ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
multifunctional role of agriculture. This approach was confirmed in the Communication of the European
Communities to the WTO General Council of 23 July 1999 (WTO document WT/GC/W/273 of 27 July1999).
(1) OJ L 336, 23.12.1994.
(2) COM(99) 331 final.
(2000/C 27 E/008) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2879/98
by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission
(28 September 1998)
Subject: Infringement of Directive 91/674/EEC concerning insurance undertakings
According to allegations by various bodies which have now come to light and reached the attention of the
Commission, the Greek Ministry of Development is failing to show the necessary rigour in monitoringcompliance with Greek and Community legislation, thereby permitting many insurance undertakings toaccumulate deficits of millions of drachmas and illegally attempt to cover them during the followingaccounting period. This is resulting in constantly increasing deficits, thereby placing policyholders in aprecarious position and allowing certain undertakings illegal access to stock exchange listing.
In the light of the information available to it, does the Commission consider that Directive 91/674/EEC (
1)
is being properly implemented in Greece and, if not, will it take appropriate measures?
(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1991, p. 7.
Supplementary answer
given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission
(2 August 1999)
Further to its answer of 5 June 1998 (1), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional
information.
Commission verification of the Greek texts (2) which implement Directive 91/674/EEC of 19 December
1991 on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts of insurance undertakings indicated that theimplementation was almost complete, with only one point in the national implementing text that neededfurther clarification. However, following latest information from Greece the transposition has beencompleted with Presidential Decree 64 of 24 March 1999. Formal notification of those measures isawaited.
The supervision of Greek insurance companies lies strictly in the responsibility of the Member State itself
and in particular the Greek insurance supervisory authority. For the time being the Commission does nothave any specific information about Greek insurance companies indicating the accumulation of deficitsand inadequate protection of the interests of the insured. The Commission would welcome detailedinformation on complaints the Honourable Member has received.
(1) OJ C 310, 15.12.1998.
(2) Presidential Decree 286; Legislative Decree 400/70 (consolidated version).
(2000/C 27 E/009) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2983/98
by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission
(8 October 1998)
Subject: Excessive cost of motor vehicle insurance in Ireland
Is the Commission aware of the excessive cost of motor vehicle insurance in Ireland and does it consider
that this is due to lack of competition in the Irish market?C 27 E/8 EN 29.1.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3870/98

by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Council

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Independence of the European Central Bank

The latest opinion polls in the countries participating in monetary union confirm a sharp rise in the population's confidence in the common European currency. One reason for this is the effort so far made to achieve and respect the convergence criteria, particularly price stability.

Under Article 107 of the EC Treaty, the governments of the Member States undertake to respect the independence of the European Central Bank and of the national central banks and not to seek to influence the members of their decision-making bodies in the performance of their tasks. This independence secures the overriding objective of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB): maintaining price stability. The shaping of monetary policy is therefore the sole responsibility of the decision-making bodies of the ESCB which have undertaken that task.

How does the Council plan to ensure, in the light of the most recent discussions, that the key Treaty provisions on safeguarding the independence of the ESCB are also respected in the future?

Reply

(29 March 1999)

Article 107 of the Treaty establishing the European Community imposes the obligation on, inter alia, the Community institutions to respect the independence of the European Central Bank (ECB) and of the national central banks.

The Council intends to respect that obligation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2641/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Mackerel quota

Can the Commission state what is the total quota of mackerel for Ireland for the current year and how many tonnes had been caught by 1 June 1998? How many Irish vessels are recorded as having landed mackerel and what percentage of this catch was landed in Ireland?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 1998)

The current quota of mackerel allocated to Ireland in International council for the exploration of the sea (ICES) zone II (excluding Community-Zone), Vb (Community-Zone), VI, VII, VIIIa), b), d), e), XII and XIV for 1998 is 66 650 tonnes. The monthly catch figures sent to the Commission by Member States show that by 1 June 1998, Irish vessels has caught 45 969 tonnes of mackerel, which represents 69 % of the quota allocated to Ireland.

