ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0850/97 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Applications under Article 10 of the ERDF

1. Could the Commission provide information regarding the procedure it has adopted with regard to publishing details of applications under Article 10 of the ERDF and, in particular, the reason why it did not advertise the calls for such applications in each of the Member States?

2. Does the Commission not consider that the results of the selection processes should be published, including details of the applications received and selected and the amount of funding allocated?

3. Why does the Commission not submit an annual report containing precise data in respect of paragraphs 1 and 2?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1997)

1. All the calls for proposals under Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regulation ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 34. )) are published in the Official Journal and therefore accessible to all the Member States. They can also be found on the Commission's Europa Internet site (DG XVI page). Lastly, an information dossier available in the eleven Community languages is sent to any applicant expressing interest in the call for proposals.

2. The results of the selection procedure for the different fields covered by Article 10 will soon be widely distributed via the regular 'Inforegio' newsletter and the Europa site.

3. The Commission will, as promised, submit its annual report on the implementation of Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation by the end of the summer.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1415/97 by Francesco Baldarelli (PSE) to the Commission (10 April 1997)

Subject: Construction of a dump for special toxic waste to be funded with Objective 5b (ERDF) assistance

The Region of Marche is planning the construction of a dump for special toxic waste in 'Ca'Gualdo (Province of Pesaro, Italy) which is to serve the entire area. The project would be financed with Objective 5b assistance, with funds from the European Union (ERDF).

The assistance relates to an area on the border between the Regions of Marche and Emilia Romagna which is so sensitive from an environmental point of view that the regional administration of Emilia Romagna has stated its opposition to the project. More than 5 000 citizens and environmental groups have also declared their firm opposition.

The project is not supported by the requisite environmental procedures, in particular the EIA (environmental impact assessment) and there are doubts and uncertainties surrounding the management aspects of the scheme as well as the methods for constructing the dump.

Will the Commission say whether it intends to investigate in detail the terms of the funding pending clarification of the environmental aspects of the scheme and will it also guarantee that the scheme is managed in accordance with the criteria of maximum transparency laid down in EU legislation?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (23 May 1997)

The 1994-99 Objective 5(b) single programming document (SPD) for the Marche region includes the establishment of a centre for the treatment of special, toxic or hazardous industrial waste. The measure states that the assistance will be implemented by one or more mixed public-private companies set up for this purpose. These companies will be required to submit an initial draft for consideration by the region's technical services and approval by the Marche regional government. This has not yet been done.

Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )) requires an environmental impact assessment to be carried out before authorisation is granted for the plan to provide facilities for the disposal of toxic and hazardous waste.

Through the Monitoring Committee for the SPD, the Commission will ensure that this measure is implemented correctly and in full compliance with all relevant Community legislation.

On this point, the Commission would also refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-1140/97 by Ms Muscardini ((See page 76. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0534/97 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (20 February 1997)

Subject: Establishment of a recycling plant at Bronzolo/Branzoll (Bolzano Autonomous Province, Italy)

The setting up of a recycling plant at Bronzolo/Branzoll in the Bolzano Autonomous Province, Italy, has been extensively criticized both for its inappropriateness and for the fact that it may contravene Community law on environmental impact, protection of the countryside and the disposal of waste.

Could the Commission say whether Community funds are to be used for the setting up of the plant, whether Community funding will be provided for the subsequent processing of the waste, whether applications for such funding have been made, and what its view of the matter is?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (11 April 1997)

The commune of Bronzolo-Branzoll is not eligible for the programme from which the autonomous province of Bolzano benefits under Objective 5b) of the Structural Funds for the period 1994-99. The project concerned is not therefore eligible for financing by the Fund.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1484/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 April 1997)

Subject: European Food and Drugs Organization

What is the Commission's view of Commissioner Bonino's proposal that a European Food and Drug Organization should be established?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (9 June 1997)

There has been no recent Commission proposal for action covering both the production of pharmaceutical products and of foodstuffs. The European medicines evaluation agency in London is responsible for the authorisation of pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, the Commission has recently agreed a communication on the action to be taken to reinforce the provision of scientific advice and the operation of control and inspection procedures in the food production, veterinary and phytosanitary fields ((COM(97) 183 final. )). This makes it clear that the provision of scientific advice will be based upon the principles of excellency, independence and transparency. The mandates of the scientific committees are to be reviewed and rationalised, whilst a steering committee will be established to coordinate their activities. Control and inspection activities will use risk assessment procedures to allow control priorities to be set, an inspection approach which covers all parts of the food chain ('plough to plate') and audit techniques to assess the performance of national authorities. It must be noted that the successful introduction of these changes will be dependent upon the increase in personnel and resources identified as necessary in the communication being made available by the budgetary authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 199/97 by Graham WATSON to the Council. Human rights in Turkey



