ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0651/98

by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

(10 March 1998)

Subject: Winter tourism for the elderly

In its reply to my Question E-3544/97(1) the Commission said that, with regard to a possible winter holiday programme for the elderly, it could, alongside other initiatives, consider Community involvement so as to allow the Spanish winter holidays programme for the elderly to be extended to the other Member States.

This response has aroused the greatest interest on the part of organizations representing the elderly in various countries and I should like to provide them with satisfactory answers on this subject.

Does the Commission's reply to my written question indicate that it believes that a prior study should be carried out "in the context of exchanges of experience and cooperation involving the Commission, the Member States and the industry" so that it can then put forward proposals for specific action in this area?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1998)

As already stated in the Commission's answer to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-3544/97, the Commission considers that the winter holiday programme for the elderly in Spain and other similar initiatives could be usefully explored in the context of exchanges of experience and co-operation involving the Commission, Member States and the tourism industry.

While the Commission does not intend undertaking a preliminary study on exchange of experience and co-operation with Member States and the tourism industry on this topic, it points out that the advisory committee on tourism does provide an appropriate forum to national authorities to raise these issues and that the Commission will also take up any available opportunity for drawing attention to this initiative.

(1) OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 148.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1613/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Alpha Space Station

Can the Commission give details of the European Union involvement in the International Space Station Project named Space Station Alpha?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 1998)

Eight Member States participate in the international space station project by subscription to the European space authority (ESA) international space station development programme and an inter governmental agreement with the United States, Russia, Canada and Japan.

The total financial envelope of ESA's development programme of space and ground infrastructure elements is ECU 2 651 million over the period from 1996 to 2004.

In order of descending percentage the Member States are Germany 41 %, France 27,6 %, Italy 18,9 %, Belgium 3 %, Spain 2 % and < 2 % Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden.

There is no involvement at the level of the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2264/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: The EAGGF Guarantee Section in Austria in 1995

Can the Commission indicate the total amount received by Austria under the EAGGF Guarantee Section in 1995 and provide a breakdown of expenditure:

- by heading (arable crops, sugar, fibre plants and silk worms, other plant products, wine products, tobacco, milk and milk products, beef/veal, sheepmeat and goatmeat, pigmeat, eggs and poultry, other measures concerning animal products, refunds on certain goods obtained by processing agricultural products, refunds in connection with Community food aid, distribution of agricultural products to deprived persons, accompanying measures, rural development measures linked to markets, other measures, income aid, and the European Fisheries Guarantee Fund); and

- by type of aid (export refunds, price compensating aids, acreage aid, aid for livestock, guidance premiums, private storage aid, withdrawals and similar operations, monetary compensatory amounts, measures accompanying reform of the CAP, and public storage costs)?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1698/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Measures aimed at the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

The purpose of the measures for the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is to close down the whole plant finally by the year 2000. Ukraine's political will in this matter is very ambiguous, and the funding for the project from several sources has not been implemented.

The European Union has decided not to fund the project and the European Parliament has approved the decision.

Now a third reactor is being opened at Chernobyl. What does the Commission propose to do to ensure that the threat to our citizens can be removed and our promises to them kept?

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

(1 July 1998)

Unit 3 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been restarted on 15 May 1998 after an extended period of repair work. The Commission shares the concern about the safety of this reactor.

The definitive closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the group of seven most industrialised nations (G7) and Ukraine. Within the G7, the Commission is fully associated with the follow-up of the MoU.

The Commission is also involved in the implementation of some of the projects, which are part of the MoU, through direct Community financing (Tacis) and through the European bank for reconstruction and development (EBRD) nuclear safety account.

Loan financing by Euratom and by the EBRD is under consideration for the completion of the two reactors at Rovno 4 and Khmelnitsky 2.

The Commission is making all possible efforts to have these projects progress as quickly as possible so as to ensure the full implementation of the MoU with the closure of the Chernobyl plant by 2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2437/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: EU funding of reafforestation projects in Greece

The recent fires in Greece have devastated vast areas of forestry. The incompetence of the state authorities in Greece coupled with their indifference towards the transposition of Community environmental legislation in Greek law and compliance with this legislation have taken their toll on forests, property and human life. The deforestation of the Greek countryside is unfortunately acquiring a permanent character owing to a failure to reafforest the affected areas.

