EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 346/1

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/QP-WEB

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

Written questions by Members of the European Parliament and their answers given by a European Union institution

(2013/C 346 E/01)

Contents

E-000071/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Economic crisis and destitute citizens

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000072/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Illegal work

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000073/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Stamping out tax evasion

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000074/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Programmes to provide assistance to citizens

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000075/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Provocative statements by Turkey

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000076/13 by Giles Chichester to the Commission

Subject: Open access policies

English version

E-000077/13 by Julie Girling to the Commission

Subject: Bee health and the European Food Safety Authority's new guidance document

English version

E-000078/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Bullying

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000079/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Turkey and the UN Security Council

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000080/13 by Lorenzo Fontana to the Commission

Subject: Situation of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’

Versione italiana

English version

E-000081/13 by Lorenzo Fontana to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Religious discrimination in Turkey

Versione italiana

English version

E-000082/13 by Wim van de Camp to the Commission

Subject: Drug trafficking through the Port of Antwerp

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000083/13 by Jim Higgins to the Commission

Subject: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests

English version

P-000084/13 by Kyriacos Triantaphyllides to the Commission

Subject: Environmental catastrophe in Livera, Kyrenia (Cyprus)

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000085/13 by Esther de Lange, Peter Liese and Thomas Ulmer to the Commission

Subject: Alert mechanism for professional qualifications

Deutsche Fassung

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000086/13 by María Auxiliadora Correa Zamora to the Commission

Subject: Expropriation of Iberdrola subsidiaries by the Bolivian government

Versión española

English version

E-000088/13 by Daniël van der Stoep to the Council

Subject: Suspension of Greece's voting rights

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000089/13 by Francisco Sosa Wagner to the Commission

Subject: Fragmentation of the European market

Versión española

English version

E-000090/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Sexual abuse in India

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000168/13 by Marietta Giannakou to the Commission

Subject: Rape of women in India

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000091/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Uncontrolled entry of illegal Turkish settlers into the free areas of Cyprus

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000092/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: The Troika

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000093/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: The Troika and social rights

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000094/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Economic crisis and the countries of southern Europe

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000095/13 by Linda McAvan to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Ukraine — fair trials

English version

E-000096/13 by Brian Simpson and Arlene McCarthy to the Commission

Subject: Welfare of greyhounds in Ireland

English version

E-000097/13 by Laurence J.A.J. Stassen to the Commission

Subject: Turkey will keep importing gas from Iran — regardless of EU sanctions

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000098/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Benefits of the European patent for small and medium businesses

Versión española

English version

E-000099/13 by Philip Claeys to the Commission

Subject: Reference by Commissioner Malmström to studies of immigration

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000100/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: The ‘home care for pensioners’ programme

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000101/13 by Konstantinos Poupakis to the Commission

Subject: Toxic containers in European ports — health risk for workers and consumers

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000102/13 by Chris Davies to the Commission

Subject: VAT on equipment purchased by life-saving voluntary organisations

English version

E-000103/13 by Nicole Sinclaire to the Commission

Subject: Comprehensive strategy for the defence sector

English version

E-000104/13 by Nicole Sinclaire to the Commission

Subject: GHG emission reduction targets for 2050

English version

E-000105/13 by Laurence J.A.J. Stassen to the Commission

Subject: The Turks destroying Greek Cypriot heritage

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000106/13 by Frieda Brepoels to the Commission

Subject: Ryanair weight fraud

Nederlandse versie

English version

P-000107/13 by Richard Falbr to the Commission

Subject: The network character of rail transport

České znění

English version

E-000108/13 by Richard Falbr to the Commission

Subject: Market distortions in public passenger rail transport services

České znění

English version

E-000109/13 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: New IMF forecasts

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-000110/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: The use of biological resources of developing countries by the pharmaceutical industry

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000111/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Bringing Greek debt to sustainable levels

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000112/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000113/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Inadequate consumer protection for online purchases

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000114/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Child protection in the digital world

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000115/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Copyright protection

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000116/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Computer security and defence

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000117/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Violation of human rights in Iran

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000118/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Strengthening the rights of people with disabilities

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000119/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Preventing skin melanomas

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000120/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: EU enlargement

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000121/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Cutting healthcare expenditure

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000122/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Cuts in the area of science

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000123/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Attempts to reach a consensus on banking supervision

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000124/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Increasing number of stimulant drugs

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000125/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: World AIDS Day

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000126/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Shale gas extraction

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000127/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Transparency of the shadow banking system

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000128/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: EU against money laundering

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000129/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Natura 2000 areas in Tarragona, Spain, affected by the planned ‘3D seismic survey at the Casablanca oil rig’

Versión española

English version

E-000130/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Killer whale kept at zoo as public attraction

Versión española

English version

E-000131/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Illegal fishing in marine reserves

Versión española

English version

E-000132/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Problems with the reactor vessels at the Doel nuclear power plant

Versión española

English version

E-000133/13 by Philip Claeys to the Commission

Subject: Turkey prepares its own ‘progress report’

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000134/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: MON810 maize

Versión española

English version

E-000135/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Wolf culls in the Picos de Europa National Park

Versión española

English version

E-000136/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Waste management in Spain

Versión española

English version

E-000137/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Discrimination based on sexual orientation by Easyjet

Versión española

English version

E-000138/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Energy poverty and problems of atmospheric pollution

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000139/13 by João Ferreira and Inês Cristina Zuber to the Commission

Subject: Use of polyphosphates in wet salted fish (II)

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-000140/13 by Theodoros Skylakakis to the Commission

Subject: Task Force for Greece: financial cost, reform of central administration, ICT and healthcare reform

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000141/13 by Theodoros Skylakakis to the Commission

Subject: Task Force for Greece: cohesion policy funds, access to finance, efforts to combat money laundering and corruption, business environment, Court of Audit

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000143/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Council

Subject: Cost of early retirement

Versión española

English version

E-000144/13 by Theodoros Skylakakis to the Commission

Subject: Freedom of expression in Greece

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000145/13 by Laurence J.A.J. Stassen to the Commission

Subject: Top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000146/13 by Marek Henryk Migalski to the Commission

Subject: Fines for carrying a portrait of Bialiatski

Wersja polska

English version

E-000147/13 by Marek Henryk Migalski to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — The ‘Anti-Magnitsky Act’ and further attempts to stifle Russian NGOs

Wersja polska

English version

E-000148/13 by Claudio Morganti to the Commission

Subject: Transfer of prisoners

Versione italiana

English version

E-000149/13 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: The Commission should protect citizens from health risks caused by mobile phones

Versione italiana

English version

E-000150/13 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: Cutting of red tape by the Commission for European businesses

Versione italiana

English version

E-000151/13 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: Need for the Commission to guarantee the freedom of the European film industry

Versione italiana

English version

E-000152/13 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: Scope for a Commission investigation into the gold-plated pensions of the managers of bailed-out banks

Versione italiana

English version

P-000153/13 by Lorenzo Fontana to the Commission

Subject: Permitted levels of aflatoxin B1 in corn

Versione italiana

English version

P-000154/13 by Charles Tannock to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Ahmadi Muslims kidnapped and tortured in Libya

English version

P-000155/13 by Alfredo Antoniozzi to the Commission

Subject: Negative impact of the IMU property tax on the income of Italian citizens

Versione italiana

English version

E-000157/13 by Dolores García-Hierro Caraballo to the Commission

Subject: EU-Morocco fisheries agreement

Versión española

English version

E-000158/13 by Josef Weidenholzer to the Commission

Subject: Creation of a single market for intellectual property rights

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000159/13 by Martina Anderson to the Commission

Subject: Funding grants for replacement of machinery

English version

E-000160/13 by Cornelis de Jong to the Commission

Subject: Discrimination in the Pakistani school curriculum (follow-up to Written Question E-007891/2012 by Peter Van Dalen and the Commission's answer to it)

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000161/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Ongoing ecological damage to the occupied village of Livera (Kyrenia District, Cyprus)

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000162/13 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: UEFI Secure Boot and European Union standardisation

Svensk version

English version

E-000164/13 by Lorenzo Fontana to the Commission

Subject: Construction of a motorway bypass in Bologna without a call for tenders

Versione italiana

English version

E-000165/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Rise in freight shipping charges I

Versión española

English version

E-000166/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Rise in freight shipping charges II

Versión española

English version

E-000167/13 by Marietta Giannakou to the Commission

Subject: Violence against women in Afghanistan

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000169/13 by Marietta Giannakou to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Infringement of human rights in Bahrain

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000171/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Council

Subject: Rise in freight shipping charges II

Versión española

English version

E-000172/13 by Alfredo Antoniozzi to the Commission

Subject: Energy sector lending by the European Investment Bank for projects of EU local and regional authorities

Versione italiana

English version

E-000174/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Third generation contraceptive pill

Version française

English version

P-000175/13 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: Piedmont takes a step backwards following the rejection of its application to host a Europe Direct centre

Versione italiana

English version

E-000176/13 by Martin Ehrenhauser to the Commission

Subject: Commission charter flights

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000177/13 by Martin Ehrenhauser to the Commission

Subject: Payment of pensions

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000178/13 by Franz Obermayr to the Commission

Subject: Misleading packaging — a source of frustration for consumers

Deutsche Fassung

English version

P-000179/13 by Johannes Cornelis van Baalen to the Commission

Subject: Criteria for participation in the Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI)

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000180/13 by Mariya Gabriel to the Commission

Subject: Unaccompanied minors

българска версия

English version

E-000181/13 by Andreas Schwab to the Commission

Subject: Competition policy / monitoring selective distribution as regards online platforms

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000182/13 by Laurence J.A.J. Stassen to the Commission

Subject: New mosques in Turkey

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000183/13 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: Follow-up on the protection of personal data belonging to EU citizens in the context of the EU's proposed Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with Ukraine

Svensk version

English version

E-000235/13 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: Follow-up question on maintaining safeguards for EU citizens, as guaranteed by the acquis, in the proposed DCFTA with Ukraine

Svensk version

English version

E-000184/13 by Alfredo Antoniozzi to the Commission

Subject: Italian local authorities and the financial derivatives crisis

Versione italiana

English version

E-000185/13 by Lorenzo Fontana to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Killing of 15 Christians in Nigeria

Versione italiana

English version

E-000186/13 by Franz Obermayr to the Commission

Subject: Access by US authorities to EU cloud data

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000187/13 by Anna Rosbach to the Commission

Subject: Presence of veterinarian during loading and unloading of animals (follow-up to Written Question E-007176/2012)

Dansk udgave

English version

E-000188/13 by Joanna Senyszyn to the Commission

Subject: Enforcement of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 in Poland

Wersja polska

English version

E-000189/13 by Marek Henryk Migalski to the Commission

Subject: Proposed revision of the Tobacco Products Directive

Wersja polska

English version

E-000190/13 by Nikolaos Chountis to the Commission

Subject: claims for losses sustained by vine growers as a result of plant disease <

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

P-000191/13 by Silvana Koch-Mehrin to the Commission

Subject: Financial assistance to Cyprus

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000193/13 by Phil Prendergast to the Commission

Subject: Loans to terminally ill persons

English version

E-000194/13 by Niccolò Rinaldi to the Commission

Subject: Teatro Sacro Italiano (at Sezze in the province of Latina) and EU funding

Versione italiana

English version

E-000195/13 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Salgados Lake II

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-000196/13 by Joachim Zeller to the Commission

Subject: Establishment of a Caucasus centre of excellence — European funding

Deutsche Fassung

English version

P-000197/13 by Claudio Morganti to the Commission

Subject: Testing cosmetics on animals

Versione italiana

English version

P-000198/13 by Liam Aylward to the Commission

Subject: Access by the disabled community to information in connection with cross compliance

Leagan Gaeilge

English version

E-000199/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Wonder drug for rare disease sabotaged?

