ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1162/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Pilot projects for new economic and social development models

The Commission has earmarked ECU 103 million for 106 pilot projects to explore new social and economic development models in European Union cities and regions, hoping to encourage thereby the emergence of new instruments to create jobs. These pilot projects are to include actions designed to promote new forms of employment, inter-regional cooperation, cultural events, promotion and innovation, regional initiatives concerning the information society and innovative measures to assist urban development.

Could the Commission state whether the projects selected include any relating to Italy, and outline their main features?

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

(28 May 1998)

25 projects in Italy have been approved under Article 10 of the European regional development fund (ERDF) Regulation(1) for support during the current funding period up to 1999. 27.5 MECU have been granted for these projects within an expenditure total of MECU 50. The list of projects is transmitted directly to the Honourable Members and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament.

(1) OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0320/98

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Bulgaria

What action is the Commission taking to raise concerns about the growing humanitarian crisis in Bulgaria during the on-going negotiations with the country?

With reference to the Bulgarian orphanages and the short-term aid being provided, what is the Commission doing to assist with action necessary in the longer term?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 1998)

The Community principally through the Phare programme and European Community humanitarian office (ECHO), has continued to provide substantial social and humanitarian assistance to Bulgaria during 1997-1998.

During the course of 1997, the Commission and Bulgarian authorities agreed two packages of 20 MECU each (ESAP1 and ESAP2) for the channeling of direct financial assistance to particularly poor households and to selected socio-educational institutions managed by the ministries of labour, education and health including a significant number of orphanages and specialist institutions for children. ESAP2, which is still in operation, also comprises a significant job-creation project via urban renovation projects in five selected municipalities.

Bulgaria received programme funds totalling 1.8 MECU, provided through ECHO. The funds were distributed by four European non governmental organisations (NGOs) in the form of medicines to medical institutions, a supplementary food programme, food parcels to the most vulnerable and school meals.

In March 1997, the Commission requested the Phare-funded civil society development foundation, as a direct and practical response to the social crisis, to re-direct grant funding totalling 880 000 ECU towards Bulgarian NGOs active in socio-humanitarian spheres.

The Commission has participated fully in donor coordination meetings and has kept the G-24 informed of the extent of the social crisis afflicting the country.

The Commission is currently considering ways in which the Bulgarian government's substantial social reform programme - particularly in the areas of pensions, social welfare and health policies - can be best supported by Phare. Such assistance would supplement Community support to Bulgaria's macro-economic and structural reform programme and could, where appropriate, be delivered in conjunction with the activities of other financial institutions including the World Bank.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1015/98

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Human rights violations in Sudan

Can the Commission indicate what is being done with regard to the human rights violations in Sudan, the issue of slavery and the problems of accessibility for humanitarian aid and Human Rights Monitors? Can the Commission confirm that there are moves to promote a UN Security Council resolution on an arms embargo which will being the UN into line with the European Union which, I understand, has imposed an arms embargo on Sudan?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1998)

The Community has indeed noted with regret that the human rights situation in the Sudan continues to cause concern. Most violations occur in the war zones, but problems also exist in Khartoum. There continue to be reports of widespread and continuing human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, detentions without due process, slavery, and the denial of the freedoms of religion, expression, association and peaceful assembly.

The Community has called on the authorities of the Sudan to respect human rights and humanitarian law in all parts of the country. In particular it encourages them to allow unimpeded access for aid agencies, monitors and international observers and to investigate alleged violations promptly, publish their findings and punish offenders.

The Commission continues to follow the situation very closely and avails itself of every opportunity to impress upon the government of the Sudan its obligation to restore and ensure full respect of human rights in the country.

In the framework of the Common foreign and security policy (CFSP), and in particular based on Article J.2 of the Treaty on European Union, the Council adopted on 15 March 1994 a common position on an embargo on the export of arms, ammunition and military equipment to Sudan. According to Article J.2 of the Treaty, the Member States are required to ensure that their national policies conform to the common position. The implementation of this embargo falls, therefore, under the exclusive responsibility of the Member States.

