ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0470/99

by Niels Sindal (PSE) to the Commission

(24 February 1999)

Subject: Unlawful price agreements

In January 1999, the Danish media claimed that unlawful price-fixing agreements existed between a number of mortgage lenders in Denmark, as a result of which tariffs were difficult to understand and administrative charges accounted for an inordinately high proportion of total costs.

Is the Commission aware of the state of affairs prevailing on the Danish mortgage market (financial market)?

Does it agree that the administrative charges should reflect the true cost of processing a mortgage loan and that tariffs in general must be relatively easy for consumers to understand?

What action does it plan to take in view of the state of affairs described above?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 1999)

The Commission is aware that the Danish Konkurencestyrelsen is already conducting an investigation into the Danish mortgage lending market. The aim of the investigation is to clarify whether or not the mortgage lending market's six credit institutions act in concert with respect to prices and conditions.

The Commission does not intend to take any action at this stage since a national competition authority is already investigating the matter.

Besides, it is indeed the Commission's policy that tariffs should be transparent and easy to understand for consumers.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0262/99

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 February 1999)

Subject: Greek operational programme for the environment

What is the take-up to date of appropriations earmarked for sub-programme 2 of the operational programme for the environment (management of the human environment and control of air pollution in Athens) and for precisely which projects, with particular reference to measures 2.3 (protection of the atmospheric environment in the country and Athens and noise control) and 2.5 (management of solid and toxic waste)?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Take-up for sub-programme 2 of the operational programme (OP) for the environment under the 1994-99 Community support framework for Greece is at present 44,6 %. Take-up for measures 2.3 and 2.5 is 60 % and 40 % respectively and for the whole OP 58 %.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and the Parliament Secretariat a list of the projects so far included in measures 2.3 and 2.5.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0553/99

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Age limits for staff recruitment

When the Commission reviews its staff procedures in the next few months, can we have an assurance that the present discriminatory age limits for staff recruitment will be abolished?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 1999)

On 21 January 1998 the Commission decided to gradually abolish age limits in competition notices(1). It began by setting an age limit of 45 for all staff recruitment competitions, following the approach adopted by the Parliament's Bureau on 20 October 1997. During interinstitutional discussions on the reflection group report on personnel policy the other institutions expressed their willingness to raise the age limit to 45. But this does not mean that the other institutions necessarily share the Commission's views regarding the gradual abolition of age limits in competition notices.

The question of age limits will be raised during interinstitutional discussions in autumn 1999.

(1) SEC(97) 2416 and SEC(97) 2417.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0533/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union

At its June 1998 part-session the European Parliament debated and adopted the own-initiative report on the fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union (A4-0137/98)(1), in the conclusions to which, inter alia, it urged the Commission and those responsible in the Member States "to tighten up standards and improve the machinery for controlling fish products marketed on Union territory, verifying in a reliable manner that fresh and processed fishery products comply with the law on rules of origin".

Can the Commission say what measures have been taken to comply with Parliament's request, and what results have been obtained?

(1) OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 295.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0126/99

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Elections in Turkey

The police and other authorities in Turkey are preventing normal political party activity. This has been reported to Members of the European Parliament by the Halkin Demokrasi Partisi party, which is particularly strong in the Kurdish region.

Will the Commission or other EU institutions send observers to the Turkish elections in April, and will they also be sent to the Kurdish region?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

The Commission does not plan to send observers to Turkey for the elections to be held on 18 April, although it will follow the electoral process closely. The Commission regularly examines all aspects of the democratic process in Turkey, notably with regard to the "Regular report on Turkey's progress towards accession". The first report was adopted on 4 November last year, and the Commission will present the second at the end of this year, along with those for the other candidate countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0666/99

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

Regions whose per capita income is less than 75 % of the average Community per capita income are described as "Objective 1 regions" and they receive significant amounts of Community aid.

To determine whether or not this threshold has been exceeded, the draft Council Regulation COM(98) 131 final(1) laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds states that the figures corresponding to the last three years for which Eurostat has data available will be used.

At the moment the only figures available are those for the 1994, 1995 and 1996 financial years.

What are the figures for those years for Catalonia?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0587/99

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Request for information following written question E-0370/98

Further to the reply of 27 March 1998 to my written question E-0370/98(1), will the Commission list those non-governmental organisations whose concerns over nuclear transports have been submitted to the Standing Working Group of Experts on the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials over the past five years? What concerns were expressed by the NGOs and what action was taken by the Standing Working Group or the Commission in response to these concerns?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

As far as details of the workings of the Standard Working Group of Experts on the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials is concerned, the Honourable Member of Parliament is invited to refer to the answer given by the Commission in response to Written Question P-3454/98 by Ms Bloch von Blottnitz(2).

Consequently, even if the group is regularly called upon to examine considerations put forward by certain non-governmental organisations in the course of its duties, the subjects treated, as well as the views expressed, are confidential.

(1) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 55.

(2) OJ C 320, 6.11.1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0064/99

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Community approach to nuclear energy

Whilst the attempts by some countries to dismantle their nuclear installations indicate the shift away from this energy source in the West, its supporters predict its inevitable resurgence within twenty years.

