do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1496/97 by Pervenche BERES to the Commission. Energy - comparative study
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: BERES, European Parliament
Subjects: coal, comparative study, gas, hydraulic energy, nuclear energy, price of energy













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91997E1496

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1496/97 by Pervenche BERES to the Commission. Energy - comparative study  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0141 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1496/97 by Pervenche Berès (PSE) to the Commission (30 April 1997)Subject: Energy - comparative studyCan the Commission provide a comparative study of trends in the cost of the four energy sources (i.e. nuclear, coal, gas and water power) over the past 20 years and over the next 20 years?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (17 June 1997)Prices and costs of energy sources depend, among other things, on their use. Prices are generally higher when smaller quantities are demanded, for instance in the domestic and tertiary sectors. Industrial energy consumers as well as power generators benefit in general from lower prices.Statistical information on prices by energy sources are available from the publications of the Commission on gas and electricity prices, from the annual energy review, published by the Commission in Energy in Europe and the regular International energy agency (IEA) publication on energy prices and taxes.In addition to fuel prices, energy costs also depend on the capital costs of the energy equipment and the respective efficiency rates, which vary according to fuel type and the age of the energy equipment.While it is not specified by the Honourable Member at what level energy costs should be compared, the energy sources mentioned in the question (nuclear, coal, gas, hydro) suggest that a comparison should be undertaken at the level of electricity generation costs.As regards the past 20 years, there are no official statistics on electricity generation costs by input fuel. However, there are studies by the International union of producers and distributors of electrical energy (Unipede), which give cost comparisons.The issue of electricity generating costs on the basis of different input fuels (nuclear, coal, gas, hydro) can be investigated with energy models. On the basis of assumptions on the future development of prices for input fuels and of investment costs for new capacities, energy models such as MIDAS calculate electricity generation costs. The study 'European energy to 2020 - a scenario approach' published in spring 1996 in Energy in Europe is based on energy modelling with MIDAS.Electricity generation leads also to external costs related to environmental emissions. The Externe project, supported by the JOULE programme, provides an evaluation of the externalities of fuel cycles related to electricity generation with separate volumes for each of the above-mentioned four fuels.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1504/97 by Pervenche BERES to the Commission. Printing of Euro notes
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: BERES, European Parliament
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, European Central Bank, European Monetary Institute, award of contract, industrial manufacturing, invitation to tender, paper money, public contract

C 76/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11. 3. 98

Answer

(25 September 1997)

The Council shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Member and has constantly urged the Belarusian
authorities to ensure that humanitarian action in Belarus is not hindered.

Most recently, in April 1997, the EU Heads of Mission in Minsk carried out a demarche with the Minister for
Foreign Affairs Antonovich, underlining doubts about the legal mandate and aims of actions undertaken by the
Belarusion authorities against non-governmental organisations.  Furthermore, the Special Representative of the
EU  Presidency  for  Belarus,  Mr  Kosto,  in  May  1997  raised  with  Belarusion  officials  at  the  highest  level,  the
difficulties encountered by non-governmental organizations active in Belarus such as the Soros Foundation and
the Foundation (cid:147)To the Children of Chernobyl.(cid:148)

(98/C 76/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1493/97

by Karl von Wogau (PPE) to the Council

(30 April 1997)

Subject: Official written usage of the term (cid:145)Euro(cid:146)

Since the Madrid European Council decided to call the future single currency the (cid:145)Euro(cid:146), the term has appeared in
texts in forms which vary both typographically (e.g. EURO, Euro and euro) and grammatically (is it invariable or
does it have a plural form; if so, what is it?).

Would it not be advisable, in particular in view of the Euro(cid:146)s legal status, for the Commission to clarify the
official written usage of the term (cid:145)Euro(cid:146)?

Answer

(25 September 1997)

The Madrid European Council in December 1995 decided to call the single currency (cid:147)euro(cid:148) and stated (cid:147)that the
name of the single currency must be the same in all the official languages of the European Union, taking into
account the existence of different alphabets(cid:148).

The Council has officially adopted, on the basis of Article 235 of the Treaty, a Regulation on certain provisions
relating to the introduction of the euro.

The Council has also reached political agreement on a Council Regulation on the introduction of the euro (whose
legal  basis  is  Article  109L(4)  of  the  Treaty),  which  is  to  be  adopted  formally  later  by  participating  Member
States.

