ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0800/03

by Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso (NI) to the Council

(17 March 2003)

Subject: Freedom of expression

'Euskaldunon Egunkaria', the only daily the newspaper of the world in Euskara (Basque language) was closed last week by order of the Audiencia Nacional, a special court in Madrid which deals with cases related to big crimes. According to the court Egunkaria belongs to or collaborates with ETA.

Egunkaria was founded in 1990 after ESP 150 million (EUR 900 000) were raised in a popular campaign. On Saturday, 22 February, a massive demonstration took place in the streets of Donostia (San Sebastian). Marchers were brandishing a new newspaper called Egunero published by the journalists of Egunkaria. The first day they sold 50 000 issues, next day 75 000. Both the demonstration and the Egunero's issues' success prove the social concern and clear solidarity of the Basques with the newspaper.

Does the Council consider that this action of the Spanish authorities against the Basque newspaper respects the basic principles of a democratic state?

Will the Council urge the Spanish authorities to reopen the newspaper immediately?

Does the Council consider that the solitary confinement of the arrested journalists and the seizure of their documents are in line with full respect for human rights and press freedom?

Reply

(29 September 2003)

The Council would refer to its reply to Written Question E-3104/02, in which it pointed out that although, under Article 33 of the TEU, the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security remain an area for which Member States are responsible, combating terrorism is in the Union's common interest, it drew attention to the anti-terrorist legislation adopted by the Union, it cited the principles on which, in accordance with Article 6(1) of the TEU, the Union is founded, and it reiterated its support for the action taken by Member States to combat terrorism, in compliance with the rule of law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1493/03

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(2 May 2003)

Subject: Invitations to tender and the Bornholm ferry route

The Danish government has issued a proposal to invite tenders for the future ferry service to the Danish island of Bornholm. One reason the government gives for its proposal is that EU rules require Denmark to open up ferry and other services to competition.

Which article of which regulation or directive requires Denmark to issue an invitation to tender for the ferry service to Bornholm? I should like a definitive answer as to the conditions under which subsidies can be granted to ferry and transport services to island regions such as Bornholm.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 2003)

Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage)(1) stipulates that a Member State may conclude public service contracts with shipping companies participating in regular services to, from and between its islands. The same Article provides that whenever a Member State concludes public service contracts, it must do so on a non-discriminatory basis in respect of all Community shipowners.

To ensure that this principle is observed, the Community guidelines on State aid to maritime transport(2) stipulate that reimbursement of operating losses incurred as a result of fulfilling public service obligations need not be notified to the Commission provided that the authorities concerned organise a public tender, that the successful tender is, in principle, the one requiring the lowest financial compensation and that such compensation is limited to covering operating losses incurred as a result of fulfilling the public service.

These rules were designed for transport to/from/between islands of the same Member State.

(1) OJ L 364, 12.12.1992.

(2) OJ C 205, 5.7.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2068/03

by Marco Cappato (NI), Maurizio Turco (NI),Marco Pannella (NI), Olivier Dupuis (NI), Gianfranco Dell'Alba (NI)and Benedetto Della Vedova (NI) to the Council

(20 June 2003)

Subject: Introduction of the Sharia in a province of Pakistan

The assembly of the Pakistani province of North-West Frontier has approved a draft law providing for the imposition of the Sharia. All that is needed now is the signature of the provincial governor, because, in this Pakistani province on the border with Afghanistan, Islamic law takes precedence over secular provincial legislation and all Muslims are required to observe it. Moreover, in this Pakistani province the authorities recently announced the establishment of a department of virtue and vice, which inevitably calls to mind similar bodies set up by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Analysts regard the signing of the draft law by the provincial governor as a mere formality, so that, in a few days' time, Pakistanis living in North-West Frontier Province will be required to observe Islamic law, as was the case in Afghanistan prior to the intervention by British and US forces.

