ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3002/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997)

Subject: Italian Government decree allowing local authorities to set up their own taxi services

In the last week of July 1997 the Italian Government issued a decree enabling local authorities to set up their own public taxi services, as an alternative to existing taxi services. This provision has given rise to a number of complaints by taxi-drivers, who consider that their livelihood is being jeopardized by the introduction of mechanisms which threaten to undermine free competition in the taxi sector.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether it is aware of this matter;

2. whether there is any European legislation on taxi services;

3. whether it considers the fears expressed by Italian taxi drivers concerning possible distortions of competition caused by the decree to be justified;

4. if so, whether it considers it should use its influence with the Italian authorities on the subject?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (6 November 1997)

1. The Commission is not aware of the measures cited by the Honourable Member

2. No.

3. and 4. The organisation and control of national, regional or local taxi markets including the licensing system is mainly an area of competence of national authorities. They are in a better position to deal with these matters.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2872/97 by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (11 September 1997)

Subject: Freedom of movement

According to Commissioner Flynn's reply to Written Questions E-0062/97 and E-0063/97 ((OJ C 186, 18.6.1997, p. 218. )), the number of persons authorized to export their unemployment benefit from the United Kingdom whilst seeking work in another Member State, was falling by 44 per cent between 1993 and 1995. But the number of cases of people exporting benefits to the United Kingdom increased by 43 per cent between 1992 and 1993.

Has the Commission been able to explain these divergent trends? Has more recent data given grounds to revise them? Does the Commission have further data on the export of benefits?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (3 October 1997)

Further to its reply to the Honourable Member's written questions E-62/97 and E-63/97, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that Member States have not supplied any more information under Recommendation No 17 of the Administrative commission on social security for migrant workers, on the export of unemployment benefits, nor did they supply any explanation of the trends to which he refers.

The Commission will again ask the Member States to supply the information in line with this recommendation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2606/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Ill-treatment of Chinese dissident Wei Jinsheng

Is the Commission aware that Chinese dissident Wei Jinsheng, who is serving out a 14-year prison term in Tangshan prison (Hebei province) for his outspoken opinions on matters relating to political and human rights in China, was beaten and ill-treated by fellow prisoners on various occasions in June this year?

Is the Commission aware that this ill-treatment took place under the very noses of the prison warders, who, far from affording Wei Jinsheng protection, had the temerity to subject him to additional punishment for alleged incitement to violence?

Is the Commission prepared to ask the Chinese government for clarification of the manner in which Mr Wei Jinsheng is being treated by the Chinese authorities?

Can the Commission state which EU Member States are at present granting asylum to Chinese refugees who are being persecuted for their political and human rights activities?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1997)

The situation of human rights in China is an issue of great concern for the Commission, which is fully committed to the improvement of the situation.

The Union has already expressed its concern to the Chinese authorities about the particular case of Mr Wei Jinsheng, as well as about the situation of all political prisoners in China.

Prison conditions were also one of the issues raised by the troïka in the context of the Union's human rights dialogue with China, under which two meetings were held in January 1995 in Brussels and in January 1996 in Beijing. The Chinese authorities have suspended this specific bilateral dialogue after the joint tabling of a Union resolution on the situation of human rights in China at the April 1996 session of the United Nations human rights commission. The Union is firmly committed to resume this dialogue as soon as possible.

Political asylum is being granted by Member States according to their own policy in this field.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3079/97 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Dialogue with Cuba

With regard to the political and economic situation in Cuba, does the Commission feel it can now propose that the dialogue with the Cuban authorities be stepped up with a view to gaining a mandate to explore the possibilities of concluding an EU-Cuba cooperation agreement?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1997)

The Union's Common Prositon on Cuba adopted by the Council on 2 December 1996 ((OJ L 322, 12.12.1996. )) and renewed on 26 June 1997, and the Presidency report on the implementation of the Position approved at the same time, expressly provide for dialogue with the Cuban authorities and all sections of Cuban society to be stepped up, and for the continuation of humanitarian aid and economic cooperation intended to support the reforms.

