ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1103/96 by Stylianos Panagopoulos (PSE) to the Council (26 April 1996)

Subject: Terrorist attack on Greek tourists in Cairo

The terrorist attack on the Hotel Europa in Cairo on the morning of 18 April 1996, which resulted in the death of 18 Greek nationals and the wounding of 14 others, has again focused attention on the safety of tourists from the European Union travelling to third countries. Once more over the Easter period, mankind mourns the unjust death of innocent people who fall victims to perverse fanaticism.

1. What is the Council's response to such acts of terrorism?

2. What measures will it take to protect European Union citizens who travel to third countries as tourists?

Reply (14 October 1996)

1. Following the terrorist attack in Cairo on 18 April 1996 the Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the European Union on the murder of Greek tourists in Cairo:

'The Council expresses its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of the murderous attack against innocent Greek tourists in Cairo last Thursday.

The European Union condemns once more the senseless acts of violence. It confirms the determination of all its members to confront terrorism decisively in all its forms.'

2. The Madrid European Council on 15 and 16 December 1995 noted with great satisfaction the Council's approval on 23 November 1995 of the La Gomera Declaration on terrorism as evidence of the Union's firm resolve to reinforce cooperation in the fight against terrorism, one of the priority objectives of cooperation in justice and home affairs. The European Council urged the Council to give expression to such cooperation in the form of effective practical measures.

3. The Council regularly evaluates the internal and external threat to the Member States represented by terrorism. Particular attention is currently being paid to the threat represented by extremist groups in the Middle East as well as to the use of advanced technology by terrorist groups. In an effort to improve the safety of tourists from the Member States of the European Union, the heads of mission in areas vulnerable to terrorist attacks hold regular meetings to collect information for tourists. Where necessary, warnings are issued to the public and to tour operators.

4. The Council is aware of the need to fight terrorism on both the operational and the political level. For that reason the Presidency coordinates Member States' positions in international fora such as the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1936/96 by Enrico Ferri (PPE) and Pier Casini (PPE) to the Council (17 July 1996)

Subject: Preventing value-added tax from being charged on national and regional taxes on the consumption of methane gas

The inclusion of value-added tax as well as national and regional consumption taxes in the taxable amount applicable to supplies of methane gas pursuant to Article 10 of Decree Law No 15/977 has led to disparities in treatment at Community level and given rise to serious doubts about the legality of such action at national level.

Italian consumers pay more for methane gas than consumers in any other country owing not only to the cost of the raw material but, above all, to a steady increase in the burden of taxation which, in the space of only a few years, has risen to over half of the consumer price.

The sixth directive on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States with a view to establishing a 'common system of value-added tax' (Directive 77/388/EEC ((OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1. ))) states explicitly and unequivocally that 'the taxable amount shall include: (a) taxes, duties, levies and charges, excluding the value-added tax itself' (Title VIII, Article 11(2)).

In view of the position regarding legislation in the various Member States, the only way of derogating from the generally accepted principle that taxes may be levied on other taxes is by means of Community legislation.

Given the above, would the Council take the necessary steps with a view to the adoption of a directive amending the relevant national legislation so as to prevent (where possible) VAT from being charged on national and regional consumption taxes applying to supplies of methane gas?

Reply (10 October 1996)

The explanation for the provisions mentioned by the Honourable Members concerning the taxable amount for VAT is that value added tax is a general tax on consumption affecting all the components of the price of a given product apart from VAT itself. The same rules moreover apply not only to transactions within a country but also to the import and purchase of goods within the Community.

Any amendment to that legislation can be envisaged by the Council only on the basis of a Commission proposal but the Council has received no proposal to that effect.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1433/96 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Seal culling in the White Sea

Further to my Question E-2385/95 ((OJ C 40, 12.2.1996, p.27. )) on all aspects of the 1995 White Seal hunt which was subject to a research programme, in October 1995 the Commission stated that it would transmit a copy of the result of the Russian research programme to me. Could the Commission please explain why the results are not yet available?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1996)

Unfortunately the Commission's request to make the outcome of the Russian research programme available has remained without response.

