ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2968/98

by Riccardo Garosci (PPE) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Restrictions on the free movement of EU citizens with reference to the implementation of the Schengen Agreements at the border between France and Italy

I have seen for myself, and recent Italian press reports confirm, that French customs officials are carrying out checks on motor vehicles travelling from and to France at the Italian-French frontier near Ventimiglia, actually on Italian territory, in violation of the Schengen Agreement abolishing checks on persons at the EU's internal frontiers (referred to in Article 7A of the EC Treaty).

Bearing in mind the speech made by Mr Monti, Member of the Commission, during the debate on the functioning and future of Schengen at the European Parliament's March 1997 part-session, and the report of the High Level Group on the Free Movement of Persons (of March 1997), which called for more cooperation between Member States, particularly in frontier regions, and stressed the need for a proper training policy for their officials, could the Commission state whether it intends to take action to protect the rights of European Union citizens, with particular reference to the frontier region between Liguria and France?

Reply

(7 December 1998)

The Honourable Member's question relates to application of the Schengen Agreement and is not therefore a matter for the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2895/98

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Use of EC food surpluses for emergency overseas food aid

What percentage of the total EC foodstuff intervention stocks held in 1997 were distributed as overseas emergency food aid? What foodstuffs were involved and which countries were the recipients? What are the Commission's plans for such assistance in 1998 given the present situation in the Sudan and other similar crisis areas?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

Since 1986, management of the food aid policy of the Community has been carried out within the framework of Community development policy with a view to improving the food security situation of the intended beneficiaries, independent of the existence or otherwise of surpluses of agricultural products. Within this overall policy framework, food aid provision is funded from the Community food aid budget, managed by the Commission. Food aid may additionally be provided, in emergency situations, by the Commission through the European Community humanitarian office (ECHO).

In 1997 no food aid was provided from intervention stocks. In 1998 so far, one allocation of 10 000 tonnes of rice has been provided from intervention stocks. The rice was provided for use in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. So far in 1998, the Commission has provided nearly 38 000 tonnes of food aid to Sudan from the Community food aid budget. The food aid, valued at over ECU 35 million, was provided through the United Nations World food programme and international non-governmental organisations. In addition, the Commission is currently in the process of seeking final approval for a decision to allocate a further ECU 10 million for the World food programme. This is on top of the ECU 21,8 million already provided this year for other programmes in the health, water and nutritional sectors.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2640/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Settlement of debts of agricultural cooperatives in Greece

It has been reported in the Greek press that the Commission is considering whether the measures decided on by the Greek Government by Law 2538/97 concerning the debts of agricultural cooperatives are compatible with Community provisions on state aid.

Since the arrangements provided for by the law are of critical importance for the operation of cooperatives in Greece and since it is imperative that the situation be clarified as rapidly as possible, will the Commission say: Do the provisions and implementation of Law 2538/97 concerning the settlement of the debts of agricultural cooperatives raise any problems and, if so, where do these problems lie and what procedures exist to tackle them and ensure that the law can be applied?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 1998)

The Commission has indeed expressed doubts as to the compatibility with the common market of various measures provided for in Greek Law No 2538/97. On 31 March 1998, the Commission decided to initiate the State aids procedure provided for in Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty. This decision will shortly be published in the Official Journal.

The Article 93(2) procedure will therefore be followed so that the Commission can adopt a final decision on the compatibility of the aid with the competition rules.

The Commission objects to the measures under Law No 2538/97 because they meet the criteria laid down in Article 92(1) of the Treaty without qualifying for any of the exemptions provided for Article 92(2) and (3). In particular, the Commission considers that the aid envisaged by the Greek government to settle the debts of cooperatives does not appear to meet the conditions in the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty(1).

