ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3176/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 November 2002)

Subject: Debt and the Growth and Stability Pact

In his extremely helpful answer to Written Question E-1621/02(1), Commissioner Solbes Mira confirmed the Commission's willingness to take into account the relevant cyclical and structural characteristics of the economy of each Member State when assessing compliance with the Growth and Stability Pact.

The Commissioner also indicated that the Commission takes into account the overall level of debt built-up by a particular Member State, but only to the extent that it regards adherence to a close-to-balance or in surplus objective for the budget deficit as sufficient to ensure a continuous reduction of the overall debt level. The Pact remains focused on meeting the two major objectives of a budget deficit of less than 3 % of GDP in any one year and an overall budgetary balance over the economic cycle.

Does the Commission not believe that greater attention needs to be paid to overall levels of debt, especially in the case of highly-indebted countries, and that this is necessary because of the widespread fudging of the Maastricht debt criteria, something which was not anticipated when the Growth and Stability Pact was first designed?

(1) See page 8.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2002)

Member States have an EC Treaty obligation to maintain debt levels below 60 % of the gross domestic product (GDP), or if above to ensure that it diminishes at a satisfactory pace towards the reference value. The Commission has an EC Treaty obligation to monitor compliance with this requirement and to prepare a report under Article 104(3) of the EC Treaty the excessive deficit procedure in the event of non compliance.

However, the requirement for debt to be sufficiently diminishing and approaching the reference value at a satisfactory pace (Article 104(2) of the EC Treaty) has not been explicitly defined in secondary legislation.

However, it is the intention of the Commission to clarify the debt requirement in order to operationalise the debt criteria already included in the EC Treaty. Particular attention would be devoted to the dynamic of different components of debt (stock-flow adjustment, primary surplus, interest rate-growth differential) and the expected impact of ageing on public finances. In order to better assess the long-term sustainability of public finances, it is also important that Member States provide the necessary information in their Stability and Convergence Programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3426/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(2 December 2002)

Subject: Take-up of appropriations under the Daphne Programme by the Municipality of Fiumicino

In September 2002 the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry of Finance published a statement showing expenditure of funds provided by the EU.

The outcome of the survey gave particular cause for concern regarding the slowness and inefficiency of local authorities in selecting projects, with funds earmarked for the year 2000 amounting to only 2 % of total CSF appropriations.

The Commission also has repeatedly expressed serious concern regarding the inadequate take-up of European funds by local authorities.

Given that it is particularly important for certain local authorities, for example, the Municipality of Fiumicino, to utilise Community funding to combat the abuse of women and children, can the Commission provide the following information:

1. Has the Municipality of Fiumicino submitted projects under the Daphne Programme?

2. Was the Municipality of Fiumicino was awarded funding for these projects?

3. Were the funds in question utilised?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2003)

The Daphne Programme has not received any proposals from the Municipality of Fiumicino since 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3078/02

by Ulpu Iivari (PSE) to the Commission

(28 October 2002)

Subject: Double taxation of orchestras

Under Community legislation and in particular Article 49 of the EC Treaty, Member States are forbidden to restrict the freedom to provide services by means of double taxation. Avanti!, a Finnish chamber orchestra financed mainly by public funds, was subjected to double taxation in Germany, in the Land of Schleswig-Holstein, when it performed at the Schleswig-Holstein music festival in August 2001. It had to pay tax to the Land on its appearance fees, even though, in accordance with the taxation agreement between Germany and Finland, it produced evidence supplied by the Finnish authorities to the effect that its activities were subsidised, the tour that it was making had been publicly funded, and it functioned as an employer, in other words it paid the musicians' wages, from which it deducted tax, and was responsible for the employer's contributions. The orchestra has already been in correspondence with the Land tax authorities about the double taxation for nearly two years, and there is no end in sight.

Does the Commission consider that cases of this kind impede the operation of the internal market? What will it do to improve its operation and specifically to tackle the problems linked to double taxation?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 2002)

The Commission is pleased to inform the Honourable Member that, according to information received from the German tax authorities, the case of the Finnish orchestra Avanti! is being settled in favour of the orchestra so that no German tax has to be paid.

The Commission is aware that there are specific tax issues related to cultural cross-border performances. These have to do with the fact that under most double taxation treaties taxing rights are attributed to the performance State; insofar they follow Article 17 of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Model Convention. This means in practice that a cross-border performing artist will normally have to deal with more than one tax system.

