ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0180/02

by Alain Krivine (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(29 January 2002)

Subject: Spain: Creation of anti-globalisation units and a database

According to several sources of information, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior intends to set up anti-globalisation units that will be brought in during events that take place during the Spanish Presidency of the EU, in the first half of 2002, in particular to prevent any disturbances during anti-globalisation demonstrations.

Moreover, the Ministry is apparently also creating a database which contains the personal details of a large number of people who took part in demonstrations during the Göteborg, Genoa and Barcelona summits. The database is said to contain information provided by different European police forces concerning the protests that took place in these three cities.

In the same context, the Spanish intelligence services have stated that they have been monitoring the Internet sites of anti-globalisation movements since December 2001.

Does the Council consider that setting up a database as described above is consistent with the European Treaties in regard to protection of privacy?

What criteria will be used, and in what contexts, to set up such a database?

Joint answerto Written Questions P-0142/02, P-0152/02, P-0157/02, P-0180/02,P-0191/02 and P-0205/02

(21 May 2002)

1. The Council draws the attention to Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union, which says that:

This Title (Title VI: Provisions on police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters) shall not affect the exercise of the responsibilities incumbent upon Member States with regard to the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security.

2. As concerns data protection, the Council of Europe Convention of 1981 for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data has been ratified by all 15 Member States.

3. In the conclusions adopted by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, on 13 July 2001, concerning security at meetings of the European Council and other comparable events the objective of the European Union was recalled to maintain and develop the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice. In such an area, citizens must enjoy the right freely to express their opinions and to assemble in a peaceful manner, rights reflected in the European Convention on Human Rights, and the right to do so in conditions where there is not a threat to their own security or to that of other citizens or properties.

In the same conclusions the importance was underlined of a constructive dialogue between the organisers of public demonstrations and the authorities of the host country and the importance of close international contacts, particularly among the Member States' law enforcement authorities, to ensure that legitimate demonstrations are not exploited or abused for the purpose of committing acts of collective or individual violence.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0739/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 March 2002)

Subject: Congo

With reference to Congo, can the Commission provide a list of the projects approved for funding from the European Union's budget for 2001 and give the total amount for investment in that year?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0732/02, E-0733/02, E-0734/02, E-0735/02, E-0736/02,E-0737/02, E-0738/02, E-0739/02, E-0740/02 and E-0741/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(13 May 2002)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0426/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Restrictions on freedom of expression in Turkey

According to reports in the international press, the Turkish parliament has decided to amend Article 312 of the Penal Code to make it more stringent. It will now be sufficient for there to be a suspicion of a possible disturbance of public order to instigate the procedure to punish those responsible. According to the reports, the entire issue was sparked off by requests from Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin for tuition in the Kurdish language in schools and universities, which Turkey had undertaken to promote three years ago.

The Turkish National Security Council interprets the requests from Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin as separatist activities since they concern education in a language other than the official language. This unprecedented development comes on top of the incredible story of Mr Fatih Tas, an editor under threat of a one-year prison sentence for making the mistake of publishing in Turkish a book by the eminent American intellectual and Harvard professor, Noam Chomsky, entitled American Interventionism. Professor Chomsky (who is sharply critical in the book of Turkey and the methods it uses to further the ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish minority) intends to travel to Turkey on 13 February 2002 to appear before the court in which the Turkish editor is to stand trial and then go on to Diyarbakir where a large number of Kurds live.

Is the Council aware of the above measures by the Turkish regime? What is its opinion? Is banning books and the use of the Kurdish language consistent with bringing Turkey into line with the standards of conduct befitting a European state?

Reply

(27 June 2002)

The Council is aware that Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code was amended by Act No 4 744 voted on 6 February 2002 by the Turkish Parliament. Paragraph 2 of Article 312 punishing incitement to hostility against one another was in particular amended by the introduction of the notion in a manner that may be dangerous to public order. Generally, the amended provisions of the Penal Code carry little improvement compared to the previously existing legislation, due i.a. to the fact that a broad margin of interpretation is still left to public prosecutors and judges.

