do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2931/96 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN , Arie OOSTLANDER to the Commission. Alleged delays in economic assistance to Bosnia
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN, OOSTLANDER
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, administrative formalities, coordination of aid, economic aid, economic reconstruction, exchange of information, national election, political situation, simplification of formalities, terms for aid













EUR-Lex - 91996E2931 - EN






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91996E2931

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2931/96 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN , Arie OOSTLANDER to the Commission. Alleged delays in economic assistance to Bosnia  


Official Journal C 083 , 14/03/1997 P. 0095 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2931/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) and Arie Oostlander (PPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)Subject: Alleged delays in economic assistance to BosniaIs the Commission aware that on 30 September at a press conference during the annual meeting of the World Bank and the IMF in Washington the Bosnian Prime Minister Muratovic criticized the European Union in relation to the tardy implementation of EU projects for economic aid to Bosnia?What did the Bosnian Prime Minister mean when, according to the media, he referred at the press conference to the complex administrative procedures and stated that as soon as a project is identified there is disagreement over which EU country is to implement the project?Can the Commission outline the progress in the EU programmes for economic aid and the problems which occur?Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1996)The Commission shares the Honourable Member's opinion as to the need to speed up the aid programme to Bosnia-Herzegovina. To that end, the Commission has taken action to amend rules on awarding contracts and adjust the budget headings where appropriate.The new state of Bosnia-Herzegovina has arisen only very slowly, and this has meant considerable delays in the reconstruction programme. Where legitimate partners are available, they refuse all responsibility for reconstruction pending clarification of the position of the new authorities.Prior to the elections, cooperation between the parties was almost non-existent: if anything, there was systematic hostility not only between the Republika Srpska and the Bosnian Federation but even within the Federation itself.The primary criteria for allocating funds are the scale of the war damage and its effects, fair procurement policies, and public access to information. Those are the ground rules governing Commission procedures; project implementation has been repeatedly delayed because they have been broken.A second problem is that Bosnia's capacity to absorb aid is restricted by local shortages of resources, particularly of experienced local staff.Furthermore, although donors are not in competition, there is nonetheless a problem of coordination, which is why the Commission supported the creation of task forces in Sarajevo and the use of a database to improve coordination between donor countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3000/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Illegal trade in antiquities in Fyrom
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: EU aid, North Macedonia, cultural heritage, cultural object, heritage protection, international convention, operational programme













EUR-Lex - 91996E3000 - EN






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91996E3000

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3000/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Illegal trade in antiquities in Fyrom  


Official Journal C 096 , 24/03/1997 P. 0047 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3000/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)Subject: Illegal trade in antiquities in FyromFrom statements made at the 'International Symposium on Ancient Macedonia' held in Thessoloniki in October 1996, it emerged that an enormous quantity of antiquities dating from the 13th to the 11th Centuries BC was housed in tombs from the Mycenaean period in two necropoleis situated near Skopje. In addition, thousands of objects unearthed by illegal diggings near Gevgelija and Skopje have been sold abroad.Since this matter relates to the protection of the Greek and hence the European cultural heritage:1. Can measures be taken by the EU to protect ancient monuments and archaeological findings in the Skopje area?2. What steps will it take to apprehend and punish in an exemplary fashion those engaged in illegally selling off antiquities from the area of Skopje and the Axios Basin forming part of the Greek cultural heritage?Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (9 January 1997)It is primarily up to each non-member country to take the necessary measures to safeguard its cultural heritage. Additional protection can be provided through international cooperation. In this context, mention should be made of the Unidroit Convention of June 1995 on the international restitution of stolen or illegally exported cultural objects. This convention, which has already been signed by a number of Member States and third countries (we have no information as to the signing of this convention by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), and it has not yet come into effect), will make an important contribution to the protection of the national treasures which together constitute the heritage of humanity.In more general terms, the Commission, under the Phare operational programme for the FYROM in 1997, is planning a number of projects which should in the long term strengthen the FYROM authorities' capacity for managing the cultural heritage. These are: technical assistance and specialist advice to the Ministry for Cultural Affairs, creation of a joint fund with the FYROM for development of the arts, support for the establishment of a national centre for conservation of frescoes and icons, and technical assistance to the monuments conservation institute in Ohrid.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2989/96 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Commission. Proposed regulation in response to the Helms- Burton Act
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MENDEZ DE VIGO
Subjects: EC Regulation, application of the law, extra-territoriality, international economic law, sanction (EU), third country













