do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1661/96 by Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO , Juan COLINO SALAMANCA to the Council. Market in potatoes
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: CABEZON ALONSO, COLINO SALAMANCA, European Parliament
Subjects: common organisation of markets, extra-EU trade, import licence, marketing standard, potato, producer organisation, proposal (EU), protective clause













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91996E1661

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1661/96 by Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO , Juan COLINO SALAMANCA to the Council. Market in potatoes  


Official Journal C 356 , 25/11/1996 P. 0079 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1661/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Council (24 June 1996)Subject: Market in potatoesDoes not the Council feel that more detailed regulation of the market in potatoes in the European Union is a matter of urgency and necessity in order to achieve better balance on the market, fix prices, guarantee producers' incomes and prevent distortions of competition and abuse by speculators in this product?Does it not feel that now is the time to make progress with the COM in potatoes which has been pending before it for some time now?Reply (10 October 1996)It should be pointed out to the Honourable Members that the Commission proposal before the Council does not contain any instruments to 'fix prices' and 'guarantee producers' incomes'.The proposal submitted by the Commission in 1992 would merely:- internally, provide encouragement for the establishment of producer groups, on similar lines to existing arrangements for fruit and vegetables;- in trade with third countries, introduce a system of import licences making possible statistical monitoring of imports and allowing for the adoption of safeguard measures.At its meeting from 14 to 17 December 1992, the Council discussed the proposal, agreeing to press ahead with the matter and add provisions on marketing standards to the proposal.Discussion of the proposal by the Council in 1993 and 1994 failed to bring agreement, in view of differences between delegations seeing no need for any common organization of the market and those wanting one which included tighter market management arrangements, as the Honourable Members are pressing for.In December 1995, attempting to reach a compromise, the Spanish Presidency suggested adding to the above three components (establishment of marketing standards, encouragement of producer groups and third-country trade arrangements) the introduction of an 'operating fund' similar to that proposed under the reform of the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables.That suggestion did not succeed in narrowing differences within the Council, individual delegations standing by their earlier positions.The Irish Presidency intends to take the matter up again with a view to a Council decision as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1686/96 by Michl EBNER to the Council. Expansion of voluntary fire-fighting services in the Mediterranean countries
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: EBNER, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, action programme, civil defence, fire, fire protection, forest conservation, proposal (EU), voluntary work













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91996E1686

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1686/96 by Michl EBNER to the Council. Expansion of voluntary fire-fighting services in the Mediterranean countries  


Official Journal C 356 , 25/11/1996 P. 0083 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1686/96 by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Council (24 June 1996)Subject: Expansion of voluntary fire-fighting services in the Mediterranean countriesIn view of the fact that, during the summer months in particular, the Mediterranean EU countries repeatedly suffer devastating forest fires that can be brought under control only with major effort and with the assistance of a large number of volunteers, will the Council state whether it supports an expansion of voluntary fire-fighting services in the Mediterranean countries as well on the lines already found, for example, in South Tyrol, Austria and Germany?Reply (10 October 1996)As the Honourable Member must be aware, measures in the field of civil protection in the Community essentially come under intergovernmental cooperation, even though some measures involving training or exchanges of experts, particularly in the field of fire-fighting, are financed from the Community budget.It should be noted, however, that on 23 May 1996 the Council held a wide-ranging debate on a Commission proposal for a programme of Community actions on civil protection, designed to contribute towards the protection of persons, the environment and property in the event of a natural or technological disaster.Generally speaking, the important role played by volunteers in many areas of civil protection was recognized by the Resolution of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of 31 October 1994 ((OJ C 313, 10.11.1994, p.1. ))
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1620/96 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Involvement of less developed countries in the IGC
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, HOWITT
Subjects: European Commission, cooperation policy, developing countries, international affairs













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91996E1620

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1620/96 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Involvement of less developed countries in the IGC  


