ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3303/97 by Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: COM in bananas

Could the Commission provide details of the quantities of bananas signed every three months to each of the three licensed types of operator for the last three years, with particular information concerning operators working under licence B?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 November 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2772/97 by Encarnación Redondo Jiménez (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Protecting appellations of origin for European wines

There have been various reports in the media that the United States is drawing up legislation to continue using the appellations of origin of EU wines for wines produced in the US, in order to protect the interests of US winegrowers.

If this proves to be the case, what steps would the Commission take to safeguard the interests of European winegrowers, for whom such legislation would obviously be damaging?

Answer given by Mr. Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 October 1997)

The Honourable Member refers to an amendment to the 1997 Revenue Reconciliation Act introduced in Congress by Mr d'Amato and subsequently adopted, which codifies certain terms used for many years in conformity with United States legislation in the labelling of wines. These terms are names of European origin, such as Champagne, Moselle, port and sherry, used in the United States for American and imported wines. The list of terms in the amendment is in fact identical to that figuring in the technical rules in force ((See Title 27 FR Ch. 1¶4.24 (b)(2) of the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms) Code of American Federal Regulations. )).

The Commission is at present carrying out a legal analysis of the amendment to check its compatibility with the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member of its reply to written question E-2485/97 by Mr Barros Moura ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) on protection of Community designations of origin. One of the main objectives pursued in the wine sector is to defend, both in the Community and internationally, the protection afforded by the Community designations of origin and geographical indications. Negotiations are in progress between the Commission and the United States on improved protection of Community names on the American market, in particular on termination of any use of the terms covered by the amendment in question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2318/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (18 July 1997)

Subject: The humanitarian situation of prisoners in Morocco

1. Is the Netherlands Presidency of the Council aware of the degrading humanitarian conditions in which prisoners are kept in Morocco?

2. Has the Netherlands Presidency considered holding consultations with the Moroccan Government with a view to improving humanitarian conditions for prisoners in Moroccan prisons?

3. Is the Presidency aware of the bilateral agreements between the Spanish and Moroccan Governments whereby Spanish citizens convicted in Moroccan courts may serve their sentences in Spain, and is the Presidency considering likewise concluding bilateral agreements with Morocco to enable Netherlands citizens who are convicted by Moroccan courts to serve their sentences in the Netherlands?

4. Does the Presidency consider it wise, in view of the large number of Netherlands citizens held in the Salé prison in Morocco, to close the Netherlands consulate in Tangier as of 1 September 1997, bearing in mind, inter alia, that on 15 April 1997 a consular EU delegation visiting Tangier ascertained the miserable humanitarian conditions in which Dutch prisoners, among others, live in the 'Prison Civile'?

Answer (13 November 1997)

The Council has no information on the situation of prisoners in Morocco.

As regards the other questions put by the Honourable Member, the Presidency of the Council has no competence in the matter; this relates to the competence of a Member State of the Union.

However, the Council would emphasize the special importance it attaches to the protection and promotion of human rights. The question is an essential feature of the Agreement between the European Communities and the Kingdom of Morocco and should inform the internal and international policies of both parties. Moreover, the Euro-Mediterranean partnership in which Morocco plays a full part is particularly useful forum for strengthening political dialogue, for the promotion of human rights and for the rule of law and democracy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council (1 September 1997)

Subject: Refugees fleeing from Burma to Bangladesh

An estimated 25 000 asylum-seekers have fled from Burma to Bangladesh over the past few months to escape forced labour, human rights abuses and imposed hardship.

Bangladesh has so far refused to allow the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to interview these refugees.

Some of the refugees have been forcibly repatriated. On 20 July 1997, for example, a group of Burmese Muslims, known as Rohingyas, were sent back to Burma by Bangladeshi security forces.

Has the Council made any representations to the Bangladeshi authorities to urge that UNHCR representatives be allowed interview these refugees and set up programmes to benefit them? If not, will it make such representations?

Has it contacted the Bangladeshi authorities to seek that they fulfil their responsibilities under the Geneva Convention and other international agreements not to forcibly repatriate those seeking to escape persecution? If not, will it do so?