The texts in question, as finalized by the Legal/Linguistic Experts of the Council, observe certain standards and
habits for currency designation in each language; the relevant provisions are contained in the various language
versions of those texts.

(98/C 76/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1504/97

by Pervenche Bere‘s (PSE) to the Commission

(30 April 1997)

Subject: Printing of Euro notes

Is it true that invitations to tender will be issued under public procurement procedures for the printing of Euro
notes?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1495/97 by Antoine-François BERNARDINI to the Commission. Fares on the Thalys
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: BERNARDINI, European Parliament
Subjects: Belgium, France, competence of the Member States, large family, public sector, rail network, rail transport, railway tariff, reduced price













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91997E1495

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1495/97 by Antoine-François BERNARDINI to the Commission. Fares on the Thalys  


Official Journal C 021 , 22/01/1998 P. 0060 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1495/97 by Antoine-François Bernardini (PSE) to the Commission (30 April 1997)Subject: Fares on the ThalysA problem has arisen with regard to the Thalys rail service between Paris and Brussels.Large families have not been able to obtain special reductions on Thalys since the service started on 2 June 1996. They are therefore forced to purchase tickets which offer far less flexibility and are more expensive. For instance, the 'mini' fare is available for only 80 seats for which tickets are put on sale 60 days in advance, and the 'loisir' fare represents a 36% increase in the fare for a family with three children.Is it to be concluded that the EEIG responsible for operating the Thalys service is exempt from public service obligations?Does the above situation not constitute blatant discrimination and a barrier to the free movement of persons?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1997)The Commission has been informed that, on the Thalys service between Paris and Bruxelles, discounts for large families are not available now. It understands the difficulties that this may cause passengers but it has to recall that such discounts, and policy on fares in general, are not a matter of Community legal competence but the responsibility of the railways themselves and of the national authorities that supervise them.As for public services, it is the responsibility of the Member State to decide on the nature and extent of public services, while respecting Community rules, particularly on compensation for public service obligations in transport. Finally, on the basis of the information available, the Commission does not consider this a case of discrimination or an obstacle to free circulation in violation of Community principles and rules.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1488/97 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. Europe against cancer and tobacco
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: DIEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, cancer, common organisation of markets, crop production, product quality, production aid, public awareness campaign, smoking, tobacco













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91997E1488

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1488/97 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. Europe against cancer and tobacco  


Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0089 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1488/97 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Commission (30 April 1997)Subject: Europe against cancer and tobaccoCan the Commission say how European programmes to combat cancer and the subsidies granted to tobacco-growing in the Union can be considered compatible when statistics show that tobacco is the main cause of cancer deaths?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1997)The Commission is fully aware of the social and economic importance of tobacco cultivation in Europe. This is why the Commission has proposed to continue for the present the common organisation of the tobacco market, while allowing for a movement to higher quality cultivation, and other improvements to the arrangements.The Commission report of 18 December 1996 on the reorganisation of the common market in tobacco ((COM(96) 554. )) goes some way to addressing the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member. The objective of this reform is indeed to preserve the employment linked with the cultivation of tobacco in Europe whilst increasing the quality of the production. In addition, the Commission recognises the need to assist those who wish to leave this sector of production.On the same occasion, the Commission also adopted a communication on smoking prevention ((COM(96) 609. )). This seeks to promote a wide-ranging debate on the policy to be followed in reducing smoking. It contains a series of policy options which could be taken at Community and Member State level to prevent smoking.The Commission has proposed increasing from 1% to 2% the levy constituting the tobacco research and information fund. This fund is devoted to public information projects about the harmful effects and dangers of smoking, particularly addressed to the young. It also finances research into less dangerous varieties of tobacco plant.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1470/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Activities of non-governmental organizations in Belarus
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: CIS countries, EU programme, European Commission, authoritarian regime, financial aid, humanitarian aid, non-governmental organisation, political opposition, technical barriers to trade, trends of opinion













