ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1742/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: The presidency of the European Council and the presidency of the European Commission

The proposals made by certain prime ministers, for example those of the United Kingdom and Spain, with a view to reforming the presidency of the European Council, whereby a permanent President would be elected for a term of several years, are incompatible with the European Commission's position set out in the report A Project for the European Union which even proposes merging, within the Commission, the functions of the High Representative and the Commissioner for External Relations. In view of this, what does the Commission think of the prime ministers' reform proposals?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2002)

The Commission has noted with interest the various proposals put forward for the reform of the European Council. As these reforms require amendment of the Treaties, they must be examined in the context of the proceedings of the European Convention. It is in this context

that the Commission will take a position at the appropriate moment on the various proposals, bearing in mind, in particular, the need for the Convention to establish a coherent institutional structure. Since an in-depth debate on the future institutional structure has not yet got under way, it is difficult for the Commission to give its views at this stage on isolated aspects of particular proposals.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2139/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: Jamaica

With reference to Jamaica, will the Commission draw up a list of projects approved for financing under the EU budget in 2001 and state the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2243/02

by James Nicholson (PPE-DE) to the Council

(23 July 2002)

Subject: Security situation in the Moluccas

The fragile peace brought about by the Malino Agreement is under threat from violent Islamic militants.

Will the Council indicate the nature of any representations made to President Megawati Sukarnoputri regarding action taken to secure the arrest and trail of Jafer Umar Thalib and the effective enforcement of the Malino Agreement.

Reply

(16-19 December 2002)

1. In its declaration of 11 March 2002, the European Union welcomed the Malino peace talks between representatives of the Christian and Muslim communities of the Moluccas, and the subsequent 11-point declaration to end all violence in Moluccas. The EU also welcomed the mediation of the Government of Indonesia in the peace process, urged both signatory parties to the 11-point declaration to fully implement its content, and urged the Government of Indonesia to take the necessary measures against intruders seeking to disrupt the ongoing peace process in the province. Finally, the EU encouraged the Indonesian Government to initiate rehabilitation and development activities in the area, in order to obtain a broader public support for the peace process.

2. The EU has not raised the arrest and trial of Jafer Umar Thalib with President Megawati, but has regularly discussed the security situation in the Indonesian provinces, including the Moluccas, with the Indonesian authorities. Local EU Heads of Missions have reiterated the EU's support for the Malino Agreement in their talks with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, and continue to monitor closely the evolution of the situation on the ground. The EU also continues to support the Agreement practically by enhancing project co-operation in the Moluccas and in Central Sulawesi.

3. The EU, during the EU-Indonesia Foreign Ministers meeting on 24 September in Copenhagen, also discussed the situation in several regions of Indonesia, including Aceh, Papua and the Moluccas.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1984/02

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 July 2002)

Subject: Convention financing

Further to written question E-0486/02(1) (Subject: Civil Society), would the Commission, now that a list of organisations participating in the forum on the Convention of the Future of Europe has been published on the Internet (http://europa.eu.int/futurum/forum_convention/organlist_en.htm

list), please indicate which of these organisations have received European Community funds in the past five years?

Could the Commission please indicate how much money each of these Community funded organisations has received in each of the past five years?

Could the Commission please indicate from which budget line each organisation derived/derives its funds?

Finally, which organisations have money earmarked from the Community's budget?

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 32.

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2002)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that for the last five years Parliament has been informed annually of the appropriations earmarked for grants (A-30) and of the use to which they have been put.

As regards the Honourable Member's precise request, the Commission's departments are undertaking more detailed research, the findings of which will be the subject of a supplementary answer.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2425/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 August 2002)

Subject: Greek cotton

With the implementation of the new Regulation (EC) 1051/2001(1) on production aid for cotton, the income of Greek cotton-growers plummeted by some 30 % during the 2001-2002 marketing year despite the fact that production subsidised pursuant to the Commission's decision of 24 July 2002 was lower than in the previous year (1 246 000 tonnes in 2002 compared with 1 272 000 tonnes in 2001). Furthermore, 140 00 tonnes of unginned cotton received no support and producers will collect only the market price (GRD 70).