1. Can the Council state what information it has regarding this situation?

2. What diplomatic representations it intends to make to the Pakistan Government with a view to preventing the imposition of the Sharia in a province of that country?

3. What measures it intends to take to protect the fundamental principle of secularism against the risk of abolition by majority fundamentalist groups, in some cases by means of democratic procedures, a step which serves to restrict or do away with the fundamental right to religious freedom recognised by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Reply

(7 October 2003)

The Council would like to underline that the EU, in all dialogue meetings with Pakistan, stresses the importance it attaches to respect for human rights: it will continue to do so on every possible occasion, in particular by making confidential representations. The EU Heads of Mission in Islamabad follow developments in the human rights area very closely and raise general matters and individual cases in the course of their regular contacts with the authorities.

The Council shares the Honourable MEPs' concerns over the approval of a draft law providing for the imposition of the Sharia in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The Council has conveyed its serious preoccupations over the situation at the Political Directors meeting that took place in Islamabad on 7 June 2003. The Council will keep the further evolution of this problem under close scrutiny, and will, if necessary, decide on appropriate reactions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0359/03

by Jean-Claude Fruteau (PSE) to the Council

(12 February 2003)

Subject: Regional policy

With the enlargement, 2004 will see the rebirth of Europe as a political unit built around values such as democracy and human rights. Europe is thus equipping itself with the means to construct an area of prosperity which can bring its weight to bear in the context of globalisation. The fact remains that there is one major challenge to face: that of solidarity. The arrival of ten new countries cannot fail to pose problems as a result of the disparities it will bring with it. The risks of financial erosion resulting from the statistical effect on the number of regions eligible for objective 1 are very real. In the context of post-2006, therefore, we must think about establishing criteria which are more qualitative than quantitative.

Could the Greek Presidency give us information on this particular point and give us its priorities as regards the future eligibility criteria?

Reply

(29 September 2003)

The Council has not examined the future eligibility criteria as such since no formal proposal has been put forward by the Commission.

On 16 June 2003 the Council adopted the report by the Working Party on Structural Measures, which conveyed the delegations' comments and views on the Commission's second progress report on economic and social cohesion.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1015/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(27 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Daphne programme by the municipality of Siena

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Siena, urgently need to use European funds to combat the abuse of women and children,

can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Siena has submitted projects for the Daphne programme?

2. whether the municipality of Siena has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1004/03, E-1005/03, E-1006/03,E-1007/03, E-1008/03, E-1009/03, E-1010/03, E-1011/03,E-1012/03, E-1013/03, E-1014/03, E-1015/03 and E-1016/03given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2003)

The Daphne programme received the following proposals in 2003 alone:

- two proposals from the muncipality of Florence Assessorato Pubblica Istruzione e Politiche Giovanili, Direzione Istruzione;

- one proposal from the muncipality of Pesaro Servizio sociale;

- one proposal from the muncipality of Siena Comitato di ente per le pari opportunita.

The Commission has not yet assessed these proposals and is, therefore, unable to provide the Honourable Member with details of the selection or funding at this stage. Information on the outcome of the assessment process will be sent in July 2003 to all parties which applied to the Daphne programme in 2003.

No proposal was received between 1997 and 2003 for the other municipalities referred to by the Honourable Member (Ancona, Livorno, Macerata, Massa, Perugia, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Terni).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0425/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(18 February 2003)

Subject: Violation of human rights in Chechnya

With a Council of Europe resolution on Chechnya in view, three international organisations have made a joint statement calling on the Council of Europe to consider the following issues:

- the fact that those responsible for acts of violence against civilians on both sides have not been called to account or brought to justice,

- the practice of both sides in the conflict of making targets of civilians in violation of international humanitarian law,

- the Russian Government's suspension of the OSCE support group in Chechnya on 31 December 2002 and the continued refusal to publish the reports by the European Commission for the Prevention of Torture on the situation in the Russian Federation.

