ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0893/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Council (11 March 1997)

Subject: Openness of Council proceedings and the Internet

Which Member States have protested against the publication of various reports of Council proceedings on the Internet, and what was the precise reason for their complaints?

Does the Council President not think it would be useful to launch a thoroughgoing debate in the Council on the subject of transparency, since the current lack of openness and moves to close the relevant pages of the Internet can only add to the European public's distrust of the European Union?

Answer (5 June 1997)

The Honourable Member is apparently referring to the fact that at the beginning of 1997 certain information on the activities of the Council Working Party on Research was broadcast on the Internet.

This was not authorized by the Council or by its General Secretariat. Indeed, disclosure of such information is in breach of the Council's Rules of Procedure, except where the latter or other relevant rules specifically allow it.

The Council notes that the information has since been withdrawn.

On the subject of the transparency of the Council's work, the Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the measures already in place, particularly those on the disclosure of votes and explanations of vote, on open debates, access by the public to statements and minutes, and on public access to Council documents in general under Council Decision 93/731/EC.

Moreover, the Council would point out that the issue of the institutions' transparency is being discussed by the Intergovernmental Conference on the revision of the Treaties.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1441/97 by Jacques Donnay (UPE) to the Commission (28 April 1997)

Subject: Rate of VAT applicable in the catering industry

Thought is currently being given to the future common system of VAT applicable in the EU.

This appraisal, which is of crucial importance for the single market, must clearly seek to harmonize the VAT rates applied in the Member States.

Directive 92/77/EEC of 19 October 1992 ((OJ L 316, 31.10.1992, p. 1. )) laying down the rules for the transitional system of VAT excluded the catering industry from the list of supplies of goods and services which may be subject to reduced rates of VAT in the Member States.

Nevertheless, eight of the fifteen Member States enjoy a derogation allowing them to apply the reduced rate to the catering trade.

These derogations were due to terminate at the end of 1996 but were extended pending adoption of the final system which should harmonize the situation.

1. Will this transitional system currently in force be revised to ensure that the catering industry benefits from the reduced rate of VAT in all Member States?

2. Will the final harmonization of VAT rates stipulate that the reduced rate of VAT applies uniformly to catering-related activities?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (30 May 1997)

The Commission does not envisage a specific change in the current transitional value added tax (VAT) system with regard to the VAT rates applied to restaurant services. VAT rates in general are, however, subject to revision in the context of the Commission work programme on a new common system of VAT for the single market ((COM(96) 328. )). The first proposal for a Council directive in the area of VAT rates is scheduled for the end of 1997 and a second for mid-1999. The specific decision whether or not restaurant services will benefit from a permanent application of a reduced VAT rate will only need to be taken at this latter stage and it will take into account the general principles governing the new VAT system and its VAT rate structure.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0330/97 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: CMO for olive oil: expenditure on production aid in Spain

The Court of Auditors' annual report for the financial year 1995 shows that the 1996 budget provided for EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure on olive oil totalling ECU 1781 million. Even though this figure is in line with expenditure between 1991 and 1993, expenditure was far lower in 1995, when it stood at only ECU 812.5 million.

Of this expenditure, production aid accounted for ECU 566.5 million and ECU 1547 million in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

What is the total figure for expenditure on production aid for olive oil in Spain?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0320/97, E-0321/97, E-0322/97, E-0323/97, E-0324/97, E-0325/97, E-0326/97, E-0327/97, E-0328/97, E-0329/97, E-0330/97, E-0331/97, E-0332/97, E-0333/97, E-0334/97, E-0335/97, E-0336/97, E-0337/97, E-0338/97, E-0339/97, E-0340/97, E-0341/97, E-0342/97, E-0343/97 and E-0344/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1997)

The Honourable Member will find the figure he requests in the table below. Total Community expenditure under the 1995 and 1996 budgets was 812.5 and 2007.7 million ecus respectively. The discrepancy with the totals in the table largely relates to payments for olive oil promotion action. The 1995 budget is much lower than for 1996 (and 1994) because the 1994/95 prices package included a decision to move the payment date. This meant that the 1995 budget made no provision for 1994/95 marketing year payments but only for outstanding ones from 1993/94.

(in MECU)

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1375/97 by Gérard Deprez (PPE) and Viviane Reding (PPE) to the Commission (21 April 1997)

Subject: Protection of cross-border tourist sites - Bovigny military base in the commune of Gouvy

At the request of the Belgian Government, ONDRAF (the Belgian agency for radioactive waste and fissile materials) is currently carrying out a cartographical and geological survey to determine whether disused military bases located on Belgian territory might be used for the storage of low-level nuclear waste.

