ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1531/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (5 May 1997)

Subject: Information on EC assistance granted to the Rhineland-Palatinate from January to December 1995

In what amounts and for what measures did the Rhineland-Palatinate receive Community resources in 1995 from:

1. the European Social Fund,

2. the Fourth Framework Research Programme,

3. the European Regional Development Fund,

4. the Community environment and energy programmes,

5. the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance and Guarantee Sections,

6. other Community programmes?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1530/97, E-1531/97 and E-1532/97 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 550/97 by Ulf HOLM to the Council. Possible decision by Sweden not to participate in EMU



Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0111



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0550/97 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Council (24 February 1997) Subject: Possible decision by Sweden not to participate in EMU What will the Council do if the Swedish Parliament decides that Sweden should not participate in EMU? Answer (16 May 1997) The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the reply given on 12 March 1977 by the President of the Council to Oral Question H-141/97 by Jonas Sjöstedt.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0795/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Community subsidies to associations, NGOs and various other bodies

With regard to heading A-3057 (Women's Forum), can the Commission provide a complete list of associations and other bodies benefiting from Community subsidies and the exact amount of these subsidies for the last completed budgetary year, i.e. 1996?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1997)

The Commission wishes to point out to the Honourable Member that, in the 1996 financial year, heading A-3091 (Women's Forum) was merged with heading A-3058 into heading A-3057.

The total allocation for heading A-3057, amounting to ECU 600 000, was granted to the Women's Forum to enable it to operate and to carry out its activities for development of the ideas contained in the Beijing Platform.

The Commission is forwarding direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of the Parliament a list of the members of the Women's Forum.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0907/97 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Communications strategy for the European environment

Further to Question P-4104/96 ((OJ C 186, 18.6.1997, p. 189. )) answered by Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard on 10 February 1997, the Commission is asked to state:

1. Who acted as communications consultant?

2. What are the tasks to be carried out?

3. Is there available a report, a strategy or similar document to which Parliament can be granted access as a way of ensuring that the results of the consultant's work are widely disseminated?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

In conformity with the internal Commission rules the member responsible for environment in 1996 appointed Mr. Simon Hansen as special advisor for information and communication matters. His task has been to provide a study on the clarification of the role of information and communication in relation to the Commission's environmental initiatives. The study of the special advisor has been summed up in a report which is subject to the Commission's rules on access to internal documents.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0640/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Training courses funded by the European Social Fund in the Region of Lazio

Following the call for tenders issued in 1996, the Region of Lazio published the results, during the second half of January 1997, of its selection procedure for professional training projects, specifically those submitted for the regional Operational Programmes covered by Objectives 3 and 4.

The results were as follows:

- 52 projects, to a value of more than LIT 5 billion, were awarded to the ACLI ENAIP - the National Association for Vocational Education and Training run by the Italian Christian Workers' Association; the ENAIP is in severe financial difficulties and would not appear to be in a position to guarantee that the courses will take place;

- LIT 700 million were awarded to the UIL ENFAP - the National Association for Vocational Training and Education run by the Italian Labour Union - and more than LIT 1 billion were awarded to the Alto Lazio Consortium; both of these are the subject of legal proceedings brought by the Civitavecchia magistrature, which has taken some of the leaders of these organizations to court on charges of defrauding the Region of Lazio as a result of irregularities in the organization of previous courses.

Does the Commission not agree that the organizations which have been awarded the contracts for the courses should be able to guarantee that the projects will actually be carried out? This is not so in the case of the ACLI Association, which is widely known to be in serious financial difficulties which would appear to prejudice its chances of implementing the projects.

What is the Commission's position on the allocation of funding to associations which are the subject of legal proceedings for defrauding the region?

Finally, what is the Commission's opinion regarding the need to reform the regional regulations governing vocational training in order to ensure that such cases do not arise in future?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (22 April 1997)

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for information regarding the facts raised to by the Honourable Member. It will inform her of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0869/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Sport in Europe

With regard to budget heading B3-305: Sport in Europe for financial year 1995, can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0849/97 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Distribution of ERDF Article 10 projects by type and by Member State

In view of the fact that application of Article 10 of the ERDF depends to a large extent on the Commission's discretion and recognizing the fact that there is trans-national involvement in many of the projects financed under the procedure laid down in that article, could the Commission provide:

1. a listing of the calls for applications which have already been published under the current financial perspective and information concerning the number of applications submitted and selected in the case of each Member State and the amount of co-funding provided by the ERDF;

2. details of the budget allocated to Article 10 for the remainder of the current financial perspective and the current rate of implementation in terms of both payments and commitments?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1997)

A list of the calls for proposals already published under Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 34. )) is given below, indicating the amount of the ERDF contribution in each field.

>TABLE>

Regarding the number of applications submitted and selected, broken down by Member State, the Honourable Member should consult the answer given by the Commission to written question E -2147/96 from Mr Howitt ((OJ C 11, 13.1.1997. )) for details concerning innovative schemes.