Version française

English version

E-000202/13 by Jim Higgins to the Commission

Subject: Cyber-bullying

English version

E-000203/13 by Pat the Cope Gallagher to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Democratic Republic of Congo

English version

E-000204/13 by David Martin to the Commission

Subject: Compliance with the Wild Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) in Malta

English version

E-000205/13 by Jutta Steinruck to the Commission

Subject: Exploitation of workers in the mushroom industry in the Netherlands

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000206/13 by Maria do Céu Patrão Neves to the Commission

Subject: Natural disaster response: training workers in the outermost regions

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-000207/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Possible collaboration on one-day-a-week fall in fuel prices

Versión española

English version

E-000210/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Possible price manipulation in the fuel sector

Versión española

English version

E-000211/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Possible competition agreement on fuel sales

Versión española

English version

E-000208/13 by Fiorello Provera to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Al-Qaeda advances in Mali

Versione italiana

English version

E-000209/13 by François Alfonsi to the Commission

Subject: Transport services to islands and compensation in the event of disruptions to those services

Version française

English version

E-000212/13 by Cătălin Sorin Ivan to the Commission

Subject: Recommendation regarding European Capitals of Culture

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-000213/13 by Morten Messerschmidt to the Commission

Subject: The three stages for new countries to join the euro

Dansk udgave

English version

E-000214/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Hateful and/or racist comments on Twitter

Version française

English version

E-000215/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Insufficient localisation of calls on the 112 emergency line

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000216/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Shadow banking

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000217/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Children and the Internet

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000218/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Innovative renewable energy projects

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000219/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Third liberalisation package for EU energy legislation

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000220/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Protecting the EU market against unusually cheap Chinese imports, in particular of photovoltaic panels

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000221/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Presidential election in the United States

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000222/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Inhumane conditions for stray and abandoned dogs in Romania

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000223/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Antimicrobial resistance

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000224/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Media freedom in the EU

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000225/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Social investment in the EU

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000226/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Social entrepreneurship

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000227/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: EU-Russia summit

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000228/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Tightening up the Tobacco Directive

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000229/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Increased crime due to tobacco regulation

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000230/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Greater transparency in the area of medicines

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000231/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Investigation of EU funds in Poland

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000232/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: The relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU.

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000233/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Increasing prices of energy and resources

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000234/13 by Monika Flašíková Beňová to the Commission

Subject: Global temperature rise

Slovenské znenie

English version

E-000236/13 by Bill Newton Dunn to the Commission

Subject: Improving safety for trailers

English version

E-000237/13 by Inês Cristina Zuber and João Ferreira to the Commission

Subject: IMF report on Portuguese State reform

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-000238/13 by Cornelis de Jong to the Council

Subject: Syrian and Palestinian refugees

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000239/13 by Cornelis de Jong to the Commission

Subject: Syrian and Palestinian refugees

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000240/13 by Fiorello Provera to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Sunni protests in Iraq

Versione italiana

English version

E-000241/13 by Francisco Sosa Wagner to the Commission

Subject: Misappropriation of European funding

Versión española

English version

E-000242/13 by Elisabeth Jeggle to the Commission

Subject: Mineral oil residues in food

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000243/13 by Chris Davies to the Commission

Subject: Effectiveness of the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive

English version

E-000244/13 by Mitro Repo to the Commission

Subject: Labelling of products produced in Israel's illegal settlements

Suomenkielinen versio

English version

P-000245/13 by Carlos Coelho to the Commission

Subject: Cybercrime

Versão portuguesa

English version

P-000246/13 by Janusz Władysław Zemke to the Commission

Subject: Purchase of land on an industrial estate in Solec Kujawski (Kujawsko-Pomorskie province)

Wersja polska

English version

E-000247/13 by Giancarlo Scottà to the Commission

Subject: Single municipal tax for agriculture

Versione italiana

English version

E-000248/13 by Evgeni Kirilov, Ivo Vajgl and Norica Nicolai to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Putting into operation the airport in Nagorno-Karabakh

българска версия

Versiunea în limba română

Slovenska različica

English version

E-000249/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Public health risk posed by the former army camp of Karatasio (Thessaloniki) and problems arising from a refusal to transfer it back to the local municipality

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000250/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Consequences of the possible privatisation of the former army camps in Thessaloniki

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000251/13 by Vito Bonsignore to the Commission

Subject: Mercury exposure prevention measures — economic benefits and consumer protection

Versione italiana

English version

E-000252/13 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Commission

Subject: Review of the directive on package travel, package holidays and package tours

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-000253/13 by Mario Mauro to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Situation of religious minorities in the Mosul area of Iraq

Versione italiana

English version

E-000254/13 by Sophia in 't Veld, Cecilia Wikström and Michael Cashman to the Commission

Subject: Confidentiality agreements concluded prior to international negotiations

Nederlandse versie

Svensk version

English version

P-000255/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Information about the use of Community funding by the Italian regions, particularly the Lazio Region, for the period 2007-2013

Versione italiana

English version

E-000257/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Information on the use of the Structural Funds by the Lazio Region for the period 2007-2013

Versione italiana

English version

E-000258/13 by Andreas Schwab to the Commission

Subject: Competition policy

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000259/13 by David Martin to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Disappearance of Sombath Somphone

English version

E-000260/13 by Claudio Morganti to the Commission

Subject: Chinese investment in Europe

Versione italiana

English version

E-000261/13 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: International adoptions

Versione italiana

English version

E-000262/13 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Gender gap in Germany

Versione italiana

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P-000263/13 by George Sabin Cutaş to the Commission

Subject: Tax havens

Versiunea în limba română

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E-000265/13 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: Sustainable forest management and social communication with young people: resources and myths

Versione italiana

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E-000266/13 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: ‘Land grabbing’ in developing countries: protection for indigenous peoples

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E-000267/13 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: New provisions from Italy's Consiglio Nazionale Forense [National Forensic Council]: exemptions complying with Directive 98/5/EC

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E-000268/13 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: New environmentally friendly paints from packaging: a potential environmentally sustainable use in the automotive industry

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E-000269/13 by David Martin to the Commission

Subject: Control of volume of adverts during television programmes

English version

E-000270/13 by Carlos Coelho to the Commission

Subject: European emergency number — caller location

Versão portuguesa

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E-000271/13 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Decree Law No 179/2012 of 18 December 2012 on emergency economic growth measures in Italy

Versión española

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E-000272/13 by Ana Miranda to the Commission

Subject: Condemnation of the assassination of Kurdish activists in Paris

Versión española

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E-000273/13 by Sven Giegold to the Commission

Subject: Plans by the Spanish Government to allow 20 Spanish professional football clubs a waiver on at least part of their tax and social security debts, totalling EUR 1.3 billion

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000274/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Creation of a mechanism entitled ‘Trilateral Solidarity for Building Peace’

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000275/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Measures to support vulnerable population groups

Ελληνική έκδοση

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E-000276/13 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Selective abortions in India

Versione italiana

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P-000277/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Expulsion of European citizens from Laayoune in November 2012

Versión española

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P-000278/13 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission

Subject: Possible illegality of aid granted to shipyards

Versión española

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E-000279/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Nabucco and the Trans-Caspian pipeline

Wersja polska

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E-000280/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: The European Social Fund

Wersja polska

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E-000281/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Foreign reserves of euro area Member States

Wersja polska

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E-000282/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Gazprom's monopoly in the European energy market

Wersja polska

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E-000283/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: The costs to Poland of using the zloty

Wersja polska

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E-000284/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of the EU Digital Agenda within the Europe 2020 strategy

Wersja polska

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E-000285/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: The social situation in Poland

Wersja polska

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E-000286/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Report on the demographic situation in the EU

Wersja polska

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E-000287/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Social Protection Committee

Wersja polska

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E-000288/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Rise in tin prices

Wersja polska

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E-000289/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: The costs of backloading

Wersja polska

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E-000290/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Withdrawal of Japan from the Kyoto Protocol

Wersja polska

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E-000291/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Conformity of EU policy with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Wersja polska

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E-000292/13 by Dan Jørgensen to the Commission

Subject: Roundup and organophosphate

Dansk udgave

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E-000293/13 by Andreas Mölzer to the Commission

Subject: Abolition of BSE tests — bone-meal fertilisers

Deutsche Fassung

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E-000294/13 by Andreas Mölzer to the Commission

Subject: Mistakes by the Troika when dealing with Greek debt

Deutsche Fassung

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E-000296/13 by Mario Mauro and Gianni Pittella to the Commission

Subject: Call for tenders for electronic toll collection system in Slovakia

Versione italiana

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E-000298/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Political opponents from the Patriotic March arrested in Colombia

Versión española

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E-000299/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Criminalisation of the peasant farmer protest in Honduras

Versión española

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E-000300/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: EU legislation on software is not being transposed into Spanish law

Versión española

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E-000301/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: Unsorted Italian waste imported into Spain

Versión española

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E-000302/13 by Nikolaos Chountis to the Commission

Subject: Suspending unconstitutional provisions in Greece

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000303/13 by Georgios Papanikolaou to the Commission

Subject: Return rate of illegal migrants

Ελληνική έκδοση

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E-000304/13 by Pat the Cope Gallagher to the Commission

Subject: Adoption of net neutrality principles across the European Union

English version

E-000305/13 by Jean-Pierre Audy to the Commission

Subject: Schengen Information System: border checks on minors

Version française

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E-000306/13 by Laurence J.A.J. Stassen to the Commission

Subject: Legalisation of female circumcision (follow-up question)

Nederlandse versie

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E-000307/13 by Judith A. Merkies to the Commission

Subject: Test methods for cars

Nederlandse versie

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E-000308/13 by Glenis Willmott to the Commission

Subject: EC law on airline baggage fees

English version

E-000309/13 by Doris Pack, Othmar Karas and Anni Podimata to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of item 16 04 02 01 in section III of the EU budget for 2013

Deutsche Fassung

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000311/13 by Artur Zasada to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of the Single European Sky

Wersja polska

English version

E-000312/13 by Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa to the Commission

Subject: Financial aid for Pakistan

Wersja polska

English version

P-000313/13 by Elisa Ferreira to the Commission

Subject: Portuguese state participation in recapitalising Banif — Banco Internacional do Funchal S.A.

