ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0037/98 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Excise

In his answer to question E-3239/97 ((OJ C 158, 25.5.1998. )) Commissioner Monti indicated that the Commission was currently studying the issue of excisable goods in the field of alcohol and tobacco products and will make a report, together with any appropriate proposals, to Council and the Parliament.

Considering this report has been due for some time, can the Commissioner give a date when he intends to present his report to both Parliament and the Council?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (10 March 1998)

The Commission intends to produce separate reports for the tobacco products and alcoholic drinks sectors before the end of March 1998.

As regards the alcoholic drinks report, there is absolutely no consensus among Member States as regards the most basic tax issues confronting the Community. The Commission is working to identify a line of action which would be likely to obtain the necessary unanimous agreement of the Council, while Parliament has in the past been more or less equally divided on all the points at issue. At the same time, few would regard the current Community system of drinks taxation as being commensurate with the requirements of an internal market.

The Honourable Member will recall that the situation was similar at the time of the Commission's last report on drinks rates. On that occasion the Commission took the view that it was inappropriate to make any proposals for further harmonization (in particular in view of the reform of the wine market which the Commission had recently proposed). That approach was generally welcomed by both Council and Parliament.

Against that background, the Commission will endeavour to put its report to Council and Parliament as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0085/98 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (30 January 1998)

Subject: Taiwan's financial situation and Taipei office

During the financial crisis which has hit the Asian financial markets in the past few months, one country has formed a shining exception to the rule i.e. Taiwan. Its economy appears to have weathered the storm unaffected.

Can the Commission explain this admirable exception? Also, does it not think that this constitutes an additional reason, in Europe's interest, to find the necessary funding in the 1998 Budget for an information office as referred to in the written question by Mr Dupuis (P-1432/97) of 16 April 1997 and in the reply by Sir Leon Brittan (13 May 1997) published in the OJ of 4 December 1997 ((OJ C 367, 4.12.1997, p. 125. ))?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (12 March 1998)

Whilst Taiwan is not the only Asian country to emerge relatively unscathed so far by the Asian financial crisis, its resilience in the face of severe turmoil has indeed been impressive. There appear to be several reasons for this. Firstly, Taiwan's banks are relatively unexposed in Asia compared to those of neighbouring countries. Its investments in Asia tend to take the form of industrial plants, many of which may indeed benefit from the turmoil by exporting from countries with newly devalued currencies. This would help Taiwanese companies counterbalance any potential loss of competitiveness from their operations in mainland China.

Secondly, the healthy running of the Taiwanese economy - including sound financial management (leaving the treasury with some $82 billion of foreign currency reserves), transparency and a growing degree of democratic control - will have helped Taiwan sustain investor confidence.

Taiwan's response to the crisis, too, has been to open up its economy further rather than close it off. It should not be forgotten, however, that Taiwan did not escape the turmoil altogether. Its currency dipped to a ten-year low against the US dollar, while the stock market fell to its lowest level for almost two years.

The Commission believes that an office, operating along similar informal lines to the trade offices of many Member States there, would help promote European economic and trade interests in Taiwan, not least in view of the significant progress made recently in the negotiations for a bilateral Community-Taiwan market access package. It therefore considers important that such an office be opened as soon as possible, depending on an evaluation of the Commission's priorities for the development of its network of external representations. This in turn will depend on the overall availability of human and financial resources.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0025/98 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (15 January 1998)

Subject: Situation in Algeria

Would the Commission please issue a statement on the current situation in Algeria? Would it also identify what efforts have been made, or are planned, to determine the causes of the massacres which have taken place and to promote a political solution? What has been the response of the Algerian authorities to any such initiatives?

Would the Commission also set out what financial and technical assistance is being made available to the Algerian Government by the EU and any conditions which are placed on the delivery of this assistance? Would the Commission in particular explain why no humanitarian assistance is currently being provided to the Algerian people?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (4 February 1998)

The Commission participated fully in the troika's mission to Algeria on 19 and 20 January 1998 and in the discussion on the situation in Algeria at the General Affairs Council meeting of 26 January. The Commission agrees with the Council's conclusions which answer the question put by the Honourable Member of which a copy is sent direct to the Honourable Member and the Secretariat General of the Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0132/98 by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission (30 January 1998)

Subject: Plant health

With reference to my question E-3585/97 ((OJ C 158, 25.5.1998. )) I repeat that I should like to know which organizations are represented on the Standing Committee on Plant Health.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 March 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-3585/97.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0001/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (15 January 1998)

Subject: Inspection of third countries' aircraft

On 17 December 1997, a Ukrainian 'Yakovlev' crashed in Greece killing all passengers and crew. Although the findings of the official investigation into the accident have not been published, there are a great many question marks hanging over whether safety regulations were observed, whether the aircraft was adequately inspected prior to the flight and whether the crew had a satisfactory command of English.