Official Journal C 367 , 04/12/1997 P. 0008



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0199/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council (6 February 1997) Subject: Human rights in Turkey In the light of the answer to Written Question E-2353/96 ((OJ C 60 of 26.2.1997, p. 7. )), what specific sources of information does the Council use to monitor the human rights situation in Turkey? Do the sources include Amnesty International, Helsinki Human Rights Watch, the IHD, the Index on Censorship, or the Kurdish Information Centre in London? Answer (5 June 1997) The Council uses information from a wide variety of sources, including published information and information made available by Member States, as well as various other governmental and non-governmental sources. These also include NGOs mentioned by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0339/97 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: CMO for olive oil: expenditure on consumption aid in Portugal

The Court of Auditors' annual report for the financial year 1995 shows that the 1996 budget provided for EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure on olive oil totalling ECU 1781 million. Even though this figure is in line with expenditure between 1991 and 1993, expenditure was far lower in 1995, when it stood at only ECU 812.5 million.

Of this expenditure, consumption aid accounted for ECU 268.6 million and ECU 166 million in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

What is the figure for total expenditure on consumption aid for olive oil in Portugal?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0320/97, E-0321/97, E-0322/97, E-0323/97, E-0324/97, E-0325/97, E-0326/97, E-0327/97, E-0328/97, E-0329/97, E-0330/97, E-0331/97, E-0332/97, E-0333/97, E-0334/97, E-0335/97, E-0336/97, E-0337/97, E-0338/97, E-0339/97, E-0340/97, E-0341/97, E-0342/97, E-0343/97 and E-0344/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1997)

The Honourable Member will find the figure he requests in the table below. Total Community expenditure under the 1995 and 1996 budgets was 812.5 and 2007.7 million ecus respectively. The discrepancy with the totals in the table largely relates to payments for olive oil promotion action. The 1995 budget is much lower than for 1996 (and 1994) because the 1994/95 prices package included a decision to move the payment date. This meant that the 1995 budget made no provision for 1994/95 marketing year payments but only for outstanding ones from 1993/94.

(in MECU)

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1697/97 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE) to the Commission (20 May 1997)

Subject: Frontier workers

1. Is the Commission aware of the proposals by the Netherlands State Secretary of Social Affairs and Public Health concerning a review of Royal Decree 164?

2. Has the Commission been in contact with the Netherlands government on this matter?

3. Is exclusion from national insurance in the Netherlands of persons entitled to disability benefits who are not resident in the Netherlands compatible with regulation 1408/71 and relevant decisions of the Court of Justice?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1997)

1. The Commission has been informed, by former frontier workers, of the Netherlands government's intention to amend Royal Decree No 164, particularly as regards the position of this category of persons under the general insurance scheme in the Netherlands. It is suggested that the Netherlands government plans to impose a residence condition on fully disabled former frontier workers, thus excluding them from the insurance scheme.

2. The Commission has contacted the Netherlands authorities to obtain their point of view on the question of whether the exclusion of fully disabled former frontier workers from the general insurance scheme is compatible with Community law.

3. On the basis of the replies received from the Netherlands authorities, the Commission will examine the matter in detail. In this connection the Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to Article 13 (2) (f) of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 ((OJ L 149, 5.7.1971. )), which would allow a Member State in whose territory a person has worked to impose a residence requirement on such a person, provided that he or she has irrevocably ceased all occupational activity. However, the interpretation of this provision is currently being examined by the Court of Justice, under Case C-275/96 (Kuusijärvi), and it would be appropriate to take the Court's ruling into consideration.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0334/97 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: CMO for olive oil: expenditure on production aid in Portugal

The Court of Auditors' annual report for the financial year 1995 shows that the 1996 budget provided for EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure on olive oil totalling ECU 1781 million. Even though this figure is in line with expenditure between 1991 and 1993, expenditure was far lower in 1995, when it stood at only ECU 812.5 million.