Will the Commission say whether there is any scope for funding actions aimed at reafforesting areas in Member States of the Union destroyed by fire and whether the Greek authorities have submitted a proposal for the reafforestation of specific areas and, if so, when?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-805/98 by Mr Alavanos during question time at Parliament's September 1998 part-session(1).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (September 1998).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1773/98

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Use of certain methods of capturing wild animals

Is it legal to use snares with an in-built catch or selective snares (taken to mean those which cannot shut with a circumference of less than 19 cm, thus preventing most species from being caught provided that they are not used in areas inhabited by lynx, wolves or brown bears) as a method of regulating certain populations of predatory mammals which are responsible for heavy losses among the species used in the restocking of game in Europe?

If such methods are generally prohibited, what procedures or restrictions apply in respect of exceptional authorization?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 1998)

Without prejudice to any more stringent national provisions Article 17 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna(1) prohibits the use of certain means of capturing or killing certain species of wild fauna, and in particular the principle or conditions of use of non-selective traps.

In the absence of adequate information on the species referred to and the precise conditions of use of the type of snare referred to by the Honourable Member the Commission regrets that it is in no position to give him an answer.

Article 16 of that Directive regulates exceptional derogations concerning the taking or capture of a limited, specified number of certain specimens of species considered to be highly protected. A Member State may thus authorise certain exemptions under the provisions of that article.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1635/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Mobile and wireless communications



Official Journal C 050 , 22/02/1999 P. 0059



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1635/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (29 May 1998) Subject: Mobile and wireless communications Having regard to (a) the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the further development of mobile and wireless communications - challenges and choices for the European Union (document COM(97) 217 final) and (b) the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions; strategy and policy orientations with regard to the further development of mobile and wireless communications (UMPS) - outcome of the public consultation and proposals for creating a favourable environment (document COM(97) 217 final and document COM(97) 513 final), and in connection with the frequency spectrum, can the Commission guarantee that a sufficient spectrum will be available in transition stage between the GSM and second generation systems (DCS-1800 and PCS-1900)?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1341/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: The euro and 1999

On page 110 of the Commission's report of 25 March 1998 (state of convergence and recommendations for the transition to the third stage of EMU), it is stated: "Whereas in earlier years these factors [relating to debt] contributed to increasing the government debt ratio in most Member States, governments in recent years have taken measures to limit their level of government debt via a more careful management of their financial assets".

Can the Commission explain what type of measures it is referring to?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 1998)

The government is traditionally engaged in financial operations, including those which are carried out for economic policy reasons. Such transactions cover, for example, the extension of loans and advances or investment in shares and equities. The government also owns liquid assets for budget management reasons.

These financial transactions influence the government's indebtedness. To acquire the means necessary to extend loans or to take participations, the government may issue debt. In addition, the government sometimes borrows more than needed to cover its budget deficit and then uses these proceeds to accumulate liquid reserves.

Inversely, the government can also use the proceeds of the repayment of loans or of the sale of its shares to pay back some of its debt. Receipts from the privatisation of public enterprises may be used to redeem outstanding government debt or to finance the acquisition of other financial assets.

The government debt retained in the Treaty on European Union is a gross definition which only takes into account government liabilities. Thus, sales of government financial assets have the effect of correspondingly reducing gross government debt.

In order to limit their government debt, Member States over recent years have given more attention to a careful management of their financial assets.

