ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3331/97 by Thomas Mann (PPE) to the Commission (22 October 1997)

Subject: Implementation of European Union measures at local level

In connection with European Union measures, such as those for the elderly, local authorities in my constituency have on numerous occasions complained that when European Union support programmes are announced the notice given and the deadlines for submitting applications are too short. It is often alleged therefore that Europe's programmes are of no more than token significance.

The compilation of complex dossiers involves considerable difficulties for applicants. In addition to this, there is the time required for the adoption of relevant decisions by local assemblies, which cannot meet the Commission's deadlines because of the need to complete statutory procedures.

I therefore put the following questions to the Commission:

1. How are local authorities informed about the existence of relevant support programmes and how does the Commission intend to improve the often inadequate flow of information?

2. Why are the deadlines for submitting applications for such programmes so short?

3. What possibilities are there of suitably extending these deadlines?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997)

1. The application guidelines concerning budget line B3-4104 'Measures to assist the elderly' were distributed to relevant ministries in all Member States and to the main European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for older people. A substantial number of application guidelines were also distributed following requests to the Commission. The Commission will, however, consider how to improve the distribution of information about the availability of funding, and the conditions for eligibility in the future.

2. The United Kingdom has challenged in the Court of justice the legality of Commission spending on the 1996 budget line 'Measures to assist the elderly'. The Court ordered the Commission to suspend any payments from this budget line pending a final judgement. The British challenge made an assessment on the operationality of the 1997 budget line necessary. As a consequence, it was not possible to issue the guidelines earlier.

3. The Commission considers all requests for extension of deadlines. However, in order to ensure fair treatment of all applicants, the general principle is that the same deadline applies to everyone equally.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3098/97 by Bryan Cassidy (PPE) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Commission investigation into the Dutch electrotechnical market

In March 1991, the Commission's Directorate-General IV received a complaint in relation to alleged cartel activities in the Dutch electrotechnical sector. In July 1996, after a prolonged five year investigation, the Commission issued a statement of objections setting out its views that certain wholesalers of electrotechnical installation material and their trade association were indeed engaged in anti-competitive activities. These activities have the effect of excluding foreign wholesalers from the Dutch market, thereby insolating the market from the normal conditions of competition which prevail elsewhere in the EU. The result is that Dutch consumers are obliged to pay significantly higher prices than those available to consumers in other EU Member States.

Commission procedural delays have had the effect of condoning the continuance of anti-competitive behaviour over a six-year period. Can the Commission say when it intends to collude its investigation and adopt a decision so as to ensure, in the public interest, that competition is restored as quickly as possible in the Dutch market for electrotechnical installation material?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1997)

The case referred to raises highly complex issues. The matter is still under investigation by the Commission as a priority. In a case such as this extensive investigations have to be carried out into the whole of the industry sector. Following this lengthy procedure, it is then necessary to ensure that all respondents obtain satisfactory access to all relevant available information. Respondents all have the right to make their comments on such information, which also must be investigated thoroughly. In this particular case, there are seven respondents. This procedure has now been completed and a hearing is planned with the respondents for the third week of November 1997. At all times during the investigation, the Commission must ensure that no confidential information is released without the prior express permission of the relevant party. Before the hearing has taken place it is not possible for the Commission to foresee whether or when a formal decision will be issued.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2931/97 by Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Suspension of Portuguese state aid to EPAC, PLC

The Commission's decision of 30 April to demand that the Portuguese Government suspend its aid to EPAC evinces an inflexible interpretation of Article 93(2) and (3) which, if consistently applied, would put an end to many other situations far more deserving of such an application, such as the recent collateral securities given to the Mello Group and others.

It is significant that no reference is made anywhere in the explanation for the decision to the fact that EPAC's port installations had been handed over to SILOPOR, as part of the privatization process, without the outstanding debt being included in the handover; EPAC continues to be responsible for the interest on the loans contracted for the construction of the installations.

Did the Commission take this fact into account, and if not, should it not do so, if only to avoid contributing to a process of 'decapitalization' with very serious consequences for workers who bear no responsibility whatever for either the management or the privatization process as carried out?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1997)

By Commission Decision of 30 April 1997 ((OJ L 186, 16.7.1997. )) the Portuguese Government was asked to suspend the aid in the form of a state guarantee granted to the firm Empresa Para a Agroalimentação e Cereais SA (EPAC). This decision, under the state aid examination procedure provided for by Articles 92 to 94 of the EC Treaty, was a provisional one resulting from the fact that the guarantee was granted before the Commission was able to express an opinion on it, in contravention of Article 93(3) of the Treaty.