Both texts, however, make the granting of 'full' cooperation - of the same order as is accorded to other Latin American countries under cooperation agreements - contingent on real progress with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The fact is that no such progress has been observed in recent months: we are actually seeing a hardening of Cuban policy, notably in the attitude towards dissidents, and a slow-down in the reform process.

In view of these developments it does not seem that the conditions for requesting a mandate to conclude a possible cooperation agreement between the Union and Cuba are fulfilled at present.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2926/97 by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Funding of Higher Education in the United Kingdom

The report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education in the UK, chaired by Sir Ron Dearing, has recommended that emphasis should be placed on an increase in the provision of one and two year courses.

Can the Commission confirm that such study periods would be eligible for European Union funding and if there is a minimum duration course period to qualify for EU financial assistance?

Will such courses, of one or two years duration, be recognized as higher education qualifications in other Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (14 November 1997)

Community funding is available to support cooperation between higher education institutions in the Member States, notably through the Erasmus chapter of the Socrates programme and through the Leonardo da Vinci programme.

As far as the Erasmus chapter of Socrates is concerned, eligible higher education institutions ((Those universities and other institutions of higher education recognised by the authorities of the Member State to participate in the programme. )) may apply for Community funding to support the development of course moduls or full courses jointly with institutions in at least two other participating countries ((The 15 Member States and Iceland, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Norway and Rumania. )). One-or two-year courses would normally be eligible for such support.

Community grants are also available through Erasmus for the additional costs of students undertaking a study period abroad as part of a formal programme of higher education leading to a degree or diploma recognised by the authorities of the participating country concerned. The minimum period of stud abroad that may be supported through such grants is three months, and the maximum period is twelve months. Erasmus student grants are not available to students undertaking an entire programme of higher education studies in another Member State or European economic area (EEA) State.

The recognition of higher education qualifications issued in other Member States is the responsibility of the authorities of each Member State. Supported through the Socrates programme is a network of national academic recognition centres (NARICs) designed to facilitate the comparison and recognition of qualifications.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3089/97 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Commission (19 September 1997)

Subject: Seizure of Italian fishing boats by Tunisia

At the end of July and in August 1997 three Italian fishing boats operating in international waters in the Sicilian Channel were involved in serious acts of armed intimidation and seized by the Tunisian coastguard. Such incidents, which unfortunately occur with alarming frequency, again raise the question of the need to guarantee freedom of navigation and fishing rights in international waters in the area and to protect Italian fishermen who are legitimately carrying our their activities but whose personal safety is periodically seriously endangered.

What will the Commission do to ensure that Community fishermen are safe and international law complied with in the Sicilian Channel as soon as possible?

What stage has been reached in the negotiations for the accession of the European Union to the General Council for fishing in the Mediterranean, a body which could guarantee adoption of and compliance with common rules to protect fishing activities in the Mediterranean?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (29 October 1997)

The Commission has not been notified by Italy of the events to which the Honourable Member refers but has always firmly demanded respect by all countries for the international law of the sea and condemns all acts of violence imperilling vessel safety.

Against this background the Commission would remind the Honourable Member that there is no fisheries agreement between the Community and Tunisia and that the incidents apparently occurred in international waters.

At its 22nd plenary session, held from 13 to 16 October 1997 in Rome, the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean adopted amendments to its constituting Agreement that permit the Community's admission as a full member. With a view to its adoption at the earliest date the Commission is closely monitoring progress in the Council of the proposed Regulation on Community membership.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2911/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Children with AIDS in Africa

According to Unicef, 1000 children per day are now dying of AIDS in 15 African countries south of the Sahara, while in 1996 alone 400 000 children are said to have been infected with the AIDS virus.

Unicef estimates that after the year 2000 average life expectancy in the affected countries will fall by more than 11 years, partly as a result of this infection.

Can the Commission state what action it is taking, together with the African countries affected, to counteract HIV infection?

What amounts is the European Union spending in support of AIDS prevention in the African countries affected?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1997)

In 1986 the international community initiated its response to the threat posed by the human immunodeficiency virus acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic. It was in the light of this concerted international action that the Community launched its own programme in mid 1987, initially as part of its co-operation with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, and subsequently extending it to all the developing countries with the creation of a new budget line in 1988 (B7-6211). From 1987 to mid-1997, the Community committed approximately MECU 170 to the support of HIV/AIDS activities in developing countries. A major part of these funds are used to prevent transmission of the virus on the African continent where the problem is very widespread.