The debate, based on emotional rather than rational arguments, has practical repercussions and raises expectations that a cleaner energy source will be developed than the use of coal, oil or natural gas to generate electricity.

Given the responsibility placed on it in the field of nuclear energy by virtue of the corresponding legal texts, will the Commission say what approach it has adopted and will adopt with a view to pinpointing accurately for Community public opinion the genuine assets of nuclear energy and the problems it can resolve, at a time when worldwide energy demand is on the increase?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1999)

The current and future part played by civil nuclear energy in the Community's and the world's energy supplies was examined by the Commission in its communication on the nuclear industries in the European Union: an illustrative nuclear programme within the meaning of Article40 of the Euratom Treaty(1).

This document examines, in particular, the main characteristics of the nuclear industry and identifies the challenges that it must meet.

(1) COM(97) 401 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0230/99

by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Funding for the Network of Urban Forums for Sustainable Development

The Network of Urban Forums for Sustainable Development was set up in response to the EC Green Paper on the Urban Environment (COM(90) 218) and the 5th Action Programme Related to the Environment and Sustainable Development: "Towards sustainability" (COM(92) 23). Normally, the secretariat function would have been executed under a technical assistance contract with DG X; however such a contract was never finalised. In the absence of a secretariat, the International Institute for the Urban Environment performed the secretariat function.

1. Is DG X supportive of the work of the Network of Urban Forums for Sustainable Development?

2. How is it possible that the requisite coordination work for the network activities has been carried out on an unpaid basis since 1995?

3. How is it possible that the body carrying out the coordination activities never received an answer to its request for payment?

4. Why was a contract not concluded with the coordinating body for their work, despite an oral commitment from DG X?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 1999)

1. The Commission does appreciate the work of the network of urban forums for sustainable development. It is an experimental network with 19 members. In 1999 the Commission will evaluate the network with a view to taking the necessary decisions on its future.

2. The work of the of urban forums network is coordinated by the Commission, more particularly by the Information Relays Unit in DG X as in the case of the rural carrefours network (110 members) and the Europe Info-Points (85 members).

3. The International Institute for Urban Development in Delft submitted a financial proposal with regard to the management of the network to the Information Relays Unit in DG X. The proposal was not taken into consideration because the activities in question must be managed directly by the Commission. The Institute was informed orally of the situation. A written answer was not prepared at the time because oral exchanges with the Institute, like all the relays, were very frequent.

4. At no point did DG X give an oral undertaking to the Institute with regard to the management of the network for the reason given at 3 above.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0076/99

by Yvonne Sandberg-Fries (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 1999)

Subject: Commission's relations with its information office in Sweden

Over a year ago, the head of the Commission's information office in Sweden wrote a letter to the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, calling into question comments made in the media by MPs concerning EU tax. This event received considerable coverage in the Swedish media at the time. In a letter addressed to the Swedish Prime Minister, the President of the Commission has criticised a statement that the Prime Minister allegedly made in an interview for a Swedish news programme in response to revelations by the European Parliament about irregularities and fraud within the Commission. The letter refers to a point of view which the Swedish Prime Minister never expressed. As a direct consequence of this interpretation and/or translation error originally made at the Commission's office in Sweden, the letter from the President of the Commission has received wide coverage in the Swedish media.

In the light of these events, does the Commission consider that the Commission's information office in Sweden is operating satisfactorily?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-0075/99 and P-0076/99 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 1999)

As the Honourable Member states, the President of the Commission wrote personally to Mr Göran Persson, Prime Minister of Sweden. The President had no intention of questioning the right of the Heads of State and or Government to comment on information relating to the operation of the Commission as published in the press. He simply wished to give his colleague his views on the statements reported to him. He was at pains to point out that his comments assumed that the statement attributed to the Prime Minister had been correctly interpreted. The Swedish Prime Minister subsequently clarified matters in a letter to the President.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0734/99

by James Moorhouse (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Funding of the Turkish European Foundation

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Is the EU funding the Turkish European Foundation (TEF), a body that has been set up in London to promote EU-Turkish relations, and if so, what is the sum involved;

2. If the answer to the above is negative, would the TEF be eligible for funding, and has it approached the Commission in this regard;

3. If the TEF is receiving, or is eligible to receive, EU funding, can the Commission explain how it can ensure that the TEF does not publish misleading or inaccurate information about Turkey at EU taxpayers' expense?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 1999)

The Community is not funding the Turkish European foundation (TEF) which has been set up in London. Following an approach by the TEF, the Commission informed its executive director that it could not fund the expenses linked to the activities of his foundation. The Commission indicated that it would be up to the Turkish authorities or business community to finance activities geared towards "enlightening public and official opinion concerning the reasons for the Turkish quest for Union membership and the reasons why Member States should respond favourably to this quest".
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1075/99

by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Commission

(20 April 1999)

Subject: Applicant countries

Could the Commission make an estimate of the degree to which Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic are meeting the criteria set down in the Copenhagen Agreement and are on course to meet the agreed timetable for entry to the European Union?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

The degree to which Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic meet the Copenhagen accession criteria is analysed in the Commission's 1998 regular reports.

