ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0922/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Re-opening of the Khalkis Theological College

The re-opening of the Khalkis Theological College is a matter which has been raised in the Commission and Parliament from time to time. Recently, the US Congress Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe also called directly on the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Yilmaz, to re-open the College.

Does the Commission think that the time has finally come for it also to take steps in this direction as part of its general strategy towards Turkey?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission has been informed of the question of the reopening of the Chalkis Theological College raised by the Honourable Member.

The reopening of the College was also raised by the US Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Shattuck, in the course of a visit to Turkey. What is more, the Director of Religious Affairs at the Ministry of the Interior has told the Commission Representation in Ankara that his department is preparing a change in the law relating to the position of religious colleges.

The Commission will continue to keep a careful watch on this matter.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0209/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (11 February 1998)

Subject: Problems facing citrus fruit producers

Greek producers of citrus fruits are facing an increasing serious situation problems this year, both because of a massive increase in worldwide overproduction of oranges and owing to GATT commitments.

Bearing in mind that the Community decisions of July 1996 in effect abolish withdrawal, reduce prices and cut production of fruit juice, and given the particular problems facing remote regions of the European Union, such as Crete, will the Commission say what measures it intends to take to ensure the survival of citrus fruit producers?

In particular:

1. Does it intend to revise the preferential agreements between the EU and third countries (Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean) countries?

2. Does it intend to amend the existing Community arrangements regarding fruit and vegetables?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (11 March 1998)

The Honourable Member's description of the new common organisation of the market (COM) is not in keeping with the actual situation.

1. Citrus fruit imports from third countries - which, it is worth noting, are down on the preceding marketing year - are not responsible for the problems experienced by citrus growers in Greece. Theirs are structural problems such as poor diversification, a weak marketing structure and a processing industry that is ill-suited to producing competitive products.

The Commission does not, therefore, intend to alter the policy in this sector as regards preferential agreements between the Community and third countries.

2. The new market organisation provides for suitable machinery for overcoming these structural problems, e.g. encouraging producers' organisations that market their produce, creating operational funds and drawing up operational programmes.

It is accordingly not the Commission's intention to embark on a reform of the present arrangements governing fruit and vegetables.
9. 10. 98 EN C 310/61 Official Journal of the European Communities
Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission
(5 May 1998)
The Commission would like to state at the outset that it formulated its report on late payments in commercial
transactions (1) after having proceeded to a wide consultation exercise during which 80% of those expressing an
opinion were in favour of Community legislation on late payments. This included an open hearing at whichrepresentatives of various professions including the legal profession gave their opinion. While the Commissionhas cited statistical material from various studies, no external organisation has played a part in thedecision-making procedure.
The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that the quality and competence of the legal profession is
not in question. It merely wants to ensure that creditors to whom payment is overdue have access to rapid,efficient and inexpensive redress procedures enabling them to obtain payment and compensation for damages.
The Commission has decided not to address the question of competition between lawyers and debt collection
agencies in its proposal for a directive on late payment (
2).
(1) OJ C 216, 17.7.1997.
(2) COM(1998) 126 final.
(98/C 310/78) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0421/98
by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission
(24 February 1998)
Subject: The Millenium Bug
Will the Commission publish a regular report on the progress of EU governments and industry towards
millenium bug compliance, together with the costs involved?
Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission
(1 April 1998)
The Commission has adopted a communication on the year 2000 computer problem (1), which outlines roles for
enterprises, associations and Member States and indicates the scope for Community action on this matter.Among the activities proposed is the publication of periodic reports on progress as well as on the efforts made inMember States. An essential basis for such reports will be the discussions in all relevant Councils on the progressmade within the Community towards year 2000 readiness together with the regular exchange of information onthis matter among year 2000 initiatives undertaken by Member States and European associations.
On the matter of costs, it will be recalled that estimates have been made and widely published. These are also
reported in the communication. Since it is generally agreed that detailed monitoring of costs is impractical, it isnot envisaged that this aspect will be covered, but estimates may be revised from time to time.
(1) COM(98) 102.
(98/C 310/79) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0423/98
by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission
(24 February 1998)
Subject: The Millenium Bug
What work has been done to ensure that the European Central Bank will be millenium bug compliant?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0649/98 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Tax on beverages

The Austrian Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgerichshof) has found that the tax levied in Austria on all alcoholic beverages and beverages mixed with alcohol (Getraenkesteuer) might be incompatible with European law.