Specific activities related to HIV among children have been initiated and supported by the Community through counselling, education and information among young women in order to limit the perinatal transmission of the virus from mother to child. Special attention is also given by the programme to support initiatives related to school education and youth mobilisation in order to prevent the young from acquiring HIV. Development of care strategies for infants and children with HIV have also been supported. General information on the programmes' activities is continuously disseminated and discussed in different institutional fora.

On 7 January 1994, the Commission presented a communication to the Council and the Parliament on the policy principles and strategic priorities governing the HIV/AIDS activities of the Community and the Member States in the developing countries ((COM(93) 479. )) These were adopted in a Resolution (No 6449/94) dated 6 May 1994.

An activity report on the implementation of the Community HIV/AIDS programme established by the Commission was forwarded to the development committee of the Parliament in March 1997 (Implementation of the Community programme on HIV/AIDS in developing countries).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3310/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (15 October 1997)

Subject: Position of Turkey on illegal immigrants

On 15 September 1997 three illegal Kurdish immigrants were killed in a minefield on the border between Greece and Turkey. There have unfortunately been many such incidents recently. The Turkish Government is neither taking practical measures to stem the flow of refugees towards the border - who often meet a tragic end - nor is it engaging in talks with Greece in order at least to address the problem in a humane manner.

However, the European Union is also guilty of inertia. In its answer to a question I asked on this subject in 1992 (H-1179/92) ((Debates of European Parliament, No 3-425 (December 1992). )) the Council replied: 'once the Treaty on Union has entered into force, the provisions of Title VI on cooperation in the fields of justice and home affairs, which concern in particular immigration policy and policy regarding the nationals of third countries, will also apply.'

However, no practical measures have been taken vis-à-vis Turkey, even after the conclusion of the Maastricht Treaty.

What initiatives does the Commission intend to take in respect of Turkey in order to ensure that it respects its international commitments, given that this country has signed a Customs Union agreement with the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (7 November 1997)

In a resolution of the EC-Turkey Association Council of 6 March 1995 the two parties agreed the institutional framework for cooperation on justice and home affairs.

It has not been possible to implement this cooperation owing to the political situation.

In its communication on the future of relations with Turkey adopted on 15 July ((Doc. COM(97) 394. )), the Commission reiterated the importance it attaches to cooperation in this field, particularly on immigration.

Implementation of practical schemes will also depend on the situation as regards financial cooperation with Turkey.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2648/97 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Steroid prescriptions

Many patients have suffered both physically and financially from being prescribed steroids. Is the Commission aware of the strong public concern over this issue and does it intend to take any action to raise awareness amongst patients of the risks involved with taking steroids in prescribed drugs?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2648/97 and E-2668/97 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (8 October 1997)

Steroids have been available for decades. They are powerful medicaments that have proved their effectiveness in various therapeutic applications. However, in certain situations they may have serious undesirable effects. Therefore their prescription must follow the well known human-medicine principle of the balance between the advantage and risk deriving from the administration of a given medicament.

All those medicaments containing steroids currently on the market have been authorised by the Member States involved. They should, under the Community law in force, (a) acquire all of the information needed in order to monitor those medicaments and in particular that concerning any undesirable effects they may have on human beings and (b) assess that information at scientific level by linking it to the consumption of steroids and taking account of the - frequently-observed - cases of incorrect use and serious abuse of those medicaments.

Where, in the light of the pharmacological-monitoring information thus received a Member States feels that it should amend, suspend or withdraw the marketing authorisation for a medicament it is then required immediately to inform the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. In addition that Member State has the option, where it feels this to be justified, of laying the matter before the Agency before any decision is taken. So far neither of those two procedures has yet been initiated in the case of medicinal steroids.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3327/97 by Jessica Larive (ELDR) to the Commission (15 October 1997)

Subject: Plutonium on board the US space probe Cassini - danger to public health

According to the Algemeen Dagblad of 27 September 1997, the US space probe Cassini is to be launched on 13 October 1997 with 34 kg of plutonium on board. The Netherlands association for public health and peace issues, along with a number of American associations, has warned that the risks of this enterprise are unacceptably high. If the probe were to be involved in an accident, as happened with the Challenger in 1996, the amount of plutonium released into the atmosphere would, according to the worst prognosis, contaminate five times the world's total population. Inhaling 0.1 microgram is enough to cause lung cancer. Doctors indicate that the deadly substance would act as a killer for decades.