A total of 503 proposals were received for urban pilot projects and 142 for pilot projects in spatial planning. The geographical breakdown is given below.

>TABLE>

It should be noted that final selections among these projects have not yet been made and that the proposals in spatial planning have a transnational and multiregional dimension. The nationality of the network leader is given merely as an indication.

Finally, it is worth pointing out that the budget for Article 10 projects in 1995-99 is ECU 395 million. Out of this envelope, ECU 65 million have already been committed to innovative schemes and ECU 80 million will soon be committed to urban and spatial planning projects. Because of the system of paying out advances on the total assistance, actual payments to date amount to about ECU 26 million only.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0686/97 by María Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Measures in favour of Algerian women

Does the Commission intend to implement, with immediate effect, various projects to encourage and help women to stand as candidates in the forthcoming general elections in Algeria under the MEDA-Democracy programme or other similar programmes?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1997)

MEDA-Democracy is indeed the best framework, in terms of Community funding, for initiatives to help women stand as candidates in the upcoming Algerian elections. Efforts to disseminate information on sources of financing under MEDA have been foiled by the return home of the Commission's delegation staff in Algiers even before the programme got under way.

Projects of a general nature are in progress, or planned, to heighten the awareness of Algerian women on their political, civil and socio-economic rights. Just such an awareness project was financed last year: it involves ascertaining how much Algerian women know about their rights via monitoring units, workplace focus groups, round tables and surveys carried out in the countryside at the workplace and in schools.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0872/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: 1993 Cohesion Fund

With regard to the Cohesion Fund for 1993 can the Commission say what projects were approved and subsidized in Italy and the amount of appropriations allocated to each of them? In particular can it specify which projects concerned the environment and transport?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0872/97, E-0873/97 and E-0874/97 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1997)

According to Article 2.2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/94 of 16 May 1994 ((OJ L 130, 25.5.1994. )) setting up the Cohesion fund, only Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland are eligible for Cohesion fund financing until the end of 1999. Italy is therefore not eligible and no projects in Italy have been financed by the fund.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0410/97 by Manuel Medina Ortega (PSE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: Community environment protection programmes

What Community environment protection programmes has the Commission approved for the Canaries in the past year and what contribution have the Spanish national and regional authorities agreed to make, with particular reference to the protection of beaches and coastlines?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1997)

The assistance provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the Canaries for the period 1994-99 was defined as part of the Community's objective assistance to Spain, No 1, and was approved by means of Commission Decision 94/624/EC of 26 June 1994 ((OJ L 250, 26.9.1994. )). That assistance was granted by approving the operational programme for the Canaries via the Decision 7 November 1994 and via the Regis II Community Initiative Programme for Spain-Canaries via the Decision of 21 December 1995.

Under those programmes the intention is that the ERDF will jointly finance activities concerning the protection and improvement of the environment by means of a Community contribution of ECU 52.21 million and ECU 22.57 million respectively.

The environmental section of the Cohesion Fund has financed a desalination plant at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, improvements to the beach at Icod de los Vinos on Tenerife, restoration of the seashore at Pozillos Matagorda on Lanzarote and physical and environmental improvements to the beaches at El Fraile and Las Arenas, and Buenavista del Norte on Tenerife.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0619/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (4 March 1997)

Subject: Financial scandal in Albania

The events taking place in Albania as a result of the 'pyramid' financial scandal are well known. All the information suggests that the Berisha government, members of which were involved in the scandal, were aware of the situation.

A new wave of economic refugees from Albania - a country receiving aid from the Commission - has been created with unforeseeable consequences for their host countries, which include Greece. In view of this, will the Commission say:

1. what information it has gathered concerning the financial scandal and the possible involvement of officials in the Berisha government,

2. if the information is correct, what its response will be, and

3. what measures it will take to deal with the problem of economic refugees from Albania?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

The Albanian Government knew of the existence of pyramid companies and the risk they posed to the Albanian financial sector. In 1996, and well before the first bankruptcies at the end of November, the International Monetary Fund had issued several warnings. The Commission for its part also offered technical assistance from October onwards in order to set up a legislative and regulatory framework geared to the financial sector but the Albanian Government's attitude has scarcely shifted. The Commission does not have information concerning any involvement of high-level government officials in these financial operations.

The Commission is aware of the existence of a flow of economic refugees from Albania to various Member States, a problem which has been worsening in recent times. It shares the disquiet of the Honourable Member but cannot act directly as there is no proper European framework to approach the Albanian authorities on this matter ((See answer given recently to written question No E-0057/97 by Mr Roubatis on illegal immigration and drugs trafficking at the Greek-Albanian border. )). On the other hand, it is willing to speed up, where it can, the implementation of schemes to foster local development already forming part of the Phare programme with a view to boosting job creation and thus check emigration. It is also willing to provide humanitarian aid.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1038/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Abandonment of mental health reforms in Greece

According to reports in the press, the Greek Ministry of Health and Employment does not even have the minimum resources to devote to mental health reform with the result that 16 psychiatric centres and training facilities remain closed.