Concerning the way the Turkish authorities are dealing with freedom of expression and the cultural rights of Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin, in particular with regard to the requests for tuition in Kurdish language, the Council does not fail to remind Turkey of its obligations under the accession partnership in this respect, the forthcoming meeting of the EC-Turkey Association Council held on 16 April 2002 offering a timely new opportunity to do so.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1335/02

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(8 May 2002)

Subject: Frontier workers

Frontier workers no longer constitute a temporary phenomenon, but a structural one of considerable proportions.

The peculiar status of such workers requires special legislative instruments defining their specific rights.

These rights should include the automatic renewal of work permits, recognition of formal qualifications, fair taxation and guaranteed health care.

Border workers need dual safeguards contractually in the country in which they work, and as regards welfare, taxation and social security in the country of residence.

What legislative instruments will the Commission propose to safeguard the rights of frontier workers?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 2002)

The Commission wishes to refer to its proposal of 1998(1) for amendments to Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 of the Council of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community(2). The Commission proposed a specific provision with a reference to the situation of frontier workers. This provision would constitute an important reinforcement of the frontier worker's legal security.

(1) OJ C 344, 12.11.1998.

(2) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1383/02

by António Campos (PSE) to the Commission

(14 May 2002)

Subject: Food products containing novelties

Suffocation in children is mainly due to small and attractive objects, including balls, coins, small components and non-comestible items (novelties) in food products. Studies in Greece, Germany and Israel confirm that food products containing non-comestible objects are inherently dangerous and that labelling alone is not enough to eliminate the risk of death. It has been calculated that 2 000 injuries are caused in the EU every year by non-comestible objects included in food products intended for children. It was established that four main characteristics should be taken into account when assessing the safety of these products: size, compressibility, flexibility and shape. Modifying the products in order to meet the criteria and the existence of legislation to ascertain compliance have been successful in reducing the number of fatal accidents. Banning the sale of non-comestible objects in food products has considerably reduced infant mortality in countries such as the United States, Australia and Malaysia.

Does the Commission intend to legislate on this matter in the near future?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 2002)

The Honourable Member should refer to the Commission's joint answer to Written Questions E-1008/02 by Mr Casaca and E-1218/02 by Mr Cunha(1).

(1) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 245.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0675/02

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 March 2002)

Subject: Procedure for selecting a director for the European Food Safety Authority

On Wednesday, 27 February 2002, the Commission set in motion the procedure to select a director for the new European Food Safety Authority. It is intended that the director should start work in the summer or early autumn at the Authority's temporary base in Brussels.

In the selection process in general, and particularly when assessing applicants, is account to be taken of the fact that the director's ultimate place of work may and probably will be in an EU Member State other than Belgium?

Can the Commission guarantee that advantage will not be taken of the delay in the Council's decision to nudge the final outcome in the direction of Brussels, with the aid of the recruitment process?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2002)

The post of the Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority was published in the Official Journal(1). This is in compliance with Article 26 of the Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 28 February 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law establishing the European Food Safety Authority, and laying down procedures in matters of food safety(2). On page 1 of this publication, it is explicitly mentioned that the seat in Brussels is provisional leaving no doubts for the candidates that a final decision on the seat of the Authority has yet to be taken.

Given that the European Council in Laeken of December 2001 could not agree on a final seat for the Authority the Commission had to publish the post now on the basis of the decision on the provisional seat in order not to delay the recruitment procedure.

The recruitment of the Executive Director is the key element for rendering the Authority operational irrespective of the decision on the location. It is also essential in order to respect the political will of the Parliament and the Heads of State, who set and reiterated the tight timetable during several European Councils (Nice, Stockholm, Laeken).

The Commission confirms that the procedure for the recruitment of the Executive Director and the procedure for deciding on the seat are two independent, non related procedures.

(1) OJ C 52, 27.2.2002.

(2) OJ L 31, 1.2.2002.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0849/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Council. Mobbing at work.



