ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2327/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Subsidies to meet the cost of transporting fresh agricultural products for export from Greece

Exports of Greek fruit and vegetables to European markets are encountering major problems as a result of high transport costs (large distances, increase in costs charged by the owners of freezer vehicles during peak export periods). These problems have been aggravated by the war in Yugoslavia and the destruction of its road infrastructures, forcing exporters to use alternative routes which are both costly and time-consuming.

According to the Greek Ministry of Transport the director-general of DG VI, Mr Lagras, is reported as saying at a meeting with the Greek Undersecretary for Agriculture, Mr Vrettos, on 6 July 1999, that he recognised the need to resolve this problem and requested further information from the Greek Government with a view to taking the necessary measures.

Will the Commission take action to resolve the problem of increased transport costs which have to be met by Greek exporters of fruit and vegetables? Have the Greek authorities provided the necessary information for the adoption of suitable measures?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1999)

The Commission confirms that Greece has supplied all the technical information required to examine the problems facing Greek exporters.

In view of the difficult budget situation prevailing in 2000, the Commission cannot propose to the Council that further measures of the type in force from 1991 until 1996, following the war in Yugoslavia, be taken to assist the transport sector.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2038/99

by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 November 1999)

Subject: Work on the high-speed train (AVE) line in Calatayud

Recently the construction of a tunnel as part of work on the high-speed train line at Calatayud punctured the Marivella aquifer, causing the water level to fall.

As a result, a large number of residents who were supplied by wells were left without drinking water. The town council was forced to use tankers to deliver drinking water.

To date, the company in charge of the works has not repaired the damage caused to the aquifer and the problem remains unresolved.

Given that work on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona high-speed train line is being financed by the European Union through the Cohesion Fund, and that the underground aquifers represent an important source of income for the Calatayud region as a source of mineral water for bottling and for thermal spas for medicinal and recreational purposes, would the Commission answer the following questions:

Is the Commission aware of this problem? Has the Commission tried to obtain further details on the matter? If not, will it take steps to do so in order to avoid any repetition of such incidents, which have serious consequences for the local economy?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1999)

The Commission has not been officially informed of the problems caused by construction work for the high-speed train (HST) line to which the Honourable Member refers. However, the information provided by the Spanish authorities during the ex-ante evaluation of the project suggested that any difficulties in the Miravella area should have no impact on the aquifers used by spas or on mineral water bottling plants, most of which are located in Jaraba and Alhama de Aragón, at some distance from the Miravella area. The Commission has, however, asked the Spanish authorities to provide further information on the situation.

As regards the aquifers near to Calatayud, the environmental impact statement for the preliminary draft of the Calatayud-Ricla section identified a series of measures to minimise the impact of work to construct the HST line including not locating heavy machinery in those areas, no tipping of materials or waste of any type, considering ways of not significantly affecting the aquifers during the excavations required to lay the rail-beds and planning and designing work to ensure that rainwater was not diverted from the area from which the aquifers were restocked. The Spanish authorities undertook to take account of these recommendations throughout the implementation phase of the projet.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2358/99

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Care provision and supervision in psychiatric hospitals

At the Santa Maria della Pietà psychiatric hospital in Rome, two in-patients have recently suffered serious injury (leading, in the case of one of them, to permanent disablement) following a fight which broke out in the absence of adequate supervision by specialist hospital staff.

In December 1998 the judge in charge of the investigation rejected the complaint lodged by the families of the injured patients against the authorities responsible for safety and supervision on the wards of the hospital in question and called for the case to be dismissed.

In the light of the above fact:

- does the Commission not think that the lack of care (to which the serious physical consequences of the fight must inevitably be attributed) constitutes a violation of the patient's dignity and of his inalienable rights as an individual and also indicates a lack of attention to the most basic needs of sick people who (especially since they are patients on wards specialising in criminal psychiatry) are in need of greater care and supervision?

