ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2038/98 by Klaus Hänsch (PSE) to the Commission (7 July 1998)

Subject: Allocation of EU resources to the city of Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia

Regarding the allocation of EU resources to the city of Oberhausen in North Rhine-Westphalia, can the Commission indicate:

1. the sum of EU structural resources received and their breakdown by Funds and the various Community programmes and initiatives and of EU resources allocated to Oberhausen from other budget lines since 1994 for pilot projects, measures or - as direct allocations - universities, research establishments, undertakings and other bodies,

2. the number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of these resources?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (6 July 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0669/98 by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Is it the case that applications from holders of a 'Fachhochschuldiplom' are or have been accepted by the Commission for open competitions to fill category A/LA posts in the European civil service?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0673/98 by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Why does the Commission assert that holders of the 'Ingeniero Técnico' qualification are not eligible to study for doctorates, when some Member States allow them to do so?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0724/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Access of Spanish Technical Engineers to Grade A/LA in the European civil service

Is it true that the Commission is accepting or has accepted applications from persons holding a Fachhochschuldiplom for open competitions to fill category A/LA posts in the European civil service?

Which does the Commission consider the highest education qualification in Germany: the Fachhochschuldiplom, or the Hochschuldiplom (university-level degree)?

Does the Commission consider the Fachhochschuldiplom a higher qualification than that of Ingeniero Técnico? If so, why?

Why does the Commission assert that the situation vis-à-vis the Spanish Ingeniero Técnico diploma is similar to that of the diploma obtained at a Fachhochschule, when the latter is accepted for the majority of category A/LA open competitions?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0985/98 by Ben Fayot (PSE) to the Commission (2 April 1998)

Subject: Railway connection between Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg

These three major cities, two of them European capitals and all three European Parliament places of work, are poorly served by rail. The train takes between 2 hrs 15 mins and 2 hrs 30 mins to complete the journey of scarcely 200 kilometres between Brussels and Luxembourg. The frequency of services between Luxembourg and Strasbourg is moreover extremely low.

Does the Commission not consider that the highly symbolic railway line joining these three European places of work is worthy of a special investment effort by the Member States concerned and by the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1998)

The Brussels-Luxembourg and Brussels-Strasbourg rail links are included in the planned high speed train (TGV) routes of the transport trans-European networks (TEN-T). This means that their strategic importance is recognised by the Community, and that Member States are committed to upgrading the present conventional rail services as resources permit. The French government has included the Metz-Luxembourg link in the first phase of the TGV Est, one of the TEN-T priority projects. This and the other upgrading work would be eligible for assistance from the TEN-T funds, should the Member States concerned wish to apply for it.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1039/98 by Nel van Dijk (V) to the Commission (6 April 1998)

Subject: Eavesdropping by MI6 and Echelon

1. Does the British foreign security service MI6 spy on EU partners with the aim of gathering information for use by the British Government during international negotiations ((Britse MI6 bespioneert partners in Europese Unie (Britain's MI6 spies on partners in the European Union), NRC Handelsblad, 2 January 1998; How to be Foreign Secretary, BBC2 documentary, 4 January 1998. ))?

2. Can the Commission confirm the existence of the American/British eavesdropping and interception system Echelon? Does Echelon routinely intercept all communications by telephone, fax and e-mail in Europe? Do the intelligence services concerned use Echelon, inter alia, to gather confidential information about the positions of parties to GATT/WTO negotiations in order to strengthen the negotiating position of their own governments ((Steve Wright, 'An appraisal of technologies of political control' (working document), Luxembourg, EP, STOA, 6 January 1998; see also De Groene Amsterdammer, 18 and 25 February 1998. ))?

3. Does the Commission have any evidence that it has itself been spied on by British, American or other intelligence and security services?

4. Does the Commission agree that if the government of a Member State uses its security services to gather confidential information about EU partners and/or European institutions, it makes a mockery of the trust which the Member States ought to be able to place in one another, and breaches the solidarity which Member States should be able to expect from one another in an 'ever closer union'?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1998)

1 and 2. The Commission is not able to comment on such matters as they fall outside its competence as defined by the EC Treaty.

