ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3953/00

by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Decentralisation process in Slovakia

In its reply to my Written Question E-1924/00(1) on decentralisation and regionalisation the Commission stated that it had asked the applicant countries to draw up a provisional NUTS classification reflecting their administrative structure as soon as possible.

Can the Commission say what progress Slovakia has made in drawing up such a classification? What stage has been reached as regards the decentralisation process in this applicant country?

(1) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 150.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2001)

The Slovak Government approved in March 2000 a Concept for decentralisation and modernisation of public administration, aiming at institutionally separating state administration from self-government, local as well as regional.

Candidate countries are asked by the Commission and in the context of negotiations to draw up in close co-operation with Eurostat their provisional nomenclature of the territorial statistical units of the Community (NUTS) classification. The creation of NUTS in candidate countries is based on the same principles as apply to Member States and which can be found in the Commission Publication Regions Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics NUTS(1).

In Slovakia a provisional NUTS has been established. However the Commission is aware of the discussion concerning the public administration reform which is taking place in Slovakia. It seems that the reform will also result in the changing of administrative borders. The Slovak authorities have informed the Commission of their plans.

The planned decentralisation comprises the decentralisation of functional responsibilities, of finances and of political power. According to the above-mentioned concept, the territorial self-governments shall exert all competencies that are not exclusive competencies of the state or although remaining state responsibilities are delegated to them. The Government has elaborated a detailed package of laws to be adopted or amended (mostly in 2001) as well as a timetable for implementing the reform.

(1) ISBN 92-829-7575-0.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3507/00

by Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE), Enrico Ferri (PPE-DE), Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) and Generoso Andria (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 November 2000)

Subject: High-speed trains

Given that:

- a draft law is under discussion in Italy (No 4629/S) designed to annul the award to general contractors of contracts for high-speed trains amounting to several million euro;

- if adopted, this provision would seem to violate the principle of separation of powers between the legislative and administrative branches of government, damage the rights of the defence and undermine the possibility of any appeal for damages;

- recently, the Minister concerned, Mr Bersani, expressly stated that the provision may be included in the budget shortly to be adopted;

- the awards date from the beginning of the 1990s and predate the existing legislation on the matter;

Will the Commission say:

- whether it is aware of this problem;

- whether it intends to pursue this matter and intervene as a matter of urgency, given that it may entail infringements of Treaty provisions that will harm the interests of Union citizens?

Answer by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(23 January 2001)

The Commission had not been aware that the Italian Government intended to annul the awards to general contractors for work on high-speed rail lines.

As a result of the question, however, the Commission obtained the draft law to which the honourable Member refers and which was tabled in the Italian Parliament by the Minister of Transport and it has become aware of the fact that it proposes to apply national regulations, implementing Council Directives 93/37/EEC of 14 June 1993

concerning the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts and 93/38/EEC of 14 June 1993 coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and telecommunications sectors, to construction projects for high-speed lines which had not yet started at the date of entry into force of the law and for which the fees, even if they can be calculated, have not yet been determined.

According to the indications of the report accompanying the draft law, its particular purpose would be to open the awarding of contracts for such works to competition, one of the aims being to arrive at the adoption of measures to bring procedures in line with European standards on public contracts and to encourage more transparent management models and to speed up the start of the works.

The Commission will consider this draft law in connection with the policy on public contracts to see whether it satisfactorily complies with the implementation of the stated aims.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3732/00

by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission

(28 November 2000)

Subject: Massacre in La Union, Colombia

On 8 July 2000, 20 masked paramilitaries entered the village of La Union in Colombia and massacred six men. The paramilitaries stated they would be back and told the community to leave their land.

1. Will the Commission give an assurance that the Colombian Government's investigation into the massacre at La Union will be monitored very closely at EU level, including the role and responsibility of the army?

