ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0360/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Safety and health at work of workers with a fixed duration employment relationship

Under Council Directive 91/383/EEC ((OJ L 206, 29.7.1991, p. 19. )) concerning the 'safety and health at work of workers with a fixed-duration employment relationship or a temporary employment relationship, Member States are required to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest.

Can the Commission say if and when the relevant Greek authorities have complied with Directive 91/383/EEC and if they have not complied with it whether it intends to assume its responsibilities with a view to achieving results required by the above Directive?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (2 April 1998)

The national measures transposing Directive 91/383/EC supplementing the measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of workers with a fixed-duration employment relationship or a temporary employment relationship ((OJ L 206, 29.7.1991. )) were communicated to the Commission by the Greek authorities on 29 March 1996, 18 June 1996 and 14 January 1997.

In compliance with Article 10(4) of Directive 91/383/EC the Commission is currently preparing the report on the implementation of this Directive, taking into account the national transposition measures and the report which the Member States must forward to the Commission every five years on the practical implementation of this Directive, setting out the points of view of workers and employers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0033/98 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Pedro Aparicio Sánchez (PSE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Biological pauses in Moroccan fishing-grounds

The greater part of the trawler fleet based in the fishing ports of Andalusia will come to a halt over the next few months, as a result of the biological pause imposed by the Moroccan government in its fishing-grounds.

What is the EU doing to relieve the social and economic consequences of this pause imposed by Morocco?

What mechanisms does the Commission possess to ensure that the biological pause applying to Moroccan fishing-grounds is strictly observed not only by EU Member States' fleets but also by the fleets of Morocco and other third countries?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1998)

The period of biological rest for Community shrimp trawlers (January and February) is provided for in the fisheries agreement between the Community and Morocco which is currently in effect. It was already included in previous agreements.

The agreement only covers the conditions valid for the Community fleet (including the periods of biological rest) and so contains no obligations on the Moroccan fleet or the fleets of third countries.

Since the biological rest period is expressly provided for in the agreement, it is not possible to introduce a financial aid scheme under the Community's structural policy; the socio-economic consequences have to be allowed for in the commercial planning of the businesses concerned.

In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 of 21 December 1993 laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products ((OJ L 346, 31.12.1993. )), financial aid from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) can only be granted to schemes intended to compensate partially for income losses due to temporary suspensions of fishing that are caused by unforeseen and non-repeating events, in particular those of biological origin.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0626/98 by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Charge levied by Russia on motorists crossing the border

According to a newspaper report (Helsingin Sanomat, 17.2.1998), the Russian customs have instituted a charge on motorists crossing the Finnish-Russian border. The charge is 25 Finmarks, and is levied from all foreigners crossing the border.

What will the Commission do to secure the abolition of the Russian customs authorities' latest border levy on European Union citizens? Let it be stressed that Member States of the European Union do not levy any corresponding charges from Russian motorists.

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1998)

The Commission has conducted investigations into the matter raised by the Honourable Member.

It appears that the charge which is levied relates to assistance in completing customs clearance formalities provided on request to drivers crossing the Finnish-Russian border by a service company linked to the Russian customs.

According to Russian customs legislation, foreigners crossing the border with their private cars have to undertake formally to go back by car within one month. After Russian customs introduced a computer based information system at border crossings, this undertaking is now filled in an electronic form directly at the computer and not in a paper form by hand.

Drivers have at present two options: they can either go directly to the Russian customs where they can personally fill in the electronic document free of any charge, or they can seek the assistance of the company against payment of a 25 finmarks fee. The advantage of the second option is that it normally guarantees quicker clearance of customs procedures.

This charge is therefore a commercial fee for the provision of an optional service, rather than a special levy on foreign drivers crossing borders.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1044/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (6 April 1998)

Subject: Conversion of an Armenian Monastery into a hotel in the occupied part of Cyprus

The Turkish-Cypriot authorities have decided to allow a private individual to run the tenth-century Armenian Monastery of Aghios Mangar as a hotel.