EUR-Lex - 91996E2989 - EN






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91996E2989

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2989/96 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Commission. Proposed regulation in response to the Helms- Burton Act  


Official Journal C 083 , 14/03/1997 P. 0103 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2989/96 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)Subject: Proposed regulation in response to the Helms-Burton ActOn 8 October 1996 the proposal for a Council regulation on protection against the effects of the application by the USA of the Helms-Burton Act was published in the Official Journal ((OJ C 296, 8.10.1996, p. 10. )).Article 9 thereof states that: 'Each Member State shall determine the penalties to be imposed in the event of a breach of the provisions of this Regulation. Such penalties must be effective, proportional and dissuasive'.Can the Commission say whether or not each Member State is allowed to adopt unilaterally any measures it may consider appropriate? Must it obtain prior authorization from the Commission or from the Committee of Member States' representatives?Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1996)On 28 October 1996 the Council reached agreement on the Commission proposal for a Community regulation providing protection against the effects of extraterritorial application of certain laws of certain third countries. Article 9 reads: 'Each Member State shall determine the sanctions to be imposed in the event of breach of any relevant provisions of this Regulation. Such sanctions must be effective, proportional and dissuasive.'Prior authorisation by the Commission or the committee established under Article 8 of the Regulation is not required. Each Member State will determine the sanctions under Article 9 within its national system governing the enforcement of legal obligations. However, the margin of discretion left to the individual Member States is defined by the second sentence of Article 9, as quoted above.The Commission, as the guardian of the Treaty, will monitor the implementation of Article 9 of the Regulation by the Member States and will ensure that all requirements of Article 9 are met, in particular those mentioned in the second sentence.In this context, the Commission will also ensure that sanctions will be determined with regard to Articles 2 and 5 of the Regulation, which the Commission considers to be relevant provisions of the Regulation.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2938/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Money laundering in Turkey
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: EU financing, Türkiye, UN programmes and funds, adoption of a law by vote, drug traffic, fight against crime, money laundering, penalty













EUR-Lex - 91996E2938 - EN






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91996E2938

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2938/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Money laundering in Turkey  


Official Journal C 096 , 24/03/1997 P. 0039 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2938/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)Subject: Money laundering in TurkeyAccording to Interpol, 75% of all heroin discovered and confiscated by the authorities of the EU Member States has been channelled through Turkey from Afghanistan and Pakistan.In 1994, the political leadership of Turkey for the first time put forward a bill to crack down on the circulation and laundering of illegal funds. To date however it has not been voted through by the Turkish Parliament.1. Has the Commission brought pressure to bear on the Turkish political leadership with a view to ensuring that the bill becomes law?2. Are current drugs trafficking activities in accordance with the principles of the EU and the Schengen Agreement?3. Are the citizens of the Member States of the European Union aware that, while on the one hand the Commission is committed to combating drugs trafficking, it is on the other hand fully supporting the accession of Turkey to the European Union?Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)On 14 November Turkey's National Assembly adopted a law addressing the circulation and laundering of illegal funds. It was signed by the Turkish President on 18 November and should be published in Turkey's official journal within the next few days.The law establishes a financial board representing both public and private sectors and invested with wide-ranging powers of investigation. It provides for prison sentences of two to five years and fines of up to twice the amount laundered.In 1995 the Commission contributed to a project being carried out in Turkey as part of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNIDCP). This year it has funded another programme - a regional one this time - drawn up by the UNIDCP with the Economic Cooperation Organization, members of which include Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as Turkey.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2921/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Establishment of standards for cigarette filters
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: cancer, dangerous substance, health risk, labelling, product quality, public health, smoking, tobacco industry













EUR-Lex - 91996E2921 - EN






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91996E2921

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2921/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Establishment of standards for cigarette filters  