3. The Commission nonetheless remains vigilant in defence of Community interests, and condemns any and all threats to the integrity of classified information held by the institutions.

4. The Honourable Member is referred to the answers to questions 1-3 above.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1575/98 by Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Council (25 May 1998)

Subject: Map of the EU on euro coins and failure to differentiate two Member States

The Council replied to my question P-0169/98 ((OJ C 196, 22.6.1998, p. 120. )) in a way which must be termed unfortunate.

My question highlighted a clear error, at political level, since the designs for euro coins feature a map of the EU which distinguishes the borders between all the Member States with the exception of Portugal and Spain.

The Council's reply misses the point, which may be a misunderstanding due to political expediency, but it concludes with a sentence which I consider to be unacceptable, since it refers to Portugal and Spain as 'two separate geographical entities'. This is not the point. The point was not a matter of geography but the fact that, on a political map of the European Union, Spain and Portugal are not identified as separate political entities.

Can the Council say whether the above reply was seen and approved by the representatives of these two Member States of the European Union which, euphemistically speaking, the Council appears tempted to regard politically as mere 'geographical entities'?

Answer (20 July 1998)

The Council has nothing to add to its reply to Written Question No P-0169/98.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1557/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What plans does the Commission have to implement an action programme to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities working in the EU institutions?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1557/98, E-1558/98 and E-1559/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1998)

All staff recruitment takes place in accordance with Article 27 of the Staff Regulations of Officials, which specifically states that recruitment must be on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of the Member States, without reference to race, political, ethical or religious belief, gender or sexual orientation, and irrespective of marital status or family situation.

Consequently, the Commission has not needed to introduce positive action programmes to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities working in its departments.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1070/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: WTO Ministerial Conference and the impact of GATT/WTO on animal protection

Has the Commission considered the implications of GATT and the World Trade Organization on the protection of animals and the European Community's ability to limit animal suffering and ban imports of products where there have been clear abuses on animals/cruel exports of live animals?

Does the Commission intend to raise this issue at the WTO Ministerial Conference in May and ensure adequate protection for animals within the EU?

Answer given by Mr Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No 949/98 by Mr Watts(1).

(1) OJ C 354, 19.11.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1213/98

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

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Competitiveness

In Parliament's report (A-0113/97) on the Commission Communication to the Council on benchmarking the competitiveness of European industry (COM(96) 0463 - C-0622/96) and the Commission staff working paper concerning European quality promotion policy for improving European competitiveness (SEC(96) 2000), the Commission is asked to submit conclusions explaining why certain European sectors, such as food, outperform their US and Japanese counterparts in terms of industrial added value.

When is it intending to submit these conclusions?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1743/98

by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Non-conventional medicine

In his speech to the European Parliament on 28 May 1997 on the harmonization of non-conventional medical practice between the Member States, Commissioner Flynn indicated that the general system of recognition of diplomas, in force for several years, already ensures the free movement of medical practitioners between Member States which recognize non-conventional medicine as a discipline distinct from conventional medicine. Would the European Commission now please supply:

1. an exhaustive list of the Member States which recognize non-conventional medicine as a discipline distinct from conventional medicine;

2. lists, names and/or descriptions, where appropriate, of diplomas in non-conventional medicine recognized in the Member States of the European Union which, under the general system of diploma recognition, ensure the free movement of practitioners holding such diplomas;

3. the legislation governing non-conventional medicine in those Member States in the European Union which have made such medicines official.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 1998)

The general system of diploma recognition to which the Honourable Member refers - namely Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years' duration(1) and Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC(2) - does not seek to harmonise Member States' legislation relating to the professions but leaves it to them to lay down rules governing training and the conditions of access to, and exercise of, such activities. Provision has not been made for Member States to communicate all their national legislation relating to the regulated professions in the eleven Community languages - legislation which is, moreover, changing in the Member States - and this is not essential for the general system of diploma recognition to function.

A detailed answer to the Honourable Member's questions would necessitate lengthy and laborious research which the Commission is unable to undertake.

(1) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989.