The Commission, in its Decision of 9 July 1997, adopted a final decision on the measures undertaken by the Portuguese Government in favour of EPAC, these having been deemed illegal and incompatible with the common market.

The facts referred to by the Honourable Member and all the information provided by the Portuguese authorities on the links between EPAC and SILOPOR were taken into account in that final decision.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3065/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Marking of packaging

The proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive on marking of packaging and on the establishment of a conformity assessment procedure (COM(96) 191 final - 96/0123 COD) ((OJ C 382, 18.12.1996, p. 10. )) derives from the requirements concerning marking and conformity assessment laid down in Directive 94/62/EC ((OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10. )) on packaging and packaging waste.

The proposed marking is optional and will indicate whether the packaging can be re-used or recycled by means of a symbol; various marks are to be prohibited.

Does the Commission not consider that a programme to reduce to a minimum the impact of packaging on the environment should be introduced and, in particular, to end the proliferation of self-validating marks designed to indicate whether packaging can be re-used or recycled?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1997)

The Commission proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on marking of packaging was adopted on 25 November 1996. This proposal completes Directive 94/62/EC by introducing the marking symbols which should be used, and the assessment procedure for the compliance of the packaging with the essential requirements of the Directive.

The aim of the marking proposal is to inform consumers when packaging can be reused or recycled. Furthermore, the Commission proposal seeks to remove the current confusion on the market by defining one symbol for reusable and one symbol for recyclable packaging.

In the marking proposal only packaging that is reusable or recyclable according to the requirement laid down in Directive 94/62/EEC can be marked. The system is voluntary, but if a producer wants to indicate that the packaging is reusable or recyclable the symbols must be used. Others will not be allowed. A broad variety of different symbols and labels regarding recyclability and reusability are used by manufacturers at present, which often confuse consumers about the environmental performance of packaging.

The Commission is of the opinion that the discussions on the proposal for a directive on marking in the Parliament and the Council should be finalised before taking further steps regarding marking of packaging.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3009/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 October 1997)

Subject: Ecological disaster on Lake Kerkinis

Lake Kerkinis is an important and protected biotope in northern Greece and the area is particularly rich in flora and fauna, including a privately owned poplar plantation. In July 1994, the owner began felling the trees, despite the fact that hundreds of herons were nesting there and that their young were unable as yet to fly. This resulted in the death of over 200 birds and caused a public outcry in Greece. The relevant authorities did nothing to prevent the felling and took no action against the owner of the plantation.

Is the Commission aware of this and is it prepared to call for explanations from the Greek Government with a view to ensuring that biotopes are more effectively protected and offenders penalized?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1997)

Lake Kerkini, although artificial, is a very rich wetland which has been designated by the Greek authorities as a special protection area (SPA) under Directive No 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, as amended by Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden (OJ L 1, 1.1.1995). )). It has also been proposed for protection under Directive No 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )).

The site is one of the main areas where actions for a LIFE-Nature project ('Conservation of phalacrocorax pygmaeus and anser erythropus in Greece') are currently undertaken. Thus in mid-June 1997 the felling of a plantation of poplars carrying nests of herons came to the attention of the beneficiaries of the project who alerted immediately the Greek authorities. However, the plantation is located outside the SPA, in privately-owned land, and therefore it is not subject to the protection regime applying to the SPAs. Notwithstanding, the Commission is aware that the ministry of Agriculture issued a circular according to which the felling of poplars shall be prohibited during the breeding period (15 February to 30 July). For the future the relevant zone in the area of lake Kerkini will be covered by this prohibition.

On the other hand the Commission has also been informed about other problems relating to the protection of lake Kerkini and will investigate the matter in order to have a clear view of the situation and, if necessary, initiate actions.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3104/97 by Rijk van Dam (I-EDN) to the Commission (3 October 1997)

Subject: Uzbekistan

In reply to the questions (E-2333/97 ((OJ C 60, 25.2.1998, p. 128. )) and E-2449/97 ((OJ C 60, 25.2.1998, p. 132. ))) concerning the confiscation of 25 000 bibles in Uzbekistan and obstacles to the activities of the Uzbek Bible Society, the Commission has said that it has no information on the subject and has not yet received any specific particulars about it from the Uzbek authorities either.