(1) OJ C 283, 19.9.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2797/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Abductions in Kosovo

Since the beginning of the year, the so-called "Kosovo Liberation Army" (UCK) has abducted 171 people in Kosovo: not only Serbs and Montenegrins but also Albanians, Roma (gypsies) and others. 31 have subsequently been released and 7 have escaped. 15 (mainly Albanians, but also including several police officers) are known to have been murdered after their abduction.

The fate of 118 civilians and 10 police officers is unknown. Representatives of such organisations as the ICRC and UNHCR have asked the UCK for information about them, so far without success.

It has since become clear, as reported in the international media on Saturday, 29 August 1998, that the UCK has murdered 22 people (including women and children) in the village of Klecka near Pristina and burned them in a lime kiln. In view of this outrage, what has the Commission done or will it do to secure the immediate release of all the hostages?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-2796/98 and E-2797/98 given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 1998)

The most serious problems involving freedom of movement in Kosovo are those experienced by humanitarian aid agencies, which are being denied the access they need to provide aid to the victims of the conflict. Foreign journalists have also faced similar problems (refusal of visas, expulsion, harrassment and attacks). Most such difficulties have been caused by Serbian police and security forces, although the Kosovo Liberation Army has also been responsible for incidents.

The Union and the Organisation for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have already voiced concerns and the Commission notes, furthermore, that there is a general lack of respect for fundamental rights - including freedom of speech and freedom of the media - in Serbia and Kosovo.

The Commission fully agrees that the parties to the conflict should enable journalists to perform their task without interference. The Commission is not itself in a position under the present circumstances, to develop instruments for monitoring this, but would note that the international Kosovo diplomatic observer mission, in which the Member States participate, also reports on this aspect of the conflict.

The Commission condemns all abductions in Kosovo, by whatever side and whatever the ethnic origin of those abducted, and calls for their immediate release.

Alleged war crimes are under investigation by the Kosovo diplomatic observer mission and there is also an outstanding request to the Belgrade authorities by the international community to allow a team of international forensic experts to begin work in Kosovo. Their work would also be of use to the International criminal tribunal for former Yugoslavia. Initial investigations at Kleca have revealed no evidence of a mass grave. Furthermore, there is considerable controversy as to whether such incidents have been stage-managed or not, given the importance of psychological operations to both sides and the presence of the international media.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3108/98

by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Tourism in the developing countries: safeguarding an important source of income

Tourism is a primary source of income for many developing countries. At the same time, ill-conceived tourist developments can often have adverse social and environmental consequences for developing countries.

Are any plans in the offing at European Union level to help promote socially and environmentally aware tourism in Third World countries?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

The Commission communication entitled A European Community strategy to support the development of sustainable tourism in the developing countries(1) envisages a strategic framework of Community measures for the sector. Noting that the tourist industry offers many developing countries a genuine opportunity but that the unregulated growth of tourism can be socially and environmentally damaging, the Commission suggests the Community should help create the conditions that can maximise the contribution made by the industry to a country's economic and social development while minimising its existing or potential adverse effects. In particular, the host country authorities must be given the necessary help on the planning and supervisory front, in the interests of sustainable development. The Commission also calls for dialogue and participation, advocating the close involvement of local communities and the wider civil society in the development of the tourist industry.

The Austrian Presidency takes a close interest in this issue and is planning to table a resolution at the next meeting of development ministers to address concerns about environmental protection and the possible adverse social consequences of tourism, including sex tourism and exploitation of children.

Within the WTO (World Trade Organisation), the Community is encouraging developing countries to commit themselves under the agreement on trade in services to market liberalisation measures conducive to the development of the tourist industry, subject to the right of each country to regulate the social and environmental framework conditions.

