WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2599/97 by Bill MILLER to the Commission. Enlargement of the Union
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MILLER
Subjects: Central and Eastern Europe, EU financing, European standard, Structural Funds, accession to the European Union, enlargement of the Union, financial aid, technical cooperation

C 102/68

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 4. 98

However, very few studies have been published concerning the possible skin effects due to nickel release from
coins. Also, there are no formal epidemiological studies available.

At  the  request  of  the  Commission,  the  scientific  committee  for  the  toxicity  and  ecotoxicity  of  chemical
compounds has considered the risk arising from handling coins containing nickel. The committee agreed that
there was no evidence to suggest that current coinage had been associated with the initiation of sensitisation. As
for people already sensitised, analysis of the very limited information available led the scientific committee to the
conclusion that very few cases of dermatitis may be caused by the release of nickel from present day coins, both
in the average consumer and in workers professionally handling coins.

Further studies appear necessary to obtain statistically significant evidence concerning the eventual role of nickel
release from coins in relation to aggravation of hand eczema.

However, it should be pointed out that the technical characteristics proposed by the Commission for the new euro
coins  will  reduce  the  percentage  of  nickel  containing  coins  in  circulation  from  a  current  75%  to  8%  in  the
Community.

(98/C 102/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2599/97

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Enlargement of the Union

Does  the  Commission  agree  that  monies  from  the  Structural  Funds  earmarked  to  assist  Central  and  Eastern
European countries towards accession to the European Union are now not so urgently required because of the
results of the Amsterdam Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 1997)

The success of enlargement to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will largely depend on the preparation
of applicant countries during the pre-accession period. This effort will be mainly shouldered by the applicant
countries, but technical and financial assistance from the Union will also be necessary. In its communication
(cid:145)Agenda 2000(cid:146), the Commission proposes a reinforced pre-accession strategy, linking in an overall approach the
instruments of granting aid and the conduct of negotiations. The proposed pre-accession aid includes an annual
amount  of  MECU  1000  from  the  heading  2  of  the  budget  for  the  period  2000-2006.  This  aid  is  intended,  in
particular, to help bring the applicant countries’ transport and environmental infrastructures up to Community
standards, and to enable the countries concerned to become familiar with structural operations. Reflecting the
fact that enlargement is an inclusive process, it will be granted to all applicant countries, irrespective of the date
when each of them will be involved in negotiations.

The Commission’s proposals included in (cid:145)Agenda 2000(cid:146) take account of the results of the Intergovernmental
conference. At the same time, it stresses that all the Community’s policies must be developed and deepened in
order to build a wider and stronger Europe. Above all, the institutions and their functioning must be deepened in
good time, as foreseen by the Protocol annexed to the Treaty. The task to accomplish the necessary institutional
reforms  complicates  the  enlargement  process,  but  does  not  necessarily  delay  it.  Meanwhile,  the  enlargement
timetable has a definite link with the success of the pre-accession effort. Hence, implementing the reinforced
pre-accession strategy, including its structural aid element, is as urgent as ever.