Member States do not have an obligation to notify the Commission concerning the number of vessels that have landed these catches. The Commission is, therefore, not in a position to inform the Honourable Member how many Irish vessels are recorded as having landed mackerel. This matter should be raised with the authorities in Ireland.

Furthermore, the Irish authorities have reported to the Commission that 17 414 tonnes of mackerel have been landed in Irish ports by 1 June 1998. Therefore, 37,9 % of the mackerel caught by Irish vessels has been landed in Ireland.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3859/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Progress in implementing subprogramme for tourism under the Community Support Framework for Greece

According to my information, there has been an exceptionally low take-up of Community funds - only ECU 34,5 million (i.e. 18,06 %) by October this year - for the subprogramme for tourism under the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece, the total budget for which is ECU 191 million. The take-up for the development of marine tourism is particularly low; the ECU 610 000 used represents only 1,8 % of the Community appropriations committed of ECU 33,3 million. I am also informed that there have been delays in paying the first instalment to tourist businesses which are covered by measures to assist small and medium-sized enterprises and in carrying out inspections of projects covered by measures to modernise existing hotels.

Could the Commission:

1. provide me with the latest data on the take-up of Community appropriations for the subprogramme for tourism under the CSF for Greece, in total and per sector; and

2. inform me of the reasons for the low take-up of the relevant funds and whether there is any possibility of carrying over the unused appropriations to the 3rd CSF?

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

(11 February 1999)

Under a Commission Decision of 8 December 1997 the tourism subprogramme has a total budget of [fmxeuro]519 million, for which public commitments amount to [fmxeuro]200 million.

Total expenditure on the programme, public and private, amounts to around [fmxeuro]108 million, a take-up rate of 20,8 % of the total budget.

Take-up by measure is as follows:

>TABLE>

The poor take-up for the programme is mainly due to delay in adoption by the Greek Parliament of the laws on privatisation of port infrastructure (marinas) and to legislative and administrative delays in specifying the integrated tourism development zones.

Greece will be able to make commitments under the subprogramme until 31 December 1999 and payments until 31 December 2001. The Commission will however on the occasion of the next monitoring committee scheduled for the first quarter of 1999 look very carefully at the take-up prospects for the subprogramme and may request from the Greek authorities transfer of some of the uncommitted appropriations to other programmes of the present CSF. Carryover of appropriations to the CSF of the next programming period is not possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3173/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission

(27 October 1998)

Subject: Participation of Greek NGOs in urgent humanitarian aid programmes

Since the foundation of ECHO in 1991, a large amount of money has been made available for cooperation with its partners. The management of these programmes by the partners takes place under pressure, and this probably influences the selection criteria for partners which must provide the following guarantees: a) transparent and effective management under these difficult circumstances, and b) the participation of organizations based in all the Member States.

Will the Commission say: What are the most important of these criteria and, specifically, what is the rate of participation of Greek NGOs in urgent humanitarian aid programmes (which sectors and which geographical regions and countries)? What amounts of money have Greek NGOs managed within the framework of the relevant programmes?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 1998)

When choosing Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) to implement humanitarian operations the Commission's assessment is based on the criteria laid out in the Council Regulation (EC) 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid(1), which includes: capacity for administrative and financial management, technical and logistical capacity for the planned operation, experience in the field of humanitarian aid and if need be experience in the third country concerned with the humanitarian operation involved, results of previous actions and impartiality.

The number of contracts for humanitarian operations concluded with Greek NGOs has noticeably increased in the last few years. Thus, from 2 contracts in 1996 to 6 in 1997 and 1998. The following are the Greek NGOs and amounts allocated in the context of these contracts: Greek Committee for International Democratic Solidarity: ECU 820 000 (5 contracts), Croix Rouge Hellénique: ECU 150 000 (1 contract), Kessap Dimitra: ECU 385 000 (1 contract), Médecins du Monde: ECU 1 070 000 (7 contracts).

The Greek NGOs receiving finance are in particular active in the health and food sectors and in emergency rehabilitation. The countries in which they operate are Lebanon, Albania, Jordan, Israel, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The Commission, while respecting the criteria mentioned above, is keen to encourage Greek NGOs to take part in Community humanitarian programmes, and attaches particular importance to staff training. In this connection it is planning specific training sessions to help familiarise them with the procedures applying to the new framework partnership contract that will enter into force in January 1999.

