ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/237

(2004/C 65 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2881/03

by Jan Dhaene (PSE) to the Commission

(29 September 2003)

Subject: Bicycle theft

Every year, enormous numbers of bicycles are stolen. Many are stolen for individual use, but large numbers of bicycles are also fed into stolen-goods circuits, some of which operate on an international scale.

Belgian research shows that bicycle theft is the ‘daily bread’ of criminals who are involved in more serious crime. Bicycle theft is the most widespread form of crime in Europe.

Plans which the bicycle industry wanted to develop in response to requests from consumer associations and the European Cyclists' Federation, which involved the standardisation of serial numbers, identity chips and obligatory U-locks, have come to nought.

The Commission:

— does it have any accurate information about the number of bicycles stolen in the various Member States and about where such stolen goods finish up;

— does it acknowledge the impact of mass bicycle theft on the attractiveness of the bicycle as a sustainable mode of transport and on an individual's feeling of insecurity;

— is it, together with the bicycle industry, planning to take measures to prevent bicycle theft?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2003)

The Commission would like to answer the Honourable Member as follows.

Information on the theft of bicycles is available only for eight Member States. Of those eight, Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Sweden show the largest number of stolen bicycles per capita.

Although there does not exist hard evidence about where the stolen bicycles wind up, there are clear indications that most stolen bicycles are sold to private citizens, either directly or on so-called ‘fencing’ markets.

There do not seem to be indications that the attractiveness of the bicycle as a sustainable mode of transport is negatively influenced by the occurrence of bicycle theft. Victim surveys show, however, that personal experience of criminal victimisation — amongst which bicycle theft — contributes to increasing the feelings of insecurity amongst the population. Feelings of insecurity have been increasing slowly but steadily across the Union between 1996 and 2002.

The theft of bicycles is largely a local, regional or national phenomenon. Effective solutions can and must therefore be taken at those levels in the Member States. What could in addition be usefully done at Union level, however, is to examine within the Union Crime Prevention Network if there are Member States with effective measures to prevent bicycle theft which could be applied in other Member States.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/143

(2004/C 65 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2410/03

by Freddy Blak (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 July 2003)

Subject: German road charge

According to the Danish newspaper Børsen of 10 July 2003 (front page), the Commission is considering initiating proceedings against Germany for introducing road charges as this will result in unequal terms of competition.

Can the Commission confirm this?

If so, will the Commission say what new circumstances have led it to consider this course of action?

I would refer back here to my Written Question No E-2684/02 (1), pointing out the competition-distorting nature of the German road charge, which the Commission, however, denies in its answer.

(1) OJ C 110 E, 8.5.2003, p. 89.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/83

(2004/C 33 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0799/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Subject: The situation of the Kurdish leader Abdulah Ocalan

Can the Commission confirm that Abdulah Ocalan has been in solitary confinement in Turkey since the present Turkish Government took office?

What steps is the Commission taking to prevent the political situation from deteriorating as far as the rights of the Kurdish minority are concerned?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of Abdullah Öçalan's current detention conditions. The Commission took note that, after a period of around three months of isolation, A. Öçalan received the visit of his brother Mehmet and of a number of his lawyers on 12 March 2003.

The Commission is monitoring closely Turkey's compliance with the Accession Partnership priorities, including the provisions aimed at ensuring cultural diversity and guaranteeing cultural rights for all citizens irrespective of their origin.

The Commission will give a detailed assessment of Turkey's compliance with the Copenhagen political criteria in its forthcoming 2003 Regular Report on Turkey.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/37

(2004/C 65 E/036)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0596/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Follow-up of new situations in terms of economic development in EU regions

The Swedish Institute for Growth Policy Studies recently published a report on the state of the regions in 2002. This report shows that central Norrland in Sweden had the worst employment trend in the entire Union between 1996 and 2001. The trend in GRP does not look much better. Central Norrland is in 198th place of the EU's 204 regions.

These are interesting figures in that they illustrate what has happened in Sweden since the country's accession to the EU.

Does the Commission take due account of such information when future structural aid is discussed? What lessons can be learned from the case of central Norrland since EU accession?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(10 April 2003)

The performance of the regions in Sweden has varied considerably over recent years, although the evidence suggests that the region of Mellersta Norrland has performed less well than many other regions of the Union.

The second progress report on economic and social cohesion (1), adopted by the Commission on 30 January 2003, presents the most recent statistical information for all regions in the 15 Member States and in the new Member States.

The report shows that between 1995 and 2000, gross domestic product (GDP) per head adjusted the differences in purchasing in Mellersta Norrland fell relative to the rest of the Union from 108,6 % to 97,1 % of the Union average. For Sweden as a whole, the figure increased slightly over this period from 106,1 % to 106,6 % of the Union average.

This trend seems to be confirmed in the Swedish report ‘Regionernas tillstånd 2002’ prepared by the Swedish Institute for Growth Policy Studies.

On the other hand, unemployment in the region is declining, falling from 11½ % in 1996 to 7 % in 2001. This represents a reversal compared to the years preceding accession, when the rate increased markedly — from just under 4 % to 10 % between 1991 to 1995.

For the period after 2006 the Commission will make a proposal to the Parliament and Council for the reform of European cohesion policy in the framework of the third report on economic and social cohesion which will be published before the end of 2003.

(1) COM(2003) 34 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/64

(2004/C 33 E/060)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0656/03

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 March 2003)

Subject: Dredgers in Indonesia

On 26 July 2002 a number of dredgers, including three Belgian vessels, were stopped by the Indonesian navy near Sumatra. They were apparently not carrying the correct papers. An accusation of theft of sand was also made. The vessels were subsequently held under arrest.

On 9 October an Indonesian court fined each of the Belgian dredgers over EUR 3 000 for not having the correct papers on board, but only copies. Following payment of the fines the vessels should have been released. The judge makes no reference in his verdict to theft of sand. The fact is that there was no question of theft. If too small an amount of sand extracted was stated, this is solely to be ascribed to the local concession holders, who are in contact with the central authorities. That, however, is an internal Indonesian problem. The Indonesian Government ignored the judgement and decided, regardless of the judge, to demand damages of EUR 18,5 million as a condition for release. This sum amounts to 15 % of the dredgers' value. The Indonesian Government refers to compensation for the losses suffered by the Indonesian population due to disadvantageous conditions in respect of sand extraction laid down by previous governments. The dredgers have paid the sum and have since been released.

1. Is the Commission aware of this state of affairs?

2. If so, does the Commission consider that the Indonesian Government has acted in contravention of its obligations under the WTO?

3. Does the Commission consider that the Indonesian Government (wrongly) ignored the verdict of the Indonesian judge and thereby undermined the rule of law?

4. If so, does the Commission intend to intervene with the Indonesian Government in this connection?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of the issue concerning court proceedings in Indonesia and the impounding and subsequent release of a number of dredgers, among them Belgian vessels.

At this stage, the Commission does not consider that the behaviour of the Indonesian Government conflicts with its World Trade Organisation obligations.

With regard to the alleged ignorance of the judgement by the Indonesian Government the Commission considers this as an internal problem which has no bearing on Indonesia's international obligations. The Commission therefore does not intend to intervene with the Indonesian Government at this stage.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/270

(2004/C 65 E/284)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3161/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Italian proposal for adapting Directive 97/24/EC to technical progress

In 2000, the Italian Government proposed that a procedure be launched for adapting Directive 97/24/EC (1) to technical progress with the aim of introducing the separate type-approval of replacement catalysts. This adaptation would enable all manufacturers of replacement catalytic converters to obtain type-approval for their products. Three years have passed since this proposal was presented, and it is still with the relevant departments at the Commission.

Could the Commission indicate what stage those departments have reached in their work, whether they have set themselves a deadline for completion of the work and whether on adoption the draft directive will take the form of a technical directive?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2003)

The Commission is presently working on a very large package of amendments with respect to motorcycle emissions through reference to Articles 5-8 of Directive 2002/51/EC (2) (amending Directive 97/24/EC (3)). That package includes replacement catalytic converters and the Commission has worked closely with the Italian authorities, other Member States and stakeholders on this specific issue.

It was originally foreseen that the Italian proposal on replacement catalysts could be dealt with through the Committee for Adaptation to Technical Progress (CATP). However, the proposal needed more time for consideration by stakeholders and for the preparation of acceptable amendments. It should also be noted that the inclusion of requirements for replacement catalysts in Directive 97/24/EC will extend the scope of that Directive and this should not be addressed through CATP.

Replacement catalytic converters will therefore be dealt with in the overall package of measures to be proposed to the legislators through co-decision. This package of measures is subject to an extended impact assessment that will provide an evaluation of the Commission proposal to be presented to the Parliament and Council during the beginning of 2004.

(1) OJ L 226, 18.8.1997, p. 1.

(2) Directive 2002/51/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the reduction of the level of pollutant emissions from two- and three-wheel motor vehicles and amending Directive 97/24/EC, OJ L 252, 20.9.2002.

(3) Directive 97/24/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1997 on certain components and characteristics of two or three-wheel motor vehicles.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/194

(2004/C 33 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1982/03

by Gabriele Stauner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Subject: Auditing of Eurostat by the European Court of Auditors

Can the Commission say when over the last 10 years, and in what connection, Eurostat has been audited by the European Court of Auditors?

Can the Commission say whether the audits have been selective or whether the management of Eurostat has been comprehensively audited, too?

Can the Commission say what recommendations the Court of Auditors has made in its reports and sector letters and what steps have been taken by the Commission to comply with those recommendations?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(29 August 2003)

These questions were already discussed during the Budgetary Control Committee (Cocobu) meeting on 17 June 2003, and the Commission would like to refer to the written answers which the Members of the Commission gave to committee members following the meeting.

At the same time, the Commission notes that the Court of Auditors has still not published a specific audit of Eurostat's operational expenditure or of its management.

The honourable Member's attention is drawn to the recent publications by the Court of Auditors concerning Eurostat's statistical activities:

— Annual Report concerning the financial year 2000 (paragraphs 1.71, 1.119 and 1.120 on Eurostat procedures concerning gross national product (GNP) data used for budgetary purposes, as well as their quality) (1);

— Special Report No 17/2000 (paragraph 1.25 on the Commission's control of the reliability and comparability of the Member States' GNP) (2);

— Annual Report concerning the financial year 1999 (paragraph 1.21 on the quality of GNP data) (3);

— Annual Report concerning the financial year 1997 (paragraph 1.25 on the quality of GNP data) (4).

The Commission, in collaboration with the Member States, takes care to implement every recommendation by the Court in this field. In addition, it has been working with the GNP Committee since 1988 in order to ensure the quality of statistical data used for budgetary purposes, as requested by the Court in its various reports. Quality assurance procedures are currently used by Eurostat in close liaison with the statistical offices of the Member States.

(1) OJ C 359, 15.12.2001.

(2) OJ C 336, 27.11.2000.

(3) OJ C 342, 1.12.2000.

(4) OJ C 349, 17.11.1998.
6.

As regards waste destined for recovery operations, the Commission recognises that the absence of mandatory waste treatment standards at Union level could undermine the creation of a high level of protection across the Community. This has also raised concerns about eco-dumping of waste within the Community. In the Communication ‘Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste (2)’, which is subject to consultation until the end of November 2003, the Commission presents potential options aiming at progressively establishing a common playing field for the recycling of waste. These include the extension of the IPPC Directive (3) to the whole waste sector and the determination of quality standards for recycling in Annex IIA of Directive 75/442/EC (4). Additionally, a limited number of processes could require the setting in legislation of Union-wide emission limit values. Furthermore, in the context of the revision of the Waste Shipment Regulation (EEC) No 259/93, the Commission is addressing the issues of standard-dumping by proposing that objections can be raised to shipments destined for treatment in facilities covered by the IPPC Directive but which do not apply Best Available Techniques as defined in Article 9(4) of that Directive (5).
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/264

(2004/C 33 E/274)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2465/03

by Giuseppe Gargani (PPE-DE), Fiorella Ghilardotti (PSE) and Enrico Ferri (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 July 2003)

Subject: Application by the Member States of Directive 2001/29 on copyright

What steps is the Commission taking to monitor and ascertain the correct transposition by the EU Member States of Directive 2001/29/EC (1) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2003)

Since the adoption of Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society (2) on 22 May 2001 and even prior to its entry into force upon publication on 22 June 2001, the Commission began a work program to assist Member States in timely and correct transposition. A series of four informal meetings with Member States was held at intervals beginning in May 2001, December 2001, June 2002 and finally in October 2002. In addition, the Commission undertook bilateral visits to the capitals to discuss transposition of the Directive with the competent authorities. The transposition of the Directive was also discussed at the first meeting of the Copyright Contact Committee on 10 March 2003, which was established by Article 12 of Directive 2001/29/EC and is composed of representatives of the competent authorities of Member States under the chairmanship of the Commission. Furthermore, the Commission wrote to all Member States reminding them of the great importance of a speedy transposition of the Directive because of its relevance to the Community's international obligations (the Directive is the means by which the Community and its Member States will implement the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonogram Treaties, which were adopted on 20 December 1996 under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organisation — WIPO).