Answer (21 November 1997)

1. The Council is aware of the dramatic situation of the Burmese refugees in Bangladesh.

Numerous approaches have been made in the past to the Bangladeshi and UNHCR authorities to ensure that there is adequate access to UN organizations operating locally and to prevent people being sent back wrongly.

It should be noted that Bangladesh has not ratified the Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees.

2. In view of the recent deterioration in the situation on the Burmese-Bangladeshi frontier, the European Union is prepared to take the measures that are necessary, in particular démarches in Dacca and contacts with the UNHCR.

This matter is currently the subject of internal concertation in the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2604/97 by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Illegal beef imports

In view of the partial, erroneous and biased information provided by the Commission in the first week of July concerning illegal imports of British beef reportedly sold on the Spanish market, and given that, although these allegations were subsequently refuted, they were nevertheless highly damaging to beef production and consumption in Spain:

1. How does the Commission intend to compensate Spanish livestock farmers and traders who have suffered serious losses as a result of this information?

2. What specific steps does the Commission intend to take to restore consumer confidence in the meat markets that have suffered as a result of its statements?

3. Did the Commission give any thought to all the repercussions that might ensue as a result of such partial, erroneous and biased information? Does it agree that in future it should be more careful about disseminating unsubstantiated information which can seriously damage key economic sectors in the European Union?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2576/97, E-2577/97, E-2578/97, E-2603/97, E-2604/97 and E-2605/97 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (14 October 1997)

On 2 July 1997, the Commission notified the discovery of a fraud involving British meat illegally shipped to other Member States and to third countries.

True to its policy of transparency, and in compliance with the undertakings given to Parliament, the Commission has kept Parliament and the Member States abreast of all developments in this affair.

Initially, a Spanish firm, with the same name as a firm established in Guinea Bissau, was wrongly accused.

Subsequently, however, another Spanish firm was identified as having received 200 tonnes of meat from one of the offending Belgian firms. The Spanish authorities were informed by the Commission and are currently investigating the matter.

The Commission is aware that certain information may have repercussions on the meat market, but it gives priority to informing consumers as required by the principle of transparency.

However, the event referred to by the Honourable Members of Parliament has not influenced the market, since, according to the information provided [on a weekly basis] to the Commission by the Member States, wholesale meat prices have not been affected by the disclosures concerning the illegal exports of meat from the United Kingdom in July.

The Commission continues to believe that it is its duty to keep Parliament and the Member States - and, if necessary, consumers - fully abreast of affairs of this kind. This approach has also been widely approved by the Temporary Committee to follow up the recommendations on bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2650/97 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Council (1 September 1997)

Subject: Single currency coins

On 9 June 1997 ECOFIN, the Council of Finance Ministers, of Finance approved the draft regulation on the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins; this proposal for a regulation, which was also endorsed by the recent Amsterdam Summit, would completely preclude the use of stainless steel.

Stainless steel offers the following advantages:

1. economic: a saving of over ECU 300 million would be made, taking into account only the three intermediate-denomination coins (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 euro),

2. technical: the material lends itself to coin production, maintains appearance and shape, and is suitable for vending machines,

3. health: the stainless steels used in the coins produced by the Mints of the principal Member States present no risk to public health;

4. recyclability: the proportion of scrap steel used in the manufacture of stainless steel is about 80%, and the product is 100% recyclable;

5. ecological: stainless steel products do not present any risk to the environment;

6. supply: there would be no problems with regard to the production of the euro coins (c. 300 000 tonnes).

What are the initiatives and reasons which have narrowed down the choice so far to coins containing copper or copper alloys and completely ruled out the use of stainless steel, which is a typically European product (with Europe accounting for 44% of world output)?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2596/97 and E-2650/97 (10 November 1997)

On 5 June 1997 the Commission submitted to the Council a formal proposal for a Council Regulation on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins. That proposal essentially incorporates the technical elements suggested by the Mint Directors of the Member States whom the Council had previously briefed to research and draw up a complete proposal for a single European coin system. As for the materials to be used to produce euro coins, the Mint Directors' study was based on the most recent technical expertise, from both the economic and public-health points of view.