However, we have heard from various sides that the bibles remain confiscated, that the Uzbek authorities demand that the bibles be sent back and that Uzbek Railways is even charging the Uzbek Bible Society around $ 13 000 (a sum which is growing daily) for storage of the confiscated bibles.

1. Does the Commission not agree that the Uzbek authorities should repeatedly and urgently be asked to explain this action, which violates the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Uzbekistan?

2. What action will the Commission take vis-à-vis the Uzbek authorities, and how soon, with a view to obtaining the release of the bibles and cancellation of the claim for storage costs, and permitting the Uzbek Bible Society to operate freely?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (17 October 1997)

The Uzbek authorities have informed the Commission that there is no longer any obstacle to the importation of bibles into Uzbekistan. This has been confirmed by the Uzbekistan Bible Society.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3396/97 by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Commission (23 October 1997)

Subject: Effect of the Sumatra and Borneo forest fires on climate change

The eruption of the volcano Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 not only affected the regional atmosphere, but also caused world-wide temperatures to cool slightly. The same region (Sumatra and Borneo) is now beset by sweeping forest fires.

Has the Commission taken any steps to gauge the impact of these fires on climate change, bearing in mind that their adverse effects must be added to those of the above-mentioned eruption?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1997)

The Commission and Member States in Jakarta have set up a joint European Union fire response group (EUFREG) in response to the emergency situation created by the large-scale forest fires in Indonesia affecting an estimated 1 million hectares.

EUFREG will now enter into its second phase, assessing the area, type, classification and use of land burned in this year's fires, mainly through the analysis of remote sensing data. It will also prepare terms of reference for a review mission on this year's forest fires with the objective of assisting the government of Indonesia to implement improved policies and practices to avoid, or at least minimize, any repetition of this year's disaster.

The Commission will continue to co-ordinate with the Indonesian government and is willing to assist in a major study on the medium and long-term impact of the forest fires on the regional and global environment and climate.

The Indonesian government already organized an international conference on science and technology for the assessment of global environment change and its impact on Indonesian maritime continent in Jakarta from 10-12 November 1997, with active Commission participation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3180/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Accidents on the Tsakona-Kalamata road

The mayors of 12 communities along the route of the 30 kilometre road linking Tsakona and Kalamata claim that 60 people have been killed and scores seriously injured owing to the road passing through residential areas, the lack of traffic lights, poor roadworks and speeding. The fact that the road passes through villages which do not even have rudimentary pavements or lighting and that there is no visibility or controls makes life particularly difficult for the inhabitants, especially the elderly, schoolchildren and the very young. In response to local protests, the Peloponnese Region has claimed that the only solution to the problem is to build a new bypass.

1. Has the Peloponnese Region proposed that such a road be incorporated into the 2nd CSF when it is reviewed, and

2. is there any possibility of intervening under the 2nd CSF to redesign the road or come up with other alternatives?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf- Mathies on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1997)

According to the information available to the Commission, the Greek authorities have already awarded the contracts for the studies for some sections of the future motorway from Tripoli to Kalamata, of which the Tsalona-Kalamata section is part. This will involve a new route which does not pass through the inhabited areas as does the existing road which is the subject of the citizens' complaints.

Since the above-mentioned studies will not be ready before 2000, the new route cannot be part-financed under the Community Support Framework for 1994-99. Nevertheless, the Greek authorities could submit a proposal for part-financing of the studies under the current programming period.

Clearly, it is not the Commission's place to intervene concerning the route of the roads it finances, let alone those for which financing has not yet been requested.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3514/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (29 October 1997)

Subject: Biological Warfare Using Genetically Engineered Micro-organisms

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Medical Association have both expressed their serious concerns that genetically engineered micro-organisms are being produced for use as biological weapons. There are persistent reports of these having been used in the Gulf War.

1. Has the European Community at any time funded any research, either directly or indirectly, into such uses?

2. Has the European Community at any time funded any research, either directly or indirectly, into the production of vaccines or antidotes against any such genetically engineered biological weapons?

3. Has any Member State of the European Community at any time exported biological materials to Iraq that could be used, or converted for use, as biological weapons?

4. Is the Commission aware of any evidence of any use of genetically engineered micro-organisms by any of the forces active in the Gulf War? If so, will it publish this evidence?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1997)

1., 2. and 4. No.

