ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3584/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: Funding of psychosocial support programmes for students with special needs at Greek universities

Students with special needs face particular obstacles in addition to the problems they share with other students of their age-group, because their disability prevents them from taking part in university life, which means that they become increasingly marginalised from society.

Given that the establishment of a counselling centre at Greek universities providing immediate psychosocial support for students, and particularly students with special needs, could help them, will the Commission say whether there is any scope for funding psychosocial support programmes for students, and, if so, under which Community programmes?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

The European social fund (ESF) supports actions which strengthen and improve the education and training systems in objective 1 regions and which promote integration of people excluded from the labour market (Council Regulation (EEC) 2084/93(1)).

In the Greek Community support framework (CSF) the above objectives are served by the operational programmes "Education and initial training" and "Combating exclusion from the labour market".

Concerning the mobility of students in the framework of the Socrates/Erasmus programme, expenses for providing psycho-social support to incoming students from other Member States are eligible expenses under the individual contracts between the Commission and the recipient universities.

(1) OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3650/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: Instruments for investment support in third countries (own-initiative opinion)

With regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on "EC Instruments for investment support in third countries", does the Commission intend to make its investment support instruments in third countries part and parcel of an overall strategy that encompasses simultaneously the essential principles of cooperation, social regulations and environmental standards, and the legitimate interests of Europe, notably in respect of reciprocity, employment and competitiveness?

Does it intend to make this strategy the subject of a political Communication by the Commission, accompanied by specific measures to ensure transparency, consistency and coordination?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1999)

1. The Commission considers that the different investment support instruments in favour of third countries reflect the diversity of the Community's contractual relations with its partners and its policy priorities in the different regions of the world. These instruments have of course been developed at different moments and reflect the evolutionary nature of Community relationships with each particular region. They also take into account the very distinct economic and social situations of those regions as well as the difference in the Community's geopolitical priorities. These factors explain most of the apparent discrepancies between the different instruments.

The establishment of those instruments has nevertheless been driven by common values encompassing political, economic and social conditionalities. The Commission ensures that all actions financed from the different instruments respect international social, environmental, employment and development standards, and are also of mutual benefit to Community enterprises. The instruments in place already take account of the need to promote sustainable growth and a climate conducive to investment, to facilitate the transition to market economies and to encourage European investment in emerging markets.

At the operation level the Commission is committed to regular review of the functioning of these instruments so as to streamline administrative procedures and avoid procedural disparities in the field of external aid. The recent creation of the Joint service for Community aid to non-member countries (SCR) has this as one of its main objectives.

2. For these reasons the Commission does not intend to propose a unified strategy in the field of investment support for third countries which could be applicable across-the-board. Of course, this does not prevent the Commission, as a single institution, ensuring the necessary transparency and consistency.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3509/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Council

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Food, veterinary and plant health control and inspection

With reference to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee on food, veterinary and plant health control and inspection (COM(98) 32 final) and to the negotiations within the WTO with a view to maintaining equilibrium in international free trade, taking into account inter alia health and safety aspects, can the Council endeavour as actively as possible to support the European Union's control policy and to gain acceptance of it by the international community so that the problems caused by the liberalisation of trade in the food, veterinary and plant health sector can be dealt with?

Reply

(9 March 1999)

During discussions on Agenda 2000 the Council has defined both the model for European agriculture and the attitude to be taken in future WTO negotiations in order to protect that model.

In particular, the Council has taken the view that in the WTO the European Union should seek to achieve the twofold aim of, firstly, maintaining Europe's ability to develop an agriculture in keeping with its characteristics and with very high quality and safety standards and, secondly, placing agricultural trading and market liberalization in a setting which brings international recognition of the constraints imposed on European farmers and agricultural products.

The food, veterinary and plant-health control and inspection measures referred to by the Honourable Member are covered by this general approach.

The Council will of course base itself on the above guidelines at the appropriate time during the preparation of future WTO negotiations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3676/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Daphne programme

In recent years there has been an increase in child abuse and child pornography in Europe together with violence against women, for example in the form of forced prostitution. The Daphne programme is intended to deploy coordinated measures Europe-wide to combat violent attacks on women and children in the EU. The intention is to make the public aware of the sexual abuse of women. Non-governmental organisations have been chosen to implement the project because they often have better access to the victims.

On 10 and 11 November 1998 there was a presentation in the European Parliament of a project financed under Daphne to combat violence against young people on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. How many projects authorised under the Daphne programme are to do with the need to protect people because of their sexual orientation?

2. What is the level of funding for such projects and which NGOs have set up the projects?

3. What is the Commission's justification for including these projects in the Daphne programme which is supposed to be concerned with child pornography, child abuse and violence against women?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(25 January 1999)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member about the problems of child abuse and child pornography in Europe together with violence against women. It is also concerned about the problem of violence towards minority groups and groups subject to discrimination.

1. The Commission is supporting one project in the 1997 Daphne programme and one in the 1998 programme to combat violence against young homosexuals.

