ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2421/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Parkinson's disease and the EU's Fifth R& D Framework Programme

In Europe, 650 000 families are currently affected by Parkinson's disease, a figure which could rise to 1,2 million by the year 2008. These alarming figures merely illustrate the increasing need for extra resources to finance scientific research programmes into Parkinson's disease.

Could the Commission say what specific headings will be provided within the fifth R& D framework programme for the benefit of organisations involved in treating Parkinson's disease? How much funding will be made available for those headings? Is the Commission planning to launch any specific initiative outside the fifth R& D framework programme which will concentrate on scientific research into Parkinson's disease?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1998)

In preparing for the fifth framework programme for research and technological development (RTD) (FP5)(1), the Commission has proposed to give priority to several research items that would enable direct support for clinical and epidemiological research on Parkinson's disease. As such, the Commission's proposal for a specific programme for RTD(2) on "Quality of life and management of living resources" addresses Parkinson's disease, its prevention and novel treatment by promoting, under the key action "Ageing population", research into age-related illnesses and health problems with high morbidity.

Efforts for improved understanding of Parkinson's disease will also benefit from the RTD activities of generic nature, where chronic diseases are addressed in general, and emphasis is laid on neurosciences and neurological disorders.

For the specific programme on "Quality of life and management of living resources", the Commission has proposed ECU 2 635 million, with an indicative percentage breakdown including 7,6 % for the key action "Ageing population" and 20,6 % for the RTD activities of a generic nature. In view of the divergent positions of Council and the Parliament on the overall funding and the breakdown of FP5, the conciliation procedure will have to determine the level of funding. The Commission will support all efforts to arrive at a satisfactory compromise.

No Community funded scientific research into Parkinson's disease is foreseen outside the fifth framework programme.

(1) COM(97) 142 final.

(2) OJ C 260, 18.8.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2671/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Cooperation programmes for officials

At present there are 11 different programmes for promoting various activities involving officials (training, exchange of officials, exchange of information, improved cooperation). This proliferation of cooperation programmes is not in conformity with the repeated demand for transparency, effectiveness and proximity to the general public. This fragmentation has also been criticized accordingly in many quarters.

1. What aims do the individual programmes pursue and what purpose do they fulfill? How exactly do they differ from one another?

2. Is a review of these programmes planned during the presidency?

3. If so, what form is it due to take?

4. If not, what are the reasons for not carrying out such a review?

5. Since these programmes have in part already been opened to the applicant countries as well, could the Commission give a detailed breakdown showing in which of these programmes participants from the CEECs are already involved?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 1998)

A system of exchanges was set up some twenty years ago to enable Commission officials to be seconded to the administrations of the Member States, non-member countries and international organisations.

The exchanges are mainly intended to develop cooperation with the civil services of the Community, non-member countries and international organisations for the implementation of Community policies in certain areas (in particular, the environment, transport and the Structural Funds) or the coordination of Community measures at international level.

The new exchange scheme adopted by the Commission in 1995 and amended recently (24 July 1998) makes a number of changes: the maximum period of secondment is reduced from three to two years; the period of eligibility for daily mission expenses is limited to nine months; Annex X to the Staff Regulations is applied to secondments of over nine months outside the Community; secondments in the capital cities are terminated at the request of the Member State holding the Presidency (currently, officials are seconded to the relevant Permanent Representation in Brussels); and where a secondment is requested for an initial period of less than nine months, it cannot be extended. The system of exchanges can be applied in the countries of central and eastern Europe.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2799/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Refugees in Kosovo

Many people have fled from their homes because of the fighting in Kosovo. Some of them - representatives of humanitarian organisations put the figure at "maybe 50 000", albeit without being any more specific - are currently bivouacking in the open air.

The following aspects call for comment:

- The Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) is trying to prevent Albanian refugees from returning to their villages; columns of refugees returning under police escort are sometimes fired on.

- In mid-August, Mr Ibrahim Rugova, who is accepted by the international community as the leader of the Albanians, initially advised the refugees against returning to their homes. Later he qualified his advice and said that people could return, but only "under the escort of international organisations".

- Albanian newspapers have refused to publish an advertisement in which the Serbian Ministry of the Interior called on refugees, in Albanian, to return to their homes.