According to Article J.5 of the Treaty on European Union, the Presidency of the Council has primary responsibility for the implementation of common measures under the CFSP, including the position to be expressed by the Union in international organisations. The Commission is fully associated in this task. In so far as the Commission is aware, the question of promoting a UN Security Council resolution on an arms embargo has not been addressed in the relevant instances of the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1279/98

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Studies on unemployment

During a talk he gave before the Economic and Social Committee on 26 March 1998, the Chairman of the EWI Duisenberg referred to studies which proved that almost 80 % of unemployment in Europe was structural. However, he gave no further information about the titles or origin of these studies.

Does the Commission have these studies at its disposal? If so, what are they?

Who were they commissioned by?

What results have these studies achieved?

What was the time-frame?

In which areas were investigations carried out?

Is the Commission aware of the above figure of 80 %?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(22 June 1998)

According to information from the European monetary institute the speech of the president Mr Duisenberg (26 March 1998) stresses only that there is a high level of structural unemployment in Europe.

The Commission is not aware of any studies estimating that 80 % of unemployment is of a structural nature in Europe. The concepts of structural unemployment used in the technical literature are very different and by no means undisputed. According to a study published by the Commission (European Economy, No 59 of 1995, Analytical Study No 3) structural unemployment in Europe accounts to just under 40 %. The concept of structural unemployment used in this study, based on the absence of workers with proper qualification, is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1035/98

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: The effects of "El Niño"

The "El Niño" phenomenon is having increasingly serious effects in various regions of the world - natural disasters such as floods and storms are followed by severe drought, causing fires and destroying crops and leaving people hungry, poor and destitute, often in regions which are already in themselves disadvantaged.

In order to prevent worse disasters, has the Commission introduced any mechanism for predicting the effects of "El Niño"?

Are there any programmes designed to mitigate these effects and provide emergency aid for the countries affected?

Is the Commission working in collaboration with any international organization in this field?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 1998)

Researchers have for many years recognized the important role of El Niño (or Southern Oscillation phenomena (ENSO)) in the climate system and the Commission has supported important research on the phenomenon.

Under the current "Environment and climate programme" (1994-1998), the "Prediction of climate variations on seasonal timescales" (Provost) project is investigating the prospects for seasonal and interannual climate predictions, and has pioneered a global atmosphere-ocean modelling system which shows great promise for future operational forecasts. This project also utilises satellite and other observations over the El Niño region in the Pacific Ocean. The model predictions of last year's El Niño and its related climate anomalies are particularly encouraging. Part of the products from this (still experimental) project are now available on the Internet, including the predicted effects of El Niño on different regions of the world (including Europe).

Results from other research underline the link to the global climate system in a "post-Kyoto" perspective, indicating that global warming may cause El Niño and ENSO variability to increase.

In September 1997 the Commission set up a working party to monitor developments in the El Niño phenomenon and prepare preventive action. In addition to the emergency aid already allocated by the Commission to the affected countries in Central and Latin America and East Africa, totalling ECU 21 million to date, a special programme has been approved by the Commission to the tune of ECU 77 million, financed by the Community budget ("food aid and security" head).

The Commission works in coordination with the agencies of the United Nations (including the World Food Programme), the International Federation of the Red Cross and various European non-governmental organisations working in the countries affected by El Niño.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2069/98

by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Potential application of the Philoxenia programme on the pilgrims' road to Santiago de Compostela

One of the objectives pursued by the multiannual programme to assist European tourism, Philoxenia, is to promote Europe as a tourist destination so as to help increase the number of visitors from third countries.

The pilgrims' road to Santiago de Compostela, traditionally one of the most popular destinations for foreign visitors to the Iberian peninsula, is so steeped in religious, historical, cultural and human values, and holds an important place in so many different spheres, that it attracts visitors from all over the world.

Can the Commission say to what extent the Philoxenia multiannual programme could be applied to promoting, developing and improving infrastructure along the road to Santiago, with a view to enhancing tourism in Europe and boosting the number of visitors from third countries?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 1998)

The Council has not yet taken a decision on the first multi-annual programme in favour of European tourism (Philoxenia), proposed by the Commission in 1996. In relation to that part of the proposal to provide support to campaigns to promote Europe as a tourist destination, the measure is not intended to promote individual projects or regions, but to contribute to the competitiveness of European tourism with, as one of the measures proposed, the promotion of Europe as a whole.