This recent decision by the Turkish-Cypriot administration follows its scandalous disregard for the persistent looting of religious and historical artefacts in the occupied part of Cyprus and is an insult to religious sentiment and an act of provocation directed at the Armenian Orthodox Church and the 4000 or so Armenians living in the free part of the island.

This action provocatively disregards the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (the Loizidou judgment on property in the occupied territories), since it allows this historic monastery which is the property of the Armenian Church to be turned into a profit-making enterprise.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to prevent this decision by the Turkish-Cypriot authorities to convert the historic Armenian Monastery into a hotel from going ahead? How does it intend to ensure that the judgment by the European Court of Human Rights on property in the occupied territories is respected?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No E-968/98 by Mrs Daskalaki ((See page 100. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0837/98 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: The content of television programmes and freedom of expression

There are four independent television channels in Finland, all of which are journalistically independent of the state. One of them (Oy Yleisradio Ab) has - for journalistic purposes and without sponsorship - produced a series of programmes designed to promote the sale of Finnish-made products. The Commission responded by writing a letter to the Finnish Ministry of Communications prohibiting the making of such programmes.

In so doing, the Commission violated journalistic freedom of expression and interfered with the content of television programmes. Does the Commission consider that its officials acted correctly in this matter, and if so, on what EU treaty does it base its view?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1998)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1270/98 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (29 April 1998)

Subject: Prostitution in Ukraine

Does the Commission have an overall view of how widespread the problem of prostitution is in Ukraine?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (20 May 1998)

The Commission is aware of the problem of organised prostitution in Ukraine. It welcomed the Ukrainian Parliament's adoption on 13 April 1998 of a law prohibiting prostitution networks of Ukrainian women in Europe and the Middle East.

There is also an EU-US joint programme covering Ukraine and Poland which fights prostitution. The programme is implemented by the International Migration Organisation. Initial results are expected in mid-1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0731/98 by Sören Wibe (PSE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Negotiations on transport subsidies to Volvo in northern Sweden

The Commission and the Swedish Government have been involved in negotiations on the rules for government transport subsidies for a considerable time now. The Commission has been particularly critical of the transport subsidies to the Volvo plant in Umeå.

Many people in Umeå are reliant on a positive outturn to the negotiations. When can an outcome to the negotiations be expected?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1998)

The Honourable Member refers to negotiations between the Commission and the Swedish government concerning the regional transport aid and, in particular, to the transport aid granted to Volvo's plant in Umeå.

The Commission initiated a formal investigation procedure pursuant to Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the transport aid to Volvo's Umeå plant in September 1997. The Swedish government was informed of the Commission's enquiry by letter dated 30 September 1997.

In the course of the procedure, the Commission concluded that the aid in question qualified as an existing aid. Consequently, the procedure provided under Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty is not appropriate, but instead the procedure under Article 93(1) should have been used and appropriate measures taken. In this context, by letter dated 3 March 1998, Sweden accepted to take certain measures that had been suggested to it, which represent conditions to the application of the transport aid scheme to Volvo Truck Corporation in Umeå. On 25 March 1998, the Commission therefore decided to close the Article 93(2) procedure and to accept that the measures that Sweden is to take constitute sufficient appropriate measures under Article 93(1).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0564/98 by Luigi Vinci (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: Elettrolux-Zanussi industrial group

Taking advantage of the fact that it has factories in various countries of the European Union, the Elettrolux-Zanussi industrial group uses the system of European tenders whereby orders it receives are produced in the factories with the lowest production costs. Lower costs are increasingly being achieved through reduced staffing and a more intensive work rhythm which is not properly compensated.

In Italy the danger is that if a law is adopted to reduce working hours to 35 orders will no longer be fulfilled in Italy. Does the Commission not think that this is an unacceptable system of social dumping by Elettrolux-Zanussi? What does it intend to do to harmonize the treatment of workers within the Community and in the same business group to prevent such behaviour by companies? How will it act vis-à-vis Elettrolux-Zanussi to put an end to the practice of European tenders?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1998)

Completion of the internal market means that European companies, particularly those with activities in several Member States, have a free choice of where to produce their goods and services, without having to contend with any unjustified obstacles to their freedom of movement or freedom of access to the Community market.

