ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3276/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: Support for undertakings in the transport sector: Objective 1

The EU lavishes considerable resources on Objective 1 areas to enable them to emerge from their marginalised socio-economic status in accordance with the provisions of Article 154(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

Transport services, and specifically air transport services, are an indispensable means of remedying such marginalisation.

Alitalia, however, has decided to cut a large number of air services to southern Italy on the grounds that they are unprofitable.

Given the powers conferred on the Commission by Article 76 of the Treaty, does it intend to provide any form of support for companies operating in Objective 1 regions in view of the fact that, if no transport services existed, any investment in such areas would be pointless?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2000)

The Commission is aware of the difficulties concerning air transport in the Mezzogiorno.

Accordingly, projects to improve the facilities at various airports have already been part-funded by the Structural Funds in the 1994-1999 programming period.

In the new period 2000-2006, various measures to improve transport infrastructure including air transport facilities will be part-financed under Objective 1, either as part of regional operational programmes or as part of the national operational programme devoted to Transport and covering all the regions of the Mezzogiorno. These programming documents are currently being scrutinised by the Commission.

However, aid towards the operation of transport companies, including airlines, designed to increase the profitability of specific routes is not eligible for Structural Fund support.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3579/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(17 November 2000)

Subject: Making Lecce the hub of the migratory flows information network

The Commission is currently looking into the technical requirements for a migratory flows information network based on Internet technology. Given that Lecce can be considered the gateway to Europe for immigrants, does the Commission intend to set up a data collection and processing centre in that city, to serve as the hub of the proposed network?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2000)

Work on designing a computerised network dealing with migration flows is not yet sufficiently advanced for a choice to be made as regards the contact points in the Member States or the location of the network's hub.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer to his Written Question E-3170/00(1) on the same subject.

(1) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 197.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3588/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Budgetary contributions of Member States

It is noted with regret that the Commission, when asked in Written Question E-2025/00(1) to indicate the net contributions of each of the Member States for the last financial year, did not list the net contributions as requested, but instead referred to a website which was only available in French and did not, in any case, provide the required information; furthermore, the Commission stated that despite the availability of estimates of budgetary balances by Member State, it is to be noted that there exists no optional way to measure net contributions.

Could the Commission explain the above statement, and, in particular, identify what other ways it believes exist of calculating net contributions other than subtracting the amounts received from the European institutions from the amounts paid in to those same institutions, and could the Commission, in any event, list in the answer to this question without reference to any website (useful though websites may be as additional sources of information) the financial contributions and receipts of each of the European Union's Member States for the last two financial years for which figures are currently available?

(1) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 170.

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(10 January 2001)

The Commission is sending to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament the report on the allocation of 1999 Community operating expenditure by Member State. The Honourable Member will see this is in English.

The Commission has explored the issues related to the definition of budgetary or net balances in its report on the operation of the own resources system, in particular in annex 3 on the concept and measurement of the budgetary balance. The statistical annex of this report also provides data on budgetary balances according to different definitions. This report and its annex is also sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament's secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3261/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Council

(23 October 2000)

Subject: Presidential elections in former Yugoslavia

The Yugoslav Constitutional Court allegedly annulled the results of the presidential elections held on Sunday, 1 October 2000.

Has the Council already considered and is it preparing to implement serious political measures in view of the gravity of this action?

Reply

(12 February 2001)

The Presidency of the European Union reacted immediately with a declaration to the Constitutional Court's decision of 5 October annulling the presidential elections of 1 October.

In that declaration, the Presidency expressed very firmly the same day the European Union's denunciation of the Belgrade Court's decision, the sole purpose of which was to deny Mr Kostunica's victory in the poll on 24 September. The Presidency also expressed the full support of the European Union for the wish expressed by the Serb people in its vote.

