ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2288/02

by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Council

(25 July 2002)

Subject: Elections to the European Parliament in 2004

Will the reduced allocation of seats in the European Parliament (as agreed at Nice) be introduced for the elections to the European Parliament in 2004? Will the UK's allocation therefore be cut from 87 seats to 72 for June 2004?

If the allocation of seats to the UK is to be reduced, what will be the regional basis for the reallocation of the seats?

Reply

(16-19 December 2002)

The Council would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it made to question E-1706/02 put by Mr Andrew Duff.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1460/02

by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2002)

Subject: Follow-up question concerning Annex IIa to Article 10a of Regulation 1408/71

On 15 April 2002 I put a Written Question to the Commission concerning Annex IIa to Article 10a of Regulation 1408/71(1) (P-1119/02(2)). Commissioner Diamantopolou answered that question on 8 May 2002. However, she failed to deal with all the points I raised, hence this follow-up question seeking, once again, a comprehensive answer, not least to my third question, namely how the Secretary of State could have been quoting from the review at that time.

In her answer to my question (P-1119/02), the Commissioner states that no formal talks have been held. Is it possible that the Secretary of State could have learnt, in the course of informal talks, the Commission's view on the inclusion of Wajong in the annex referred to above?

(1) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.

(2) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 254.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2002)

In its answer to the Honourable Member's Written Question P-1119/02(1), the Commission indicated that it was in contact with government experts in the various Member States, particularly the Netherlands, to discuss the details of social security benefits listed in Annex IIa to Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of the Council of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community(2).

These contacts are still under way and the Commission has not so far made any decision on the precise content of the proposal which it plans to adopt. The conclusions which Mr Hoogervorst, Netherlands Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Employment, may have drawn from departmental contacts on the Commission's position on this issue therefore seem premature.

(1) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 254.

(2) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2002/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 July 2002)

Subject: Namibia

With respect to Namibia, can the Commission specify the projects funded from the EU budget in 2000?

Can it state the total amounts granted in aid over 2000 under all the headings referring to that country?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2136/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: Haiti

With reference to Haiti, will the Commission say which projects were financed in 2000 under the EU budget?

Will the Commision specify the total amount of aid allocated during 2000 to all the initiatives relating to Haiti?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2819/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 October 2002)

Subject: Spanish Government's response to the Commission concerning the Spanish National Hydrological Plan

When is the Commission likely to take a decision in the light of the Spanish Government's letter of July 2002 to the Commission's queries about the Spanish National Hydrological Plan?

Is the Commission satisfied with the Spanish Government's answer, does it intend to release structural funds on this basis, and is it satisfied that the plan will not adversely affect the environment?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-2708/02 and E-2819/02given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

The Commission received the reply from the Spanish authorities at the end of July 2002. The documentation is quite detailed and technical and the Commission is still evaluating whether the material covers all the issues raised in the letter of 23 May 2002 from Directorate general Environment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2572/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(16 September 2002)

Subject: Cyclamate in light soft drinks

The Voedingscentrum (Nutrition Centre) in the Netherlands recently gave a warning about the use of cyclamate in light drinks. A written question on this subject (E-0051/02(1)) has been posed by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE). In its reply of 22 February 2002, the Commission stated that it did not intend to introduce a ban on cyclamate. It also said that it did not regard additional labelling requirements as justified.

If the Commission takes the view that additional warnings on labels are unnecessary, how does it intend to warn the public against excessive consumption of cyclamate?

The Commission is looking at how to ensure that intake of cyclamate does not exceed the new ADI, for example by amending authorised limits for its use and authorising alternatives. Could it give further details?

What is the Commission's objective in amending authorised limits for the use of cyclamate?

What are the alternatives to cyclamate to which the Commission refers in its answer to written question E-0051/02? How does it intend to promote their use?

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 236.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2002)

As indicated in its reply to Written Question E-0051/02 by Mr De Roo, the Commission has examined how to ensure that the intake of cyclamate does not exceed the new Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for this substance, for example by amendments to authorised limits for its use and the authorisation of alternatives.

Consequently, the Commission adopted on 11 July 2002 a proposal for the amendment of Parliament and Council Directive 94/35/EC on sweeteners for use in foodstuffs(1). This proposal foresees to lower the amount of cyclamate that may be used in light soft drinks. Furthermore, it is proposed to ban the use of cyclamate in confectionery, chewing gum and ice cream with no added sugar.

As an alternative to cyclamate, all other authorised sweeteners may be used. With the proposed amendment of the above-mentioned Directive, sucralose, a new sweetener, is proposed for authorisation and could therefore become available as an additional alternative. The Parliament and the Council are currently examining the proposal.

If these measures are adopted, the Commission would expect that the intake of cyclamate by consumers will stay below the new ADI. In any event, by virtue of the above-mentioned Directive, the Member States must monitor the intake of sweeteners, and intake levels above the ADI would be detected.

