ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3012/96 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (11 November 1996)

Subject: Channels for the provision of humanitarian aid to Cubans

Despite the suspension of negotiations on a Cooperation Agreement caused by the rigid political intransigence of the Castroist system which does not grant any political freedoms to, nor respect the rights of, its citizens, the Commission continues to provide humanitarian aid to Cuba with the general approval of Parliament.

Can the Commission name the non-governmental or analogous organizations in Cuba through which ECHO attempts to channel such aid to those in greatest need?

What sums in ecus or other currencies have each of these organizations received in 1996? What controls are there to ensure that this aid from the budget paid for by the taxpayers in the various Member States reaches its intended destination?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission (10 January 1997)

The humanitarian aid that the Commission provides to Cuba is channelled exclusively through European non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which for the year 1996 were the following: ACSUR (E), Caritas (D), Caritas (E), CISP (I), Rote Kreuz (D), Erikshjälpen (S), France Libertés (F), GVC (I), Médecins du Monde (F), Médicos del Mundo (E), Médicos sin Fronteras (E), MPDL (E), OIKOS (P), Save the Children (GB) and Solidaridad Internacional (E).

The unloading and transport of the humanitarian goods towards Havana's central depots takes place under the sole responsibility of the Commission technical assistance office there. The non-governmental organizations, partners to the Commission, distribute the humanitarian aid to the designated beneficiaries, and must ensure its follow-up and control. The evaluations carried out by the Commission have shown that the aid does effectively reach the recipients.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3127/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) and Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Institution of the cultural capital

According to statements made by the Minister for the Environment, Planning and Public Works on 24 October 1996, doubts are growing that the organizers of 'Thessaloniki cultural capital 1997' will be able to complete their preparations and have the project ready on time.

Given that the Commission contributes funds towards organizing the cultural capital event and that its contribution was in the order of ECU 400 000 for Lisbon and Luxembourg, will it say:

1. what the amount of funding is for 'Thessaloniki, cultural capital' and through what channels it is being paid?

2. what precise stage has been reached in bringing this cultural event about and into which projects Community funds have been channelled? and

3. since the Commission itself is funding the event, what checks it is carrying out on the progress of the cultural facilities projects in Thessaloniki and what its findings are?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (16 January 1997)

The Commission would first point out that the 'European city of culture' event is, at present, an intergovernmental initiative. Cities submit their applications to the Council, which makes its selection by unanimous vote. The choice of the European city of culture is thus a political decision taken by the representatives of the Member States; the Commission provides financial support to organize the event once the city has been designated.

Moreover, the Commission would recall that under the resolution of 13 June 1985 on the annual organization of the 'European city of culture', the Member State where the city is situated appoints the body which will be responsible for organizing and financing the event in that country.

Here, it is for the Greek authorities to take all the appropriate measures to organize the event.

The Commission will be able to specify the amount of Community support for Thessaloniki only when the 1997 budget has been adopted. The Commission's administrative rules require that the contribution be paid on the basis of a detailed statement of estimates which specify the projects forming part of the general programme to receive support.

In July 1996, the Commission received the advance programme for Thessaloniki 1997. It will not fail to support the event 'European city of culture' if the Greek authorities submit to it the detailed and final programme of that event accompanied by the documents required for the granting of the Community contribution.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3202/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Deadline for projects under the URBAN programme

The deadline for submitting urban development projects under the URBAN programme for 1997-1999 will expire on 10 January 1997.

When does the Commission expect to have decided which projects are to benefit from the URBAN programme?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3196/96, E-3197/96 and E-3202/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

Following consultations with Parliament, the Commission decided on 8 May 1996 on the indicative allocation of the reserve for the Community Initiatives. Under that decision, Urban in Spain received (at indexed 1995 prices) MECU 56,2 for the Objective 1 regions and MECU 21,4 for the other areas.

The submission of operational programmes for implementation of the extension of Urban is a matter for the Member States. This means that the Commission cannot make an estimate of any Community contribution to the Autonomous Community of Valencia.