Where the Commission believes that the national tax rules applied are discriminatory, it is ready to take action under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. In this context it should also be mentioned that a case is pending with the Court of Justice (case C-234/01 Gerritse(1)) concerning the German taxation of non-resident artists. A judgement will probably be rendered in 2003.

(1) OJ C 245, 1.9.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3097/02

by Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 October 2002)

Subject: (Possible) complaint by the Commission against Portugal concerning the construction of a paper recycling plant in Mourão

The Portuguese government, in Decree-Law No 364/99 of 17 September 1999, laid down the conditions for the privatisation of the undertaking Gescartão SGPS, which incorporates the Portucel Recicla enterprise in Mourão. This enterprise has, in the meantime, been closed down because it was located in the path of the new Alqueva Dam. The same decree-law authorised the construction of a new plant to replace it, in the same municipality, by the purchaser, and a timetable was laid down. However, the purchaser (a consortium formed by the Sonae group and Europac) has failed to meet any of its legal obligations within the agreed deadlines.

Meanwhile, the same group has stated that it intends to construct another plant, but in a different place and in a different branch of activity. This plan was endorsed by the previous Portuguese government.

Recently, the present Portuguese government, when asked about developments, in anticipation, and indeed justification, of the non-construction of the proposed plant in Mourão, has claimed that the Commission lodged a complaint against Portugal for having authorised such a plant in a protected and environmentally sensitive area.

In view of the above and, in particular, the deep concern which the inhabitants of the municipality of Mourão and the surrounding area quite justifiably feel on this issue, can the Commission confirm whether it has lodged such a complaint, and, if so, explain its reasons and specify the date? Should the complaint have been lodged, can the Commission also indicate what information it possessed on the whole subject at the time of lodging the complaint?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2002)

The Commission can confirm that it received a complaint (no. 2000/4884) concerning the plan to build the plant referred to in the Written Question and that it sent Portugal a reasoned opinion as provided for in Article 226 of the EC Treaty, for failing to comply with the requirements of Article 4 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(1).

The impact study found that numerous bird species were present in the area, notably steppe birds such as Tetrax tetrax, Pterocles orientales, Grus grus, Otis tarda and Burhinus oedicnemus, included in Annex I to Directive 79/409/EEC, and that the project would have an adverse effect on the conservation of these species.

Under Article 4(1) of Directive 79/409/EEC, the species mentioned in Annex I shall be the subject of special conservation measures concerning their habitat, in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3563/02

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Council

(12 December 2002)

Subject: Maritime safety

Three years after the ERIKA accident, the pitiful end of the inappropriately named Prestige has reopened the debate on the responsibility of oil transport companies with regard to the environment.

The precautionary principle dictates that vessels no longer complying with safety standards will be steered towards demolition sites rather than the ocean. However, the owners' decisions are essentially guided by the principle of maximum profit. It is the case at the moment, unfortunately, that the most harmful oil refinery waste is transported by the least reliable vessels (because they are the cheapest).

Following the sinking of the ERIKA and under French impetus, the European authorities took action and Parliament adopted a package of measures aimed at tightening legislation on classification societies and owners. This regulation lays down that all one-hulled oil tankers must be phased out by 2015.

But what is to be done in the meantime? About ten days after the Prestige sank, another tanker of the same kind, the Byzantio (same age, structure, cargo, charterer the one that hired out the ERIKA to Total Fina Elf three years ago) is en route to the French and Spanish coastline.

A few days away from the first meeting of the Administrative Board of the brand new European Maritime Safety Agency and in the light of this especially worrying situation, does the Council intend to take new emergency measures, which could be enacted on 5/6 December at the next meeting of the Council of European Transport Ministers?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-3563/02, E-3581/02, E-3582/02, E-3583/02,E-3584/02, E-3587/02, E-3589/02, E-3625/02 and E-3761/02

(5 and 6 May 2003)

The Council would refer the Honourable Members to the declaration made by the Presidency on behalf of the Council on all the points raised in their questions during the plenary session of the European Parliament in December 2002, and to its replies to Questions H-833/02, H-839/02, H-847/02 and H-871/02 put by Messrs Josu Ortuondo Larrea, Manuel Medina Ortega, Camilo Nogueira Román and John Cushnahan respectively at Question Time on 15 January 2003 in Strasbourg.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3583/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Estimated cost of the Exxon Valdez disaster to the economy of the Alaskan coastline and expected costs of the Prestige disaster for the Galician coastal areas