As soon as a report is received, the Honourable Member will be provided with a copy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1198/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Water treatment facility at Oikos plc, Canvey Island, Essex

Is the Commission aware of oil recycling from water technology applied in an industrial setting, and can it give examples from any Member States? Insofar as this process is being developed in an innovatory manner, precisely which European funding programmes are available for such a project?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (1 July 1996)

The Commission is not aware of a technology with such a name and so unfortunately no examples can be given. The nature of the technology is not clear from the terminology used in this question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1704/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: Aid to shipbuilding

The proposal for a Council Regulation (COM(95) 0410 ((OJ C 304, 15.11.1995, p. 21. ))) on aid to shipbuilding contains new provisions to comply with the requirements of the OECD agreement to respect normal competitive conditions in the commercial shipbuilding and repair industry and which was to enter into force on January 1996 and to be reviewed every three years. The agreement prohibits any measures to support shipbuilding, with the exception of:

1. aid for research and development,

2. aid for social measures relating to the closure of shipyards,

3. export credits, in accordance with the new understanding on export credits for ships,

4. national aids granted on terms and conditions equivalent to those set out in the above agreement.

What instruments will the Commission adopt to ensure that sanctions are applied to those ships and shipbuilders not covered by the OECD agreement?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (24 July 1996)

The OECD agreement on shipbuilding has not yet come into force as the USA has failed to ratify it. The agreement limits the scope of authorized aid to research and development, social assistance and to domestic or export credit which conforms to the understanding on export credits for ships.

Failure to comply with these rules may trigger the sanctions or counter-measures laid down in Article 8 of the agreement. The Community could therefore use the Article against offending parties.

However, these measures only apply to the signatories to the agreement (the Community, Japan, Korea, Norway and the USA), which binds them to international aid rules that are on the whole tighter than those of the WTO agreement.

Consequently, vessels and shipbuilders from other countries could not be targeted by the sanctions of an agreement they have not signed. Nevertheless, the WTO subsidies agreement does provide for counter-measures and, after going through the relevant proceedings, a panel may authorize one party to take steps against another which has granted subsidies that do not comply with the agreement.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1508/96 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Failure on the part of the city authorities of Rome to apply Directive 85/337 transposed into Italian law by Prime Ministerial Decree 377/85

From a question put to the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli, it emerges that the Rome city authorities have not taken account of Directive 85/337/EEC ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p.40. )), transposed into national law by Prime Ministerial Decree 377/85 on environmental impact assessment, in connection with the most important project which it intends to carry out for the 2000 jubilee, the underground line 'C'.

Since Articles 5,6,8 and 9 of this law establish that the city council must inform the general public about projects which it intends to carry out, that the public must have the opportunity to express their opinions and that the city council, once it has taken decisions, must make them public and provide justification for them, and in view of the fact that it has not complied with any of these provisions, does the Commission not consider that it should intervene to ensure that the city council complies with the above-mentioned Community legislation?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 July 1996)

The metro line project is not automatically subject to an environmental impact assessment procedure within the meaning of Directive 85/337/EEC.

There is no provision under Italian law for an environmental impact assessment procedure for this category of Annex II project, or indeed for many other Annex II categories.

Accordingly, infringement proceedings have been instituted against Italy on the basis of Article 169 of the EC Treaty.

Moreover, any project likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of its nature, size or location must be made subject to the abovementioned procedure (Article 2 of the Directive).

This Article has not been transposed into Italian law, which complaint is included in the abovementioned infringement proceedings. It might be possible for the Commission to intervene with the Italian authorities with regard to this particular project on the basis of additional information on the main characteristics of the project so as to assess its environmental impact.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1204/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Operation of the commitology procedure in relation to the draft regulation on development aid to refugees, uprooted and displaced persons in ALA

Bearing in mind its experience of operating the commitology procedure, can the Commission make an approximate estimate for a full calendar year of the cost of implementing all decisions above a threshold of ECU 0.5 m., ECU 2 m. and ECU 5 m. respectively for this budget line in terms of

1. the number of pages of papers to be translated and considered,

2. the number of decisions required as a figure and as a proportion of the whole,

3. the cost of setting up and attendance at committee meetings additional to the current arrangements?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1996)

Breakdown of decisions by amount of the Community contribution

Out of a total of 54 projects for which funding was decided by the Commission in 1995:

- 17 (31%) were for an amount between O.5 and 2 MECU

- 14 (26%) were for an amount between 2 and 5 MECU

- none was for an amount above 5 MECU.