In order to alleviate the possible social consequences of achieving this central objective of the Community, a number of measures have been adopted at Community level in recent years with a view to reducing the scope for abuse resulting from excessive discrepancies between national social systems. The directives in question cover various areas of labour law (employment conditions, information and consultation of workers, health and safety) and constitute a hard core of minimum rules to be observed throughout the Community.

The directives adopted in this connection include Directive 93/104/EEC ((OJ L 307, 13.12.1993. )) on the organisation of working time, which lays down a number of minimum requirements which all Member States have to observe. However, this directive, like all the others in this field, does not rule out more favourable national systems.

Under these circumstances it is the responsibility of each Member State to assess the possible consequences of initiatives likely to have an effect on production costs and to adopt the measures it considers necessary, whilst in all cases respecting freedom of movement and freedom to market goods and services.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0468/98 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (27 February 1998)

Subject: Completion of structural fund programmes 1994-1999

What amount and what percentage of Structural Fund payments by objective and by Member State were paid after the end of the previous programming period on 31 December 1993? Will the Commission produce a similar table based on current estimates for monies likely to be outstanding on 31 December 1999? What procedures is the Commission proposing to use to ensure that current programmes are closed efficiently without any undue delays in final payments or reduction in the quality of the projects?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0742/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: 'Western Road Axis'

Will the Commission say what progress has been made so far as regards the 'Western Road Axis'? Will it also say whether an environmental impact study has been carried out and what exactly it is planning, since it is reported that preliminary work on the road and the process of expropriation have already begun, triggering protests and accusations?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1998)

The 'main roads' operational programme in the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece for 1994-99 provides part-financing only for construction of two sections of the 'western axis': the ring roads around Agrinio and Preveza. The Greek authorities intend to propose part-financing the remainder of this route from the CSF for 2000-06. To this end, when the current CSF was recently amended, they proposed, and the Commission accepted, the part-financing of studies on this route, including the environmental impact statements. As far as the Commission is aware, these studies have not yet begun.

The environmental and technical studies on the ring roads around Agrinio and Preveza have, however, been completed and the environmental terms approved in accordance with the legislation in force.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0890/98 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (11 March 1998)

Subject: Refusal by the Irish airline Ryanair to recognize trade unions

Ryanair, the Irish airline, has been involved in a protracted dispute with its baggage handlers. The dispute arises from the company's refusal to recognise or negotiate with the trade union representing these workers. The company has also refused to go through the normal channels for resolving trade disputes, as it will not participate in any arbitration procedure initiated by the Irish Labour Court.

Ryanair's management has been a major beneficiary of the liberalistion of air transport within the EU.

Bearing in mind Articles 11 to 13 of the European Social Charter, which deals with the rights of workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining, will the Commission investigate the issues surrounding the Ryanair dispute and issue a report thereon? What other action does it propose to take on this dispute?

When will the Commission be publishing its promised assessment on the social impact of the liberalization of air transport?

Does the Commission have any proposals on how rights of workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining may be upheld in cases where companies seek to deny these rights?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1998)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform her of the outcome as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0404/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Problems affecting the production of olive oil, cotton and citrus fruits

Greek farmers blame problems affecting the production of olive oil, cotton and citrus fruits on what they regard as particularly unfavourable decisions by Brussels. They maintain that Greek cotton production is coming under pressure and that citrus fruit production is being adversely affected by the WTO agreement limiting subsidized export levels. Greek olive growers are suffering as a result of over production in Spain and the refusal of the Commissioner responsible to take appropriate measures. Community subsidies for Greek olive oil have been reduced by 30% but instead of speeding up Community intervention the Commission is now calling for the creation of Community-funded private reserves. Is the Commission aware that Greece does not have the necessary infrastructure and does it intend to take any measures of a general nature to alleviate the situation of Greek farmers which is becoming acutely difficult, threatening to spark off a further round of mass protests?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 March 1998)

The Commission does not share the Greek farmers' analysis as reported by the Honourable Member regarding the problems which they are said to be facing on the markets in olive oil, cotton and citrus fruit.

