ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0889/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Human rights violations in Bahrain

What action is the Commission considering in regard to the multiple human rights violations by the Government of Bahrain, especially within the Bahraini State Security Court, chronicled by several international human rights organizations, and in particular concerning the case of Shaikh al-Jamri, the informal head of the Bahrain Islamic Freedom Movement, who has been jailed without charge for over a year?

Answer given by Marín on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

The Commission shares the concerns of the Honourable Member over the reported human rights violations in Bahrain.

The Commission would also like to point out that the situation in Bahrain has been aggravated by a number of serious terrorist attacks in which several people have lost their lives. The Commission, while recalling its commitment to the full respect of fundamental freedoms, condemns all forms of terrorist violence.

The Commission has repeatedly stated its full commitment to the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms which are at the heart of the Community's external policies. The Commission encourages all countries, including Bahrain, to promote democracy and to become parties to and fully apply international instruments in relation to human rights.

The Commission attaches particular importance to the promotion of human rights in the Gulf cooperation council (GCC) countries. In this respect, and on the occasion of the last Community-GCC ministerial meeting held in Doha, Qatar, on 17 February 1997, both sides subscribed in the joint communiqué to the principle that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0255/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (7 February 1997)

Subject: Professional driving tuition

In view of the fact that transport safety is listed as one of the priority objectives laid down in the common transport policy (COM(92)494), and with reference to the new EU driving licence directive that came into force in the UK in January 1997:

1. Which Member States have only professional tuition for every learner driver?

2. What steps is the Commission taking, if any, to encourage Member States to promote a policy of only professional driving tuition?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (21 March 1997)

1. The Commission is aware of only one Member State (Germany) that requires that every learner driver has to be taught professionally (through driving schools).

2. Council Directive 91/439/EEC ((OJ L 237, 24.8.1991. )) on driving licences lays down the minimum criteria for the issuing of driving licences, including minimum requirements for theoretical and practical driving tests.

However, the manner in which applicants are to be trained is left to Member States. The Commission has no current plans to promote professional driving tuition exclusively.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0670/97 by Angela Billingham (PSE) to the Commission (26 February 1997)

Subject: Exclusion of British ski instructors from French ski slopes

Is the Commission aware that despite recent discussions between Commission officials and the French authorities in Paris, designed to ensure that UK ski instructors' qualifications are accepted in France, the authorities in the French Alps are continuing to insist that the most highly qualified instructors from the British Association of Ski Instructors must take the 'test de capacité' before they can work?

In view of the fact that UK ski instructors have already been prevented from carrying out their work during some of the best snow conditions in this year's skiing season, what action is the Commission prepared to take to prevent the French authorities continuing to breach Article 59 of the Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1997)

Great efforts have been made by the Commission in the last year to solve the problems encountered by Community ski instructors wishing to pursue their activity in France. Considerable progress has now been made and some developments have occurred recently concerning the two main issues, the freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services.

As far as establishment is concerned, the French authorities have stated that they intend to amend the rules on granting authorization to holders of diplomas issued by other Member States, in order to bring their law into line with Community legislation and, in particular, with Directive 92/51/EEC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC ((OJ L 209, 24.7.1992. )). The new regulations will come into force in the coming months.

Secondly, there is the problem of the freedom to provide services, covered by Article 59 of the EC Treaty. The Commission has also been active in solving the difficulties which arose last year in the Frence Alps. Following long discussions with the French authorities, a new order (Décret) was adopted in November 1996 allowing foreign ski instructors to work in France as service providers on the basis of a declaration. Only in cases of substantial differences in the diploma or professional experience of the applicant (as regards especially responsibility for security) will the French authorities be allowed to require an aptitude test. Consequently, the Commission considers that the French legislation is now in conformity with Community law. This new procedure is intended to reconcile the freedom to provide services with the requirements of safety and appears to be a sensible solution to the traditional difficulties of recognition.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0812/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Community subsidies to associations, NGOs and various other bodies

With regard to heading B7-6005 (Community aid to non-governmental organizations operating in Cambodia), can the Commission provide a complete list of associations, NGOs and other bodies benefiting from Community subsidies and the exact amount of these subsidies for the last completed budgetary year, i.e. 1996?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (4 April 1997)

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WRITTEN QUESTION P-0652/97 by Gerardo Galeote Quecedo (PPE) to the Commission (26 February 1997)

Subject: Visit by the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Mr Caruana, to senior EC officials (last week in January 1997)

Can the Commission confirm whether, during the visit to Brussels by the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Mr Peter Caruana, in the last week of January 1997, he was received by two Directors-General, Mr Mogg (DG XV, Internal Market) and Mr Currie (DG XXI, Customs and Indirect Taxation) as reported in the press?