Does the Council concur with the above statements and what measures will it take towards safeguarding human rights in the region and, in particular, lifting the ban on the access of international observers to Chechnya and putting an end to the lack of transparency surrounding the information available concerning violations?

Reply

(29 September 2003)

The Council shares the concerns expressed in the statements mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Council has raised its concerns about the human rights situation, including the lack of transparency surrounding human rights violations, humanitarian assistance and the suspension of the OSCE Assistance Group in Chechnya on several occasions with the Russian authorities.

Most recently, these concerns were expressed at the Political Directors Troika with Russia on 16 January 2003 and at the Ministerial Troika meeting with Russia in Athens on 24 January. The Council also raised the Chechnya issue at the Cooperation Council meeting with Russia on 14 and 15 April 2003.

The Council greatly deplores the closing down of the OSCE Assistance Group on 31 December 2002 and supports unreservedly all the efforts made by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to ensure a longer-term, constructive OSCE commitment in the region. To this end, the Council welcomes the proposal made by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to implement a programme of technical cooperation between the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the Russian authorities on the development of a timely, coherent and concrete programme of activities, based on the Chechen Republic's real needs on the one hand and on the OSCE's expertise and experience in all three of its dimensions on the other hand.

Moreover, in the framework of the UN Commission for Human Rights, the EU tabled a draft resolution on the situation in the Chechen Republic in which it expressed serious concern about the human rights, security and humanitarian situation on the ground in Chechnya. Unfortunately, the resolution did not receive sufficient support for it to be adopted.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(27 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Daphne programme by the municipality of Livorno

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Livorno, urgently need to use European funds to combat the abuse of women and children,

can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Livorno has submitted projects for the Daphne programme?

2. whether the municipality of Livorno has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1004/03, E-1005/03, E-1006/03,E-1007/03, E-1008/03, E-1009/03, E-1010/03, E-1011/03,E-1012/03, E-1013/03, E-1014/03, E-1015/03 and E-1016/03given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2003)

The Daphne programme received the following proposals in 2003 alone:

- two proposals from the muncipality of Florence Assessorato Pubblica Istruzione e Politiche Giovanili, Direzione Istruzione;

- one proposal from the muncipality of Pesaro Servizio sociale;

- one proposal from the muncipality of Siena Comitato di ente per le pari opportunita.

The Commission has not yet assessed these proposals and is, therefore, unable to provide the Honourable Member with details of the selection or funding at this stage. Information on the outcome of the assessment process will be sent in July 2003 to all parties which applied to the Daphne programme in 2003.