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-000320/13 by Erik Bánki to the Commission

Subject: The future of the Safer Internet Programme

Magyar változat

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E-000321/13 by Andrea Zanoni to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of ban on individual sow stalls, in force since 1 January 2013 in accordance with Directive 2008/120/EC on the protection of pigs

Versione italiana

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E-000322/13 by Claudio Morganti to the Commission

Subject: Destination of food supplies for the most deprived

Versione italiana

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E-000323/13 by Aldo Patriciello to the Commission

Subject: Harmonisation of excise duties in the wine industry

Versione italiana

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E-000324/13 by Alfredo Antoniozzi to the Commission

Subject: Austerity policy in Europe in the light of data on the BRICS and US economies

Versione italiana

English version

E-000325/13 by Lucas Hartong to the Commission

Subject: Subsidies to Egypt

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-000326/13 by Patricia van der Kammen and Auke Zijlstra to the Commission

Subject: Problems and troubles caused by labour influx

Nederlandse versie

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E-000327/13 by Patricia van der Kammen and Auke Zijlstra to the Commission

Subject: Labour market disturbance

Nederlandse versie

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E-000330/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Situation in the Bydgoszcz-based ZACHEM firm

Wersja polska

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E-000331/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: The EU's own resources in the new financial framework

Wersja polska

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E-000332/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — The situation of Christians in Syria

Wersja polska

English version

E-000333/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — The case of Asia Bibi

Wersja polska

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E-000334/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Funding of the Eastern Partnership

Wersja polska

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E-000335/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Excessive deficit procedure

Wersja polska

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E-000336/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Different prices for natural gas charged by Gazprom to buyers in different Member States

Wersja polska

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E-000337/13 by Zbigniew Ziobro to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of the TEN-E programme

Wersja polska

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E-000338/13 by Leonidas Donskis to the Commission

Subject: EU Commission aid to Chin State, Burma/Myanmar

Tekstas lietuvių kalba

English version

E-000339/13 by Esther Herranz García to the Commission

Subject: Ractopamine-free meat

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E-000340/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Tax evasion in Greece and the need to modernise and strengthen the Greek customs authorities

Ελληνική έκδοση

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E-000341/13 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: Evidence base for child protection measures adopted by the Commission

Svensk version

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P-000342/13 by Alain Cadec to the Commission

Subject: Impact of European harmonisation on individual wastewater treatment systems

Version française

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P-000343/13 by Martin Ehrenhauser to the Commission

Subject: Tendering procedure for PIUs

Deutsche Fassung

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E-000345/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: Presence of dioxins in various brands of milk in the Canary Islands

Versión española

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E-000346/13 by Nikolaos Chountis to the Commission

Subject: Smog, illegal logging and violation of limit values for airborne particulates

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-000347/13 by Ashley Fox to the Commission

Subject: Further allegations of a breach of Directive 2009/147/EC in Malta

English version

E-000348/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: Murder of three Kurdish activists in Paris

Versión española

English version

E-000349/13 by Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă to the Commission

Subject: Deforestation in the context of climate change

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-000350/13 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Commission

Subject: Legislative initiative on the European Tourism Label

Versiunea în limba română

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E-000351/13 by Alexander Alvaro to the Commission

Subject: Breaches of the Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme (TFTP) Agreement

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-000352/13 by Marina Yannakoudakis to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Protests in Iraq against women prisoners being subjected to horrific forms of torture and rape

English version

E-000353/13 by Antolín Sánchez Presedo to the Commission

Subject: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) inspections of European projects of the Ourense Provincial Government

Versión española

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E-000354/13 by Angelika Werthmann to the Commission

Subject: Possible lessons to be learned from experience with ‘wobbling dominoes’

Deutsche Fassung

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E-000355/13 by Konstantinos Poupakis to the Commission

Subject: Childcare structures and employment in crisis-hit Europe

Ελληνική έκδοση

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E-000356/13 by Angelika Werthmann to the Commission

Subject: The financial stability of Cyprus

Deutsche Fassung

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E-000357/13 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: China and the crisis in Europe

Versione italiana

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E-000358/13 by Andrzej Grzyb to the Commission

Subject: Internal competitions for Commission officials

Wersja polska

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E-000359/13 by Andrzej Grzyb to the Commission

Subject: Clarification of the reform of the Staff Regulations

Wersja polska

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P-000360/13 by Salvatore Caronna to the Commission

Subject: Alleged infringement of Directives 92/43/EEC (Habitats) and 79/409/EEC (Birds) and other Community legislation by the municipality of Valdobbiadene (Treviso), Italy

Versione italiana

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P-000361/13 by Kriton Arsenis to the Commission

Subject: Lack of transparency in relations between the Troika and consultancies and law firms in Greece

Ελληνική έκδοση

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E-000362/13 by Willy Meyer to the Commission

Subject: Ban on imports of sandblasted jeans

Versión española

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E-000363/13 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: Regional exhaustion as a trade defence instrument

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E-000364/13 by Esther de Lange to the Commission

Subject: Hazardous substances in children's toys

Nederlandse versie

English version

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000071/13

προς την Επιτροπή

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 Ιανουαρίου 2013)

Θέμα: Οικονομική κρίση και άποροι πολίτες

Οι δυσπραγούντες συμπατριώτες μας αυξάνονται ραγδαία στη Κύπρο λόγω της οικονομικής κρίσης και των αρνητικότατων συνεπειών της.

1. Ποιους μηχανισμούς στήριξης για σίτιση απόρων και ευάλωτων ομάδων διαθέτει η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση;

2. Πώς εντάσσεται μια χώρα στο πρόγραμμα επισιτιστικής βοήθειας υπέρ των απόρων πολιτών σε κάθε χώρα μέλος;

3. Με ποια κριτήρια κατανέμεται η επισιτιστική βοήθεια υπέρ των απόρων πολιτών;

4. Ποια άλλα προγράμματα βοήθειας διαθέτει η ΕΕ για άμεση και πρακτική στήριξη θυμάτων της οικονομικής κρίσης;

5. Ποιες χώρες μέλη της ΕΕ έχουν ήδη ζητήσει τέτοια βοήθεια και την έχουν πάρει;

Απάντηση του κ. Cioloş εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(14 Φεβρουαρίου 2013)

1. Εδώ και 25 χρόνια παρέχεται επισιτιστική βοήθεια στους απόρους της ΕΕ μέσω του ευρωπαϊκού προγράμματος επισιτιστικής βοήθειας υπέρ των απόρων.

2. Η συμμετοχή στο πρόγραμμα αυτό είναι εκούσια. Τα κράτη μέλη που επιθυμούν να εφαρμόσουν το μέτρο οφείλουν να ενημερώσουν την Επιτροπή εντός της προθεσμίας που προβλέπεται στους σχετικούς εκτελεστικούς κανόνες.

3. Τα κράτη μέλη διαθέτουν σημαντικό βαθμό ελευθερίας για το σχεδιασμό και την εφαρμογή του προγράμματος διανομής τροφίμων σε εθνικό επίπεδο, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του ορισμού των

«απόρων» και του καθορισμού των συναφών κριτηρίων επιλεξιμότητας.

4. Το πρόγραμμα θα λήξει με την ολοκλήρωση του ετήσιου σχεδίου 2013. Για την περίοδο 2014-2020, η Επιτροπή έχει προτείνει τη σύσταση Ταμείου Ευρωπαϊκής Βοήθειας προς τους Απόρους, το οποίο θα στηρίζει ειδικότερα εθνικά καθεστώτα παροχής τροφίμων ή βασικών αγαθών προς τους αστέγους, καθώς και συνοδευτικά μέτρα για την κοινωνική τους ενσωμάτωση.

5. Το 2013, 19 κράτη μέλη συμμετέχουν στο πρόγραμμα επισιτιστικής βοήθειας υπέρ των απόρων. Η κατανομή ανά χώρα εμφαίνεται στο παράρτημα Ι του εκτελεστικού κανονισμού (ΕΕ) αριθ. 1020/2012 της Επιτροπής.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000071/13

to the Commission

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Economic crisis and destitute citizens

The number of our disadvantaged fellow-citizens in Cyprus is soaring because of the financial crisis and its extremely adverse effects.

1. What support mechanisms are available to the EU to feed needy and vulnerable groups?

2. How can a country be included in the food aid programme for the most deprived citizens in each Member State?

3. What criteria are used to distribute food aid to citizens in need?

4. What other aid programmes does the EU have to provide direct and practical support to victims of the economic crisis?

5. Which EU Member States have already requested — and received — such aid?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2013)

1. For 25 years, the European Food Aid programme for the most deprived persons (MDP) has provided food aid to the most deprived persons in the EU.

2. Participation in the MDP is voluntary. Member States wishing to apply the measure have to inform the Commission by the deadline set in the relevant implementing rules.

3. Member States dispose of significant freedom in planning and implementing the food distribution programme at national level, including also the definition of the

‘most deprived persons’ and the establishment of the relevant eligibility criteria.

4. The MDP will end with the completion of the 2013 annual plan. For the period 2014-2020, the Commission has proposed the establishment of a Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, which would in particular support national schemes to provide food or basic goods to homeless people and accompanying measures for their social inclusion.