Official Journal 229 E , 26/09/2002 P. 0148 - 0148



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0849/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Council (3 April 2002) Subject: Mobbing at work What steps will the Spanish Council Presidency take with a view to introducing a legal definition of mobbing so that effective prevention policies can be shaped, for example by including it in the Framework Directive on health and safety at work, and with a view to a Green Paper being drawn up containing a detailed analysis, action plan and specific timetable? Reply (27 June 2002) While emphasising that its shares the Honourable Member's concern, as it had occasion to point out during the April question time in reply to Question H-204/02 on the same subject, the Council confirms that in the absence of a Commission proposal in this area it cannot act on its own initiative and that it is in any case the Commission's task to draft the Green Paper that the Honourable Member wishes to see published.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1156/02

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 April 2002)

Subject: Collapse of bridge linking villages in the Spanish province of Malaga

Periana, a district in the Malaga region, was struck by storms at the end of last year.

As a result, for the last four months the inhabitants of Viña and Los Marínes have had no access to the rest of the district. The collapse of the bridge linking the villages with the rest of Periana has meant that over 100 families living in the affected area have had to go all around the district in order to get to cross the Sabor River.

Can the Commission indicate whether under the common agricultural policy there are provisions for funding repairs relating to storm damage in Malaga, in order to help those inhabitants who now find themselves isolated by the collapse of the bridge over the Sabor River?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2002)

The Commission was unaware of the situation described by the Honourable Member.

Resolution of this type of practical problem does not fall within the remit of the Community but of the national or regional authorities (in this case the Autonomous Community of Andalusia).

The Commission contributes through the Structural Funds to various programmes in Spain.

Repairing a bridge linking several villages appears to be an operation that should be part-financed from the European Regional Development Fund rather than under the common agricultural policy from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.

However in the Integrated Operational Programme for Andalusia for 2000-2006 the chapter on Infrastructure: preventive and recovery action (included in the sectoral planning of the Consejería for Agriculture and Fisheries (agriculture modernisation plan: programme 1.2 on improvement of rural infrastructure)) may offer some relevant schemes.

Managing of such programmes, including selecting projects, is a responsibility of the Member State's national and regional authorities and not the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0832/02

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2002)

Subject: Requirement for solar panels to be fitted to new buildings

In view of the rather passive approach taken in the Spanish region of Andalusia as regards the use of solar-energy equipment, the Fuengirola local council is considering an amendment to its general town-planning scheme in order to make it compulsory for solar panels to be fitted to new buildings.

In principle the Andalusian regional government has welcomed the new law, under which it will be compulsory for solar panels to be fitted to all new buildings in the town, and is likely to give its assent in the matter.

Does the Commission consider it to be legitimate and even advisable to encourage and promote the fitting of solar-energy equipment to new buildings as a way of overcoming the reluctance and the ambivalence demonstrated by the promoters of new buildings vis-à-vis such equipment?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

As it is mentioned in the Green Paper for the security of energy supply(1), renewable energy sources of energy have a considerable potential for increasing security of energy supply. The Commission has set up a target of doubling the share of renewables in global energy consumption from 6 % in 1997 to 12 % in 2010. The type of solar energy referred to by the Honourable Member is included in this Community objective.

The new proposal for the Directive on the energy performance of buildings(2) considers the use of renewable energy sources integrated in buildings. Recognising that supply-side efforts will only succeed if they are accompanied by policies to rationalise the demand for energy. This Directive is in its final stage of approval.

The Commission also recognises in the Green Paper for the security of energy supply, that there is a need, under the umbrella of subsidiarity, to adapt national, regional and local regulations to give priority to renewable energy sources.

Therefore, the Commission considers advisable and praiseworthy to encourage the integration of solar energy in building as part of town planning and this type of measure are in line with Commission policy on renewable energy sources. The renewable energy market in the Union cannot be expected to develop regularly without a voluntarist policy in the medium term on the part of the public authorities. However, the specific renewable energy sectors chosen by Member States is decided under the umbrella of subsidiarity and based on different variable factors like technical potential of the different sources, socio-economic conditions, cost-benefit analysis and others.

(1) Green Paper Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply. COM(2000) 769 final.

(2) OJ C 213 E, 31.7.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0882/02

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2002)

Subject: Algeria's refusal to issue visas to an EU technical committee

Algeria has signed Articles of Association with the European Union, Article 2 of which states that: the respect of democratic principles and respect for basic

human rights constitute an essential part of this Accord. Only weeks after signing this, the Algerian State has refused to issue visas to a technical committee of the EU (under the EIDHR programme) to oversee civil society representation in Algeria.

