ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1411/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Subject: Diversion of the River Evinos

The diversion of the River Evinos (Aitolia-Akarnania, Greece) to supply water to Athens was given the go-ahead on the condition stipulated in the environmental impact assessment that a permanent minimum flow of one cubic metre per second was maintained downstream from the dam which was constructed to effect the diversion. This quantity was deemed necessary in order to mitigate the adverse effects on the natural environment in the valley below the dam.

In addition, Mesolongi is also supplied with water from the Evinos, while plans are also in preparation to supply Andirrion. Moreover, there are very strong indications that the volume of water in the Evinos is related to the quantity of water used in Nafpaktos.

Three companies have recently set up facilities for rafting on the Evinos below the dam, creating jobs and generally boosting the development of tourism in the area. However, visits to the site clearly reveal that the obligation to maintain a flow of one cubic metre per second is not being complied with and that the adverse environmental and economic effects are highly visible.

Can the Commission act to ensure compliance with the environmental impact assessment on which the diversion of the Evinos is based? Can it also help to bring the hydrogeological study of the area required under the EIA to a speedy conclusion as it has not yet been carried out despite the fact that the diversion is already in operation.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 1998)

Meeting the environmental terms of Ministerial Decision No 12450 of 23 June 1992 concluding the environmental impact assessment of the "Evinos" project is a legal obligation for the Hellenic authorities. When financing the project via the cohesion fund the Commission insisted on the need to meet those terms, including an obligation to guarantee a minimum flow rate of 1 m3 per second.

That condition was included in the decision to finance the project, which also obliges the Minister for the Environment to check that it is met.

The Commission received a positive reply from the Hellenic authorities at the most recent meeting of the ad hoc monitoring committee for the project to supply Athens with water from the Evinos river held on 9 June 1998, when information was requested concerning the maintenance, or otherwise, of a minimum flow rate of 1 m3 per second at present. The Commission is also anxious to stress that its experts regularly check whether that obligation is met.

The hydrogeological study was asked for by the Commission when it took its decision to finance the Evinos project (No 3438/3 of December 1993). That study was carried out by an independent consultancy, and following its approval by the Ministries for the Environment and Public Works, it was sent to the Commission in October 1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1680/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations in Latvia

Educational cooperation is one of the most important forms of grass-roots cooperation between the EU Member States and the candidate countries.

Of the PHARE appropriations intended for Latvia, how much was utilized in 1997 for such cooperation and what proportion of these appropriations did it represent?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1376/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Abolishment of cotton and tobacco organizations

The Greek Government has tabled a bill to abolish the cotton organization and the national tobacco organization. These two specialized and decentralized organizations have for fifty years been providing technical assistance for growers and the cotton and tobacco processing industry; since 1981 they have also carried out primary-level technical controls in respect of the payment of Community aid for these crops.

Since both the existing regulations and the revised versions proposed by the Commission in respect of these products directly link the payment of aid to quality factors and will require crops to adapt accordingly (change in varieties, continuous guidance for growers, specialized technical controls), will the Commission say:

1. What view does it take of the contribution made so far by the cotton and tobacco organizations in providing technical support and in developing and improving cotton and tobacco crops?

2. Does it not consider that the abolishment of these organizations will create problems in carrying out the necessary controls on the payment of aid, both during the new agricultural season and in the long term, given that the abolishment of these organizations has met with the total and categoric rejection of all farmers' and processors' organizations and workers in these sectors and that the new payments agency which will implement the regulations and the primary-level technical controls will need a long time to operate properly?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Under the common agricultural policy, particularly the management of the market organisations for the various agricultural products, it is not the Commission's place to give an opinion on the internal organisation of the Greek authority responsible for controlling Community subsidies to agriculture.

Under Council Regulation (EEC) 729/70 on the financing of the common agricultural policy(1), the Member States must notify the Commission of any bodies they decide to approve and provide information on how they operate. This Regulation entitles the Community to inspect the activities of disbursing authorities and agencies, which it does in close collaboration with the Member State concerned.