Is the Commission aware of the launching of this US space probe and of the unacceptable health risks to the world's population in the event of an accident occurring with the plutonium on board.

If so, does the Commission not consider that any public health risk must be ruled out before the launch?

Is the Commission therefore prepared to ask the US Government to cancel the launch?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (5 November 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to Oral questions H-0628/97 by Mr Bowe, H-0631/97 by Mrs Ahern, H-0634/97 by Mr Crampton, H-0659/97 by Mr Lannoye, H-0661/97 by Mr Pimenta during question time at Parliament's September 1997 part-session ((Debates of the Parliament (September 1997). )) and to written question E-2757/97 by Mr Schmidt ((See page 59. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2483/97 by Luciano Pettinari (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Interreg II and the port of Monopoli

The Apulian port of Monopoli is one of the most important points of contact between Italy and Albania and thus serves as a major link between the territory of the European Union and Tirana. Precisely for that reason the port of Monopoli was included among the sites that would benefit from the Interreg 2 development programme (Italy-Albania) and receive considerable Community funding. Following a series of high-level contacts between the commune of Monopoli, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic and the region of Apulia the port was definitively selected as a beneficiary project of Interreg 2; but for no apparent reason the Commission informed the commune of Monopoli on 22 May 1997 that the port was to be excluded from Interreg 2. This appears to be undue interference in the autonomous choices that are the preserve of political bodies; given the natural and obvious value of the port of Monopoli in the development of EU-Albania relations, why is the Commission excluding the port of Monopoli from the list of beneficiaries of Interreg 2? Does the Commission not intend to grant the port at least part of the funds available since if the entire amount were given to Bari it would undoubtedly exceed requirements? What sites in the region of Apulia have been selected as recipients of Interreg 2 funds and what were the selection criteria?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997)

The objectives, contents and beneficiaries of the Interreg II programme for Italy and Albania were defined in partnership by the Commission, the Italian Government and the region of Apulia, in accordance with the procedures for the approval of aid programmes part-financed by the Community.

The programme approved on 10 October 1996 does not specifically include any projects benefiting the port of Monopoli. Nevertheless, the regional authorities recently consulted the members of the programme's Monitoring Committee about a proposal to include the port of Monopoli. The Commission has also received the information needed to evaluate the proposal, which it is currently examining, as are the other members of the Monitoring Committee.

With regard to eligible areas, the entire province of Bari is eligible under the programme. The specific sites receiving financing under Interreg depend on the location of the projects financed. The project selection criteria vary according to the type of measures financed and are specified in both the programme measures and the calls for tender published by the Italian authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3277/97 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: European importers of Bangladeshi textiles suffering from export duty levied retrospectively

Under the GSP imports from Bangladesh with certificates of origin are admitted to the European market on more favourable terms.

It appears that not all certificates issued by the authorities are issued properly. As a result, and on the recommendation of the Commission, Bangladesh has declared 15 000 certificates of origin invalid with retroactive effect. The Commission intends to levy import duties in respect of imports made in the years 1994-1996. This will cause considerable financial problems for many European importers.

1. Does the Commission feel that the Bangladesh authorities have sufficient expertise in preparing certificates of origin? If not, has the Commission provided them with adequate assistance in issuing them correctly?

2. When did the Commission become aware of the technical problems involving the certificates? Did it then immediately notify the imparters?

3. If not, why not? Does the Commission expect importers themselves to check the validity of official government certificates of origin? If so, how can businesses do so?

4. Does the Commission feel that it is right to levy duties retrospectively because of invalid official certificates? If so, does the Commission think it is reasonable to charge duty retrospectively three years after the date of import?

5. How does the Commission intend to prevent this of problem in the future?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.