No proposal was received between 1997 and 2003 for the other municipalities referred to by the Honourable Member (Ancona, Livorno, Macerata, Massa, Perugia, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Terni).
(2004/C58E/208) WRITTENQUESTIONE-2682/03
byAlexandrosAlavanos(GUE/NGL)totheCommission
(10September2003)
Subject:SupplyteachersandDirective1999/70/EC
Everyyear,inGreekprimaryandsecondaryschools,therearevacantpostsforteachers.Everyyear,these
perenniallyvacantpostsarefilledbysupplyteachersorteacherspaidbythehour,sothattheshortageofteachersdoesnotcreateproblemsinschools.Theresultofthissituationisthatthesameteachersveryoftenworkatthesameschoolonfixed-termcontractsofoneschoolyear, arereleasedandthenre-recruitedatthebeginningofthenextyear.Thiscreatesagapoftwomonthsbetweentwosuccessivecontracts,thesameperiodastheholidaysof‘comparableworkers’withinthemeaningofDirective1999/70/EC(
1),i.e.regularteachers.ThisperiodislongerthanthatforwhichprovisionismadeinPresidential
Decree81/2003,whichtransposesDirective1999/70/ECintoGreeklaw,andasaresultthesesupplyteachersareexcludedfromthedirective’sapplication.
InviewoftheCommission’sreplytomyquestionE-0360/02(
2),statingthattheprovisionsoftheabove-
mentioneddirectivemaybeappliedtosupplyteachersonfixed-termcontractsandinviewofArticle3ofthedirective,cantheCommissionsayhowthedirectivewillbeappliedtosupplyteachers?
(1) OJL175,10.7.1999,p.43.
(2) OJC160E,4.7.2002,p.213.
AnswergivenbyMrsDiamantopoulouonbehalfoftheCommission
(9October2003)
AccordingtoCouncilDirective1999/70/ECof28June1999concerningtheframeworkagreementon
fixed-termworkconcludedbytheEuropeanTradeUnionConfederation(ETUC),theUnionofIndustrialandEmployers’ConfederationsofEurope(UNICE)andtheCentreofEnterpriseswithPublicParticipation(CEEP),itistheMemberStatesthemselveswho,afterconsultationwiththesocialpartners,determineunderwhatconditionsfixed-termcontractsshallberegardedas‘successive’(clause5.2).
However,itmustbeborneinmindthatoneofthepurposesoftheDirectiveistopreventabusearising
fromtheuseofsuccessivefixed-termcontracts.IfaMemberStatedeterminesadefinitionofsuccessivefixed-term contracts which in practice undermines the protective purpose of the Directive, such adefinitionwouldnotbecompatiblewithCommunitylaw.
(2004/C58E/209) WRITTENQUESTIONE-2683/03
byAlexandrosAlavanos(GUE/NGL)totheCommission
(10September2003)
Subject:CreationofnewjobsinGreece
The Council’s recommendation(1) on the implementation of Member States’ employment policies for
Greeceincludesthestatementthat‘Greece’soverallemploymentrateisconsiderablybelowthetargetsset
bytheEuropeanCouncil,inparticularforwomen…Unemploymentfellforathirdconsecutiveyearin
2002butisstillabovetheEUaverage,withtheunemploymentrateforwomenattainingmorethandoubletheratesofmen.’
1. HowmanyjobshavebeencreatedinGreecesince1998,brokendownbygenderandcategoryof
employment?C58E/194 EN6.3.2004 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
publicSpanishshipyards.ItcanfurthermorebenotedthattherelevantCommissiondecisionwaspartly
basedonCouncilRegulation(2)1013/97of2June1997onaidtocertainshipyardsunderrestructuring,
which also stated the condition on the non-reopening to shipbuilding at Astano. However, theCommissionhasnotreceivedanyformalrequestfromtheSpanishgovernmentconcerningtheFeneyardandhasnottakenanypositiononthisissue.
(1) OJC354,21.11.1997,p.2.
(2) OJL148,6.6.1997,p.1.
(2004/C58E/072) WRITTENQUESTIONE-1260/03
byCamiloNogueiraRomán(Verts/ALE)totheCommission
(3April2003)
Subject:PresenceofGalicianvesselsinthedevelopmentofthefishingindustryinBrazil
IstheCommissionawareoftheexperiencesoffishingvesselsfromGalicianportssuchasVigo,LaCoruña,
RibeiraandMarínwhichareworkingorhaveworkedinwatersunderexclusiveBraziliancompetence,hiring licences from Brazilian companies? Will the Commission take advantage of the desire forcooperation shown by the new Brazilian government and take steps which might lead to mutuallybeneficialagreements?
