ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/00

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Subject: Possible fisheries agreement with Brazil

In the context of his participation in Brussels in the EU-Brazil Joint Committee, Mr Luis Felipe de Seixas, Brazil's deputy foreign minister, made a statement to the effect that Brazil is willing to negotiate a fisheries agreement with the EU which would encompass the entire productive cycle. Galician vessels are already fishing in Brazilian waters, in the wake of the problems encountered in continuing to fish in other waters. Is the Commission holding talks with Brazil with a view to the signature of such an agreement? Is it, at all events, willing to do so?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 2000)

When the EU-Brazil Joint Committee last met in May, development of cooperation in the fisheries sector was discussed and found to be of interest to both parties. It was agreed that technical level meetings would be needed to identify and analyse possible areas of cooperation.

It is anticipated that the first such joint meeting will be held this autumn.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2871/00

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Subject: Possible agreement on restrictions on fuel price competition by oil companies in the Spanish state

In May 2000, at a time when fuel prices were rising sharply, the Commissioner for energy made a public statement to the effect that she was surprised at the existence of identical prices in the Spanish state, adding that the Commission was monitoring the situation closely and apparently suggesting that it could amount to the existence of an oil cartel, contrary to Community competition rules. As some months have now passed and fuel prices are continuing to rise, can the Commission state whether it has reached a position on this possible restriction on competition on the part of the companies which distribute fuel in the Spanish state, especially in view of the attitudes of Repsol, Cepsa and BP, which account together for 80 % of the fuel sold in that Member State?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 2000)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that the Spanish competition authorities are currently conducting investigations into restrictive practices in the fuel distribution sector which may infringe the Community and Spanish competition rules. Under the principles enshrined in the Commission Notice on cooperation between national competition authorities and the Commission in handling cases falling within the scope of Articles 81 or 82 of the EC Treaty (former Articles 85 and 86)(1), the national competition authorities generally deal with cases in which the impact of the suspected restraint of competition is felt essentially within their territory.

As regards the rise in fuel prices in Spain, the Commission refers the Honourable Member to its answers to written questions E-1881/00 by Mr Knörr Borràs(2) and E-2149/00 by Ms Sornosa Martínez and Mr Berenguer Fuster(3).

The Commission assures the Honourable Member that it will continue to monitor compliance with Community competition law and internal market regulations in this sector.

(1) OJ C 313, 15.10.1997.

(2) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 140.

(3) OJ C 103 E, 3.4.2001, p. 74.
(2001/C 136 E/059) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2607/00
by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission
(1 August 2000)
Subject: African Virtual University (AVU)
The Commission has recently signed a co-financing agreement for a World Bank programme for the
countries of sub-Saharan Africa concerning information technology training in higher education.
According to the information available, the Commissions contribution will amount to € 1 million,
representing 15 % of the total cost of the project. 5 000 students from 23 universities in 15 countriestook part in the pilot phase of the programme.
Can the Commission say what countries have benefited from this programme?Does the Commission not consider it necessary to determine what sections of the population have
benefited from the AVU to date?
Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission
(22 September 2000)
Community support to the African Virtual University (AVU) aims to bring benefits of a university-level
education to all African universities, professors and students, through a major investment in distance,virtual education. It is not targeted to specific countries, but to tertiary level institutions having the willand the capacity to participate.
Since its inception, in 1997, the AVU has set up 25 learning centres in 15 African countries (Ethiopia,
Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Benin, Burundi, Burkina Fasso,Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal). By early 2000, over 2 500 hours of instructional programmeshave been delivered, 12 000 enrolments in semester-long courses, and 2 500 enrolments in executivebusiness seminars; 1 000 personal computers (PC) have been delivered to learning centres, mobilisingabout 3 000 e-mail users and a digital library of over 1 000 journals. AVU uses a technical infrastructurethat integrates satellites and computer technologies.
Survey results from student participants support the contention that AVU distance learning improves
access to broad populations and should, in the long run, show exponential growth in their acquis.
The Community intends to participate in the future investments within the framework of the World Banks
five-year AVU business plan 2000-2005. Its contribution should be quantitatively substantial, in order tohave a significant qualitative impact on the culturally appropriate learning design of the AVU, within theperspective of regional co-operation in Africa.
(2001/C 136 E/060) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2608/00
by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission
(1 August 2000)
Subject: Implementation of the bird protection directive
On 13 July 2000 I received a petition bearing almost 100 000 signatures of members of the public
dismayed at the extent of the trapping of birds in France. Some trapping methods are unnecessarily crueland should therefore be prohibited. Some trapping methods (lime-twigs, nets) make no distinction betweenspecies and should therefore be banned during the migration and breeding seasons.8.5.2001 EN C 136 E/53 Official Journal of the European Communities
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2937/00