In view of the fact that a reduction in income of such a magnitude resulting merely from amending a regulation an amendment which was published and gained legal force long after cotton-growers had sown their fields has not affected any other agricultural product covered by a common organisation of the market, will the Commission say:

1. what measures it will take in response to the large loss of income suffered by Greek cotton-growers this year, which has left thousands of producers in dire financial straits and all the cotton-growing areas in an economic and social crisis,

2. whether it will review the national guaranteed quantities and the coresponsibility coefficient laid down by Regulation 1051/2001 to bring them into line with actual production and the economic and social realities in cotton-producing countries, as requested by Parliament in its resolutions of 15 February 2001, and

3. whether it will set a limit on the increase in fines and the reduction in the minimum price so that in years when production is high, producers are guaranteed a minimum income to enable them to meet their financial obligations and avoid being forced to abandon farming?

(1) OJ L 148, 1.6.2001, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 September 2002)

Greek cotton producers suffered a fall in income in the 2001/02 marketing year mainly because part of the harvest did not qualify for aid since the national measures taken did not comply with Article 17(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1051/2001 of 22 May 2001 on production aid for cotton.

Reducing the minimum price of unginned cotton where the national guaranteed quantities are exceeded has been a key element of the cotton aid scheme for many marketing years now.

Under the aid scheme established by Regulation (EC) No 1051/2001, the stabiliser mechanism and the resulting penalties have been reinforced to discourage so much cotton being placed on the market that it would have an adverse environmental effect. To maintain this deterrent effect, the progressive and gradual percentage increase in the penalty as currently laid down in the Regulation must be kept.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1659/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 June 2002)

Subject: Recruitment to the European Food Safety Authority

In April 2002, the Commission presented the 30 individuals selected to serve on the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority.

Of those 30, five are from consumer organisations and six from industry, agriculture and commerce. Unfortunately, there are no candidates from the food industry despite the contribution they could make to the service. Will the Commission say on what criteria the 30 candidates were selected and whether this omission will be rectified?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2002)

Article 25 of Regulation (EEC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety(1) provides that The Management Board shall be composed of 14 members appointed by the Council in consultation with the European Parliament from a list drawn up by the Commission which includes a number of candidates substantially higher than the number of members to be appointed, plus a representative of the Commission.

The Commission adopted the said list on 5 April 2002 following a selection process based on the criteria provided for by Regulation (EEC) No 178/2002. The Regulation provides that members should be appointed in such a way as to secure the highest standards of competence, a broad range of relevant expertise and, consistent with these criteria, the broadest possible geographical distribution within the Union. The Regulation also provides that four of the members of the Management Board shall have their background in organisations representing consumers and other interests in the food chain.

In the list adopted by the Commission, six candidates have backgrounds in organisations representing consumers and six others in organisations representing other interest groups in the food chain. Of these latter six, two have backgrounds in organisations representing the food industry, two in organisations representing farmers and two in organisations representing commerce.

Consequently, the Commission list does indeed include candidates with backgrounds in the food industry.

Finally, it should be emphasised that the members of the Management Board are not appointed as representatives for a particular interest group but as individuals, and they must undertake to serve the public interest and operate in a spirit of independence.

(1) OJ L 31, 1.2.2002.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1221/02

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(29 April 2002)

Subject: The safety of lorry drivers with left-hand drive cabs on roads in the United Kingdom

Could the Commission give details as to the number of accidents caused by non-UK lorries on United Kingdom roads that cause accidents due to the fact that drivers are on the left-hand side of the cab? Could the Commission also give details of the number of accidents caused by UK drivers on the continent due to their right-hand drive cabs? Can the Commission state what measures are being taken to ensure that lorry drivers are equipped to cover their blind side when travelling on roads abroad, where they find themselves in this position?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2002)

The Commission is not in a position to give details as to the number of accidents caused by non-British lorries on United Kingdom roads due to the fact that drivers are on the left-hand side of the cabin, nor can it give details as to the equivalent number of accidents on the continent.

The Community data base on road accidents is built on administrative police reports which give factual information without indicating the causes of accidents. Determining the causes needs in-depth investigations that are carried out under the responsibility of judicial authorities in the Member States.

With regard to the measures taken by the Commission, the Honourable Member is kindly requested to refer to the answer to the written question E-0852/02 by Mr Wiersma(1) about blind spot mirrors. The proposed amendments to the rear view mirrors directive will in general improve the field of vision for truck drivers.