Official Journal C 345 , 15/11/1996 P. 0088 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1620/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Involvement of less developed countries in the IGCIn drawing up its submissions to the IGC on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, what consultations and research has the Commission undertaken with governments and organizations in less developed countries?Does the Commission agree that a CFSP will inevitably focus Europe's attentions on its own borders, and diminish the priority accorded to less developed countries world-wide?Does the Commission plan any initiative in this respect?Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (29 July 1996)The report of the reflection group, the Commission's opinion and the interim report of the Italian Presidency clearly identify the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) as a way to enhance the identity and increase the influence of the Union in world affairs. How to give the Union a clear external identity is certainly one of the major issues currently being discussed by the inter-governmental conference (IGC).In the Commission's view, this requires certain traditional responsibilities of the Community in foreign and security matters to be up-dated to reflect today's conditions in world affairs, more substance and continuity to be granted to the CFSP and the various policy instruments to be used in a more coherent and coordinated way.The main aim is therefore to make the Union an effective international partner. An enhanced CFSP would provide a framework in which priorities can be set and policies pursued. There is no reason to suppose that this will make the Union inward-looking, or have a negative impact on the Union's relations with less-developed countries.The Union's partners around the world follow the IGC with interest and for its part the Commission keeps them informed and hears their views through the various forms of structured or bilateral dialogue which exist.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1675/96 by Edith MÜLLER to the Commission. Framework research programme - basic socio- economic research (TSER) - research on social exclusion and social integration
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, MUELLER EDITH
Subjects: European social policy, database, social analysis, social integration, social sciences













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91996E1675

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1675/96 by Edith MÜLLER to the Commission. Framework research programme - basic socio- economic research (TSER) - research on social exclusion and social integration  


Official Journal C 365 , 04/12/1996 P. 0017 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1675/96 by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Framework research programme - basic socio-economic research (TSER) - research on social exclusion and social integrationIn response to the first call for the submission of proposals in June 1995 the Commission received more than 500 project proposals. These were assessed by outside experts; in the end, 11 projects were approved, at least six of which are concerned with the development of databases.Does the Commission really believe that the development of databases should be the main purpose of basic socio-economic research?Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1996)In response to the first call for the submission of proposals, the Commission received 242 project proposals in area 3 (research on social exclusion and social integration in Europe), 11 of which were selected. None of the 11 selected proposals focus primarily on the development of new databases; on the contrary, the majority of the selected proposals will exploit existing databases in the framework of their research.With regard to the main purpose of the programme implemented by the Commission, the Honourable Member is asked to refer to Annex I of the Decision adopting the programme (94/915/EC ((OJ L 361 of 31 December 1994. ))) which states that the research in the three areas of the programme will require high priority for conceptual and methodological work on constructing and integrating data and indicator systems as a common effort of the European social science research community with the aim of becoming comparable Europe-wide and establishing a common research infrastructure (Annex I(1), paragraph 3). Consequently, the development of databases, although not the principal objective, is nevertheless an important aspect of the programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1618/96 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Tied aid to Latin America
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, HOWITT
Subjects: EU aid, Latin America, abolition of customs duties, competitiveness, development aid, economic cooperation, generalised preferences, trade promotion, trading operation













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91996E1618

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1618/96 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Tied aid to Latin America  


Official Journal C 322 , 28/10/1996 P. 0095 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1618/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Tied aid to Latin AmericaWhat proportion of EU aid to Latin America was tied to commercial contacts to support trade between that region and the Union last year, and how does this compare to the proportion and overall level five years ago?What policy guidelines and agreements does the Commission follow in this respect?Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1996)By definition, Commission-managed development aid for Latin America is not tied to commercial contracts. As its name suggests, such aid is primarily designed to support the poorest people in society, in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America. ((OJ L 52, 27.2.1992. ))However, the Community also supports moves to boost trade and advocates joint efforts to improve the international competitiveness of Latin American countries. The Commission is currently implementing a series of measures to develop two-way trade and investment in a bid to diversify and modernize Latin American economies.The Commission has also taken steps to help Latin American exports to the Community. These include concessions for industrial, tropical and farm products through the GSP and exemption from customs duties for some important agricultural produce under the CAP.Trade relations between the Community and its partners are governed by WTO rules.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1666/96 by Juan COLINO SALAMANCA , Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO to the Commission. Beef intervention spending
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: CABEZON ALONSO, COLINO SALAMANCA, European Parliament
Subjects: animal disease, award of contract, beef, intervention buying, market intervention