Measures taken in this respect have included:

- lower disbursement of government loans and higher reimbursement of outstanding loans (e.g. a repayment by the social housing sector of outstanding loans amounting to almost 8 % of the gross domestic product (GDP) in total took place in the Netherlands over the period 1993-1995);

- implementation of large privatisation programmes (e.g. receipts from the privatisation of public enterprises in the telecommunications and electricity sector in Portugal in 1997 were used to redeem government debt for an amount of almost 4 % of GDP in the same year);

- sales of gold reserves and allocation of the proceeds to the reduction of government debt (e.g. the Belgian government in 1996 used the proceeds of gold sales by the central bank, amounting to more than 2 % of GDP, to redeem part of its debt);

- reduction of the government liquid working balances (e.g. important reductions in outstanding liquidities took place in Spain in 1994 for an amount of 2,0 % of GDP).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2378/98

by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Infringement of the legislation on public service contracts

By a decision of 1988, the Borough Council of San Giorgio del Sannio, in the province of Benevento, awarded Italgas Sud the concession for the design and construction of the gas distribution network on its territory for a period of 30 years. By decision of 15 October 1997, the Borough Council approved a new plan proposing the amendment of the above-mentioned arrangement which in fact amounts to a completely new concession because of the substantial changes in the prices and time-limits laid down in the contract.

This is in flagrant breach of Directive 92/50/EEC(1) on public service contracts and of the Community provisions on free competition, as well as in breach of Article 21 of the 1995 Italian Law No 216 which governs the same subject. Pursuant to these provisions, all contracts must be awarded on the basis of the economically most advantageous offer and where the value of the work is equal to or more than ECU 5 million a transparent public invitation to tender must always be issued.

Does the Commission believe, therefore, that it is necessary and advisable to check that the procedure followed by the above-mentioned borough council was lawful, bearing in mind that it clearly does not comply with the criteria that administrative measures should be economic, transparent and public, since, in flagrant breach of the principle of free competition, no invitation to tender was issued which would have enabled all eligible undertakings to take part on an equal footing in the tender procedure.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 1998)

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for information regarding the facts raised to by the Honourable Member. It will inform him of its findings.

(1) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1856/98

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Auctioning of mobile telephone frequencies

On 19 May 1998, in an interview with the "Financieel Dagblad" newspaper, the Director-General of the Post and Telecommunications Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Transport and Public Works said that, within two years, the Netherlands Government would be selling UMTS frequencies to the highest bidder. Auctioning has advantages and disadvantages. It is a useful method for distributing goods which are scarce, and it brings in a lot of money for the government. The disadvantages are that it reduces the innovative power and the investment capacity of undertakings, particularly in a market such as the telecommunications market which is growing so strongly and where competition is so fierce.

1. Is the Commission aware that the Netherlands Government is planning to sell UMTS frequencies to the highest bidder within two years?

2. Is it prepared to carry out a study into the advantages and disadvantages of auctioning as an instrument for distributing goods which are scarce, and is it prepared to publish the results of that study before Member States start to sell UMTS frequencies to the highest bidder?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 1998)

The subject of auctions in the telecommunications sector as an instrument to distribute scarce resources has been addressed in a considerable number of academic and consultancy studies carried out on behalf of individual administrations and companies. Currently, the Commission is analysing whether all necessary information is provided by the existing studies. The need for a further study in this field will have to be examined in the light of this analysis.

The use of auctions will be addressed in a forthcoming communication from the Commission to the Parliament and Council on spectrum policy, to be published in the second half of 1998. The communication will be followed by a public consultation period in which interested parties can express their views on the subject matter, including the use of auctions. Particular regard will be given in this respect to the question to what extent the revenue raised through auctions is used to contribute to the efficient use of radio frequencies and to foster the development of innovative services and competition.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1898/98

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: Indirect tax harmonization

Does the Commission consider that it is desirable to continue with the further harmonization of indirect taxation and, in particular, excise duties in the EU?

In light of the answer to my Written Question E-0037/98(1), and Commissioner Monti's recent comments before the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, when can we expect a separate report on the alcoholic beverages sector, given that March 1998 was the most recent deadline set!

If this is not possible, can the Commission confirm that it is desirable to coordinate Member States' policies in respect of excise duty in order to stabilize differentials in duty and so minimize trade distortions between neighbouring Member States.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 1998)

Article 99 of the EC Treaty requires a system of indirect taxation that allows the establishment and proper functioning of an internal market. Results of the present lack of harmonization in the excise field include distortion of competition and diversion of trade and revenue beyond frontiers where taxes are lower. In such circumstances tax erosion is inevitable, and there is evidence that it has commenced, even though the highest taxing Member States have obtained derogations permitting them to maintain tight restrictions on the rights of European travellers. It follows that further harmonization is necessary, in particular in the excise field.