Specifically on the question of olive oil, the Commission would like to point out that the fall in prices on the market is due to high production in all producer Member States over two consecutive marketing years and to the management decision of olive growers to keep back large quantities of oil instead of placing them on the market in the previous marketing year. The drop in support in Greece, via production aid, involves only about 25% of growers. The remaining 75% are not affected by the application of the budget stabiliser since they are treated as small producers within the meaning of Council Regulation No 136/66/EEC of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in oils and fats ((OJ 172, 30.09.1966. )).

To cope with the difficult market situation, the Commission has already taken measures in the form of private storage aid, authorising the storage of 30 000 tonnes of olive oil in Greece. It has also made the regulatory provisions clearer in order to assist producer organisations to take better advantage of this scheme. Before contemplating other market intervention measures, the Commission would like to await the results of implementing this private storage aid scheme.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0436/98 by Mark Killilea (UPE) to the Commission (16 February 1998)

Subject: Take-up of EU agri-environmental measures

Under the incentives launched by the Commission under Regulation No (EEC) 2078/92 ((OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 85. )), can the Commission state what amount Ireland has drawn down under these agri-environmental measures to date, and what percentage this is of the total amount made available by the EU? Is it not possible to give a breakdown in terms of headings, i.e. environmentally friendly farming, non-productive land management, training or demonstration projects?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (27 February 1998)

Ireland has launched a single programme to implement Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 of 30 June 1992 on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside ((OJ L 215, 30.7.1992. )). This is called the rural environment protection scheme (REPS) and is available to all farmers throughout the country, who agree to carry out environmental activities and observe certain restrictions on production practices for at least five years. Payments were first made under the REPS programme in 1995 and the amounts contributed by the European agriculture guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) for the first three years were 19 MECU in 1995, 43 MECU in 1996, and 98 MECU in 1997.

The EAGGF contribution represents 75% of expenditure, as Ireland is an objective 1 area. The Community contribution is limited to 50% in other regions.

As a proportion of total EAGGF expenditure on agri-environment programmes, the amount spent on REPS represented 4% in 1995, 3% in 1996 and over 6% in 1997. For purposes of comparison, Ireland accounts for 3.3% of the utilized agricultural area (UAA) of the Community.

Concerning the breakdown by type of measure, the Commission has not yet received a report from Ireland on the implementation of the programme and the data supplied relates only to overall figures.

The Commission would like to draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the Commission's report ((COM(97) 620 final. )) on the application of Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92, submitted to the Parliament on 4 December 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0554/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: Regional Operational Programme for Attiki - sub-programme 2 measure 2

Sub-programme 2, measure 2 of the Regional Operational Programme for Attiki is concerned with measures in the fields of development and transport improvement and refers to natural history parks and areas. According to the timetable, ECU 5990 million of the public funds earmarked for this purpose should have been utilized by the end of 1997.

1. What progress had been made by the sub-programme and what projects are now underway?

2. If there have been delays, where have they occurred and what are the principal reasons for them?

3. Did modifications occur during the CSF review and what were the budgetary implications thereof?

4. What proportion of the funds had been utilized by 31 December 1997?

5. Were the necessary steps taken by the Ministries for Environment, Town Planning and Public Works and Development for the creation of natural history parks and areas?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1998)

According to the financing tables amended on 21 October 1997, public expenditure programmed until 1997 for measure 2.2 of the operational programme for Attiki (industrial estates) amounts to ECU 1 million.

This measure has not really started yet, mainly because of problems with the legal framework of the industrial estates. Only certain studies are already underway. A review of the situation in the near future might result in this measure being amended to take account of the delay.