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91997E1470

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1470/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Activities of non-governmental organizations in Belarus  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0138 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1470/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (30 April 1997)Subject: Activities of non-governmental organizations in BelarusIn view of the precarious food and health situation facing the population of the Republic of Belarus following the Chernobyl nuclear accident;Whereas by Law No 1710/12 of 9 January 1997, the Government of Belarus practically closed the borders to any type of humanitarian convoy, introducing extremely strict rules on entry, supervision, storage and distribution of medical products and equipment and food supplies in Belarus;Whereas every year NGOs organizing holidays for over 50 000 children from the contaminated Chernobyl area during the summer period in various EU Member States are finding it more difficult to carry out their work;Does the Commission intend to bring pressure to bear on the Belarus authorities to ensure that measures are taken to facilitate and not to hinder humanitarian action in Belarus and prevent the political disruption in the country from affecting the population, which has already been hard-hit by the nuclear accident, and in particular children and innocent victims?Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (29 May 1997)The Community is fully aware of the limits imposed by the Belarussian government on the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which are regarded generally as potential sources of opposition, partly because several opposition leaders founded NGOs. As a consequence, such organisations receiving grants from foreign funders have been subject to inspections (NCSI, Children of Chernobyl), the Soros Foundation support has been hit hard, and NGOs bank accounts have been subject to tax. A new decree strongly limits public assemblies and meetings, and a recent Belarussian regulation on imports of goods impedes the normal transport of humanitarian aid into the country, putting further financial strain on local partner NGOs.The Commission has already complained through the Belarus mission in Brussels. It is trying to assist the NGOs network in Belarus through funds coming mainly from two Tacis programmes, LIEN and Democracy. Pressure on the Belarussian government is exercised through delicate bilateral dialogue.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1570/97 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. The impact of the new COM on Community-produced fruit and vegetables
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: EAGGF, EU financing, common organisation of markets, fruit, import, marketing, operational programme, producer organisation, third country, vegetable













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91997E1570

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1570/97 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. The impact of the new COM on Community-produced fruit and vegetables  


Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0101 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-1570/97 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (30 April 1997)Subject: The impact of the new COM on Community-produced fruit and vegetablesThe recently-set-up operational funds for producers' organizations will enable those organizations to co-finance, through the EAGGF, activities which were previously financed mainly from their own resources (such as infrastructure, fixed administrative costs, advertising, etc.). The operational funds will give the producers' organizations additional resources to develop new activities involving imports from third countries. The Commission regulation on recognition of producers' organizations means that up to 50% of the products sold on the market by those organizations can be non-Community products.Does the Commission not believe that this new system creates a paradoxical situation, given that the aim of the common agricultural policy is to protect national production and ensure self-sufficiency for the European Union?Does it not agree that producers' organizations in receipt of subsidies should not be involved in importing products, so as to avoid a situation whereby imports from third countries are subsidized indirectly by EAGGF funds, which is contrary to the guiding principles of the CAP?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 May 1997)It is true that Community legislation on the recognition of producer organizations in the fruit and vegetable sector and the implementation of the operational programmes enables these organizations to carry out activities other than the marketing and the processing of their own production, including the marketing of products from other Member States or imported from non-member countries.This enables the producer organizations to maintain a market presence outside the period for marketing their own production, if that corresponds to their marketing plan and the wishes of their customers. However, Article 4(2)(b) and (e) of Regulation (EC) No 411/97 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards operational programmes, operational funds and Community financial assistance ((OJ L 62, 4.3.1997. )) prohibits any direct or indirect financing of imported products. It is for the Member States to ensure compliance with this provision.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1585/97 by Antonios TRAKATELLIS to the Commission. Community Support Framework - Subprogramme for the Thessaloniki underground railway
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: European Parliament, TRAKATELLIS
Subjects: Community support framework, European Regional Development Fund, Macedonia, public works, underground railway, urban construction, urban infrastructure, urban transport, urbanisation