To date, the Commission has not been officially notified that the bodies in question are to be dissolved or their responsibilities transferred to other national authorities. It will, if necessary, ensure that all new national laws, regulations and administrative provisions comply with the Community legislation on cotton and tobacco and are adequate to meet the responsibilities delegated to Greece. In particular, the Commission will ensure that under any new system full and effective checks are made before aid is paid.

The Commission has not evaluated the contribution made by the bodies in question in providing technical support and developing and improving cotton and tobacco growing.

(1) OJ L 94, 28.4.1970.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2469/98

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Port State Control Directive

Is the Commission satisfied that the Port State Control Directive can be satisfactorily enforced in the area under the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority, given that their recent Pilotage Direction No 5 significantly reduced the number of vessels boarded by port officials?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

The Commission has no evidence to suggest that the reduction in boarding of vessels by pilots in the port of London will result in a significant reduction of Port State Control inspections. The decision by Port State Control officers to inspect a vessel is based on a large number of other criteria, particularly taking into account the ship inspection history, the ship's age and type and the performance of the Flag State in which it is registered.

Moreover, the fact that in a given port of a Member State the number of Port State Control inspections diminishes does not automatically imply that there is a reduction in the number of vessels inspected at national level and it cannot be considered, in itself, to be a violation of Directive 95/21/EC(1).

(1) OJ L 157, 7.7.1995.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1476/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 May 1998)

Subject: Destruction of national highway by landslide in Greece

In its answer of 19 April 1995 to my question (E-749/95(1)) concerning the destruction of the national highway and railway line by a landslide in Greece, the Commission stated that "it is too early yet for the Commission to state its position on the question of part-financing works to re-establish the road and rail links, since expert appraisals and the necessary technical studies must be conducted to determine the reasons for the landslide, any responsibilities involved, recommendations for technical measures and the cost of these."

Three years have now passed since the Commission's answer, will it, therefore, say:

1. whether it has the data to determine the reasons for the landslide, the responsibilities, the recommendations for technical measures and the cost of these, and

2. whether part-financing is available for the works to re-establish the road and rail links?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 1998)

The accident that occurred in February 1995 at Malakasa, on the main road to Pathe, was due to subsidence which the geological and geotechnical surveys carried out in the 1980s failed to predict.

New geotechnical surveys were carried out after the accident which indicate that a drainage system to drain away underground water in the affected area must first be built before work on rebuilding the motorway can start. The Greek Ministry of Public Works has costed the work at GRD 5 000 million. This project is part-funded under the "Main Highways" Operational Programme in the 1994-99 Community Support Framework for Greece. The Ministry also believes that the contract to carry out the work will be concluded shortly.

(1) OJ C 270, 16.10.1995, p. 10.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2907/98

by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Competition as regards authorities issuing driving licences

Can the Commission give an overview of the extent to which, in the various Member States, the organisation of driving tests is entrusted to bodies other than government authorities?

Can it also indicate, if bodies other than government authorities are involved, the extent to which open calls for tender are issued in advance?

Will it also investigate how, in the various Member States, appeals are dealt with against decisions taken by the authorities responsible for issuing driving licences and if the procedure also applies to independent bodies?

Finally, can the Commission indicate whether, in addition to the possibility of acquiring a driving licence from an appointed body, it is also possible to acquire a driving licence from another body appointed by the authorities?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2644/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Coordination of NGO action in Sudan

Can the Commission state which NGOs using EU resources are active in the Sudan in the area of famine relief and whether there has been any effort at EU level to coordinate the work of these NGOs?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 1998)

The following agencies and non governmental organizations (NGOs) are already supported by the Commission for feeding programmes and food distribution in Sudan: United Nations World food programme, United Nations international children's fund (UNICEF), Médecins sans Frontiéres (Belgique), Medair (CH), Save the Children (United Kingdom), Care International, Dutch InterChurch Aid, and Oxfam (United Kingdom). New allocations are expected to be confirmed shortly for the following additional organisations, also for feeding programmes: International Committee of the Red Cross, International Rescue Committee (United States), Care (Germany), Médecins sans Frontiéres (the Netherlands), Médecins sans Frontiéres (Switzerland), Merlin (United Kingdom), and Action contre la Faim (France).