So far, the Commission has received no operational programme from the Spanish authorities. It is not possible at present to predict when the Commission will take a decision, since this will depend on the quality of the proposals it receives.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3608/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Article B5-411: Operations relating to industry

With regard to the 1995 financial year, can the Commission say, with respect to budget heading:

B5-411: Operations relating to industry

1. Whether associations, trade unions or employers' organizations were subsidized?

2. If so, can it specify the amount of the subsidies on an association-by-association, a trade union-by-trade union or employers' organization-by-employers' organization and on an activity-by activity basis?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3603/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B5-320: Business promotion (small and medium-sized enterprises)

With reference to the financial year 1995 and budget heading:

B5-320: Business promotion (small and medium-sized enterprises)

1. Can the Commission say whether subsidies were granted to associations, trade unions or employers' bodies?

2. If they were, can the Commission provide a breakdown of the exact amount of the subsidy for each association, trade union, body and activity?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3631/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Item B3-4102: Helios II (integration of disabled persons)

Can the Commission give a breakdown, on an association-by-association and activity-by-activity basis, of the amount of the subsidies granted in respect of the 1995 financial year from the following item:

B3-4102: Helios II (integration of disabled persons)?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2664/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Concentration in the mass media

Given the implications of the concentration of the information media for the concept of a pluralist society, attention should be drawn to the differences between the various national rules applied and the increasingly obvious detrimental effects of such differences.

Some Member States limit any one person's share in a radio service or television channel to 25 or 49%; some limit the number of such services that can be controlled by a single person to 1, 2 or, at the most, 3; others restrict the ability of a proprietor of a newspaper with a circulation above a specified level to control a radio station or television channel. This is a serious obstacle to transfrontier investment, as it leads firms to base their decisions on regulatory rather than economic considerations.

Would the Commission introduce common rules at European level to encourage the development of the European information media industry, while guaranteeing an adequate level of protection for freedom of expression in a pluralist society?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1996)

The work ((Green Paper on 'Pluralism and media concentration in the internal market: An assessment of the need for Community action' (COM(92) 480 final). Follow-up to the consultation process relating to the Green Paper on 'Pluralism and media concentration in the internal market: An assessment of the need for Community action' (OJ No C 323, 21.11.1994). )) in which the Commission has been engaged for several years on the rules governing media ownership is aimed precisely at finding ways of eliminating the obstacles to the proper functioning of the single market created by disparities between national rules in this area. The work is focusing chiefly on rules which put a maximum limit on the stake that can be acquired in the capital of a broadcasting company and rules limiting the number of media that can be controlled by a given individual. The Commission is now considering the possibility of presenting in the near future a proposal for a directive approximating Member States' rules on media ownership.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3154/96 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Remaining obstacles to Poland importing ceramic tiles from European Union countries

Despite the fact that the Polish authorities have given official undertakings on several occasions, partly at the behest of the European Union, to remove a series of obstacles that make it difficult for EU producers to export ceramic tiles to Poland, there are still serious problems in this area.

In particular, the law that has required, since last year, obligatory certification for ceramic tiles is still in force, in flagrant breach of the rules of international trade and the agreements reached between Poland and the European Union.

What measures has the Commission taken or does it intend to take to ensure that the relevant Polish authorities stop demanding certification of this kind?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (13 January 1997)

The Commission has on several occasions raised with the Polish authorities the problems caused by the Polish certification system with regard to a number of products, including ceramic tiles, exported by the Community to Poland.

The matter was most recently discussed at the political level during the visit of the responsible Member of the Commission to Warsaw on 17-18 October 1996. On this occasion the Polish prime minister promised to accelerate the work undertaken on a new Polish law, which will ensure a Community compatible certification system. The objective is that the new law will enter into force on 1 January 1998.

Further discussions between the Commission and the Polish authorities are taking place in the framework of previous negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution during the interim period, i.e. until the new Polish certification law enters into force. In advance of these discussions, the Polish authorities agreed to extend for 1997 the suspensions (originally introduced only for 1996), which are normally applied to companies not following the Polish certification rules.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3111/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Taxation in the wine sector - State stamp

Transposition of Community Directives on harmonization of excise duties in the wine sector has led to sweeping changes in Italy, on account of Community rules, which have made procedures more cumbersome and resulted in additional costs for firms.

Will the Commission grant exemption from duty to firms not only in respect of products stored in tax warehouses which have been packaged and bear a stamp - and hence are guaranteed - but also with a view to organizing the movement of products not bearing a stamp? Will it likewise suspend the deposit which has to be paid in order to obtain the State stamp?

In addition, will the Commission issue a Directive abolishing the State stamp - which in fact does not exist in most Member States - thereby harmonizing the existing provisions in all parts of the Union?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (20 January 1997)

According to the information in the Commission's possession, tax stamps are not required in Italy for wine but for other alcoholic beverages, such as intermediate products, brandies and liqueurs. Products bearing tax stamps have already been released for consumption (that is to say, excise duties have already been paid) and are, therefore, no longer subject to the controls to be carried out on products under duty-suspension arrangements.

