ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3772/00

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Law reform in Russia

Recent reports show that approximately 99,6 % of people brought before the courts in Russia are found guilty and that half of the 0,4 % not guilty verdicts are reversed on appeal.

Given this statistic and the crisis facing the Russian prison system, can the Commission explain what it intends to do to promote law reform in Russia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2001)

The establishment of the rule of law is a priority in the dialogue the Commission's dialogue with the Russian Federation. Consolidation of democracy and the rule of law are key features of both the partnership and cooperation agreement and the EU's common strategy on Russia. The Commission is supporting the training of Russian judges under the European initiative for human rights and democracy, particularly in the framework of the joint programmes with the Council of Europe.

More widely, on reform of the judicial system, discussions are under way with the Russian authorities to develop a large project next year under the technical assistance programme Tacis. In the meantime, the Tacis Core programme 2000, agreed in June 2000, will promote the role of non-government organisations (NGOs) and their interactions with courts, on issues such as protection of individual and minority rights, and media freedom. Moreover, under the Tacis policy advice programme, support is to be provided to the human rights ombudsman Institution, as well as for the development of non-custodial measures in Russia.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-4070/00

by James Fitzsimons (UEN) to the Commission

(20 December 2000)

Subject: VAT on solar panels and encouraging greater use of vegetable oils for fuels

As a means of promoting environmentally friendly technologies, does the Commission have any plans to bring forward special proposals aimed at introducing either a zero rate of VAT for solar panels

or establishing a specially low VAT rate in order to encourage greater use of non-polluting energy sources and to reduce the use of materials which give rise to pollution and will the Commission outline what its present and future plans and incentives are for encouraging greater use of oils derived from vegetables which can be used in motor vehicles and commercial fleets?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2001)

The situation under current Community VAT legislation is that category 9 of Annex H of the 6th Council directive 77/388/EEC(1) covers the supply, construction, renovation and alteration of housing provided as part of social policy. Member States may therefore allocate a reduced VAT rate of no less than 5 % to these services.

Solar panels, once incorporated into this global process, are automatically covered by this provision, just as all building material when they are supplied as a part of a service provided by a building contractor. Whereas the same goods when bought across the counter by an individual are considered as supply of goods, and therefore the standard rate applies.

As far as the zero rate is concerned, it must be noted that it is an exception to the normal rules which foresee that the standard VAT rate should apply to any taxable transaction as a consumption tax.

As the Honourable Member will know, the new VAT strategy(2) foresees that a review and rationalisation of the rules and derogations applying to the definition of reduced VAT rates should be considered in the medium term. Particular attention will be paid to the rates applying to the use of reduced VAT rates in Community policies (e.g. to help protect the environment, etc.).

(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, Directive as last amended by Council Directive 2000/65/CE, of 17 October 2000 (OJ L 269, 21.10.2000).

(2) COM(2000) 348 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3163/00

by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 October 2000)

Subject: Water infrastructure

On 15 September this year Mrs Margarita Nájera, Mayoress of Calvia and President of the Balearic Islands Federation of Local Authorities (FELIB), announced that she had travelled to Brussels to meet with environment officials at the Commission and stated that the Commission had undertaken to fund several water infrastructure projects in full, and in particular the Sa Costera transfer project and a further water supply project in the town of Soller, on the island of Majorca (Balearic Islands).

1. Is it true that Mrs Nájera met with environment officials at the Commission?

2. Is it true that the Commission has undertaken to fund several water infrastructure projects on the Balearic Islands in full, including the Sa Costera transfer project and a further water supply project in the town of Soller, on the island of Majorca?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 December 2000)

Commission environment officials have not officially met the person referred to by the Honourable Member during the last few months.

Water supply projects, including a project on Sa Costera, have been submitted by the Government of the Balearic Islands in the framework of the single programming document for the Balearic Islands.

The Commission is examining the single programming document for the Balearic Islands and a decision on the programme will in principle be taken before the end of the year. No projects are funded 100 % under the Structural Funds.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4123/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 January 2001)

Subject: Eels and elvers

Eels and elvers are a declining species in much of Europe.

