ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0738/99

by Alessandro Danesin (PPE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Negotiations on Slovenia's accession to the European Union

Thanks to the genuine progress made by the country's institutions, with the political stability and economic reliability they have achieved, Slovenia is one of the six countries in the first (priority) group with which the European Union began negotiations for accession as early as March 1998 (even though the Europe Agreement only entered into force on 1 February).

However, the question of how to return properties belonging to the Italian minority that has always been in its territory has still not been resolved (confiscation of property still occurs, although to a lesser extent, and was part of an arrogant policy of expropriation under the preceding Yugoslav regime).

Despite the agreements between the Italian and Slovenian Governments, this situation continues to represent a clear case of discrimination against the rights of the Italian minority and, in the light of the European Union's new relationship with Slovenia, it seems even more unjustified now that accession negotiations are under way.

The accession criteria laid down at the Copenhagen European Council in 1993, which applicant countries are required to meet prior to accession, include only one political criterion, namely full respect for minority rights, including the return of property confiscated in the past.

The Commission:

1. Is it aware of this outstanding issue?

2. Has it already considered the matter during its talks with the Slovenian authorities (the first Association Council meeting is due to be held very soon)?

3. Does it believe that progress in the negotiations should be made conditional on a solution to this question?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The Commission is aware that the process of denationalisation in Slovenia is proceeding very slowly. The Commission is not aware of any discrimination of the Italian minority in Slovenia regarding the process of denationalisation. The current law on denationalisation does not foresee any discrimination of this kind. According to the law, members of the Italian minority enjoy equal rights when they apply for Slovene citizenship.

The general issue of the denationalisation process was recently discussed with the Slovene government at the meeting of the association committee Community/Slovenia held in Ljubljana on 25 March 1999. The government provided updated information on the status of this process.

In view of the above considerations, there is no need to alter the course of the accession negotiations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/99

by Ian Hudghton (V) to the Commission

(20 April 1999)

Subject: Transportation of live animals

What steps has the Commission taken to promote harmonisation of maximum journey times for live animal transport between Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The maximum journey times for live animal transport between Member States have been harmonized by the adoption of Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport(1).

This Directive laid down in Chapter VII, point 2 that journey times for animals belonging to the bovine, equine, caprine, ovine and porcine species shall not exceed eight hours, unless the road vehicles meet some special conditions. In these circumstances, it is laid down in Chapter VII, point 4 of the above mentioned Directive how long animals of these species may be transported by a road vehicle, before the animals need to be unloaded on staging points or at the final destination.

The Commission is therefore not of the opinion that there is a need to promote further harmonization of maximum journey times for live animal transports between Member States.

(1) OJ L 148, 30.6.1995.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0508/99

by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission

(8 March 1999)

Subject: EU resources for the Natolin Europe College

1. What are the EU's total payments for the Natolin Europe College?

2. How much is this per student?

3. Is there an EU educational establishment that is more heavily subsidized by the Commission?

4. Has this institute ever produced a scientific publication?

5. How much EU assistance has been provided per publication?

6. What proportion of the teaching staff, non-teaching staff and Polish students come, like the head of the institute, Mr Sariusz-Woski, from Lodz?

7. Could the Commission imagine other postgraduate institutes in the EU that have a better scientific reputation and are not staffed almost entirely with friends of their directors possibly being more deserving of assistance?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 1999)