Although the Commission regards de-institutionalization as a social policy priority, Greece is still legislating for asylum rather than reform.

1. On what grounds was the de-institutionalization programme discontinued?

2. What were the reasons militating against the continuation of measures under Regulation 815/84 ((OJ L 88, 31.3.1984, p. 1. )) covered by the operational programme for combating exclusion from the labour market?

3. What measures has the Commission taken to ensure that Greece has made due use of Community funds?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

1. The de-institutionalisation and reduction in numbers of long-stay patients in the psychiatric hospitals constituted one of the strategic objectives of programme B-reform of the psychiatric care system, of Regulation 815/84 providing for exceptional financial support in favour of Greece in the social field. The other two strategic objectives were the gradual replacement of the institution-based system of psychiatric care by a decentralised framework of community based psychiatric services and the vocational adaptation of medical, therapeutic and paramedical staff to new methods and models of care through training and re-training.

The implementation of Regulation 815/84 was successfully completed in June 1995 following a 3 year extension upon request of the Greek authorities (Regulation 4130/88 ((OJ L 362, 30.12.1988. )) amending Regulation 815/84). The Greek authorities were committed to secure continuity of the reform and build upon its achievements.

2. The Community support framework for Greece 1994-1999 provides some possibilities to support this effort of the Greek authorities through new forms of intervention notably under the operational programme to combat exclusion from the labour market. The scope of action however is not the same as that of Regulation 815/84. It provides mainly for the socio-economic integration or re-integration of people with mental health problems.

3. The Commission, maintaining its interest in the continuation of the reform of the psychiatric care system in Greece and in order to ensure that action implemented under the operational programme makes a valuable contribution to the effort of the Greek authorities, requested a comprehensive plan comprising all the action required to complete the psychiatric reform. On the basis of this plan, the Commission will identify the type of action that could be co-financed within the context of the operational programme to combat exclusion from the labour market and will ensure that such action is implemented in a systematic way and subject to close monitoring and evaluation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0245/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (13 February 1997)

Subject: Meadow ecosystem between Straubing and Vilshofen

Is the Council willing to propose that the meadow ecosystem between Straubing and Vilshofen, in particular the Isar confluence area, the nature reserves of Staatshaufen, Winzerer Letten and the Mühlhammerschleife, should be designated a protected area within the meaning of the wild bird directive and the flora and fauna habitat directive, given that for years the Federal Republic of Germany and the Free State of Bavaria have refused to fulfil their obligations in designating protected areas under the wild bird directive and the flora and fauna habitat directive?

Answer (20 May 1997)

None of the Directives mentioned by the Honourable Member enables the Council to propose that a specific ecosystem should be designated as a protected area.

However, the Council has made clear in general the importance it attaches to the protection of wetlands by adopting its conclusions oon the wise use and management of such areas.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1076/97 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (17 March 1997)

Subject: Research funds for the development of high-definition television

Will the Commission state what amount of Community appropriations is being allocated to research for the development of high-definition television?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1997)

Community funding of research into high-definition television (HDTV) breaks down into several parts. Direct support for the development of digital HDTV is channelled mainly through the Acts programme, in which three projects have a total budget of ECU 25 million, with Community backing of ECU 11.5 million.

In addition, HDTV development is benefiting from the generic technologies emerging from the Community research and development programmes, particularly those relating to micro-electronics, information processing and display screens. The amount of financing linked to HDTV cannot be isolated within the budgets allocated to the development of these technologies as they are not specific to HDTV, but lend themselves to a wide range of applications.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1940/97 by Fernando Moniz (PSE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: Report of the European Centre for Research and Action against Racism and Xenophobia

In a recent report of the European Centre for Research and Action against Racism and Xenophobia, references are made to Portugal which are distortions of the truth and are damaging to the country's image and the good name of the Portuguese people in general.

Among other conclusions, it is claimed that 1996 was marked by racism and xenophobia against gypsies and that this situation is 'typical' of a certain 'institutionalized racism'.

Even without making a priori value judgments, one may easily conclude that this affirmation is part of an unfair campaign against a country and a people which, in contrast to the claims made, offer in reality an authentic example of tolerance, civic values and democratic culture.

Given that this report was produced with Commission funds (indeed, in some sections of the media its authorship was erroneously attributed to the Commission), does the Commission agree with its conclusions?

If not, what initiatives will be taken to re-establish the truth?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (20 June 1997)

The report to which the Honourable Member refers was compiled by the European Centre for Research and Action against Racism and Xenophobia. It is for the Centre to assume its responsibilities and, where appropriate, to rectify any errors.

It is not up to the Commission to comment on the content of the report, which is in the nature of a scientific and academic study.

However, the Commission wishes to point out that, although the non-governmental organisation benefited from Community funding to publish the report in question, this does not necessarily imply that the Commission supports the conclusions of the report.