ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0671/98 by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Does the Commission consider the 'Fachhochschuldiplom' a higher qualification than that of 'Ingeniero Técnico'? Why?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0725/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Access of Spanish Technical Engineers to Grade A/LA in the European civil service

Why, in the Spanish version of the notice of open competition COM/A/1047 (OJ C 145 A, 13.5.1991), has the Commission included the requirement that applicants be holders of a 'university' qualification, when that same requirement does not appear in the German version of the said notice?

Why, in the Spanish version of the notice of open competitions COM/A/720 and COM/A/721 (OJ C 52 A, 28.2.1991), did the Commission include the requirement that applicants be holders of a higher education qualification obtained after a five-year course, when that same requirement did not appear in any other language version of the said notice?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0817/98 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: The scandal of low wages in Eastern Europe

Will the Commission say whether it appreciates the importance of the action planned by the Norwegian federation of forestry workers (NTIF), namely the boycotting throughout northern Europe of products for IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant, which has branches all over the European Union? The NTIF mobilised (see Le Monde of 25 February 1998, p. 28) following publication in The Sunday Times (22 February 1998) of a survey of the pay and working conditions of IKEA's suppliers in Romania. One of the facts revealed by the survey was that IKEA's 900 employees in Romania are paid FF 2.25 an hour (the equivalent of about ITL 600) whilst its employees in Sweden are paid over FF 80. This means that a Romanian employee costs IKEA 35 times less than a Swedish (or Norwegian or Finnish or other European) employee. This also explains why IKEA is 'delocalising' its production, with the resulting job losses. IKEA is nonetheless selling its Romanian-produced goods in Europe at prices which do not reflect this huge cost differential and is making vast profits in the process.

In the light of the above, will the Commission say whether it intends to act, or at least take measures against situations of this type? It could, for example, propose a 'social levy on imports' from third countries where labour costs are lower than in Europe to help tackle the ever greater problems of unemployment created and exacerbated by these practices of 'rampant capitalism'.

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (28 April 1998)

Trade relations between Romania and the Community are governed by the provisions of the Europe Agreement of 1 February 1995 and by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Romania is in fact a member of the World Trade Organisation. The provisions in question do not permit a compensatory social levy on imports from Romania.

Generally speaking, the fact that wage levels in the partner country are different from those in the Community is in no way grounds for protectionist measures. On the contrary, the development of trade and the interpenetration of our economies through direct investment helps economic development on both sides. This is particularly welcome with Romania, an applicant country which is preparing to face the challenges of accession and integration into the Community market and which the Community supports in that endeavour.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0727/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Access of Spanish Technical Engineers to Grade A/LA in the European civil service

Why are applications accepted from holders of the British 'Bachelor of Arts', 'Bachelor of Science' and 'Bachelor of Engineering' qualifications * all of which are obtained after three years * but not from holders of the Spanish Ingeniero Técnico qualification?

Does the Commission take the view that the British 'Bachelor of Arts', 'Bachelor of Science' and 'Bachelor of Engineering' qualifications rank higher than that of the Spanish Ingeniero Técnico? If so, why?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0728/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Access of Spanish Technical Engineers to Grade A/LA in the European civil service

What has led the Commission to require that Mr Vicente Alonso Morales, holder of the Spanish Ingeniero Técnico qualification and candidate for open competition COM/A/1047 (OJ C 145 A, 13.5.1997), should have successfully completed the equivalent of a full-length Spanish degree course, given that such a requirement does not appear in the text of the notice of competition?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1754/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (5 June 1998)

Subject: Bihari people in Bangladesh

Now that an agreement has been reached in Islamabad to commence rehabilitation of the Bihari refugees from Bangladesh, will the Commission help towards the estimated US$ 250 million cost of constructing the necessary housing and other aspects of their rehabilitation and resettlement?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (22 June 1998)

The Commission welcomed the agreement between the Pakistani and Bangladeshi Prime Ministers during the three-nation economic summit on 15 January 1998 to solve the problem of the 238 000 Bihari refugees.

The Commission has also positively acknowledged the commitment of Pakistan to repatriate all the Biharis from Bangladesh, and it is aware of the economic effort that Pakistan has made to achieve this objective. The government of Pakistan appealed to all citizens to contribute to this cause to collect the 227 MECU required for the resettlement of the Biharis.

For the time being, the Pakistani government has not called for financial support from international organisations and has not approached the Commission for any financial contribution to support its effort. It should also be noted that the Bangladeshi side has not approached the international community for support.

The Commission, through its delegations in Islamabad and Dhaka, closely monitors the situation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1152/98 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (24 April 1998)

Subject: Regional GDP statistics

Last week, Eurostat announced the results of the regionalized GDP calculations. It may be assumed that these figures do not represent the wealth actually available in each region and, in any case, it is stated in the answer given to Written Question P-2010/97 ((OJ C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 142. )) that national figures for GDP 'are regionalised for each Member State on the basis of the most recent regional structure of gross value added'.

Does the Commission not therefore think that the regional accounts criteria should be revised?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (2 June 1998)

Each year, on the basis of information provided by the national statistical institutes (NSIs), the Commission draws up regional accounts by branch of economic activity. These harmonised accounts are drawn up in accordance with the methodological principles of the European System of Accounts (ESA). Amongst other things, they provide information on gross value added, compensation of employees, gross fixed capital formation and employment. They also make it possible to estimate the regional gross domestic product (GDP).

As the honourable Member points out, this indicator is calculated on the basis of the national GDPs, regionalised for each Member State using the most recent regional structure of gross value added. This method, which was drawn up in collaboration with the national statistical institutes, provides results which are comparable between Member States, and the Commission has no plans to change it in the near future.