If so, can the Commission explain why these senior officials received Mr Caruana, given that they have no representative duties?

Assuming that these meetings were purely informative, which I should like the Commission to confirm, did Mr Caruana provide Mr Mogg with any information on the proceedings opened by the Commission against the United Kingdom on the grounds of breaches of Community law in the colony of Gibraltar owing to the failure to transpose various directives (for example in the fields of taxation, public procurement, securities, insurance and the recognition of diplomas)?

Bearing in mind that the territory of Gibraltar does not form part of the Customs Union and that it is excluded from VAT provisions, what was the purpose of Mr Caruana's meeting with Mr Currie, Director-General of Customs and Indirect Taxation, given that there does not appear to be any connection between his fields of responsibility and the colony of Gibraltar, except as regards the illicit trafficking stemming from that territory? The manner in which Mr Currie defended the interests of the Customs Union in the face of such illicit trafficking would also be a matter of great interest in this context.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (28 April 1997)

In line with the Commission's long-standing policy of discussing the transposition and implementation of Community law, on 28 January 1997 the Director general of DG XV discussed the implementation of directives in the financial services sector in Gibraltar. Similarly, the Director general of DG XXI met the Chief minister of Gibraltar and took the opportunity to discuss measures taken to combat customs fraud. At both meetings members of the United Kingdom permanent representation were present.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0210/97 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (5 February 1997)

Subject: Rubbish treatment and disposal at Casares, Spain

Is the Commission familiar with the plans to install a plant along the same lines as the current operation at Villarrasa, at Casares, which is adjacent to the Sierra Bermeja Nature Reserve?

Will it investigate use of EU funding to waste disposal plants in Andalucia and the administration of Community environmental law in this respect

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (21 March 1997)

The principle of subsidiarity establishes that the Member State authorities are responsible for the planning and management of waste treatment projects, as well as determining where such plants can be constructed, and whether, in the first instance, they are in accordance with European law, particularly with Directive 75/442/CEE ((OJ L 194, 25.7.1975. )) modified by Directive 91/156/CEE concerning waste ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991. )).

According to the information received by the Commission, the authority concerned has carried out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) in accordance with Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )).

The eligible cost for this plant amounts to 16 mecu. In order to support this project the European regional development fund will cofinance 70% of the total cost, i.e. 11.2 mecu.

At this stage, and according to the information received, there is no evidence to indicate that European legislation has been infringed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0648/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Construction of natural gas power stations

A system has recently been inaugurated in Greece for channelling natural gas from Russia, a project which will help reduce costs for industry, improve the quality of the air and promote Greece's self-sufficiency in energy.

A proposal has also been put forward to build two combined cycle natural gas power stations, one close to the Greek-Albanian border (to ensure supplies from Albania) and the other close to the Greek-Bulgarian border. Particular priority is being accorded to the latter, since it will lead to the replacement of Bulgarian-produced energy from the extremely dangerous Kozloduy nuclear plant.

These projects are in line with EU policy which seeks to promote the development of the countries of the Balkan Peninsular and to upgrade environmental protection there.

Will the Commission say, in the light of the above, whether it intends to provide aid for the construction of the two above projects - and, if so, in what form-, given that they are fully in line with the objectives of the EU which is endeavouring, through the transeuropean energy networks, to promote its own self-sufficiency in energy?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1997)

First, it must be pointed out that the Member States and electricity companies are responsible for investment planning relating to power stations.

However, at the beginning of each year, the Commission receives information on the planning of such investments. It has not been notified of the plans to build new gas power stations in Greece for exporting electricity to Albania and Bulgaria.