2. Will the Commission indicate what support at EU level can be provided for the UN Human Rights Office in Colombia, which currently has a shortfall of USD 2 million, representing 60 % of its required funding?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2000)

Deeply shocked by the massacre that took place in La Unión, the Union immediately called on the Colombian government to investigate the exact circumstances of these crimes. The Colombian government set up a commission of inquiry, consisting of officials from the offices of the Public prosecutor, the Attorney general and the Ombudsman, who are in charge of investigating the massacre. They have carried out investigation missions, but have not issued their report yet. The EUAmbassadors in Bogota are following closely this issue.

The Colombian authorities have demonstrated increased willingness to respond to the international claims. First steps have been taken by the government (the lay-off of army officers involved in human rights violations and the trial of military personnel before civilian courts). But there is obviously still a long way to go and the international community should continue with an active human rights policy.

As for the United Nations Office for Human Rights in Bogota, the Union has been supporting its activities right from the outset and has granted a total amount of 1,21 million over three years. The Union, however, made it clear that its contribution was intended to help launch the process, an objective that has already been achieved. Discussions are currently underway in order to explore the possibility of providing additional funding, which fall under the mandate of the Office.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3315/00

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

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Mandarins satsuma and segmented in general

The Valencia region produces 90 % of Spain's satsuma mandarins, a fruit which only Spain produces in the EU.

In view of the EU's refusal to market US hormone-treated meat, the US has decided to penalise certain EU products. The US Trade Secretary has proposed that the total value of the products affected should be USD 380 million; the WTO has limited this total to USD 118 million.

This blacklist includes mandarins (satsuma and segmented in general), exports of which account for USD 24 million, or 20 % of the above-cited figure. The penalty consists of a doubling of import prices for mandarins (satsuma and segmented in general). The logical consequence would mean it being impossible to export to the US: Spain, and the Valencia region in particular, would be restricted to the European market, which cannot absorb the entire production.

What action does the Commission intend to take for the exclusion of satsuma mandarins from the blacklist, given that Spain is the sole producer of this fruit in the EU and that the penalties on satsuma mandarins alone represent 20 % of the total?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2000)

From 29 July 1999, the United States applied 100 % tariffs on imports from the Community (except the United Kingdom) of a range of mainly agricultural products by way of retaliation in the hormones dispute. Although prepared or preserved satsumas under American Harmonised Tariff System numbers 20083042 and 20083046 were initially considered in 1999 for 100 % punitive duties, they were not included in the final retaliation list at that time.

On 18 May 2000, American legislation (often referred to as the carousel legislation) entered into force, which provided for the American Administration to rotate the list of products subject to American trade retaliation. In this context, the United States republished on 26 May 2000 the list of products originally considered for the application of sanctions in the bananas and hormones dispute. Prepared or preserved satsumas were included in the hormones list.

The Commission is very concerned by the United States' counterproductive action both with regard to the use of retaliatory measures in these disputes and the attempt to increase damage by use of carousel. This is why the Commission has consistently argued that in order to reduce trade friction in the hormones dispute, the trade-disrupting American retaliation should be replaced at the earliest opportunity by trade-expanding compensation in the form of increased access to the Community market.

The Commission, with the unanimous support of the Member States, immediately started dispute settlement proceedings in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the carousel legislation, which the Commission considers illegal. Since then, the United States has refrained from actually implementing the legislation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3774/00

by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Supply of water to Zaragoza

What decision has the Commission taken concerning possible financing from the Cohesion Fund for the period 2000-2006 for the project to supply Zaragoza and the surrounding areas with water from the Pyrenees?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2001)

In January 2001, the Commission proposed adoption of a decision on the part-financing by the Cohesion Fund of a project to supply water to Zaragoza and 22 municipalities in the Ebro valley at a total cost of 70 901 365. The work concerns pipes from the La Loteta dam to Zaragoza and the other localities but does not include the transfer of water from the Pyrenees as originally planned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3530/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Contestation of Greek sovereign rights by Turkey.



Official Journal 174 E , 19/06/2001 P. 0072 - 0072



WRITTEN QUESTION E-3530/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council (13 November 2000) Subject: Contestation of Greek sovereign rights by Turkey During the NATO exercise Destined Glory, Turkey closed its airspace to all NATO aircraft originating from the Athens FIR (flight information region). This unprecedented action caused Greece to withdraw from the exercise, since it represented an escalation in Turkey's attempts to contest Greek sovereign rights. During the conclusion of the European Union-Turkey partnership, does the Council intend to set out clear and explicit preconditions to Turkey regarding respect for EU borders and the implementation of the provisions of the Helsinki European Council's decision making provision for a peaceful process for settling the differences between Greece and Turkey? Reply (8 March 2001) On 4 December 2000, the Council reached a political agreement on the partnership for the accession of Turkey. The question of the peaceful settlement of disputes is included, in accordance with the Helsinki conclusions and in the context of the political dialogue, amongst the priorities and intermediate objectives, under the heading of enhanced political dialogue and political criteria.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3817/00

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(7 December 2000)

Subject: Transport of live animals

How are the relevant Transport Directives being enforced with regard to the long distance transport of live animals?

What is the European Commission doing to address the many representations it is receiving about the cruelty and suffering involved in the transport of live animals?

What reports has the European Commission published on this subject since 1 January 1995?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2001)

The Commissions refers the Honourable Member to the reply to the Written Question E-3809/00 by Mr MacCormick(1).

It should be noted that the Commission has fulfilled its obligation in relation to Article 13(3) of Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport(2) which provides the Commission to submit a report on the experience acquired by Member States since the implementation of the Directive.

Following the outcome of the report the process of amendment of Council Directive 91/628/EC of 19 November 1991 as amended(3), on the protection of animals during transport will be initiated with a particular consideration to improve the level of enforcement of Community legislation in this field.

(1) See page 150.

(2) OJ L 148, 30.6.1995.

(3) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3016/00

by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Council

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Bonded labour

Does the Council have any information regarding when the Government of Nepal intends to introduce national legislation to give effect to its declaration of 17 July 2000 which outlawed bonded labour?

Does the Council have any information about whether the legislation will include a clear definition of bonded labour that includes both the Haliya and Kamaiya peoples, an enforcement strategy to ensure that those found to be exploiting bonded labourers are prosecuted and a rehabilitation programme which provides former bonded labourers with viable alternatives for a sustainable income?

Reply

(12 February 2001)

The Council's subordinate bodies have not discussed the situation in Nepal recently, notably as regards the Nepalese Government's intentions to introduce legislation to give effect to its declaration of 17 July 2000 which outlawed bonded labour.

The Council is therefore unable to give any assurances at this stage that the legislation concerned will include a clear definition of bonded labour, with explicit reference to the Haliya and Kamaiya peoples, and the other very specific points mentioned in the Honourable Member's question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3514/00

by Werner Langen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2000)

Subject: Problems for German horticulture farms under glass

Germany's horticulture farms under glass have seen an increase of more than 200 % in the cost of heating greenhouses since February 1999. A glaring mismatch exists in competition with the Netherlands, for example, since firms there are required to pay only one third of the heating costs when compared with their German colleagues. The higher costs in Germany cannot however be offset by higher prices in the marketplace. This leads to distortion in the agricultural sector, which is a Community responsibility.

1. How in the Commission's opinion can such a glaring distortion of competition be tackled?

2. What measures is it proposing to eliminate the existing imbalances?

3. Does it harbour misgivings on grounds of competition law about transitional aid for this winter e.g. in the form of cheap loans or other subsidies and about a comprehensive programme for rational and efficient energy use?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 2000)

1. The Commission is aware of the fact that there may be differences between Member States in energy prices, in particular for the heating of glasshouses. These differences are mainly caused by divergent fiscal systems and different policy options in the various Member States.

The Dutch energy pricing system has been examined within the context of state aid measure N 464/94. The Commission concluded that the tariff based on the notified formula did not give an economic advantage to glass house horticulture vis-à-vis other sectors of the Dutch economy which can obtain the same tariff, if they use the same quantities of gas. Therefore, it was concluded that the agreement between Gasunie and the Dutch horticulturists did not constitute aid.

That agreement has in the meantime been renewed. The price of gas is linked with the price of heavy fuel oil. Every quarter the price of gas is adjusted to the average price of heavy fuel oil over the last 12 months before the quarter concerned. As the principles underlying the new agreement remain the same as in case N 464/94, there is no need for the Commission to re-examine this matter. By way of conclusion, there is no indication that the Dutch energy prices for glasshouse heating constitute a violation of Community competition rules.

2. The Commission envisages no action in this specific field.

3. Such measures would have to be examined on the basis of state aid rules. In the absence of more information on the specifics of such measures, the Commission is not in a position to indicate whether such measures would be compatible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3491/00

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(10 November 2000)

Subject: Threat of extinction for the Sicilian Black pig

The Sicilian Black, a pig species threatened with extinction, lives in the Nebrodi mountains in Italy. In addition to the loss of genetic resources, this pig's disappearance would have biological, environmental, cultural and social repercussions, since over the centuries cultural and social traditions have grown up around pig-breeding in the Nebrodi mountains and these would die out.

Does the Commission envisage measures to safeguard endangered animal species in the EU? Does it consider that the structural funds could intervene to support projects aimed at protecting the Sicilian Black?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 2000)

The Sicilian Black is not one of the animal species listed in the Annex to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1).

The rural development assistance part-financed by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Guidance Section includes agri-environmental measures to support farming methods that protect the environment and maintain the countryside.

One of the forms assistance may take is support for farmers who undertake to breed farm animals of endangered local breeds from the regions concerned.

The pig breed nero dei Nebrodi e delle Madonie is listed as an endangered species in the rural development plan for the Sicily region recently submitted to the Commission.

Provided this breed is recognised as being an endangered species on the basis of scientific data accepted by international organisations that are authorities in this field, it will be able to qualify for aid part-financed by the EAGGF Guarantee Section under the regional rural development plan for Sicily mentioned above.

No specific measure is provided for under the Structural Funds to safeguard the suino nero dei Nebrodi. However, under the farm investment aid measures provided for in the Objective 1 operational programme for Sicily, approved by Commission Decision C(2000) 2346 of 8 August 2000, the EAGGF Guidance Section may part-finance investment in pig farms, provided there is no increase in total pig production. The breed in question might conceivably be included in such a measure.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4115/00

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 January 2001)

Subject: Murders in Colombia

Last summer, Afrocolombian communities and particularly, that of Buenaventura, issued warnings about threats from paramilitary groups; but nothing whatever was done to prevent the murders which followed, and on 6 and 9 September, paramilitaries killed a total of 27 members of the Afrocolombian communities of Triana, Zaragoza and Las Palmas.

Fresh paramilitary intervention is about to take place along the River Yurumangui, and also on the peasant reservation of Calamar in Guaviare, according to the local mayor, José Germán Olarte Palomino.

Given its relationship with the Colombia Government and the pressing nature of the situation, what can the Commission do to prevent these killings?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

In their contacts with the Colombian government, the Union representatives have repeatedly stressed the importance of making progress on the issue of human rights, including taking effective initiatives in order to counter the activities of the paramilitaries. The Colombian authorities are showing an increased willingness to respond to these calls. First steps, such as the laying-off of army officers involved in human rights violations and trials of military personnel in civilian courts, have been taken by the government, but there is obviously still a long way to go and the international community needs to continue its active human rights policy.

As to the Honourable Member's question on preventing killings, the Commission and the Member States' role can only be limited. It is up to the Colombian authorities to take the necessary steps in terms of security measures.

The Commission will, of course, ensure that any information on possible threats against the civilian population, are immediately passed on to the Colombian authorities.