by Marielle De Sarnez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Consumption of alcohol in the workplace

In connection with policy on the protection of public health and, more specifically, European Union policy aimed at improving workers' safety and health at work,

will the Commission state whether, at this point in time, all of the Member States have taken the necessary national measures to advise on and explain the dangers of alcohol in the workplace? What is the Commission's position on this question?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 2000)

The Commission is well aware of the potentially adverse effects of excess alcohol consumption on the health and safety of individuals, including workers at work.

Community occupational health and safety legislation contains no specific provisions with regard to alcohol. Nevertheless, Council framework Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work(1) requires employers to ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the work.

At the same time, the Commission has no information on specific measures taken by the Member States to advise on and explain the dangers of alcohol in the workplace.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3317/00

by John Bowis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Allocation of EU funds to London

What is the total of European Union funds spent in or allocated to London for each of the last five years, for which figures are available?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2730/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Commodity prices

What is the Commission's estimate of the percentage difference between the prices of the five most significant farm products within the EU at the end of each year for the last five years and the prices for the same commodities quoted on world markets?

Please indicate the price in euros per unit for each farm product, plus the percentage difference, and also indicate an average percentage difference based on the weights of the production of each product in the total.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 2000)

Comparing internal prices and world market prices is very difficult owing to methodological issues (notably the evaluation of the most appropriate reference border price). Therefore results from such an exercise should be considered with great caution. The table below gives an estimate of the average annual percentage difference between Community internal prices and the equivalent world market prices. This estimate is derived from producer and reference border prices extracted from the Organisation for

economic cooperation and development (OECD) PSE (producer support estimate) data base (a data base established by the OECD Secretariat on the basis of a commonly agreed methodology with OECD countries). Commodities covered include common wheat, refined sugar, beef and veal, pig meat and milk. The most recent data available concern the 1995-1998 period.

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2624/00

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Animal testing of cosmetics

In the Council's view, what international agreements should be taken into account in drafting a directive banning animal testing of cosmetics and marketing of products which have been tested on animals?

Reply

(30 November 2000)

It is for the Commission to determine what international commitments must be taken into account in drawing up a proposal for a Directive.

This said, the Council informs the Honourable Member that it has recently received a proposal for a Directive to amend to existing legislative requirements for cosmetics with a view to replacing the prohibition on the marketing of cosmetic products containing ingredients or combinations of ingredients tested on animals with a prohibition on carrying out tests on animals on the territory of the Member States with a view to the production of cosmetics.

According to the proposal for a Directive, the prohibition should apply to finished cosmetic products as from transposition of the Directive and to ingredients as soon as validated alternative methods have been approved at Community level, but in any case on expiry of a three-year period at the latest.

The proposal is currently being examined within the competent bodies of the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2516/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2000)

Subject: Structural Funds

Could the Commission indicate whether any competition issues are involved in the use of Structural Funds to create venture capital? Is it true that such an initiative could be declared illegal?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 2000)

The Commission in its guidelines for the structural funds 2000-2006 encourages the use of financial engineering instruments instead of grants for productive investment. Measures in the form of venture capital are one such type of instrument. At the same time Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the structural funds(1), provides that operations financed by the funds shall be in conformity with the provisions of the EC Treaty, with instruments adopted under it and with Community policies and actions, including the rules on competition. This includes, in particular, the state aid rules.