The College of Europe's campus at Natolin in Poland has been co-financed, on the basis of the provisions of article 76 of the Europe agreement, regarding the promotion of teaching in the field of European studies. The development of the College of Europe at Natolin responds to the comments and recommendations of the Parliament and of the Community-Poland joint parliamentary committee. The College of Europe provides a unique 50 year tradition of educating graduates according to a singularly European programme of academic studies and formation by practitioners of European affairs and this is reflected in its output. The College of Europe's Natolin campus is providing know-how to a new generation of European graduates and in particular to those of Central and Eastern Europe with a view to strengthening the transfer of urgently needed expertise in preparation for the requirements of enlargement. In accordance with the comments of the Parliament, the Phare programme has provided 400 000 euro per annum since its foundation, followed by a 3 million euro programme in 1997 for the development of a three year programme at Natolin. The development of the Natolin programme aims to ensure degressive Community co-financing, and progressive reductions in per capita costs in the duration of the development plan in line with the economies of scale achieved at Bruges. The origin of students at Natolin reflects the diversity of its European vocation with 60 % of students from Western Europe, 28 % from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the New independent states (NIS), and a further 12 % of students from Poland. The College of Europe's selection and recruitment procedures are uniformly applied and Phare funded programmes are implemented in accordance with the requirements of the Phare regulation.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 871/99 by James NICHOLSON URBAN initiative - Northern Ireland



Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0133



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0871/99 by James Nicholson (PPE) to the Commission (8 April 1999) Subject: URBAN initiative - Northern Ireland How much funding has been granted in Northern Ireland under the URBAN initiative in the current programming period?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0175/99

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Combating the use of drugs in sport

The existing national measures aimed at combating the practice of drug use in sport are no longer sufficient to effectively combat what has become an alarming phenomenon which goes beyond the frontiers of individual states.

The source of greatest concern is the fact that the use of drugs is now not confined merely to professional sport but also occurs in sporting activities in which amateurs take part during their free time.

What does the Commission think about issuing, as a matter of urgency, a directive aimed at harmonising the existing national measures in order to:

1. define minimum criteria to be applied during tests;

2. harmonise laboratory techniques through the establishment of a European testing agency;

3. include in the definition of narcotic drugs not merely those that are harmful to health but also those that, although apparently innocuous, may alter an athlete's performance;

4. introduce a system of sanctions applicable throughout the territory of the EU in the event of drug use being uncovered?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 1999)

The Commission shares the views of the Honourable Member on the international dimension to the use of drugs in professional sport as well as its repercussions on amateur sport.

The Commission has noted the Vienna European Council's call to combat drug use, Parliament's resolution of 17 December 1998 on the same topic and the declaration issued by the Council Presidency following the informal meeting of the Ministers for Sport which was held in Bonn on 18 January 1999. The Commission also took part in the World Conference on doping organised by the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne.

In view of the various stances taken, the Commission has set up a working party with the Member States and with the Council of Europe as an observer, in order to study possible Community action on such issues as those raised by the Honourable Member.

The Commission will present a report on the results of the working party's deliberations at an informal meeting of the Ministers for Sport to be held in Paderborn from 31 May to 2 June 1999. The report will also be transmitted to Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0742/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Redundancies at the Milani Fabriano paper mills

The recently revealed plans designed to improve the efficiency and organisation of "Cartiere Milani Fabriano SpA", of which 98,2 % belongs to the Italian State Printing Works and therefore the Ministry of Finance, include the aim of making redundant 430 of the 950 workers, while at the same time continuing to make new investments, launch new industrial initiatives and to make use of outsourcing.

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. whether it believes that the business policy approved by the State Printing Works, and therefore the Ministry of Finance, should include the protection of jobs as one of its main objectives;

2. whether it considers it appropriate to monitor these current developments, given the sensitive nature of the sector, which produces watermarked paper for banknotes and other securities, and which may produce the paper for the euro;

3. whether the inevitable weakening of the company caused by the above plan and its expected privatisation could result in its being placed on the market at a much lower price than its true value, thereby distorting free competition and the market;

4. what measures it could take to protect the prestigious brand-name of the company in question;

5. what its general views are on the matter?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1999)

The Commission by decision of 28 October 1998, decided to open an Article 93(2) procedure, with respect to possible aid granted by Italy to Poligrafico and its controlled companies. The Italian government submitted observations on 1 February 1999. The Commission found those observations incomplete and requested additional information in order to assess the case. At present, the Commission has not received any restructuring plan for the Poligrafico group, nor for Cartiere Miliani which it controls.