Subsequent events have rendered the Constitutional Court's decision irrelevant. They have allowed the FRY to turn over a sad page in its history in the direction hoped for by the international community and to which the European Union in particular had actively committed itself.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3204/00

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Council

(16 October 2000)

Subject: Civil liberties in Saudi Arabia

Further to reports of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, how has the Council addressed the issue of civil liberties during multilateral talks with this country?

Reply

(8 March 2001)

The EU is encouraging Saudi Arabia and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to act to improve civil liberties and the human rights situation in their countries and to cooperate with the UN and international human rights organisations. The issue of human rights is always raised by the EU in its twice-yearly Ministerial meetings with the GCC, as well as at other meetings. In the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between the Community and the GCC(1), the EU has so far unsuccessfully proposed the establishment of a human rights dialogue at all levels.

A negotiating mandate with a view to the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the Community and the GCC was drawn up in 1991. This mandate is currently being updated. A Commission proposal to that effect is expected in a few weeks. In accordance with the policy followed by the EU as regards human rights in the context of its agreements with third countries, human rights would constitute an essential element in any agreement of that type.

(1) OJ L 54, 25.2.1989, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3547/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 November 2000)

Subject: Excessive increase in the price of paper

Is the Commission aware that, in Italy, the price of glossy paper and of newsprint paper (in particular though not only paper used for newspapers) has gone up on account of the fact that there is no real competition and the market is highly concentrated, being dominated by just a few companies?

What action is to be taken in order to remedy a state of affairs which is damaging not only to the consumers of the product in question but also to the dissemination of information?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2000)

The Commission is currently carrying out two investigations into the paper industry. Regarding glossy paper and newsprint in particular, it is obviously concerned about the occurrence of significant price increases, which seem to be cyclical. In March 1999, having inspected several companies in the paper industry and having requested information from them, the Commission sent a statement of objections to a number of companies suspected of membership of a cartel. The geographical scale of the market is European.

The Commission is also investigating a possible cartel in another sector of the paper industry (carbonless paper) and at the end of July 2000 it addressed a statement of objections to a number of companies operating on this market, which is also on a European scale.

Apart from those two particular cases, the Commission is systematically performing its supervisory role to ensure that the industry complies with Community law, and in particular the competition rules.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3435/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) and Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 November 2000)

Subject: Protection of Italian journalists in the Middle East freedom of the press

Following the interview given by the Italian Prime Minister, Massimo D'Alema, in which he criticised the Jewish Community in Israel, further statements by the RAI correspondent in Jerusalem against the activities of the free press in the Middle East are a source of deep concern. The letter sent by the RAI journalist, Riccardo Cristiano, to the Palestinian authorities' semi-official daily Al-Hayat al-Jadida, reporting that the pictures of the lynching of the two Israeli soldiers were not shown by Italian State television represents a serious attack on the freedom of those sections of the press which are not anti-Israeli.

The statements by a leader of Italy's main governing party and the attitude shown by the Italian State television correspondent simply contribute to fuelling anti-Semitic feeling in the European Union.

What action does the Commission intend to take to help guarantee journalists' freedom of activity, to protect their independence from political parties and to prevent the rise of hatred against Jews living in Europe?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2000)

The Commission deeply regrets the fact that violence has broken out again in the Middle East despite the significant progress achieved in the talks, notably at Camp David. The role of the media in this conflict is crucial and the independence of information is an overriding imperative.

The Commission has helped to prepare the Draft Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union which is to be submitted to the forthcoming Nice European Council for adoption.

Article 11 of the Charter stipulates that the freedom and the pluralism of the media shall be respected, while Article 21 prohibits discrimination based on any ground, such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3910/00

by Adeline Hazan (PSE), Anneli Hulthén (PSE), Ulpu Iivari (PSE) and Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Alcohol awareness

There is increasing evidence that more and more people start drinking younger and younger, with specific alcoholic drinks being targeted at the very young. Much of the advertising is directed towards young women in particular. The evidence also indicates that this is a Europe-wide problem.

What action is the Commission taking to raise awareness in the Member States of the need to address this growing social problem?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2001)

The Commission is aware of the problems raised by the Honourable Members.

A concrete step to tackle these issues was the adoption of a proposal for a Council Recommendation on the drinking of alcohol by children and adolescents by the Commission on 27 November 2000(1). The proposal, which was also forwarded to the Parliament, focuses on health promotion and education measures as well as on the further development of self-regulation of alcohol advertising and sponsoring targeted at young people, which of course includes young women.

Once the Recommendation is adopted by the Council, the Commission will be able to play an active role in supporting the Member States in increasing their awareness of the need to take action and in supporting them in their efforts to implement the proposed measures.

(1) COM(2000) 736 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3089/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council

(5 October 2000)

Subject: Attack on a teacher of Jewish descent by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads

Luis Marsiglia, a Catholic teacher of Jewish descent, has been seriously injured by three neo-Nazi skinheads in the city of Verona.

This latest in a long series of attacks has caused considerable concern throughout Italy's Jewish community, particularly in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Trieste, Genoa, Livorno and Turin.

The European Parliament has frequently spoken out against all forms of racism and xenophobia, stressing the dangers of the presence in Europe of groups and movements that openly endorse violent forms of racial intolerance.

What urgent action does the Council intend to take to prevent outrageous attacks of this kind on European citizens of Jewish descent or members of any other minority?

Reply

(12 February 2001)

1. The Council would remind the Honourable Member that it generally condemns all acts of violence of the kind mentioned in the written question.

2. In recent years the Council has devoted a lot of attention to the subject of racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism.

As early as 1996 the Council adopted a Joint Action concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia(1). That instrument obliges Member States to make sure that racist and xenophobic behaviour as described in the instrument constitutes a criminal offence. The Member States are obliged, under the Joint Action, to ensure effective judicial cooperation in respect of the offences referred to.

In order to stress the importance of socio-educational measures, the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, adopted two declarations: one on the fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism in the youth field, the other on respecting diversity and combating racism and xenophobia(2).

These declarations emphasise that the Member States and the Commission need to adopt measures in the framework of existing actions and programmes. They also stress the need to build upon the achievements of the European Year against racism (1997) and to take initiatives to ensure continuity beyond that year.

Finally, as regards police cooperation, the Council recommended, in particular, a training module concerning racism and xenophobia which makes it possible to ascertain, analyse and evaluate the dimensions of the phenomena in the specific context of each Member State and which facilitates appropriate police responses.

3. The Council also draws attention to the work done on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union which was solemnly proclaimed at the Nice European Council on 7 December 2000.

(1) OJ L 185, 24.7.1996, p. 5.

(2) OJ C 368, 5.12.1997, p. 1 and OJ C 1, 3.1.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3625/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: ACP ambassadors

Would the Commission clarify what the policy is on meetings with ambassadors from ACP countries? Is it the case that they do not meet the President of the Commission, as was the case in the past?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

All African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) Ambassadors present their credentials to the President of the Commission. This occasion is not only ceremonial, but also an opportunity to discuss relations with the country concerned. On other occasions, Ambassadors are usually received by the Member of the Commission responsible for the ACP countries or by senior officials.

There has been no change in policy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2965/00

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Council

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Evolution of democracy in Cuba and EU-Cuba cooperation

What is the Council's view on the evolution of the government of Cuba in relation to any progress made towards democracy, since the adoption in 1996 of a common position on Cuba? Is the Council willing, should the question arise, to maintain a position of non-isolation of the Cuban regime coupled with continued cooperation and humanitarian aid to the Cuban people?

Reply

(12 February 2001)

1. The Council has taken note of the eighth evaluation of the EU Common Position on Cuba. It has noted that, since the last evaluation in June, although there continue to be mixed signals there has not been a fundamental change of policy on the part of the Cuban Government, either towards the accomplishment of the aims of the Common Position or in the opposite direction.

2. Despite the Cuban authorities' cancellation of the visit to Havana which the EU Troika was due to make at the end of April 2000 and the withdrawal of Cuba's application to accede to the Cotonou Agreement, the Council, in its seventh evaluation of the Common Position, considered it essential that the EU deploy further efforts to engage the Cuban authorities in a constructive and frank dialogue on a variety of issues of common interest that might actually produce tangible results, particularly in the political, economic and civil rights spheres. Along these lines, at its meeting on 4/5 December 2000 the Council restated that the EU's objective vis-à-vis Cuba, as established in the Common Position, is still to encourage a process of peaceful transition to pluralist democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as a sustainable economy and economic recovery and improvement in the living standards of the Cuban people.

3. The Council notes that the European Union is currently Cuba's principal economic partner. Against a backdrop of economic problems affecting Cuba, and primarily the most vulnerable sectors of the population, the Council considers that the European Union should nevertheless continue its present cooperation effort as described in the eighth evaluation which might also extend to environmental protection and the prevention of natural disasters, in line with the objectives of the Common Position.

4. The Council would remind the Honourable Member that, in line with point 1 of the Common Position on Cuba established in December 1996, it is not European Union policy to try to bring about change by coercive measures with the effect of increasing the economic hardship of the Cuban people.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3294/00

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Allocation of Community funding

Intermolde Moldes Vidreiros Internacionais, Ltd, a firm which manufactures window moulds, whose head office is in the Rua de Leiria in A Marínha Grande, Portugal, systematically refuses to comply with the provisions of Portuguese labour law on working hours. It has even, according to the trade union concerned, been found guilty by the courts and paid the relevant fine, but continues to break the law.

The firm is claimed to have received Community funding, despite its refusal to comply with Portuguese legal provisions concerning working hours by making its employees work longer hours than is legally permissible.

What Community funding has Intermolde received, and when was it allocated?

Is further Community funding to be allocated to this firm, despite its refusal to comply with Portuguese labour law?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2000)

According to information provided by the Portuguese authorities, Intermolde (Moldes Vidreiros Internacionais, Lda) received financial assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the following projects under the Industry sub-programme of the operational programme Modernising the economic fabric:

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The company has not yet received any Community funding during the 2000-2006 programming period. The Commission is unable to inform the Honourable Member whether or not further Community funding will be allocated to the company, as this is subject to an application to the national authorities responsible for managing the operational programmes that are part-financed by the Structural Funds. Applications must be submitted and, where appropriate, approved on the basis of national implementing legislation.

Concerning the European Social Fund (ESF), from which the company has not received any financial assistance, the national implementing legislation (Decreto-Regulamentar 15/96 and Decreto-Regulamentar 12-A/2000) requires all applicants for ESF funding not to have been found guilty of offences against labour legislation governing the employment of minors or discrimination at work and in employment especially on grounds of sex.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-4067/00

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(20 December 2000)

Subject: Visa for Turkish nationals

Do Turkish nationals require a visa to visit Member States of the European Union? Is it part of the EU's immediate plans to abolish that requirement? Which countries (by name) are opposed to abolishing the visa requirement and on what grounds?

Reply

(8 March 2001)

The Council informs the Honourable Member that, under existing Community legislation(1), Turkey appears on the common list of countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Member States.

Moreover, on the basis of Article 62(2)(b)(i) of the TEC, the Commission submitted on 26 January 2000 a proposal for a Regulation listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement(2). Turkey is among the third countries for whose nationals the Commission proposes the visa requirement.

The European Parliament, which was consulted in a letter of 16 March 2000, confirmed the Commission proposal in this respect in its opinion delivered on 5 July 2000. This proposal, which is currently being discussed within the Council, was the subject of a further consultation of the European Parliament on 11 December 2000.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 574/1999 of 12 March 1999 determining the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Member States (OJ L 72, 18.3.1999, p. 2).

(2) OJ C 177 E, 27.6.2000, p. 66.