1. How many and which particular Member States levy similar excise duties?

2. Is this an infringement of the EU directive on excise duties?

3. Do beverage taxes constitute prohibited turnover taxes?

4. Does the levying of the tax on beverages amount to giving illegal preferential treatment to 'farmgate' sales, which are not subject to this tax?

5. If a breach of the Treaty were to have occurred and the Commission were to bring Treaty infringement proceedings against Austria, when would that decision probably be delivered?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (27 April 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0763/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Abolition of duty-free sales

Duty-free sales will be abolished in the EU in 1999. According to the Transport Union Federation, the main consequence of this will be the loss of 140 000 jobs, while the turnover of many small businesses and demand in the internal tourist industry will also be affected.

1. Has the Commission carried out a quantitative study into the implications of abolishing duty-free sales and

2. how does it intend to respond to the loss of such a large number of jobs?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1998)

On the question of an impact study, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to previous answers given to both written and oral questions, most recently the answer given to written question E-272/98 from Mrs D. Darras ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 67. )).

The Commission is not prepared to consider a prorogation of intra-Community duty-free sales as this regime generates hidden, adverse side effects on other means of transport which cannot offer duty-free sales and on retailers whose sales are taxed. It is however willing to consider what transparent, clear instruments might be put in place to offset certain specific, adverse consequences in terms of employment, should they materialise.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0670/98 by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Which does the Commission consider the highest education qualification in Germany: the 'Fachhochschuldiplom', or the 'Hochschuldiplom' (university-level degree)?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0639/98 by Jorge Hernandez Mollar (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Why does the Commission assert that holders of the 'Ingeniero Técnico' qualification are not eligible to study for doctorates, when some Member States allow them to do so?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1605/98 by Francisco Lucas Pires (PPE) to the Commission (25 May 1998)

Subject: Rate of implementation of the various Community Support Frameworks

What, according to the Commission's latest assessment, is the rate of implementation of the Community Support Frameworks by the various countries for which Community funding is organised in this way?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 june 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0814/98 by Shaun Spiers (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Use of porous asphalt in road-building

Does the Commission have any data on the use of porous asphalt as a road surface - particularly for motorways and trunk roads - across the EU? Has it carried out any research into the efficacy of porous asphalt in reducing noise pollution and increasing road safety (by better drainage)?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1998)

The Commission has no information regarding the use across the Community of porous asphalt as a road surface material.

There is some research work which relates indirectly to the subject raised by the Honourable Member:

COST Action 324 concerns the development of methods to measure road pavement performance. The final report, now available ((EUR 17546, No ISBN 92-828-0308-2, 1997. )), describes the work carried out to integrate national studies on long term pavement performance for use at European level. COST 324 was succeeded by the still ongoing fourth framework programme project PARIS (performance analysis of road infrastructure).

COST action 333 looks at the development of new bituminous pavement design methods, and is planned to be finalised by February 1999.

Research within the Brite/Euram 1 programme, finalised in 1993, compared various types of road surfaces, including porous asphalt, with concrete roads, in accordance with environmental acceptance and traffic safety.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1180/98 by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission (6 April 1998)

Subject: The international football matches between Germany and Nigeria on 22 April 1998 and between the Netherlands and Nigeria on 5 June 1998

1. Can the European Commission confirm or deny that the Netherlands Foreign Minister, Mr Hans van Mierlo, has objected publicly to a football match scheduled to be played between the Netherlands and Nigeria in June, on the grounds that this match would breach the European Union's sports boycott, and that the Netherlands Minister for Development Aid, Mr Jan Pronk, said it would be 'disgraceful if a sanction of this nature were violated'?

2. What is the European Commission's assessment of the Netherlands Foreign Minister's view that the scheduled football match between the Netherlands and Nigeria would breach the EU's sports boycott, given that Germany is due to play Nigeria in Cologne on 22 April 1998?

3. Can the European Commission confirm or deny a report dated 27 March 1998 from the AFP press agency that the US President, Bill Clinton, said in Cape Town on 27 March 1998 that he would accept the nomination of the Nigerian military dictator, Sami Abacha, for the presidential elections scheduled for August, provided that Abacha stood as a 'civilian' candidate?

4. What is the European Commission's assessment of the US President's statement, and would it accept the nomination of the Nigerian military dictator, Sami Abacha, for the presidential elections scheduled for August, provided that Abacha stood as a 'civilian' candidate?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (20 May 1998)

The Commission is not in a position to comment on the views of ministers van Mierlo and Pronk concerning the position of the Dutch authorities on a football match between Nigeria and Netherlands, nor their implications for any football match between Nigeria and Germany.