The regional GDP is a composite indicator of the production activity in a region. It is therefore highly suitable for measuring the level of economic development of the regions. However, it does not measure the disposable income of the households concerned. To make up for the lack of information on this topic at Community level, the Commission, as part of its revision of the ESA in 1995, therefore drew up the methodological principles needed for compilingng regional accounts for households. This work, carried out in collaboration with the NSIs, was completed in 1996. The result is that, as from 2000, initial information will be available on the gross disposable income of households at regional level.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1804/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (11 June 1998)

Subject: Use of Community funds for government propaganda

The Greek Government is using Community funds from the 'Delors II package' (more than Drs 1.5 billion) for outright party political propaganda in the form of biased television broadcasts and promotional publicity via the electronic media, thereby providing the Greek public with a selective range information. The government's actions are designed to claim the credit for projects to which the EU has made vital contributions.

Is the Commission aware of this promotional and propaganda campaign? Has it expressed an opinion about its objectivity? What steps will it take to put an end to this attempt to 'brainwash' the Greek public about the 'achievements' of the Greek Government, when hardly any major project would have been carried out in Greece without the assistance of the EU structural Funds?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (30 June 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to Oral Questions H-542/98 by Mr Anastassopoulos and H-543/98 by Mr Hatzidakis during question time at Parliament's June 1998 part session ((Debates of the Parliament (June 1998). )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1772/98

by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Non-conventional medicine

In his speech to the European Parliament on 28 May 1997 on the harmonization of non-conventional medical practice between the Member States, Commissioner Flynn said that the general system of recognition of diplomas, in force for several years, already ensured the free movement of medical practitioners between Member States which recognize non-conventional medicine as a discipline distinct from conventional medicine, would the Commission now provide:

1. an exhaustive list of the Member States which recognize non-conventional medicine as a discipline distinct from conventional medicine;

2. lists, name and/or description, as appropriate, of diplomas in non-conventional medicine recognized in the Member States of the European Union which, under the general system of diplomas recognition, ensure the free movement of those practitioners in possession of such diplomas;

3. the legislation pertaining to non-conventional medicine in those Member States in the European Union which have made such medicines official.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 1998)

The Commission would point out that this question is exactly the same as the Honourable Member's Written Question E-1743/98.

The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable Member to the answer it has already given to that question(1).

(1) See page 156.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1109/98 by Luigi Florio (PPE) to the Commission (30 March 1998)

Subject: Protection of European wines with designations of origin

Is the Commission aware that certain winegrowers in the United States produce wine that is then marketed using the names of some of the most famous European, and in particular Italian, wines with designations of origin?

This problem is due to the fact that there are no instruments for the legal protection of wines with designations of origin in non-European countries which have not signed the Lisbon Agreement in the context of the GATT Agreements.

Does the Commission agree that it should take measures to prevent the problem from spreading and thereby causing extremely serious damage to the European wine-growing sector by undermining the image of our most prestigious wines and their presence on the internal and international markets?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1998)

The Commission is aware of the matter brought to its attention by the Honourable Member.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPs), signed by the Community in 1994, requires WTO members to protect the geographical designations of other members. Exceptions are provided for, however, particularly under Article 24(4), which permits WTO members who have been using continuously for at least 10 year prior to 15 April 1994, or in good faith, specific geographical designations belonging to other members and identifying wines or spirits with persons living in those geographical areas, to continue to do so in a similar way.

While seeing to it that its rights under the WTO are respected, the Community has the priority objective in the wine-growing sector also of concluding bilateral agreements to improve the protection for geographical designations as provided for in Article 24(1) of the agreement.

Concerning the matter notified by the Honourable Member, the Commission is making every effort to ensure that negotiations can be conducted on this aspect with the United States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0958/98

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 March 1998)

Subject: Agricultural funding

Can the Commission say what amount of direct and indirect funding is granted to Italian farmers' organizations, specifically the Confederazione Agricoltori Italiani (Federation of Italian Farmers), the Confederazione Coltivatori Diretti (Federation of Owner-Occupiers), and the Confederazione Italiana Coltivatori (Italian Federation of Growers)?

What budget headings are used to provide the funding in question, and for what services has payment been made in the current year and the last three years?

Have the above three farmers' organizations taken part in specific projects, for instance in the field of vocational training?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1998)

Direct financing of the Italian farmers' unions:

Confederazione Agricoltori Italiani

1997 - Veneto Region "SOS Mondo rura programme": ECU 102 500

1996 - Study trip: ECU 8 000

Confederazione Coltivatori Diretti

1997 - Seminar - Course for future managers "Development of management skills": ECU 15 000

1996 - Training for those concerned with equal opportunities in rural areas: ECU 36 711

1996 - Study trip: ECU 8 000

1995 - Study trip: ECU 10 000

Confederazione Italiana Coltivatori: no application

These grants were made from budget item B2/514 in 1995 and 1996; this changed to B2/5122 in 1997. This heading concerns training, information and the raising of public awareness of the common agricultural policy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0994/98

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(2 April 1998)

Subject: Pharmaceuticals

Can the Commission give a list of participants in the Round Table on "Completing the Single Pharmaceutical Market" to assess the action needed to achieve harmonization on pharmaceutical prices?

In addition, can the Commission state whether any guidelines or procedures have been laid down to facilitate the parallel trade in pharmaceutical products?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1998)

The second round table "Completing the single pharmaceutical market" took place in Frankfurt on 8 December 1997. It examined the steps that might be taken to complete the single market in this sector. A list of those who participated is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

In addition to a number of Court of justice rulings which have addressed the licensing and handling of parallel-traded pharmaceuticals, the Commission issued a communication on parallel imports of proprietary medicinal products for which marketing authorizations have already been granted(1).

(1) COM(81) 803 final.