During its meeting on 7 July 1997 the Council gave its political agreement on the Commission proposal, subject to possible subsequent amendment to be adopted by the Council after examining any amendments suggested by the European Parliament at first and/or second reading. It should in fact be emphasized first that this proposal, which is based on Article 105a of the EC Treaty, is subject to the cooperation procedure with the European Parliament and secondly that the Regulation in question cannot be formally adopted by the Council until the Member States adopting the euro as their single currency are known (Articles 105a and 109k of the Treaty).

The Council has meanwhile consulted the European Parliament on the proposal at first reading and is currently awaiting its Opinion.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2277/97 by Sebastiano Musumeci (NI) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: Shameful attack on the reputation of Sicily by the German press

In May 1997 the German daily newspaper 'Das Bild' published an article entitled 'Unfaithful lover torn to pieces by dogs', written by journalist Andreas Englisch, which, instead of providing a factual account of a recent tragedy in Catania, includes unverified details of the event so outrageous as to be laughable.

This is the latest in a long series of efforts by the German media to sully the reputation of Italy and its people and in particular Sicily.

1. Does the Commission believe that stricter controls should be imposed on the press, which is clearly in the hands of unscrupulous and unethical journalists who may be acting at the behest of organized interests wishing to undermine the image of itself as a tourist destination which Sicily promotes overseas?

2. Does it not consider that representation should be made to the German Government in order to end squalid behaviour of this kind, which runs counter to the principles of solidarity and respect among peoples enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (20 October 1997)

The Commission appreciates that the Honourable Member is concerned by the issue raised in this question.

In response to the specific points, however, it should be noted that, in general, the supervision of the press falls within the competence of each Member State, according to the rule of subsidiarity. The rules of the EC Treaty empower the Commission to act in this area, only when the regulatory framework or the behaviour of the publication in question would be incompatible with Community law, in particular as regards the internal market.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2916/97 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Commission (5 September 1997)

Subject: Contracts for security services at Commission buildings

The Flemish press has carried reports about underhand dealing and possible corruption in connection with the award of the contract for security services at Commission buildings to Groep 4 Securitas in 1992.

Shortly before the bids were due to be opened, full details of the competitors' bids were allegedly passed to Groep 4 Securitas, which was then given the opportunity to alter its own bid.

For a time, the wages of the 600 security officers at the Commission were apparently calculated using an inaccurate mean index figure, so that while this situation persisted the Commission was paying more in wages to Groep 4 Securitas than the firm was actually paying the officers.

It is also claimed that a Commission official arranged for 18 people to receive wages from Groep 4 Securitas without having to do any work at all for the Commission. The beneficiaries did, however, provide some quid pro quo to the official concerned. Meanwhile the brother of the official concerned, an inspector in the police force, is said to have been seconded to the official's department as a liaison officer. Senior Commission officials were informed of these practices in 1994. Yet neither an official inquiry nor any disciplinary proceedings were instituted, so that the culprits escaped scot-free.

1. Are the above allegations true? If not, in what ways are they inaccurate?

2. If the allegations are true, why did the Commission allow the contract with Groep 4 Securitas to remain in force after the truth had come to light?

3. Please supply a precise chronological overview of the measures taken.

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (17 October 1997)

The Commission has taken note of the serious allegations which appeared in the Belgian newspapers 'De Morgen' and 'Het Algemeen Dagblad' between 18 and 20 August 1997 concerning the contract between the company 'Groep 4 Securitas' and the Commission.

The Commission's anti-fraud unit (Uclaf) and financial control immediately set up a team to carry out an in-depth inquiry on the allegations, inside as well as outside the Commission. The investigations which are already under way concentrate in particular on:

- the circumstances under which the security services contract was awarded in October 1992 to Groep 4 Securitas;

- the alleged payment under the contract of the salaries of a certain number of people who appear not to have provided any services to the Commission;

- compliance with internal Commission procedures.