- do the circumstances described above not indicate that the families of the patients concerned should consider applying to the Court of Justice of the European Union in order to have the matter investigated further?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2000)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the national authorities concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2474/99

by Manuel Pérez Álvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Safety standards in old people's homes

Disturbing news reports appear daily of deaths of senior citizens, operational difficulties and other problems in old people's homes.

Can the Commission state whether there is any Community regulation harmonising the minimum safety standards for old people's homes in the Member States, or whether it intends to propose any such measure?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2000)

Minimum standards, and systems for monitoring and enforcing adherence to them, are found at appropriate national and regional levels in most Member States. There is no Community competence.

The Commission is aware of attempts by some European associations of professionals in residential care such as the European association of directors of residential care homes for the elderly (EDE) to develop European codes of good practice and a system of certification for the training of residential care personnel, but it is not involved in these endeavours.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2223/99

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 December 1999)

Subject: Regional living standards

Please tabulate the real per capita gross domestic product and real per capita gross regional (i.e. equivalent to national) product (at purchasing power parities) for each standard region of the EU (EU-15) using the most recent figures, and those for one, two, three, four and five years previously.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2000)

The regional data which the Commission calculates and publishes on gross domestic product are given at current prices in euros, in purchasing power standards (PPS), and as a percentage of the Community average.

The data for 1992 to 1996, at NUTS level 2 (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics; 211 regions), are being sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the Parliament.

The 1997 data will be available in a few weeks time, and will be made available to users in Eurostat's NewCronos database.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2052/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 November 1999)

Subject: Fraud by undertakings in Greece

Auditing and judicial authorities in Greece have found that limited companies which received substantial aid under Greek development law 1892/90 have committed a series of offences (document forgeries, invoicing of reduced amounts for material and equipment, etc.) and illegally received subsidies worth many billions of drachmas. These companies are as follows: Sofem Ltd., Farmer Ltd., Endysi Ltd., Biotep Ltd., Plexi Ltd., Astria Ltd., Athlitiká Organa Thrakis Ltd., Diavitiká Edesmata Ltd., Iatriká Eidi Boriou Elladas Ltd., Klimatistikà Boriou Elladas Ltd., and probably others.

Will the Commission say:

1. Have these undertakings received EU aid through the development law or other programmes?

2. If so, can it give a detailed breakdown of the type and amount of the illegal subsidies received per undertaking and say what measures it intends to take to clear the matter up completely?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1999)

According to information provided by the Greek authorities, none of the companies mentioned by the Honourable Member or any other companies that have allegedly received unlawful public funding have been co-funded by the Community structural funds.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2325/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Preservation of the shipbuilding heritage (caïques)

In reply to my Written Question (E-3436/95)(1) concerning the preservation of the industrial heritage, including fishing vessels from the eastern Mediterranean, the Commission referred to the then pending Raphael programme and gave its assurance that should any initiatives linked with the mldr specific fields of interest meet the eligibility criteria mldr

then the Commission will gladly take them into consideration. In many of the Greek islands, action is being taken to preserve traditional wooden vessels (caïques) made with hand-held tools, in accordance with methods which, in many cases, were developed in the early Byzantine period and have now fallen into disuse.

Given that museums in Greece are showing great interest in obtaining such vessels for their collections but are unable to meet the cost of purchase, conservation and display, can the Commission say:

- whether such expenditure is eligible for funding,

- if so, from which programmes?

(1) OJ C 112, 17.4.1996, p. 31.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

As the Honourable Member is aware, 1999 was the last year of the implementation of the Raphaël programme, which, together with Kaleidoscope and Ariane, will be replaced in 2000 by the framework programme Culture 2000.