On 17 February 1997, the Commission submitted a proposal for a Council directive establishing a safety assessment of third countries' aircraft using community airports which was debated in plenary by Parliament at its part-session in November 1997.

According to the Commission's surveys, which Member States of the Union already carry out checks on third country aircraft and of what do these checks consist in the main? Does Greece number among those countries carrying out effective checks? In view of the seriousness of this issue and the length of time before full adoption and implementation of the directive in the Member States, will the Commission take steps to ensure the immediate adoption by the Member States of a package of measures concerning the inspection of third countries' aircraft so as to minimize forthwith the likelihood of further accidents?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (6 February 1998)

According to the Chicago Convention governing civil aviation, when it is suspected that a foreign aircraft does not comply with international safety standards, states have the right to perform a ramp inspection. The proposal ((COM(97) 55 final, 17.2.1997. )) from the Commission enhances the value of this existing right by requiring Member States to perform such inspections when certain conditions exist, to participate in the collection and exchange of information, to ground unsafe aircraft and to decide on eventual collective measures.

The Commission understands that most, if not all, Member States have been performing ramp inspections on an individual basis for some time. The Commission is not always informed of these inspections and does not know if such inspections are performed in Greece.

The Commission is however informed of the Member States which already participate in an exchange of information without awaiting the entry into force of the proposed Directive. To date, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom are participating in this exercise. The Commission is aware that at least two other Member States perform ramp checks although for legal reasons, they do not participate already in the exchange of information.

In order to enable Member States to apply some of the measures before the entry into force of the Directive, the Commission is giving financial support to the establishment and operation of a database which has already received more than 1400 inspection reports resulting in at least five groundings of unsafe aircraft.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0120/98 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (30 January 1998)

Subject: Participation in the Santiago Year

The Santiago Year, 1999, will again offer an opportunity for many Community citizens to travel to the shrine of the St. James, continuing a century-old tradition which helps to strengthen the cultural roots underpinning the European spirit.

The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is a spiritual need felt by many citizens of our Union to help find themselves and to affirm their roots and beliefs which enable them to identify themselves with the European culture underpinning their own principles.

Does the Commission think that the new Santiago Year, 1999, would be a suitable opportunity for the European executive to participate in some way in the renovation of pilgrims' hostels, upgrading their facilities, helping in this manner to improve the accommodation infrastructure for citizens who expect a show of support from the European Union for this tradition offering a universal view of our civilization identifying it with Europe, its culture, its beliefs and its spirituality.

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1998)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for the information about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

For several years the Commission has been providing practical support for the restoration of a number of buildings along the pilgrimage route, recognising its great historic and symbolic importance.

A clear example of the Commission's support is the aid assigned to measure 2.2.3 under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme for Galicia 1994-99, which will provide the 'Consorcio Santiago' with funding amounting to ECU 31.96 million, out of a total planned investment of ECU 44.09 million. The Consorcio has been established by national, regional and local authorities involved in promoting and coordinating the activities and management necessary to prepare the city of Santiago de Compostela for the Santiago Year (1999) and its shared title of Cultural Capital of Europe in the year 2000.

The activities cofinanced by the ERDF include improvement of the urban road system, tourist and sports facilities, renovation of the historic centre, restoration of monuments and facades, environmental measures for the rivers Sar and Sarela and for Monte Pedroso, as well as publications of a scientific and cultural nature.

In future, projects to preserve and protect the cultural heritage that qualify as 'European heritage laboratories' will have to be submitted by the Member States and form the subject of specific applications to the Commission under the Raphael programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0011/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Review of measures applicable to silicon originating in the People's Republic of China

Following the completion of a lengthy review of these measures, in July 1997 the Commission brought forward to the Member States proposals to increase duties payable on silicon originating in the People's Republic of China. These proposals were rejected by eight votes to seven in the Anti-Dumping Committee, yet the Commission proceeded with their proposals and have referred them to the Council of Ministers.