5. In 2013, 19 Member States participate in the MDP. The allocation for each country is indicated in Annex I of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1020/2012.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000072/13

προς την Επιτροπή

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 Ιανουαρίου 2013)

Θέμα: Παράνομη εργασία

Το κύριο χαρακτηριστικό της κυπριακής οικονομίας σήμερα είναι η αντικατάσταση των νόμιμων κύπριων εργαζομένων που καλύπτονται από συλλογικές συμβάσεις, με παράνομους κυρίως εργαζομένους κοινοτικούς και άλλους, οι οποίοι σε πολλές περιπτώσεις δεν καταβάλλουν καν κοινωνικές εισφορές.

Το θέμα είναι ιδιαίτερα σοβαρό γιατί η άνιση μεταχείριση μεταξύ κυπρίων και κοινοτικών ή άλλων παράνομων εργαζομένων, διαμορφώνει ένα νέο εργασιακό περιβάλλον που δημιουργεί εργαζόμενους διαφορετικών ταχυτήτων. Κατ’ επέκταση, παρατηρείται αποψίλωση των βασικών ωφελημάτων της Συλλογικής Σύμβασης της Οικονομικής Βιομηχανίας, αύξηση της ανεργίας ανάμεσα στους κύπριους αφού οι πλείστες μεγάλες εταιρείες προβαίνουν σε σημαντικό αριθμό παράνομων απολύσεων κυπρίων εργαζομένων και αντικατάσταση τους με συνεργεία υπεργολάβων που απασχολούν μη κύπριους εργαζομένους υπό καθεστώς αδήλωτης εργασίας.

— Πώς σχολιάζει ο αρμόδιος Επίτροπος για εργασιακά θέματα την κατάσταση αυτή και τι μέτρα προτείνει για την αντιμετώπιση όλων αυτών των προβλημάτων.

— Πιο συγκεκριμένα πώς αντιμετωπίζεται το καθεστώς της αδήλωτης εργασίας στην ΕΕ;

— Είναι εις γνώση της Επιτροπής ότι αρκετοί μη κύπριοι εργαζόμενοι δεν καταβάλλουν κοινωνικές εισφορές προς το κράτος, ενώ στην περίπτωση των τουρκοκυπρίων, αυτοί απολαμβάνουν επιπρόσθετα προνομιούχο πρόσβαση σε ιατροφαρμακευτική βοήθεια, χορηγίες/υποτροφίες σε σπουδές και άλλα ωφελήματα, χωρίς να τηρούν τις υποχρεώσεις τους έναντι της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας εφόσον η τουρκική πλευρά δεν την αναγνωρίζει.

Απάντηση του κ. Andoron εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(28 Φεβρουαρίου 2013)

Η Επιτροπή γνωρίζει ότι η κατάσταση στην αγορά εργασίας στην Κύπρο επιδεινώθηκε και η ανεργία αυξάνεται, ιδίως μεταξύ των νέων. Η Επιτροπή παρακολουθεί στενά την κατάσταση και πρότεινε η κυπριακή κυβέρνηση να λάβει μέτρα για τη βελτίωση των δεξιοτήτων του εργατικού δυναμικού, την αντιμετώπιση της ανεργίας των νέων και την προώθηση της καινοτομίας στις επιχειρήσεις. Δεν μπορεί, ωστόσο, να επιβεβαιώσει τα συγκεκριμένα σημεία που θέτει η ερώτηση.

Όσον αφορά τους εργαζομένους που προέρχονται από άλλα κράτη μέλη, πρέπει να τηρείται η αρχή της ελεύθερης κυκλοφορίας. Η αρχή αυτή δίνει σε κάθε πολίτη της ΕΕ το δικαίωμα να μετακινείται ελεύθερα και να διαμένει σε άλλο κράτος μέλος με σκοπό την εργασία και τον προστατεύει από διακρίσεις σε βάρος του όσον αφορά την απασχόληση, την αμοιβή και άλλους όρους εργασίας σε σχέση με τους υπηκόους του εν λόγω κράτους μέλους. Όσον αφορά τους εργαζομένους από τρίτες χώρες, οι όροι και οι προϋποθέσεις της εργασιακής σχέσης πρέπει να σέβονται το εθνικό και το ενωσιακό δίκαιο.

Το πρόγραμμα εργασίας της Επιτροπής για το 2013 προβλέπει τη δημιουργία ευρωπαϊκής πλατφόρμας για την καταπολέμηση της αδήλωτης εργασίας. Αυτό θα επιδιώξει τη βελτίωση της συνεργασίας και της ανταλλαγής πληροφοριών και βέλτιστων πρακτικών σε επίπεδο ΕΕ, ιδίως μεταξύ των φορέων επιβολής της νομοθεσίας, με στόχο την πιο αποτελεσματική και συνεκτική προσέγγιση για την καταπολέμηση της αδήλωτης εργασίας, τόσο εντός των κρατών μελών όσο και σε διασυνοριακό επίπεδο.

Οι ειδικοί κανόνες, βάσει των οποίων οι Τουρκοκύπριοι μπορούν να εξασφαλίζουν την απόκτηση όλων των κοινωνικών δικαιωμάτων όπως οι πολίτες της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της δωρεάν κρατικής υγειονομικής περίθαλψης, των κοινωνικών υπηρεσιών και υποδομών και των εθνικών ασφαλίσεων, δεν εμπίπτουν στην αρμοδιότητα της Επιτροπής.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000072/13

to the Commission

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Illegal work

The main feature of Cyprus’ economy today is the replacement of legal Cypriot workers covered by collective agreements with workers from the EU and elsewhere, who are mainly illegal and in many cases do not even pay social contributions.

The issue is particularly serious because the unequal treatment of Cypriot and EU and other illegal workers is creating a new working environment that is leading to the emergence of different classes of worker. Thus key benefits of the collective agreement of the financial industry are being axed and unemployment among Cypriots is rising, since most large companies are illegally dismissing a significant number of Cypriot workers and replacing them with teams of subcontractors that employ non-Cypriot employees who are not declared.

— How does the Commissioner responsible for employment issues view this situation and what measures is he proposing to address all these problems?

— More specifically, what is being done to address the problem of undeclared work in the EU?

— Is the Commission aware that many non-Cypriot workers do not pay social security contributions to the state, while in the case of Turkish Cypriots, they also enjoy preferential access to medical assistance, study grants and scholarships and other benefits, without complying with their obligations vis-à-vis the Republic of Cyprus, since the Turkish side does not recognise the Republic?

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2013)

The Commission is aware of the worsening labour-market situation in Cyprus, where unemployment is increasing, especially among young people. It is monitoring the situation closely, and has recommended that the Cyprus Government take action to improve the skills of the workforce, address unemployment among young people and stimulate business innovation. It is not, however, in a position to confirm the specific points raised in the question.

As regards workers from other Member States, the principle of freedom of movement must be respected. It gives every EU citizen the right to move freely to another Member State to work and reside there for that purpose, and protects them against discrimination in employment, remuneration and other working conditions in comparison to nationals of that Member State. As far as workers from non-member countries are concerned, the terms and conditions of the employment relationship must respect national and EC law.

The Commission Work Programme for 2013 provides for the establishment of a European platform to fight against undeclared work. It will seek to improve cooperation and exchange information and best practice at EU level, in particular between enforcement bodies, with a view to a more effective and coherent approach to the fight against undeclared work, both within the Member States and at cross-border level.

The special rules whereby Turkish Cypriots can secure entitlements to all social rights as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, including free State healthcare, social welfare services and facilities and national insurance, fall outside the Commission’s competence.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000073/13

προς την Επιτροπή

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 Ιανουαρίου 2013)

Θέμα: Πάταξη της φοροδιαφυγής

Ποια μέτρα προτείνει η ΕΕ για την πάταξη της φοροδιαφυγής προσώπων υψηλού καθαρού πλούτου και ελεύθερων επαγγελματιών υψηλού εισοδήματος σε χώρες της ΕΕ και στην Ελλάδα;

Πώς διασφαλίζει την έμπρακτη εφαρμογή τους;

Απάντηση του κ. Šemeta εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(25 Φεβρουαρίου 2013)

Στις 6 Δεκεμβρίου 2012, η Επιτροπή θέσπισε ένα σχέδιο δράσης (1) για να ενισχύσει την καταπολέμηση της φορολογικής απάτης και της φοροδιαφυγής μαζί με δύο συστάσεις για επιθετικό φορολογικό σχεδιασμό και για μέτρα που προορίζονται να ενθαρρύνουν τις τρίτες χώρες να εφαρμόζουν ελάχιστα πρότυπα χρηστής διακυβέρνησης σε φορολογικά θέματα, το οποίο αντιμετωπίζει ιδίως το θέμα των αποκαλούμενων «φορολογικών παραδείσων». Σκοπός του σχεδίου δράσης είναι να βελτιώσει την αποτελεσματικότητα των μέτρων των κρατών μελών που αποσκοπούν στην προστασία των φορολογικών τους συστημάτων από τη φορολογική απάτη και τη φοροδιαφυγή και την αθέμιτη διάβρωση της φορολογικής βάσης, σύμφωνα με τις καθιερωμένες αρχές της διαφάνειας, της ανταλλαγής πληροφοριών και του θεμιτού φορολογικού ανταγωνισμού. Το σχέδιο δράσης δεν αναφέρεται μόνο σε μέτρα που αποσκοπούν στην καταπολέμηση της φορολογικής απάτης και της φοροδιαφυγής, αλλά και σε μέτρα που αποσκοπούν στην ενίσχυση της φορολογικής συμμόρφωσης. Κατ’ ουσίαν, καθορίζει ορισμένα πρακτικά μέτρα τα οποία μπορούν να αποφέρουν συγκεκριμένα αποτελέσματα σε όλα τα κράτη μέλη και στηρίζει ιδίως όσα κράτη μέλη πρέπει να ενισχύσουν την είσπραξη φόρων.

Όσον αφορά το σημείο 10, το σχέδιο δράσης προβλέπει ότι «στις περιπτώσεις όπου διαπιστώνεται ότι οι ισχύουσες οδηγίες προσφέρουν ευκαιρίες για επιθετικό φορολογικό σχεδιασμό ή δεν ευνοούν την εφαρμογή κατάλληλων λύσεων επιτρέποντας τη διπλή μη φορολόγηση, η Επιτροπή θα αναλαμβάνει δράση. Επίσης, θα πρέπει να εντατικοποιηθούν οι εργασίες σχετικά με τα ειδικά φορολογικά καθεστώτα που ισχύουν για απόδημους και για εύπορους ιδιώτες, τα οποία επηρεάζουν δυσμενώς τη λειτουργία της εσωτερικής αγοράς και μειώνουν τα συνολικά φορολογικά έσοδα. » .