One of the objectives of the Culture 2000 programme will be to encourage European partnerships' initiatives which will aim at the exchange of information, experiences and know-how so as to bring to the fore the best practices for the benefit of the preservation and enhancement of Europe's cultural heritage. In this context, best methods of conservation and display in the shipbuilding heritage sector could be considered as parts of projects that could be submitted under the Culture 2000 programme, provided of course that they meet its eligibility criteria. However, costs concerning the purchase of vessels and works for their preservation or restoration will not be covered by the programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2162/99

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Promotion of biotechnological crops

Could the Commission indicate whether any EU projects are being undertaken to promote biotechnological crops in ACP States and/or in the developing world?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1999)

In the context of the Commission's development cooperation there are no projects undertaken to promote genetically modified crops in the African, Caribbean and Pacific states or any other developing countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1832/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 October 1999)

Subject: Six-month postponement of legal obligations for the Attika Operational Programme

For the Attika Operational Programme and for other programmes under the second Community Support Framework for Greece, 31.12.1999 has been set as the final deadline for meeting legal obligations. Given the exceptional conditions created by the catastrophic earthquake in Greece, there is a risk that the awarding of contracts, invitations to tender, competitions, etc. may not be able to be completed before this date. This will probably result in the loss of funding.

Will the Commission grant a six-month postponement of the deadline for meeting legal obligations, owing to the exceptional circumstances caused by the eathquakes? Has the Greek Government submitted a request to this effect?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 November 1999)

The final date for national commitments (including any in connection with repair of damage caused by the Athens earthquake of 7 September 1999) under all operational programmes of the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece for the present programming period (1994-1999) is indeed 31 December 1999. The Commission has recently confirmed that this legal constraint is to be observed by all parties. Contracts not entered into by that date can be part-financed under the CSF for the next programming period (2000-2006).

The Greek authorities have not asked for a six-month deferral of the final commitment date. Given the current take-up rate for the programmes of the present CSF there is no serious risk of a loss of appropriations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2114/99

by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 1999)

Subject: Air Traffic Control

What will be the plan of action when the European Union does accede to Eurocontrol and when will it be published?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2106/99, E-2107/99, E-2108/99, E-2109/99, E-2110/99, E-2111/99, E-2112/99, E-2113/99, E-2114/99, E-2115/99, E-2116/99 and E-2117/99 given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The Commission has issued a communication(1) on the current situation of air traffic delays and on new initiatives to be taken to provide the Community with the air traffic management (ATM) system it needs to ensure the proper functioning of its internal market. Most questions raised by the Honourable Member are answered in this document which has been adopted on 1 December 1999 and communicated to the Council and the Parliament.

When preparing this communication the Commission worked in close cooperation with interested parties, in particular airspace users, airports, workers, and air traffic services providers, through their representative organisations. It also consulted the civil aviation authorities of all Member States on the various actions to take to rectify the situation.

Reduction of air traffic delays is primarily a responsibility of Member States and their co-ordinating body, Eurocontrol. In this context operational procedures and technical improvements are for specialists to define and implement. The role of the Community is essentially to create the organisational framework at national and European level so as to ensure that such solutions are universally agreed and implemented in a co-ordinated and consistent manner. This is why the Community decided in 1998 to join Eurocontrol so as to exercise political control on this organisation. Negotiations to that end are nearly completed, but ratification procedures may take several years. The Commission therefore will ask early implementation of Community membership.

The ATM 2000 strategy is a document produced by Eurocontrol and it is the responsibility of that organisation to adopt and implement the proposals contained in the strategy. The Commission has contributed to the production of this document along with aviation users, Member States, and international organisations. The Commission supports the general objectives and strategic principles as indicated in the strategy, but wonders whether more work is required in order to develop a mature, reliable and robust plan which addresses the technological developments necessary to meet the estimated doubling of traffic by 2015.

(1) COM(1999) 614.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2167/99

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(29 November 1999)

Subject: Protection of personal privacy pursuant to Article 6 of the TEU

Member State constitutions protect citizens against violations of their personal privacy by the State (interception of mail, telephone tapping, etc). Intrusions into private lives consequently may only be authorised subject to stringent safeguards enshrined in law.

Does the guarantee of fundamental rights pursuant to Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union protect an EU citizen against intrusion into his or her private life by a Member State other than that of which he or she is a national?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2000)

Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union requires the Union to respect fundamental rights in exercising its competences.