However, if they do not yet bear tax stamps, products are still covered by duty-suspension arrangements, in which case a guarantee has to be lodged under the Community provisions governing movement between Member States, Generally speaking, a guarantee is also required for the holding and storage in a tax warehouse of products subject to duty-suspension arrangements.

The Community provisions permit the use of tax stamps provided that free movement is not impeded. Even so, the Commission is conducting a study to determine whether and to what extent harmonization in this field is possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3020/96 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Council (8 November 1996)

Subject: Discovery of a bugging device in Mr Berlusconi's office

A bugging device has been discovered in the Rome office of Mr Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the Forza Italia political party and of the Italian Opposition.

1. Does the Council think that it should call on the Court of Justice to ensure that the rights of Mr Berlusconi as a citizen, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Opposition are protected?

2. What guarantees does the Council consider itself able to provide in order to safeguard the right to privacy?

3. Is the Council aware of any previous incidents similar to those relating to Mr Berlusconi anywhere else in the EU, other than the telephone tapping activities directed at Spanish institutional bodies?

Answer (13 February 1997)

The question raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within the Council's purview.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3636/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B3-4302: Health aspects of drug abuse

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the figures, for each association and activity subsidised, for the subsidies granted in the financial year 1995, under budget heading:

B3-4302: Health aspects of drug abuse?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3409/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: Phare programme

Can the Commission give details of projects currently operating in the environment field with assistance from the Community under the Phare programme and those expected to be funded during 1996?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (8 January 1997)

After a decrease of funding to the environmental sector on budget line B7-500 (Phare) in 1992 and 1993, the allocations to the sector increased in 1994 and 1995 to about 8% of the total budget. This trend is continued for 1996 and is likely to continue in the immediate future. The indicative programmes for later years currently show the figure of 8%.

This amount excludes the substantial environmental components included in other sectoral programmes such as energy, as well as the high percentage of environmental funding under the cross-border co-operation programme under budget line B7-502. Cross-border co-operation continues to direct considerable amounts to regional co-operation in infrastructure and environment. The current planning for this budget line B7-502 indicates a percentage of 41% set aside for the environmental sector over the period 1996-1999.

Together the budget lines B7-500 and B7-502 comprise 13% of the total budget, which fully meets the request of Parliament to use 10% of the budget for the environmental sector.

In line with the Phare environmental strategy, assistance is geared towards assistance in the pre-accession phase for the associated countries. This means in particular assistance in approximation issues, public awareness and investments necessary to meet the acquis communautaire.

In 1996 two Commission-driven ('horizontal') programmes were launched, namely a facility for the development of implementation strategies for the approximation in the environment (DISAE), giving technical assistance for approximation of legislation (geared towards implementation and enforcement) and a project preparation fund (PPF), assisting countries to prepare projects for environmental investments by international financing institutes, banks and bilateral donors. The budget (three years) for DISAE is MECU 10 whereas PPF has MECU 15.

An amount of MECU 6 under nuclear safety 1996 is entirely reserved for Bulgarian projects (Kozloduy).

Some of the funding is not allocated to one particular country but to three or more eligible countries. This funding is in the multi-country programme environmental sector. The programme received MECU 20 and 10 in 1995 and 1996 respectively. A part of the similar multi-country programme energy sector is explicitly devoted to environmental issues such as energy-saving (in 1996 MECU 2,6). It is envisaged that MECU 18-22 per year in the period 1997-1999 be allocated to the environmental sector under the multi-country programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1235/96 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. EU funding for north-west Italy (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)



Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0002



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1235/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (23 May 1996) Subject: EU funding for north-west Italy In 1995, what sums and for what measures did the EU grant financial support to the Italian regions of Lombardia, Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta from the following funds/programmes? 1. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); 2. European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund (EAGGF) - guidance section; 3. European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund (EAGGF) - guarantee section; 4. European Social Fund (ESF); 5. European Community research programmes; 6. European Community environmental programmes; 7. other European Community programmes. Supplementary answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (24 April 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-3615/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Financing of certain associations from the Community budget

Can the Commission provide full details of the amounts granted, under the 1995 budget (taking all relevant budget headings together) to the following French trade-union organisation:

- CGT-FO/Force Ouvrière

at national level and to its branches in the regions and departments?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1997)

Further to its answer of 14 February 1997 ((OJ C 105, 3.4.1997. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-3632/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B3-4103: Measures to combat poverty and social exclusion

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the figures, for each association and activity subsidised, for the subsidies granted in the financial year 1995, under budget heading B3-4103: Measures to combat poverty and social exclusion?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1997)

Further to its answer of 14 February 1997 ((OJ C 105, 3.4.1997. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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