Does not the Commission agree that it is unacceptable to use the plight of refugees as a means of exerting political pressure or influencing public opinion?

Will the Commission urge the leaders of the Albanians to help make it possible for the refugees to return to their homes as soon as possible, in cooperation with the authorities and, where necessary, under international escort?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 1998)

Over 280 000 people are now displaced from their homes in Kosovo. Some 200 000 are displaced within Kosovo, of whom the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) has estimated that 50 000 could be without access to shelter. Figures can only be estimated given the difficulties in locating those displaced, and because many of them have been displaced more than once.

The Commission is very much in favour of the rapid and safe return to their homes of all of the refugees and displaced people, particularly those forced to live in the open. However, with continuing Serb offensives, a steadily worsening security situation and increased targeting of civilians, widespread return is not likely at this time. The threat to their security which caused civilians to leave their homes in the first place remains, the deliberate destruction of their homes and livestock continues, and they are not convinced that it is safe to return. Serbian forces have already attacked three of the eleven "return sites" designated by the Serbian Government.

As winter has already begun in the mountains, the most urgent task is not the promotion of organised returns to areas where the conditions for return have not yet been met, but rather the establishment of local distribution networks for humanitarian assistance in order to avoid a human disaster.

However, the prerequisite for organised safe returns is a credible ceasefire, which would facilitate the work of aid agencies and convince those who are displaced to return to their homes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2486/98

by Johann Kronberger (NI) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Health risks posed by mobile telephones

The Commission has once again stated that it is aware of concerns about the risks to health caused by non-ionising electromagnetic radiation.

1. What measures has this statement prompted since it was made?

2. Is research in progress to clarify precisely those unforeseeable risks, so that appropriate steps can be taken to protect the public, or are such results already available?

3. Does the Commission intend, by allowing unregulated "mushroom growth" of transmission masts (in Austria a network providing four times (!) the coverage needed is currently springing up), to ensure the emergence of a status quo against which it will be difficult to act?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1998)

1. The most recent initiative in this context is the proposal for a Council recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (O Hz - 300 GHz)(1).

2. This proposal takes stock of the scientific evidence for acute, thermal effects of electromagnetic fields and invites Member States to enhance the knowledge about health effects of electromagnetic fields, in particular as regards non-thermal effects, such as potential cancer induction or promotion. Pertinent research on this topic will also be supported under the Community's fifth framework programme for RT& D, and the Commission has already a review of the existing research and proposals for new research in hand. When preparing its proposal for the Council recommendation, the Commission requested an opinion of its scientific steering committee which agreed that there is sufficient scientific evidence to propose exposure limits for acute thermal effects, whilst further investigations might eventually provide an appropriate basis for the assessment of non-thermal effects.

3. The Commission proposal for a Council directive on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programme on the environment(2) would cover the telecommunication sector, in other words, plans and programmes in relation to the siting of transmission masts. However, for the time being the matter mentioned by the Honourable Member is a matter of national competence since the proposal for this directive is under negotiation by the Parliament and the Council.

(1) COM(98) 268 final.

(2) OJ C 129, 25.4.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2291/98

by Maria Berger (PSE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Reasons for failure to award contract for position of information and communications adviser in Vienna

For what material reasons was no contract awarded in respect of lot No 15 under invitation to tender No V/041/97? Why, contrary to the relevant provisions in force, were neither the bidders nor the Office of Official Publications of the European Communities informed as soon as possible of this decision? Had financial cover for the supply of services put out to tender been secured at the time the invitation was issued? How many bids were received in response to lot No 15?

Answer given by Mr Flynn On behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

Lot No 15 (Vienna) has not been awarded either because the candidates did not meet all the selection criteria or because the bid was inadequate in the light of the award criteria set out in the specifications and in the invitation to tender.

The bidders have been individually informed, in accordance with the rules, about the outcome of their bids. A notice will be published in the Official Journal, in accordance with the rules and within the agreed deadlines, when all the required conditions have been met.

Financial cover for the services put out to tender was secured at the time the invitation was issued.

