ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3179/96 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Scope of Directive 92/100/EEC of 19 November 1992

With reference to Commission Directive 92/100/EEC of 19 November 1992 ((OJ L 346, 27.11.1992, p. 61. )) on rental right and lending right and on certain rights related to copyright in the field of intellectual property, will the Commission state whether this Directive applies to media reports, documents and CD-ROMs?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1996)

The scope of Directive 92/100/EEC is set out in Article 2 of the Directive, which refers to works, performances, phonograms and films. However, with the exception of films, the Directive does not define these concepts. Consequently, it is for national legislatures to define them when the Directive is transposed.

Documents and media reports in particular may be protected pursuant to Directive 92/100/EEC on condition that they constitute works. To this end, copyright legislation stipulates that they must meet a number of criteria determining originality as regards composition or form of expression. In view of the fact that criteria determining originality have been harmonized at Community level only in a limited number of cases, the requisite conditions are laid down in national legislation. As a general rule, works are required to be intellectual creations specific to their author. Under the legislation of most Member States, media reports are protected by copyright law. As regards documents, this depends on the type of document concerned.

Lastly, as regards CD-ROMs, the Commission would point out that this is a new medium of dissemination, not a new category of work. Under no circumstances could protection under copyright law cover, or depend on, dissemination media. Clearly, however, the contents of CD-ROMs, which comprise visual images, text, photographs and sound, may be afforded such protection on condition that the aforementioned originality criteria are met.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3177/96 by Leen van der Waal (I-EDN) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: EU subsidy for port projects

The European Union has made money available through its funds for various projects in EU ports. The projects concerned cover the following categories:

- access to the port from the sea or from inland waterways,

- porto infrastructure within the port area,

- infrastructure for overland transport within the port area.

Can the Commission supply precise data as to which ports have received specific subsidies or loans for which projects (falling within the abovementioned categories) since the establishment of the following funds?

1. The TEN budget (created in 1994), and before that the infrastructure fund

2. Cohesion Fund

3. Structural Funds (ERDF, ESF, Interreg, Conver etc.)

4. ECSC

5. European Investment Bank (European Investment Fund and the 'Edinburgh facility' for economic recovery).

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (15 January 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2713/96 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (16 October 1996)

Subject: Promotion of cycling in the EU

Can the Commission give details of any initiatives it has planned to promote cycling as a healthy and environmentally responsible alternative to driving throughout the European Union?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (21 November 1996)

The Commission is aware of the huge benefits to the environment of travelling by bicycle rather than by car, particularly in urban areas.

On the Commission's initiative a network of 'car-free city centres' was set up in 1994 and now comprises some sixty local authorities. One of the working groups within this network is looking at ways of encouraging walking and cycling. Presumably the recent decision by the town of Palermo to create a 130km cycle track network was partly due to the active role that this town has played in the 'car-free city centres' network.

In its Green Paper entitled, 'The citizen's network', ((COM(95) 601. )) the Commission recognized the benefits of measures to better integrate the use of bicycles with public transport. As an example of this it highlighted the bicycle centres run by the Dutch railways, which are sited in railway stations and provide guarded parking, bicycle hire, repair and sales.

As well as contributing to the 'velocity' (bike city) conferences which are organized every two years by the European Cyclists Federation, the Commission recently initiated discussions with this organization, which represents European cyclists, in order to explore possibilities for cooperation at European level.

The Commission is currently supporting the activities of the European network for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity under its Community action programme on health promotion, information, education and training. ((OJ L 95, 16.4.1996. ))
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3129/96 by Bernie Malone (PSE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Information technology agreement

Most European information technology companies are in full support of efforts to finalise an Information Technology Agreement by the end of the year, which would reduce tariffs on IT products to zero by the year 2000. Could the Commission clarify its position on the agreement and give its assessment of the likelihood that a comprehensive agreement will be reached by the end of the year.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (11 December 1996)

The Commission welcomes the possibility of negotiating an information technology (IT) agreement. This is, indeed, a unique opportunity to improve global trading conditions in the IT sector and to set an example for the future. The Commission is aware of the importance of this sector and that low cost access to professional IT products is not only a key element for the emerging information society, but also for the improvement of the competitiveness of European industries.

