ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2497/97 by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission (11 July 1997)

Subject: Stabex system

Will the Commission take the initiative to ensure that countries that receive money via Stabex abandon single-crop farming?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (4 September 1997)

The aim of Stabex is to stabilise receipts for key exports from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries as part of a strategy to support their development efforts. Diversification is also encouraged; Article 186 (2) of the Lomé IV Convention stipulates that resources transferred under Stabex are to be devoted, in accordance with a framework of mutual obligations to be agreed between the ACP state concerned and the Commission, either to the sector that recorded the loss of export earnings or, where appropriate, to diversification, for use in other appropriate productive sectors, mainly agriculture.

During discussions on the framework of mutual obligations, consideration is given to the appropriateness of operations aimed at diversifying exports of primary products and supporting processing activities in the producer countries and to their importance for the country's macro-economic framework. Appropriate operations are then integrated into the framework of mutual obligations under preparation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3066/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Labelling of foodstuffs

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive amending Directive 79/112/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (COM(97) 20 final - 97/0027 COD) ((OJ C 106, 4.4.1997, p. 5 )).

While the Commission proposal is to be welcomed, does the Commission not consider that it would be more proper for the specific labelling procedures for alcoholic drinks to be laid down by the Standing Committee on Foodstuffs rather than by the committees responsible for COMs?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1997)

The Community regulations applicable to wines, sparkling wines, liqueur wines, semi-sparkling wines, aromatised wines and spirit drinks already contain labelling provisions for the same. The Commission therefore considered it logical that the rules for labelling the ingredients of these beverages be adopted within the framework of those same regulations in accordance with the applicable procedures. This choice is also justified by the fact that the experts who meet on the committees which deal with these regulations have a detailed knowledge of the specific nature of the beverages in question.

The Standing Committee for Foodstuffs procedure established by Council Decision 69/414/EEC of 13 November 1969 ((OJ L 291, 19.11.1969. )) has been selected for beverages which, like beer or cider, are not covered by vertical Community legislation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3110/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: European legislation on motorcyclists

Recently the Italian press has carried reports of various new Community rules concerning motorcyclists and their equipment. This has led to protests on the part of Italian motorcycling associations, which have pointed out that the new rules would considerably penalize users of two-wheeled vehicles, and were based on somewhat questionable assessments of safety requirements.

In view of the foregoing,

1. Could the Commission specify the nature of Commissioner Kinnock's proposals concerning motorcyclists and the legislative stages through which they will pass?

2. Could the Commission state its views on the need to encourage, rather than penalize, the use of two-wheeled vehicles, not least because they offer one of the few prospects of relieving the dire problems of traffic congestion and pollution in big cities?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (17 November 1997)

1. It is not clear from the Honourable Member's question to which specific legislation she refers. However, it can be said that in drawing up legislation covering transport, the Commission is guided by the need to promote safety and protect consumers. Other important considerations are environmental protection and the need to remove distortions in the market. There is specific legislation covering the construction standards of motorcycles in the context of type approval standards.

2. The Commission's Green Paper 'The citizens' network: fulfilling the potential of public passenger transport in Europe' ((COM(95) 601. )) draws attention to the advantages of these powered two-wheeled vehicles in urban areas, and particular to their relatively efficient use of space and fuel.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3004/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997)

Subject: Supply of buses for the Lazio regional transport company CO.TRA.L.

In the last few days the Region of Lazio, the Province of Rome and Rome City Council have been bombarded by a series of questions from a number of councillors concerning the purchase of 255 FIAT IVECO buses by CO.TRA.L., the regional transport company.

The problem is that apparently the price of each bus is apparently LIT 100 million more than the market price and the price paid for a similar consignment of 13 vehicles bought by the Carabinieri General command.

The discrepancy in price has given rise to doubts about the procedures and criteria for the award of the contract in question.

In view of this, can the Commission say:

1. whether the arrangements for the whole call to tender complied with the provisions of Community legislation regarding public supply contracts in terms of publicity, transparency and formal correctness of procedures;

2. what it thinks about the blatant discrepancy between the market price and the price paid for the supply contract awarded by CO.TRA.L;

3. what its overall opinion of the affair is?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1997)

The Commission has not received any complaints concerning the purchase of buses by CO.TRA.L. The Honourable Member is asked to send the Commission the evidence she has indicating a possible infringement of Community public procurement legislation.