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91997E1585

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1585/97 by Antonios TRAKATELLIS to the Commission. Community Support Framework - Subprogramme for the Thessaloniki underground railway  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0148 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-1585/97 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE) to the Commission (30 April 1997)Subject: Community Support Framework - Subprogramme for the Thessaloniki underground railwayObjective 2 ('measures to improve living conditions') of the second Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece (1994-1999), submitted by the Greek Government, includes an operational programme for 'Urban Development (Athens and Thessonlaki underground railway)'. Almost three years have elapsed since the commencement of the CSF and, while the Athens underground subprogramme which is receiving ECU 783 million from the ERDF, is under way, work has not yet been started on the Thessonlaki underground, with the result that the ERDF appropriation of ECU 70.7 million earmarked for this purpose remains unused.1. What is the reason for this delay and what is preventing work from commencing?2. Given that the CSF expires in 1999, what is the final deadline for commencement of the work without the risk of losing CSF funding?3. What measures has the Commission taken and what measures will it take to ensure the immediate commencement of the project which is considered necessary for a city with a population of one million?4. Will the Commission consider approving the possible cancellation of the project and the transfer of Community funds earmarked for this purpose (ECU 70.7 million) to other CSF objectives or subprogrammes?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1997)The Commission can confirm that the Urban Development operational programme in the second Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece provides for European Regional Development Fund appropriations to part-finance the construction of an underground railway in Thessaloniki.However, owing to the complexity of contract negotiations between the Greek Ministry and the potential contractor, work on this underground railway has not yet started.To date, the Commission has received no specific request for the part-financing of studies or work for this project, which is unlikely to be completed before the end of the lifetime of the second CSF, nor does it know of any intentions to re-allocate the appropriations in question.The Commission is following the development of this dossier closely, in cooperation with the Greek authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1497/97 by Pervenche BERES to the Commission. Energy - power stations
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: BERES, European Parliament
Subjects: European Union, directory, electrical energy, energy market, energy production, exchange of information, investment project, power plant













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91997E1497

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1497/97 by Pervenche BERES to the Commission. Energy - power stations  


Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0090 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1497/97 by Pervenche Berès (PSE) to the Commission (30 April 1997)Subject: Energy - power stationsCan the Commission provide a list of power stations, both existing and planned, in the European Union, indicating, by generating unit, the energy source used, current generating capacity and the capacity planned to be available five and ten years hence?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 June 1997)The Member States send the Commission confidential data on power stations and on investment projects in the electricity sector.The Honourable Member will find information on a series of investment projects in the Unipede-Eurelectric report 'Programmes and prospects for the European electricity sector'. The Commission is sending the report directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.Information on existing power stations is available in specialist publications and in databases governed by commercial contracts.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1465/97 by Glyn FORD to the Council. Ratification of 'third pillar' agreements
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: Council of the European Union, Western Balkans, customs cooperation, drug traffic, joint action, ratification of an agreement

22. 1. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 21/57

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 1997)

The question by the Honourable Member refers to the problem of the transmission of property rights by authors
and other rightholders to their heirs. These matters are, as a general rule, left to the Member States to deal with
under their civil law.

However, the Commission would point out that the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights has
already  been  harmonised  at  Community  level  by  Council  Directive  93/98/EEC  of  29  October  1993 (1).  The
Directive establishes a uniform term of protection at Community level for all works and other protected objects
which is fixed at 70 years after the death of the author. The rights of performers expire 50 years after the date of
the performance. However, the Directive does not harmonise any aspect of succession to rights, these continuing
to be governed by national law.

(1)  OJ L 290, 24.11.1993.

(98/C 21/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1460/97

by James Moorhouse (PPE) to the Council

(5 May 1997)

Subject: Detention of EU citizens in Saudi-Arabian prisons

How  many  EU  citizens  have  been  arrested  and  detained  in  Saudi  Arabia  in  each  of  the  years  1990  to  1996
inclusive,  and  in  1997  so  far?  In  each  year,  how  many  of  those  persons  have  complained  to  their  respective
Ambassador in Saudi Arabia about ill treatment while they were in custody?

Answer

(6 August 1997)

Figures about EU citizens prisoners in third countries are given by Member States on a voluntary basis and are
therefore not complete.  No historical record of these figures is kept.

At this moment the Council is aware of 12 EU citizens prisoners in Saudi Arabia.  No complaints about prison
conditions in Saudi Arabia have reached the Council.

(98/C 21/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1465/97

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(30 April 1997)

Subject: Ratification of (cid:145)third pillar(cid:146) agreements

According to a report in (cid:145)The Guardian(cid:146) of Monday, 24 March, p. 10, (cid:145)A joint EU customs/police surveillance
operation in the Balkans to monitor drug-trafficking was (cid:145)agreed(cid:146) at a meeting of EU Fisheries Ministers last
December(cid:146).

Is the Council aware of this report? Is this report correct?

If this report is correct, does the Council really feel it appropriate that decisions which should be taken by Interior
Ministry Council are taken in secret by Fisheries Ministers, who will not be aware of all the issues?