ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3371/98

by James Nicholson (I-EDN) to the Council

(16 November 1998)

Subject: Persecution of Baha'is in Iran

Representatives of the Baha'i faith in Europe claim that there has been continual persecution of Baha'is in Iran over many decades and that upwards of 20 000 people may have died as a result. They claim that Baha'is in Iran enjoy no civil, religious or human rights and are currently raising concerns over the death of Mr Ruhollah Rowhani, who they say was executed on 21 July 1998 without being accorded any legal process. They have also raised concerns over the alleged sentencing to death of two other Baha'is and the sentencing to ten years imprisonment of another.

What is the Council's position in regard to the alleged continuing persecution of Baha'is in Iran?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-2792/98 and E-3371/98

(30 November 1998)

The Council, which has on several occasions raised the issue of the situation of the Baha'is in Iran with the Iranian authorities, expressed its concern to these following the execution of Ruhu'llah Rawhani on 21 July 1998 and the death sentence against three other Baha'is in Mashad.

Having subsequently received reports that the death sentences against Sirus Dhabihi-Muqaddam and Hidayat-Kashifi Najafabadi had been confirmed, the Council, through EU Heads of Mission in Teheran, called upon Iran to take immediate action to ensure that they will not be executed. It also reiterated its concern over four other members of the Baha'i community who are also under sentence of death, Messrs. Bihnam Mithaqi, Kayvan Khalajabadi, Musa Talibi and Dhabihu'llah Mahrami.

On these occasions the Council reiterated the EU's position on death sentences in general and appealed to the Iranian Government side to protect the life of the Baha'is community and to respect the rights of religious minorities. It recalled UN-Human Rights Commission resolution 1998/80, which expressed concern at the continuing grave violations of the human rights of the Baha'is and called upon Iran to refrain from pronouncing death sentences on the grounds of religious beliefs or apostasy. The Council furthermore underlined the importance of the Iranian Government allowing the special UN rapporteur on Human Rights, Mr Maurice Copithorne, to visit Iran for a constructive cooperation in human rights.

Mrs. Mary Robinson, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, has protested against the execution of Mr Rawhani and urged Teheran not to execute three other Bahai's.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1445/98

by Pierre Lataillade (UPE) to the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Subject: Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery

The Commission has prepared an updated version of the "Guide to the Directive on machinery" (Directive 89/392/EEC(1), amended in 1991 and 1993) that it published in 1993. The Guide has been immensely useful to the manufacturers and users of machinery, and particularly to small firms. The updated version of the Guide, about which there is very broad agreement within industry and in most of the Member States, has been eagerly awaited for more than a year.

1. What are the reasons for this delay?

2. Does the Commission intend to publish it?

3. When?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1998)

The Commission is pleased to have the Honourable Member's support in its activities to ensure the transparency of Community legislation and is willing to support the publication of a guide in the near future.

In 1993, a brochure seemed to be the most effective way of meeting firms' needs. The technological situation has changed in the meantime. The draft guide is three times as voluminous and needs to be updated frequently. As it is cheaper, faster and more flexible to send the guide electronically, the Commission plans to provide access to it via the information pages it publishes on the Internet,(2) it being understood that its sole purpose is to facilitate the implementation of Council Directive 89/392/EEC of 14 June 1989 on the approximation of the legislation of the Member States on machinery and that is does not provide a binding legal interpretation. As far as a paper publication is concerned, the subsidy will depend on the budgetary means available since the Commission has to give priority to the publication of its own documents.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 9.

(2) http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dgiii/directs/dg3/index.htm.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2695/98

by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Money laundering and the introduction of the euro

How does the Commission intend to combat money laundering when the banknotes of the 11 Member States participating in EMU, whose scheduled launch on January 2002 is already being prepared for, are exchanged for euros given that large quantities of the said money in national currencies will have to be converted?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1998)

Mechanisms exist in all Member States for preventing the laundering of proceeds of criminal activities via the financial system. They are based in particular on Council Directive 91/308/EEC of 10 November 1991 on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering(1). As things stand, the Directive prohibits only money laundering associated with drug trafficking. That said, all Member States treat as a criminal act money laundering resulting from a wider range of criminal activities. The Commission is looking into how the Directive can be updated and its scope extended.