For these reasons the Commission holds the view that a broad range of products including all IT products of predominant professional and industrial use and multi-media products as well as computer and telecommunications software, should be covered by such an agreement. In order to avoid unnecessary complications which might result from existing imbalances between the expected market opening by various participants, the Commission does not favour extending the extension of the IT agreement to products which are not directly linked to these Community objectives, such as traditional consumer electronics.

With regard to the time frame, the Commission intends to be as ambitious as possible and aims to achieve the complete elimination of tariffs on these IT products well before the year 2000, under the condition that the other partners in the quadrilateral meeting (United States, Japan and Canada) commit themselves likewise.

The chance of reaching a comprehensive agreement by the World trade organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting in Singapore will largely depend on the readiness of the Community's partners in these negotiations to follow the ambitious objectives set by the Commission. The Commission is concerned by the reluctance demonstrated by some partners on some key products and the negative effects that would result from such an approach. This would complicate unnecessarily the situation and render it more difficult to present a comprehensive package to countries outside the quadrilateral meeting, the broad participation of which is vital for the success of the agreement.

The Commission is determined to make every effort to convince the Community's partners in the negotiations of the overall benefit of a comprehensive approach, as energetically promoted by the Commission, and to achieve a positive result from these negotiations before the end of the year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3651/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Community financing for the Alsace region

Can the Commission indicate the total Community financing for the Alsace region and the specific financing for each objective under the Structural Funds and the EAGGF guidance section?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3645/96, E-3646/96, E-3647/96, E-3648/96, E-3649/96, E-3650/96, E-3651/96, E-3652/96, E-3653/96, E-3654/96, E-3655/96, E-3656/96, E-3657/96, E-3658/96, E-3659/96, E-3660/96, E-3661/96, E-3662/96, E-3663/96, E-3664/96, E-3665/96, E-3666/96, E-3667/96, E-3668/96 and E-3669/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 February 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3645/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Community financing for the Guadeloupe region

Can the Commission indicate the total Community financing for the Guadeloupe region and the specific financing for each objective under the Structural Funds and the EAGGF guidance section?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3645/96, E-3646/96, E-3647/96, E-3648/96, E-3649/96, E-3650/96, E-3651/96, E-3652/96, E-3653/96, E-3654/96, E-3655/96, E-3656/96, E-3657/96, E-3658/96, E-3659/96, E-3660/96, E-3661/96, E-3662/96, E-3663/96, E-3664/96, E-3665/96, E-3666/96, E-3667/96, E-3668/96 and E-3669/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 February 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2539/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (8 October 1996)

Subject: Research and development framework programme

With the exception of the environmental sector, the priorities for the fourth programme correspond to the areas covered by the seven 'research-industry' task forces set up inside the Commission with a view to improving coordination of RTD policy and activities at Community and national levels.

The stated aims are to: define research priorities more clearly by means of closer cooperation with industry, SMEs and the end users of research findings and take greater account of the needs of businesses; ensure that the resources available under the fourth programme are properly coordinated and channelled into priority areas; match supply to demand more effectively in the field of research and development; seek to establish an environment geared towards innovation; improve access to additional funding; and promote cooperation between firms.

Although this approach is commendable, would the Commission not agree that it should set up an additional task force covering innovation, with a view to establishing the necessary synergies between research and industrial policies as part of the drive to boost industrial competitiveness and employment and promote economic and social cohesion?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1996)

The task forces are essentially coordination instruments, addressing tangible objectives the realisation of which depends upon research. By fostering contact between research and other policies in relation to specific themes, they will help to improve the environment for innovation. The question whether they are an appropriate instrument to deal with interactions between research and industrial policies in favour of innovation across the board is considered in the Innovation action plan. This takes account of comments and suggestions received in response to the green paper on innovation ((COM(95) 688 final. )). The adoption of the plan of action by the Commission and subsequent transmission to the Parliament and Council are expected shortly.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3660/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Community financing for the Franche-Comté region

