ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2758/97 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Property finance in the EU

In spite of the internal market it is still very difficult in the European Union to obtain finance from banks based in one's home country to purchase property abroad. Thus if a German wants to buy a house in Italy he must also set up the finance in Italy, because German banks do not accept Italian property as security.

1. Would the Commission not agree that it is high time a uniform internal market was also created to cover finance for the purchase of property?

2. Are efforts already being made by the Commission to regulate this aspect by law? If not, why not?

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

The existing Community legal framework permits Community credit institutions to provide mortgages on property in other Member States ((Directive 90/88/EEC, 22.2.1990 (OJ L 61, 10.3.1990). )).

It is quite true that some credit institutions are reluctant to agree to finance purchases of property in Member States other than their own. However, according to the information at the Commission's disposal, a number of specialist institutions allocated between 30% and 40% of their loans abroad in 1996.

The main reasons generally given by the more reluctant lenders are as follows:

- the mortgage market is still regarded as a geographically limited market calling for a detailed knowledge on the part of the lender of the property market and property laws, as well as of local practice as regards the valuation of property;

- differences in national tax legislation create a number of problems for lenders. Some Member States, for example, charge withholding tax on the net interest paid to foreign lenders, thereby reducing margins. Others do not allow insurance premiums paid in respect of a mortgage loan from an insurance company not established in the country to be offset against tax. The Commission is currently examining the compatibility with Community law of some of these tax provisions;

- in the event of any default in payment, the lender is at the mercy of enforcement deadlines and procedures in the other country.

These problems are particularly difficult to resolve. Taxation, for example, is a delicate area in which it has so far proved particularly difficult to legislate. Moreover, resolving these problems through harmonisation would require the Community to legislate in the field of civil property law, and this could pose a number of problems, particularly in relation to the principle of subsidiarity.

However, the Commission believes that the introduction of the single currency will have a beneficial effect on cross-frontier property transactions since the exchange risk will disappear and consumers will find it easier to compare mortgage rates. To increase this comparability, the Commission is currently looking into the possibility of extending the provisions on the annual percentage rate of charge (APR) in Directive 90/88/EEC concerning consumer credit ((Directive 89/646/EEC, 15.12.1989 (OJ L 386, 30.12.1989). )) to the field of mortgage credit.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2394/97 by Carmen Fraga Estévez (PPE) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Adoption of commercial measures against Honduras and Panama concerning imports of bluefin tuna

At its annual meeting in November 1996 ICCAT adopted a recommendation prohibiting the importation of bluefin tuna caught by Belize and Honduras. This recommendation, which is binding on the contracting parties, was backed by France, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom as members of ICCAT.

Since commercial policy is the exclusive competence of the EC, the Member States affected by this obligation cannot implement it until the EC transposes the recommendation into a Community Regulation, which so far has not happened.

Since the recommendation is due to enter into force this August, can the Commission say why it has not submitted a proposal for a Regulation and what those Member States which are contracting parties can do to comply with the obligations deriving from their membership of ICCAT?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2394/97 and E-2422/97 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1997)

The Commission endorses the Honourable Member's view that implementation of the recommendation of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) asking the contracting parties to ban imports of bluefin tuna from Belize and Honduras is a matter for the Community, since the measures would be adopted by Member States.

The Commission intends to table proposals for the Community to adopt ICCAT's recommendations on bluefin tuna as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3140/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 September 1997)

Subject: Infringement of the right to equal treatment between men and women

On 25 July 1997, the Labour Bank in Greece announced (circular SKY:308) a competition for the recruitment of staff. The circular states that 'only male graduates' are eligible, which is a flagrant violation of the principle of equal treatment of men and women, Community legislation as laid down in Directives 76/207/EEC ((OJ L 39, 14.2.1976, p. 40. )) and 86/613/EEC ((OJ L 359, 19.12.1986, p. 56. )) and Court of Justice case-law.

What measures will the Commission take to ensure that the circular in question is withdrawn? Does it intend to investigate the bank's recruitment and equal pay policies? Is the Labour Bank involved in Community programmes and, in particular, in Social Fund education and training programmes for its staff?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (9 October 1997)

The situation described by the Honourable Member is known to the Commission, which has already contacted the Greek authorities to draw their attention to the discriminatory content of the circular in question.