Official Journal C 096 , 24/03/1997 P. 0038 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2921/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)Subject: Establishment of standards for cigarette filtersIt is accepted in international literature on the subject that cigarette tobacco contains harmful substances which produce side-effects, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and cardiovascular diseases, and are also carcinogenic.It is further established that tobacco contains the most harmful substances when in its gaseous state, including carbon monoxide, the toxic derivates of nitrogen monoxide, peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyls, etc., and carcinogenic compounds proper (nitrous compounds, semi-quinones, etc.,), while in its solid state (tar) it contributes very little to the above side-effects.British smokers suffering from cancer recently initiated legal proceedings against the tobacco industry, demanding compensation on the grounds that the industry had failed to modify the product so as to reduce the danger of cancer which doctors had warned about.Will the Commission say:1. What measures have been taken - or are due to be taken - at EU level to improve the quality of cigarettes by reducing the harmful substances they contain, such as those referred to above, and2. What measures have been taken to establish standards for cigarette filters, particularly as regards their ability to bind the harmful substances of the gaseous phase of tobacco, thereby making full use of existing technology to protect public health?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)1. Council Directive 90/239/EEC ((OJ L 137, 30.5.1990. )) lays down maximum levels of tar content for cigarettes marketed in the Community. Tar content is identified in the recitals to this Directive as a factor which increases the risks of lung cancer to smokers. Council Directive 89/622/EEC ((OJ L 359, 8.12.1989. )) concerning the labeling of tobacco products, requires the level of tar and nicotine of cigarettes to be displayed, and imposes the use of warning labels for all tobacco products.2. None.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3020/96 by Antonio TAJANI to the Council. Discovery of a bugging device in Mr Berlusconi's office
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, TAJANI
Subjects: Italy, fundamental rights, protection of communications, protection of privacy













EUR-Lex - 91996E3020 - EN






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91996E3020

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3020/96 by Antonio TAJANI to the Council. Discovery of a bugging device in Mr Berlusconi's office  


Official Journal C 105 , 03/04/1997 P. 0043 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3020/96 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Council (8 November 1996)Subject: Discovery of a bugging device in Mr Berlusconi's officeA bugging device has been discovered in the Rome office of Mr Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the Forza Italia political party and of the Italian Opposition.1. Does the Council think that it should call on the Court of Justice to ensure that the rights of Mr Berlusconi as a citizen, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Opposition are protected?2. What guarantees does the Council consider itself able to provide in order to safeguard the right to privacy?3. Is the Council aware of any previous incidents similar to those relating to Mr Berlusconi anywhere else in the EU, other than the telephone tapping activities directed at Spanish institutional bodies?Answer (13 February 1997)The question raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within the Council's purview.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2939/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Greek 'feta' cheese
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: EC Regulation, European Commission, Greece, action for annulment (EU), designation of origin, location of production, sheep's milk cheese













EUR-Lex - 91996E2939 - EN






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91996E2939

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2939/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Greek 'feta' cheese  


Official Journal C 096 , 24/03/1997 P. 0040 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2939/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)Subject: Greek 'feta' cheeseIt has become known that a number of EU Member States and associations of dairy producers have initiated proceedings with the Court of First Instance of the EU concerning the decision by the Commission of 12 June 1996 under which Greek 'feta' cheese was included in the list of products registered as protected designations.The Commission decision was taken after an attentive and careful examination of the matter. It was the result of many years of work and, as far as possible, took account of the interest of other producers of 'feta' cheese from other EU Member States, despite the fact that the method of production and the final product bears little resemblance to genuine feta.The legal proceedings, while calling into question the Commission's methods, in fact contain many inaccuracies concerning the place in which feta is manufactured which, as is universally acknowledged, was originally Greece and not, according to the general and imprecise claims being made, 'the Balkans' or 'certain areas of southern Europe'.In view of this:- what steps will the Commission take to prove that the claims being made by certain EU Member States and their producers' associations are unfounded and inaccurate?- what steps will it take to uphold its decision against the unscientific and distorted reasoning being used to call it into question?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1996)The name Feta has been registered as a protected designation of origin under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 of 12 June 1996 on the registration of geographical indications and designations of origin ((OJ L 148, 21.6.1996. )).As the Honourable Member points out, proceedings have been initiated by a number of Member States and businesses in the competent Community Court for the annulment of the Regulation, and hence the registration of the name,The Commission has now lodged a statement of defence in the Court of Justice setting out the matters of fact and law that are the basis for its decision to include the name Feta in the list of designations qualifying for protection across the Community.