AnswergivenbyMrFischleronbehalfoftheCommission
(16May2003)
At present there is no fisheries agreement between the Community and Brazil. Thus any fishing in
Brazilian waters by vessels flying the flag of a Member State is not covered by such an agreement.TheCommissiondoesnotruleoutthepossibilitythatunderprivatecontractsCommunityvesselshavebeenallowedtofishinthesewaters.
TheCommissionhasmaintainedcontactinthepastwithBrazilinordertoexplorethepossibilityof
reachingmutuallyadvantageousagreementsinthefisheriessector.Thesehavehowevernevergivenrisetoformalnegotiations.
TheCommissionisreadytoconsultregularlywithBrazilonquestionsofmutualinterestinthesector.Ifa
desireforcooperationarrangementswastobeconfirmeditwouldbereadytodiscussdirectlywhatthecontentoftheseshouldbe.
(2004/C58E/073) WRITTENQUESTIONE-1268/03
byAntonioDiPietro(ELDR)totheCommission
(3April2003)
Subject:RulesgoverninglocalradiobroadcastersinItaly
Article1(2)(a)ofLawNo66of20March2001requiresthatcommerciallocalradiobroadcastersinItaly
have the legal status of partnerships or joint stock companies that employ at least two people inconformitywiththesocialsecurityprovisionsinforce.C58E/54 EN6.3.2004 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
(2004/C58E/118) WRITTENQUESTIONE-1845/03
byGiorgioCelli(Verts/ALE)totheCommission
(3June2003)
Subject:RequestforanamendmenttotheHabitatsDirectiveinordertoenabletheIberianwolftobe
huntedinareassouthoftheRiverDuero
ViatheSpanishEnvironmentMinistrytheCommissionhasreceivedfromtheCastillayLeónRegional
GovernmentarequestfortheHabitatsDirective(92/43/EEC(1))tobeamendedinsuchawaythatthe
IberianwolflosesitsentitlementtostrictprotectioninareassouthoftheRiverDueroandcanthereforebehunted.
InviewofthefactthattheCastillayLeónRegionalGovernment:
/dash hasbeenauctioningwolvesforhuntingpurposessincebefore1996atapriceofoverEUR6000per
animal;
/dash hasneverestablishedtothesouthoftheRiverDuerotheSpecialProtectionAreasforwolveswhichit
wasrequiredtosetupunderAnnexIIoftheaboveDirective;
/dash has since 1999 unilaterally authorised hunts to the southofthe Duero (in contravention ofthe
Directive)withpartiesofover100people/dasheventswhichcannotberegardedeitherasselectiveshootsorasmonitoringexpeditions;
/dash systematicallyignoresthepoachingofwolves,withtheresultthatover200animalsarekilledillegally
intheregioneachyear,eventhoughnomorethansixfineshavebeenissuedsince1990forillegalwolfhunting;
/dash is unwilling to pay compensation for attacks by wolves, to monitor feral dogs or to introduce
measurestoimprovelivestockmanagement(subsidiesforguarddogs,fencingorshepherds);
/dash hasbaseditsrequestonresearchcarriedoutoverexcessivelyshortperiodsusingthewrongmethods
andpubliclycriticisedbySpanishwolfexperts,whodisputethefindingsofsuchresearch:theyhaveconfirmedthat,ratherthanincreasing,thewolfpopulationisgraduallydispersingonaccountofthedisappearanceofitsnaturalhabitatandtheincreasingpresenceofmajoritemsofinfrastructure,andthatthespeciesisnolongerfoundinmanyareas,suchastheentireprovinceofSalamanca,
1. doestheCommissionnotconsiderthescientificandethicalviewsunderpinningtherequestforsuch
anamendmenttobeunacceptable?
2. willtheCommissiongiveanyconsiderationtosucharequest?
(1) OJL206,22.7.1992,p.7.
AnswergivenbyMrsWallströmonbehalfoftheCommission
(11July2003)
The Honourable Member expressed his concern regarding the amendment of the Habitats Directive
(CouncilDirective92/43/EECof21May1992ontheconservationofnaturalhabitatsandofwildfaunaandflora).
AccordingtotheinformationavailabletheCommissionhasnotreceivedanyrequestfromtheSpanish
MinistryofEnvironmenttoamendtheHabitatsDirective.
Atpresent,theCommissiondoesnotintendtomodifytheHabitatsDirective,apartfromadaptingitfor
thenewaccessioncountries.Obviously,thislimitedadaptationwillnotincorporateanymodificationtothestatusofthewolfpopulationinSpain.6.3.2004EN C58E/103 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion