ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0063/99

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: European holiday resorts

Holiday resorts have features which set them apart, in that they must provide for the upkeep of the infrastructure which they need in periods in which the influx of tourists is high, yet which is superfluous to their everyday requirements for the remainder of the year.

For that reason, national, regional and local authorities alike are introducing provisions recognising the specific nature of holiday resorts into the legislation which regulates the tourist industry.

Will the Commission say to what extent the Community provisions affecting the tourist industry can assimilate the distinction already drawn in national legislation in various Member States, as a means of assisting those municipalities confronted with a large influx of tourists at certain times of the year?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

According to the principle of subsidiarity, the Commission does not consider appropriate to harmonise at the Community level the provisions introduced by national, regional and local administrations regulating the activity of tourist resorts.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0249/99

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Port of Lavrion

The EU is jointly funding the development of tourist and commercial facilities at the port of Lavrion to operate as a complement to the port of Piraeus.

An industrial area has been created next to the port of Lavrion which, provided the Lavrion local authorities agree, offers facilities for setting up craft firms and industries causing only low to medium levels of pollution. Among the investors applying for authorisation to set up are companies intending to trade in petroleum products (Lavroil Ltd., Aegean Oil Ltd.) which aim to install 15 oil tanks in the industrial area in or close to the port.

The Lavrion local authorities recently approved these investments, mainly on the grounds that they cover the port of Lavrion's needs for supplies. However, there is no evidence in the study of these two investments of any aim to meet those needs; on the contrary, the port is to be used for the needs of the companies which intend to take delivery of petroleum products by sea and distribute them on the internal market.

The installations concerned are located:

- in the vicinity of classified antiquities (recent monuments)

- only 4 km from the archaeological site of Sounion

- 2 km from the archaeological site of Thorikos

- in the immediate vicinity of residential areas

- at the very edge of the Sounion National Park

and one of the sites is in a coastal area which the planning permission study for the industrial area designates a "coastal protection area"

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. whether it accepts the necessary finance - and the works taking place - being used as justification for setting up installations which are particularly damaging to the environment in an important historical, natural and residential environment, and

2. whether it will intercede with the relevant authorities to clear up the misunderstanding which is tarnishing the project and EU funding in order to come to an arrangement based on sound and balanced management of this sensitive area?

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

(15 March 1999)

Under the Attiki multifund operational programme of the 1994-99 Community support framework for Greece the Community is financing solely a range of infrastructure works for development of the port of Lavrio. The aid is EUR 5,5 million.

As far as installations around the port are concerned, the Commission can act only if they are prohibited under environmental requirements pertaining to construction of the port or their creation violates Community law on environmental matters.

At the moment the Commission lacks the necessary information to decide whether either of the above cases applies. It will seek full details of the situation from the Greek authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0464/99

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

(24 February 1999)

Subject: EU-Argentina fisheries agreement

Fisheries relations between the EU and Argentina have suffered greatly as a result of the changes in the fisheries rules adopted by Argentina which, as acknowledged by the Commission itself, are in blatant contravention of the conditions laid down in the current EU-Argentina fisheries agreement. With a view to the forthcoming meeting on 4 and 5 March of the EU-Argentina Joint Committee, can the Commission provide immediate information regarding the action it intends to take in order to protect Community fishing interests, which have been seriously affected by the changes made to the rules under Argentine law in contravention of what has been agreed under higher international law, such as the current EU-Argentina fisheries agreement?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 1999)

On becoming aware of the changes made under Argentine law to which the HonourableMember refers the Commission took immediate action, writing to the Argentine Under-Secretary for Fisheries to voice its dissent as to both the procedures used and the content of the measures, and convening a meeting of the Community/Argentina Joint Committee. This was held in Buenos Aires on 4 and 5 March and primarily devoted to this matter.

At Parliament's request a report was made to the members of its Committee on Fisheries on 15 and 16 March.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0840/99

by Sören Wibe (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: The performance of the euro

Will the Commission explain why the euro is falling like a stone on international currency markets? Was it not intended that the euro should be a strong currency?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

Seen over the last 12 months, the euro is not falling like a stone. The exchange rate with the United States dollar in late April 1999 (1 euro = $1,06/1,07) is very close to its synthetic rate before the Russian crisis in September 1998. The euro stood in the range $ 1,08/1,10 between spring 1997 and late August 1998. Bearing in mind that a certain level of fluctuation between the European and the United States currencies is normal, one could arguably say that the rate is just back to the level it enjoyed for almost one and a half years. Exchange rate developments since 1 January 1999 can mainly be explained by the unexpected strength of the United States economy.

Regarding the long term prospects for the euro as an international currency, changes on the bond market are more significant than short term fluctuations of the exchange rate. These changes are structural, as shown by developments on the international bond market. During the first quarter of 1999, the world's total issuance amount denominated in euro has been larger than in $ (46 % and 44 % respectively), leaving the "market share" of third currencies, including the £ and the yen, to shrink to a mere 10 %. This is to be compared with the situation two years ago, when participating currencies accounted for less than 30 %.