Has the Commission implemented any measures (or is it intending to implement any measures), to preserve eels and regulate fishing for eels?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of the problems concerning the European eel stock but has not proposed any measures apart from those already implemented by Member States.

Work is proceeding on the preparation of a Community-wide management plan for eel. However the initial time frame for this proposal has changed as the Commission has not yet been provided with the requested information about possible measures by the International Council for the exploration of the sea (ICES). ICES has, however, in the meantime analysed the eel situation in the United States and Canada where similar concerns about the eel population have recently been raised. The report became available by November 2000 and indicates that the advice on possible measures for the other side of the Atlantic might also be applicable to Europe. The Commission will therefore reflect on this advice before finalising the management plan for the European eel.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3337/00

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Attacks on press freedom in Austria

On Monday, 9 October 2000, as was reported in the most respected European newspapers, the journalists of the State-run Austrian television service, ORF, spoke out with one voice against the massive pressure being exerted by senior leaders of Jörg Haider's Freedom Party (FPÖ) and their intolerable attempts to censor the station's editorial staff and management. One of the main culprits has been the head of the FPÖ parliamentary group, Peter Westenthaler, who within the space of a single day intervened on as many as 22 occasions in an attempt to obstruct the journalists' work, influence the subjects covered and the format and scope of reports, and demand counter-reports whenever the television news was not to his liking.

Furthermore, according to Profil magazine, the management of the State television service has opened an internal investigation to discover why the text of news items was leaked to politicians before the programmes concerned had even been broadcast. Lastly, another source has revealed that two police-officers have been implicated in a criminal plan to physically punish the television presenter Josef Bronkal for his severe criticism of Jörg Haider's party.

In the light of the statement issued on 12 September 2000, in which the 14 Union governments announced that they were lifting the diplomatic sanctions imposed on Austria but at the same time pointed to the need to keep an especially close watch on Jörg Haider's Freedom Party, does the Commission not believe that the Union institutions should roundly and unambiguously condemn the continuing blatant attacks on freedom of the Press, and hence democracy, being mounted in Austria?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2000)

The Commission always attaches great importance to democratic principles, including freedom of the press, especially in the Member States. Nevertheless, any measures that may be called for by the incidents deplored by the Honourable Member must be taken by the Austrian authorities. In the present state of Community law, such measures do not come within the Commission's jurisdiction. Moreover, the conditions for the application of the Union Treaty provisions concerning the violation of fundamental rights have not been met in this case.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3207/00

by Marie-Arlette Carlotti (PSE) and Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2000)

Subject: European Union aid to Cuba

The Commission's decision to discontinue ECHO aid to Cuba means in practice that the country will suffer a reduction in aid of 17 to 6 million in the year 2000.

In addition, the new policy of approval for development projects for Cuba (using the Call for proposal formula) presented by the Commission could limit the field of cooperation considerably by restricting it to human rights and support for economic and legal reforms.

How does the Commission explain this hardening in its interpretation of the common position of December 1996 and the decision to limit the extent of its aid to Cuba?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2001)

Commission co-operation with Cuba has, until now, relied for the most part on humanitarian aid funding. As the circumstances that triggered the Humanitarian Office (ECHO) intervention in Cuba have changed, the Commission intends to adapt its Commission cooperation to the new realities. ECHO's activities are being discontinued and replaced by other instruments, so that each of these instruments can be used according to its own objectives. This implies modifying the relative weight of different instruments used for cooperation with Cuba, increasing the importance of non-governmental (NGO) co-financing and economic cooperation activities. It is foreseen that the global amount of Commission cooperation in 2000 will be similar to that of 1999 ( 15-16 million in 2000, 17,7 million in 1999).

The Commission has not changed its interpretation of the common position since its approval in 1996, nor is there an intention to decrease cooperation with Cuba. The common position is the basis of everything the Commission does in Cuba. It is precisely for this reason that the Commission has decided to issue a call for proposals, explaining this, and ensuring that operations carried out by NGOs fit into this agreed framework.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3831/00

by Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 December 2000)

Subject: Abolition of the advance tax deduction from subsistence allowances and accommodation costs on business and service travel and commercial relocation costs

The Federal Republic of Germany abolished the advance tax deduction from subsistence allowances and accommodation costs on business and service travel and commercial relocation costs by the Tax Relief Act of 1 April 1999. I tabled a question about this in 1999 (E-2184/99), but have yet to receive a satisfactory answer.

The Court of Justice of the European Communities has now ruled (judgment of 19 September 2000) that the prohibition on advance tax deductions for travelling expenses which was introduced by the French Government in 1989 violates the sixth EC Directive on the harmonisation of VAT in the EU (77/388/EEC) and that the Council's derogation decision 89/487/EC, on which the French provisions were based, is invalid.

The following questions arise:

1. What is the Commission's view of the compatibility of the above-mentioned legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany with Article 17(6) of the sixth EC Directive on the harmonisation of VAT (77/388/EEC) in the light of the aforementioned judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Communities?

2. What measures will the Commission take to restore compatibility between Germany's tax legislation and the VAT directive?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2001)

The Commission is aware of the measures adopted by Germany in 1999 to limit or abolish the right to deduct VAT. Some of these limitations are compatible with the proposal for a directive relating to limits on expenditure for which VAT can be deducted(1), and were authorised by Council Decision 2000/186/EC(2) under Article 27 of the Sixth Directive 77/388/EEC on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover tax common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment(3). These special and temporary measures do not appear to conflict with the case law of the Court of Justice on Article 27.

However, the Commission considers that abolition of the right to deduct VAT on subsistence and accommodation costs incurred during a business trip by an entrepreneur or his staff is not covered by the said Decision. The Commission has therefore decided to send a reasoned opinion to the Federal Republic of Germany under the second paragraph of Article 226 (formerly Article 169) of the EC Treaty calling for an end to this practice.

(1) OJ C 219, 15.7.1998.

(2) OJ L 59, 4.3.2000.

(3) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3886/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE), Minerva Malliori (PSE) and Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease)

The spread of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease) has put the issue of the quality and composition of cattle feedingstuffs in the European Union back on the top of the agenda. The gradual shift in the ingredients of animal feedingstuffs away from plants to animal products has resulted in the present situation in which the health of the peoples of Europe is at risk. Despite the major vested interests of the animal feedingstuff industry, it is still possible to change the composition of the feed of cattle bred in the European Union.

Will the Commission consider subsidising the cultivation of plant varieties to gradually replace the animal feedingstuffs produced today which are responsible for these problems?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3886/00 and P-4076/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2001)

In line with the commitment it made on the occasion of the Agriculture Council of 4 December 2000 on bovine spongiform encephalopathy and at the express request of the Nice European Council, the Commission is investigating in depth the supply and demand situation for oil and protein plants. It will examine the suggestions of all interested parties.

The Commission will notify its conclusions to Parliament and the Council as soon as they are ready. As requested by the Council and the European Council all figures put forward will be in line with the Berlin agreements and the Community's international commitments.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3166/00

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(2 October 2000)

Subject: Enlargement

How many enlargement chapters had been closed by the end of August for each of the candidate countries?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2000)

For the candidate countries with which negotiations started in March 1998 (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia), the chapters which have been provisionally closed to date are free movement of goods for the Czech Republic, free movement of capital for Estonia, company law for Cyprus, Estonia and Slovenia, fisheries for Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, European Monetary Union (EMU) for all six candidates, statistics for all six candidates, social policy and Employment for Cyprus, industrial policy and telecommunications for all six candidates, small and midium sized enterprises (SMEs) for all six candidates, science and research for all six candidates, education and training for all six candidates, telecommunications for all six candidates, culture and audio-visual for Cyprus, consumer and health protection for all six candidates, customs union for Cyprus and the Czech Republic, external relations for Cyprus, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Poland, common foreign and security policy (CFSP) for all six candidates, and financial control for Cyprus, Hungary, Slovenia and Poland.