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91996E1666

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1666/96 by Juan COLINO SALAMANCA , Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO to the Commission. Beef intervention spending  


Official Journal C 345 , 15/11/1996 P. 0094 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1666/96 by Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) and Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Beef intervention spendingWhat has been the increase in intervention spending on beef in the wake of the obvious negative repercussions of the 'mad cow' crisis?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 July 1996)In the initial budget for 1996, intervention purchases of beef were expected to amount to 150 000 tonnes (ECU 221 million).Given the fall in consumption as a result of the bovine spongiform encephelopathy (BSE) crisis, this quantity was increased to 300 000 tonnes (ECU 662 million) in preliminary draft supplementary and amending budget No 1/196.By the end of June, some 180 000 tonnes had been bought in by tendering procedure.In the preliminary draft budget for 1997, intervention purchases are put at 220 000 tonnes (ECU 469 million). Any further quantities must be covered from the ECU 505 million set aside for BSE.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1656/96 by Yannos KRANIDIOTIS to the Commission. Contacts between the Commission and the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, KRANIDIOTIS
Subjects: Cyprus, EU aid, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, documentation centre, military occupation, public international law













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91996E1656

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1656/96 by Yannos KRANIDIOTIS to the Commission. Contacts between the Commission and the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime  


Official Journal C 365 , 04/12/1996 P. 0016 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1656/96 by Yannos Kranidiotis (PSE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Contacts between the Commission and the illegal Turkish Cypriot regimeAccording to substantiated press reports, the Commission of the European Union has established contacts with the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime and, in particular, is negotiating with the so-called 'University of the Eastern Mediterranean' with a view to setting up a Documentation Centre with EU financial backing.Will the Commission say whether these reports are true, whether the Cypriot Government has been consulted, in accordance with the decision of 6 March 1995, and what measures it is taking to avert the establishment of institutional ties with an illegal body, thus ensuring that the relevant UN resolutions and the EU's official position vis-à-vis the Republic of Cyprus are respected?Joint answer to Written Questions E-1656/96 and E-1766/96 given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (27 September 1996)Community policy concerning the information activities for the Turkish Cypriot community was determined by the Council's conclusions of 6 March 1995: 'Cyprus's accession to the European Union should bring increased security and prosperity to both communities on the island'. The Council further considered that 'this community must perceive the advantages of the European Union accession more clearly and its concerns at the prospect must be allayed'. The Commission was invited to 'organize the requisite contacts to this end with the Turkish Cypriot community in consultation with the government of Cyprus'.The Commission, accordingly has implemented a series of information activities, both in Brussels and in Cyprus, in consultation with the Cypriot government.The Commission does not consider that this initiative deviates from the Community's consistent policy concerning Cyprus and in particular the full respect of the United Nations resolutions mentioned by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1608/96 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Follow-up to the EU's Helios Programme
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, HOWITT
Subjects: EU publication, European Commission, disabled person, equal treatment, exchange of information, non-governmental organisation













EUR-Lex - 91996E1608 - EN






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91996E1608

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1608/96 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Follow-up to the EU's Helios Programme  