(2) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0818/98

by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: The Community initiative, Pesca, and tourism

Will the Commission give the total amount allocated, per Member State, in the 1994-1999 financial programming period to actions and projects specifically involving tourism within the framework of the Community initiative, Pesca?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 1998)

As part of the Community Initiative "Pesca", which is aimed in particular at diversifying economic activities in coastal areas dependent on fishing, several programmes contain projects explicitly related to tourism. These are:

- the "Seafront" project for a maritime cultural centre in the fishing port of Zeebrugge (Belgium), with a total volume of around ECU 2.2 million; the "Pesca" contribution is about ECU 550 000;

- in Denmark, the conversion of fishing vessels for tourist purposes in Loekken (total volume ECU 125 300; "Pesca" contribution ECU 31 300) and in Bønnerup (the "Refitour" project) (total volume ECU 285 400; "Pesca" contribution ECU 50 000);

- a maritime cultural centre in Bremerhaven (Germany), total volume ECU 611 000; "Pesca" contribution ECU 305 500;

- in Ireland a marina on Bere Island (total volume about ECU 158 000; "Pesca" contribution about ECU 88 000), the development of sport fishing around Clare Island (total volume about ECU 38 000; "Pesca" contribution about ECU 19 000) and, in the Dingle peninsula, the purchase of new seagoing vessels for tourism (total volume about ECU 398 000; "Pesca" contribution about ECU 200 000);

- a European network of "sea centres" designed inter alia to promote maritime tourism in a number of Member States (total volume about ECU 283 000; "Pesca" contribution ECU 110 000).

In Portugal, the "Pesca" programme does not cover any schemes specifically for tourism. However, under measure 2 "Occupational mobility", various projects for the retraining of fishermen and the reassignment of their vessels to other activities, in particular tourism, are eligible for support. The sum allocated to part-financing this measure for the whole of Portugal (mainland, Azores and Madeira) throughout the programming period (1994-1999) is ECU 5.76 million, to be provided by the European Regional Development Fund.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2315/98

by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: State aid

The cooperative I.P.T. based at Scarperia (Florence) submitted an application for funding under Law 49/85 (known as the Marcora law) in respect of which approximately L 189 000 000 was set aside in June 1997 (minimum), before the said law was challenged by DG IV of the European Commission on the grounds that it constituted state aid. In November 1997, the government drew up a decree amending Law 49/85 to reflect the remarks issued by the Community authorities. The resolutive opinion of the competent DG on the legislative decree has not yet been made known and consequently measures cannot be taken quickly to safeguard the 500 or more jobs affected.

Will the Commission, and the relevant departments, act quickly to make known its definitive opinion on the decree in question?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(3 August 1998)

At its weekly meeting on Wednesday 15 July, the Commission decided not to raise any objection to the aid in question, i.e. No 26/98 (Law 49/85 or the "legge Marcora").
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1122/98

by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission

(8 April 1998)

Subject: Coordination between DG1B and DGVIII

Following the creation of a new Common Services Unit in the Commission aimed at improving coordination between DG1B and DGVIII, further clarifications are required concerning the effect on the management and effectiveness of reproductive health assistance.

1. When will the new unit begin operating?

2. How will it be staffed (who will be responsible and how many people will be involved)?

3. What will its role be in coordinating the support of reproductive health policies and programmes?

4. How will the creation of such a unit dovetail with the Commission's Scoop programme?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1998)

1. The creation of the common service will serve the global objective of improved consistency, coherence and efficiency in the management of the implementation of development cooperation programmes presently managed by the different directors general in charge of external relations (DG I, DG IA, DG IB and DG VIII). En ce qui concerne ECHO (aide humanitaire), le service commun assurera les aspects administratifs et financiers de la gestion du personnel d'assistance technique sur le terrain.

2. The common service will be staffed by around 650 officials and the personnel is to be transferred to it from the other directorate generals in charge of external relations. The director general of the common service will be Mr Philippe Soubestre.

3. The common service will be responsible for the technical, administrative and financial implementation of the programmes in all third countries, in different sectors, including the health sector.

4. The common service and the so-called " SCOOP " are the same organisation.