ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/78

(2004/C 78 E/0077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2111/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(25 June 2003)

Subject: Comparative study of special needs teaching

EP resolution A5-0377/2001 (1) of 15 November 2001 called on the Commission to carry out a comparative study on the functioning, funding and results of the various systems of teaching for pupils with special needs in the European Union. What action has the Commission taken in response to this call and when will it be in a position, if it has not already done so, to release this study?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2003)

The Commission pays great attention to the various approaches to teaching for pupils with special needs. Already in 1998, the European Agency for Special Needs Education carried out a study, co-financed by the Commission, on ‘Integration in Europe, Provision for Pupils with Special Educational Needs’. This study focussed on trends in 14 European countries. An update is currently being prepared.

With regard to the parliamentary resolution in question, the Commission co-financed a report on ‘Special Needs Education in Europe’ in 2003, carried out and published by the Agency in co-operation with Eurydice (Information Network on Education in Europe). The electronic version is already available in French and in English on the website of the Agency at the following address: www.european-agency.org. The study, which covers 26 European countries, is being translated into eleven other languages.

It examines current practice across Europe in five key areas:

— inclusive education policies and practices;

— funding of special needs education;

— teachers and special needs education;

— information and communication Technology in Special Needs Education;

— and early intervention.

The Commission intends to continue monitoring developments in the field of special needs education on a regular basis.

(1) OJ C 140 E, 13.6.2002, p. 589.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/104

(2004/C 88 E/0108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2593/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 August 2003)

Subject: Persecution of Christians in Pakistan

Is the Commission aware of the persecution faced by Christians in Pakistan? What representations has it made, or will it make, on this issue to the Government of Pakistan?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

The Commission remains deeply concerned over a number of human rights issues in Pakistan and is actively participating in joint EU efforts to address these questions. The EU has regularly used available opportunities to discuss the situation of religious minorities with the Pakistan authorities. Human rights issues are also raised during the political dialogue between Pakistan and the EU including at the recent meeting in Islamabad on 7 June 2003.

The EU has repeatedly called for more protection of Christian and other minorities in Pakistan. The Commission is aware that a number of incidents involving the Christian community have occurred over the last two years, in particular an attack on the office of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Karachi, the killing of Christian worshippers at churches in Bhawalpur and Islamabad and atrocities committed against Christian institutions in Murree and Taxila. The Commission is also aware of numerous incidents of sectarian violence against other minorities including Ahmadis and Shias. The EU will continue to urge the Pakistan authorities to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and to take adequate measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The EU has also repeatedly raised concerns about the blasphemy laws, which have been disproportionally applied towards religious minorities (although in absolute terms the clear majority of those accused under the laws belong to the Muslim faith). The Commission will continue to call on the Government of Pakistan to take all possible measures to prevent the abuse of the blasphemy laws while they remain in force, in order to ensure persons accused of blasphemy are protected, and to strengthen institutional and legal safeguards.

The EU welcomed President Musharraf’s speech of 12 January 2002 in which he condemned all forms of sectarianism and religious hatred and made the case for a moderate and tolerant Islam. Although there are no legal restrictions on religion practice by minorities, large parts of the population remain uneducated and ignorant of this state of affairs. The Community, in its development co-operation, therefore prioritises improved access to secular education within the framework of the country's education policy. In the medium term better education should lead to more tolerant attitudes towards minorities.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/292

(2004/C 78 E/0292)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3489/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Stepping up supplies to the Sinaga's sugar production units — Azores Autonomous Region

The Sinaga — Sociedade de Indústrias Agrícolas Açorianas, S.A. — has informed me that in July 2003, the Azores Autonomous Region (AAR) asked for a 3 000 tonne increase in supplies of white sugar obtained from refining raw sugar. This sugar is essential to keep the company working and save the hundred plus jobs it provides. The increase in the quota represents less than 0,0016 % of Community production, and is vital to the AAR, an ultraperipheral region which is one of the poorest in the EU; the social and economic fabric is weak, and there are no real or economic alternatives.