The present 'natural gas' project in Greece provides for the use of natural gas in power stations in Attica and in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. In the latter region, a power station will be built in Komotini, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in order to improve the electricity supply to this peripheral region of North Eastern Greece and contribute to its economic development.

The Commission has received a request for financial support for studies relating to extension of the Greek gas network to Western Macedonia and Albania. The request has met with a positive response and the decision to support the study should be taken during the next few months under the transeuropean networks programme. Inter alia, the study will look at the demand for gas in North Western Greece and Albania, especially for electricity production.

Under the Synergy energy programme the Commission is also supporting a study concerning the creation of a regional electricity market in the Balkans.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1107/97 by Pierre Bernard-Reymond (PPE) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: EU delegations in third countries

Can the Commission supply a list of countries in which the European Union is represented by a delegation, stating the number of officials employed in each?

Reply given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (11 April 1997)

The Commission is sending a Table containing the information requested directly to the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat.

It should be pointed out however that, in the 128 countries and cities listed, the Commission is represented by either a Delegation or an Office or a Representation. Also, where the number of officials employed is concerned, the list includes posts which were still unfilled at the time this reply was written.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1122/97 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (19 March 1997)

Subject: Investments co-financed by the Cohesion Fund in the Algarve (Portugal)

1. Has the Commission at any time received a request for Cohesion Fund financing of the Ria Formosa desanding /smoothing projects?

If so, when? What amount has been requested? If the Commission has not yet taken a decision, what are the conditions for entitlement to Cohesion Fund financing?

2. Was the Odelouça dam project presented or devised as part of the water supply scheme for the Barlavento Algarvio region? What are the conditions for entitlement to Cohesion Fund financing?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1997)

The Commission has received no request for Cohesion Fund financing of a Ria Formosa desanding/smoothing project.

The Cohesion Fund has financed a project concerning the water resources of the Odelouça/Funcho basin (project No 93/10/61/006-015). This multi-faceted project aims to solve the problem of water shortages, particularly in summer, by supplying water to seven municipalities (approximately 120 000 inhabitants) in the Barlavento Algarvio region, but does not include the construction of the Odelouça dam. The provisions of Council Directive 80/778/EEC relating to the quality of the water intended for human consumption ((OJ L 229, 30.8.1980. )) will also be observed. Furthermore, the project will make possible the irrigation of 14 700 hectares.

The Cohesion Fund is also part-financing other projects whose broad objective it is to supply water to the Barlavento Algarvio region. However, none of the projects concerns the financing of the construction of the Odelouça dam.

With regard to the conditions for entitlement to Cohesion Fund financing, the Commission applies the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/94 of 16 May 1994 establishing the Cohesion Fund ((OJ L 130, 25.5.1994. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1251/97 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (2 April 1997)

Subject: Fifth survey of state aid in the EU

It is a matter of record that national state aid to industry in the EU Member States is on the increase and that, as a result, the Commission department responsible has had many more cases referred to it in recent years than previously. It also needs to be said that a properly functioning internal market requires more stringent control of state aid with a view to reducing the level of such aid.

How does the Commission imagine that the proposal to exempt from notification a series of forms of state aid (aid for SMUs, research and development, employment and environmental protection) will lead to less state aid?

Can clear and reliable criteria be drawn up to define, for example, environmental and employment aid so that the new system is not abused in order to provide covert operating aid?

Under the proposed system, would it not very easily be possible for most of the cases that cause inconvenience for SMUs to end up no longer needing to be notified and therefore falling outside the scope of the Commission?

Would not a better solution be to allocate more resources to the department responsible?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (16 May 1997)

The Commission's fifth survey on state aid shows a tendency towards a stability in the global volume of aid to industry and a decrease in horizontal aid to research and development (R& D), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), environment protection and energy savings.

The Commission's experience also shows that such aid is usually granted by Member States in full accordance with the criteria published by the Commission in its guidelines regarding horizontal aid. As this aid is granted in accordance with Commission guidelines the Commission is now examining whether it could render its state aid control more efficient by simplifying its surveillance procedures in these areas. This would allow it to free resources for the assessment of large and distorting cases, which again could contribute to a reduction in the overall aid level.