The cost of the Exxon Valdez disaster to the economy of the Alaskan coastline, in accordance with the US authorities' determination of Exxon's liability, is estimated at USD 1 billion in damage to the natural environment, plus a further USD 2 billion in depollution actions and other measures. Given that the impact of the Prestige disaster on Galicia's coastal areas is greater than that caused by the Exxon Valdez, what estimate has the Council put forward for Galicia?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-3563/02, E-3581/02, E-3582/02, E-3583/02,E-3584/02, E-3587/02, E-3589/02, E-3625/02 and E-3761/02

(5 and 6 May 2003)

The Council would refer the Honourable Members to the declaration made by the Presidency on behalf of the Council on all the points raised in their questions during the plenary session of the European Parliament in December 2002, and to its replies to Questions H-833/02, H-839/02, H-847/02 and H-871/02 put by Messrs Josu Ortuondo Larrea, Manuel Medina Ortega, Camilo Nogueira Román and John Cushnahan respectively at Question Time on 15 January 2003 in Strasbourg.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3651/02

by Antonio Di Pietro (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 December 2002)

Subject: Break-up of the HMC Pubblicità company

It has recently been reported in the press that Cairo Communications (run by Urbano Cairo, the former head of Publitalia) is the new advertising agent for TV La7 (part of the Tronchetti Provera group).

HMC Pubblicità (TV La7's previous agent and 100 % controlled by SEAT/Telecom) is about to be broken up, with over 40 employees having been dismissed in a most irregular fashion (pre-printed letters being signed, the company's situation being presented to the staff as irreversible, and so on).

In view of the close links between Cairo Communications and Publitalia, granting the former a contract for La7's advertising could lead to even greater entrenchment of the dominant positions and the virtual monopoly within Italy's television and advertising sector, which may have a detrimental effect in terms of a further reduction in (if not to say the total disappearance of) forums (already reduced to the bare minimum) in which democratic pluralism and accurate information may be sought.

As proof of this, very little prominence has been given in the press to the La7/Cairo/HMC deal, despite its significance and the effects which it will have in competitive terms and on the television and advertising sector itself.

In view, furthermore, of the fact that other deals have been struck between the Tronchetti Provera and Fininvest groups, including the acquisition of Edilnord and the Pagine Utili company, can and will the Commission take any action with regard to the La7/Cairo Communications deal and the current break-up of HMC, given that the deal further strengthens Mediaset's monopoly and that of its subsidiary Publitalia in the television and advertising sector?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2003)

The Honourable Member refers to an agreement between an Italian broadcaster (La7) and an Italian advertisement agent (Cairo Communications) concerning the Italian advertising market.

The Commission is not aware of any complaints regarding the above-mentioned agreement between Cairo Communications and La7, nor has this agreement been notified to the Commission. Furthermore, the Commission has no element, at the present stage, to evaluate whether the agreement in question would be capable to appreciably affect the trade between Member states and, therefore, to come within the scope of Community Competition rules.

The Honourable Member also refers to Mediaset/Publitalia's position on the Italian television and advertisement markets. In this respect, the Commission has no information which could support the conclusion that the agreement between Cairo communications and TV La 7 could, due to certain alleged links between the parties to this agreement and Publitalia, lead to a possible strengthening of the latter's position on the above-mentioned markets.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3444/02

by Jorge Moreira Da Silva (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 December 2002)

Subject: Aggressive advertising in the Member States of the European Union

In order to attract the attention of the targeted public, but without considering the harmful effects on young people, some businesses do not hesitate to display advertising material containing obscene images in the streets of European towns. Vulgar posters displayed in public places (at bus-stops, entrances to the underground, etc) are becoming more and more common each year.

Does this mean that in order to sell products all means are acceptable and everything is allowed?

What ethical standards govern advertising in the various EU Member States?

Reply

(5 and 6 May 2003)

The Council understands the Honourable Member's anxiety to defend the European public's interests with regard to the definition of ethical advertising standards. Nevertheless, advertising ethics fall within the Member States' sphere of competence. The Council does not have any information on the standards applicable in each Member State.

With regard to Community competence and in accordance with Article 153 of the Treaty, and with a view to consumer protection, the Community shall contribute to protecting the health, safety and economic interests of consumers, as well as to promoting their right to information, education and to organise themselves in order to safeguard their interests.

In any event, the Council cannot act in the absence of a relevant Commission proposal. No such proposal has been submitted to the Council to date.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3364/02

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(20 November 2002)

Subject: Portuguese on Euronews

The important role played by the Euronews television channel has been acknowledged by Parliament on several occasions. This view is doubtless shared by the Commission. For that reason, the Euronews channel receives significant financial support from the Community even though it is privately owned.