Of this expenditure, production aid accounted for ECU 566.5 million and ECU 1547 million in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

What is the total figure for expenditure on production aid for olive oil in Portugal?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0320/97, E-0321/97, E-0322/97, E-0323/97, E-0324/97, E-0325/97, E-0326/97, E-0327/97, E-0328/97, E-0329/97, E-0330/97, E-0331/97, E-0332/97, E-0333/97, E-0334/97, E-0335/97, E-0336/97, E-0337/97, E-0338/97, E-0339/97, E-0340/97, E-0341/97, E-0342/97, E-0343/97 and E-0344/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1997)

The Honourable Member will find the figure he requests in the table below. Total Community expenditure under the 1995 and 1996 budgets was 812.5 and 2007.7 million ecus respectively. The discrepancy with the totals in the table largely relates to payments for olive oil promotion action. The 1995 budget is much lower than for 1996 (and 1994) because the 1994/95 prices package included a decision to move the payment date. This meant that the 1995 budget made no provision for 1994/95 marketing year payments but only for outstanding ones from 1993/94.

(in MECU)

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1083/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL), Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) and Luciano Pettinari (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: Construction of a new wing of Volos general prefectural hospital

The construction of a new wing of the general prefectural hospital in Volos (Magnisia) was included in the first CSF from 1991 with initial funding of Drs 700 million. Hitherto the project has also been receiving funding from national funds, which, however, has proved inadequate to complete the project.

For some time the Prefecture of Magnisia has been requesting, as a matter of priority, that this project be funded under the second CSF to enable it to be completed and to prevent the investment so far from being squandered. However, for unknown reasons the project has not been included in the second CSF, and the contract work for the projects funded so far will come to an end in a few months. Thus the prefecture of Magnisia and the City of Volos are in danger of inheriting a 'skeleton' at the heart of the City for an indeterminate period of time, without being able to put it to any use.

Will the Commission say:

1. Is it aware of these circumstances and how does it view them?

2. Can it notify the Greek authorities, for example, on the occasion of the forthcoming revision of the second CSF, that this is a prime example of a wastage of Community funds without any direct or indirect practical benefits?

3. Can it take action to find a means of completing this project?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (29 April 1997)

1. The Commission is aware of the situation of the hospital of Volos, created during the 1st regional operational programme for Thessaly. In order to avoid such non-completed projects in the second Community support framework, the Member State, in agreement with the Commission, has instituted project assessment mechanisms allowing the improvement of the quality of co-financed projects. These mechanisms have already produced good results.

2. The position of the Commission is that investments financed with structural funds money should be completed and be functional.

3. In view of this, the Commission has asked the Greek authorities to be informed about its intentions regarding the finalisation of the hospital. As soon as this has been done, the Honourable Members will be informed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1118/97 by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission (24 March 1997)

Subject: Introduction of a directive on minimum seating space for air passengers

In the EU and in Parliament in particular attention has recently been drawn in a sensible and serious way to the transport of animals. Emphasis has been placed on the space which should be reserved for each animal being transported and on the importance of feeding and watering and avoiding excessively long journey times.

Less attention has, however, been paid to human beings travelling by air. On commercial flights - both regular and charter - travellers are packed by many airlines into seats which allow intolerably little leg room even for people little more than 1.85 m in height, and which force the passenger into positions which according to medical experts hinder the blood circulation and cause other injuries e.g. as a result of numbness. This policy is defended on the grounds of price competition and of endeavours to maximise the use of equipment, factors which seem to take precedence over health and simple comfort.

Given that this state of affairs will only be improved by means of legislation applying to all airlines in EU countries, what does the Commission propose to do to introduce the necessary directive?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (23 May 1997)

The Commission has received a number of complaints from users who complain that the quality of comfort offered in certain aeroplanes is not adequate for reasonably comfortable travel. It is therefore aware that certain air operators, airlines or package tour operators are inclined to increase aircraft occupancy in order to offer better tariffs.

Community intervention would of course be legitimate if the loading of aircraft reduced safety, but since national and Community rules concerning certification and use of aircraft make provision against that there is no current basis for the sort of action suggested by the Honorable Member.

However, the Commission considers that it would be beneficial for transport providers and travel agents to agree on appropriate arrangements to provide clear information to potential passengers on travel comfort so that customers could make informed choices. It will therefore take up this matter through its regular contacts with the relevant operators.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1063/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Council (24 March 1997)

Subject: Diplomatic and consular network

As part of the budgetary restrictions connected with the reduction of the public deficit, the Italian Foreign Ministry intends to reorganize its consular network in Belgium by closing down the offices in Mons, La Louvière, Genk, Antwerp and Namur in order to concentrate on the three main offices in Brussels, Liège and Charleroi.