According to the above, 16 chapters have been closed with Cyprus, 13 chapters each with Estonia and the Czech Republic, 12 chapters with Slovenia, and 11 chapters each with Poland and Hungary.

For the candidate countries with which negotiations were launched in February 2000 (Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia), the chapters which have been provisionally closed to date are statistics for Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia, industrial policy for Malta, SMEs for all six candidates, science and research for all six candidates, education and training for all six candidates, telecommunications for Malta, external relations for Malta, Romania, and Slovakia, and CFSP for all six candidates. Therefore, Malta has provisionally closed 7 chapters, Slovakia 6, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania 5 chapters each, and Bulgaria 4 chapters.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3755/00

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Spatial planning in the EU: Interreg II C

Interreg II C was one of the Community initiatives adopted during the 1994-1999 programming period under which funding was given to a series of projects aimed at promoting transnational cooperation in the sphere of spatial planning.

Can the Commission provide information on the results of Interreg II C and the conclusions it has drawn from those results, as well as their relationship to and influence on the European Spatial Strategy, especially regarding the outlying maritime regions of Objective 1 as it applies to the existing EU of fifteen?

Can the Commission provide information on the conclusions it has drawn from Interreg II C concerning the impact of the expected accession of the candidate countries on the outlying maritime regions of Objective 1 as it applies to the existing EU of fifteen?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2001)

The aims of strand C of the Community Interreg II initiative on transnational cooperation were: to help restore the balance between different areas of the Community; to foster transnational cooperation and partnership within a common framework; to help Member States and their regions to take a preventive and cooperative approach to common problems; and, lastly, to improve the impact of Community policies on spatial development. The latter aim was closely linked to the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP).

To date, only a few programmes covered by Interreg II C have undergone an interim assessment. Since others are currently being assessed, it would be premature to draw conclusions from the few completed interim assessments and hence to provide only partial results.

Also, in accordance with the EC Treaty, the second report on economic and social cohesion will examine how disparities between Member States and regions (including peripheral maritime regions) have changed and how Community policies (including structural policies and particularly Interreg) have helped to reduce those disparities. By focusing on the situation facing a Union of 27 members, the second report will be able to set out guidelines for future cohesion policy. The report will be published at the beginning of 2001 and will be submitted at a forum on cohesion which will be held in Brussels on 21 May.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3039/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: Introduction of DNA tests across Europe

DNA information now makes it easier to secure the conviction of offenders. The United Kingdom, for example, is now intending to make all offenders undergo such tests in future. A DNA database which was accessible throughout Europe would make detection and subsequent investigation in cases where the accused is actually guilty considerably simpler and more efficient.

Does the Commission intend, in the field of police cooperation and internal security, to encourage the Member States to step up the use of such DNA tests with a view to building up a Europe-wide network of this type of data?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2000)

The working structures of the Council are currently discussing a draft Council resolution(1) to establish common standards for the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) markers used in forensic DNA analysis in Member States (such common standards would simplify the exchange of DNA analysis results between Member States); a mechanism for maintaining and developing the harmonisation of forensic DNA analysis among Member States and guidelines on how to exchange DNA analysis results.

The draft resolution takes into account the work of the DNA working group of the European network forensic science institutes (ENFSI) on the harmonisation of DNA markers and DNA technology, funded by the Community's STOP programme, adopted by the Council in 1996(2). It aims at encouraging practical co-operation between law enforcement agencies and other bodies responsible for actions against the trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children.

The draft resolution builds on Council Resolution of 9 June 1997(3) inviting Member States to consider establishing national DNA databases with a view to exchanging DNA results between them.

The Commission takes the view that it would be advisable to await the outcome of these discussions before deciding to further increase cooperation between Member States in DNA-related areas.

(1) P.R. 170 No 8856/98.

(2) OJ L 322, 12.12.1996.

(3) OJ C 193, 24.6.1997.