However, it should be pointed out that, even if a violation were established, it would concern a private enterprise and would therefore not warrant direct action by the Commission. This is because, while it is certainly possible for Community law to be violated by Member States or private persons (individuals or enterprises), it is only when a Member State violates Community law that the Commission may take steps to make it fulfil its Community obligations by instituting the infringement proceedings provided for in Article 169 of the EC Treaty. On the other hand, anyone who feels wronged by this discrimination may take legal action to assert the rights granted to him by Community law, in this case Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2620/97 by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Noise standards for machinery and engine-rooms

Will the Commission answer my three questions (E-2009/97) ((OJ C 391, 23.12.1997, p. 149. )) with a 'Yes' or a 'No'?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (2 October 1997)

To add to the answer given earlier, it should be pointed out that the amended Directive 89/392/EEC ((Directive No 89/392/EEC of 14 June 1989 (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989; amended by Directives 91/368/EEC (OJ L 198, 22.7.1991), 93/44/EEC(OJ L 175, 19.7.1993) and 93/68/EEC (OJ L 220, 30.8.1993). )) concerning machinery states explicitly in Article 2(2) that 'The provisions of this Directive shall not affect Member States' entitlement to lay down, in due observance of the Treaty, such requirements as they may deem necessary to ensure that persons and in particular workers are protected when using the machines in question ...'.

In these circumstances, the Danish authorities, with a view to reducing the noise to which the workers are exposed, and insofar as the machines must not be modified, may request that the machines be protected individually. They may also request, with a view to reducing the noise experienced to acceptable levels, that workers use personal protective equipment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2870/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (11 September 1997)

Subject: Havoc caused by hailstorm in region of Greece

On 9 August 1997, an unprecedented hailstorm struck farms in the Thessaly region, killing animals and severely damaging houses and barns. Given the enormous extent of the damage caused over an area of more than 7 000 hectares, mainly to farms growing cotton, maize, vegetables and tobacco, which will result in financial ruin for producers in these regions, what measures will the Commission take to provide the necessary compensation for the producers affected?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2870/97 and E-2995/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1997)

The Commission expresses its sympathy to the farmers whose crops were damaged by hail. It fully understands the problems that may occur from a natural disaster of this extent.

However, it should be stressed that the Community budget is not provided with instruments to compensate losses of harvests or annual production which are in fact the most frequently observed damage that hail may cause. Nevertheless, if it were to be proved that farm buildings or livestock were affected by natural disasters, then the Commission could examine any possible request of the Member State in the context of the structural funds through an adequate re-deployment of the financial allocations of the Community support framework (CSF), following the re-direction of the priorities that the Member State should first carry out. The opportunity for this could be, for example, the mid-term review of the CSF for Greece.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2375/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Community contribution to misleading information on cattle farming

A lavishly produced illustrated brochure has been distributed - under the aegis and presumably also with the financial assistance of the agriculture and education departments of the Milan provincial government and the office of the European Commission in Milan - entitled 'Everything you need to know about cattle - a journey into Milanese agriculture'. It contains idyllic descriptions of a non-intensive form of farming, expressed in brief phrases and statements such as 'calves grow happily and without stress', 'the slaughterhouse is not a sinister place (...) but resembles rather a Dutch factory', 'the future roasts arrive there after quite a comfortable journey in double decker lorries like London buses', 'stops are made which allow the animals to drink water and think' - all this accompanied by pictures of free, smiling animals.

How is it possible to assist initiatives based on such misleading information which does not correspond to the reality of industrial farming, in which false assertions are made, such as those concerning the conditions for the transport of live animals or how calves are raised, - situations which the Union has decided to remedy by means of new Directives?

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

The publication in question may have in fact overshot a little bit in its - admittedly slightly romantic - wording. Nevertheless, the information about cattle farming provided in this publication should not be called misleading. Information publications in general aim at disseminating a certain message by using certain images and content. Whether in business, or in public communication, it is not uncommon to go positive by underlining existing assets.

