ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3682/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Solomon Islands

With regard to the Solomon Islands, can the Commission state which projects were financed from the EU budget in 2000?

Can it specify the total volume of aid over 2000 for all the headings relating to that country?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/02, E-3681/02, E-3682/02, E-3683/02, E-3684/02,E-3685/02, E-3686/02, E-3687/02, E-3688/02, E-3689/02, E-3690/02, E-3691/02,E-3692/02, E-3693/02, E-3694/02, E-3695/02, E-3696/02, E-3697/02, E-3698/02,E-3699/02, E-3700/02, E-3701/02, E-3702/02, E-3703/02, E-3704/02, E-3705/02,E-3706/02, E-3707/02, E-3708/02, E-3709/02, E-3710/02, E-3711/02, E-3712/02,E-3713/02, E-3714/02, E-3715/02, E-3716/02, E-3717/02, E-3718/02, E-3719/02,E-3720/02, E-3721/02, E-3722/02, E-3723/02, E-3724/02 and E-3725/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Honorary Member will find below a table giving the total amount of aid granted to the following countries:

>TABLE>

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a more detailed table, and the 2001 Annual Report on EC development policy and the implementation of external assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2796/02

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(30 September 2002)

Subject: East Timor assessing aid

The EU has for some years been granting East Timor aid, with a view to help consolidate self-determination and democracy and assist the new country in its reconstruction process.

The international community, and especially the EU, can only salute the progress East Timor has achieved since the Timorese, with international help, took full charge of their own destiny. The role of the EU has been and still is of capital importance.

What are the total EU aid figures for East Timor for 1999, 2000 and 2001? How does the Commission rate the impact of this aid? Does it deem policy with regard to the young country at European level a success?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

A table giving the total amounts of the aid to East Timor mobilised through the available Community instruments in 1999, 2000 and 2001 (both in terms of commitments and payments) is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. In total, more than EUR 110 million were committed and more than EUR 90 million disbursed over the period.

The Commission is of the opinion that the Community aid has contributed positively to meet the primary needs of the population since the breaking out of the crisis in 1999 and has helped the country either to restore structures and capacities that disappeared during the crisis or to create new ones. Insofar as it has helped East Timor reach Independence, the Community aid can be considered successful.

The actions financed to date have been mainly aimed at addressing the situation of crisis/post-crisis.

They can be classified in three main categories:

(a) emergency humanitarian aid;

(b) strengthening of democracy and civil society;

(c) rehabilitation and institution building.

After the initial direct and extensive involvement of the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), before, during and after the clashes, it is worth mentioning that the most recent Commission operations are taking place through Community contributions to the Trust Fund for East Timor managed by the World Bank, which will total EUR 56 million at the end of 2002. The Commission is taking the initiative of preparing, in agreement with other contributors and the World Bank, a complete evaluation exercise of this major investment, the results of which will be available in the course of 2003.

The proclamation of the independence of the country and the formation of a Government this year allowed the approval of a Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme for co-operation between the Community and East Timor. This will be the framework of a development-oriented approach for Community Aid in the coming years.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3697/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Togo

With regard to Togo, can the Commission supply a list of projects approved for funding from the EU budget in 2001, specifying the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/02, E-3681/02, E-3682/02, E-3683/02, E-3684/02,E-3685/02, E-3686/02, E-3687/02, E-3688/02, E-3689/02, E-3690/02, E-3691/02,E-3692/02, E-3693/02, E-3694/02, E-3695/02, E-3696/02, E-3697/02, E-3698/02,E-3699/02, E-3700/02, E-3701/02, E-3702/02, E-3703/02, E-3704/02, E-3705/02,E-3706/02, E-3707/02, E-3708/02, E-3709/02, E-3710/02, E-3711/02, E-3712/02,E-3713/02, E-3714/02, E-3715/02, E-3716/02, E-3717/02, E-3718/02, E-3719/02,E-3720/02, E-3721/02, E-3722/02, E-3723/02, E-3724/02 and E-3725/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Honorary Member will find below a table giving the total amount of aid granted to the following countries:

>TABLE>

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a more detailed table, and the 2001 Annual Report on EC development policy and the implementation of external assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3579/02

by Toine Manders (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: State aid for professional football clubs

Earlier this year the Commission received a letter from the Netherlands Ministry of the Interior suggesting that the proposed government support for professional football clubs should not be regarded as state aid. In its reply, the European Commission made it clear that professional football clubs are regarded as undertakings subject to the same rules governing state aid as any other business.