1. On what basis was the Commission's decision to overlook the recommendations of the Anti-Dumping Committee taken?

2. What is the justification for the proposal to raise these duties?

3. When is the abandonment of these duties envisaged?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (18 February 1998)

Anti-dumping procedures are governed by Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96, Article 9(4) of which provides that definitive anti-dumping duties, such as are mentioned by the Honourable Member, are imposed by the Council, acting by a simple majority. Before submitting its proposal to the Council, the Commission consults the advisory committee, which does not formally accept or reject the Commission's proposal as it has no decision making powers in this respect, the decision being reserved for the Council.

As regards the specific case of measures imposed on imports of silicon metal originating in China, the Commission's proposal in the light of the review was not that the duties should be increased, but that the duty should be changed from the present fixed duty of ECU 396 per tonne to an ad valorem duty of 49%, (which, if expressed as a fixed duty, amounts to ECU 376.5 per tonne). The new duty therefore represents a decrease in the level of the measures.

The proposal having been adopted by the Council after a review covering both dumping and injury, the measures are, pursuant to Article 11(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96, due to lapse on 17 December 2002 (five years after their entry into force). However, in accordance with Article 11(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community ((OJ L 56, 6.3.1996. )):

'3. ... the ... imposition of measures may also be reviewed ... provided that a reasonable period of time of at least one year has elapsed since the imposition of the definitive measure, upon a request by any exporter or importer or by the Community producers which contains sufficient evidence substantiating ... that the continued imposition of the measure is no longer necessary to offset dumping and/or that the injury would be unlikely to continue or recur [.]

Should such a review conclude that the measures were no longer necessary, they would be repealed with effect from the conclusion of the review.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0235/98 by José Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1998)

Subject: NGOs in Cuba

Could the Commission provide a list of the European non-governmental organizations which operated in Cuba in the course of 1997?

Is the Commission planning to make any changes in 1998?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (18 March 1998)

The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which operated in Cuba with Commission funding in the course of 1997 were Gruppo Volontariato Civile (Italy), Oikos (Portugal), Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli (Italy), Caritas (Germany), Erikshjälpen (Sweden), Medicos del Mundo (Spain), Asociación para la Cooperación con el Sur-Las Segovias (Spain), Save the Children Fund (United Kingdom), Médecins du Monde (France), Croix Rouge (Germany), Nuevo Futuro (Spain), MPDL (Spain), Agro Acción Alemana (Germany), Asociación para la participación al Desarrollo (Spain), Care (France), Brot für die Welt (Germany), MSF (Netherlands), Monimbo (Germany).

During recent years, Community cooperation with Cuba has, firstly, focused on expanding the range of activities of the NGOs by assigning them a major role in the implementation of humanitarian aid and food and development aid, and by carrying out systematic checks to ensure improvements in their working conditions.

Secondly, in accordance with the criteria set out by the Council in the Common Position of 2 December 1996, the Commission has made provision for the funding of projects additional to the global plan (microprojects), intended for vulnerable sections of the population not covered by Cuba's network of healthcare, such as elderly people living alone, women bringing up children on their own and those living in extreme poverty. These projects are carried out in cooperation with independent local NGOs, such as Caritas Cuba, and are designed to strengthen the role of civil society in Cuba.

The Community plans to continue working along these lines in 1998. Under the IVth global plan of humanitarian aid, covering a period of eight months, it is planned to keep to roughly the same number of NGOs during 1998.

Areas such as protection of the environment and disaster prevention might also afford European NGOs new operational opportunities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0062/98 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Abuse of animals in Spain

Is the Commission aware of an article in the Spanish magazine 'Quo', No 24 of 2 September 1997, which indicated that in Spain each year 300 'cultural events' take place in which animals are abused, tortured and killed for the entertainment of the Spanish public (see annex).

This article quotes the following examples:

1. the 'toro embolado' where the horns of bulls are set on fire, with the eyes and skin also being burnt;

2. ritual slaughter of pigs: the pig is held by a number of men and, after a hook has been fastened through the snout, it is slit by the slaughterer. The animal runs around until it bleeds to death;

3. In Nalda, Rioja, cocks are hung up by their feet and their heads cut off by young men from the village. Following public protests dead cocks are now used.