2. Their level of funding is 36 192 ECU and 41 762 ECU respectively. The non-governmental organisation (NGO) concerned in both projects is Azione Gay e Lesbica (formerly Arcigay - Arcilesbica Firenze).

3. The aim of the Daphne programme, as established by the Parliament and as implemented by the Commission, is to combat violence against children, young people and women. All forms of violence are included. For example, 40 % of the projects supported in the 1997 programme concerned solely sexual violence and the remaining 60 % concerned solely or partly violence of a non-sexual nature.

The Daphne programme attaches particular importance to combating violence against groups which are the subject of discrimination. Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty aims "to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation". In this spirit, the Daphne programme is supporting projects which combat violence against women, racial and ethnic minorities, religious minorities, the handicapped, the aged, children and homosexuals.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3255/98

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(28 October 1998)

Subject: Transference of state pensions between Member States

Could the Commission tell me what plans are underway in order for people from different Member States to transfer their state pensions to a residence within another Member State?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 1998)

Article 10 of Regulation 1408/71 of the Council of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community(1) provides that invalidity and old age pensions and pensions for accidents at work acquired under the legislation of one or more Member States should not be subject to any reduction, modification, suspension, withdrawal or confiscation by reason of the fact that the recipient resides in the territory of a Member State other than that in which the institution responsible for payment is situated. This regulation is directly applicable in all Member States of the Community and the European economic area (EEA).

(1) An updated version has been published in OJ L 28, 30.1.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3890/98

by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Action aimed at young people in the Mediterranean area

In its reply to Written Question E-1253/98(1), which was put to it in April 1998, the Commission stated that, in connection with the Barcelona Conference, "a Euro-Mediterranean youth exchange programme should be established" and that "specific initiatives for youth will be put forward shortly."

Would the Commission say what measures it has launched thus far, given its statement to the effect that such activities might be introduced in 1998?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

On 27 October 1998 the Commission approved the setting-up of the Euro-Mediterranean youth action programme. This programme will receive EUR 6 million in MEDA funds over two years to finance youth exchanges, the integration of young people in social and professional life and the democratisation of civil society in the Mediterranean partner countries. It is also aimed at fostering citizenship among young people in their local communities and actively involving young people and their organisations in enhancing the employability of the young people concerned.

The thrust of the programme is two-fold: to promote multilateral youth exchanges and a number of voluntary service activities. There will also be some activities to provide incentives, kick-starting and assistance to improve the quality of both the exchanges and the levee of involvement of the young people concerned: short training courses, the provision of information, study visits, support for the setting-up of national youth councils, and cooperation on studies into the situation of young people.

The programme will draw on the experience gained through the Community programme Youth for Europe, with the assistance of the Socrates technical assistance office. National officers will be appointed in each of the 12 partner countries to promote and manage the programme in liaison with the European coordinating organisations, in particular the national Youth for Europe agencies in each of the Member States.

The programme was submitted to the Euro-Mediterranean Committee in Barcelona on 25 November 1998 and was endorsed by the 27 Euro-Mediterranean partners. It will become operational in early 1999. Since 1995, the Youth for Europe programme has supported projects involving young people in the Community and Mediterranean partner countries to the tune of some EUR 1 million annually; since 1996 it has funded a number of young European volunteers as part of the European Voluntary Service initiative.

(1) OJ C 386, 11.12.1998, p. 100.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3448/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. European textile industry



Official Journal C 207 , 21/07/1999 P. 0066



WRITTEN QUESTION E-3448/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 November 1998) Subject: European textile industry With reference to the Commission Communication to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions relating to the plan of action to increase the competitiveness of the European textile and clothing industry (COM(97) 454 final), will the Commission commission a study into the effects which the monetary, structural and stock-exchange disruption in Asia has had on the activities of the sector, which are amongst the worst affected?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2047/98

by Jean-Claude Pasty (UPE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Tax harmonization in the EU Member States

A French citizen legally resident and self-employed in an EU Member States (e.g. the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg) is officially recognized by the country's inland revenue authorities as a resident for tax purposes and is taxed on that basis.

The French authorities also consider him to be a resident for tax purposes and demand that he pay personal income tax in France.

Can the commission answer the following:

1. What administrative procedure can this taxpayer follow to avoid double taxation?

2. What legal channels would be open to him to claim his rights should one of the states concerned challenge the justification for the double taxation, to quote the terms of Article 24 of the Franco-Luxembourg tax convention of 1 April 1958, and refuse to open the amicable procedure under that article?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1998)

Most cases of double taxation affecting taxpayers in the Community are currently settled under existing tax conventions between Member States to prevent double taxation. The convention between France and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, like almost all such conventions, provides for taxpayers facing double taxation to send a simple request to either the authorities of his country of residence for tax purposes or those of the other country, so that they may agree on a fair way of avoiding double taxation under Article 24 of the convention. This essentially ex gratia procedure does not place the tax administrations under any obligation to stop the applicant having to pay taxes twice.