Can the Commission indicate the total Community financing for the Franche-Comté region and the specific financing for each objective under the Structural Funds and the EAGGF guidance section?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3645/96, E-3646/96, E-3647/96, E-3648/96, E-3649/96, E-3650/96, E-3651/96, E-3652/96, E-3653/96, E-3654/96, E-3655/96, E-3656/96, E-3657/96, E-3658/96, E-3659/96, E-3660/96, E-3661/96, E-3662/96, E-3663/96, E-3664/96, E-3665/96, E-3666/96, E-3667/96, E-3668/96 and E-3669/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 February 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2729/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (21 October 1996)

Subject: Farm prices for 1996-1997

The guiding principle of the farm price package is, above all, to continue, stabilize and simplify the reform of the CAP. The chief adjustments to be made concern: the set-aside rate for arable land, cereals, proteins, linseed, pulses, rice, sugar, olive oil, flax, wine, milk and milk products, beef and veal, lamb and mutton, goatmeat and tobacco.

Whilst the Commission's proposals allow the EU's obligations under the GATT agreement to be met, they do not provide an adequate response to the problems experienced by producers.

Will the Commission therefore supplement them, in the light of international market trends, the world food situation, the new Farm Bill, and recent or intended moves to open up markets to third country products which are in direct competition with some EU products, for which the proposed price freeze can no longer be conditional on implementing the reforms announced for products in the respective COMs in specific regions?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2729/96 and E-2844/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1996)

The points raised by the Honourable Member relate to the Commission's agricultural price proposals for 1996/97. Each year, these proposals review the decisions to be taken on agricultural products subject to a market organization in the light of the economic and commercial circumstances and the budgetary rules. These proposals have a smaller impact on agricultural prices as such than in the past since, in general, sectoral reforms have resulted in direct payments to producers.

The Commission accepts that in future multi-annual programming may be more appropriate than annual revisions, as it stated in its study on alternative strategies on the future accession of the countries of central and eastern Europe. ((CSE(95) 607. )) A number of measures have been taken to encourage the non-food use of agricultural products, including the possibility of cultivating land set aside under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops. ((OJ L 181, 1.7.1992. )) As a result of the experience gained, the Commission does not at present intend to consider substantially amending its scope.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3661/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Community financing for the Rhône-Alpes region

Can the Commission indicate the total Community financing for the Rhône-Alpes region and the specific financing for each objective under the Structural Funds and the EAGGF guidance section?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3645/96, E-3646/96, E-3647/96, E-3648/96, E-3649/96, E-3650/96, E-3651/96, E-3652/96, E-3653/96, E-3654/96, E-3655/96, E-3656/96, E-3657/96, E-3658/96, E-3659/96, E-3660/96, E-3661/96, E-3662/96, E-3663/96, E-3664/96, E-3665/96, E-3666/96, E-3667/96, E-3668/96 and E-3669/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 February 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2714/96 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (16 October 1996)

Subject: Mutton Island sewage treatment plan in Galway, Ireland

On 20 February 1996 Commissioner Wulf Mathies wrote to the Irish Minister for the Environment, Mr Brendan Howlin, informing him that no support under the cohesion funds could be provided for the proposed sewage treatment plant at Mutton Island, Galway, as its location was unsuitable from an environmental point of view. However, the Irish authorities have announced that they intend to pursue the project with funding from the Irish exchequer.

Mutton Island has been designated a special protection area (SPA) under Council Directive 79/409/EEC ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. )) on the conservation of wild birds. Article 6 of that directive states that no adverse development should be undertaken within an SPA unless there is an alternative solution.

In the case of Galway, a report prepared for the Commission by Water Research Consultants (WRC) in Britain, identified the old isolation hospital site at Lough Atalia as environmentally preferable to Mutton Island.

In order to ensure that Galway's needs for adequate sewage treatment are met by a plant located at an environmentally appropriate site and the EU directives on nature protection are adhered to, what further action will the Commission be taking to ensure that the Irish authorities' decision to proceed with the Mutton Island project is reversed and that a more suitable site is chosen?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (14 November 1996)

In its decision granting assistance towards a first phase of this project, the Commission expressed reservations concerning the proposed location of the treatment plant on Mutton Island. The Commission has so far received no application in respect of an alternative site.