Για να προωθήσει την αποτελεσματική εφαρμογή του σχεδίου δράσης, η Επιτροπή θα δημιουργήσει μια πλατφόρμα για τη χρηστή φορολογική διακυβέρνηση, η οποία θα απαρτίζεται από εμπειρογνώμονες από τα κράτη μέλη και άλλους ενδιαφερομένους που θα βοηθούν στην εκπόνηση της έκθεσης για την εφαρμογή των δύο συστάσεων και στις τρέχουσες εργασίες της σχετικά με τον επιθετικό φορολογικό σχεδιασμό και τη χρηστή διακυβέρνηση σε φορολογικά θέματα.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000073/13

to the Commission

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Stamping out tax evasion

What measures is the EU proposing to stamp out tax evasion by individuals with a high net wealth and professionals with high incomes in EU Member States such as Greece?

How will it ensure the effective implementation of such measures?

Answer given by Mr Šemeta on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2013)

On 6 December 2012 the Commission adopted an Action Plan (2) to strengthen the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion together with two recommendations on aggressive tax planning and on measures intended to encourage third countries to apply minimum standards of good governance in tax matters, which addresses in particular the issue of so-called ‘tax havens’. The aim of the action plan is to improve the effectiveness of Member States’ actions to protect their tax systems against tax fraud and tax evasion and unfair tax base erosion, in line with established principles of transparency, information exchange and fair tax competition. The action plan does not only refer to measures aimed at fighting tax fraud and evasion, but also to measures aimed at enhancing tax compliance. In essence, it sets out a number of practical actions which can deliver concrete results to all Member States and lend support in particular to those Member States which need to strengthen tax collection.

Regarding its item 10, the action plan states that ‘in cases where existing Directives are found to provide opportunities for aggressive tax planning or prevent appropriate solutions by allowing double non-taxation, the Commission will act. Work should also intensify on special tax regimes for expatriates and for wealthy individuals, which are harmful for the operation of the internal market and reduce overall tax revenues’.

In order to promote the effective implementation of the action plan the Commission will create a Platform for Tax Good Governance composed of experts from Member States and stakeholders to provide assistance in preparing its report on the application of the two recommendations and in its ongoing work on aggressive tax planning and good governance in tax matters.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000074/13

προς την Επιτροπή

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 Ιανουαρίου 2013)

Θέμα: Προγράμματα παροχής βοήθειας στους πολίτες

Υπάρχουν προτάσεις ή γίνονται μήπως σκέψεις για ένα ευρύτερο και πιο ευέλικτο πρόγραμμα που θα εξυπηρετεί άμεσα πρακτικές ανάγκες ευρωπαίων πολιτών που πλήττονται από τις αρνητικές συνέπειες της οικονομικής κρίσης, με στόχο τη διατήρηση της κοινωνικής συνοχής;

Ποιοι είναι οι στόχοι και πώς ενημερώνονται τα κράτη μέλη ώστε να ζητήσουν βοήθεια;

Απάντηση του κ. Andoron εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(28 Φεβρουαρίου 2013)

Η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή πρότεινε τη δημιουργία δύο προγραμμάτων στο πλαίσιο της κοινωνικής συνοχής στην περίοδο 2014-2020 που θα ανταποκρίνονται άμεσα στις πρακτικές ανάγκες των ευρωπαίων πολιτών:

Ένα πρόγραμμα που ήδη υπάρχει είναι το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινωνικό Ταμείο (ΕΚΤ) για τα άτομα που αντιμετωπίζουν ιδιαίτερες δυσκολίες για να βρουν εργασία, όπως οι γυναίκες, οι νέοι χωρίς απασχόληση ή κατάρτιση, οι ηλικιωμένοι εργαζόμενοι, οι μετανάστες και τα άτομα με αναπηρίες. Για την περίοδο 2014-2020, η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή πρότεινε ορισμένες αλλαγές: Το ΕΚΤ θα επικεντρωθεί πολύ περισσότερο στο θέμα της κοινωνικής ένταξης και θα συμβάλλει στην καταπολέμηση της φτώχειας. Θα δοθεί μεγαλύτερη έμφαση στην καταπολέμηση της ανεργίας των νέων και την υποστήριξη των πλέον μειονεκτουσών ομάδων.

Το πακέτο κοινωνικών επενδύσεων, που θα εγκριθεί στις 20 Φεβρουαρίου, θα δίνει στα κράτη μέλη λεπτομερή στοιχεία για τον τρόπο με τον οποίο οι κοινωνικές επενδύσεις μέσω του ΕΚΤ στην κοινωνική οικονομία και την κοινωνική καινοτομία μπορούν να συμβάλουν καλύτερα στην κοινωνική ένταξη και την καταπολέμηση της φτώχειας.

Τον Οκτώβριο του 2012 η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή πρότεινε το Ευρωπαϊκό Ταμείο Βοήθειας να βοηθήσει τους πιο απόρους στην ΕΕ. Το ταμείο θα στηρίξει τους απόρους παρέχοντάς τους τρόφιμα, ρουχισμό και άλλα βασικά είδη.

Τα δύο ταμεία είναι υπό συζήτηση την περίοδο αυτή στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο και στο Συμβούλιο με σκοπό να εγκριθούν. Μετά την έγκρισή τους, θα εκτελεστεί η διάθεση των κονδυλίων των δύο Ταμείων από τα κράτη μέλη.

Επιπλέον, στον τομέα της κοινωνικής συνοχής, το Ευρωπαϊκό Ταμείο Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης (ΕΤΠΑ) θα διαθέσει κονδύλια ιδίως για την κοινωνική υποδομή που περιλαμβάνει την εκπαίδευση, την υγεία, την παιδική φροντίδα, τη στέγαση και άλλες κοινωνικές υποδομές στο πλαίσιο της ολοκληρωμένης βιώσιμης αστικής ανάπτυξης. Η νέα κανονιστική πρόταση για την περίοδο 2014-2020 προβλέπει ορισμένα νέα στοιχεία, όπως η στροφή της φροντίδας στην τοπική κοινότητα και στοχοθετημένες επενδύσεις για την εξάλειψη των διαχωρισμών στα εκπαιδευτικά ιδρύματα.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000074/13

to the Commission

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Programmes to provide assistance to citizens

With a view to maintaining social cohesion, have any proposals been made about — or has any consideration been given to — launching a broader and more flexible programme that will directly meet the practical needs of European citizens suffering from the adverse consequences of the economic crisis?

What will the objectives of such a programme be and how will Member States be informed so that they can seek assistance?

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2013)

The European Commission has proposed to set up two programmes under Social Cohesion in the 2014-2020 period which will directly meet the practical needs of European Citizens:

One already existing program is the European Social Fund (ESF) targeting those people with particular difficulties in finding work, such as women, young people not in employment or training, older workers, migrants and people with disabilities. For the 2014-2020 period the European Commission has proposed some changes: The ESF will much more focus on social inclusion and contribute to combating poverty. A greater emphasis will be on combating youth unemployment and supporting the most disadvantaged groups.

The Social Investment Package, to be adopted on 20 February, is going to provide MS with detailed indications how social investments through the ESF in the social economy and social innovation can better contribute to social inclusion and combating poverty.

In October 2012 the European Commission proposed the European Aid Fund to help the most deprived in the EU. The Fund would support with providing foodandclothing and other essential goods to the most deprived people.

Both Funds are now in the European Parliament and the Council for discussion and adoption. Once adopted, both Funds will be implemented by the MS.

In addition, in the field of Social Cohesion the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is allocated especially to social infrastructure comprising education, health, childcare, housing and other social infrastructure to integrated sustainable urban development. The new regulatory proposal for 2014-2020 foresees some new elements, such as a shift to community based care and targeted investments on desegregation of educational facilities.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000075/13

προς την Επιτροπή

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 Ιανουαρίου 2013)

Θέμα: Προκλητικές τουρκικές δηλώσεις

Ο τούρκος Υπουργός, αρμόδιος για Ευρωπαϊκά Θέματα, κ. Μπαγίς, δήλωσε, αναφερόμενος βεβαίως στο ψευδοκράτος, ότι «το κράτος της Β. Κύπρου είναι έτοιμο να βοηθήσει το Νότο. Η Ελληνοκυπριακή Διοίκηση μπορεί να πάρει δάνειο από το Βορρά, όπως ακριβώς παίρνουν ηλεκτρικό ρεύμα και νερό όταν το χρειάζονται».

Γνωρίζει η Επιτροπή ότι η Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία για δεκαετίες παρείχε δωρεάν ηλεκτρικό ρεύμα στους Τ/Κ, ακόμη και μετά την τουρκική εισβολή στο παράνομο ψευδοκράτος, ενώ όταν η Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία χρειάστηκε ρεύμα για λίγο χρονικό διάστημα — λόγω της καταστροφής στο Μαρί — το ακριβοπλήρωσε στους Τ/Κ;

Απάντηση του κ. Füle εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(1 Μαρτίου 2013)

Η Επιτροπή έχει πλήρη επίγνωση των δυσκολιών προμήθειας ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας στην Κύπρο.

Αυτός είναι ο λόγος για τον οποίο η Επιτροπή, στην έκθεσή της του 2011 για την Πράσινη Γραμμή, εξέφρασε την ικανοποίησή της για τη συμφωνία μεταξύ των προέδρων του Κυπριακού Εμπορικού και Βιομηχανικού Επιμελητηρίου και του Τουρκοκυπριακού Εμπορικού Επιμελητηρίου για την προμήθεια ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας από τις περιοχές που τελούν υπό τον έλεγχο της κυβέρνησης σε αυτές που δεν τελούν υπό τον έλεγχό της, μετά την λυπηρή έκρηξη στη ναυτική βάση στο Μαρί, τον Ιούλιο του 2011.

Η εν λόγω συμφωνία πρέπει να θεωρηθεί ως ένα πολύ καλό μέτρο οικοδόμησης εμπιστοσύνης μεταξύ των δύο κοινοτήτων στην Κύπρο και ως παράδειγμα για περαιτέρω μέτρα οικοδόμησης εμπιστοσύνης που πρέπει να υιοθετηθούν στο μέλλον, προκειμένου να προωθηθεί η διαδικασία επανένωσης και συμφιλίωσης της Ελληνοκυπριακής και της Τουρκοκυπριακής κοινότητας.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000075/13

to the Commission

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Provocative statements by Turkey

The Turkish Minister for European Affairs, Mr Egemen Bağış, referring to the pseudo-state (Northern Cyprus), has remarked that ‘the state of Northern Cyprus is prepared to help the South. The Greek Cypriot administration can get a loan from the North, just as they get electricity and water when they need it.’