3. It is in the public domain that Iraq misused, including in the biological field, dual-use goods and technologies which had been exported until 1990 for legitimate purposes by some companies based in certain Member States. After the Gulf war, Member States reviewed and considerably improved their national dual-use export controls systems. On 19 December 1994, on the basis of a Commission proposal of August 1992 ((OJ C 253, 30.9.1992. )), the Council adopted a system of export controls on dual-use goods. On the one hand there is a common foreign and security policy (CFSP) joint action and on the other there is Regulation (EC) No 3381/94 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use goods ((OJ L 367, 31.12.1994. )) based on Article 113 of the EC Treaty. The system has been implemented since 1 July 1995. Annex 1 contains a common list of dual-use goods, which are subject to control when exported from the Community. It includes biological and toxin agents. Genetically engineered micro-organisms are covered by the control system.

Furthermore the Commission recalls that all Member States are parties to the 1972 convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and on their destruction. On 25 June 1996, the Council defined common position 96/408/CFSP on that subject. The aim is to strengthen compliance with the international non-proliferation system by promoting the universality of the convention and working for the successful conclusion of the negotiations on a legally binding and effective verification regime no later than in 1998. The Commission strongly supports that common position.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3216/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997)

Subject: Restrictions on purchase of property in EU Member States

Are there any restrictions placed on the purchase of a property in EU Member States for non-nationals of that state?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3215/97 and E-3216/97 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1997)

The Honourable Member's questions concern, without reference to a particular Member State, the purchase of real estate in one Member State by nationals of another Member State. The Commission would recall earlier parliamentary questions concerning property acquisition in particular Member States ((See, for example, written questions No E-1032/96 by Mr Böge, OJ C 297, 8.10.1996; No 2491/95 by Mr Sakellariou, OJ C 66, 4.3.1996. )).

In general terms, the principles of equal treatment of citizens and the prohibition of discriminatory treatment on grounds of nationality (Article 6 of the EC Treaty) within the sphere of application of Community law cover the acquisition of immovable property by the nationals of other Member States.

The restrictions on the acquisition and use by a national of one Member State of land and buildings situated in another Member State were abolished with a view to the realisation of the freedoms of workers, establishment, services and capital ((ECJ, 30.5.1989, Commission v. Greece, 305/87, ECR (1989) 1461; ECJ, 14.1.1988, Commission v. Italy, 63/86/ECR (1988) 29;ECJ, 6.11.1984, Fearon v. Irish Land Commission, 182/83, ECR (1984) 3677. )). Access to property and tenancy of real estate is a corollary of those rights and of the right to reside in another Member State in accordance with Article 8A of the EC Treaty.

While the EC Treaty in no way prejudices the system of ownership in Member States (Article 222), rules will remain subject to the fundamental rule of non-discrimination at the basis of Articles 6, 48, 52 and 59 and measures to give effect to certain of these Articles, as well as the prohibition of all restrictions, subject to the usual exceptions, on cross border capital movements (which includes the acquisition of real estate) provided in Article 73b.

As to the acquisition of secondary residences, the final act of Accession of 1994 contains the following joint declaration: 'nothing in the acquis communautaire, prevents individual Member States from taking national, regional or local measures regarding secondary residences, provided that they are necessary for land-use planning and environmental protection and apply without direct or indirect discrimination between nationals of the Member States in conformity with the acquis'. Several Member States (Denmark, Austria, Finland and Sweden) have specific legislation on secondary residences ((Protocol No 1 on the acquisition of property in Denmark; Articles 70,87 and 114 of the 1994 Accession Act. )).

The Commission monitors the general application of national legislation on purchase of property to ensure it does not contravene the above-mentioned principle.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3292/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Market access for least developed countries

What efforts has the Commission made with regard to the Council decision to encourage third countries to improve market access for the least developed countries?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3292/97 and E-3293/97 given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1997)

The Council asked the Commission in June this year to table proposals on equivalent treatment of all the least-advanced countries by 1 January1998. The Commission is working on those proposals, taking account of the Community's obligations under the Lomé Convention and the provisions of the generalised scheme of preferences. Given the structural differences between the trade arrangements that the Community has with the least-advanced countries party to the Lomé Convention and with the least-advanced countries which are not parties thereto but beneficiaries of the GSP, a number of technical difficulties do exist and solutions to them are being sought. As soon as they have been found, a proposal will be put before the Council as quickly as possible.