The Commission is aware that the Mutton Island location has been challenged before an Irish court. While this case is pending the Commission will not be making further comments.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3198/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Cullera: possibilities of acceptance for pilot urban project

On 30 November 1995 the Commission published a call for the submission of pilot urban projects, in the context of the innovative measures under Article 10 of the ERDF. Of the projects submitted, 91 were from Spain.

One of the projects submitted concerns urban renewal in the municipality of Cullera (Valencia).

What are the possibilities of the Cullera project receiving the Community funding for pilot urban projects provided for in Article 10 of the ERDF?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3198/96, E-3199/96, E-3200/96, E-3201/96, E-3203/96, E-3204/96, E-3205/96, E-3206/96, E-3207/96, E-3208/96, E-3209/96, E-3210/96, E-3211/96, E-3212/96, E-3213/96, E-3214/96 and E-3215/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

The Commission received over 500 applications in response to its call for proposals; of these, 97 were from Spain. The available budget of ECU 60 million will enable the Commission to part-finance some 25 projects throughout the Union.

With regard to the selection procedure, the call for proposals states that: 'a team of independent international experts will assist the Commission services to identify the most innovative ideas in order to select those proposals which correspond most closely to the criteria set. The final number of proposals to be part-financed will be decided by the Commission, taking into consideration overall availability of funds, themes of proposals and distribution of appropriate projects within the territory of the Union.'

Since this procedure is now under way, it is not at present possible to assess the chances of a town being selected or the amount of Community part-finance which it might receive. Equally, no other estimate concerning a Member State or region can be made.

With regard to the number and name of projects which could concern municipalities in the Autonomous Community of Valencia other than those expressly referred to in these Written Questions, the Commission cannot derogate from the principle of confidentiality which applies to this stage of the procedure, particularly since proposals for measures involving more than one local authority may be accepted if that cooperation increases the value added.

The time required for the thorough consideration and careful selection of the exceptionally large number of applications received means that the Commission will not be able to take a decision before the end of the year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2820/96 by María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Elections in Kuwait - denial of women's right to vote

On 9 October 1996, parliamentary elections were held in Kuwait. Women were not allowed to vote or to stand as candidates. Despite the campaign conducted by Kuwaiti feminist organizations with a view to securing an amendment to the electoral law in order to ensure equality between men and women, women were unable to cast their vote.

Is the Commission considering any action which may help to lift the ban on political activity imposed on women in countries such as Kuwait?

Is the Commission thinking of taking any action to support organizations and associations calling for equality between men and women, particularly in countries where such differences lead to the political, educational and social exclusion of women?

Does the Commission believe that a public-awareness campaign to highlight the particular situation of women in countries such as Kuwait would help to improve their living conditions?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (20 November 1996)

The Commission closely follows the human rights record and attaches the utmost importance to the development of democracy and the reinforcement of democratic institutions in all countries.

The Commission welcomes the holding of the second legislative elections in Kuwait after the Gulf war which is an important step toward the full democratisation of the country but regrets that only 16% of the Kuwaiti population were able to vote and to be elected. In particular, the Commission is disappointed by the fact that women and naturalised citizens could not vote in the recent elections held on 7 October 1996 which limits the degree of representativeness of the Kuwait parliament. The Commission hopes that all Kuwaiti citizens will be able to vote and to be elected during the next parliamentary elections.

The Commission is very active in actions in support of women in third countries. The Commission was a full participant in the fourth world conference on women held in Beijing in September 1995 and is supporting specific programmes and projects in the post Beijing follow-up operations in the West Asia region, including several Arab countries. In addition, in the framework of the Meda-Democracy programme, several actions in favour of the full political participation of women have been initiated in a number of Mediterranean third countries.

The Union and the Gulf co-operation council (GCC) have repeatedly reaffirmed their determination to strengthen their relations by reinforcing, inter alia, their political dialogue including questions of human rights and democracy. In this respect, the Commission in its communication on improving relations between the European Union and the GCC countries ((COM(95) 541 final. )), emphasised the importance of political dialogue 'to enable the two sides to discuss questions of human rights and democracy which are important for both at international level and at the level of the relations between the EU and the GCC'.