Sinaga says that the request has not yet been answered by the Community authorities, and that it had no reply to its letter of 7 October 2003 to Commissioner Fischler. As the request is for 2003, it is urgent that a reply be given.

Will the Commission tell me where this request has got to? Does the Commission not think that given the AAR's ultraperipheral status, the quota increase requested should be provided?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2004)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written P-3166/03 by Mr Casaca (1).

(1) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 229.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/795

(2004/C 78 E/0845)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3238/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 November 2003)

Subject: New arrangements regarding maritime cabotage in Greece

According to the Greek press, with a view to the new maritime cabotage arrangements which enter into force on 1 January 2004 in Greece, the Commission and the Greek Ministry for the Merchant Maritime have decided to set up a joint committee to examine issues relating to the institutional framework in Greece and the transition to the new provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 (1) for ending preferential arrangements in the coastal navigation sector. The Association of Coastal Shipowners wishes to form part of the committee with a view to supporting full liberalisation in this sector. The press reports go on to say that the issues under discussion include contracts for crew members of Greek coastal vessels, the knowledge of Greek required of Community seamen wishing to work in Greece and age limits for passenger and car ferries applicable in Greece.

1. In the Commission's opinion, in which areas will these arrangements be incompatible with Community law, specifically Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 regarding preferential arrangements in the coastal navigation sector?

2. What measures must be taken by the Greek authorities by 1 January 2004 to avoid problems regarding the implementation of Community law?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2003)

The Commission has been telling the Greek authorities for a long time that the law in force needs to be amended in order to be compatible with Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 (2), notably regarding the scope of public service, the rules on manning and the age requirement for vessels. The Regulation will be fully applicable from 1 January 2004.

The Commission never planned to set up a joint committee with the Greek authorities. It will take all the necessary measures, including infringement proceedings if necessary, to ensure that the Regulation is observed.

(1) OJ L 364, 12.12.1992, p. 7.

(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States, OJ L 364, 12.12.1992.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/584

(2004/C 78 E/0618)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3552/03

by Gabriele Stauner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 December 2003)

Subject: EU funding for research programmes in Ukraine

According to media reports, 700 children disappeared in the region of the Ukrainian city of Kharkov between 1996 and 2003, and the whereabouts of over 300 of them is apparently still unknown. In the ‘Mona Lisa’ programme shown on 12 October 2003 on the German television channel ZDF, serious accusations were levelled at a hospital in Kharkov, where there have been repeated instances of newborn babies being pronounced dead and where there is a high incidence of premature births resulting in death. A mass grave was found with fetuses and babies from which the organs had been removed.

Can the Commission therefore answer the following questions:

1. Is EU aid used to fund research programmes on embryonic or adult stem cells in Ukraine?

2. If so, which institutes or organisations receive the funding?

3. Does the Commission believe that other forms of EU aid may be used to finance similar research activities which could involve the use of foetuses or new born babies?

4. Is the Commission aware of a possible connection between the strikingly large number of missing or stillborn babies and research projects on human cells in Ukraine?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2004)

1. and 2. There is no Union-funded research project that concerns embryonic or adult stem cells research and that involves a Ukrainian participant neither in the Fifth Framework Programme (1998-2002) nor in the present stage of implementation of the Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006).

3. The Commission does not believe that Union aid, and Technical assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) funding in particular, are used to finance research activities involving the use of foetuses or new born babies.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/2

(2004/C 84 E/0002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0335/03

by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Subject: A new generation of mercenaries

Although the system of old-style mercenaries is not yet entirely a thing of the past, a new type of mercenary is coming into existence in conflicts in Africa. The soldiers concerned provide military services, even including peace-keeping and monitoring of the enforcement of cease-fires. The most important development here is the establishment of small military groups which offer their services to governments and commercial enterprises.

1. Does the Commission have any information about the activities of foreign soldiers in conflicts in Africa?

2. Can the Commission, in particular, indicate the role which such soldiers are playing in border wars in West Africa?

3. To what extent is the EU taking account of this new phenomenon in its strategies for restoring peace and settling conflicts in Africa?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2003)

1. The Commission is aware of newspaper articles and rumours in expatriate circles in Africa on mercenaries involved in African conflicts. The Commission has on an ad hoc basis also been informed that in some cases mercenaries offer their services to governments and/or commercial companies. The Commission is, however, not in a position to obtain this specialised intelligence information other than on an incidental basis.