Hungary continues to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria. Continuing attention needs to be paid to combating corruption more effectively and to improving the situation of the Roma. Hungary can be regarded as a functioning market economy. It should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Community in the medium term, provided that it maintains the conditions for trade integration and ongoing enterprise restructuring. Hungary's rhythm of transposition has remained steady and has generally been accompanied by adequate institutional and financial provisions facilitating implementation. The Commission considers that Hungary's steady progress will, if sustained, enable it to take on the obligations of membership in the medium term provided the pace of transposition in environment picks up.

Poland continues to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria. It can be regarded as a functioning market economy, and it should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Community in the medium term, provided that it strengthens the pace of economic restructuring and continues to avoid reversals in trade policy. Its rhythm of transposition is uneven and there are gaps in administrative and institutional capacity in certain key areas, in particular environment, standardisation and state aid control. Progress to date in industrial restructuring and justice and home affairs should be maintained. Nonetheless the Commission considers that Poland's progress will, if sustained, enable it to take on the obligations of membership in the medium term.

The Czech Republic continues to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria, although continued attention needs to be focused on the situation of the Roma in Czech society. The Czech Republic can be regarded as a functioning market economy, and it should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Community in the medium term, provided that it improves corporate governance and accelerates enterprise restructuring. The Czech Republic should be able to take on the obligations of membership provided that the momentum in the adoption of the acquis and the strengthening of related administrative structures is resumed rapidly so as to make up for the slow progress in the last year, particularly in the areas of internal market, agriculture and justice and home affairs.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0162/99

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Delays in the payment of Community agricultural subsidies

There have been significant delays in the payment of Community subsidies to farmers in Greece under the present system. Recently the payment of Community subsidies for cereals, cotton etc. was twice postponed, harming producers of these crops. The Greek ministry of agriculture is preparing to implement in April 1999 a new system for the payment of Community aid to replace the present one.

1. Is the Commission aware that there have been long delays in the payment of Community subsidies to farmers in Greece, and will it say whether such delays have also occurred in other Member States?

2. What measures can the Commission take to prevent delays in the payment of subsidies to farmers in Greece and elsewhere in the EU, and how can they be protected from such practices?

3. What is the reason for the delays and how does it judge the present system for paying Community subsidies to farmers in Greece?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 1999)

1. The Commission is not aware that the situation as regards delays in the payment of agricultural subsidies is different in Greece from the situation in the other Member States.

2. In order to encourage Member States to make payments to farmers within the time limits laid down the Commission introduced a system, defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) 296/96 of 16 February 1996 on data to be forwarded by the Member States and the monthly booking of expenditure financed under the Guarantee Section of the Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and repealing Regulation (EEC) 2776/88(1), which provides for a financial penalty for Member States which do not abide by the deadlines set for the payment of agricultural subsidies to the beneficiaries. Greece is one of the Member States to which financial corrections have been applied on account of such delays.

3. The Commission considers that the system of administering and paying Community agricultural subsidies in Greece needs to be considerably improved. The Greek authorities are currently setting up new paying agencies, whose efficiency is being evaluated by the Commission, and this should shortly bring about an improvement in the situation in Greece.

(1) OJ L 39, 17.2.1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0107/99

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) , Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) , Jyrki Otila (PPE) and Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Bringing forward by one year the introduction of euro banknotes and coins

Some Member States have, with good reason, proposed that the introduction of euro banknotes and coins should be brought forward by one year. In order for the requisite notes and coins to be produced in time, the question of the timetable needs to be reviewed without delay. Will the Commission take measures to reduce the euro transition period by one year, and will it make the necessary arrangements to enable the requisite decisions to be taken before the Finnish Presidency begins?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 1999)

The Council stipulated in Articles 10 and 11 of Council Regulation (EC) 974/98 of 3 May 1998(1) that banknotes and coins denominated in the euro unit shall be put into circulation as from 1 January 2002. The date of introduction of euro banknotes and coins was defined following intensive consultations of all involved.

Following a suggestion by some Member States, the issue was re-examined at the meeting of the Ecofin Council of 18 January 1999. The discussion in the Council, involving the European central bank, revealed considerable reluctance to advance the introduction of euro banknotes and coins as this was considered neither technically feasible nor desirable, given that those concerned have defined their changeover strategy on the basis of the timeframe set by the Council. The Commission was mandated to explore the subject further and will report in due course.

(1) OJ L 139, 11.5.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0638/99

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(16 March 1999)

Subject: Arrest of a human rights activist in Indonesia

Is the Commission aware of the arrest of a peaceful human rights activist, Mr Izack Windesi, together with eight others, in Irian Jaya?

Is the Commission prepared to ask the Indonesian authorities for clarification of the charges brought against these people and of the trial proceedings?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 1999)

The Commission is informed that Iszack Windesl was arrested in February 1999 in Irian Jaya with a number of other militants and is still in custody. The Commission is currently trying to collect as much further information as possible, in cooperation with the Member States, with a view to approaching the Indonesian authorities on this case.