One of the sites which is currently being examined and might, therefore, be chosen is the Bovigny military base located in the commune of Gouvy, which adjoins the border with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the north Luxembourg nature reserve.

Would the Commission state whether:

1. a binding legal instrument enabling it to ensure that cross-border tourist sites are protected already exists?

2. if there is no such instrument, it intends to propose that one be adopted?

3. the provisions governing eligibility for the Leader programme or Objective 5b might be used to protect tourism at the above site?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (20 May 1997)

The Bovigny military base is one of the Belgian military sites examined in a study by the body responsible for the management of radioactive waste (Belgian agency for radioactive waste and fissile materials - ONDRAF) to determine whether the site could be used for the temporary storage of radioactive waste.

1. Selection of sites is the responsibility of the Member State. However, there is full legislation on nature protection (Directives 79/409/EEC on birds ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979. )) and 92/43/EEC on habitats ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. ))) The Habitats Directive provides for the creation of a network of protected areas (Natura 2000). Provided they have been designated by Member States, these sites are protected under Article 6 of the Directive.

2. Directive 85/337/EEC ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )) does not require environmental impact assessment in respect of temporary storage installations. However, the supplementary Directive of 3 March 1997 (97/11/EC ((OJ L 73, 14.3.1997. ))) introduced compulsory assessment of installations for the storage of radioactive waste where the planned duration of storage exceeds 10 years. This Directive must be incorporated into national law by 14 March 1999 at the latest.

3. The Leader programme and Objective 5b provisions relating to rural development have no bearing on the selection of a site for the temporary storage of radioactive waste.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1110/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (24 March 1997)

Subject: Urgent measures to combat paedophilia in Europe

In view of the widespread deep concern at the discovery of the scale and nature of the offences being committed all over Europe - not only in Belgium - by paedophiles and their accomplices and the disturbing commercial and business 'ramifications' of these crimes, urgent action is needed at European level to:

1. propose that the Member States immediately increase the penalties laid down in the various legal systems, pending Community legislation on the subject;

2. propose ruling out the possibility of sentences being commuted and parole being granted for those who have committed paedophile offences;

3. compile files on all paedophiles who have been arrested and sentenced in the European Union so that their movements may be monitored and reported, in order to combat the appalling practice of 'sex tourism' which causes harm to children in the Third World.

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1997)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member to combat paedophilia throughout Europe and is taking a full and active role in this field.

1. and 2. The nature and severity of penalties for criminal offences of whatever kind are matters for the individual Member States. The Commission draws to the attention of the Honourable Member the joint action of the Council of 24 February 1997 concerning action to combat trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children ((OJ L 63, 24.2.1997.)). This joint action requires Member States to "review existing law and practice with a view to providing that ... (these offences) ... are punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties¨. It also provides for the confiscation of the instruments and proceeds of these offences, the closure of establishments used for committing these offences and the application of the Council of Europe 1990 money laundering convention.

3. Since the extension by the joint action of 16 December 1996 ((OJ L 342, 31.12.1996.)) of the mandate of the European drugs unit to include traffic in human beings, the exchange and analysis of information and intelligence involving such traffic is already being undertaken against organised paedophile rings. Furthermore, under the STOP programme (joint action of 29 November 1996 ((OJ L 322, 12.12.1996.))) a project is being undertaken involving a feasibility study of the arrangements for collecting and managing data on missing children and on sex offenders whose victims have been minors.

Concerning the combating of child sex tourism, the Commission adopted, on 27 November 1996, a communication ((COM(96) 547.)), which has four main goals:

- to deter and punish child sex abuse;

- to stem the flow of sex tourists from the Member States;

- to help combat sex tourism in third countries, and

- to encourage the Member States to take a united stand against child sex tourism.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0639/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Lack of transparency

Under Italy's multi-regional Operational Programmes for Objectives 3 and 4, whose administration is the responsibility of the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, funding was provided in January 1996 for a course for engineers specializing in the prevention of hydrogeological and seismic hazards and dangers caused by the vulnerability of buildings, monuments and the environment. This course is organized by the Civil Defence Department and is held at the multipurpose centre at Castelnuovo di Porto (near Rome).