The following other organisations are also supported by the Commission to provide vital humanitarian assistance in Sudan, but in sectors other than feeding programmes and food distribution (health, distribution of relief items, and food security programmes such as animal health, fishing equipment, seeds and tools): German Red Cross, Goal (Ireland), Pharmaciens sans Frontiéres (France), COSV (Italy), Médecins du Monde (France), International Aid Sweden, Vétérinaires sans Frontiéres (Switzerland), Vétérinaires sans Frontiéres (Belgique), Intermon (Spain), Hôpital sans Frontiéres (France) and International Rescue Committee (Spain).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2647/98

by Edward Newman (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Schengen visa

1. Since the Commission enjoys the status of observer to the Schengen Group, of which the United Kingdom is not a member, can the Commission specify what means of appeal is available to a third country national residing in the UK or in his or her country of origin who is denied a Schengen visa on the grounds that at least one Schengen State has listed him or her on its "blacklist"?

2. Does this third country national have the right to know which Schengen Member State(s) is/are opposed to his/her entry into its/their territory? If yes, how can the person avail himself/herself of this right?

3. If this third country national feels for example that (s)he is a victim of mistaken identity or erroneous data collected, what possibilities are there to rectify any errors?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1998)

Until the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, which incorporates the Schengen arrangements into the framework of the Union, those arrangements remain intergovernmental in nature, and so it is not for the Commission to provide the information sought by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3177/98

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(12 October 1998)

Subject: Apprentice bakers and night work

Bread production is a very dynamic sector. Customer demand means that bread and pastries must be available as early as 6 a.m. However, Directive 94/33 on the protection of young people at work prohibits young people from working nights between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m. This rule deprives apprentice bakers of an essential part of their training, i.e. the opportunity to learn how to make dough. This situation could be remedied simply by cutting down the night-working ban by one hour. This would put small bakeries, which have traditionally provided most training, in a stronger position to train new apprentices in the future.

The level of employment in Europe must be improved, and youth employment in particular. With this consideration in mind, can the Commission envisage reducing the ban on night work by one hour, at least for those sectors which are particularly affected?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1998)

Council Directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work(1) requires Member States to ensure that employers guarantee young people working conditions which suit their age.

As regards night work, Article 9 of the Directive contains a general ban on night work by children and adolescents. However, to take account of the specific nature of certain areas of activity, the Directive allows Member States to authorise, under certain conditions, night-time work by adolescents, although work between midnight and 4.00 is still prohibited in such cases.

The Commission feels that this provision allows Member States to find a balance between the vocational training requirements of adolescents in the bakery industry and the need to protect young people against work liable to be detrimental to their safety, health or physical development.

The legislation in force in the Member States would seem to confirm the soundness of this approach.

(1) OJ L 216, 22.6.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1530/98

by Ilona Graenitz (PSE) to the Commission

(8 May 1998)

Subject: Euro symbol on computer keyboards

The move to the euro means that it is also necessary to add the euro symbol to computer keyboards.

1. Is it possible to obtain the euro symbol from the European Union free of charge?

2. Is there any general assistance available from the Union regarding the question of how to add the symbol to keyboards?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 1998)

The Commission has been using the euro symbol to designate the single currency since the European Council in Dublin of 13/14 December 1996. On 23 July 1997 the Commission issued a communication(1) which invited all currency users to use the symbol whenever a distinctive symbol is needed for the description of monetary amounts in euro. The Commission supported this by registering the euro symbol for general typographic use in October 1997 with the International organisation for standardisation (ISO) within the framework of the international standard ISO 10036.

It is possible to download the symbol in various formats from the Commission's external server "Europa" on the Internet (http://europa.eu/int). Moreover the technical description of the symbol can be found in various brochures published by the Commission.