The Commission has always taken the position that a ban on official sporting links with Nigeria, agreed by Community ministers in November 1995, constitutes one of the strongest elements of the Community common position on Nigeria, and has been reluctant to see a dilution in this measure without any discernible improvement in the human rights position in Nigeria nor a credible, free and fair transition to democracy.

As regards the possible presidential candidature of General Abacha, the Commission is of the opinion that there already exists an elected President of Nigeria, who was placed in jail by the Nigerian authorities on grounds of treason almost four years ago. The Commission is currently examining various criteria for judging the credibility of the present three year democratic transition process announced by General Abacha on 1st October 1995. The freedom of individuals to stand for the presidency is one such criterion. Ultimately of course, it will be for the Nigerian people to decide the appropriateness of one or other candidate.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0457/98 by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission (27 February 1998)

Subject: Community funding of hydraulic projects in Spain

In reply to my Written Question P-4150/97 ((OJ C 187, 16.6.1998, p. 131.)) on the above subject, Mrs Wulf-Mathies sent me the Montgomery Watson report, which contains almost 200 pages plus annexes but which in my opinion provides an inadequate answer to my question, since there are a number of points which are not covered.

While thanking the Commissioner for her kindness, I should therefore like to put the following specific questions:

1. Were funding conditions identical to those applying to the Alqueva project laid down for any of the programmes or projects covered by my question?

2. If not, what are the reasons for this differentiation?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1998)

1. No project in Spain funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is similar or comparable to the Alqueva project in size or nature. The same is true of projects funded by the Cohesion Fund.

2. The conditions applied to the part-funding of the Alqueva project were due to its particular size (a Community contribution of over ECU 300 million). This scale raised specific problems in terms of the environment, the water supply and economic development, and made coordinating its monitoring difficult.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/98 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Sewage treatment plant: San Juan De Los Terreros (Pulpi)

My constituent, Mr Howard, owns a villa in San Juan De Los Terreros, Pulpi, Almeria in Spain. The sewage treatment plant is some 400 metres away from his property, and is the source of extremely foul smells, which my constituent and all other occupants of his 'urbanisation' find unacceptable. All reasonable attempts to resolve this problem locally have been thwarted. Whilst the smells are not a health risk, would the Commission investigate why the suggestion of a covered operation at the plant will not be considered? Such an undertaking would at least alleviate the obnoxious smells that emanate from this plant.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1998)

Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment ((OJ L 135, 30.5.1991. )) places an obligation on the Member States to ensure that all urban areas with a 'population equivalent' (a measurement unit corresponding to the organic load produced per person per day) of over 2 000 are equipped with systems for collecting and treating urban waste water.

In the case of San Juan de los Terreros, Pulpi, Almeria (Spain) which, according to the information received from the local authorities, has a population equivalent of slightly under 15 000, with large seasonal variations, the time limit for installing these systems is 31 December 2005.

According to the information supplied to the Commission, a secondary (i.e. biological) sewage treatment plant was set up in this town, as required by the Directive, in 1995.

In accordance with Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )), an environmental impact assessment was conducted on this treatment plant at the planning stage in 1992. In this context, it must be remembered that, under the same Directive, it was up to the Member State to decide whether the environmental impact of the project would be significant enough to require such an assessment. In this case it decided that it would be.

As regards the smells from the sewage treatment plant, the local authorities have established a series of peat beds to treat these emissions and plan to add more to provide further alleviation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0835/98 by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Recognition of the Spanish qualification 'ingeniero técnico' (technical engineer) for the purposes of Commission competitions

The differences in the national education systems lead to cases of discrimination between nationals of the Member States as regards eligibility for A/LA category posts in the European civil service, a problem which affects Spanish technical engineers in particular. Will the Commission propose that an objective system be set up for the recognition of minimum qualifications, since otherwise Spanish technical engineers will suffer discrimination compared to their counterparts in other Member States, because although their qualifications are of the same standard they have a different title?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1998)

The organisation of education and teaching policy are not among the areas of activity of the Community institutions under the EC Treaty. It is not, therefore, for the Commission, as the Honourable Member wishes, to establish an objective system for the recognition of qualifications. As the Commission has already stated, when deciding whether a specific qualification gives access to the public service, it must base its decision on each Member State's own legislation.

Moreover, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answers already given to questions on the same topic (E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )), E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998 )), E-0635/98 to E-0645/98 by Mr Hernández Mollar, E-0669/98 to 0679/98 by Mr Gutiérrez Diaz and E-0724/98 to 0828/98 by Mr Méndez de Vigo ((See page 11. )).