ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2304/98

by Frédéric Striby (I-EDN) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Mutual recognition of driving licences by Member States

The many German citizens who have chosen to take up residence in this frontier region bordering on Germany have to complete a large number of administrative formalities; for example, their German driving licences have to be exchanged for French ones. One German national living in France who produced his German driving licence after being stopped for a police inspection in France in 1997 was fined.

There is a European directive on the mutual recognition of driving licences. Could the Commission report on the progress made in incorporating it into national law, particularly in France and Germany?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences(1) came into effect on 1 July 1996. Article 1.2 introduces the principle of mutual recognition of driving licences issued by Member States.

Given the fact that several Member States did not transpose Directive 91/439/EEC on time, the Commission opened infringement proceedings against them, including Germany and France. The German authorities notified the Commission on 2 June 1998 of the transposition of Directive 91/439/EEC into national law, which will enter into force on 1 January 1999. The French authorities notified the Commission on 18 March 1998 of a draft decree to transpose Directive 91/439/EEC. This draft decree is expected to enter into force on 1 January 1999.

However, all Member States have respected the principle of mutual recognition since 1 July 1996, even in the absence of formal transposition. In cases that have arisen to date, the central French and German authorities have taken action to ensure the application of this principle, even retrospectively, when local authorities that were not aware of Community law were infringing this principle.

The Commission will follow up all cases brought to its attention by Union citizens and will take the necessary steps to ensure the principle of mutual recognition is applied in practice.

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2646/98

by Edward Newman (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Illegal immigration - asylum-seekers

According to information published by the Migration News Sheet (July 1998) the European Union has offered to provide Turkey with, inter alia, financial assistance for the setting up of detention centres to hold "illegal immigrants".

1. Will the Commission confirm or deny that any such offer has been made to Turkey, regardless of whether Ankara has accepted or rejected the offer?

2. If such an offer has been made, what is the legal basis, if any, of providing such financial assistance?

3. Can the Commission provide a list of guarantees which the European Union has sought to ensure that people fleeing persecution, in particular non-European asylum-seekers, are not among the "illegal immigrants" to be held in such detention centres in Turkey?

4. Bearing in mind that the practice of detaining illegal immigrants, rejected asylum-seekers and people with "manifestly unfounded asylum claims" varies greatly from one Member State to another, especially with regard to the maximum period of detention, if any, have the negotiations with Ankara on providing European Union assistance included certain fundamental rights for detainees, such as a statutory limit on the period of detention, access to legal and medical assistance, conditions that are in accordance with human dignity, etc.?

5. Can the Commission provide a list of other kinds of assistance offered to Turkey within the framework of combating "illegal immigration", specifying in each case the legal basis?

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

(9 October 1998)

Under the action plan to deal with the influx of migrants from Iraq and other countries of the region, which was adopted by the Council on 26 January, representatives of the Council Presidency and the Commission visited Turkey in March to exchange views with the Turkish authorities. A wide range of issues were broached during this visit, including the point raised by the Honourable Member.

In follow-up to this mission, Turkey took part in a meeting of the K.4 Committee in June to discuss justice and internal affairs. In this framework the two parties are exploring a number of possible areas of cooperation.

The Commission has not studied any specific form of assistance to Turkey such as that described by the Honourable Member. And if such a project were to be envisaged in future, the Commission would naturally ensure that it fully complied with international law and human rights.

On the question of asylum seekers, Austria has launched an initiative in cooperation with the UNHCR to train Turkish border guards. This initiative is financed under the Odysseus programme. The Commission believes it is very important to involve the UNHCR in all activities concerning the right of asylum and the handling of asylum applications in Turkey.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2813/98

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Regulation of international marriage agencies

Across the EU, a number of "marriage agencies" offer specialist services aimed at introducing EU men to young women in Thailand and other South-east Asian countries. Whilst the motivation of some of these agencies is genuine, their operations are currently subject to no regulation or control. Without regulation, inspection and control, such agencies may be used directly or indirectly and a cover for trafficking in women for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Following Parliament's recommendation(1) that consideration be given to the development of a regulatory framework for these agencies, what action has the Commission taken in this direction, and what further action is envisaged?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 1998)

The Commission is aware of the fact that some cases have been brought to the public attention, in particular via the media, where marriage agencies in the Union have been used directly or indirectly for the purpose of trafficking in women. It is also true that for the time being it is up to the Member States to decide whether and how they wish to control the way these marriages agencies operate.

The Commission envisages a comparative study on the situation in the Member States so as to assess the need for a legislative initiative at European level.

At present under the Daphne initiative the question of forced marriage is one of the subjects under investigation by partners in two 1997 projects.

(1) OJ C 14, 19.1.1998, p. 39.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(3 September 1998)

Subject: Car prices in the UK

Car prices in the UK are known to be the highest in Europe. Can the Commission clarify its views on this in relation to Article 30 and indicate what steps it is taking to ensure that car prices in the UK become competitive with the rest of Europe?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 1998)

On the subject of car prices in the United Kingdom, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2577/98 by Mrs Anita Pollack(1). The Commission sees no relationship between high car prices in the United Kingdom and Article 30 of the EC Treaty.

The Commission is currently investigating a complaint regarding the compatibility with Articles 30 and 36 of the EC Treaty of the provisions dealing with the approval of single vehicles contained in the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996 as amended by the Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998.

(1) OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 150.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2729/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Taxation of savings income (COM(98) 295)

The Impact Assessment Form attached to this proposal states that "the impact of the proposal is ... centred on the cost of supplementary administrative responsibilities asked of the paying agents," and gives no serious consideration to the possibility that capital flight could result from the imposition of a withholding tax, despite clear precedents which suggest that this would occur and would be substantial.

1. What consideration has the Commission given to this issue, and does it propose to produce a document detailing this consideration?

2. Given the tremendous importance of this question, particularly in view of the suggestion made by Mr Helmut Kramer at the Austrian Presidency Tax Conference, held in Vienna on 13 July, 1 000 billion might be liable to the proposed withholding tax, will the Commission put in hand an independent study to examine it?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-2727/98, E-2728/98 and E-2729/98 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1998)

The Commission has already examined the possible macro-economic impact of its proposal for a Council directive to ensure a minimum of effective taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments within the Community(1) and in particular the risk of capital flight. Careful consideration of this evaluation was taken into account in the final decision concerning the proposed minimum withholding tax rate of 20 %.

As mentioned by the impact assessment form attached to the Commission proposal, the parties which will be regarded as paying agents are normally already under an obligation to identify the beneficiaries of their interest payments and often also have to discharge tax collection or declaration responsibilities on behalf of their own national tax authorities. The extra obligations placed on them for the purpose of carrying out the measures introduced by the directive will probably require them to adapt their administrative procedures and computer programmes, but the measures have been devised in such a way that the cost of these adaptations and the additional administrative burden should be relatively limited.

A precise quantification of this cost would be impossible at this stage as it will be influenced by the choices and procedures adopted by each Member State within the coexistence model, which are not yet known.

Given this uncertainty and the lack of reliable national statistical data on the exact share of cross-border interest income which is paid to Community-resident individuals, the Commission considers that an independent study on the potential effect on capital markets of the proposed measures could not produce really useful results, at least at this preliminary stage of the technical debate on the proposed text within the European institutions.

(1) OJ C 212, 8.7.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2278/98

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Waste returned to product producers and sellers

Would the Commission advise me of any European legislation or recommendations which require or encourage consumers to return waste from products they have purchased to the producers or sellers of those products?

I am aware, for example, that certain companies producing ink cartridges for printers and fax machines enable consumers to return the cartridges free of charge for the purposes of recycling. Is the Commission involved in any such schemes for this or other types of waste (packaging), or in encouraging the same?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

Producer responsibility schemes exist in certain Member States for a number of waste streams, such as packaging waste in Germany, end of life electrical and electronic equipment in the Netherlands. In view of the environmental and economic advantages linked to producer responsibility this principle was introduced at Community level by the Community strategy for waste management(1). This was endorsed by the Parliament in its Resolution of 14 November 1996 on the Community strategy for waste management.