The Commission is not competent to evaluate the decisions of industrial policy adopted by national governments aimed at restructuring their undertakings. However, should the Commission establish, on the basis of the information received, the presence of state aid in the sense of Article 92 of the EC Treaty in favour of Poligrafico or Cartiere Miliani, it will assess it under Article 92, paragraph 2 and 3, of the Treaty.

Should the Italian government decide to privatise public undertakings, such as Cartiere Miliani, the Commission will follow the matter, in order to ensure that the procedures adopted will guarantee transparency and the absence of state aid to both the privatised company and the possible buyers.

In any event, if there are collective redundancies falling under Council Directive 98/59/EC of 20 July 1998 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to collective redundancies(1) the national implementing measures will be applicable to them.

(1) OJ L 225, 12.8.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0546/99

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Discrimination in aid provision in Gibraltar

Does the Commission believe that the tax arrangements applicable in Gibraltar to certain categories of undertaking, especially those providing financial services, constitute State aid as prohibited by Article 42 of the EC Treaty, insofar as they grant preferential tax benefits not covered by the common arrangements, thereby distorting competition and disrupting trade in services and capital? Has the United Kingdom notified the Commission of these arrangements for State aid? What steps does the Commission intend to take to rectify this situation?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 1999)

The Commission adopted on 11 November 1998(1) a notice on the application of state aid rules in the field of direct business taxation. The notice forms part of the wider objective of the Commission of clarifying and reinforcing the application of the state aid rules in the field of direct business taxation in order to reduce distortions of competition in the single market. The Commission's notice ensures that the rules and the objectives of the EC Treaty are applied consistently and equally.

As indicated in the notice, the Commission is going to examine or re-examine all the existing tax arrangements in the Member States. The tax schemes that relate to intra-group services, financial services, insurance companies or offshore companies are the first to be examined under Article 92-93 of the EC Treaty. The tax schemes applicable in Gibraltar will be part of this investigation. Like most of the 35 tax schemes under investigation, the Gibraltar tax schemes have not been notified. The examination will determine whether the measures concerned constitute state aid under Article 92(1) and if so, whether or not they can be considered compatible under one of the derogations of Article 92(3).

(1) SEC(98) 1800 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0987/99

by Luigi Colajanni (PSE) , Roberto Speciale (PSE) and Andrea Manzella (PSE) to the Commission

(15 April 1999)

Subject: The assassination of the Vice-President of Paraguay

In view of the assassination of the Vice-President of Paraguay, Luis Argana, by a commando of four men on the morning of 23 March 1999, can the Commission say what steps the European Union will take to ensure that the democratic process in Paraguay is not halted and that constitutional order is reestablished with adequate guarantees?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

Following the assassination of the Paraguayan Vice-President, Mr Luis Argaña, the country's president-elect, Mr Raúl Cubas, resigned. In such circumstances, Paraguay's constitution provides for the speaker of the national congress to take over the presidency.

Mr Luis Angel González Macchi duly took office and immediately appointed a government of national unity from among Paraguay's democratic parties.

This is the first government in Paraguay's history not to be drawn exclusively from the Colorado party. It includes representatives of the Liberal and centre-left Encuentro Nacional parties. This has inspired considerable hope in Paraguay's young democracy, a hope that the Commission is willing to help sustain, with due regard for the country's sovereignty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0691/99

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Licensing requirement for Wassenaar exports

In the reply to my written question (P-0024/99)(1), Commissioner Leon Brittan states that on 2-3 December 1998 the parties to the Wassenaar Agreement decided to relax controls on encryption products. However, if such products exceed 64 bits, they require an export licence. This means that the EU Member States are consenting to restrictions on trade in encryption products imposed by the USA, allowing them to be applied even to civil products in a manner which is to the advantage of US enterprises and espionage services.