What is the Commission's opinion on the fact that this has happened?

Does it intend to propose that the EU Association Agreement be rescinded unless visas are granted to EU officials to oversee the fulfilment of this Agreement?

Answer given by Mr Patten On behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2002)

The Commission confirms that a team of its officials accompanied by a consultant had intended to visit Algeria this February for the purposes of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). This was to be a programming mission for title B7-7 of the budget, which finances the EIDHR. Another mission, which did not concern human rights, was also planned.

Because the two teams were to visit Algeria for the purposes of aid or cooperation programmes, Algeria's mission to the European Communities asked for more time to prepare for them. The country's embassy in Belgium gave this as the reason for not issuing the visas requested by the Commission officials.

Further contacts between the Commission and Algeria's mission to the European Communities helped clarify the purpose of the mission to programme activities in support of democratisation and human rights. It was agreed that the Commission delegation would visit Algiers in the latter half of April. The Algerian authorities have given assurances that visas will be issued in good time.

The Commission therefore considers the matter closed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0299/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2002)

Subject: Operational shortcomings of the Community Support Framework Administrative Authority in Greece

In its reply of 18 January 2002 to my Written Question (E-3377/01)(1) concerning the CSF Administrative Authority, the Commission indicated that it was, generally speaking, satisfied with the initial results. One week later the Greek press published a communication from the Directorate-General for Regional Policy dated 4 October 2001 to the Greek authorities to the effect that the CSF Administrative Authority had not in fact been formally established and that CSF coordination was still taking place on an ad hoc basis. The communication also pointed to shortcomings regarding the transparency of procedures for the assessment of projects submitted for funding, the inoperability of the integrated information system, the absence of specified guidelines and lists for the monitoring of projects and shortcomings regarding instructions issued to the administrative authorities regarding communications.

What is, in the final analysis, the Commission's opinion regarding the operation of the CSF Administrative Authority in Greece?

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 162.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2002)

The letter that appeared in the Greek press on 26 January 2002, was a letter sent on 4 October 2001 from the Director-General of the Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy (DG REGIO) to the Greek authorities, via the Greek permanent representation in Brussels, informing the Greek government of the outcome of an inquiry carried out in Greece from 11 to 15 June 2001 concerning the management and control system put in place under the Community support framework (CSF) for the 2000-2006 programming period.

When the Commission, on 18 January 2002, indicated in its reply to Written Question E-3377/01 asked by the Honourable Member(1) that it was generally satisfied with the initial results, it took account of the progress made by the Greek authorities in establishing the managerial and organisational structures necessary to implement the programmes and also of the follow-up the Greek authorities had given in the meantime to the conclusions and recommendations of DG REGIO's audit mission in Greece from 11 to 15 June 2001.

At this stage it would be premature for the Commission to conclude on the quality of the systems put in place by any Member State. In parallel with the system audits in Member States, the Commission is carrying out desk audits of all programmes on the basis of the system descriptions sent by Member States. The results of these analyses coupled with audit findings on the ground and the subsequent dialogue with CSF and programme authorities should further help eliminate the flaws in the systems. Reviews of the operation of the systems will be undertaken by the Commission on a regular basis and in co-operation with the Member State throughout the 2000-2006 programming period.

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 162.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0903/02

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 April 2002)

Subject: Promoting the sale of agricultural products

In one of its newsletters (February 2002, Finnish version), the Commission announces that it has adopted measures to promote sales of agricultural products outside the EU between 2002 and 2005. Certain products are quoted by way of example whose countries of origin are Italy, France, Spain and Belgium. How balanced is the support provided for products from the various countries, and how much support is provided to promote sales of Finnish products?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2002)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that the list of products that can be promoted in third countries, annexed to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2879/2000 of 28 December 2000 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2702/1999 on measures to provide information on, and to promote, agricultural products in third countries(1), covers sectors involving all the Member States.

None of the programmes submitted to the Commission in 2001 came from a Finnish trade or inter-trade organisation.

(1) OJ L 333, 29.12.2000.