To make the principle of producer responsibility work, the consumer has an important role to play. It is up to him to make the wastes available to the producer. Accordingly, the concept of the Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste(2) implies the participation of the consumer. This is also true for the Commission proposal for a directive on end of life vehicles(3).

As for the sector explicitly mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission work programme for 1998 foresees the adoption of a Commission initiative on waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Information technology (IT) equipment, including fax machines, would be part of the scope of such a measure, as well as various kinds of consumables, such as cartridges. This legislation should allow consumers to return such equipment and components free of charge for the purposes of recycling.

(1) COM(96) 399 final.

(2) OJ L 365, 21.12.1994.

(3) OJ C 337, 7.11.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2068/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Report on osteoporosis in the EC

Following the launch of the report on osteoporosis in the EC, "Action for Prevention" does the Commission propose funding cross-border research projects into the disease?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

The Commission's proposal for a specific programme for research and technological development (RTD) and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources"(1) addresses osteoporosis and its prevention and treatment by promoting, under the key action "Ageing population", research into age-related illnesses and health problems with high morbidity. This is in line with the main research related recommendations of the "Report on osteoporosis in the EC", namely that research should aim for preventive or onset-delaying interventions, but also offer improved means for rehabilitation, better mobility and effective pain reduction.

Efforts for improved understanding of osteoporosis and skeletomuscular disorders will also benefit from the RTD activities of generic nature, where for example public health research is urged to contribute to better quantitative European data and cost-effectiveness of health promotion. The suggested generic research activities within the same specific programme also include research on life-style dependent or nutritional risk factors as well as genetic and physiological parameters.

(1) COM(98) 305 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3036/98

by María Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Joint EU-Algeria education programmes

Would the Commission be prepared to draw up plans for joint actions in the field of education as a specific EU-Algeria programme?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1998)

Within the context of the MEDA programme, in 1996 the Commission came to an agreement with the Algerian government on a programme of bilateral financial cooperation lasting several years, which takes into account on the one hand the main thrust of MEDA policies - support for economic transition, a better socio-economic equilibrium and for the development of civil society and on the other the socio-economic challenges facing Algeria and the security situation. On this basis, the Commission and the Algerian government have chosen to concentrate funds on five cooperation programmes.

As the social situation is worrying and the unemployment rate is around 30 %, the Commission would like to provide support in reinforcing the social net through job creation. Other elements of the programme include structural adjustment facility, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, privatisation and the modernisation of the financial sector. Current Community cooperation programmes and those in preparation include major training components, such as the training of business women, financial sector employees or traditional fishermen.

Since education is an area of Euro-Mediterranean partnership as defined in the Barcelona declaration, the Commission and the Algerian government could take the opportunity offered by the revision of MEDA programming to redefine future cooperation priorities on the basis of Algeria¢s medium- and long-term sectoral strategy and agree to target education from now on.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2795/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Financing of the UCK

Despite all their verbal pledges, Albanian politicians in Kosovo have so far displayed little genuine readiness to enter into a dialogue with the Serbian and Yugoslav authorities and seek a peaceful solution to the conflict. A serious obstacle here is the attitude of the UCK (the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army), which within the past few days has expressed its intention of continuing the armed struggle until final victory is achieved. The UCK's political leader, Mr Adem Demaci, refuses to join an Albanian delegation to engage in negotiations.

So long as the UCK feels able to continue the armed struggle, it will not only itself continue to sabotage the attempts of the international community to bring about a negotiated settlement but also place political leaders in Kosovo under pressure not to take part in any talks.

The UCK is largely dependent on financial support from so-called "humanitarian" organisations in many countries of the Union. This is used to purchase weapons and to recruit and train personnel. The money obtained by these organisations comes largely from Albanians resident in countries of the Union who are compelled to contribute a percentage of their income.

Can the Commission say:

1. what organisations in which countries of the Union are suspected of being in contact with the UCK?

2. what measures have been taken or are under preparation to halt both the collection of money under pressure and its transfer to the UCK, in order to give a clear signal to the latter that any continuation of the violence is rejected?

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

(20 October 1998)

While difficulties have been experienced in persuading either the Serbian authorities or the representatives of the Kosovar Albanians to enter into dialogue with each other, efforts are continuing to that end.

The Commission does not have information on organisations suspected of being involved in the financing of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). It does not believe, however, as mentioned by the Honourable Member, that any reputable humanitarian organisations, national or international, are involved in any way.

There is a general embargo on the supply to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of arms or equipment which might be used for terrorism or police repression. No measures have been taken at Community level in order to halt the financing of the KLA. One Member State has indicated its intention unilaterally to implement measures to stem fund-raising or arms purchases, in its territory, by the KLA.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2815/98

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Floods in China

The recent floods in China caused when the Yangtze river burst its banks have left more than 3 000 people dead and destroyed 5 million homes, affecting more than 230 million people. The total damage is put at around ECU 18 billion due to the destruction of cultivated land, infrastructure, school buildings and materials, industrial installations, housing etc.

What contribution has the Commission made to international aid in the form of food, medical products, educational material and emergency aid? Will the Commission continue its assistance in the coming months?

What is the initial, perhaps provisional assessment of the damage caused, particularly as regards the environment?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 1998)

The extensive and continous rains of the last five months in China have caused serious flooding that is now affecting an estimated 223 million people in 29 provinces in central, south east, and northern China. The Yangtze River has reached record levels and in many areas the floods are being described as the worst in living memory.

According to the latest official figures more than 5 000 people have been killed, 5 million houses have been destroyed and some 14 million people have been left homeless. In total, 21 million hectares of land have been flooded and 5 million hectares of crops have been destroyed.

On 6 August 1998, the Commission adopted an emergency decision of ECU 605 000. These funds channelled through the European Community humanitarian office (ECHO) enable two relief projects to be implemented by the International federation of red cross and MSF Holland. These projects are targeting some of the worst affected areas and addressing the needs of food security, medical assistance and emergency relief (water sanitation and temporary shelter).

Because of the magnitude of the disaster, humanitarian needs are still enormous despite the national and international response to the disaster. Therefore, a second emergency decision of an amount of ECU 1 050 000 has recently been adopted by the Commission. The project will be implemented by the International federation of the red cross and will focus on the same objectives.

Due to the size of the disaster and given the anticipated worsening of the situation, the Commission has sent a field correspondent to China to monitor its projects and the humanitarian situation. The Commission will continue to evaluate and address humanitarian needs in China.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2937/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Problem of homelessness in the EU

There are a growing number of EU citizens facing serious difficulties in gaining access to affordable housing. Within the Community 15 million poorly housed persons are obliged to live in housing which is over-crowded and of a distinctly inadequate quality. Poor housing often leads to other problems such as unemployment, ill health, crime and ultimately poverty.

Does the Commission recognise and realise the right to decent and affordable housing for all, both as an essential element of social cohesion and as necessary conditions for economic development?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(10 November 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-532/98 by Mrs Ferrer(1).

In addition, housing and homelessness issues will be among those raised in the forthcoming communication from the Commission on social inclusion. The Honourable Member may also be interested to read the report on the implementation of the 1992 Recommendation on minimum income to be published shortly, which also makes reference to actions on homelessness and housing.

(1) OJ C 323, 23.10.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3375/98

by Quinídio Correia (PSE) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: Afforestation and woodland maintenance grants

According to information contained in the explanatory statement of the report A4-0346/98 of 30 September 1998, the Autonomous Region of Madeira is said to have received the highest afforestation and woodland maintenance grants of all EU countries, amounting to ECU 6000 per hectare per year.

1. Can the Commission confirm the accuracy of these statements, which the report attributes to outside sources in the industry?

2. How many hectares have received grants under Regulation (EEC) 2080/92(1) instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture, and can the Commission provide a full list of the beneficiaries?

3. How have the grants in question been implemented on the spot?

4. In what way have the regional authorities been involved in observing and monitoring their implementation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.

(1) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 96.