The main justification for Community funding rests on the importance of a multilingual channel with a European focus, not only in terms of communication among Europeans but also in the interest of communicating the European project and its development at world level.

It was recently reported in the press that 16 Portuguese members of staff responsible for Portuguese-language Euronews broadcasts were about to be dismissed and that programmes would no longer be broadcast in Portuguese. At present there is also a Portuguese version of the website www.euronews.net, and it is to be feared that its future may likewise be in doubt.

With more than 200 million speakers, Portuguese is the sixth most widely spoken language at world level and stands in third place among European languages used as world languages, after English and Spanish.

According to the most recent records consulted, Euronews can currently be seen in 125 million homes in 78 countries throughout the world.

Does the Commission have any information on the alleged impending dismissal of 16 Portuguese members of the Euronews staff? Which members of staff are involved, and on what grounds are they to be dismissed? Will the Commission take any initiative aimed at ensuring that Euronews continues to be broadcast in Portuguese? What amounts of Community funding were received by Euronews in 2000, 2001 and 2002? Does the Commission not believe that Community funding for the Euronews channel must be conditional on Euronews' continuing to broadcast multilingual programmes, at least in the most widely spoken European world languages, which must necessarily include Portuguese?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(3 January 2003)

Over the last three years, the Commission has contributed for more than EUR 4,1 million to Euronews (EUR 2 063 933 in 2000; EUR 1 375 956 in 2001; and EUR 687 978 in 2002).

On 23 October 2001, a convention was signed by the Commission and Euronews, with the full association of the Parliament. Under the convention it was agreed that co-operation between the Commission and Euronews would continue for the next three years and during this period the financing would be gradually phased out so that co-production would have to increase.

The convention did not cover any questions related to staff, which remains an internal matter for Euronews.

The Commission is involved in ongoing discussions about the evolving structure of Euronews. To date Euronews has been uniquely pan-European in its coverage and the Commission would like to ensure that this continues under the new regime, together with the use of a maximum of Union languages, including Portuguese.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3625/02

by Paolo Costa (ELDR), Giovanni Procacci (ELDR), Luciano Caveri (ELDR),Francesco Rutelli (ELDR), Dirk Sterckx (ELDR), Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE),Gilles Savary (PSE), Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR), Marco Formentini (ELDR),Giovanni Fava (PSE), Massimo Carraro (PSE)and Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Council

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Safety at sea

The regulatory and legislative measures adopted after the ERIKA disaster three years ago have not been sufficient to prevent another, unprecedented, maritime disaster in the EU.

Although it had a single hull and was 26 years old, the oil tanker Prestige had not been inspected since 1999. In view of this latest accident, does the Council intend, at the European summit in mid-December, to propose bringing forward the timetable laid down by the regulation on the accelerated phasing-in of double-hull or equivalent design standards for single-hull oil tankers and to ban all single-hull oil and chemical tankers from European coastal waters, in particular near the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, with immediate effect?

When the ERIKA I and II packages were finalised, the Fifteen approved the principle of a political commitment by the EU Member States to apply the measures they contained immediately, before the directives were transposed. What means is the Council prepared to employ to ensure that this actually happens?

It appears from initial enquiries that the Prestige had set off from Saint Petersburg and was bound for Singapore. It is therefore not solely a European responsibility to ensure that the principles of maritime safety are observed, and local action should not preclude global action. Is the Council in favour of convening an urgent meeting with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in order to put in place the preconditions for legislation at world level?

What is the Council's position with regard to a strategy modelled on closer cooperation between some Member States with regard to safety at sea? Would the Council be prepared to accept that a requirement for double-hull vessels be immediately applicable in some particularly sensitive maritime areas, such as the Mediterranean?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-3563/02, E-3581/02, E-3582/02, E-3583/02,E-3584/02, E-3587/02, E-3589/02, E-3625/02 and E-3761/02

(5 and 6 May 2003)

The Council would refer the Honourable Members to the declaration made by the Presidency on behalf of the Council on all the points raised in their questions during the plenary session of the European Parliament in December 2002, and to its replies to Questions H-833/02, H-839/02, H-847/02 and H-871/02 put by Messrs Josu Ortuondo Larrea, Manuel Medina Ortega, Camilo Nogueira Román and John Cushnahan respectively at Question Time on 15 January 2003 in Strasbourg.