Overpayment due to inaccuracies in the index figure has already been adjusted. It is premature at the present stage to draw any conclusions from the investigations which are on-going.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3251/97 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Danger to the Keramikos archaeological site

Recently a final decision was taken concerning the opening of the underground line below the Keramikos necropolis in Athens (an archaeological site of unique importance for the European cultural heritage), despite warnings from the cultural and archaeological authorities and organizations concerning the extremely serious consequences which this could have on the site.

Will the Commission take steps to ensure that possible alternative solutions are considered, in order to avert the evident danger to the site in question?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf- Mathies on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1997)

The Commission is well aware of the danger to underground archaeological sites from construction work on the Athens underground railway and is closely following its progress.

The route currently being proposed, which lies under part of the ancient Keramikos cemetery, was decided upon when it was concluded that the original route would pose too great a threat to the cemetery. The Greek Archaeological Commission is due to give its final opinion on the project on the basis of the results of work to bore a small test tunnel and of subsequent geotechnical studies.

The Commission considers that the current route is the best one to avoid any risk to the Keramikos cemetery. However, it will continue to monitor the progress of the work and its impact.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2489/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Council (28 July 1997)

Subject: Shameless Turkish provocation aimed at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

In an unprecedented move, the Turkish Embassy in Brussels has sent a letter signed by Counsellor Cemil Karaman to Mr Etienne Quintiens, the Secretary of the Commission of Christian Churches in Belgium, notifying him that there was no 'Ecumenical Patriarchate' in Istanbul, but a 'Patriarchate of the Fanar', and threatening that letters addressed to the 'Ecumenical Patriarchate' would be returned to the sender.

Will the Council state its views on this shameless act of Turkish provocation, and say how it intends to react to actions by a country which aspires to EU membership, but shows no sign of behaving like a European state?

Answer (15 January 1998)

The Council would point out that the question of human rights is regularly on the agenda in the political dialogue between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey. In this framework, the Council will make constant efforts to promote a conciliatory approach, concerning in particular:

- the application of internal laws and regulations;

- compliance with the obligations * guaranteed by an international Treaty * of the Turkish State towards its non-Muslim minorities;

- the religious and spiritual aspirations of a large number of Christians around the world, who for historical and canonical reasons of their own may consider His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch as first among equals (primus inter pares) of the Orthodox Patriarchs and Archbishops. In this context, the possibility of communication can be of major importance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3257/97 by Edgar Schiedermeier (PPE) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Reform of the European support programmes

Bavaria's local authority organizations have drawn up a comprehensive documentation package entitled 'Lust und Frust' (hope and frustration) on the reform of the European support programmes. The documents finally call on the Commission to propose only those support programmes with a real European added value in order to safeguard the subsidiarity principle. They also call for concentration, relevance to the citizens, longer deadlines for applications, simultaneous and timely translation into all official languages and exceptions for multilateral participation. There are calls for transparency, uniformity for applications and a reduction of bureaucracy. Will the Commission satisfy these wishes and, if so, in what form?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1997)

The Commission would thank the Honourable Member for drawing its attention to the document produced by the local authorities in Bavaria.

The Commission's basic position concerning the reform of Community policies is contained in Agenda 2000 ((COM(97) 2000. )). Since the formal proposals on the various policies are not due to start being made until spring 1998, the Commission is not able to give details of its own proposals before then. Nonetheless, although not wishing to commit itself with regard to specific proposals, the Commission is in a position to say that the wishes of the Bavarian local authorities are very much in tune with its own position.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2977/97 by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Non-availability of LPG in Spain for commercial vehicles from other Member States

Is the Commission aware that only Spanish commercial vehicles are at present allowed to fill up with LPG in Spain, and that this fuel is not available to non-Spanish residents and hence not available to commercial vehicles from the other Member States of the EU?

Does the Commission feel that this policy is in contravention of the rules of the European Union concerning the equal treatment of persons from the Member States of the Union?

Is the Commission prepared to take up this matter with the national authorities in order to put a stop to this policy?

If so, how? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1997)

The Commission is not aware of the particulars highlighted by the Honourable Member.

In order to establish whether this situation can be regarded as being contrary to Community law, the Commission will contact the national authorities to request information on the legislation governing the supply of the fuel in question and on the practice of the Spanish authorities or businesses.