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002, p. 96.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2141/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: Kenya

With reference to Kenya, will the Commission draw up a list of projects approved for financing under the EU budget in 2001 and state the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1879/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Grenada

With respect to Grenada, can the Commission specify the projects funded from the EU budget in 2000? Can it state the total amounts granted in aid over 2000 under all the headings referring to that country?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1787/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(24 June 2002)

Subject: Proposals to reform the EU Council Presidency

A number of proposals have been put forward recently, during the Spanish Presidency, to replace the present arrangements relating to the EU Council Presidency with another system in which the Presidency would be formed jointly by various Member States or at least by those states with larger populations for a period of several years.

These proposals have been made at a time when the Convention is about to discuss the reform of the Treaties, with a view to drawing up a European constitution, which will also involve determining the structure of the institutions, including the Council itself, and the relationship between them.

It is therefore surely more appropriate for the proposals currently being discussed by the Council on its own structure to be formally submitted to the Convention as suggestions to be freely considered in its discussions.

What do the various proposals which the Council is currently considering actually involve? What arrangements have been made between the Council and the Convention with a view to discussing this fundamental issue while ensuring that the Convention's prerogatives are fully respected?

Reply

(5 November 2002)

The report on measures to prepare the Council for enlargement which the Presidency submitted to the Seville European Council did not present specific proposals regarding replacement of the present Council Presidency system but simply noted the main proposals put forward on the subject so far, while stressing that they were not binding on any delegation and were not exhaustive.

That is why the European Council restricted itself, as regards the Presidency system (apart from some practical administrative measures not requiring Treaty amendments), to taking note of the current debate as set out in the report, noting a general readiness to examine the question further and asking the future Danish Presidency to take appropriate steps to continue discussions with a view to an initial report to the European Council in December 2002.

In these circumstances and in the absence of specific proposals, the question of the nature of the relations that could be established between the Council and the Convention for the examination of such proposals does not arise. However, the Council will be sure, in any future initiatives, to respect scrupulously the role and responsibilities of the Convention as defined by the Laeken Declaration.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2320/02

by Feleknas Uca (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(26 July 2002)

Subject: Accreditation of journalists at the Seville European Council

A journalist working for the Özgür Politika newspaper applied for accreditation in connection with the Seville European Council but the Spanish authorities rejected his application without giving any reasons for their decision. The journalist in question has on several occasions in the past been granted accreditation in connection with EU summits.

Why was his application rejected without reason?

Reply

(19 December 2002)

The Honourable Member should contact the Spanish authorities directly on this question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2791/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 October 2002)

Subject: Increase in the number of industrial accidents in Greece

According to recent information published by the Labour Inspectorate, there has been an increase in the number of industrial accidents in Greece. Does the Commission have any information about the number of industrial accidents in each Member State of the European Union? Is it satisfied with the policy of prevention of industrial accidents in Greece?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 2002)

In 1990 the Commission introduced a project entitled European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW) in order to harmonise data on accidents at work. Since 1994, harmonised figures have been available in this area in the Member States. It should be noted, however, that the extent to which accidents at work are declared varies a great deal between Member States and that some declare less than 50 %, which results in distorted data and makes it difficult to compare the figures.

The Commission indicated in its Communication Adapting to change in work and society: a new Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006(1) of 11 March 2002 that one of the objectives to be targeted jointly with the Member States was a continuing reduction in occupational accidents and illnesses.

The Commission believes that improving the quality of work(2), particularly in the form of a healthy and safe working environment, is one of the essential components of adopting a global approach to wellbeing at work. Accordingly, it is always possible to improve working conditions in all Member States, including Greece.

(1) COM(2002) 118 final.

(2) Objective which the Union set itself at the Lisbon European Council in March 2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1870/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Ethiopia

With respect to Ethiopia, can the Commission supply a list of the projects approved for funding from the EU budget in 2001 and indicate that year's investment total?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2154/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: Marshall Islands

With reference to Marshall Islands, will the Commission say which projects were financed in 2000 under the EU budget?

Will the Commision specify the total amount of aid allocated during 2000 to all the initiatives relating to Marshall Islands?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.