The Commission would also like to inform the Honourable Member, that the efforts for the preservation of the Santiago de Compostala historic monuments have been co-financed in the last few years within the framework of the Commission's concern and action to encourage and contribute towards the protection, restoration and enhancement of Europe's important architectural heritage. Furthermore, one of the main objectives of the action is the added value that the Community's support can bring about also in economic terms, i.e. encouragement of cultural tourism via the protection, conservation and improvement of historic monuments.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1144/98

by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission

(24 April 1998)

Subject: Financial support - agri-environmental measures, Portugal

Would the Commission provide detailed information regarding the amount of funding provided in the form of agri-environmental measures for each Member State during the 1994-1997 period? What commitments have been undertaken for the period up to 1999?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 May 1998)

Expenditure for the agri-environmental programme in Portugal (the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) share of 75 %) has been as follows (in MECU):

>TABLE>

The financial impact (the EAGGF share of 75 %) of commitments existing on 15 October 1997 is 65 MECU for the budget year 1998 and 23 MECU for the budget year 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1958/98

by Mirja Ryynänen (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Knowledge of EU Member States in official circles

In many EU Member States the charges set by the authorities for services to other EU countries are harmonized at the same level. However, the experience of many Finnish nationals has shown that in practice the postal charges for letters, for example, are higher to Finland than to other EU Member States. The reason for this is that the authorities do not have up-to-date information in their own official sources about Finland's membership of the European Union.

1. What is the Commission doing to ensure that official circles in the EU Member States have access to up-to-date information about the other EU Member States?

2. What is the Commission doing to ensure that postal service charges are the same to Finland and Sweden as to other EU Member States, in the interests of complying with the common pricing system?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 1998)

The Commission believes it is essential to disseminate up-to-date information about the Community and any changes that take place within it. For this purpose, all of the Commission departments continually provide the national authorities and Community citizens with information, in particular through their dealings with the Member States. A variety of publications about the composition of the Community are continually made available and widely distributed, in particular by the Commission's representations in the Member States. The national authorities pass on this information in a national context. The only limit to this activity is the budget which can reasonably be allocated for this purpose.

With regard to postal charges, the Community is in favour of prices being "geared to costs", as called for in European Parliament and Council Directive 97/67/EC of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service(1). In line with this principle, some charges may therefore vary depending on the destination in the Community.

(1) OJ L 15, 21.1.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2093/98

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Competition for fish farmers in Denmark

Under Article 3 of Environment Ministry order No 224 of 5 April 1989 fresh water fish farmers in Denmark are restricted as regards the maximum annual consumption of feedingstuffs. This means that in practice there are restrictions on fish farm production.

As far as I know there are no such restrictions in other EU countries.

Are the Danish rules limiting fish farm production in keeping with the provisions of the Treaty on competition?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 1998)

The aquaculture legislation in Denmark is both comprehensive and restrictive and is due to the general pollution situation in Denmark where high standards for water treatment in general have been enforced through legislation. For the freshwater fish farming industry, the national goal is to reduce the environmental impact by 50 %. The basic philosophy of the legislation is to control the environmental impact from fish farming through limits on maximum use of fish feeds. Each farm is allocated a certain annual amount of feed.

While this means of control is not used in other Member States, the EC Treaty does not prevent Member States adopting measures to protect the environment which are stricter than those laid down in Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1572/98

by James Janssen van Raay (UPE) to the Council

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Flags on 15 August

1. As the Netherlands is the only allied country that does not commemorate 15 August 1945 on which the Second World War ended, I deliberately tabled questions during the Dutch Presidency. My questions were never answered. They must have been mislaid. How is this possible?

2. The United Kingdom commemorates the end of both the First World War (Poppy Day) and the Second World War. Can the British Presidency encourage the designation of 15 August as an official day of remembrance, with the traditional showing of the flag, if only to celebrate the ensuing long period of peace we have enjoyed?

3. The Emperor of Japan will shortly be visiting London and will be honoured with a prestigious decoration (Order of the Garter). Will the British Presidency take this opportunity to refer Japan to the immeasurable hardship suffered by the Asian peoples whom it suppressed and urge it to provide massive aid now that the same peoples are again suffering hardship?