The Community legislation addressed to the Member States with regard to the protection of privacy of the Union citizens consists of Directive 95/46/EC of the Parliament and the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data(1), and Directive 97/66/EC of the Parliament and the Council of 15 December 1997 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the telecommunications sector(2).

These two directives have as their aim to ensure the rights and freedoms of natural persons with regard to the processing of their personal data and as such they are relevant to the matters raised by the Honourable Member. They in principle also apply to the processing of information relating to natural persons by a Member State if the natural person in question is not a citizen of that Member State. It must however be noted that the scope of these directives is limited to the processing of personal data in the course of activities which fall within the scope of Community law. Further both directives lay down exemptions and restrictions which can be applied when necessary to safeguard certain interests (see Article 13 of Directive 95/46/EC and Article 14 of Directive 97/66/EC).

(1) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995.

(2) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2415/99

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: The EU and the opening of the Mediterranean Office in Málaga

The Malaga-based Mediterranean Office of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is scheduled to open on 1 January 2000.

Siting the regional headquarters of the IUCN in Málaga is a bold gesture deserving of all support, in order to ensure the success of an initiative which will greatly benefit both the Málaga area and the EU in general.

What is the current position of the EU as such with regard to the forthcoming opening of this office, and what commitment has the Union made to ensuring its success?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2000)

According to the Commission's information, the international union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) regional office for the Mediterranean will be set up in Seville, Spain, and not in Malaga.

The Commission welcomes this initiative. The opening of this regional office for the Mediterranean can contribute to the promotion of the sustainable development and environmental protection of the region. This is also an important policy objective for the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1757/99

by Manuel Pérez Álvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 October 1999)

Subject: Reorganising DGs XIV and VI

Could the Commission give details of the proposal by President Prodi for a possible reorganisation of the Commission's Directorate-General VI for Agriculture and Directorate-General XIV for Fisheries into a single Directorate-General?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1999)

The Commission is, at present, undergoing a major re-organization in order to rationalize and improve the service which it provides for the European citizen.

This organisation is based on 36 directorates general (DGs) and services, including the Agriculture DG and the Fisheries DG which remain separate DGs under the responsibility of commissioner Fischler. A new Director general of the Fisheries DG was appointed on 1 October 1999, which confirms what Mr Fischler said at his parliamentary hearing in September 1999.

In any future reform of the Commission, attention will of course be paid to views already expressed in the Parliament on reform matters.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083/99

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(12 November 1999)

Subject: Protection of the Mulino Luiselli in Cisterna di Latina

The building known as Mulino Luiselli, former convent of St Anthony the Abbot (S. Antonio Abate), being of historical, symbolic and religious significance and a fine example of industrial archaeology containing several frescoes, is a listed building under Law 1089/37. Despite this, the building has been included in the so-called territorial plans by virtue of act no 8 of 10.2.1997 of the municipal council, for the purpose of building a shopping centre.

If such a centre were to be built, the Mulino Luiselli would be seriously endangered, desecrated and radically transformed, in complete disregard of its history and its general and symbolic importance for the local community.

In the light of the above:

1. should the Commission not check whether it is appropriate for the Mulino Luiselli to be included in the territorial plans as part of the aforementioned project?

2. does it not consider the project to be potentially contrary to European directives on the protection and enhancement of national artistic and historical heritage?

3. is any aid or funding available for the purchase of the Mulino by the government and for the building to be refurbished so that it may be used in a manner that is more compatible with its nature and its history?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1999)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that it has no competence to verify if the project concerning the Mulino Luiselli should be included in the so-called territorial plans of the municipal council, as there are no Community directives for the protection and enhancement of the national artistic and historical heritage. Measures for the protection and preservation of cultural and architectural heritage are the exclusive responsibility of the national authorities.

Funding within the Culture 2000 programme, when adopted, will not be destined to cover the purchase of historical monuments but only to encourage European co-operation in the field of culture and cultural heritage, as clearly stated in Article 151 (ex Article 128) of the EC Treaty.