A total of three bids were registered for Lot No 15 (Vienna) in the framework of invitation to tender V/041/97.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2184/98

by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Author(s) of the study on fixed book prices

In its decision of 22 September 1997 on cross-border fixed book prices in European linguistic areas(1), the Council requested the Commission to "study the significance of Article 128(4) for the implementation of those Articles of the Treaty that may concern cross-border fixed book prices, and to indicate, if appropriate, the ways to enable fixed book-price regulations/agreements within homogeneous linguistic areas to be applied".

To which institution did the Commission entrust the task of conducting that study?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 1998)

A restricted invitation to tender was issued for this purpose on November 1997, based on the call for expressions of interest(2). The consultant selected after the various stages of the procedure was Euromonitor Consultancy.

(1) OJ C 305, 7.10.1997, p. 2.

(2) OJ S 153, 8.8.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2283/98

by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Taxation of church collections

In some countries, collections and similar gifts to various churches and religious communities have traditionally been tax-free income for the recipients. In this way it has been possible to guarantee a wide range of activities for various religious communities in the areas in which they regard as their preserve.

In France the Fiscal Services Directorate of the Département of Hauts-de-Seine (southern sector) has recently imposed a tax on collections donated to the Jehovah's Witnesses, which amount on average to FF 26 per donor per month. Since no such tax has presumably been imposed upon other religious communities or churches, this measure conflicts inter alia with the opinions of the European Court of Human Rights. It may also create a precedent which could spread to other countries and other religions. This matter thus interests the adherents of other faiths, myself included.

What does the Commission consider it can do to eliminate this situation rapidly, for example on the basis of its decisions on equality and human rights, which are enshrined in various EU documents and affect all Member States, including France?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 1998)

The Commission would point out that, under Community law as it stands, Member States are free in principle to determine the rates of, and arrangements for, taxes on donations.

It does not consider that the case referred to by the Honourable Member constitutes an infringement of Community law.

With regard to the comments made by the Honourable Member, the Commission would point out that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Member States is, to a large extent, guaranteed both internally by domestic appeal procedures and externally by virtue of the mechanisms established under the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2440/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Infrastructure projects on the Aegean islands

The Second Community Support Framework for Greece makes provision, in sub-programmes 1 on tourist development which form part of the regional programmes, notably in respect of the islands of the northern and southern Aegean, for the funding of infrastructure projects in harbours and marinas on the islands. Given that these sub-programmes have been running since 1994.

Will the Commission say:

1. What progress has been made in attaining the objective of the above sub-programmes?

2. What is the take-up rate for the funding of the sub-programmes?

3. In the event of delays in take-up, what are the main reasons for these delays for each sub-programme?

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

(5 October 1998)

Subprogramme 1 of the "southern Aegean" operational programme (OP) under the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece for the period 1994-1999 aims primarily at tourist development. Take-up amounted at the end of June 1998 to 30,2 % of the public funds envisaged. For most of the projects infrastructure work is in hand, which should enable the Greek authorities to proceed soon to the calls for tenders for the private sector, which has a major role in capital provision. The authorities consider that there should be no significant delays in the implementation of the subprogramme.

Subprogramme 1 of the "northern Aegean" OP under the CSF for Greece for the same period aims at the creation of infrastructures which will encourage tourist development. Take-up amounted at the end of July 1998 to 23,4 %. After a gestation period due primarily to difficulties of an administrative nature, most of the projects are currently being implemented.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2548/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Shipments of nuclear waste

The IAEA's Safety Series 37 explains that if the recommended decontamination measures are observed there should be no question of the limit values being exceeded. However, occasional values in excess of the limit values are entirely harmless given that the limit values are conservative in nature. If the limit values are exceeded, the recipient should inform the sender of this so that the latter can take remedial action.

1. Does the Commission believe that the IAEA's findings are still appropriate?

2. What action does the Commission intend to take, given that it has become known that limit values have been exceeded by up to 5000 times in the case of shipments of nuclear waste?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-2547/98 and E-2548/98 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 1998)

The Commission accepts that the statements taken from the International atomic energy agency (IAEA) safety series 37 are still appropriate.

The conservative nature of the limits is well illustrated by the results of the enquiries carried out by the French and German authorities, which although yet to be completed, already clearly show that there has been no overexposure of workers or members of the public despite the excess contamination levels and the number of such events now communicated.