The obligations spelt out in the Directive will continue to apply in full on the switchover to the euro and will concern the exchange of euros for national notes and coins. The Commission expects that the banks will maintain their customary vigilance during the period leading up to the introduction of euro notes and coins and during the exchange period so that any suspicious transaction will be detected. It is still considering the implications of introducing the euro for the fight against money laundering, and it has been agreed that the matter will be discussed by the contact committee set up by the Directive.

(1) OJ L 166, 28.6.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2305/98

by Luigi Florio (PPE) to the Commission

(13 July 1998)

Subject: Act of legitimation by the Italian Government in respect of illegal immigrants

The Italian Government has announced its intention to regularize the situation of approximately 200 000 non-Community nationals who have entered Italy illegally.

This measure, which constitutes, in effect, an act of legitimation, has not been incorporated into the new law on immigration, which was adopted last March, but is being proposed by means of a simple administrative act.

Does the Commission consider this decision by the Italian Government to be compatible with EU immigration law?

Is the Commission considering adopting formal measures to prevent the succession of legitimating acts in respect of illegal immigrants in Italy from creating security and public-order problems in other EU countries as well?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

According to Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, the fight against unauthorised immigration, residence and work by third country nationals is considered a matter of common interest by the Member States. This does not prevent Member States from adopting measures at national level, for example regarding regularisation of illegal immigrants. The Council has adopted some recommendations relating to combating illegal immigration and to the expulsion of third country nationals. None of the adopted texts however address the issue of regularisation of illegal immigrants by Member States.

The Commission is currently not planning to take initiatives in this field.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2331/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: WTO Agreements on EU beef exports

Can the Commission state whether the EU has exported to third countries the full amount of beef permitted under the 1992 WTO agreements over the last three years and, if not, what is being done to promote sales of beef to third countries in order to reduce amounts held in intervention?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 1998)

In the first general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) year 1995/1996 (1 July-30 June) the Community could export 1 137 000 tonnes of beef with refunds. The final export figure was, however, only 1 019 090 tonnes, due to the commercial effect of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis.

In the second GATT year 1996/1997 the export ceiling was reached by the end of June.

In the third GATT year 1997/1998, the export ceiling was 1 010 900 tonnes. A preliminary figure indicates that the Community exported 957 253 tonnes of beef, 950 007 tonnes with export refunds and 7 246 tonnes of intervention beef. The quantity left over may be used for exports of intervention beef during the fourth GATT year. To that effect several selling regulations are currently in application, which include both bone-in and boneless beef.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Fatal accidents in Greece

According to Eurostat No 1298 of 2 June 1998, the figures for road accidents in Greece are the most disturbing in the Union in that it is the only Member State in which fatal road accidents increased between 1989 and 1995, by 29 %, whereas in most countries the number fell.

What, in the Commission's view, are the main reasons for these alarming figures? What measures will it take in cooperation with the Greek Government to deal with this situation?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

As indicated by the Honourable Member, Greece is the only Member State where an increase in the number of road accidents has occured in recent years.

The Commission considers that the prime responsibility for analysing and identifying the possible causes for such negative trends is with national authorities. However, the Commission provides tools and statistics to the individual Member States (e.g. the CARE database) in order to enable them to compare national situations. When making such comparisons, specific national circumstances should clearly be kept in mind, particularly those relating to risk exposure where parameters such as numbers of vehicles, demographic patterns, infrastructure can have a quite significant influence.

The Commission continues to be ready to discuss the relevant issues with national authorities whenever Member State administrations consider that such an approach could have productive effects in increasing safety.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3379/98

by Luis Campoy Zueco (PPE) to the Commission

(9 November 1998)

Subject: Aids to SMUs

In view of the existing definition of SMUs used in Spain (i.e. undertakings employing between 50 and 500 persons), can the Commission state what forms of financial aid exist for micro-undertakings or small family-type businesses, given that such businesses are both extremely numerous and crucial to the social, cultural and economic equilibrium of the countries of southern Europe?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's opinion about the importance of small and medium-sized family enterprises for the social, cultural and economic equilibrium of the Community, particularly in the countries of southern Europe, where the density of SMEs is higher in relation to the population.

In applying the European definition of SMEs as set out in Commission Recommendation 96/280/EC of 3 April 1996(1), the vast majority of family businesses fall into the category of very small enterprises with 1-9 employees, which account for 93 % of all enterprises. When the categories of small and medium-sized enterprises employing between 50 and 249 persons are then added, SMEs account for 99,8 % of all enterprises.