(1) COM(98) 563 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2973/98

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Role of the media in the increased sexual exploitation of women

According to a recent statement by the Council of Europe, women are the main victims of sexual exploitation using the networks, which constitutes a serious violation of human rights. The way in which women are depicted by the mass media is contributing to the increased sexual exploitation of women in Europe, while those involved in the white slave trade are making increasing use of modern media and new technologies. What action does the Commission intend to take and what measures will it adopt in response to this serious problem?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(10 November 1998)

The Commission understands the question as addressing two separate issues. The first concerns the image of women in the media. Women are often represented through stereotyped images showing traditional and unequal roles for women and men, including images which could possibly encourage the sexual exploitation of women. The image of women in the media is one of the main concerns of the equal opportunities policy of the Community. A series of projects promoting non-stereotype images for women in broadcasting have been co-funded by the Commission under the third (1991-1995)(1) and the fourth (1996-2000)(2) Community action programmes for equal opportunities. In addition, a Europe-wide survey on existing research on women and the media has been completed and will be published by the Commission.

The second issue addressed by the Honourable Member concerns the use by criminal organisations of new technologies, in particular Internet, in relation to trafficking in women for purpose of sexual exploitation. A distinction has to be made between "sexual advertising" offered on the Internet by individuals or specialised firms and the use of Internet by certain organisations to carry on their criminal activities that are not necessarily restricted or even related to trafficking in women. The Commission has proposed an action plan(3) on both illegal and harmful content on the Internet focusing on prevention and public awareness aspects. As for the use of Internet by criminal organisations, Europol is seeking to develop a strategy to obtain intelligence and information on high tech crime that would embrace a larger scope than simply computer crime.

(1) COM(90) 449 final.

(2) COM(95 381 final.

(3) COM(97) 582 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2457/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) and James Janssen van Raay (UPE) to the Council

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Bilateral extradition treaty between the Netherlands and Trinidad and Tobago

1. Is the Council aware of the statements made by Mr Maraj, Minister of Justice of Trinidad and Tobago, who said, in connection with the refusal of Trinidad to arrest the ex-dictator and current national adviser of Suriname, Desi Bouterse, a man suspected of being a large-scale international drugs dealer, that the Netherlands had only itself to blame for the diplomatic breakdown because Trinidad and Tobago had urged the Netherlands to conclude a bilateral extradition treaty two years ago?

2. Does not the Council feel that the fact that the Netherlands and Trinidad and Tobago did not conclude a bilateral extradition treaty constitutes a serious failure in the policy pursued by the Netherlands Foreign Affairs and Justice Ministers, all the more so since Trinidad and Tobago is said to have proposed such a treaty to the Netherlands two years ago and since a treaty of that nature was concluded between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago within two months?

Reply

(27 November 1998)

The question as to whether a Member State should conclude an extradition agreement with a third State is a matter for that Member State only and does not concern the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2898/98

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Access to universities in Portugal

Is it the case that students completing their studies at the European Schools enjoy preferential and significantly easier access to universities in Portugal if one of their parents is employed by the European Union, while these privileges are not extended even to Portuguese school-leavers from the European Schools if neither of their parents is employed by the European Union, and what view does the Commission take of this situation bearing in mind the principles of equality and equal opportunities, which also apply to the general recognition of the leaving certificates awarded by the European Schools?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(30 November 1998)

Portuguese law (Decreto-loi (Decree-Law) No 28 - B/96 of 4 April 1996 and, subsequently, Portaria (Ordinance) No 317 - A/96 of 9 June 1996) offered a special scheme for access to Portuguese universities for the families of members of the Portuguese diplomatic corps and other equivalent services. The families of EU officials were also covered by this special scheme, since the Community institutions were classed as equivalent services.

However, a new law published recently (Decreto-loi No 296 - A/98, of 25 September 1998) repeals the previous law and no longer offers a special scheme for access to Portuguese universities, but only a general scheme.

The organisation of educational systems, including the establishment of conditions governing access to university, is a matter for the Member States. In the present state of Community law, the Commission intervenes only in cases where access conditions are different for national students than for students who are nationals of other Member States and who wish to pursue their higher education in another Member State.

As regards a Member State treating its own nationals differently one from another, the Commission has no power to intervene.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2734/98

by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Battery cages

Will the Commission draw up proposals to phase out the use of battery cages for laying hens and introduce a system of mandatory egg labelling to enable consumers to be aware of the conditions under which the hens which laid the eggs have been kept?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 1998)

The Commission has recently presented a proposal to the Council which lays down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens in various systems of rearing, including cages(1). The proposal is presently under discussion in the Council and has been sent to the Parliament for an opinion.

The new requirements would, if adopted as proposed, apply to newly built or rebuilt systems from 1 January 1999 and from 1 January 2009 for all housing systems. As a general rule under the new proposal hens should be housed in a system which allows nesting, dustbathing and perching. Member States may, however, authorise derogations from dustbathing and nesting in order to permit the use of battery cages, provided that the hens have a minimum area of 800 cm2 per hen.

The Commission intends to amend the existing Community egg-labelling legislation (Council Regulation (EEC) 1907/90 of 26 June 1990 on certain marketing standards for eggs; Commission Regulation (EEC) 1274/91 of 15 May 1991 introducing detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EEC) 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs(2)) to ensure that all table eggs produced in the Community are labelled. These provisions will be voluntary for third countries. With this system of labelling it would be possible for consumers to distinguish table eggs produced in the Community and those produced in third countries and to be aware of the conditions under which the hens have been kept. With this system of labelling it is then up to the European consumers to choose the type of table eggs they prefer.

(1) OJ C 123, 22.4.1998.

(2) OJ L 173, 6.7.1990.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2726/98

by Mary Banotti (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Soap containing mercury

Can the Commission inform me if skin-whitening soaps containing mercury are still being produced for export from the EU? Can the Commission inform me in which Member States the manufacture of this banned product continues?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 1998)

The safety of cosmetic products marketed in the Community is ensured by the provisions of Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products(1) (the Cosmetics Directive). The use of mercury and its compounds in cosmetic products marketed in the Community is prohibited through the provisions of Annex II, "List of substances which must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products".

The Cosmetics Directive refers to the placing on the market of cosmetic products in the Community. There are no provisions that cover the manufacture of cosmetic products for export to third countries. Rather, the marketing of products in third countries is considered a matter for the legislation of the appropriate authority holding jurisdiction in the country in question.

Further, the Cosmetics Directive does not require the notification of manufacturing sites that produce products intended solely for export to third countries. Therefore, the Commission is not in a position to address the question of whether skin whitening mercury based soaps are still in production for export from the Community.

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2834/98

by Niall Andrews (UPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: European Youth Parliament

Can the Commission say what the future holds for the European Youth Parliament following the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice (c/106/98-12 May 1998)? As a result of this ruling the European Commission has frozen some 100 lines of its budget. The European Youth Parliament is one of the organisations whose funding has been suspended.

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 1998)

As the Honourable Member points out, the European youth parliament has in recent years received a subsidy under budget line B3-1000, which does not have a legal basis.

On 10 June 1998, in response to the Court of justice's judgment of 12 May 1998, the Commission, which has to ensure the correct application of Community legislation, decided to examine in depth the situation of budget lines without a legal basis. Simultaneously, as a precaution, payments connected with these lines were suspended. Following this analysis, the Commission was able to release most of these lines, at least partly, but this was not possible in the case of line B3-1000.

However, the Commission has decided to examine on a case-by-case basis whether certain actions can continue to receive support, in 1998, under lines it was not able to release. The demands of the European youth parliament are being examined in this context.

In future, the position set out in a recent opinion delivered by the Parliament's committee on culture, youth, education and the media will be taken into account. During Parliament's first reading of the draft 1999 budget, it recommended that the budget committee enter, in a new line created on the basis of part A of the budget, aid earmarked for activities of the type carried out by the European youth parliament. If the budgetary authority confirms this position, the problem of the lack of a legal basis which arose in 1998 will no longer apply next year.