The course appears to have been given no publicity whatever by either the Ministry of Employment or the Civil Defence Department with the result that none of the 70 volunteers in the Civil Defence Organization Federazione Autonoma Radio Urbe (FARU) (Independent City Radio Federation), many of whom were unemployed, were able to apply for a place on the course, which started last November, despite the fact the FARU frequently holds its own exercises in Castelnuovo.

Can the Commission check what measures were taken by the Ministry of Employment to publicise the course in question and can it say whether these measures can be considered sufficient?

Can the Commission give an overall assessment of the steps taken by the Ministry to publicise courses funded under the Operational Programmes?

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

Following the receipt of information from the Member State, the Commission is now in a position to provide the Honourable Member with a supplementary answer.

The training courses referred to by the Honourable Member were part of multiregional operational programme No 94002 E3 managed by the Italian Ministry of Employment. This programme provides assistance for training and employment support in the regions of central-northern Italy.

The measures implemented in this connection are run by operators who have been asked to publicise this type of course. In the case in point, the operator running the courses mentioned by the Honourable Member publicised them during the period prior to project implementation, holding meetings with universities, research centres and representatives of the manufacturing industries to explain the content of the training. During the 'ex post' phase, i.e. after conclusion of the project, the promoter intends to hold meetings and seminars to disseminate the results and describe how the course was run.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0937/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Council (17 March 1997)

Subject: European Council decisions taken at the end of each Presidency

The agreement between Mr Hänsch, in his capacity as President of the European Parliament, and Mr Junker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, concerning the transfer of a certain number of posts in the Secretariat from Luxembourg to Brussels, betrays the spirit and the letter of the conclusions of the Edinburgh Summit. It is justified by an ill-defined policy of economizing on mission expenses and rationalising Parliament's services; it fails to take any account of the human dimension or to consider the accompanying social measures which the decision to transfer large numbers of staff would necessitate (housing, schools and childcare); and it ultimately serves the interests of a hierarchy which is growing increasingly politicized.

Does the Council not agree that this is an essentially political matter, which has nothing to do with the need to make savings, which are marginal in this case?

Does the Council not agree that the attitude displayed by Mr Hänsch and Mr Junker opens up, once again, the question of the seat of the institutions, which appeared to have been resolved by the decisions taken at the Edinburgh Summit?

What measures does the Council envisage to ensure that the decisions taken in Dublin are respected and to demonstrate to the public that the real purpose of the European Summits at the end of Council Presidencies is to adopt principles and guidelines for the construction of the Community?

Answer (1 July 1997)

The Council is confident that, when it proposes to transfer posts, the European Parliament complies with the Decision of 12 December 1992 taken by common agreement between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States on the location of the seats of the institutions and of certain bodies and departments of the European Communities ((OJ C 341, 23.12.1991, p. 1. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0691/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Assistance in the province of Varese

The Varese Provincial Association of Small and Medium-Sized Industries maintains - rightly, in my opinion - that, 'without Europe, the Italian production system (especially in the more developed areas) would be in very grave danger of gradually being marginalized and isolated from the challenges posed and the opportunities offered by the global economy'.

To give an exact picture of the development policies related to the Structural Fund objectives, can the Commission say what amount has been allocated under the Funds and how much funding granted to SMIs in the province of Varese for the period from 1994 to 1999? What were the reasons, if any, for the cases in which instalments of aid have been refused?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (18 April 1997)

Structural fund allocations under objectives 2 and 5b to Italy are made at a regional level on the basis of single programming documents (SPDs). Information on allocations is not therefore available at provincial level.

The province of Varese is covered by the objective 2 SPD (1994-1996) under the Lombardy regional programmes. The objective 2 SPD (1997-1999) is expected to be adopted shortly. Varese is also covered by the Community initiative Interreg programme (1994-1999) for the Italy-Swiss border areas in which aid allocations are not broken down by region.

Small and medium-sized entreprises (SME) development is a key overall priority for all programmes concerned. In addition, there are specific measures to give direct aid to SMEs. The financial allocations are outlined below. Although progress in implementing these programmes has in general been slow, the Commission has not refused structural fund payment instalments under the programmes.