In November 1997 the Commission put forward detailed proposals for the placement of the euro symbol on computer keyboards ("Recommendation for the placement of the euro sign on computer keyboards and similar information processing equipment" version 1.5) which have been welcomed by the main industry associations.

(1) COM(97) 418 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2530/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Contacts for Commission information campaigns

Has the Commission purchased, in the last five years, research, polling or consultancy services from the company Carville, Greenburg and Gould/NOP, or the UK-based organisations 2010 or the Foreign Policy Centre?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 1998)

The Commission has no knowledge of having engaged the services of the companies referred to in the Honourable Member's question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2501/98

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Construction of an artificial island near the Bay of Cádiz

The Spanish Ministry of Defence intends to build an artificial island 700 metres from the boundary of the Bay of Cádiz Natural Park, which would contain a platform for logistical exercises. No information is available on the surface area of the island, although its volume is put at 6900 cubic metres, while the dimensions of the platform would be 25 by 12 metres formed by two slabs weighing 637 tonnes each and capable of resisting the direct impact of a vertically falling object weighing 1000 kg. Moreover, auxiliary installations would be built within and outside the natural park (landing stage and access road, store and workshops, breakwaters to protect the island, etc.). The installations situated inside the park would include three bases for launching Mistral, Roland, Aspid, Milan and Tow missiles. If the Ministry of Defence submits the project as being "in the interest of national defence", it will be able to avoid application of the provisions of the Andalusian Law 7/94 on environmental protection, which requires a study to be made in advance of the environmental impact of most of the elements which make up this project (artificial island, high-tension network, road, workshops and bases, landing stage and breakwaters).

The salt flats of San Félix-Tres Amigos, in which the project is to be located, represent the most significant area in the natural park because they retain the physical and chemical conditions necessary for the subsistence and biological development of their birdlife, and they have been put forward by the Andalusian Government as a special bird protection area as part of the Community network Natura 2000. On 26 May 1998 the Spanish environmental protection association AGADEN presented the Commission with a report protesting against the project.

Has the Commission been consulted by the Spanish authorities on this project, including aspects linked to the safety of the civil population and of the region?

Can the Commission say what measures it will take to prevent the project from endangering the site already proposed as a Natura 2000 area? If the project is carried out, does the Commission not intend to intervene also to ensure that an environmental impact assessment is carried out on the work planned?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 1998)

The Commission has received a complaint concerning the situation described by the Honourable Member.

In appraising the complaint, the Commission has made the necessary contacts to gather full details of the situation and to ensure that the Community environment legislation applicable to this particular case is being fully observed.

The Commission will inform both the complainant and the Honourable Member of any development in its appraisal of the complaint.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2086/98

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Transparency and access to legislative documents

The transparency of decision-making and the access to legislative documents that it implies, represent essential rights of democracy. The new Article 255 of the Treaty of Amsterdam states that any citizen of the Union, and any natural or legal person residing or having registered office in a Member State, shall have the right of access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. Annexed to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty is the Declaration on the quality of the drafting of Community legislation.

In view of the above, can the Commission specify when it intends to present:

- a draft interinstitutional Agreement on the quality of the drafting of Community legislation, in which the institutions undertake, inter alia, not to append unilateral statements of interpretation to legislative texts;

- a legislative proposal containing conditions and fundamental principles regarding public access to the documents of the institutions of the Union;

enabling it to anticipate or apply as quickly as possible these two fundamental provisions of the new Treaty

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 1998)

With regard to the implementation of Declaration No 39 annexed to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty, the Commission would recall that a group consisting of representatives from the three legal services was mandated to produce draft common guidelines relating to the quality of drafting of Community legislation, which are currently being studied by each institution with a view to final approval by the three institutions.

The Commission will present a legislative proposal relating to the implementation of the new Article 255 (right of access to documents) introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty, defining the conditions and basic principles governing access by citizens to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, as soon as possible following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty.