ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1086/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(15 April 1999)

Subject: Trade relations between the EU and Morocco

The European Community and Morocco signed a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement. on 26 February 1996.

Will the Commission provide a detailed breakdown of the balance of trade since that agreement entered into force and, in particular, state what industrial products of Moroccan origin have entered the EU exempt from customs duties and equivalent taxes and free from all forms of import restrictions or equivalent measures since then, indicating the quantities involved?

Will it also provide a detailed breakdown of the Moroccan products that have been admitted into the Community under duty-free arrangements or subject to a reduction in tariff protection, indicating the quantities involved?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1999)

The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement setting up an association between the Community and its Member States, on the one part, and Morocco, on the other, was signed on 26 February 1996 but is not yet in force since Italy has not ratified it. Pending ratification, which the Commission hopes will take place soon, trade relations between the Commission and Morocco are still governed by the EC-Morocco Cooperation Agreement and the Agreement between the Member States of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and Morocco, signed in Rabat on 27 April 1976.

Under these agreements and the later protocols of adjustment, industrial products originating in Morocco can be imported into the Community without quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect and are exempt of customs duties and charges having equivalent effect. Note that in the case of products of the processing of agricultural products, the exemption applies to the ad valorem duty alone, not to the agricultural element. These arrangements will continue under the new Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement signed in 1996. However, some voluntary restraint measures that existed for some Moroccan textile exports are no longer applicable, the relevant EC-Morocco arrangement having expired on 31 December 1997. Exports of Moroccan textiles thus enjoy the same liberal arrangements as other manufactures.

The EC-Morocco trade balance usually records a surplus for the Community, which stood at EUR 1000 million in 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0574/99

by Carlos Bru Purón (PSE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Alteration of the course of the River Jarama

On Wednesday, 17 February 1999 the Spanish development minister, Mr Rafael Arias-Salgado, announced plans to alter the current course of the River Jarama to make way for the expansion of Barajas airport.

Is the Commission aware of the risk involved in such activities, which have wreaked havoc in the past?

Does it know whether a report of any kind on the environmental impact of this project has been drawn up?

Is it true that this project would constitute an infringement of at least three European directives?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission had been unaware of the situation described by the Honourable Member.

However, as part of its examination of the complaints concerning the extension of Barajas airport, the Commission has contacted the Spanish authorities in order to obtain details of the situation described in your question.

Owing to the lack of more precise information on the intended relocation of the river Jarama's course, the Commission is currently unable to confirm whether the project in question could be in breach of any Community Directive.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0904/99

by Vincenzo Viola (PPE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Alleged state aid for the Banco di Sicilia

Transfer of the assets and liabilities of the Sicilcassa Spa to the Banco di Sicilia was made possible by intervention by the inter-bank deposit protection fund and implementation of the relief measures provided for in the Ministerial Decree of 27 September 1974. The advances paid by the Bank of Italy under that decree, the amount of which is known as payment has already commenced - 5 000 billion lire - can be regarded as state aid as mentioned by the Commission in one of the 14 points on which the Italian Government has been asked for clarification.

Has the Commission received the explanations requested about the intervention of the Bank of Italy, particularly as regards the amount involved, and is it compatible with freedom of competition?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The Honourable Member has enquired as to whether exhaustive documentation was submitted to the Commission by the Italian Government following the initiation of proceedings under Article 93(2) of the ECTreaty(1). He also asks for the Commission's views on whether the measures taken by the Banca d'Italia in the winding-up of Sicilcassa are compatible with Community law.

Firstly, it should be pointed out that the Italian Government has submitted all of the documents requested by the Commission, except for the final version of the strategy devised by Mediocredito Centrale, which sets out the industrial plan underpinning the increase in the capital of the Banco that is underwritten by Mediocredito. This plan will be submitted to the Commission in the near future.

As soon as the Commission has all the information requested it will examine the compatibility of the measures proposed by the Italian Government to rescue and rehabilitate the Sicilian banks.

(1) OJ C 297, 25.9.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0670/99

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

Regions whose per capita income is less than 75 % of the average Community per capita income are described as "Objective 1 regions" and they receive significant amounts of Community aid.

To determine whether or not this threshold has been exceeded, the draft Council Regulation COM(98) 131 final(1) laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds states that the figures corresponding to the last three years for which Eurostat has data available will be used.

At the moment the only figures available are those for the 1994, 1995 and 1996 financial years.

What are the figures for those years for Madrid?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0520/99

by Rainer Wieland (PPE) to the Commission

(8 March 1999)

Subject: Planned prohibition of the advertising of such products as alcohol, sweets, military toys and fast cars

According to the Economics Minister of the Land of Baden-Württemberg, Dr Walter Döring, the Commission is planning further restrictions on advertising (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, 30 January 1999; Mannheimer Morgen, 30 January 1999; Esslinger Zeitung, 30 January 1999).

Further to my question No E-3149/98 of 16 October 1998(1) can the Commission say:

1. Is it true that the Commission is considering prohibiting or restricting the advertising of such products as alcohol, sweets, military toys and fast cars?

2. If so, what form do these deliberations take, on what legal basis are they to be placed, bearing subsidiarity in mind, and what justifies this proposal, which would threaten economic freedom and merely endanger jobs? Such prohibitions and restrictions of advertising also result in a threat to the freedom of expression, make it difficult for the consumer to form an opinion and obstruct competition among undertakings in the internal market.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 1999)

The Honourable Member requests information regarding German press reports alleging that the Economics Minister of the Land of Baden-Württemberg stated that the Commission was planning further restrictions on advertising on products such as alcohol, sweets, military toys and fast cars.

As regards the issue of fast cars, the Commission would wish to refer the Honourable Member to its previous answer to Written Question P-2587/98 by Mr von Habsburg(2) which addressed this issue.

As regards the advertising of alcohol, sweets and military toys the Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member that it has no plans to impose further restrictions in these fields. The Commission's policy in the field of commercial communications in general was clearly set out in its communication on the follow-up to the green paper on commercial communications in the internal market of 4 March 1998(3). Amongst other measures this established a central contact point in DGXV (tel: Brussels 2951639, Fax 2957712 email comcom@dg15.cec.be) to inform interested parties of the Commission's actions in these fields.

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that certain Member States have strict advertising restrictions on the products cited and that some of these restrictions to cross-border trade in commercial communication services are the subject of complaints contesting the compatibility with Articles 59 and 30 of the EC Treaty of these restrictions to cross-border services. These are being processed by the Commission at the current time.

(1) OJ C 96, 8.4.1999, p. 162.

(2) OJ C 96, 8.4.1999.

(3) COM(98) 121 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0460/99

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Subject: Importation into Sicily of cattle, pigs and sheep without health documents

The Commission has given a partial reply to my previous question (E-1182/97)(1). Investigations carried out by the magistrates in Caltanissetta have now revealed that breeding animals intended for human consumption have been imported, without any inspections, not only from Belgium but also from France and the United Kingdom. Owing in addition to the fact that 72 cases of human brucellosis were recorded in 1997 and 18 in 1998, the investigation resulted in dozens of farms and a drugs warehouse being placed under distraint.

In the local press on 19 January 1999, Massimo De Cesare, the Deputy Public Prosecutor, stated inter alia that the magistrates had found the administrative authorities whose task was to inspect the undertakings completely uncooperative and that the cattle had been imported into Italy without the inspections required by law even after the "mad cow" affair. After the intervention of the Public Prosecutor many animals had been destroyed but prior to that many had ended up on the tables of consumers.

Has the Commission been informed by the Italian authorities of this affair, which also involves other countries in the European Union?

What measures does it intend to take?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1999)

According to the description provided by the Honourable Member, the question concerns illegal movements of live animals from several Member States to Italy (Sicily).

The Commission has received no information from the Italian authorities on this subject. However, problems concerning the structure of the veterinary service in Calabria and Sicily have been observed during a recent mission in those regions for the control of brucellosis in small ruminants and the Italian authorities will be requested to undertake the necessary steps in order to resolve the situation. At a forthcoming meeting of the Standing Veterinary Committee, a point will be put on the agenda in order to obtain clarification from the representatives of the Member States concerned.

(1) OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 31.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0488/99

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Subject: Delays in the provision of ERDF aid to Spanish SMEs

This year, Spanish SMEs will receive 19 billion pesetas' worth of aid, 70 % of which will be financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) whilst the remaining 30 % will come from the national budget. The aid will be allocated to projects involving cooperation with new markets, information, financing, innovation and design.

It is reported that certain projects have been adopted but not implemented on account of the delay in the transfer of 5 625 billion pesetas' worth of ERDF funds.

In view of this would the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What are the reasons for the delay?

2. Has the transfer now been made?

3. What will happen in the case of projects which have been adopted but not implemented?

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

(21 April 1999)

The delay in the transfer of funds to which the Honourable Member refers is due to the fact that both the structure of the measures in the Community Initiative programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Spain and its financing tables were amended at the request of the Spanish administration with the approval of the Monitoring Committee. This was required by the administrative reorganisation carried out in 1996 and 1997, which redistributed responsibilities and changed the bodies managing aid for small firms.

The flow of commitments and payments has now resumed and the take-up of funds by the Spanish administration has increased considerably.

The Commission would point out that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, its only task is to approve the selection criteria which will be used to implement the programmes. Selection of the projects to be financed under them is a matter for the national authorities responsible for implementation and it is to those authorities that the Honourable Member should address requests for information on the projects approved.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0134/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Compensation to fishermen for replacement of fishing gear

Under Regulation 1626/94(1), Greek fishermen are required, as of 1 January 1999, to replace their fishing gear, in particular their nets, with other types which will not allow small fish to be caught. The cost of replacement is high and will result in a further deterioration of the financial position of fishermen and an increase in unemployment in the fishing industry. Recently, the Commission adopted special measures requiring fishermen to stop using drift nets.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether it has, accordingly, adopted special measures to compensate for the replacement of fishing gear required by Regulation 1626/94, and

2. how it intends to help fishermen cope with the high cost involved in implementing Regulation 1626/94?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 1999)

When Council Regulation (EC) 1626/94 of 27 June 1994 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean(2) was adopted, it provided for derogations allowing fishermen to continue certain activities until 31 December 1998. The purpose of the derogations was to allow a gradual adjustment to take place over a four year period, so minimising the financial losses occasioned by the transition to the general rules.

As the circumstances involved in this transition are totally unlike those in the case of drift nets, the Commission does not believe that any possible financial consequences have to be treated in like manner.

That said, the Commission will see if the derogations applying to the fisheries concerned can be extended in the light of the better scientific information now available as to their impact on the resources.

(1) OJ L 171, 6.7.1994, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 171, 6.7.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0346/99

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Subject: Follow-up action on the European Parliament's own-initiative report on the written press

In adopting Report A4-0289/97(1), the European Parliament recognised the undisputed historical role of the written press in promoting democracy and human rights and called on the Commission to study and propose measures in response to the new circumstances facing the written press in the Information Society, circumstances which necessitate a process of readjustment and development in the following areas: distribution systems, the training and education requirements of journalists in the new technologies, tax regimes, infrastructure spending, the role of the regional press, news agencies and the written press as a whole as a reliable source for the information highways.

Does the Commission intend to take action to follow up the above EP report and the conclusions that emerged from the Round Table discussion of press professionals on the same subject co-organised by the relevant Directorate-General and the European centre for journalism in Maastricht on 24 September 1998 and to undertake a specific action plan for matters regarding the press in the new communications environment?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The Commission has studied with great interest the Parliament's report on the impact of new technologies upon the press in Europe and has taken note of the concerns expressed about the consequences for the democratic information processes in the Community.

As the Honourable Member points out, the Commission has already taken the initiative of organising a round table discussion with media representatives at the European journalism centre in Maastricht, in September 1998 on the future of the written press. In order to provide relevant background for the seminar and to stimulate the discussions between media and the European institutions, the Commission also initiated a report on the issue, based on specialist literature and Internet research.

As the Commission pointed out at this seminar, it takes the introduction of new information technologies and the changing environment for media most seriously, and several lines of actions were indicated. The media was also invited to seek a closer dialogue with the Community and to present concrete requests for Community intervention.

A strategy specifically related to training activities, is under preparation. However, due to budgetary restrictions and internal considerations on the future organisation of relations with the media, this strategy has yet to be finally agreed.

(1) OJ C 339, 10.11.1997, p. 415.
5. What will the Council do to restore the customary sporting links between Member States and
Yugoslavia as soon as possible?
Reply
(22 October 1999)
1. The Council would like to recall that on 26 April 1999, the General Affairs Council meeting in
Luxembourg agreed to encourage member States and sporting organisations not to organise internationalsporting events with the participation of the FRY.
2. Acting in conformity with the fore-mentioned recommendation, The Netherlands have informed
member States of their intention not to issue visas to sportsmen and women from the FRY wanting toparticipate in international sporting events being organised in The Netherlands.
3. In spite of efforts by all member States, the General Affairs Council meeting of 31 May 1999
expressed its disappointment that some major sporting events are still taking place. It calls on internationalsporting organisations in Europe, notably UEFA, to reconsider decisions which would permit such sportingfixtures.
4. The Council wishes to underline its continued intention to reach out to the Serbian people, who have
suffered as a result of the detrimental policies of its leadership. This distinction between the Belgraderegime and the population in the FRY was taken into account when the General Affairs Council of13 September 1999 agreed to rescind its decision concerning the discouragement of the sporting links.
(2000/C 27 E/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1583/99
by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: Green fishmeal
Is the Commission willing to allow a distinction to be made between fishmeal produced from fish waste
and that produced by industrial fishing which threatens to destroy habitats?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission
(4 October 1999)
Fish meal is produced from fish that for various reasons cannot be used directly for human consumption.
The sources are fish trimmings, non-marketable fish and fish species for which consumption is currentlyvery limited or non-existent. As in the case of other fisheries, the Commission attaches great importance toensuring that fishing for industrial purposes is conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner.Directed fishing for industrial purposes is therefore carefully regulated and monitored and the Commissionis not aware of habitat threats caused by these fisheries.
The Commission is concerned about the practical and legal feasibility of implementing separate labelling of
fishmeal, as most fish meal processing plants use trimmings and industrial fish indistinguishably. What ismore important is to be sure that the products are derived from sustainable fishing.C 27 E/140 EN 29.1.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0100/99

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(20 January 1999)

Subject: Recruitment of officials to the ETF in Turin

On 5 January 1999, Commissioner Cresson replied to my question No E-3361/98(1) in which I raised the issue of the flagrantly biased recruitment policy of the European Training Foundation (ETF) in Turin, which ignores applicants from Greece, Portugal and Spain. Mrs Cresson attempts to justify the situation by referring to the "independence of the ETF", stressing that "the Director is responsible for all matters pertaining to personnel", while adding the unfortunate phrase that "selection is made exclusively on the basis of the qualifications and skills required", clearly implying that Greek, Portuguese and Spanish applicants for positions at the ETF are less qualified and skilled than applicants from other countries, dozens of whom are employed at the ETF. The Commissioner maintains that the ETF is an "independent" body, though it is the Commission which persistently puts requests before Parliament for ETF funding and argues in favour of increasing its budget. Moreover, the Commissioner is well aware of how many substantiated and serious allegations have been made inside and outside the Community Institutions concerning irregularities in recruitment and lack of transparency, which has undermined the Commission's credibility, as was apparent to everyone during the recent motion of censure against the Commission in Parliament during the week of 11-15 January 1999.

How will the Commission ensure that the flagrant bias in recruitment to the ETF is eliminated and what measures will it take immediately (given that time and the patience of the other Community Institutions seems to be running out) to ensure that the departments and decentralised agencies that it supervises operate in a manner which is beyond reproach?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 1999)

The Commission wishes to point out that in its answer to Written Question E-3361/98 the Commission described the legal and regulatory framework governing personnel management at the European Training Foundation in Turin, as well as the criteria governing its personnel selection procedures.

Since the latest written question does not contain any new information over and above the Honourable Member's previous Written Question, the Commission can only confirm what it said in its answer to that question.

If the Honourable Member can furnish additional particulars explaining his criticisms of the substance of the Foundation's personnel selection procedure, the Commission will of course examine them with all due attention.

(1) OJ C 182, 28.6.1999, p. 70.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 872/99 by James NICHOLSON PEACE Programme - Northern Ireland



Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0133



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0872/99 by James Nicholson (PPE) to the Commission (8 April 1999) Subject: PEACE Programme - Northern Ireland How much funding has been granted in Northern Ireland under the PEACE programme in the current programming period?