In full adherence to the principle of subsidiarity, Community aid for family SMEs supplements the national instruments for financing enterprises. In order to increase transparency regarding the aid available, the Commission published a guide to grants and loans from the European Union in 1997(2).

Following a request from the Parliament, in 1998 the Commission also launched its "growth and employment" initiative, which accords top priority to small enterprises. In its Decision of 19 May 1998, the Council earmarked ECU 420 million to help expanding SMEs gain better access to funding by means of risk-capital funds, guarantee facilities, and supporting the creation of transnational joint ventures by SMEs within the Community.

Given that the vast majority of SMEs in southern Europe are located in assisted regions and in view of their contribution to growth and employment, the Commission pays them particular attention by setting aside a greater proportion of the structural funds for their funding requirements.

(1) OJ L 107, 30.4.1996.

(2) ISBN - 92-8282854 - 9.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1672/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) , Gianfranco Fini (NI) , Amedeo Amadeo (NI) , Roberta Angelilli (NI) , Marco Cellai (NI) , Sebastiano Musumeci (NI) , Gastone Parigi (NI) , Salvatore Tatarella (NI) and Antonio Trizza (NI) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Environmental catastrophe in Campania

The recent tragedy in the Campania region of Italy was caused by whole sections of a mountain sliding downhill as a result of uncontrolled tree-felling.

As unauthorized deforestation affects several regions of the EU and, in addition to disrupting the ecological balance, can cause disasters in which people are killed or injured and homes and villages destroyed.

Does the Commision agree that it would be appropriate to draw up, as soon as possible, a directive containing precise rules concerning the protection of the environmental heritage, deforestation, reafforestation and, possibly, compensation for damage caused by failure to comply with such rules?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 July 1998)

The Honourable Members are requested to refer to the answers already given by the Commission to the emergency resolutions of 14 May 1998 and written question P-1618/98 by Mr Caccavale(1) on the natural disaster in Campania.

Expansion of human settlements and especially construction activities in an uncontrolled manner in environmentally sensitive territories can represent a significant risk factor and can induce natural disasters. Spatial planning measures can help to promote sustainable land use patterns and avoid risk of disasters. Member States together with the Commission are currently promoting spatial planning through the elaboration of the "European spatial development perspective" as an official reference document to guide actions in those fields.

As far as forest protection is concerned, all Member States have signed the resolutions of the Ministerial Conferences on the protection of forests in Europe (Strasbourg 1990, Helsinki 1993, Lisbon 1998) and are committed to the conservation and sustainable development of their national forest resources.

Forest policy is not a matter of Community competence. Nevertheless forestry is an integral part of rural development. The Commission in the context of Agenda 2000 and in particular in its proposal concerning rural development has reinforced the support measures to promote sustainable management and development of forestry, conservation of forest resources, extension of woodland areas. This support will contribute to the fulfilment of undertakings made by the Community and the Member States at international level. It will be based on national forest plans as adopted in the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests.

(1) OJ C 354, 24.11.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2326/98

by Franz Linser (NI) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Brenner toll 1

The Austrian Federal Government plans to submit to the Commission two compromise proposals on toll charges for the Brenner motorway which are intended to persuade the Commission to withdraw the complaint against Austria in the European Court of Justice.

1. Is Variant 1, which provides that for each lorry journey on the Lower Inn Valley motorway a toll of ATS 150 is to be levied, with this sum then being deducted from the current Brenner toll, suitable to persuade the Commission to withdraw its complaint against Austria?

2. Is Variant 2, under which the current Brenner toll will be reduced by ATS 80 to ATS 1070 suitable to persuade the Commission to withdraw its complaint against Austria?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3214/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Subject: Operating licence for quarry in area protected by Natura 2000

Environmental organizations - which have also lodged an appeal with the State Council - claim that the Ministry of Agriculture has granted an operating licence for a marble quarry on Mt Falakron in the region of Drama. The Drama Forest Inspectorate has already designated it a protected area because of its exceptional beauty; it also forms part of the Natura 2000 network as a designated "B" area and there are indications that it is the site of an ancient settlement.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether the requisite environmental impact assessments have been carried out to take account of all the environmental effects of operating the quarry, and

2. whether it intends to ask the Greek authorities to revoke their decision in order to preserve the ecological balance and the exceptional beauty of the area?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 1998)

1. In the region concerned, a site known as "Koryfes Orous Falakro" under Code GR 1140004, is contained in the list of sites of Community importance (SCI) put forward by the Greek authorities under Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1), for inclusion in the Natura 2000 European ecological network. Under Article 6.3 of that Directive any plan or project that is likely to have a significant impact on an SCI must be subjected to an appropriate assessment of its impact in terms of the intentions regarding site conservation. The authorisation decision is subject to the results of that assessment. However, that site has still not been selected as an SCI.