These closures would penalize more than 300 000 Italians living in Belgium. The Foreign Ministry consulted neither the relevant ad hoc organizations, nor the democratically elected committee representatives, nor even the associations or parties present in Belgium before putting forward its reorganization proposals.

1. Will the Council intervene as a matter of urgency to ensure that the immigrant population as a whole enjoys the right to diplomatic and consular assistance, adjusted according to the actual presence of immigrants and located in those places with the highest concentration of such immigrants?

2. Will the Council intervene, should the restructuring go ahead on grounds of serious public debt problems, by ensuring that, in reorganizing diplomatic and consular offices, the necessary economies are made without cutting back on essential services or jeopardizing the protection of the cultural heritage of the country of origin?

Answer (5 June 1997)

Decisions concerning the organisation of the diplomatic and consular network of Member States are outside the competence of the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1578/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (6 May 1997)

Subject: Supplementary pensions

A report on supplementary pensions adopted by the high-level group on the free movement of citizens on 28 and 29 November concluded that the prospect of losing entitlement to a supplementary pension is a serious threat to the free movement and equal treatment of citizens, as enshrined in the EC Treaty. The report, which looks at all the pension issues involved when workers move from one Member State to another, will be included in the group's final recommendations on freedom of movement in Europe.

Can the Commission ensure that acquired rights are preserved, so that workers who move to another Member State, giving up their own pension scheme, are not deprived of the entitlements they have accrued (although, where they have not completed the minimum qualifying period, they shall not be deemed to have acquired any such entitlement)?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1578/97 and E-1596/97 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 June 1997)

In its July 1991 communication on supplementary pensions, the Commission identified the obstacles to freedom of movement for workers in connection with supplementary pensions. Since then, various surveys and consultations have been carried out with the involvement of all the parties concerned, namely the governments of the Member States, the social partners and the pension funds, with a view to exploring possible ways of overcoming the obstacles.

At the Commission's request, a high-level group chaired by Mrs Veil has studied the matter and drawn up a report. In the report to which the Honourable Member refers, the group suggests to the Commission that, in the beginning at least, any proposal for legislation be limited to an approach based on the principle of equal treatment between nationals of a country and persons from other Member States, focusing on the following three elements:

a) preservation of acquired rights;

b) cross-border payments;

c) short-term employment in another Member State, with the possibility of membership of the pension scheme in the Member State of origin.

In the light of these recommendations, and after having consulted all the parties concerned, the Commission is planning to put forward specific proposals in the course of 1997. A directive appears to be the most appropriate legal instrument.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1259/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: Globalization and democracy

The EU is one of the forces which is serving to accelerate the globalization process. The terms 'flexibility', 'expertise', 'free trade', and 'globalism' have become watchwords for contemporary society.

Capital is now moving without restrictions as well as without obstacles. Furthermore, as a result of the single currency, budgetary policies will cease to be a matter for the political authorities and be dealt with instead by financial authorities, in other words by bodies which have no responsibilities outside banking and are not accountable to the extent that they have a mandate from the people.

Will the Commission draw up measures providing the means necessary to ensure that responsibility for exercising budgetary powers is transferred back to the political authorities?

Will it also draw up measures which, by curbing the influence of financial institutions, will allow Member States to implement economic policies and prevent big business from taking decisions in the place of sovereign States?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1245/97 and E-1259/97 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1997)

Within the economic and monetary union, the different components of economic policy will be managed by different groups of 'decision-makers': monetary policy by the European Central Bank; budgetary policy by the national parliaments and governments; and the setting of wage levels by the two sides of industry.

For the purpose of coordinating Member States' economic policies (as provided for in Article 103(1) of the EC Treaty), the sovereignty of the national authorities in the budgetary policy field will be exercised within the framework of the financial and budgetary provisions which are set out in the Treaty and other Community instruments and which have been freely accepted by the Member States. Article 103(1) also stipulates that 'Member States shall regard their economic policies as a matter of common concern and shall coordinate them within the Council'. For the Commission, the euro will allow the Member States to regain collectively the monetary sovereignty that they have lost individually as a result of the globalization of financial markets.

With the framework of such coordination, national budgetary policies will be the sovereign responsibility of the national political authorities representing citizens.