(1) OJ L 163, 2.7.1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3947/98

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: UN World Food Programme

How does the Commission intend to respond to the UN World Food Programme's assessment of the worsening situation in southern Somalia? What assistance has the European Union provided to date, and what further commitments will it be making?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 1999)

The Commission is monitoring closely the food situation in Southern Somalia and works in close co-operation and co-ordination with the United Nations world food programme (WFP). Based on reports of the food security assessment unit, co-funded by the Community, it shares WFP concern about the deterioration of the food situation due to poor harvests, increased insecurity in Southern Somalia and the effects of El Niño floods. The Somalia aid co-ordination body in which the Commission is actively participating has also confirmed the imminent crisis and has launched an emergency appeal. It will co-ordinate the response of the international community. The Commission has already pledged 10 million euro in food aid. 10 899 metric tons of food, including 9 130 tons of cereals, 1 000 tons of beans, and 559 tons of vegetable oil, will be distributed through WFP to the most vulnerable people in the worst affected areas in Southern Somalia.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3060/98

by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Milan Malpensa 2000

The Commission has rejected the decree concerning the entry into service of the new Milan airport as incompatible with Community law, in accordance with its institutional obligations.

To avoid an action brought by Italy against this decision at European level having to be settled by the European Court, and in view of the fact that the Committee on Competition and the Committee on Transport have differing views on the matter, even if they only have a consultative role, would the Commision outline the main points on which a new negotiating position might be based, and how it intends to manage the crucial problem of transition to ensure that Fiumicino airport does not become a secondary hub, subordinate to the new Malpensa airport?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 1998)

The intervention of the Commission in relation to the air traffic rules proposed for the Milan airport system was exclusively motivated by the need to ensure respect for Community law and it was based upon the specific provisions of Council Regulation No 2408/92 concerning the rights of Member States to regulate the distribution of traffic between airports within an airport system, i.e. serving the same conurbation. So long as Community law is respected, Member States are free to determine the objectives and priorities of their airport policy including the development and status of a particular airport.

The application of the law, as the Honourable Member will know, is not a subject for negotiation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3071/98

by Michael Elliott (PSE) to the Commission

(9 October 1998)

Subject: Primates

What statistics/information does the European Commission keep on the numbers of primates used in EU-funded research projects, the purpose of their use and the amount of EU funding involved; and what are the Commission's detailed plans for monitoring and recording EU-funded research in this sensitive area in the future?

If such statistics and information have been kept:

- what is the amount of EU funding awarded to research into BS/TSE using primates for each of the years, 1996, 1997, 1998 (to date) and how many primates does this represent for each of these years?

- what is the amount of EU funding awarded to research into AIDS using primates for each of the years, 1996, 1997, 1998 (to date) and how many primates does this represent for each of these years?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-3069/98 and E-3071/98 given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 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-3928/98

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Comparison of agricultural prices

Farmers in my constituency of East Sussex and Kent South are concerned about the low prices they received for farm produce.

Would the Commission please provide a comparative table of the prices farmers in the 15 EU Member States receive for beef, lamb, pork, butter, maize and wheat?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Selling prices (at farm level) in June 1998(1).

>TABLE>

(1) Carcasses weight for adult cattle and pig, live weight for fattening lambs.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4033/98

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission

(8 January 1999)

Subject: EU aid for Somalia and Ethiopia

1. Are there any EU aid programmes in support of projects in Somalia and/or Ethiopia?

2. If so, what programmes? What projects have been or are being supported, and what level of funding is involved?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1999)

The Community gives development aid to the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries under the Lomé Convention, an association agreement to which both Somalia and Ethiopia are party.

The Lomé Convention comprises a financial package, special arrangements for trade cooperation and investment promotion, and a scheme to stabilise commodity export earnings (Stabex). Using this instrument, the Community finances projects in both Somalia and Ethiopia.