However, the frequency with which such events have occurred and the late recognition of the situation clearly calls for further action. In the first instance such action is the responsibility of the national authorities which have quite properly been carrying out an extensive review of current practices with the aim of taking corrective action to ensure not only that individual events are indeed no more than "occasional" but also that when they do occur all appropriate parties are duly informed in keeping with the IAEA statements.

Equally, the Commission recognizes that lessons learned in France and Germany can also be relevant to ensuring good practices in other Member States. As stated in its declaration to Parliament on 17 June 1998, therefore, the Commission foresees examining the French and German final reports from the point of view of the situation not only in these Member States but also in other relevant Member States. For this purpose it will be consulting with all such Member States as a matter of urgency.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2884/98

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Mobile telephone calls

Will the Commission say when it will take effective measures to put an end to the outrageous rates charged for the use of mobile telephones, which it has been investigating in recent months?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 1998)

In July 1998, the Commission announced the preliminary results of its inquiry into the prices for interconnection between fixed and mobile operators. The enquiry, opened in January 1998, focused on three areas, namely termination in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for mobile-to-fixed calls, termination in the mobile networks for fixed-to-mobile calls, and PSTN operator's retention on fixed-to-mobile calls.

The objective of the first phase of the investigation was to gather comprehensive data on the issue, and to assess this data, with a view to identifying any possible indications of excessive or discriminatory prices. This analysis indicated that further in-depth investigations are warranted in at least fourteen cases. Some of these cases might be dealt with by national telecommunications authorities, applying sector-specific regulation.

It should be noted that these preliminary conclusions are only indicative and that specific in-depth investigations into the costs of each operator are necessary before any definitive conclusion can be reached. At this stage, it is not yet possible to forecast the time necessary to conclude these cases.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732/98

by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Religious persecution in Sudan

Will the Commission protest in the strongest possible terms to the government of the Republic of Sudan over that country's continuing persecution of people who convert to the Christian faith?

Its attention should be drawn particularly to the cases of Faisal Abdallah, Ahmad Abdulraham and Al Faki Kuku Hassan, all converts from Islam who have been imprisoned and against whom charges of subversion have been made, simply as a pretext to persecute them for their faith.

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 1998)

The Commission is aware of the continuous persecution by Sudan of people accused of apostasy and remains concerned about the lack of basic human rights such as the denial of religious freedom by the Sudanese government, which seeks to impose its version of Islam on the population.

Although the government has stated that all religions should be respected and that freedom of worship is ensured, in practice the government treats Islam, the religion of the majority, as the de facto state religion and has declared that Islam must inspire the country's laws, institutions and policies. While non-Muslims may convert to Islam, the 1991 Criminal Act makes apostasy (which includes conversion to another religion) by Muslims a punishable offence. Authorities continue to restrict the activities of non-Muslims, and further incidents of harassment and arrest for religious beliefs and activities have been reported.

Through its delegation in Khartoum, the Commission is currently investigating in close contact with Member States the situation of Messrs. Faisal Abdallah, Ahmad Abdulraham and Al Faki Kuku Hassan.

On several occasions, the Union has called on the government of Sudan to respect human rights and humanitarian law in all parts of Sudan, in particular to allow unimpeded access for aid agencies, monitors and international observers and to investigate alleged violations promptly, publish their findings and punish offenders.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2359/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Payments to flax farmers

Will the Commission explain why monies owed to arable farmers are being paid twelve months in arrears?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Community legislation on the common organisation of the market in flax and hemp has introduced new requirements for granting aid for fibre flax from the 1998/99 marketing year.

To ensure that aid cannot be paid for areas that are not actually under cultivation, the rules now stipulate as a requirement for granting the aid that a contract must be signed between producer and primary processor, an undertaking must be given to process the flax, primary processors must be approved and a minimum yield of flax straw must be attained.

The requirement to carry out the actual processing of flax straw from areas covered by contracts or undertakings to process does indeed lay down that this should take place at most 12 months after the end of the marketing year. However, operators are free to comply with this requirement sooner than that in order to receive the aid in question. Moreover, potential aid recipients may receive a payment before processing provided that they lodge a security with the competent authorities of the Member State.