In planning the programmes of the European regional development fund (ERDF), the Commission, in collaboration with the national authorities, implements the structural funds guidelines for developing risk or venture capital funds with particular regard to innovative and high tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Any measure which distorts or threatens to distort competition by affecting trade between Member States is liable to fall within the definition of state aid in Article 87(1) (ex Article 92) of the EC Treaty, unless it falls under one of the exemptions in Article 87(2) and 87(3). State aid which is put into effect without prior notification to and authorisation by the Commission is illegal because it breaches the obligation in Article 88(3) (ex Article 93) of the Treaty.

Thus, there may be public or state aid connected with the creation of venture capital funds employing structural funds. Whether state aid is present, and if so whether it is compatible with the common market, depends on the nature and structure of the fund.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2643/00

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Council

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Trade

On 22 May 2000 the Council approved, by a simple majority, the application of anti-dumping duties to four new exporters of bicycles from Taiwan. The anti-dumping duties will be set at 5,4 %, after the firms concerned cooperated in the original investigation.

What compensation will be provided for Community and in particular Spanish manufacturers?

Reply

(10 November 2000)

Anti-dumping policy aims to remedy distortions of international trade which can create unfair competition in the Community market and consequently injure the domestic industry.

As a result, anti-dumping measures adopted by the Council do not provide for any additional compensation for Community manufacturers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1468/00

by Ulla Sandbæk (EDD) to the Commission

(10 May 2000)

Subject: Denmark's early retirement scheme

It is reported that the Commission has reached an understanding with the Danish Government on entitlements under Denmark's early retirement scheme. However, has the Commission accepted that Denmark's early retirement scheme is an arrangement based on the labour market and not a social welfare scheme which would in that eventuality be covered by Regulation No 1408/71(1)?

(1) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 2000)

In 1995 the Commission submitted a proposal to the Council(1) for an amendment to Regulation (EEC) No 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(2) inserting provisions for the co-ordination of pre-retirement benefits. In the explanatory memorandum the Commission pointed out that pre-retirement schemes of which the Danish efterlon forms part, are not explicitly covered by the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71. Therefore, the Commission proposed that a separate chapter be created for these benefits as well as provisions to ensure the aggregation of insurance periods and the exportation of the benefit. However, the proposal has not yet been adopted by the Council. Furthermore, the Commission has included provisions of a similar nature in its proposal for a review and simplification of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71(3). This proposal is being dealt with by Council.

Therefore, pre-retirement benefits, such as the efterlon, do not yet fall under the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (see for example case law C-171/82, Valentini(4); C-198/90, Commission v. Netherlands(5); C-25/95, Otte(6)).

It should be noted, nevertheless, that the Danish government agreed recently with the Commission that the Danish pre-retirement benefit constitutes a social advantage in the sense of Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 of the Council of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community(7) and that its residence requirement constitutes indirect discrimination to the detriment of workers exercising their right of free movement. Subsequently, the Danish government informed the Commission that this requirement will be eliminated.

(1) OJ C 62, 1.3.1996.

(2) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971 last consolidated version: Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2 December 1996 (OJ L 28, 30.1.1997).

(3) OJ C 38, 12.2.1999.

(4) ECR 1983 p. 2157.

(5) ECR 1991 p. I-5799.

(6) ECR 1996 p. I-3745.

(7) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2984/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: The trial of the Iranian Jews found guilty of espionage

As the court hearing the appeal of the ten Iranian Jews found guilty two months ago of spying for Israel and the United States is due to pass sentence on 20 September 2000, what action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the standards of justice and human rights recognised by the international community are upheld?

How will the Commission, in line with the measures it has already taken, seek to ensure that the Iranian authorities' actions comply with the principles that govern the conduct of civil nations and that no considerations other than the dictates of justice prevail?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2000)

The Commission follows with deep concern the issue of human rights in Iran. Questions regarding human rights, including the trial in Shiraz, feature prominently in the comprehensive dialogue between the Union and Iran.