To provide the fullest possible information on its aid programmes the Commission is sending copies of the latest annual reports covering its activities in Somalia and Ethiopia for the year 1997 direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3411/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: Urban pollution caused by motorcycles

With reference to Directive 97/24/EC(1), the Italian government has issued a decree (the Ronchi decree), to the effect that mayors may authorise the use of motor vehicles if they produce negligible benzene emissions in relation to annual average values.

In the case of motorcycles, the fact that they emit harmful exhaust gases must be set against their greater speed in traffic, which they negotiate at least twice as fast as other means of transport. They therefore emit significantly less harmful exhaust gases.

In view of the foregoing, can the Commission state:

1. whether Commission studies or documents exist that provide detailed information about the link between motorcycles and urban pollution, while taking the above-mentioned points into account?

2. whether there are any further European directives on the subject?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

If a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle is type approved in accordance with Directives 92/61/EE(2) and 97/24/EC registration of this vehicle must be granted by Member States. This includes conformity with harmonised European requirements on emission performance.

However, in case of environmental emergencies local authorities may restrict the circulation of motor vehicles in certain areas. Benzene is a dangerous pollutant that will be regulated by future European air quality legislation. Benzene emissions are not verified during type-approval of motor vehicles, except through the amount of total hydrocarbons, that include benzene compounds. Additionally, a certain control of benzene content is established through a requirement on motor fuel.

Moreover, Article 5 of Directive 97/24/EC and, in particular, Chapter 5 of the same Directive on measures to be taken against air pollution caused by two or three-wheel motor vehicles require the Commission to assess the benefits of a further reduction in the limit values for emissions from two or three-wheel vehicles. To this end, the Commission has undertaken to collect data on the contribution made by motorcycles to urban pollution and to order studies, with the cooperation of the industry, to produce a broader assessment of the contribution which vehicles of this type make to pollution in general. Wherever possible, account will be taken of any advantages offered by such vehicles in terms of mobility. The Commission's target is to complete the preparatory work in spring 1999 with a view to proposing amendments to Directive 97/24/EC by the middle of this year.

(1) OJ L 226, 18.8.1997, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 225, 10.8.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3514/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Globalization and the Information Society

With reference to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Globalization and the Information Society - The need for strengthened international coordination (COM(98) 50 final), it should be pointed out that the legal framework covering electronic communication as a whole is vast and concerns a number of different aspects: the application of VAT, conflict of jurisdiction and laws, labour law, copyright, protection of data and of the markets, consumer rights, validity of contracts, protection against fraud and crime, the problem of the content of communications, especially with regard to the protection of minors, etc.

There is a need for European rules because 90 % of trade is intra-Community.

Can the Commission therefore endeavour to ensure that the legal framework is drafted realistically, given that the more detailed it is the less likely it is to be recognised outside the Community, and that in other words the rules should do no more than lay down basic universally acceptable principles?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2793/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: LIFE programme

The European Commission has drawn up the list of 201 projects which are to receive EU part-financing for 1998 under the Community's financial instrument, LIFE, which provides up to ECU 96,6 million in support of environmental measures.

The 118 LIFE Environment projects selected for funding of ECU 48,6 million (from the 634 projects submitted by all the Member States) do not appear to include Italian projects.

Will the Commission say how many Italian projects were submitted, how many are for pilot measures, how many concern demonstration, promotion and technical assistance measures for local authorities, and how many concern preliminary measures to support European legislation and policies?

Does the Commission not find it surprising that no Italian project has been selected?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 1998)

A the moment 116 projects involving ECU 48,85 million have received joint Community funding under the LIFE financial instrument in order to implement Community policy and law on the environment (LIFE-Environment).

The Italian projects receiving joint funding account for 13 out of the 183 projects put forward, and involve ECU 4,72 million. Six of those projects relate to innovative and demonstration activities in order to promote long-term industrial development, whereas seven cover demonstration, promotion and technical assistance to local authorities.

Of the 183 Italian projects put forward 49 relate to industrial activities, 117 to action concerning local communities and one to preparatory activities. Sixteen projects were not put on file since they were considered to be ineligible under the rules.