2. There are rumours and reported witness accounts that demobilised ex-combatants from Sierra Leone have joined rebel activities in Liberia and Western Ivory Coast.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/52

(2004/C 78 E/0050)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1868/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 June 2003)

Subject: Equity culture

Will the Commission give the figures for the number of quoted companies in each Member State in each year for the last ten years? Will it also estimate the market capitalisation at the end of each year as a percentage of GDP? Will it further give the aggregate for the euro-area?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2003)

The degree of detailed information may vary from country to country and may also vary from statistical sources on the stock markets. Sometimes, problems that can arise with provided data series where presence of gaps simply means a lack of data.

The sources of information used: World Federation of Exchanges, FESE, national institutions, Eurostat. When the data of the international organisations differ or are incomplete Eurostat turns to the data of the national institutions.

In order to increase the comparability level of the statistical information presented with other sources, a definition of the market capitalisation and of the number of listed companies are given below:

— The number of companies which have shares listed on a specific exchange, split into domestic and foreign, and excluding investment funds, unit trusts is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. A company with several classes of shares is counted just once.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/420

(2004/C 88 E/0427)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2590/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(4 August 2003)

Subject: Situation in Liberia

What is the EU's involvement in relation to the current situation in Liberia in terms of representations from the Commission or the EU's CFSP High Representative Javier Solana?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 2003)

The main objective of the Union's approach to the region is to contribute strategically to peace, security and stability. To this end, the Union participates in the International Contact Group for Liberia (ICGL) through the Special Representative of the Presidency for the Mano River Union, Mr Dahlgren as well as the Commission.

The Presidency and the Commission participate at the Ecowas led peace talks for Liberia in Accra as observers. Further political support to the talks is provided by the Union declarations of 13 June 2003, 23 June 2003, 21 July 2003 and 28 July 2003. The Community contributes financially to the talks in the amount of EUR 390 000 and a request for further financing is under consideration. The Commission is exploring the legal and financial possibilities to contribute to the peace process. In the light of a fact finding mission to Accra and Abuja (1 to 8 August 2003) the Commission proposed urgent support to some components of the Ecowas peace mission in Liberia by re-programming the European Development Fund (EDF) financing for Liberia, following the procedure of Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. A financing proposal is currently under preparation. Finally, the Commission's Humanitarian Office provides humanitarian relief in the form of health, nutrition, protection and water and sanitation projects in Liberia.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/825

(2004/C 78 E/0878)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3551/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(1 December 2003)

Subject: Goatmeat subsidies — Application of Regulation 2550/2001 of 21 December 2001 to the Azores

Annex I(5) of Regulation 2550/2001 (1) of 21 December 2001, laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation 2529/2001 (2) of 19 December 2001 on the common organisation of the market in sheepmeat and goatmeat as regards premium schemes, includes the whole of Portugal, with the exception of the Azores, as an area eligible for receiving the goat premium.

What criteria were used for excluding the Azores from goatmeat subsidies, when the rest of Portugal was included?

Given the Council's recent decision fixing the available milk quota for the Azores at the 1999/2000 marketing year levels, does the Commission not think that there is now a need to permit other alternatives for agriculture in the Azores?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2004)

On the eligibility of particular zones for the goat premium, Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2529/2001 states:

A producer keeping she-goats on his holding may qualify on application for a premium for maintaining she-goats (goat premium). This premium shall be granted to producers in specific areas where the production meets the following two criteria: — goat rearing is mainly directed towards the production of goatmeat; — goat and sheep rearing techniques are similar in nature. A list of such areas shall be established following the procedure referred to in Article 25(2).

The Azores can of course be included in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2550/2001 provided that the above requirements are met. We are not aware that they are met and Portugal's representatives on the relevant management committee have never asked for the Azores to be included.

The Honourable Member will note that if goat rearing is directed mainly to milk production the first requirement is not met. Moreover inclusion of zones in Annex I may be followed by retrospective verification on the spot of compliance with the criteria.

On the need for opening up more agricultural alternatives in the Azores, the Honourable Member should bear in mind that:

— as in other Union territories, farmers in the Azores are beneficiaries under the measures adopted for common organisation of the markets;

— the Azores benefit from both the Union's rural development programmes and the Poseima programmes. In both cases the national authorities and the Azorean regional authorities have an important role in determining what specific measures are to be given priority under the provisions in force and hence in the opening up of viable alternatives to Azorean farmers;

— both the Azores' milk quota and the Portuguese national ceiling for the suckler cow premium have recently been increased;

— national and regional aids can also be granted provided these are consonant with the single market rules and Community law.

(1) OJ L 341, 22.12.2001, p. 105.

(2) OJ L 341, 22.12.2001, p. 3.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/510

(2004/C 78 E/0530)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3286/03

by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: Harmonisation of European legislation in respect of boatmasters' certificates for recreational craft

Parliament and the Council recently amended Directive 94/25/EC (1) on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to recreational craft.

This directive is centred on the establishment of environmental and safety standards for the construction of such craft.

However, a further aspect that should not be overlooked is the need for Community harmonisation in the area of boatmasters' certificates for recreational craft.

In this connection, does the Council envisage the introduction of a European boatmaster's certificate? If so, what measures does it intend to take to ensure effective regulation in this area?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 2003)

Rules on boatmaster's certificates for recreational craft are not the subject of Community legislation and fall exclusively within the competence of the Member States. The only Community legislation on recreational craft is Directive 94/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 June 1994 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to recreational craft (2). This Directive ensures compliance with minimum standards, including safety standards, for the construction of such craft.

However, it should be noted that in 1998 the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe adopted Resolution (ECE) 40 on an international certificate for operators of pleasure craft. The Resolution sets up a harmonised system for obtaining, from the authorities in the country of which the applicant is a national or where he/she is resident, an international certificate on the basis of the national certificate. The international certificate allows the holder to sail on the inland and coastal waters of countries which have adopted the Resolution.

The Commission is examining the implementation of this international certificate and will take the required measures if need be. At this stage, the matter has not been included in the Commission's work programme.

(1) OJ L 164, 30.6.1994, p. 15.

(2) OJ L 17, 21.1.1997.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/46

(2004/C 88 E/0049)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1844/03

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(3 June 2003)

Subject: Treatment of gays, lesbians and transsexuals in Poland

It has been brought to my attention that the Polish Government is seeking derogation from certain EU ‘acquis’ in order that it can regulate on moral issues.

Is this an issue which has been raised, and what response has been given to them?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2003)

The Polish Government has sought and indeed succeeded to have a declaration on ‘public morality’ inserted in the Accession Treaty. This, however, does not imply that Poland was granted an exemption from its duties and obligations under the EC Treaties. On the contrary, the present Member States have issued a general joint declaration underlining that the declarations added to the Accession Treaty cannot be interpreted or applied in a way contrary to the obligations of the Member States arising from the Treaty and the Act of Accession. The Commission has fully subscribed to this declaration.

For this reason, the ‘acquis communautaire’ in this area, including the employment, equal treatment and anti-discrimination acquis, will have to be applied in full by Poland upon accession at the latest. More specifically, as regards the transposition of Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (1) and Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (2), the Commission has always insisted with the Polish authorities (as it has with all future Member States) that all the grounds for discrimination must be explicitly protected against, and that legislation must thus explicitly refer to race or ethnic origin, religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. In other words, it has been made clear to the Polish government that this declaration on ‘public morality’ cannot be interpreted as absolving the Polish government from any of its obligations under these Directives. During her recent visit to Poland the Commission's Director-General for Employment and Social Affairs also underlined that discrimination based on sexual orientation was not covered by the current draft legislation on access to employment, vocational guidance and training and that this had to be remedied in order to comply with the Directives.

(1) OJ L 180, 19.7.2000.

(2) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.