(1) COM(2002) 375 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1435/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(23 May 2002)

Subject: The return of state terror in Guatemala

Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú today had to go back to Guatemala, where she is the object of death threats, to attend the funeral of her co-worker Guillermo Ovalle, murdered by repressive paramilitary forces protected or tolerated by the government which do not respect

the peace agreements, and continue to threaten, humiliate, terrorise and massacre Guatemala's indigenous majority. What steps has the Union Presidency taken vis-à-vis the Guatemalan Government to prevent these acts of terrorism? Does the Presidency intend to take appropriate measures to sanction the Guatemalan Government?

Reply

(16-19 December 2002)

1. The Council views with the greatest concern all the threats and assaults made against indigenous people, as well as against judges and members of the judicial authorities, human rights activists, journalists and political leaders. The Council has repeatedly condemned these acts, which impede progress in strengthening the rule of law, and has urged the Government of Guatemala to protect those targeted and have the incidents investigated, so that legal action can be taken to punish those responsible. With respect to the specific case of the murder of Sr Guillermo Ovalle, the verification done by the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (Minugua) indicates that the general characteristics of the case and of the perpetrators correspond to an act of common criminals. However, since a number of other cases, initially believed to be the acts of common criminals, were later proven to have been motivated by political reasons, Minugua continues to verify that all official enquiries do not exclude other hypotheses. The Council will therefore continue to follow closely this case to ensure that it is properly investigated and urge that those responsible are brought to justice.

2. On 24 April, on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the murder of Bishop Gerardi, the Council reiterated to the Guatemalan government its concern at the persistant intimidation, threats and aggresion suffered by members of the human rights organisations, journalists and law officers. In May the Spanish Presidency, accompanied by various EU Ambassadors and colleagues from donor countries participated in a demarche to the Vice President expressing concern over human rights issues, notably the threats to those working in this field.

3. The Council maintains a constructive dialogue with Guatemala based on respect for human rights and the implementation of the Peace Accords both bilaterally and in the framework of the San Jose dialogue.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1367/02

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 May 2002)

Subject: Costs of pet medicines

The UK's Competition Commission is currently conducting an inquiry into the costs of drugs to treat pets, following a number of complaints. It has emerged that the costs of drugs to treat animals in the UK has risen by about 40 % in the last seven years and is continuing to rise by 11 % per year. It has been estimated that vaccinations in the UK routinely cost GBP 10 more than elsewhere in Europe. A course of vaccinations for a puppy costs over GBP 50 in Britain, compared with GBP 26 in Spain. The Commission will consider why pet owners are obliged to buy medicines from vets rather than pharmacies and whether there are monopolies in the supply and distribution of treatments.

1. Has the Commission collected any information on the costs of drugs to treat pets across Europe?

2. Is the Commission concerned that the significantly higher prices for drugs in the UK may constitute a distortion of the single market?

3. Has the Commission conducted any investigations into the prices of such products across Europe and any possible monopolies in supply and distribution?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2002)

The Commission has neither conducted any investigations of the type referred to by the Honourable Member nor collected any information on the costs of drugs to treat pets. It should be stressed that, during the last few years, no possible violations of competition rules have been brought to the Commission's attention in that particular sector, be it in Europe or in one or more Member States. In particular, the Commission has not received any complaint relating to this sector on the basis of Article 81 (agreement between undertakings) and/or Article 82 (abuse of dominant position) of the EC Treaty.

The Commission is confident that the British Competition Commission will conduct a thorough examination of the market in question and will adopt all measures that may appear to be necessary. The Commission will of course follow with care the results of the investigation.

The Commission has not yet received any information substantiating that the price levels for drugs in the United Kingdom would constitute an infringement of the Community rules governing the free movement of goods within the internal market.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1717/02 by Carlos Coelho (PPE-DE) to the Council. List of officials.



Official Journal 092 E , 17/04/2003 P. 0085 - 0085



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1717/02 by Carlos Coelho (PPE-DE) to the Council (13 June 2002) Subject: List of officials Further to Question E-3032/01(1), also tabled by the author of the present question, can the Council supply a list of all officials employed by it, with particular reference to categories A and B and broken down by subcategories and nationalities? (1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002, p. 180. Reply (16-19 December 2002) The Council invites the Honourable Member to refer to the tables annexed hereto.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1975/02

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Seville summit

Bearing in mind the free movement of persons within the European Union enshrined in the Treaties, and the rights of citizens freely to express their opinions, including the right to demonstrate peacefully, specifically during European Council meetings, can the Commission answer the following questions:

- Do the events during the recent summit in Seville, when the Spanish police prevented hundreds of Portuguese citizens from entering the country, including delegations from the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Left Bloc (BE) and NGOs intending to travel to Seville to take part in the demonstration on 22 June, mean that only capital now enjoys unrestricted freedom of movement?

- Will application of the Schengen Agreement be suspended for all summits from now on, thereby calling into question the right to demonstrate freely at European Union level?