Is the Commission aware that the Republic of Cyprus for decades provided free electricity to the Turkish Cypriots, even after the Turkish invasion of what is now the illegal pseudo-state, but when the Republic of Cyprus needed power for a short period of time — because of the disaster in Mari — it had to pay the Turkish Cypriots dearly for it?

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2013)

The Commission is fully aware of the difficulties in supplying electricity to Cyprus.

That explains why in its 2011 Green Line report, the Commission welcomed the agreement between the Presidents of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and the Turkish-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce for the supply of electricity from the non-government controlled to the government-controlled areas, following the regrettable explosion at the naval base of Mari in July 2011.

This agreement has to be considered as a very good confidence building measure between the two communities living in Cyprus, and as an example for further confidence building measures to be adopted in the future, in order to promote the process of reunification and reconciliation between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000076/13

to the Commission

Giles Chichester (ECR)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Open access policies

The Commission has set as a target that 60 % of articles deriving from publicly funded research should be freely available under open access by 2016. Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn has also stated that this will be the general principle applied to research funded through the Horizon 2020 framework programme.

In their implementation of the recommendations made by Dame Janet Finch on expanding access to scientific research findings, the Research Councils of the UK (RCUK) have agreed that all peer-reviewed papers based on RCUK-funded research must be published on an open access basis from April 2013.

Can the Commission give Parliament an update on the implementation of open access by the other EU Member States and on how it plans to ensure that these policies converge speedily towards the model adopted by the United Kingdom?

Answer given by Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on behalf of the Commission

(13 February 2013)

The European Commission is indeed committed to making open access to scientific publications a general principle of Horizon 2020 and has also recommended that Member States take a similar approach to the results of research funded under their national programmes. The Commission has therefore asked them to designate a National Point of Reference (NPR) to act as interlocutor on open access related issues in order to engage in a process of exchange of best practices and lessons learned. The process of nominating these NPRs is ongoing.

The Commission recognises that there are several ways of arriving at open access, since different Member States and stakeholders have different situations and needs. It therefore does not offer exclusive support to one way of implementing open access but rather supports both the so called ‘green’ approach (self-archiving, i.e. deposition in repositories) and the ‘gold’ way (immediate publication in open access journals). The Commission believes that both routes are valid and complementary approaches for open access to be effective, fair, affordable, competitive and sustainable for researchers and innovative businesses.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000077/13

to the Commission

Julie Girling (ECR)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Bee health and the European Food Safety Authority's new guidance document

The European Food Safety Authority is reviewing data requirements for testing the safety of plant protection products with regard to bees. The protection of bees from pesticides is of utmost importance, alongside ensuring that farmers have access to an adequate toolbox to protect their crops from pests, weeds and diseases, enabling them to meet the challenges of feeding an increasing population and to protect natural resources (including land). In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, testing requirements for pesticides must be updated in the light of current scientific knowledge, including as regards chronic and sub‐lethal effects on bees.

1. How will the Commission ensure that the guidance document for testing the safety of plant protection products with regard to bees is comprehensive, pragmatic and proportionate, and that the feedback sent by relevant stakeholders, such as beekeepers, farmers, industry and Member States, is taken into account so that the document is both practical and workable?

2. How will the Commission ensure that the limited available resources for bee testing and research are focused on the factors which are considered by an increasing academic consensus to be largely responsible for causing poor bee health, including the Varroa parasite, diseases, lack of forage and beekeeping practices?

3. How will the Commission ensure that any further testing requirements, if proposed by EFSA, do not have the effect of undermining innovation in respect of plant protection products in Europe because of technical delays resulting from limited capacity to conduct additional bee testing?

4. Given the high level of public concern over honey bees and the importance of plant protection products for agricultural productivity, does the Commission intend to carry out an impact assessment and make it available to Parliament before the adoption of the guidance document?

Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2013)

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as requested by the Commission, is reviewing the risk assessment scheme for plant protection products as regards their impact on bees.

The data requirements for active substances and for plant protection products are laid down in Commission Regulations (EU) No 544/2011 and 545/2011. New data requirements received a favourable opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in July 2012 and are currently under the scrutiny of the European Parliament and the Council. The new requirements, once adopted, will become applicable in January 2014.

1. The Commission requested EFSA to develop a guidance document on the risk assessment of plant protection products to bees, and is sure that EFSA will carefully examine all comments received before finalising the guidance document.

2. The Commission is funding several research projects to define the role of varroa, viruses and pesticides on bee decline. The Bee Doc project

2. The Commission is funding several research projects to define the role of varroa, viruses and pesticides on bee decline. The Bee Doc project

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3. As described above, data requirements for pesticide dossiers are adopted by the Commission and not by EFSA.

4. The guidance document under preparation by EFSA is not legally binding. It aims to provide guidance for the correct implementation of the relevant Community legislation. No Commission impact assessment is being prepared for the guidance.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000078/13

προς την Επιτροπή

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 Ιανουαρίου 2013)

Θέμα: Εκφοβισμός

Σύμφωνα με πρόσφατα ευρήματα δύο ερευνών που δημοσιεύτηκαν στο Περιοδικό Παιδιατρικής,ένα στα δέκα παιδιά και ένας στους τρείς εφήβους αντιστοίχως, που έχουν τροφικές αλλεργίες ή είναι υπέρβαροι είναι πολύ πιο πιθανό να πέσουν θύματα εκφοβισμού από τους συμμαθητές τους.

Ποια μέτρα προτίθεται να συστήσει η ΕΕ στα κράτη μέλη, ιδίως στο κατώφλι του 2013, «Ευρωπαϊκό Έτος των Πολιτών», με στόχο την ευαισθητοποίηση του κοινού σχετικά με το φαινόμενο του εκφοβισμού, το οποίο συχνά οδηγεί στην κατάθλιψη, ή ακόμη και σε αυτοκτονίες, και επηρεάζει την καθημερινή ζωή των νέων ευρωπαίων πολιτών καθώς και των οικογενειών τους;

Απάντηση του κ. Borg εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(26 Φεβρουαρίου 2013)

Η Επιτροπή γνωρίζει πολύ καλά το θέμα του στιγματισμού των παχύσαρκων νέων. Ωστόσο, οι δράσεις που στοχεύουν στην αύξηση της ευαισθητοποίησης για το πρόβλημα του εκφοβισμού, εμπίπτουν στην αρμοδιότητα των κρατών μελών.

Τα συμπεράσματα του Συμβουλίου για την «Ευρωπαϊκή συμφωνία για την ψυχική υγεία και την ευεξία: αποτελέσματα και μελλοντικές δράσεις», του Ιουνίου 2011, προσκαλούν τα κράτη μέλη, μεταξύ άλλων, να «ενισχύσουν την προαγωγή της ψυχικής υγείας των παιδιών και των νέων, υποστηρίζοντας θετικές γονικές δεξιότητες, ολιστικές σχολικές προσεγγίσεις για τη μείωση του εκφοβισμού και την αύξηση των κοινωνικών και συναισθηματικών ικανοτήτων, καθώς και υποστηρίζοντας τις οικογένειες όπου ένας εκ των δύο γονέων πάσχει από ψυχική διαταραχή».

Στο πεδίο της εκπαίδευσης, η σύσταση (7) του 2006 για τις βασικές δεξιότητες, της οποίας το «Ευρωπαϊκό πλαίσιο για τις βασικές δεξιότητες» λειτουργεί ως οδηγός για τις εθνικές μεταρρυθμίσεις των προγραμμάτων σπουδών και των διδακτικών πρακτικών, δίνει ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στην έννοια της δημοκρατίας, της ανοχής και του σεβασμού. Η Επιτροπή υποστηρίζει τα κράτη μέλη στις προσπάθειες τους να εκπαιδεύσουν τους νέους να αναπτύξουν δεξιότητες εποικοδομητικής συμμετοχής στην κοινωνία και να αντιληφθούν έννοιες όπως, η δημοκρατία, η ανοχή και ο σεβασμός για τη διαφορετικότητα και τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα, μεταξύ άλλων και μέσω του προγράμματος διά βίου μάθησης και του υποπρογράμματός του, Comenius, για την σχολική εκπαίδευση, το οποίο έχει ήδη χρηματοδοτήσει αρκετά σχέδια για το εν λόγω ζήτημα.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000078/13

to the Commission

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Bullying

According to the recent findings of two studies published in the Journal of Paediatrics, 1 in 10 children, and 1 in 3 teenagers, who have food allergies or are overweight are vulnerable to being bullied by their peers.

What action does the EU recommend to Member States, especially at the dawn of 2013 (the European Year of Citizens), in order to raise awareness of bullying, which is often linked to depression and even suicide and affects the daily lives of young European citizens and their families?

Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2013)

The Commission is well aware of the stigmatisation of obese young people. Actions to raise awareness about bullying, however, fall under the responsibility of Member States.

Council Conclusions on ‘The European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being: results and future action’ of June 2011 invited Member States, inter alia, to ‘strengthen mental health promotion of children and young people by supporting positive parenting skills, holistic school approaches to reduce bullying and to increase social and emotional competences as well as supporting families where a parent has a mental disorder’.

In the field of Education, the 2006 Recommendation (8) on key competences, whose ‘European Framework of Key Competences’ serves as a guide for national reforms of curricula and teaching practice, lays strong emphasis on democracy, tolerance and respect. The Commission supports Member States in their efforts to educate young people for constructive citizenship, democracy, tolerance and respect for diversity and human rights, including through the Lifelong Learning Programme and its sub-programme for school education, Comenius, which has already funded several projects on this theme.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000079/13

προς την Επιτροπή

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 Ιανουαρίου 2013)

Θέμα: Η Τουρκία και το Συμβούλιο Ασφαλείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών

Ο τούρκος πρωθυπουργός Ταγίπ Ερντογάν εμφανίστηκε ανήσυχος λόγω της αιματοχυσίας στη Συρία, εξέφρασε την απογοήτευσή του και καταλόγισε στο Συμβούλιο Ασφαλείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών απραξία για τον τερματισμό του πολέμου στη Συρία.

Ο τούρκος πρωθυπουργός είπε ότι «ο ΟΗΕ είναι σήμερα ανίσχυρος όπως ήταν πριν από είκοσι χρόνια όταν παρακολουθούσε τη σφαγή χιλιάδων ανθρώπων στα Βαλκάνια, στη Βοσνία και τη Σρεμπρένιτσα», προσθέτοντας ότι η Συρία θα καταγραφεί στην ιστορία ως μια αποτυχία του ΟΗΕ, όπως έγινε στη Βοσνία τη δεκαετία του ’90.