Reply

(24 September 1998)

On the subject of peace celebrations on 15 August, the Council would refer the Honourable Member to the reply to Written Question No E-1331/98, the only question which the Council has received on the matter.

The Council has no comments on the Honourable Member's suggestions to the United Kingdom Presidency.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1802/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Unjustifiable delays in implementing the Community-funded programme for the computerization of the Greek Inland Revenue (TAXIS)

Representatives of Inland Revenue staff have themselves recently complained that there are unjustifiably long delays in implementing the TAXIS programme, jointly funded by the Community and the CSF for Greece (regional operational programme to modernize public administration), which is designed to computerize the Greek Inland Revenue Service.

The specific complaints are that none of the deadlines for completing the project have been met and that in the one and only unit it has been brought online, only half of its applications are in operation. There have also been delays in staffing the Financial Services Directorates (DOY) with the necessary personnel to back up the operation of the programme and in training DOY staff in how TAXIS works.

In the light of the above situation, will the Commission say what the rate of implementation for the programme is in relation to the timetable set at the time of its adoption and, consequently, how far behind schedule it is to date? What are the reasons for the delays in implementing the programme? When is the project scheduled for completion? What appropriations have so far been disbursed from Community Funds and for what kind of measures?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 1998)

The TAXIS programme has an overall budget of 84 MECU and constitutes a project within the operational programme for modernisation of public administration.

This project covers the development of an integrated information system for taxation, the acquisition of a building designed to house the information technology equipment, and the training of users in the new technological systems put in place.

According to information provided by the Greek authorities, the implementation preparatory period was significantly prolonged due to the nature and complexity of the project. At present, implementation is proceeding smoothly and it is estimated that it will be concluded during the first semester of 2001. 30 financial services directorates (tax offices) will start operating in the new technological environment by the end of July 1998, while 120 other financial services directorates will join by the end of 1998. Out of the 17 software applications to be produced by TAXIS, seven have already been delivered and the rest will be ready shortly.

So far, absorption rates for TAXIS stand at 53 MECU, or 63 %. Expenditure for European social fund (ESF) actions is limited because training is linked to the final stages of the project when the financial services directorates will be fully staffed and ready to start operating under the new systems. Training actions began recently and according to the Greek authorities they are expected to continue at intensive levels.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2122/98

by David Hallam (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Application of penalties: Regulation 1765/92

Regarding Regulation 1765/92(1), is the Commission aware of the very heavy penalties applied when mistakes have been made when claiming arable area payments, under the IACS (Integrated Administration and Control System)?

In the United Kingdom we have found that many of these penalties have been applied even when it is clear that these were genuine errors on the part of the producer. What flexibility can the Commission offer to assist these affected producers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 1998)

Commission Regulation (EEC) 3887/92 of 23 December 1992 laying down detailed rules for applying the integrated administration and control system for certain Community aid schemes(2) provides for sanctions in cases where farmers over-declare the area of land for the purpose of obtaining a subsidy, or where certain other rules have not been respected.

The Commission has however accepted the need for flexibility in some cases. Regulation (EEC) 3887/92 provides for Member States to allow claims for area aid to be adjusted without sanctions in cases of genuine error which have to be recognised as such by the Member States' authorities. The responsibility for recognizing an error lies with the Member States.

In addition to the existing rules, the Commission has recently proposed a modification of Regulation (EEC) 3887/92 by introducing a clause allowing farmers, under certain conditions, to correct information in their applications which could lead to the imposition of penalities.

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 12.

(2) OJ L 391, 31.12.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1982/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Council

(17 June 1998)

Subject: Commission document on measures to compensate the abolition of duty-free sales

Will the Council ensure that the Commission's document outlining possibilities for measures to compensate the regions hardest hit by the abolition of intra-EU duty- and tax-free sales after 1999, as agreed at the May Ecofin Council, is presented to and debated at an Ecofin Council this autumn?

Reply

(24 September 1998)

At the outcome of the discussion at the Ecofin Council on 19 May 1998, it appeared that there was no consensus to call for a Community-wide study on the impact of the abolition of intra-EU tax- and duty-free sales on 30 June 1999.

However, in the light of the various national studies and the comments made during this meeting, the Commission will clarify in a working document the instruments available to Member States for addressing the consequences of such abolition.