Directive 2001/29/EC was due to be transposed in Member States' laws by 22 December 2002. Denmark and Greece have met this deadline. Italy and Austria transposed the Directive in April and June 2003 respectively. The Commission has received official notification of the national instruments of transposition from those four Member States. Germany has adopted its transposition law in July 2003. It is expected that the other Member States will have transposed in the course of 2003. The Commission, fulfilling its role as guardian of the Treaties, is pursuing infringement proceedings against those Member States that have not yet notified transposition of the Directive.

(1) OJ L 167, 22.6.2001, p. 10.

(2) OJ L 167, 22.6.2001.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/265

(2004/C 33 E/276)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2501/03

by Anne Jensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 July 2003)

Subject: Budget chapter Β3-4000 for 2002

In 2002, the Commission allocated funding under budget chapter B3-4000 to programmes concerning ‘corporate social responsibility’, ‘industrial relations’, ‘social dialogue’ and ‘financial participation’. A number of applications were successfully submitted to the Commission for project funding.

How many applications were submitted for project funding under the above programmes and what percentage of applications were rejected?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

In 2002, the Commission received a total of 307 applications under budget heading B3-4000, of which 125 proposals were approved. This represents an acceptance rate of 41 per cent.

The corresponding figures per sub-programme were as follows:

— Sub-programme 1: Support for European social dialogue — 135 received, of which 63 retained (46,7 %);

— Sub-programme 2: Promoting the financial participation of workers — 19 received, of which 8 retained (42,1 %);

— Sub-programme 3: Improving expertise in the field of industrial relations — 57 received, of which 25 retained (43,9 %);
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/58

(2004/C 65 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0946/03

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: EU contribution to building the Málaga Picasso Museum

The Málaga authorities are hoping to emulate the Guggenheim Museum's contribution to Bilbao's modernisation and economic revitalisation, with the future Picasso Museum acting as a flagship for development and modernisation.

The fact that Málaga is hoping to repeat Bilbao's Guggenheim success means that all administrative levels should be making the maximum possible contribution to ensure that the new museum becomes a genuine flagship for Málaga as a modern city with more to offer than just sunshine and beaches.

What contribution is the Commission making to the building of the Málaga Picasso Museum, and how does it assess this project in terms of its contribution to the cultural wealth of the EU as a whole?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2003)

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that it did not contribute to the building of the Malaga Picasso Museum.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/210

(2004/C 33 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2081/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Government propaganda in Greece using resources from the third CSF

In recent days, we have watched in disbelief in Greece as the government has run a television propaganda campaign using the resources of the Community Support Framework. Supposedly, the publicity was to promote the operational programme ‘Education’ and the Community Support Framework in general. However, both the first and, even more so, the second advertisement resemble a publicity campaign for the governing party.

Typically, the advertisement ‘promoting’ the CSF in general, after describing at length the progress made in recent years in Greece as well as future achievements, finally flashes up for a split second the caption ‘CSF 2000-2008’.

Since this publicity campaign runs blatantly counter to the spirit of the structural fund regulation, whereby the Union's contribution to the development of poor countries and regions should be highlighted, will the Commission say:

1. whether it approves of the government's propaganda campaign using Greek taxpayers' money and Community budget funds,

2. what the budget is for this campaign,

3. whether it has checked the accuracy of the data broadcast, and

4. when it will intercede with the Greek authorities to put an end to this propaganda campaign, which is doing nothing to promote the CSF?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written E-1905/03 by Mr Xarchakos (1).

(1) See page 187.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/194

(2004/C 65 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2692/03

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 September 2003)

Subject: Budgetary accounts

When will the Commission start to use double-entry bookkeeping in its budgetary accounts?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 2003)

The use of double-entry bookkeeping in the budgetary accounts is not required by Article 137 of the Financial Regulation (1), nor under the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Nevertheless, the Commission is examining whether it is feasible to introduce double-entry booking for the budgetary accounts within its project for the modernisation of its accounting system by 2005. If it proves feasible, and of demonstrated added value, it will be introduced in 2005.

The Commission's general accounts are kept by double-entry bookkeeping, in accordance with the requirements of Article 134 of the Financial Regulation.

(1) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities, OJ L 248, 16.9.2002.