A difference between the market price and the price paid in the case in question does not in itself constitute an infringement of that legislation.

Under the circumstances, the Commission does not consider that it can comment on the case.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3059/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Services of general interest in Europe

The Commission has submitted a communication on services of general interest in Europe (COM(96) 443 final), which draws a distinction between 'services of general interest' and 'universal service'. Is this distinction a useful one, particularly as the definitions given are a source of confusion? The concept of 'universal service' involves a notion of quality which should also apply to sectors other than those mentioned by the Commission.

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1997)

The definition of the concept of services of general interest given in the Commission memorandum of 11 September 1996 ((COM(96) 443. )) stems from the broad approach it takes to the subject. These services, both market and non-market, are at the heart of the European model of society because of the contribution they make to a dynamic economy, social solidarity and citizenship.

The concept of universal service is enshrined in Community legislation relating to telecommunications and postal services. It is the expression of the concept of services of general interest in these sectors. What 'universal service' means is that these services should be available to everybody throughout the Community.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view that the concept of quality should not be confined to universal service. In its memorandum the Commission stresses the need for high-quality services of general interest for the development of the European model of society.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3330/97 by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Commission (22 October 1997)

Subject: Violation of European law by the Italian Republic

1. Is there any conflict between EU law and the Italian regulation to the effect that a Union citizen (whatever his country of origin) is required to submit a certificate of residence in order to register a vehicle in Italy?

2. Is there any conflict between EU law and the Italian regulation to the effect that an Italian citizen who is registered in the AIRE list (for Italian citizens resident abroad) but runs a business in Italy may not register a vehicle in Italy without a certificate of residence?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2945/97 by Mrs Muscardini ((OJ C 117, 16.4.1998, p. 108. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2363/97 by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Harm caused by cessation of duty-free sales

The European Union has decided that duty-free sales within the territory of the Union are to cease in July 1999. If this decision is implemented, it will probably have serious knock-on effects both on transport policy and on employment.

The practical grounds for the decision to halt duty-free sales are flimsy, particularly from the point of view of Finland and Sweden. The decision was taken before these two countries joined the Union. However, the views of Finland and Sweden would have been very important in this decision-making process, since nowhere else in the Union is there so much car ferry traffic as in those two countries.

Finnish and Swedish ferry companies derive about a third of their revenue from duty-free sales. It may thus justifiably be said that duty-free sales maintain numerous and frequent ferry services. If these sales cease, there will be fewer ferry routes and crossings, unemployment will rise in the region and journeys, including those by truck, will take longer.

In view of the above arguments, what will the Commission do to obtain further information about the adverse consequences of halting duty-free sales?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (17 October 1997)

The decision to put an end to duty-free sales to travellers inside the Community was taken by the Council in 1991.

At that time the Council decided to allow intra-Community duty-free sales to continue until 30 June 1999 in order to enable the businesses affected to prepare gradually for the new situation. Member States were to take account of developments in transport infrastructures and of the interests of traders operating on a duty-free basis.

The Commission would like to point out that, at the time of accession of Sweden and Finland, this decision constituted part of the Community acquis. This is reflected in the special treatment granted to the Åland Island under the Accession Treaty.

It is worth noting that no new arguments in support of a study of the consequences of the abolition of duty-free sales have been advanced compared to those put forward in 1991 and which lead to the decision taken by the Council to grant a transitional period.

As indicated in previous answers to parliamentary questions on the same topic, the Commission is not planning to conduct a study.

The Commission would like to remind the Honourable Member that, even without the tax advantage, sales opportunities will still exist at airports and on ferries. Indeed, businesses were expected to utilise fully the transitional period before abolition to exploit continued sales opportunities provided by a relatively captive market. In any case, it is often expensive, non-targeted and in some cases discriminatory to subsidise certain means of transport by way of a tax exemption. As for duty-free sales, these will continue to be available, by virtue of export, to people travelling to third countries or to territories excluded from the territorial application of the Community provisions in this field.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3568/97 by Frédéric Striby (I-EDN) to the Commission (13 November 1997)

Subject: Chronic intoxication of sheep by copper

Apparently there are differences between the EU Member States in the number of ppm of copper for intoxication of sheep to be regarded as chronic.