4. In Coria, Cáceres, the bull of San Juan runs through the village for hours with arrows being shot at it through blow pipes until the animal is covered with blood. Later in the square all types of pointed objects are stuck into it. Finally it is killed with a pistol and its testicles are cut off.

5. In Zamora the 'Manganese' goat is thrown down from the clock tower of the church. In 1991 there was an attempt to ban this practice but in the end two goats were actually thrown down. A fine of PTA 100 000 was imposed. Goats are still thrown, but a safety net is now spread so that the animals do not hit the ground.

Does the Commission not consider that such abuse of animals has no place in a cultured country which belongs to the European Union?

Is the Commission willing, on the basis of the article on the protection of animals in the Treaty of Amsterdam, to draw up European legislation against such cruelty to animals or is the Commission willing to take some other action to halt these practices?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 February 1998)

The Commission has stated on many occasions that it deplores all types of cruelty to animals. However, Community competence in this domain is limited and Community legislation exists only in the sphere of protection of animals on farms, in laboratories, at slaughter and during transport.

The animal welfare protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam underlines the importance of animal welfare but stresses that cultural traditions and regional heritage should continue to be respected. These latter aspects, therefore, remain purely within the national domain.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0071/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council (30 January 1998)

Subject: Urgent international initiative to address the Kurdish issue

Commenting on the mounting problem of the exodus of Kurdish refugees, at least three EU governments (Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom) have issued statements noting that the root cause of the problem is the fact that the civil, political and human rights of the Kurds are not being respected. The acceptance by France of the Italian proposal to launch an urgent international initiative to tackle the Kurdish problem in Turkey and in northern Iraq suggests that a more active presence to defend the rights of the Kurdish people may be in the offing.

What direct action does the British Presidency intend to take to promote the demand for an urgent international initiative? Does it intend to send international observers to south-eastern Turkey and northern Iraq and give journalists free access to these regions?

Answer (11 May 1998)

The reasons for the influx of migrants from and through Turkey are complex. Therefore, further analysis is required. As far as Iraq is concerned, a combination of political and economic factors appear to be involved: the long-standing rivalry between the two main Kurdish parties in northern Iraq, cross-border operations conducted by Turkish forces against the PKK organization, economic insecurity, and the repressive policies of Saddam Hussein. As far as migration from Turkey itself is concerned, the long-running conflict in south-east Turkey between the Turkish security forces and the PKK has resulted in a large scale displacement of rural populations and depression of the regional economy. A growing number of migrants coming from/through Turkey are neither of Turkish nor Iraqi nationality, but from third countries in Asia or Africa.

The Council recognises that a key element in tackling the problem is to establish effective cooperation with the Turkish government. Close collaboration with the UNHCR is also essential. The Presidency is pursuing these contacts actively.

In this context it has to be noted that the Turkish attitude towards the Kurdish minority will be a determining factor for the future development of EU-Turkish relations.

The General Affairs Council on 30 March reviewed the overall implementation of a 46-point action plan approved by the General Affairs Council on 26 January 1998 in order to deal with this problem and concluded that overall implementation was proceeding satisfactorily. The Council does not intend to send observers to south-eastern Turkey or northern Iraq but it does benefit from the information collected during fact-finding visits by representatives of Member States to the region.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0198/98 by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission (11 February 1998)

Subject: Cosmetics

In view of the increasing number of persons with allergies in Europe, will the Commission revise the Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC) ((OJ L 262, 27.9.1976, p. 169. )) and include a full declaration of the composition of perfumes?

Alternatively, will the Commission propose that an indication of the ten most allergenic substances in perfumes be required?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (23 March 1998)

The Scientific Committee for Cosmetics and Non-Food Products has set up a Working Party on Perfumes and Preservatives to examine the entire question of the risks of allergies which may be due to perfumes in cosmetics.

As soon as the Scientific Committee has concluded its work on this subject, the Commission will consider the general or specific conclusions to be drawn with regard to those perfumes for which the Committee believes that an indication or a precaution to users should appear on products containing them. Such indications and precautions for users are already provided for a series of substances llisted in Annex III to Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on cosmetic products.