How can the Commission use Article XXI of the GATT Agreement to justify the fact that these products are subject to export licences and the requirement that transactions be notified, given that the products concerned have no military applications?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

Agreement in the Wassennaar arrangement on the control of encryption products with a key length of more than 64 bits was reached by consensus of all participating states, including the 15 Member States.

Controls on encryption aim to avoid unwanted military or terrorist use of such products. A licensing obligation does not signify a ban on export but rather a control by the competent authorities with a view to ascertaining that the end-use is for legitimate purposes.

(1) OJ C 289, 11.10.1999, p. 135.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0026/99

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 January 1999)

Subject: Biodiversity

In view of the Commission's response, E-0649/97(1) on the subject of integrating the environment into other EU policies, and in view of the impact of the common agricultural policy on biodiversity in the European Union, will the Commission confirm that all proposals in the Commission's work programme connected with the CAP have green stars, so that an environmental assessment will be required?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

In preparing the Agenda 2000 proposals related to the common agricultural policy (CAP)(2), the Commission ensured that the environmental dimension was satisfactorily integrated and this was indicated in the explanatory memorandum of these proposals.

No new proposals connected with the CAP are foreseen this year which could have a major impact on biodiversity in the Community. Consequently, for 1999 only the proposal for the reform of the market organisation for cotton has been marked with a "green star".

The environmental appraisal required by the so-called green stars exercise refers to a basic process of identifying potentially significant impacts. Where appropriate, a more thorough environmental assessment will be undertaken.

The communication of the Commission to the Council and to the Parliament on a Community biodiversity strategy, adopted on 4 February 1998(3), announced the preparation of action plans by the Commission for the policy areas concerned, including agriculture. The completion of such action plans is due for February 2000.

(1) OJ C 367, 4.12.1997, p. 33.

(2) COM(98) 158 final.

(3) COM(98) 42 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0469/99

by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Subject: Marche regional law discriminating against Freemasons

Article 5(e) of Regional Law No 341/1996 adopted by the Marche Regional Council, on the rules governing nominations and appointments coming within the Regional Council's sphere of competence, stipulates that all applications must be accompanied by a report including a declaration to the effect that the applicant does not belong to a masonic lodge.

Italian law does not consider Freemasons to belong to a secret association and places no bars on membership.

The aforementioned Article 5 is in clear violation of the right to privacy and discriminates between Freemasons and members of other associations by obliging the former, and not the latter, to declare their membership.

Does the Commission intend to take action to put an end to the flagrant discrimination inherent in the above law, which also violates the right to privacy and the right of association enshrined in national law and in the fundamental principles of the European Treaties?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 1999)

The matter to which reference is made does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0649/99

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(16 March 1999)

Subject: Uncontrolled increase in EU immigration

The EU is currently bearing the brunt of a huge wave of immigration; some countries, however, because of their geographical position, are less able than others to control the flow of immigrants. Since several countries, such as Italy, have immigration laws that are incapable of even partially responding to the real needs of both EU and non-EU citizens, and until such time as political union can be achieved, could the Council not lay down rules to ensure that migratory flows are subject to the same controls in all Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The Commission agrees with the assessment that the control of migratory flows at Union level will be one of the main objectives to be met in connection with the implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty.

Specifically, under Article 62(1) and (2) of the EC Treaty (ex Article 73j), the Council is to adopt measures on the crossing of the Member States' external borders, including in particular standards and procedures to be followed by Member States when carrying out checks at external borders and rules on short-term visas.

Likewise, under Article 63(3)(a) and (b) of the EC Treaty (ex Article 73k), the Council is to adopt measures on immigration policy in the areas of conditions of entry and residence, illegal immigration and illegal residence.

Moreover, the implementation of the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union will provide the Union with a series of instruments developed previously in the context of intergovernmental cooperation.

Accordingly, it would seem that the legal framework which exists following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty will effectively allow legally binding standards for immigration and border controls to be adopted at Union level.