Recently it emerged that, following a formal complaint, the European Commission was opening an investigation into the alleged provision of support by the Netherlands municipality Alkmaar to the local professional football club, AZ Alkmaar. The European Commission's reply may also point to the opening of a broader investigation into state aid arrangements in the Netherlands as a whole. In my view, however, professional football clubs in other EU Member States also receive state aid.

1. Does the Commission agree that the provision of state aid to professional football clubs certainly takes place on a Europe-wide basis?

If the answer is no, can the Commission substantiate its standpoint?

If the answer if yes, what steps does the Commission plan to take to deal with such practices in the future?

2. In the light of the principle of equality before the law in Europe, is the Commission prepared to extend the investigation beyond the Netherlands to take in Europe as a whole, with a view to obtaining comprehensive information which can serve as the basis for properly thought-out policy decisions in this area?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2003)

The Commission has received a complaint alleging that the City of Alkmaar has granted aid to both a property development company and the football club AZ Alkmaar. The Commission has requested the Dutch authorities to provide information on the alleged measures but has not opened any formal investigation so far.

Given the complex issues raised in these cases, by reason of the aid types involved and the objectives pursued, it is not possible to take a general position on whether aid within the meaning of Article 87 of the EC Treaty has been granted nor whether the aid is compatible or not. This has to be assessed on a case by case basis.

As regards the scope of the investigation, it is necessary to specify that at this very moment no general inquiry on aid possibly granted in the Netherlands takes place. So, far the Commission has only made a preliminary assessment of the complaint. The Commission has no intentions to launch a general investigation throughout the whole of the Union.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3717/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Tonga

With reference to Tonga, will the Commission draw up a list of the projects approved for financing under the 2001 EU budget and state the total amount of investment for that year?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/02, E-3681/02, E-3682/02, E-3683/02, E-3684/02,E-3685/02, E-3686/02, E-3687/02, E-3688/02, E-3689/02, E-3690/02, E-3691/02,E-3692/02, E-3693/02, E-3694/02, E-3695/02, E-3696/02, E-3697/02, E-3698/02,E-3699/02, E-3700/02, E-3701/02, E-3702/02, E-3703/02, E-3704/02, E-3705/02,E-3706/02, E-3707/02, E-3708/02, E-3709/02, E-3710/02, E-3711/02, E-3712/02,E-3713/02, E-3714/02, E-3715/02, E-3716/02, E-3717/02, E-3718/02, E-3719/02,E-3720/02, E-3721/02, E-3722/02, E-3723/02, E-3724/02 and E-3725/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Honorary Member will find below a table giving the total amount of aid granted to the following countries:

>TABLE>

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a more detailed table, and the 2001 Annual Report on EC development policy and the implementation of external assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3905/02

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 January 2003)

Subject: Reconstruction of a constitutional state in DR Congo

Now that eight Congolese political parties have signed a political agreement on power-sharing in Pretoria, there is an opportunity for peace to be restored in DR Congo.

Given that the Congolese state is de facto non-existent in large tracts of the DRC, even in areas which were not under foreign occupation, and given that, in the occupied regions, the neighbouring states of Uganda and Rwanda are actually in total control, the international community must assume its responsibility. Given the conflict and the 3 million victims, the reconstruction of the country cannot be left to the good will of the local government, which does not have the resources, nor to one Member State or a few European Member States. A UN programme is required in order to fill the vacuum created by the withdrawal of the foreign troops, especially by MONUC, and in order to help with the reconstruction of the country, where EU aid is indispensable.

How will the EU help in the reconstruction of a constitutional state?

Answer given by Mr Poul Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 2003)

The Commission is aware of the overriding importance of re-establishing the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a basis for peace and development in the country and in the Great Lakes region.

A joint Belgian-UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) initiative is now being conducted to evaluate needs, define a common strategy and set up between the various donors a coordinated operation for strengthening Congolese public institutions and bases for reform.

The Commission is already helping to re-establish the rule of law through a justice support programme with a budget of EUR 28 million, now being implemented.

The Commission will also be contributing to capacity-building through its First Institutional Support Programme, approved in December 2002 with a budget of EUR 16 million.