Ερωτάται, κατά συνέπεια, η Επιτροπή:

— Σκοπεύει η ΕΕ να υπενθυμίσει στον κ. Ερντογάν την περίπτωση της Κύπρου και τα πολυάριθμα ψηφίσματα του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών για το θέμα, τα οποία ουδέποτε εφάρμοσε η Τουρκία, και να του ζητήσει να αποσύρει αμέσως τα τουρκικά στρατεύματα από την Κύπρο και να εργαστεί για την επίτευξη μόνιμης λύσης στο κυπριακό ζήτημα, επιδεικνύοντας, τόσο ο ίδιος όσο και η χώρα του, πλήρη σεβασμό για τον ΟΗΕ;

— Είναι έτοιμη η ΕΕ να δηλώσει δημόσια στον κ. Ερντογάν ότι «ο ΟΗΕ είναι σήμερα ανίσχυρος όπως ήταν πριν από τριάντα εννέα χρόνια όταν παρακολουθούσε την τουρκική εισβολή κατά του κυπριακού λαού», προσθέτοντας ότι «η Τουρκία θα καταγραφεί στην ιστορία ως μια αποτυχία του ΟΗΕ, όπως έγινε στην Κύπρο το 1974»;

Απάντηση του κ. Füle εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(20 Φεβρουαρίου 2013)

Η Επιτροπή επαναλαμβάνει σε διάφορα βήματα την ανάγκη συμβολής της Τουρκίας στην εξεύρεση συνολικής λύσης του Κυπριακού. Η Επιτροπή παραπέμπει το Αξιότιμο Μέλος στην έκθεση προόδου για την Τουρκία του 2012, όπου υπογραμμίζεται, όπως τονίζεται στο διαπραγματευτικό πλαίσιο και στις δηλώσεις του Συμβουλίου, ότι αναμένεται από την Τουρκία να στηρίξει ενεργά τις διαπραγματεύσεις για τη δίκαιη, συνολική και βιώσιμη διευθέτηση του κυπριακού ζητήματος εντός του πλαισίου των Ηνωμένων Εθνών (ΗΕ), σύμφωνα με τα σχετικά ψηφίσματα του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας των ΗΕ και βάσει των θεμελιωδών αρχών της ΕΕ. Η ουσιαστική δέσμευση και συμβολή της Τουρκίας στην εξεύρεση μιας συνολικής λύσης είναι κρίσιμης σημασίας.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000079/13

to the Commission

Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Turkey and the UN Security Council

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, appearing worried about the bloodshed in Syria, has expressed his disappointment and criticised the UN Security Council for failing to take action to stop Syria’s war.

He said that ‘the UN is as helpless today as it was 20 years ago when it watched the massacre of hundreds of thousands of people in the Balkans, Bosnia and Srebrenica’, adding that Syria would go down in history as a UN failure much like in Bosnia in the 1990s.

I therefore ask the Commission:

— Does the EU intend to remind Mr Erdogan of the case of Cyprus and the numerous UN Security Council resolutions on the subject, which have never been implemented by Turkey, and to ask him to immediately withdraw the Turkish army from the island and work towards a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem, with both himself and his country showing full respect for the UN?

— Is the EU ready to state publicly to Mr Erdogan that ‘the UN is as helpless today as it was 39 years ago when it watched the Turkish invasion against the people of Cyprus’, adding that ‘Turkey will go down in history as a UN failure much like in Cyprus in 1974’?

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2013)

The Commission reiterates at various instances the need for Turkey to contribute to an overall solution of the Cyprus issue. The Commission refers the Honourable Member to the 2012 Progress Report on Turkey, which underlines that, as emphasised in the negotiating framework and in Council declarations, Turkey is expected to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue within the United Nations (UN) framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. Turkey’s commitment and contribution in concrete terms to such a comprehensive settlement is crucial.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000080/13

alla Commissione

Lorenzo Fontana (EFD)

(8 gennaio 2013)

Oggetto: Situazione della «Repubblica Turca di Cipro Nord»

Il 15 novembre 1983 la Turchia dichiarava la costituzione della «Repubblica Turca di Cipro Nord».

Da quel momento, la Repubblica di Cipro è divisa. I ciprioti protestano da ormai 29 anni per la riunificazione dello Stato, mentre la Turchia non intende rinunciare alla sovranità sulla parte nord del Paese, assumendo che si tratta di una situazione ormai consolidata, soprattutto per quanto riguarda i turchi residenti nella «Repubblica Turca di Cipro Nord» da prima della sua costituzione.

— Considerando la candidatura della Turchia a diventare Paese membro dell'Unione;

— considerando che la Turchia è tra i firmatari del Trattato di costituzione della Repubblica di Cipro, sottoscritto il 16 agosto 1960 a Nicosia, ed è uno dei tre garanti per la sicurezza della Repubblica stessa;

— considerando che la cosiddetta «Repubblica Turca di Cipro Nord», dichiarata tale nel 1983, occupa il 37 % del territorio della Repubblica di Cipro dal 1974;

— considerando che il Consiglio di Sicurezza delle Nazioni Unite si è espresso condannando la proclamazione della nuova Repubblica da parte della Turchia, e definendo «illegale» lo Stato turco-cipriota, nelle Risoluzioni 541 e 550, e che le Nazioni Unite hanno invitato esplicitamente la Turchia a ritirare la dichiarazione di sovranità su Cipro Nord e tutti gli Stati sovrani a non riconoscere la sovranità di detta Repubblica;

— considerando che la «Repubblica Turca di Cipro Nord» è formalmente riconosciuta a livello internazionale come Stato indipendente e sovrano solo dalla Turchia;

— considerando che il territorio di Cipro è diviso da 38 anni, con pregiudizi evidenti per i diritti umani dei ciprioti e di tutti i rifugiati, sia greci che turchi,

si chiede alla Commissione:

con quale livello di priorità intende sollecitare la Turchia affinché ponga in essere un'implementazione effettiva e totale del Protocollo di Ankara e, qualora la stessa non adempia gli obblighi, intende comminare sanzioni? In caso di risposta affermativa, quali?

Intende sollecitare concretamente la Turchia a ritirare il proprio esercito dal territorio cipriota e procedere alla riunificazione di Cipro? In caso di risposta affermativa, come?

Risposta di Štefan Füle a nome della Commissione

(18 febbraio 2013)

Su proposta della Commissione europea, nel dicembre 2006 il Consiglio ha deciso che i negoziati su otto capitoli interessati dalle restrizioni applicate dalla Turchia nei confronti della Repubblica di Cipro non sarebbero stati aperti e che nessun capitolo sarebbe stato provvisoriamente chiuso finché la Commissione non avesse confermato la piena attuazione da parte della Turchia del protocollo aggiuntivo all’accordo di associazione.

La questione sollevata dall’onorevole deputato fa parte del processo volto a trovare una soluzione globale alla questione cipriota concordata tra i leader delle comunità greco-cipriota e turco-cipriota sotto l’egida delle Nazioni Unite. Nella sua comunicazione dell’ottobre 2012 intitolata «Strategia di allargamento e sfide principali per il periodo 2012-2013» (9), la Commissione ha sottolineato la necessità di rilanciare i negoziati per concluderli quanto prima, partendo dai progressi realizzati finora, e ha incoraggiato la Turchia a potenziare concretamente il proprio impegno e il proprio contributo ai colloqui.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000080/13

to the Commission

Lorenzo Fontana (EFD)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Situation of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’

On 15 November 1983, Turkey declared the establishment of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’.

Since then, the Republic of Cyprus has been divided. Cypriots have now been protesting for 29 years for the reunification of the state, while Turkey has no intention of relinquishing sovereignty over the northern part of the country, considering the matter to be settled, particularly with regard to Turks living in the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ since it was first established.

— Turkey is a candidate to become an EU Member State.

— Turkey is one of the signatories to the Treaty concerning the Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, signed on 16 August 1960 in Nicosia, and is one of three guarantors responsible for the security of the republic.

— The so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, declared as such in 1983, has occupied 37 % of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus since 1974.

— In Resolutions 541 and 550, the United Nations Security Council condemned Turkey’s declaration of the new republic and declared the Turkish Cypriot state to be ‘legally invalid’. The United Nations also explicitly called on Turkey to retract its declaration of sovereignty over Northern Cyprus and on all sovereign states not to recognise the sovereignty of that republic.

— The ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ is formally recognised as an independent and sovereign state at international level only by Turkey.

— The territory of Cyprus has been divided for 38 years, clearly harming the human rights of Cypriots and all refugees, both Greek and Turkish.

1. How urgently does the Commission intend to call on Turkey to effectively implement the Ankara Protocol in full and, if Turkey does not comply with its obligations, does it intend to impose sanctions? If so, what sanctions?

2. Does it intend specifically to urge Turkey to withdraw its army from Cypriot territory and to reunify Cyprus? If so, how?

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2013)

Upon a proposal of the European Commission, the Council in December 2006 decided that negotiations will not be opened on eight chapters related to Turkey’s restrictions regarding the Republic of Cyprus and no chapter will be provisionally closed until the Commission confirms that Turkey has fully implemented the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement.

The issue raised by the Honourable Member is part of the process aiming at a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities under the auspices of the United Nations. In its October 2012 Communication on the Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2012-2013 (10), the Commission underlined the necessity to re-launch the negotiations with the aim of reaching a swift conclusion of the talks, building on the progress achieved to date and encouraged Turkey to increase in concrete terms its commitment and contribution to the talks.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000081/13

alla Commissione (Vicepresidente/Alto Rappresentante)

Lorenzo Fontana (EFD)

(8 gennaio 2013)

Oggetto: VP/HR — Discriminazioni religiose in Turchia

La proposta della Commissione di Riconciliazione Costituzionale, che doveva presentare la stesura di una nuova Costituzione entro la fine del 2012, non è ancora pronta e probabilmente il partito del Premier Erdogan si farà carico di redigere una nuova proposta. La Commissione è stata bloccata dal mancato accordo tra partiti politici su vari temi, tra cui il diritto alla libertà di coscienza e religione.