The total amount of commitment appropriations in the 1996 budget being the same as in 1995 (60 MECU) it can be estimated that a similar number of decisions and similar percentages could apply for the present financial year and for any other year with the same budgetary appropriations.

Number of pages to be translated and considered

Each project to be submitted to a committee will have to be accompanied by a description consisting of an average of 5 pages. This project description will have be translated into 10 languages (i.e. all the official languages, less the one in which it is drafted).

Additional costs of setting up and attendance at committees

The projects will be submitted to the regular meetings of the ALA committee. Thus, no additional costs are foreseen.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1130/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Gaseous pollutant emissions

The Commission is to be commended for its proposal for a directive COM(95) 350 ((OJ C 328, 07.12.1995, p. 1. )) on the emission of gaseous pollutants from non-road mobile machinery, which is intended to reduce the pollution caused by these machines and is the first proposal for an EU directive tackling this major problem.

Does the Commission not agree that it would be beneficial to ensure that alternative fuels, which are ecological and biodegradable, are used, on the basis of the experience of using eco-diesel fuel, which results in a total reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere of 2.3 kg for each litre used?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (22 July 1996)

The proposal ((COM(95) 350. )) would regulate requirements on engines with regard to their emissions rather than to environmentally friendliness of certain fuels.

The Commission is committed to encourage the development of more environmentally friendly fuels as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources. Alternative fuels such as bio-fuels appear to present some advantages in this regard but these must be balanced against other factors such as the environmental impact associated with crop cultivation methods. The net CO2 emission reduction is often less than indicated by the Honourable Member and this reduction is only achieved at a much higher cost than those associated with other measures reducing CO2 emissions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1497/96 by Vassilis Ephremidis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Use of the fire brigade as a repressive force

The Greek fire brigade is called upon to act as a repressive force under police command to break up public gatherings as reinforcements for the special police units assigned to these duties.

Since the fire brigade's task is to protect the lives and property of the public from the threat of fire, disaster and accident and given that in Greece the ratio of fire-fighters to members of the public is currently more than 1:1 800, when the ratio in other European countries stands at 1:700, using them to put down demonstrations further undermines the effective performance of their duties.

1. Does the Commission think that the practice of using the fire brigade to break up gatherings and demonstrations should be stopped because it contravenes the role and nature of the service, distorts its aims and duties and contradicts and impedes its task of serving society?

2. Does it know which EU countries use their fire brigades for repressive purposes?

3. Are Community funds designed to strengthen fire-fighting resources and operations used for repressive police work instead of the protection of the public's lives and property?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1996)

1. The Commission is not competent to determine whether a Member State uses its fire-fighting services to maintain public order.

2. The Commission does not have any information on this matter.

3. In the past, the Commission has financed the equipping of fire-fighting services in Greece, but not the operation of these services. Such financing does not in any way strengthen the repressive role of the police but serves solely to provide better protection against fire.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1759/96 by Leen van der Waal (EDN) to the Commission (3 July 1996)

Subject: Violation of the human rights of religious minorities in Morocco

The European Evangelical Alliance has sent me a report of December 1995 by Middle East Concern stating that converts from Islam to Christianity are increasingly suffering persecution at the hands of the police and the courts in Morocco. This is odd in that religious freedom in Morocco is guaranteed under the constitution and Morocco is a signatory to as number of international human rights agreements. There appears, then, to be a discrepancy between the policy of the national authorities aimed at tolerance and the application of this policy by the local authorities.

1. Can the Commission confirm Middle East Concern's information about the position of religious minorities and the discrepancy between the policy of the national authorities and the behaviour of the local authorities in Morocco?

