 35 et seq. of Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 ((OJ L 74, 27.3.1972; consolidated version - OJ C 325, 10.12.1992. )), which have to do with the submission and investigation of claims for invalidity, old-age and death benefits where the person concerned has been insured in more than one Member State.

As far as old-age benefit is concerned, Article 36 of the said Regulation makes it possible for the person concerned to submit a claim either to the institution of the place of residence or to the institution of another Member State involved (in this connection, see the Court of Justice's judgment of 24 October 1996 in the Picard case, C-335/95). It is up to the institution with which the claim is lodged to inform the institutions of the other Member States concerned, with a view to investigating the claim.

If the person concerned considers that the Community rules in question have not been complied with, he or she may bring an action before the national courts in accordance with national procedures. Where appropriate, the competent court may, pursuant to Article 177 of the EC Treaty, refer the matter to the Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of the said provisions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3050/96 by Francisco Lucas Pires (PPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Dismissal of the Commission's Director-General for Fisheries

As the very widely publicized but mysterious dismissal of the Commission's Director-General for Fisheries has raised doubts as to both the reasons behind it and the involvement of national governments in such appointments and dismissals, can the Commission inform me of the rules governing such actions and the reasons for the dismissal in question?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (13 December 1996)

The Commission, in its role as appointing authority, decided to terminate the service of the Director-General for Fisheries under Article 50 of the Staff Regulations. This Article provides that an official holding a post in Grades A 1 or A 2 may be retired in the interests of the service by appointing authority which, on the basis of the rulings by the Court of Justice, enjoys a wide discretionary power with regard to the objective needs of the service.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3035/96 by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission (31 October 1996)

Subject: Common fisheries policy decommissioning scheme - Transfers to third countries

Can the Commission provide a complete breakdown of EU fishing vessels transferred to third countries using EU decommissioning grants since 1986, including details on:

- the name of the vessel

- the vessel's registration number

- the year of its construction

- the length, tonnage and power of the vessel

- the nationality of the vessel

- the country to which the vessel was transferred (where applicable)

- the cost to the EU of the decommissioning grant?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1996)

Under Title VII of Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 ((OJ L 376, 31.12.1986. )) on Community measures to improve and adapt structures in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3944/90, ((OJ L 380, 31.12.1990. )) Member States may grant final cessation premiums when fishing vessels are permanently withdrawn from fishing. Article 24 defines permanent withdrawal as scrapping, transfer to a non-Community country, or assignment of the vessel to purposes other than fishing.

The Community has contributed to covering the cost of these decommissioning grants by refunding a proportion of the Member States' expenditure, within certain limits fixed each year by a Commission Decision (up to 50% of eligible expenditure, subject to limits laid down in Annex V to the Regulation; from 1991, this percentage was increased to 70% for scrapping).

Between 1987 and 1993, Community grants to the Member States for permanent withdrawals totalled ECU 501 million, of which ECU 391 million was actually paid. The total of ECU 501 million represents 47% of total aid to the fishing fleet during this period; Community aid accounts for approximately 60% of the premiums paid by Member States to the owners of fishing vessels. Lists of the vessels withdrawn are regularly published. ((OJ C 320, 22.12.1989. OJ C 319, 10.12.1991. OJ C 312, 28.11.1992. OJ C 164, 15.6.1993. OJ C 69, 7.3.1994. ))

In all, 5 200 vessels were withdrawn during the period; as the Commission makes block refunds to the Member States, however, there is no breakdown of refunds according to the type of withdrawal. Since 4 200 of these 5 200 vessels were scrapped, it can reasonably be inferred that approximately 80% of the compensation was for scrapping, 10% to 15% for definitive transfer outside the Community and 5% to 10% for assignment to non-fishing activities. The distribution of Community aid for definitive withdrawal between the Member States (not including joint enterprises) is as follows:

>TABLE>

The figures for joint enterprises are as follows:

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WRITTEN QUESTION E-3049/96 by Francisco Lucas Pires (PPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Portuguese omitted in an official publication

The French language brochure 'Les Institutions de L'Union Européene' in the series 'Europe on the move' published in 1995 by the Publications Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg, under the aegis of the Directorate-General for Information, Communications, Culture and Audiovisual Media of the Publications Unit, 200 rue de la Loi, B-1049, Brussels, states on its inside front cover that 'La présente publication est éditée dans toutes les langues de la Comunauté européene: espagnol, danois, allemand, grec, anglais, français, italien, néerlandais, finlandais et suédois'; can the Commission tell me the reason for the deplorable omission of Portuguese from this list, and whether this oversight has been made good?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (13 December 1996)

A clerical error was responsible for the inside front cover of the French language brochure 'Les Institutions de l'Union Européenne' failing to mention the parallel existence of a Portuguese version. This error was rectified in the subsequent editions of the 'Europe on the move' series in which this publication appeared. The brochure in question has in fact been published in Portuguese under the title 'As instituições da União Europeia', and copies of this publication have been sent by the Commission to the Honourable Member and the Secretariat-General of the Parliament.