This has implications regarding, for example, financial compensation in the case of the death of sheep.

Does the Commission have information on the copper levels above which intoxication of sheep is regarded as chronic in the different Member States? Do such levels apply to levels of copper in the liver, kidneys or blood?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3568/97 and E-3569/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1997)

The Commission does not have sufficient details of the matter to be able to investigate the problem raised and is not therefore in a position to answer the question at the moment. It would ask the Honourable Member to provide more details.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3147/97 by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: The transport agreement between the EU and Switzerland

In recent years there have been negotiations for a transport agreement between the EU and Switzerland concerning transit road haulage traffic. The EU has objected to the levy Switzerland wishes to impose on transit traffic.

As precisely this type of charge is recommended in the Green Paper 'towards fair and efficient pricing in transport', why does the Commission not support Switzerland on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-3073/97 by Mrs Riis Jorgensen ((OJ C 117, 16.4.1998, p. 147. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3262/97 by Peter Skinner (PSE) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Improvements in transnational knowledge of fire

Fire has devastating impacts within the whole of the European Community and has no respect for national boundaries. The action programme in the field of civil protection, proposed by DG XI, offers one practical way of assisting experts to develop better strategies.

The action programme has no budget for 1997. Would the Commissioner confirm that new proposals for a continuing budget are to be made and that an urgent and sustained effort will be made to have these proposals adopted and approved.

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

The proposal for a Council decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection ((OJ C 202, 12.7.1996. )) is still before the Council. If this programme is adopted in the very near future, it is for the budgetary authority to allocate appropriations to this Community activity.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3495/97 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (10 November 1997)

Subject: Looting of archaeological and religious treasures in Cyprus

Religious and archaeological treasures of great value, looted from churches and monasteries in the occupied sector of Cyprus, were to be found in Munich in late October. The objects concerned comprise more than 40 icons, mosaics and murals from the first Byzantine period, which were being offered for sale by Alytin Dikman, a Turkish illicit dealer in antiquities, whose extradition has been requested by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. Since this is not the first occurrence of the looting of Cypriot archaeological and religious treasures by the Turkish invaders, will the Commission say whether it intends to take a closer interest in this criminal endeavour to destroy and sell off important parts of the European cultural heritage? If so, what practical measures can it and does it propose to take?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (22 December 1997)

The Commission refers to its answer to the Honourable Member's written question No E-3079/96 ((OJ C 105, 3.4.1997. )) as well as to its answer to written question No P-3094/96 by Mr Alavanos ((OJ C 83, 14.3.1997. )). There are no new elements to be added at this stage.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3376/97 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Council (23 October 1997)

Subject: Code of Conduct for European companies operating in third countries

In December 1996, the European Parliament adopted resolution A4-0400/96 ((OJ C 20, 20.1.1997, p. 161. )) on human rights throughout the world in 1995/1996 and the Union's human rights policy.

Paragraph 20 calls on the Council to 'rapidly submit a proposal on a Code of Conduct for European companies operating in third countries which obliges them to respect human rights in all their forms (civil, social, economical, environmental), including mechanisms of control and sanction on the grounds of the existing OECD proposal'.

When can the European Parliament expect such a proposal from the Council?

Answer (19 January 1998)

The Honourable Member is reminded that there is no provision in the Treaties for the Council to submit a proposal to the European Parliament for a Code of Conduct imposing obligations on European companies operating in third countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3683/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Transport of horses from Bulgaria to EU

Is the Commission aware of the ongoing trade in horses from Bulgaria through Greece and Italy for slaughter?

Is the Commission pursuing any action to stop this trade, or at the very least ensure that the transportation is carried out in accordance with the accepted guidelines, particularly in conjunction with Bulgaria's application for membership of the EU?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 December 1997)

The Commission is aware that there is a large trade in horses for slaughter between Eastern Europe and Italy. A small percentage of these animals come from Bulgaria and are transported via Greece by ferry routes to Southern Italy.

Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC ((OJ L 340, 11.12.1991. )) contains a requirement that transporters of animals to the Community must undertake to comply with the requirements of the Directive and make the necessary arrangements for such compliance.

It has, however, proved to be difficult to enforce this aspect of the Directive because Community legislation does not apply directly in third countries.

The Commission has intervened on several occasions with the Italian authorities in order to ensure that the requirements of the Directive are respected with regard to horses arriving from Eastern Europe. A recent inspection mission noted some improvement.

Under the European agreements, the associated European countries (including Bulgaria) committed themselves to approximating their legislation to that of the Community and to take over the veterinary 'acquis' which includes animal welfare rules.

The Commission agrees that in respect of Eastern European candidates for accession, the best way forward to securing conditions for transported livestock is to provide for early respect of Community legislation in this area.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2672/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (1 September 1997)

Subject: Harm done to the citizen's confidence in the EU - follow-up to previous questions on Jolanda Bona

1. The Amsterdam municipal council has informed 14-year-old Jolanda Bona, who originates from Surinam, that it will be depriving her of her Dutch citizenship and that she should surrender the Dutch passport issued to her by the Mayor of Amsterdam on 6 September 1996.

Does the Council feel that we may treat the interests of a citizen, in this case a 14-year-old child, in this way in present-day Europe?

2. Jolanda Bona, who has spent the last few months alone, locked in her small room for fear of being picked up by the aliens police, has been so traumatically damaged by the whole affair that her step-mother and her father decided it was irresponsible to allow the situation to continue any longer. On 17 July 1997 Jolanda went with her step-mother to the aliens police in Amsterdam to put an end to the uncertainty. With her parents' approval, she intended to surrender her Dutch passport and recover her Surinamese passport so that she might return to Surinam. The aliens police told her this was impossible. According to them, she was now a Dutch citizen.

Does the Council not feel that this represents an abuse of the confidence which a citizen is entitled to have in a European constitutional state?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2321/97 and E-2672/97 (20 January 1998)

Matters relating to the acquisition or loss of the nationality of a Member State of the European Union by any individual fall exclusively within the competence of the Member State in question. There are no legal instruments of the Community or of the European Union concerning such matters.

The Council cannot therefore comment on the questions put by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3484/97 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Council (3 November 1997)

Subject: The Warsaw Convention and an Essex resident held hostage in Kuwait - claim against British Airways

Given the long-standing complaint from Essex resident Mr Edward Hammett and 367 passengers of British Airways flight 149, that the airline recklessly and intentionally landed in Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion in the Gulf War, will the Council consider any possible European Union competence in relation to possible investigation?

In particular will the Council advise on aspects of European Union law which may be relevant, given the fact passengers in France have received compensation from BA following court action there, but fellow UK residents have been denied compensation in their own country?

Answer (12 February 1998)

The Council would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that Council Directive 94/56/EC of 21 November 1994 (OJ L 319, 12.12.1994, p. 14) establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of civil aviation accidents and incidents simply places Member States under an obligation to have every accident or serious incident (Article 4) investigated by a functionally independent body or entity in each Member State (Article 6).

Council Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on air carrier liability in the event of accidents (OJ L 285, 17.10.1997), as its title indicates, covers only damage sustained by passengers in the event of accidents.

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that it is for the Commission to ensure that the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the measures taken by the institutions pursuant thereto are applied.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3252/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Directive 94/80/EC

Having regard to the municipal elections to be held in Greece in about one year's time and in view of the fact that the right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal elections in the Member State of residence derives from application of the principle of equality and non-discrimination between EU citizens, have the Greek authorities brought into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Directive 94/80/EC ((OJ L 368, 31.12.1994, p. 38. )). If not, what measures will the Commission take to ensure compliance by Greece with the above directive?

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

The Commission was informed on 19 June that Greece had adopted Presidential Decree No 133 ((Greek Official Gazette No 121/A/1997. )) transposing the Directive in question. This Decree was subsequently amended by Presidential Decree No 164/97 ((Greek Official Gazette No 145/A/1997. )).

Following the transposal of the Directive into Greek law, the infringement proceedings initiated against Greece for failing to meet one of its obligations under the EC Treaty have been closed.