More globally speaking, the euro bond market has grown larger and more liquid, allowing new issuers, in particular companies, to tap it. The euro corporate bond market is currently soaring. To a lesser extent, and with a slower pace, the same positive evolution can be observed on the equity market. In spite of the short term weakening of its external value, the euro is already considered by financial investors to be one of the two leading world currencies.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0706/99

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

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

The regions whose level of income per inhabitant is less than 75 % of that which corresponds to the average Community inhabitant are classed as "Objective 1 regions" and are entitled to substantial Community aid.

In order to work out whether this threshold has been crossed or not, the draft Council Regulation, COM(98) 0131 final(1), laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, stipulates that the figures corresponding to the last three years on which Eurostat has information will be taken into account.

The Director-General of the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat) disclosed at the meeting of Parliament's Subcommittee on Monetary Affairs of 17 February 1999 that the statistical data corresponding to the financial years 1994, 1995 and 1996 already included the data corresponding to the hidden economy of the regions analysed, although he did not say exactly what criteria had been followed in order to estimate or assess this type of activity.

What proportion of the regional income corresponds to the "hidden economy" and what proportion to the "regular economy" in Castilla la Mancha in each of the years in question?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0558/99

by Maria Berger (PSE) to the Commission

(3 March 1999)

Subject: Commission decision on aid for the Sniace S.A. based in Torreavega in Cantabria (Spain)

In its decision on aid for Sniace S.A. (Doc. IV/1466/98/DE, Article 1, last sentence) the Commission states that it will reach a decision on the deferred question of environmental levies which were not raised in 1987-1995 "at an opportune moment".

When does the Commission intend to take this decision? On the basis of which criteria will it establish when the "opportune moment" has arrived?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 1999)

The Commission will take a decision on the question of any aid contained in the non-enforcement of environmental levies against Sniace S.A. as soon as possible, that is to say when the Commission judges it has the necessary elements at its disposal to assess the compatibility of any such aid with the common market. The Commission cannot indicate at this stage when and what the outcome of its investigation will be.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0653/99

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(9 March 1999)

Subject: Seal pups in the White Sea, Russia

In the light of evidence obtained by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, (The Guardian, 2.3.1999), that the EU ban on the importation of baby seal skins is not being enforced, what action is the Commission proposing to take to ensure this abuse is eliminated?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 1999)

The evidence cited by the Honourable Member bears no relation to the enforcement of the Community ban on the importation of white-coat kins of harp seals as exports are apparently to Norway, which is of course not bound by the legislation concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0658/99

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

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

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

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

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

What are the figures for those years for Andalusia?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0389/99

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Monitoring the allocation of EU funds

What action does the Commission take to ensure that there is no possibility of corruption in connection with the allocation of EU funds in Bavaria?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(13 April 1999)

The Commission considers the proper use of Community funds as well as the fight against corruption throughout the Community to be of the utmost importance.

In this respect, the Commission would like to stress that a protocol(1) has been drawn up in September 1996, on the basis of the Treaty on European Union, to the convention on the protection of the Communities' financial interests. This instrument is intended to define passive and active corruption and to criminalize acts of corruption involving national officials and officials of the Community damaging or likely to damage the financial interests of the Communities. Germany has ratified this protocol(2).

In so far as specific instances of corruption in relation to Bavaria have come to the knowledge of the Honourable Member, the Commission would be willing to examine this information through its Task force for the coordination of the fight against fraud. The Commission is, where necessary, entitled to launch its own enquiries for the protection of the financial interests of the Community, including corruption aspects.

(1) OJ C 313, 23.10.1996.

(2) BGBI II 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0982/99

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(15 April 1999)

Subject: The reduction of tariffs imposed by the United States on the textile sector

Despite the substantial progress made in the reduction and removal of trade barriers at the Uruguay Round, the United States continues to levy a significant number of tariffs and tariff peaks on the textile and apparel sector, ranging from 25 % to 33,6 %.

In view of the recent transatlantic trade negotiations, could the Commission give details of the progress made with the United States regarding tariff reductions in this sector?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

It is correct that the United States maintains tariffs in respect of textiles and clothing products substantially higher than those maintained by the Community. In addition, as stated by the Honourable Member, these include peaks applying to certain products.

The United States has made no proposals in respect of possible reductions of tariffs in the textiles and clothing sector during any of the contacts between the Commission and the United States authorities.

The Commission considers, however, that the reduction in harmonisation of tariffs, including those for textiles and clothing, remains an objective in future multilateral negotiations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0536/99

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

(12 March 1999)

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

At its June 1998 part-session the European Parliament debated and adopted the own-initiative report on the fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union (A4-0137/98)(1), in the conclusions to which, inter alia, it considered that "there is a need to set up within the EU Anti-Fraud Unit (UCLAF) a department specialising in fisheries, capable of stepping in to investigate the correct application of the rules on product origin and Community legislation on the marketing and transport of fish products".

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

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 1999)

The Commission has, within its Task force for the coordination of the fight against fraud, a specific unit dealing with own resources. This unit is responsible for launching investigations, including investigations into fisheries fraud, on the basis of Community legislation such as Council Regulation (EC) 515/97 of 13 March 1997 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters(2). One of the principal tasks of the specialised investigators within this unit is therefore to ensure the correct application of the rules of origin.