This programme is intended to support the activities of a number of key ministries and the establishment of transitional institutions such as the National Electoral Commission and the National Human Rights Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2968/02

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(22 October 2002)

Subject: Open competition COM/A/6/01 Administrators (A7/A6) in the fields of external relations and management aid to non-member countries

Could the Commission answer the following points regarding the recruitment competition COM/A/6/01 and in particular specify:

- How many candidates were finally included in the reserve list?

- How many citizens from each Member State were finally included in the reserve list?

- How many candidates that have or have had a contract with the European Commission or any other EU Institution came to the interview (exam f)?

- How many candidates that have or have had a contract with the European Commission or any other EU Institution were finally included in the reserve list (Please specify for each Member State.)?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

Following the interim reply given by the Commission to the Honourable Member on 6 December 2002, answers to the last two points in his questions are:

- Field 01 (external relations):

- 122 candidates were called to the oral test exam (f). Of these, 16 had or have had contracts with the Commission,

- Their breakdown by Member State is as follows: Austria: 2, Italy: 1, Germany: 8, France: 1, Spain: 1, UK: 1, Ireland: 1, Belgium: 1,

- Of the 80 successful candidates, 12 had or have had contracts with the Commission,

- Their breakdown by Member State is as follows: Austria: 2, Italy: 1, Germany: 7, France: 1, Spain: 1;

- Field 02 (management of aid to non-member countries):

- 357 candidates were called to the oral test exam (f). Of these, 86 had or have had contracts with the Commission,

- Their breakdown by Member State is as follows: Italy: 16, France: 8, Belgium: 12, Germany: 7, Spain: 14, UK: 8, Finland: 4, Greece: 5, Netherlands: 5, Sweden: 1, Austria: 4, Ireland: 2,

- Of the 250 successful candidates, 59 had or have had contracts with the Commission,

- Their breakdown by Member State is as follows: Italy: 10, Greece: 3, Spain: 12, UK: 7, Austria: 4, Belgium: 6, France: 4, Ireland: 2, Netherlands: 4, Germany: 5, Sweden: 1, Finland: 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1956/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: KEDO

As a partner in the KEDO project, has the Commission requested any independent assessment of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimate that it will take three to four years to verify compliance with the requirements of the 1994 framework agreement?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2002)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an independent inter-governmental organisation in the United Nations system whose staff include many nuclear experts. It has the mission, under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to carry out independent inspections and other controls on nuclear materials in its Member States and has done so to the satisfaction of the international community. In view of the status and credentials of the IAEA the Commission does not see a need to request the independent assessment referred to in the question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2953/02

by Gabriele Stauner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 October 2002)

Subject: Volume of payments into and from the Commission's bank accounts

In its answer to my Written Question E-1851/02(1), the Commission listed the banks with which it holds accounts in order to make payments into and from the budget of the European Union.

However, the Commission refused to indicate the volume of payments relating to those banks in 2000 and 2001.

The Commission believes that such information should not be made public so as to protect business confidentiality and commercial relations and not to undermine the protection of the business interests of the undertakings involved.

Can the Commission indicate the extent to which such publication would harm the business interests of the undertakings involved?

Given the criticism being levelled at its accounting practices, would it not be in the Commission's best interests to publish these figures in order to prove that the monies being paid into and out of its accounts correspond to the figures entered in its revenue and expenditure account?

Why does not the Commission simply seek the agreement of the banks involved to the publication of the figures?

If it were absolutely essential to keep some of these figures confidential, why will the Commission not forward the confidential information to me directly, in accordance with Article 287 of the EC Treaty, as it did when answering my Written Question E-2235/02(2) (contracts awarded by the Commission's Legal Service)?

(1) OJ C 192 E, 14.8.2003, p. 24.

(2) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003, p. 57.

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2003)

The Commission has examined this matter and concluded that it is entitled to indicate the volume of payments carried out in the years 2000 and 2001 by the banks listed in the answer to part 1 of Written Question E-1851/02(1).

The Commission will send the information requested directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament.

(1) OJ C 192 E, 14.8.2003, p. 24.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3774/02

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Council

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Delay in implementing the diamond certification system

Is it true that the certificates required for the diamond trade have not yet been printed?