This means that in the case raised by the Honourable Member, the person facing double taxation has no right under the terms of the convention to demand that the tax administrations concerned begin amicable proceedings to settle the matter. There is the option (within the legal time limits) of taking the matter to the relevant courts in the two Member States so as to obtain a settlement of the tax situation if there are any problems in applying or interpreting the bilateral tax convention. Undoubtedly, taking the case to court may seem difficult and expensive to the taxpayer, and may not guarantee a settlement within a reasonable time span. Naturally, in such cases the judges in the national courts are required to see that the rights conferred on Community citizens by the EC Treaty are effectively protected. They are at liberty to request a ruling from the Court of Justice, under Article 177 of the EC Treaty, about the provisions made to ensure effective protection of and respect for the fundamental rights of persons who have exercised their right to freedom of establishment under the EC Treaty, including the implications for the application or interpretation of a tax convention to prevent double taxation concluded between two Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3715/98

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

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Auditing of the ESCB

Article 27 of Protocol No 3 on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank provides that "the accounts of the ECB and national central banks shall be audited by independent external auditors recommended by the Governing Council and approved by the Council".

Does the Council believe that the involvement of the Court of Auditors as an additional auditor might enhance the auditing?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-3714/98 and E-3715/98

(29 March 1999)

Article 27, paragraph 2, of Protocol No 3 on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the European Central Bank (ECB) limits the intervention of the Court of Auditors in this respect to the examination of the operational efficiency of the management of the ECB.

A further role of the Court of Auditors would require an amendment of the Treaty, since each Community Institution is bound to act within the limits of the powers conferred upon it by the Treaty (Article 4 of the Treaty establishing the European Community).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3258/98

by Francisco Sanz Fernández (PSE) to the Commission

(28 October 1998)

Subject: Cohesion policy and culture

Following the publication of its communication on "Cohesion policy and culture: a contribution to employment", would the Commission state exactly how it intends to take culture into account in the new programming period (guidelines, etc)?

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

(23 November 1998)

The Commission outlined in its communication "Cohesion policy and culture - a contribution to employment"(1) options for future assistance to culture from the structural funds. Moreover, the proposed Commission guidelines for the next programming period (2000-2006) will make reference to culture as an integral part of local and regional development.

(1) COM(96) 512 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3493/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(12 November 1998)

Subject: Capitalization of interest and the failure to transpose Community directives

Thousands of Greek citizens are in an impossible situation owing to the implementation of Law 2601/98 on the rules governing bank interest on loans. Greek farmers recently alleged that this Law is unconstitutional, and it is contrary to the provisions of Community Directives 87/102/EEC(1) and 90/88/EEC(2) which do not allow the capitalization of interest in any Member State of the EU.

Will the Commission say what action it intends to take to ensure that the above directives are transposed into Greek law and that their provisions are properly implemented in Greece?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1998)

The Commission is not aware of Law 2601/98 as a national measure for the transposition of Council Directive 90/88/EEC of 22 February 1990 amending Directive 87/102/EEC for the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning consumer credit.

It is not for the Commission to express an opinion on the conformity of a national law with the Constitution of a Member State.

It should be stated that Directives 87/102/EEC and 90/88/EEC do not prohibit the capitalisation of interest. Their aim is to provide consumers with more information so that they are better able to compare the cost of credit being offered by various lenders. This aim is achieved through the uniform application of the method for calculating the annual percentage rate of charge as referred to in Article 1(2)(e) of Directive 87/102/EEC. However, this provision is not intended to rule out the capitalisation of interest.

It should also be mentioned that Directives 87/102/EEC and 90/88/EEC apply only to consumer credit as defined in Article 1(2)(c) of Directive 87/102/EEC. Loans to farmers are therefore not covered.

(1) OJ L 42, 12.2.1987, p. 48.

(2) OJ L 61, 10.3.1990, p. 14.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4066/98

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: The Wassenaar Regulations

The Wassenaar organisation, which continues the work carried out by COCOM during the Cold War, has decided to agree, in accordance with the interests of the USA and its secret services, that the export of confidential technology should be subject to restrictions. This decision infringes the principle of the freedom to purchase services within the EU. How does the Commission intend to prepare the regulation on the licensing of exports of confidential technology, which was agreed at Wassenaar? On what legal basis does the Commission justify approving this kind of restriction on free trade?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The Commission is not aware of any changes in the control scope of stealth technology which has always been subject to export controls, especially because it is considered to have far more military than civil applications.

In its proposal for a new Council regulation regarding the export of dual-use items(1), the Commission proposes the abolition of licensing procedures for stealth technology in intra-Community trade. According to the Commission proposal, companies will however have to notify their authorities about intra-Community transactions with such products, in order to ensure effective controls and consultations in case such products are subsequently to be exported to third countries.

(1) COM 257 final, 15.5.1998.