As far as the common agricultural policy is concerned, the message reads: We care about human health, and the environment, but also about animal protection. The latest proposals within Agenda 2000 show this quite clearly. The Honourable Member will be aware that the Community has indeed improved environmental protection and animal protection in agriculture. It has recently adopted higher standards on the protection of calves, on the protection of animals during transport and at the time of slaughter. These regulations correspond to reality, because they are already existing. Therefore the Commission should be entitled to give information about these achievements in a proper way, in order to counter-balance the sometimes biased information on this issue.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3175/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (9 October 1997)

Subject: Funding the new airport of Spata in Attica

The new airport of Spata is a key project for the development of Attica and Greece as a whole, especially now that Athens has been awarded the 2004 Olympic Games.

The main airline using the airport will of course be Olympic Airways, and its needs should therefore be taken into account in constructing this project. However, Olympic Airways has not yet forwarded its proposals with a description of its needs, and as a result implementation of the project is being delayed.

Will the Commission say whether Olympic Airways has been requested to send a list of its needs regarding the new airport of Spata - and, if so, when-, and what action it intends to take to unblock the whole affair so that progress can be made without further delay?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1997)

According to the information obtained by the Commission from the Cohesion Fund monitoring committee, the project for the new Athens international airport at Spata is proceeding as planned.

The same sources also indicate that the Greek authorities are currently examining the list of needs submitted by Olympic Airways.

The Commission will monitor the progress of work on this project closely.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3044/97 by Olivier Dupuis (ARE) to the Commission (16 September 1997)

Subject: Population transfer to the Chittagong Hill Tracts

The European Parliament's observations on budgetary item B7-301 'Economic cooperation with developing countries in Asia' specify that part of the budget allocated to Bangladesh be assigned to the repatriation of

Bengali colonists to their places of origin. What initiatives has the Commission taken in 1997 and what steps does it intend to take in the future to follow up Parliament's guideline? Has the Commission any information regarding the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, particularly as regards human rights?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (1 October 1997)

The Commission has taken good note of the comment of the Parliament to the budgetary item B7-301 specifying that a part of the budget should be allocated to the repatriation of Bengali settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts back to the plains.

However, and though the Commission intends to support the implementation of the peace process, it is still premature to consider project preparation and implementation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as negotiations between the Bangladesh authorities and tribal leaders continue, and the political and security conditions are not favourable to external assistance.

The sixth round of negotiations between the Bangladesh authorities (national committee) and the political wing of the Shanti Bahini is due to start soon and it is expected that it will result in the signature of a peace agreement.

The Commission is following the situation closely.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3127/97 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Action by the European Union to dispose of 'space waste'

The thousands of objects of all kinds which are floating around in space as a result of the break-up of satellites and other artefacts which no longer serve any useful purpose have become a major problem which requires urgent action to be taken on a collective basis if such objects are to be prevented from accumulating in even greater numbers.

A lack of foresight and a complete absence of coordination are the common features of the activities which, over the years, have turned space into a huge dustbin of mainly metal objects which are discarded as useless and which eventually damage our environment as they gradually deteriorate from their original state.

What has the European Union's policy been as regards the disposal of the 'space waste' in orbit around our planet and what proposals has the Commission put forward (or is it intending to put forward)as a contribution to solving this problem at international level?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (3 November 1997)

Space debris and its possible consequences for space activities has been an issue on the international level for several years.

With respect to Europe, already in 1986 the council of the European space agency (ESA) established a working group of experts on space debris. Following the report of this group the ESA Member States adopted a resolution on the agency's policy vis-à-vis the space debris issue. ESA's current debris-related activities aim to minimise the creation of space debris, to reduce the risk on the ground due to the re-entry of space objects, to acquire all the necessary data on space debris to assess the extent of the problem and its consequences and to study the legal aspects of space debris.

In 1993 ESA founded the Inter-agency space debris coordination committee (IADC) together with the American, Russian, and Japanese space agencies. The French, German, British and Indian space agencies joined the inter-agency committee later. The IADC brings together the worldwide available technical expertise and know-how on space debris.

Since 1994 space debris is on the agenda at the sessions of the scientific and technical subcommittee of the United Nations' committee of the peaceful uses of outer space (Copuos).

The Commission is following and will continue to follow the international activities to agree on rules and guidelines for conducting space operations.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3045/97 by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (16 September 1997)

Subject: Arrest of Portuguese vessels in Moroccan waters

As the public and the Commission are undoubtedly aware, the Moroccan maritime authorities have recently arrested two Portuguese vessels fishing in Moroccan waters under the terms of the fisheries Agreement between Morocco and the EU.