The Commission adopted on 17 March 1999(3) a package of proposals to strengthen its antifraud service (Commission Decision establishing a fraud office, proposal for amended Council regulation concerning investigations conducted by the fraud office and draft inter-institutional agreement).

These proposals will give an opportunity to the Commission to reinforce its antifraud activities, including the control of the correct application of the rules of origin.

(1) OJ C 210, 6.7.1993, p. 295.

(2) OJ L 82, 22.3.1997.

(3) COM(99) 140 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0060/99

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Traditional units of measurement for beverages

The SLIM initiative is now entering its fourth phase, when the areas of company law, dangerous substances and legislation on prepackaging are to be assessed. The prepackaging category also includes units of measurement for food and drink. In Austria and in other Member States, 0,3 and 0,5 l units are customarily used for beverages. This is part of a long-standing tradition which has become part of the culture and identity of the population. In the light of subsidiarity, it must remain possible for such units of measurement to be established in the Member States.

In what way will the Commission take adequate account of these elements of traditional values in the current assessment process?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 1999)

The Commission will take care to inform the SLIM team of the points raised by the Honourable Member's question.

The conclusions of the work of the team should be made available, together with the Commission comments, to the Parliament and the Council, on the occasion of the Internal Market Council meeting of 21 June 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0343/99

by Wilmya Zimmermann (PSE) to the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Subject: "EU Labour Force Survey" data administered by Eurostat

Would it be possible in future for access to be granted to the anonymous data base "EU Labour Force Survey" (LFS)? The information it contains could be relevant to university studies in the field of social and economic sciences.

Furthermore, could unrestricted access to this data be given free of charge?

This question was prompted by the inadequate nature of the agreements between the leader of the Effnatis project and Eurostat. More detailed studies could be carried out and further progress made in research if Eurostat could make the LFS data it manages available, in anonymous form, and in principle free of charge, to European research organisations.

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 1999)

The handling of confidential data by the Commission is subject to Community legislation, including Council Regulation (EC) 322/97 of 17 February 1997 on Community statistics(1) and Council Regulation (EEC) 1588/90 of 11 June 1990 on the transmission of data subject to statistical confidentiality(2). This legislative framework does not permit the Commission to release confidential data under normal circumstances to any outside body. Discussions in the context of the working party on employment statistics have indicated that micro-data from the labour force survey could be released only if they could be classified as non-confidential, meaning not simply that they should be anonymous but that a method should be employed to make it virtually impossible to identify individuals. The possibility of devising such a method will be examined by the committee on statistical confidentiality.

The pricing of labour force survey data is subject to the general pricing policy adopted within the European statistical system. This takes account of the cost of collecting and processing the data by the national statistical offices and by the Commission. In most Member States, a charge is made for providing data to users, whether in printed or electronic form. It would therefore not be feasible for the Commission to release data at a price lower than is currently charged in the Member States, since this would effectively damage sales there and thus endanger the co-operation between the Commission and the national statistical offices from which the data ultimately derive. The specific question of the pricing of labour force survey micro-data will be examined by the working party on data dissemination, which is responsible for pricing policy.

(1) OJ L 52, 22.2.1997.

(2) OJ L 151, 15.6.1990.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0344/99

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE) to the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Subject: Environmental protection in respect of specific products

It appears that the Commission's DG XI ordered a study to be carried out on the available instruments in the field of product-linked environmental protection, which came to the conclusion that there should be a comprehensive product policy geared to the whole life cycle of the product.

1. Does the Commission support this conclusion?

2. What other conclusions does the Commission intend to draw from this study with a view to further environmental legislation?

3. Do proposals for legislation already exist on the basis of this study?

4. Does a summariy of this study exist which could be made available to the European Parliament?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 1999)

1. The Commission supports the conclusion that integrated product policy (IPP) should take into account the whole life-cycle of products.

2. IPP is still under discussion and definite conclusions have not yet been drawn. The Commission organised a workshop on this issue in December 1998 and IPP will be discussed at an informal meeting of environment ministers in Weimar on 7-9 May 1999. The Commission intends to present a green paper on IPP after the summer.

3. No legislative initiatives have yet been undertaken.

4. The executive summary of the study is forwarded direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1065/99

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

(20 April 1999)

Subject: Bringing the additional provisions of the French law 97-1051 of 18 November on sea fishing guidelines and marine crops into line with Community law

With reference to the Commission's answer to my written question E-0301/99(1), once it has requested and examined the provisions referred to in my question, will it say whether it considers them to be in conformity with Community law as interpreted by the Court of Justice, with particular reference to the provisions laid down in the circular on stable establishment?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1999)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it considers the circular of the French administration on the new conditions for the fishing of French quotas, which was addressed to the fishing companies late in 1998, to be compatible with Community law.

The Commission however has emphasised once again to the French authorities the need to show some flexibility in the initial application of the new conditions to allow fishing companies to adapt themselves smoothly to the new situation.

The French authorities have reassured the Commission that this will be the case.

(1) OJ C 341, 29.11.1999, p. 87.