Structural fund programmes in Lombardia from which Varese can benefit (in MECU)

>TABLE>

(1) The regional allocation for Interreg is based on a proposal made by the Italian authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1149/97 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Council (2 April 1997)

Subject: Violation of human rights in the United States

The European Union citizen Silvia Baraldini has been held in a US prison for the last 14 years for her alleged involvement in a terrorist organization, although she herself did not commit any acts of violence. On 21 December 1996 she was woken brutally at dawn by men equipped for a 'maximum state of alert', was taken to hospital handcuffed and shackled, with a plastic chain round her body which set off an alarm if she moved. In hospital she underwent an annual tomography in connection with the two operations for cancer of the uterus which had been carried out in prison previously. She was transported to hospital in an armoured vehicle escorted by 15 men. The medical examination was carried out in the presence of prison warders for 'security reasons'.

1. Bearing in mind that according to human rights prison sentences are designed to rehabilitate the prisoner and should not include psychological and physical torture, does the Council not consider that the attitude of the prison staff towards this EU citizen contravened the most basic human rights and must be firmly condemned?

2. What steps does the Council intend to take to ensure that violations of human rights in US prisons come to an end?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1149/97 and E-1150/97 16 June)

Minimum standard for the treatment of individuals in custody are set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 16 December 1966 and in the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment adopted on 10 December 1984. The USA is a State Party to both the ICCPR and the UN Convention. The Council expects all States Parties to these and other international instruments to fulfil the commitments and obligations into which they have entered.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1676/97 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (7 May 1997)

Subject: The Natura 2000 programme and Member States' powers to alter the programme after its adoption

The Member States of the Union designate conservation areas under the Natura 2000 programme, and inform the Commission of them. However, it is not clear whether or how Member States can make any changes to the programme after it has been adopted.

I would therefore ask the Commission:

1. Can Member States independently alter the designation of their own conservation areas under the Natura 2000 programme?

2. Does the Commission have the power to intervene in any changes the Member States wish to make to the designation of their own conservation areas, for example by prohibiting them from making the changes?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (2 June 1997)

Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )) provides for creation of a coherent European ecological network of sites under the title Natura 2000. For that purpose, the Member States are required to propose a national list of sites intended to be designated as special areas of conservation. Based on this, the Commission shall establish, in agreement with each Member State, a draft list of sites of Community importance. Finally, the Member States shall designate the sites in the Community list as special areas of conservation.

If a Member State intends to modify a special area of conservation belonging to Natura 2000 and this modification reduces the protected area, the situation must be assessed in the light of Article 6 of the Directive.

If the modification will adversely affect the integrity of the site concerned, it can only be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest. The Member State must first make sure that there really are no alternative solutions. In addition the Member State shall take compensatory measures necessary to ensure that the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected. The Commission must be informed of these compensatory measures.

The Commission may be further involved, in cases in which it has to give its opinion in relation to a site hosting a priority natural habitat type or a priority species in respect of which the Member State pleads imperative reasons of overriding public interest other than human health or public safety.

In general, the Commission controls the application of the Directive and if it finds that the requirements of the Directive have not been respected, the Commission may take action in accordance with the powers and procedures it possesses under the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0946/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (17 March 1997)

Subject: Middle East

What initiatives is the Council taking in the context of peace policy in the Middle East and the 'critical dialogue' with Iran in response to the declaration by the mullahs in early January 1997 in the Grand Mosque in Teheran on the existence of the state of Israel: 'The Zionists thought that they could breath a sigh of relief. But later they realized that in another part of the world the flag of Islam has been hoisted. And thanks to the blessing of this flag and the rule of Islam, and in view of this people's belief in the Koran and its instructions, the people are not afraid of the superpowers and global arrogance, but unanimously cry out that the usurping Zionist regime must leave Palestine'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0946/97, E-0947/97 and E-0948/97 (1 July 1997)

1. The European Union has pursued its Critical Dialogue with Iran in accordance with the decision of the European Council in Edinburgh, 1992. Its aim in conducting the Critical Dialogue was to encourage a more positive and constructive Iranian role in the region. It has made it clear that EU-Iran relations cannot develop normally in the absence of progress in the areas dealt with in the Critical Dialogue.

2. Following the findings of the Superior Court of Justice in Berlin in the so-called Mykonos case, the Presidency issued on 10 April 1997 a statement on behalf of the European Union, condemning the involvement of the Iranian authorities. The European Union noted that under the present circumstances there is no basis for the continuation of the critical dialogue.

3. At its meeting in Luxembourg, on 29/30 April 1997, the Council had an extensive discussion on European Union relations with Iran. It agreed on a number of measures with respect to Iran and decided to keep the relationship with Iran under close review.