— Considerando che la Turchia ha già dimostrato in passato di non rispettare tale fondamentale diritto, come dimostrano varie limitazioni cui è soggetta la Chiesa cattolica a Cipro, già denunciate nella precedente interrogazione E-004341/12;

— considerando che attualmente la Chiesa cattolica manca di riconoscimento giuridico in Turchia e per tale motivo non può, tra le altre limitazioni, dare vita ad associazioni e organizzazioni non governative;

— considerando le dichiarazioni di Nina Shea, membro della Commissione degli Stati Uniti che ha preparato, nel 2011, una relazione sulla libertà religiosa nel mondo, in cui denunciava come il governo turco continuasse a imporre seri limiti alla libertà religiosa o di fede, mettendo così in pericolo l'esistenza e la sopravvivenza delle minoranze religiose in Turchia;

— considerando che le prospettive che la nuova Costituzione porti ad un miglioramento della situazione appaiono flebili,

intende la VP/HR esercitare qualche pressione, dato anche lo status di candidato all'adesione all'Unione europea della Turchia, per evitare tali discriminazioni e limitazioni del diritto di coscienza e religione?

Risposta di Štefan Füle a nome della Commissione

(19 febbraio 2013)

La Turchia, in qualità di paese che sta negoziando l’adesione all’UE, deve garantire effettivamente a tutti i suoi cittadini uguali diritti e libertà, senza distinzione di lingua, razza, colore della pelle, sesso, opinioni politiche, convinzioni filosofiche, appartenenza a una determinata religione o setta e a prescindere da qualsiasi considerazione analoga. Tali diritti e libertà devono essere garantiti in base alla Convenzione europea dei diritti dell’uomo e alla giurisprudenza della Corte europea dei diritti dell’uomo.

Per quanto riguarda il rispetto della libertà di pensiero, di coscienza e di religione, la Commissione ha ampiamente riferito nella relazione sulla Turchia del 2012 (11) e ha concluso che, nonostante il dialogo con le comunità religiose non musulmane sia proseguito, sono stati registrati altri casi di discriminazione verso le minoranze religiose o gli atei. Non è ancora stato istituito un quadro normativo conforme ai requisiti della Convenzione europea dei diritti dell’uomo che garantisca alle comunità religiose non musulmane e alla comunità degli alevi di svolgere le loro attività senza indebite restrizioni. La Commissione ha informato le autorità turche delle sue conclusioni.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000081/13

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Lorenzo Fontana (EFD)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: VP/HR — Religious discrimination in Turkey

The proposal of the Constitutional Reconciliation Commission, which was to present a new draft constitution by the end of 2012, is still not ready and Prime Minister Erdogan’s party will probably take over the drafting of a new proposal. The Commission has been thwarted by the failure of political parties to agree on several issues, including the right to freedom of conscience and religion.

— Turkey has already shown in the past that it does not respect this fundamental right, as evidenced by the various restrictions imposed on the Catholic Church in Cyprus, which were previously mentioned in Question E-004341/12.

— The Catholic Church is not currently legally recognised in Turkey and that is why it cannot, among the other restrictions, establish associations and non-governmental organisations.

— Nina Shea, a member of the United States Commission which, in 2011, prepared a report on worldwide religious freedom, detailing how the Turkish Government continued to impose serious limitations on freedom of religion or belief, thereby threatening the existence and survival of religious minorities in Turkey, has commented on the situation.

— There is little chance of the new constitution improving the situation.

Does the Vice-President/High Representative intend to apply any pressure, also in view of Turkey’s status as a candidate for accession to the EU, to prevent such discrimination and restrictions on the right to freedom of conscience and religion?

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2013)

Turkey, as a country negotiating its accession to the EU, needs to guarantee in practice equal rights and freedoms for all its citizens irrespective of their language, race, colour, gender, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion and sect, or any similar considerations. These rights and freedoms need to be guaranteed according to the European Convention of Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

As regards the respect of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the Commission has extensively reported in its 2012 Progress Report on Turkey (12) and concluded that, although the dialogue with the non-Muslim religious communities continued, there were cases of persons professing faith in minority religions or indeed no faith who continued to be discriminated against. A legal framework in line with the ECHR has yet to be established to ensure that all non-Muslim communities and the Alevi community can function without undue constraints. The Commission has shared this conclusion with the Turkish authorities.

(Nederlandse versie)

Vraag met verzoek om schriftelijk antwoord E-000082/13

aan de Commissie

Wim van de Camp (PPE)

(8 januari 2013)

Betreft: Drugshandel vanuit de Antwerpse haven

Uit Nederlandse mediaberichten, waaronder een reportage van Omroep Brabant op 27 december 2012 (13), blijkt dat op grote schaal drugs worden doorgevoerd vanuit de haven in Antwerpen naar Nederland.

1. Heeft de Commissie kennis genomen van berichten dat vanuit de Antwerpse haven op grote schaal drugs worden doorgevoerd naar Nederland?

2. Is de Commissie op de hoogte van vermeende corruptie, zoals onder medewerkers, in de Antwerpse haven?

3. Heeft de Commissie een overzicht van cijfers over de drugshandel via Europese havens?

4. Kan de Commissie aangeven in hoeverre de Belgische en Nederlandse justitie samenwerken op het terrein van drugsbestrijding in havens?

5. Deelt de Commissie de mening dat incidentele‐ en steekproefcontroles aan de grenzen van de lidstaten moeten plaatsvinden?

6. Ziet de Commissie mogelijkheden om projecten te financieren die drugshandel in zeehavens tegengaan?

7. Hoe ziet de Commissie zijn eigen rol in dit kader, ook bezien vanuit het Stockholmprogramma, inzake justitiële samenwerking?

8. In hoeverre is Europol actief in de bestrijding van deze drugshandel?

Antwoord van mevrouw Reding namens de Commissie

(1 maart 2013)

De Commissie verricht geen operationele wetshandhavingsactiviteiten en verzamelt evenmin operationele inlichtingen over criminele activiteiten. De Commissie ondersteunt de grensoverschrijdende wetshandhavingsactiviteiten van de lidstaten, alsook de justitiële samenwerking, door het wetgevingskader te creëren voor dergelijke samenwerking en door de betrokken EU-agentschappen zoals Europol, Eurojust of het Europees Agentschap voor het beheer van de operationele samenwerking aan de buitengrenzen van de lidstaten van de Europese Unie (Frontex), te helpen. De Commissie financiert ook activiteiten voor de institutionele opbouw met het oog op de bestrijding van de drugshandel, bijvoorbeeld in West-Afrika, dat een belangrijk knooppunt is voor de drugshandel langs de zogenaamde cocaïneroute.

Wat de justitiële samenwerking betreft, heeft de Commissie wetgevingsvoorstellen gepresenteerd om het wettelijk kader voor een efficiënte justitiële samenwerking tussen de lidstaten te creëren en voortdurend te verbeteren. Dit omvat niet enkel instrumenten voor wederzijdse erkenning betreffende de hele gerechtelijke procedure, van het verzamelen van bewijzen tot de uitvoering van een definitief vonnis, maar ook het opstellen van gemeenschappelijke minimumnormen betreffende procedurele rechten, om het wederzijds vertrouwen tussen de justitiële autoriteiten van de lidstaten te versterken.

Douanecontroles vinden plaats op basis van een risicoanalyse of steekproeven zoals bepaald in artikel 13 van Verordening (EEG) nr. 2913/92 (gewijzigd bij Verordening (EG) nr. 648/2005). Ter ondersteuning van deze activiteiten en om gelijkwaardige op risicoanalyses gebaseerde controles te garanderen, wisselen de douaneautoriteiten actief risicogerelateerde informatie uit via het elektronisch risicobeheersysteem voor douane. Douanedeskundigen en bestuurders van EU-havens komen regelmatig samen om de beste werkmethoden te ontwikkelen en toe te passen.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000082/13

to the Commission

Wim van de Camp (PPE)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Drug trafficking through the Port of Antwerp

According to Dutch media reports, including a report by Omroep Brabant on 27 December 2012 (14), the Port of Antwerp is being used as a transit location for large-scale drug trafficking to the Netherlands.

1. Has the Commission taken note of reports that the Port of Antwerp is being used as a transit location for large-scale drug trafficking to the Netherlands?

2. Is it aware of alleged corruption in the Port of Antwerp, including among its employees?

3. Does it have an overview of figures on drug trafficking through European ports?

4. Can it indicate the extent of cooperation between the Belgian and Dutch judiciary in the fight against drugs in ports?

5. Does it share the opinion that there is a need for spot checks on the Member States’ borders?

6. Does it feel that it is possible to finance projects aimed at fighting drug trafficking in sea ports?

7. How does the Commission see its own role in this context, including in the light of the Stockholm Programme, with regard to judicial cooperation?

8. What is the extent of Europol’s involvement in the fight against this drug trafficking?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2013)

The Commission does not undertake operational law enforcement activities nor does it collect operational intelligence on criminal activities. The Commission supports Member States' law enforcement activities at cross-border level, as well as judicial cooperation activities, by proposing the legislative framework for such cooperation and by supporting the relevant EU agencies such as Europol, Eurojust or the European Agency for the Management of Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex). The Commission also finances institution building activities aimed at combating drug trafficking, for instance in West Africa, which represents an important drug trafficking hub along the so-called cocaine route.

As regards judicial cooperation, the Commission has put forward legislatives proposals to set up and continuously improve the legal framework for effective judicial cooperation between Member States. This not only includes mutual recognition instruments covering the entire judicial procedure — from taking of evidence to the execution of a final sentence, but also the setting up of common minimum standards on procedural rights to strengthen mutual trust between Member States' judicial authorities.

Customs controls take place on the basis of risk analysis or random checks as foreseen in Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 2913/92 (amended by Regulation (EC) No 648/2005). In support of these activities and pursuing the aim of ensuring equivalent risk based controls customs authorities actively exchange and share risk related information through the electronic customs risk management system. Customs experts and managers of EU ports meet regularly to develop and apply best working practices.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000083/13

to the Commission

Jim Higgins (PPE)

(8 January 2013)

Subject: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests

Between November 2007 and December 2011, there were 2 057 reported cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Ireland. Data was available for 1 739 of these. Out of these 1 739 cases, there were only 123 survivors.

What is the Commission doing to reduce the number of people who suffer cardiac arrest?

What is the Commission doing to reduce the fatality rate among those who do suffer a cardiac arrest?

Does the Commission believe it is important to facilitate further research on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests?

Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2013)

The organisation and delivery of healthcare is the responsibility of Member States. To support Member States' action, the Commission is however, addressing the major causes of cardiovascular diseases through its strategies on nutrition, physical activity and its work on tobacco (15) and has financed projects under the EU Health programme specifically dealing with their prevention and