Joint answerto Written Questions P-1975/02 and P-1987/02given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2002)

Article 2 (2) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement stipulates that Member States can reintroduce border checks for a limited period where public policy or national security so require. This is done under exceptional circumstances, as a preventive measure to avoid the risk that people take advantage of free movement in order to endanger the public order or the public security of a Member State, notably when a demonstration is planned to take place there.

Border controls shall be carried out according to existing Community law in the field of free movement of Union citizens. In this respect it must be recalled that the right to free movement, conferred by the Treaty on the European Union to each citizen of the Union, can be restricted on grounds of public policy, public security or public health.

Measures taken on these grounds shall be based exclusively on the personal conduct of the individual concerned and be motivated by a present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society. Moreover, such measures must be applied in accordance with the principle of proportionality.

There is no doubt that citizens have the right to freely express their opinion and to assemble peacefully, rights reflected in the European Convention on Human Rights and in the Union Charter of Fundamental Rights. They must therefore be able to enjoy these rights without a threat to their security, to other people's security or to property. Member States are sometimes faced with the fact that people abuse these rights by taking advantage of legitimate public demonstrations to carry out acts of violence.

The Commission recalls that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order lies with the Member States.

According to the above-mentioned provision, Member States can decide to introduce border checks for a limited period where public policy or national security so require. It depends thus on the assessment of Member States, whether border checks will be reintroduced during future summits.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1871/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Fiji

With respect to Fiji, can the Commission specify the projects funded from the EU budget in 2000? Can it state the total amounts granted in aid over 2000 under all the headings referring to that country?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1867/02, E-1868/02, E-1869/02, E-1870/02,E-1871/02, E-1872/02, E-1873/02, E-1874/02, E-1875/02, E-1876/02, E-1877/02, E-1878/02,E-1879/02, E-1880/02, E-1881/02, E-1882/02, E-1883/02, E-1884/02, E-1908/02, E-1909/02,E-1996/02, E-1997/02, E-1998/02, E-1999/02, E-2000/02, E-2001/02, E-2002/02, E-2003/02,E-2004/02, E-2005/02, E-2006/02, E-2007/02, E-2008/02, E-2009/02, E-2134/02, E-2135/02,E-2136/02, E-2137/02, E-2138/02, E-2139/02, E-2140/02, E-2141/02, E-2142/02, E-2143/02,E-2144/02, E-2145/02, E-2146/02, E-2147/02, E-2148/02, E-2149/02, E-2150/02, E-2151/02,E-2152/02, E-2153/02, E-2154/02 and E-2155/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.

It should be noted that the figures contained in the summary table by country are also to be found in the Financial Tables portion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the EC's External Assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2534/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(11 September 2002)

Subject: Arrest of Mr Wan Yanhai, founder of AIDS Action Project, by the Chinese authorities

According to various sources, Mr Wan Yanhai, founder of Aizhi Xingdong (AIDS Action Project), an NGO which focuses on the promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness, was stopped by the police last Saturday evening in Beijing, and then arrested. Mr Wan Yanhai, aged 39, has played a prominent role in campaigning for civil rights and, in particular, the rights of homosexuals and Internet freedom. He was one of the first to take a political stance on the AIDS issue, at a time when the subject was completely taboo. Mr Wan Yanhai and his friends campaigned in favour of peasants in Henan, who had been contaminated following a blood trafficking affair, and denounced the involvement of local authorities in this scandal. Last month, Mr Wan Yanhai's organisation was expelled from its offices in Beijing University.

Is the Commission aware of Mr Wan Yanhai's arrest? What action has it taken or does it intend to take vis-à-vis the Chinese authorities to ensure that he is released immediately and unconditionally? What action has it taken or does it intend to take in order to ensure that the Chinese authorities seriously tackle the issue of the massive scandal concerning contaminated blood and, more generally, address the tragic problem of the AIDS epidemic in the People's Republic of China?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2002)

The Commission has learned with regret of the arrest in Beijing of M. Wan Yanhai, founder of the Acquired Immuno deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Action Project and human rights activist.

As the Honourable Member knows, the Commission attaches great importance to the right to freedom of speech (as an integral part of human rights) and it raises this issue regularly in the framework of its bilateral dialogue on human rights with China.

Regarding the AIDS epidemic in China, the Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern and has recognised the fight against AIDS as one of the main challenges faced by China. In order to help the Chinese to deal with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the Commission is already implementing two projects specifically dealing with AIDS issues, one of which is implemented by a Dutch non-governmental organisation.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor the respect for freedom of speech in China and will continue to contribute through its development projects to improve the local conditions to deal with the HIV.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3202/02

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(4 November 2002)

Subject: Aid for exports of Community products to the Swiss Confederation, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Monte Carlo, the Republic of San Maríno and Vatican City State

Does the Commission keep statistics on aid for exports of Community products to the Swiss Confederation, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Monte Carlo, the Republic of San Maríno and Vatican City State?

If it does, for each importing country, can it supply a list of products covering the past five years and showing the quantities imported, the amounts of aid provided and the names of the exporting countries?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 2002)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.