Has this anything to do with opposition to the Commission proposal from Belgium and the United Kingdom?

Is it correct that this will result in a delay in implementing the certification system?

Can the Council give an assurance that the system will come into force on 1 February 2003 if it looks as if it is unable to meet the deadline of 1 January 2003 announced earlier?

Reply

(13 May 2003)

The Council has been informed that the printing of the certificates provided for in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 of 20 December 2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds was finalised on 20 January 2003.

As regards the implementation of the system and in accordance with its forecasts, the Council would ask the Honourable Member to refer to Council Regulation (EC) No 254/2003 of 11 February 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds, as also to Commission Regulation (EC) No 257/2003 of 11 February 2003 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3770/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Conversion of the arms industry

Before the reform of the Structural Funds, the Konver programme was implemented. It made funding available to the arms industry, if the latter so wished, to enable arms manufacturers to switch to civil production. Such conversion measures for the arms industry now form part of the normal budget for the Structural Funds.

How much money has been spent on assisting conversion measures in the arms industry in the past 15 years? Can the Commission indicate, for each Member State, how these funds have been used?

In the specific case of Belgium, can it indicate which companies or authorities have taken advantage of this assistance?

Has overall assistance with the conversion of the arms industry been evaluated, and can the Commission accordingly state how many jobs have been transferred from the arms industry to the civil sector?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3631/02

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 December 2002)

Subject: Paying fines imposed by the ECJ

The French Government was reported to have been fined one hundred thousand pounds per day for refusing to import perfectly good British beef?

Whatever the total amount owing, will the Commission be pressing the French Government to pay up?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2003)

France adopted legislation lifting its ban on entry and marketing of United Kingdom beef complying with the Date Based Export Scheme before the proceedings opened by the Commission before the Court of Justice under Article 228 of the EC Treaty reached the judgment stage.

As the Commission, after examining the French Legislation and considering certain aspects of its practical implementations, took the view that France had complied with its Community Law obligations, the case before the Court was withdrawn. The Commission nevertheless maintained a claim for legal costs.

On 5 December 2002, the President of the Court ordered case C-274/02 to be removed from the Court Register. In compliance with the Commission's request, France was ordered to pay the legal costs.

The Honourable Member is also referred to the Commission's answer to Written Question E-2871/02(1) in this connection.

(1) See page 25.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3282/02

by Wilhelm Piecyk (PSE) to the Council

(19 November 2002)

Subject: Fund for compensation for pollution caused by oil or hazardous and noxious substances in European waters

On 12 December 1999 the oil tanker ERIKA sank off the French coast, the oil spillage polluting large areas of Brittany.

In response, the Commission submitted at the end of December 2000, as part of the ERIKA II package, a proposal for a Parliament-Council regulation establishing a fund for compensation of oil pollution damage in European waters(1).

On 14 June 2001, Parliament held its first-reading vote on the report submitted by Mr Esclopé(2).

1. Has the Council already examined the Commission proposal and, if so, at what level?

2. When does the Council intend to adopt a common position on this?

3. What difficulties are there within the Council as regards adopting a common position?

(1) COM(2000) 802 OJ C 120 E, 24.4.2001, p. 79.

(2) OJ C 53 E, 28.2.2002, p. 317.

Joint answerto Written Questions E-3282/02, E-3403/02 and E-3438/02

(13 May 2003)

The Council would remind the Honourable Members that it has already taken the opportunity of the plenary part-session in Strasbourg in December 2002 and Question Time in January 2003 to give a full account of its position and intentions regarding the transport of dangerous products by sea.

The Council would therefore refer them to the conclusions adopted at its meetings on 6 and 9 December 2002 and to the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council on 12/13 December 2002.

Since then the Council has begun examining a Commission proposal for a Regulation which would bring forward the dates for phasing out single-hull oil tankers and prohibit the transport of heavy grades of oil in single-hull tankers bound for or leaving European Union ports.

The Council would mention, in addition, that the European Council welcomed the action undertaken by the Commission to confront the economic, social and environmental consequences of the wreck of the Prestige, in the framework of the present financial perspectives, and its intention to examine the need for further specific measures. Amongst these measures it stated that questions relating to liability and the corresponding sanctions would also be examined. On the basis of a report by the Commission, the European Council undertook to address these issues at its forthcoming March meeting.