The second arrest took place only days ago, namely that of the small fishing boat 'Graça Viana' registered in Portugal, whose crew come from Vila do Conde.

The Moroccan authorities have sought to justify the arrest of the vessels and the imposition of fines with claims of illegal practice on the part of the Portuguese vessels. These accusations have been publicly, resoundingly and repeatedly denied by the shipowners concerned.

Under the provisions of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement, the Commission must be fully informed of the circumstances under which these arrests took place, and will undoubtedly have stepped in to resolve the problems and clarify the actual facts of the matter. This being so:

what provisions in the Morocco Fisheries Agreement are the Moroccan authorities invoking as justification for having arrested the two Portuguese vessels and imposed fines? What steps has the Commission taken to carry out rigorous and impartial checks as to the veracity of the accusations made by the Moroccan authorities, namely by interviewing the skippers and owners of the arrested Portuguese vessels, directly and in person?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (13 October 1997)

Annex II Chapter VIII of the Agreement on sea fisheries between the Community and Morocco specifies the procedure to be followed in the event of a boarding.

Point 1 of Chapter VIII states that the Moroccan Sea Fisheries and Merchant Navy Ministry will inform the Commission's Delegation in Morocco within 48 hours of any boarding of a Community fishing vessel operating in Morocco's zone and provide a brief report of the circumstances of the arrest.

The Delegation (at Rabat) is to be kept informed of the progress of procedures and of any penalties imposed.

Under point 3 of Chapter VIII the measure falls to be dealt with exclusively by the vessel owner. He may choose to settle the infringement administratively by paying a fine the amount of which will fall within a range laid down by Moroccan legislation, or may contest it in proceedings before a judicial body.

In the case of the 'Graça Viana' mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Moroccan authorities stated in a fax of 4 September that the vessel had been stopped for using prohibited gear.

On the same day the Commission asked the Ministry for further information, in particular a copy of the report normally made out when a boarding occurs.

While awaiting the Ministry's response it was informed that the owner had settled the matter by the administrative procedure.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2597/97 by David Hallam (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Nickel content of euro coinage

Referring to Paragraph 4 - Choice of metal - of the introduction to the proposal for a Council Regulation COM(97) 0247

1. What evidence is there to link nickel in coinage

(a) to the onset of hand eczema or

(b) to the persistence of hand eczema?

2. If there is any evidence, how many Europeans

(a) have developed hand eczema as a result of nickel in coinage or

(b) have a persistent hand eczema condition because of nickel in coinage?

If there is a numerical answer to 2, what is the basis of that number: is it predicted from a model? If so, is there any documentation available?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (6 October 1997)

It is scientifically proven that nickel in objects coming into direct and prolonged contact with the skin may cause primary sensitisation of humans to nickel or elicit dermatitis in individuals already nickel-sensitised.

However, very few studies have been published concerning the possible skin effects due to nickel release from coins. Also, there are no formal epidemiological studies available.

At the request of the Commission, the scientific committee for the toxicity and ecotoxicity of chemical compounds has considered the risk arising from handling coins containing nickel. The committee agreed that there was no evidence to suggest that current coinage had been associated with the initiation of sensitisation. As for people already sensitised, analysis of the very limited information available led the scientific committee to the conclusion that very few cases of dermatitis may be caused by the release of nickel from present day coins, both in the average consumer and in workers professionally handling coins.

Further studies appear necessary to obtain statistically significant evidence concerning the eventual role of nickel release from coins in relation to aggravation of hand eczema.

However, it should be pointed out that the technical characteristics proposed by the Commission for the new euro coins will reduce the percentage of nickel containing coins in circulation from a current 75% to 8% in the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2851/97 by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission (11 September 1997)

Subject: EU policy in the former Yugoslavia

Can the Commission provide a table for each budget line regarding all activities in former Yugoslavia (PHARE, reconstruction lines, ECHO, democracy, CFSP, financial protocols, ...) with the following information (since the start of activities in former Yugoslavia/after 1990)?

Budget line ...

>TABLE>

Note: commitments, contract and payments should be related to the yearly budget (1) Planned period for full disbursement (2) Actual or corrected period necessary for full disbursement

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2850/97 and E-2851/97 given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (23 October 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.