Simplification of the surveillance procedures for such horizontal aid - while maintaining the level of control achieved - could be attained by means of group exemption regulations under Article 94 of the EC Treaty. Clear and reliable criteria can be defined in group exemptions to avoid any abuse of aid for any alien purposes. Group exemptions could be envisaged for SMEs, R& D, environmental protection, employment and training.

The Commission does not intend to render its state aid control more lax. On the contrary, group exemptions could serve to make state aid control stricter and more efficient, irrespective of any decision to allocate more resources to the department responsible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0312/97 by Yannos Kranidiotis (PSE) to the Council (14 February 1997)

Subject: Links between Mrs Ciller and drug smugglers

According to a German judge, Mr Rolf Schwalbe, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mrs Tansu Ciller, is reported to be protecting drug smugglers responsible for bringing heroin from Turkey to Western Europe.

The judge made these remarks after the end of a criminal trial during which three Turkish nationals were found guilty of importing heroin from Turkey to Frankfurt. The criminal proceedings produced evidence that drug barons in Turkey have links with the Turkish Foreign Minister and enjoy her protection.

Will the Council ask the Frankfurt criminal court for the evidence concerning Mrs Ciller and notify me of its contents?

Answer (5 June 1997)

The Council has no competence in the question referred to by the Honourable Member of the European Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0282/97 by Giovanni Burtone (PPE) to the Council (14 February 1997)

Subject: The plight of Italian milk producers

Italian milk producers are facing a crisis caused by the 'milk quota' assigned to Italy, which was and remains totally inadequate given the country's actual production capacity and domestic demand. Although national consumption amounts to 15.5 million tonnes and production is in excess of 10.5 million tonnes, Italy has been allocated a quota of barely 9.9 million tonnes.

Despite determined efforts to rationalize this sector, of which the Council and Commission are well aware, it has proved impossible to keep production within the quota limits. As a result, a super-levy has been imposed on 15 000 producers who were unable to keep production below the ceilings imposed. Most of these are unable to meet the fines without risking bankcruptcy. This is having a severe impact on the social fabric, the natural environment and, above all, the thousands of families whose livelihood depends on this sector.

The farmers concerned are very angry and feel they have been unfairly penalised for the inadequate quota granted to their country. In the light of the above considerations:

1. Does the Council not consider it both fair and necessary to increase Italy's milk quota by at least 600 000 tonnes with retrospective effect starting from the marketing year 1995/96?

2. If the increase cannot be made retrospective, does the Council not agree that the appropriate authorities should provide support and special credit terms to enable farmers to meet the super-levy owing for the 1995/96 marketing year?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0240/97 and E-0282/97 (5 June 1997)

At the Italian delegation's request, the Council has twice discussed the future of the Community milk regime and the specific problem of milk quotas, enabling all the Member States and the Commission to adopt positions on the approach to be followed in the subsequent examination of the question. In this connection the Council was informed of the difficult situation of the milk sector in Italy, particularly the problems raised by milk quota fines and the important decisions taken by the Italian Government. Various adjustments of milk quotas were requested.

The importance attached to the future of the milk regime, given that the present arrangements are to lapse in the year 2000, was stressed.

The question of the future of milk policy and milk quotas will be examined in a wider context in accordance with the following timetable: submission by the Commission of a report based on an analysis of the market situation; examination of the future of the COM in milk products - on the basis of that report in particular - at the informal Council meeting to be held in Middelburg in May; subsequent submission of formal Commission proposals.

As regards the more specific question of an extension of the deadline for payment of the fines imposed on Itlay for exceeding the milk quotas, this falls within the Commission's field of competence.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1358/97 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (10 April 1997)

Subject: Financing of public broadcasting organizations

Would the Commission state when it intends to publish its decision on the financing of public broadcasting organizations?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1997)

For the time being, the Commission has no intention of publishing a decision on the financing of public broadcasting organizations in general.

It has published a summary of the decision on the financing of the Portuguese public television service ((OJ C 67, 4.3.1997. )). It will be certain to publish any decisions taken by it - or, where appropriate, summaries of them - regarding the financing of public television services in other Member States.