2. Nevertheless, the site includes several types of natural habitat and priority species and it should thus automatically be accepted for the Natura 2000 network in accordance with the Directive's criteria. Therefore adequate action must be taken by the Member State concerned in order to avoid any deterioration of that site with a view to its future designation. On the basis of what has been said above, the Commission will contact the Greek authorities to order to establish whether the impact studies which should be conducted in pursuance of Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment(2) have taken sufficient account of the ecological value of the site concerned by the project in question.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2820/98

by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Council

(18 September 1998)

Subject: Repayment by the Italian Government of the "Europe Tax"

In its 1997 budget the Italian Government levied the so-called "Europe Tax" in order to bring public finances into line with the criteria set out in the Maastricht Treaty for moving to the third phase of the single currency.

The Italian Ministry of Finance has recently stated that 60 % of this tax will be repaid to taxpayers by the end of 1998.

Some Member States have several times expressed doubts about the legitimacy of this tax, precisely because of the commitment made to repay it.

If the Italian Government were to repay, as promised, part of the "Europe Tax" to taxpayers, does the Council not consider that this alleged "tax" would in reality be compulsory lending imposed on the Italian people?

Reply

(27 November 1998)

During its meeting on 1 May 1998, the Council abrogated its previous decision on the existence of an excessive deficit in Italy. Italy consequently fulfilled the convergence criterion of having achieved a sustainable government financial position as mentioned in the second indent of Article 109 j, paragraph 1.

When abrogating its above mentioned decision on the existence of an excessive deficit, the Council took note of the commitment of the Italian government to keeping the primary surplus, which reached over 6 % of GDP in 1997, at a level that contributes strongly to the decline of the debt ratio. The Council underlined in this respect that this primary surplus is essential to maintaining the debt ratio on its sustainable downward path.

The Council will monitor future developments concerning the government financial position of Italy within the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact Regulations.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3281/98

by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Subject: Transfer of Macao to Chinese administration - death penalty

The recently renewed EU-Macao agreement contains a commitment for the parties to respect human rights.

In recent statements, the Member of Parliament and member of the Preparatory Commission Vitor Ng has accepted the reintroduction of the death penalty in that territory following its reintegration into the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China.

Nevertheless, the territory's penal code - which recently came into force after being adopted with the assent of the Chinese side in the Joint Liaison Group and the remaining in force of which (together with all other legislation applicable at the time of the transfer of sovereignty) was the subject of a commitment given by the authorities of the People's Republic of China in the Sino-Portuguese joint declaration and in the Basic Law of the Special Administrative Region of Macao - not only makes no provision for the death penalty but expressly provides for its prohibition and abolition.

How does the Commission assess the implications of the possible reintroduction of the death penalty in Macao from the point of view of the CFSP and EU trade policy, which must respect human rights?

Answer given by Sir Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(17 November 1998)

The Commission notes that the statement speculating on the possibility of reintroducing the death penalty in Macau after transfer of its sovereignty to the People's republic of China had been made to the local press by Vitor Ng, member of the Macau preparatory committee, in a personal capacity.

The Commission considers that Mr Ng's reported statement runs directly counter to the legal provisions which govern both the present and future administration of Macao.

The Joint Declaration adopted on 26 March 1987 and the provisions of the Macanese Basic Law, both negotiated with and agreed by the Chinese authorities, explicitly state that the rights and freedoms currently guaranteed in Macao will continue without change after the handover. Article 39 of Macao's present penal code specifically prohibits the application of the death penalty.

Thus the Commission considers that the safeguards against the introduction of the death penalty in Macao are firmly in place. The Commssion will continue to monitor carefully the preparations for the handover of sovereignty in Macao.