2. What action does the Commission intend to take under the association agreement, to which the european Parliament recently gave its assent, in response to this situation?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (26 July 1996)

1. Under Article 6 of the Moroccan constitution, Islam is the state religion but the state guarantees freedom of worship.

However, under Islamic law, it is strictly forbidden to change religion and Article 220(2) of the 1962 Moroccan penal code also prohibits conversion in certain circumstances. As a result, a number of Moroccan citizens have been prosecuted for practising Christianity.

2. Respect for human rights and democratic principles is not only a source of ongoing concern for the EU but also something which all signatories to the declaration of the Barcelona Conference, including Morocco, expressly agreed to uphold.

The Commission, acting with the Member States, will certainly pass on its misgivings to the Moroccan authorities in the forthcoming political talks on the new association agreement. The agreement will not come into force until it has been ratified by all Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1517/96 by Mark Killilea (UPE) to the Commission (17 June 1996)

Subject: Parking pass for disabled persons

In its design of a new parking pass for the disabled, the details of the card holder are to be listed on the reverse side of the card, i.e. surname, first name, date of birth, address and signature.

While this new parking pass, which will be recognized in all the Member States, is a very welcome development, would not the Commission agree that the recording of personal details of the card holder in this manner could in itself pose a threat to that person, for instance in the event of damage to or theft of the vehicle, in which case full details of the owner would come into the possession of other persons? Would it not consider that some form of coding or reference number would be more appropriate in these circumstances? Would not the Commission agree that, as a rule, it would not be sensible to leave personal details of such a nature in an unattended vehicle?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1996)

The Commission's proposal has been the subject of debates within committees of the Parliament. The Commission has naturally taken careful note of the comments made, particularly concerning the security aspects of including personal details on a parking card.

After the Parliament adopts its opinion, expected shortly, the Commission will examine it and, as appropriate, draw up an amended proposal.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1382/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Collaboration between the European Union and gastronomic societies

On 22 March 1996, in Venice, the Commission signed a 'principle of collaboration' between the European Union and the International Academy of Gastronomy.

What will this collaboration consist of?

On what criteria did the Commission select the aforesaid International Academy of Gastronomy for the purposes of this collaboration?

What economic contribution will the Commission be making towards developing this collaboration?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1996)

On 22 March 1996, the Commission and the International Academy of Gastronomy, at the request of the latter and in accordance with the Commission's traditional policy of working together with civil society, signed a joint declaration to promote and encourage European gastronomy.

The Commission is prepared to do the same with other similar interested groups, provided that they have a European dimension, in accordance with the provisions in the Treaty.

Gastronomy is an aspect of European culture with special relevance, which today has a central place in its own right within the culture of the Member States.

The Commission believes that its action in this area lies fully within the mandate of Article 128 of the Treaty, according to which the Community shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States, encouraging cooperation in order to improve their knowledge and dissemination.

The International Academy of Gastronomy, presided over by Mr Nuvoletti, associates the gastronomic academies of Benelux, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

This declaration has not had any economic consequences.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1271/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 May 1996)

Subject: COM in fruit and vegetables

Title III of the proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables (COM(95) 434 final ((OJ C 52, 21.2.1996, p. 1. ))) concerns interbranch organizations which are set up on the initiative of individual operators, or already exist, and which represent a significant share of the various professional groups in the fruit and vegetables sector. These interbranch organizations can help take greater account of market realities and facilitate the development of economic practices so as to increase knowledge and improve the organization of production and of the supply and marketing of produce. The proposed regulation provides that, once the types of measure have been defined, specific recognition shall be given to organizations which demonstrate that they are truly representative and are implementing positive measures in pursuit of the above goals.

In view of the market regulations, will the Commission take account of the specific situation of the individual Member States and make the application of interbranch agreements optional?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 June 1996)

Title III of the Commission's proposal for reform of the fruit and vegetable sector contains clauses referring to interbranch organizations and agreements. The machinery they set up was intended to apply across the board. When Title III was discussed in the Council, however, a number of delegations objected that the clauses did not reflect the present organizational arrangements in their own Member State.

Discussions on this matter are continuing.