Official Journal C 356 , 25/11/1996 P. 0066 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1608/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Follow-up to the EU's Helios ProgrammeWhat plans does the Commission have for continuing information and public awareness activities on disability issues in 1997, given the forthcoming end of the EU Helios Programme?In particular, will the Commission continue, extend or restrict its support for the European Day of Disabled People, the Helioscope publication and for the production of newsletters by NGOs?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1996)As the Commission has pointed out in its Communication on equal opportunities for the disabled of 30 July 1996 ((COM(96) 406 final. )), one of the Commission's priorities is to heighten awareness on developments in the Member States and at Community level.In this connection the Commission recognises the significant contribution of the European Day of Disabled People - launched in 1993 - in sensitising public opinion to the rights of the disabled. The Commission will continue to support this Day in partnership with the Parliament and other Community institutions.In is also intended to continue with the national information days organised annually in each Member State, which have demonstrated the positive impact of the Helios II programme at national level and have done much to improve the dissemination of information and the evaluation of activities, and to heighten public awareness.The growing success of the review 'Helioscope', which is published in the 11 Community languages, is in large measure due to the fact that it is a platform for discussion among disabled people, who write articles on current issues of relevance to them. Hence the Commission intends to continue publishing Helioscope.As to the sectoral newsletters published by the European non-governmental organisations, it is up to these NGOs and to the new Independent Forum of the Disabled to feature these newsletters in their programmes of work to be submitted to the Commission, with an eye to receiving financial support.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1674/96 by Edith MÜLLER to the Commission. Selection procedure under the framework research programme for basic socio-economic research (TSER) - Part II - research on training - 1995 selection procedure
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, MUELLER EDITH
Subjects: database, gender equality, position of women, project evaluation, research programme, socioeconomic conditions, vocational training













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91996E1674

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1674/96 by Edith MÜLLER to the Commission. Selection procedure under the framework research programme for basic socio-economic research (TSER) - Part II - research on training - 1995 selection procedure  


Official Journal C 356 , 25/11/1996 P. 0082 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1674/96 by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Selection procedure under the framework research programme for basic socio-economic research (TSER) - Part II - research on training - 1995 selection procedureHow many applications were submitted and how many were approved? What is the ratio of qualitative to purely quantitative research in the successful applications?Does the Commission agree that vocational training for women in the countries of the EU still needs close attention if we are to do justice to the precept of equal opportunities? How many applications were submitted for research concerning women and how many were approved? How many of the outside experts who assess applications have solid experience of research concerning women?Were the funds made available for 1995 used in full?How does the Commission intend to ensure that the decision-making processes for the next selection procedure, in 1996, are more transparent?Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1996)In implementing area II - research on education and training - of the Targeted socio-economic research (TSER) programme, the Commission has received 195 applications in response to the first call for proposals in March 1995. Given the funds available 12 projects have been selected for funding. Two projects aim at establishing data bases, according to one of the priorities expressed in Council Decision 94/915/EC ((OJ L 361, 31.12.1994. )). Since all research is, to some extent, based on data or other empirically quantifiable findings, all projects funded up to now include quantitative elements.The Commission agrees that the vocational education and training of women has to be given particular attention. Issues of particular interest for women are implicitly included in many of the applications and also in the projects finally selected for funding. 30 independent experts took part in the selection process. The composition of the expert selection panel ensured multidisciplinary expertise.The 1995 funds available for activities in TSER area II were entirely exhausted within the first call for proposals.Work is under way in order to increase further the transparency of the selection procedures, especially by clarifying and differentiating the selection criteria.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1570/96 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Disowning of parents
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Commission, Italy, UN convention, child protection, children's rights, competence of the Member States, exchange of information, family law, family policy, parental authority













EUR-Lex - 91996E1570 - EN






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91996E1570

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1570/96 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Disowning of parents  


Official Journal C 345 , 15/11/1996 P. 0085 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1570/96 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: Disowning of parentsThe Italian media recently reported that children could appeal to the courts to change parents, on the grounds of mistreatment.1. What steps can the Commission take to prevent this practice from spreading within the Member States of the European Union?2. Would it not agree that European legislation should be enacted with a view to establishing the rights of both minors and parents?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (29 July 1996)The Community does not have any competence to regulate the rights of minors and parents in the Member States. Actions in this field are limited to the exchange of information and good practices.All Member States signed the United Nations convention on the rights of the child and it lies within their responsibility to ensure implementation where necessary.