On the specific situation of the 13 Iranian Jews tried in Shiraz on charges of espionage, a number of demarches have been made by the European Union as well as by individual Member States since the arrests in April 1999. In these endeavours, the Union has stressed the importance of a free and fair trial, its disappointment at the lack of sufficient defence representation and its concern that the trial was not open to observers. Following the verdict on 1 July 2000, the Union urged the court of appeal to reduce or retract the sentences given to ten of the defendants. The decision by the appeal court on 21 September 2000, to reduce the sentences was a welcome step. We remain concerned, however, about the lack of transparency in the judicial proceedings and regret that the sentences were not reduced more drastically or simply set aside. The Commission remains mindful of the fate of those convicted and will continue to follow the matter closely.

The political situation in Iran remains ambiguous. However, positive developments at the recent Parliamentary election and Iran's growing sensitivity to international concerns, open new possibilities to develop a constructive dialogue on human rights issues with the Iranian Government. The Commission will seize every opportunity to support this positive evolution.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2191/00

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Assessment of the attitude adopted by Mr Chris Patten, Commissioner, with regard to Mr Javier Solana

How does the Commission assess the attitude adopted by Mr Chris Patten, Commissioner, in his relations with Mr Javier Solana, the Council Secretary-General and the Community figure responsible for the EU's foreign and security policy?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Member of the Commission in charge of external relations has repeatedly emphasised that he works extremely well with the High Representative, Javier Solana. Their joint reports to successive European Councils on the Western Balkans illustrate this cooperative spirit. The Commissioner and the High Representative have the shared objective of strengthening the common foreign and security policy (CFSP).

Many advances were made in CFSP in the Treaty on European Union and the Amsterdam Treaty. The Commission is fully associated with both the foreign and security policy aspects of CFSP. It will assume in full its obligations under the Treaty to contribute to a coherent and ambitious policy of the Union. This needs to draw on relevant Community instruments as well as the CFSP itself. To this end, the Commissioner will continue to work closely with the High Representative for CFSP.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2929/00

by Marco Cappato (TDI) to the Council

(20 September 2000)

Subject: Cuban authorities' attempts to keep an Italo-Cuban couple apart and prevent them from emigrating

In 1999, an Italian national, Enrico Orlandini, married a Cuban national, Yaima Prado Gattorno. When the latter applied to the Cuban authorities for a passport with a view to emigrating with her husband, the authorities decided to enforce a sentence for association with a foreigner, which had previously been passed but had until then been suspended. Meanwhile, the husband has been refused all contact with his wife under the threat of a still harsher punishment should he attempt to contact her.

Will the Council intervene in this specific case and, more generally, will it raise the question of abolishing the offence of association with a foreigner in the context of its relations with the Cuban Government?

Reply

(30 November 2000)

The Council is keeping a careful watch on the human rights situations in Cuba. However, the specific case referred to by the Honourable Member has not been referred to the Council or discussed by it as such.

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the European Union has always taken a clear stand on human rights, whether through public pronouncements or representations to the Cuban authorities. Moreover, the EU Havana Human Rights Working Group maintains a useful dialogue with dissident groups and all those with a role in Cuban society.

The EU objective towards Cuba, as stated in the Common Position on Cuba adopted by the Council on 2 December 1996, remains to encourage a process of peaceful transition to pluralist democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as sustainable economic recovery and improved living standards for the Cuban people. Urging the Cuban regime to make Cuban legislation and the enforcement thereof fully compatible and consonant with accepted international standards also comes within that objective.

When carrying out its seventh evaluation of the Common Position in June 2000, the Council noted that although there continued to be mixed signals, there had not been any fundamental change of policy on the part of the Cuban government either towards the accomplishment of the aims of the Common Position or in the opposite direction.

The Council felt that despite the fact that the Cuban authorities had cancelled the EU Troika visit to Havana scheduled for the end of April and withdrawn their application for Cuban accession to the Cotonou Agreement, it was essential that the EU should deploy further efforts to engage the Cuban authorities in a constructive and frank dialogue on a variety of issues of common interest that might actually produce tangible results, particularly in the political, economic and civil rights spheres.