The reply to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-37/98 stated that the report for tobacco products would come out in March 1998. It was in fact published on 15 May 1998(2). As regards the report on alcoholic drinks, the reply explained that it would be produced as soon as possible. The reasons for the delay were given in the answer to that question and updated in the answer to Oral Question H-557/98 by Mrs McIntosh during question time at Parliament's June 1998 part-session(3), to which the Honourable Member is referred.

The Commission would agree that the reduction of duty differences between neighbouring Member States is a desirable objective. It attempts to achieve this through its harmonization proposals.

(1) OJ C 196, 22.6.1998, p. 110.

(2) COM(98) 320 final.

(3) Debates of the Parliament (June 1998).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1682/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations in Hungary

Educational cooperation is one of the most important forms of grass-roots cooperation between the EU Member States and the candidate countries.

Of the PHARE appropriations intended for Hungary, how much was utilized in 1997 for such cooperation and what proportion of these appropriations did it represent?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1102/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 April 1998)

Subject: Radar installation at Thessaloniki airport

Greece is installing an essential radar system for air traffic control. One of the radars is to be set up in Peraia in the vicinity of Thessaloniki airport. The Peraia authorities and a great many residents have voiced their concern about the hazardous nature of the radar and the extent of the protective zone which will surround it.

There is certainly a conspicuous shortage of public information to fuel their concern.

Could the Commission assess the impact of installing the radar at Peraia and help to provide better information about it and to carry out safety inspections of those installations?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 1998)

The Commission is not in a position to provide an assessment of the impact of the radar to be installed for the control of air traffic in Thessaloniki. This falls under the responsibility of the Member States which have to ensure that such installation conforms to all applicable legislations related, inter alia, to environmental and electro-magnetic compatibility.

As regards health concerns raised by members of the public, the Commission published in 1996 a scientific review dealing with sources of non-ionizing radiation, including, radar, the population's exposure and resulting health effects(1).

The review pointed out that radars rotate through a full 360o arc and therefore produce relatively low mean power densities in any one direction. Any member of the public in the vicinity of a radar will be directly exposed only for the brief instant of time that the radar is pointing at them. Typically, rotation will reduce mean power by a factor of 100.

The Commission is aware that a number of Member States seek advice as how to establish public health protection measures against non-ionizing radiation and is working on proposals for Council recommendations in this area.

(1) European Commission, Non-ionizing radiation: Sources, exposure and health effects, Office for official publications of the European Communities, 1996, ISBN 92-827-9276-5.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2598/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Failure of Libya to pay off debts owed to Greek construction firms and other commercial enterprises

Since 1980, the Libyan Government has owed a number of Greek construction companies and other commercial enterprises the sum of US$ 644 000 000 for work carried out in Libya, which has never been repaid on a regular basis and ceased to be repaid at all once the embargo was imposed. Meetings between the Greek Ministry for Economic Affairs and a Libyan State Commission to discuss the issue have proved fruitless, despite the fact that the Libyan Government itself agrees that it owes a substantial portion of the amount claimed by the companies. In view of the fact that other companies from other Member States of the Union (Germany, Italy, etc.) are in the same position, will the Commission say whether it will take any action that might resolve this problem?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 1998)

The Commission has taken note of the Libyan Government's failure to pay its debts to Greek companies since the embargo was imposed. However, the terms of its exclusive competence for economic and social affairs under the first pillar do not give it any legal power to intervene in this matter, in the absence of any contractual ties between the Community and Libya.

Recent developments in the Lockerbie case, and the possibility of a suspension of the embargo by the United Nations Security Council, might create a new basis for resolving the problem of Libya's cessation of bilateral payments to the Member States concerned. Should such efforts prove fruitless, the Commission is willing, within its sphere of competence, to support any démarches undertaken by the Member States concerned through the appropriate European institutions.