do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3865/97 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: European Parliament, VALVERDE LOPEZ
Subjects: Andalusia, European charter, Maghreb, energy-generating product, gas pipeline

16. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/73

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1998)

The matters referred to by the Honourable Member do not fall within the competence of the Commission. The
seat of the Parliament was fixed by the governements of the Member States at the Edinburgh European Council
in December 1992. This decision has recently been confirmed by the decision of the Court of justice referred to
by the Honourable Member.

(98/C 187/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3865/97

by Jose· Valverde Lo·pez (PPE) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline

The opening of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline is a historical milestone for Andalusian industry. This link
could usefully be incorporated in the European Energy Charter, in the interests of greater geopolitical stability in
the region(cid:146)s economic relations.

What action is the Commission in a position to take to incorporate this aspect into the European Energy Charter?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 1998)

The Energy Charter Treaty is a legally binding instrument, which imposes obligations on governments to protect
foreign investment and to ensure open trade in energy materials and products. It does not contain any reference to
a particular project. It would not, therefore, be possible to make a reference to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline
in the Energy Charter Treaty.

Nevertheless, the Commission considers the Energy Charter Treaty as a point of reference for its Mediterranean
policy. Consequently, in November 1996, the Commission organized a briefing session on the Energy Charter
Treaty for the Mediterranean countries.

The countries of the Maghreb have participated from the very beginning as observers during the negotiations of
the Energy Charter Treaty. To date, none of them has become a contracting party to the Energy Charter Treaty,
but they have observer status in the Energy Charter Conference.

(98/C 187/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3867/97

by Jose· Valverde Lo·pez (PPE) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Olive oil exports

Olive oil exports are now subject to the limits imposed by the GATT agreements on refunds, which are to be
reduced by 20% in volume and 36% in value, on a cumulative basis, by the year 2000.

What measures does the Commission envisage to offset these losses and support the opening-up of new export
markets?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3848/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Social security entitlement
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Community migration, EU national, Greece, Sweden, discrimination on the basis of nationality, free movement of workers, infringement of EU law, survivor's benefit

8. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174/143

(98/C 174/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3848/97

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Social security entitlement

The  Greek  General  Accounts  Office  is  refusing  to  award  a  survivor(cid:146)s  pension  to  a  Swedish  national,
Mrs  Brit-Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Mr  Ioannis  Papadopoulos,  under  Article  63(1)(b)  of  Presidential  Decree
1041/79 (civil and military pensions code), on the grounds that she does not have Greek nationality.

Given that this constitutes an infringement of Community law regarding social security entitlement (Regulation
(EEC) No 1408/71 (1)) and the EU Treaty (Articles 48 and 51 and F, 6 and 8) what steps will the Commission take
to  bring  Greek  legislation  into  line  with  Community  law  and  the  EU  Treaties  and  in  order  to  ensure  that
Mrs Brit-Elizabeth Papadopoulos obtains her pension entitlement?

(1)  OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s opinion that the refusal by the Greek authorities to grant a
survivor(cid:146)s pension on the grounds that the applicant does not have Greek nationality infringes Articles 48 and
51 of the EC Treaty, as well as Regulation (EEC) 1612/68 of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for
workers  within  the  Community (1),  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  118/97  of  2  December  1996  amending  and
updating Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to
self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community, and Regulation (EEC)
No 574/72 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (2).

Accordingly, the Commission has contacted the Greek authorities to draw their attention to this situation.

(1)  OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.
(2)  OJ L 28, 30.1.1997.

(98/C 174/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3849/97

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Minewater pollution

What reply has the Commission received from the UK authorities concerning Directive 76/464/EEC (1) and the
escape of polluted minewaters from abandoned mines?

Given the threat of further closures of deep mines in Britain, and the possible cessation of water treatment and
pumping operations, what scope does Directive 80/68/EEC (2) afford in protecting groundwater from polluting
emissions from abandoned mines?

(1)  OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23.
(2)  OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3842/97 by Enrique BARÓN CRESPO to the Commission. Ericsson SA in Spain
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: BARON CRESPO, European Parliament
Subjects: Spain, demerger, labour law, multinational enterprise, telecommunications industry, transfer of businesses, worker consultation













EUR-Lex - 91997E3842 - EN






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91997E3842

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3842/97 by Enrique BARÓN CRESPO to the Commission. Ericsson SA in Spain  


Official Journal C 187 , 16/06/1998 P. 0068 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3842/97 by Enrique Barón Crespo (PSE) to the Commission (5 December 1997)Subject: Ericsson SA in SpainPrompted by the liberalization of the EU telecommunications market, the multinational company Ericsson is planning to divide up its production activities in Spain and transfer 1545 employees from the company where they work to another company which is in a fragile economic situation and is not covered by any agreements with workers.Given that Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson is a European multinational, will the Commission say:1. whether the provisions of the directive on the information and consultation of workers (European Works Council) have been observed?2. whether the Community legislation on this matter has been observed?Answer given by M. Flynn on behalf of the Commission (4 February 1998)In the absence of detailed information, the Commission cannot judge whether the multinational group Ericsson has respected Council Directive 94/45/EC of 22 September 1994 on the establishment of a European Works Council or a procedure in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing and consulting employees ((OJ L 254, 30.9.1994. )), in the framework of the restructuring operation mentioned by the Honourable Member.The Commission does not intervene in operations of this kind unless it turns out that Community rules have been ignored or have not been properly transposed by the Member States. It is first and foremost the job of the national authorities to ensure compliance with the relevant national rules and, hence, with any Community provisions that may apply to the cases in question.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3849/97 by Kenneth COATES to the Commission. Minewater pollution
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: COATES, European Parliament
Subjects: United Kingdom, dangerous substance, environmental protection, groundwater, mining operation, water pollution, water treatment

8. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174/143

(98/C 174/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3848/97

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Social security entitlement

The  Greek  General  Accounts  Office  is  refusing  to  award  a  survivor(cid:146)s  pension  to  a  Swedish  national,
Mrs  Brit-Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Mr  Ioannis  Papadopoulos,  under  Article  63(1)(b)  of  Presidential  Decree
1041/79 (civil and military pensions code), on the grounds that she does not have Greek nationality.

Given that this constitutes an infringement of Community law regarding social security entitlement (Regulation
(EEC) No 1408/71 (1)) and the EU Treaty (Articles 48 and 51 and F, 6 and 8) what steps will the Commission take
to  bring  Greek  legislation  into  line  with  Community  law  and  the  EU  Treaties  and  in  order  to  ensure  that
Mrs Brit-Elizabeth Papadopoulos obtains her pension entitlement?

(1)  OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s opinion that the refusal by the Greek authorities to grant a
survivor(cid:146)s pension on the grounds that the applicant does not have Greek nationality infringes Articles 48 and
51 of the EC Treaty, as well as Regulation (EEC) 1612/68 of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for
workers  within  the  Community (1),  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  118/97  of  2  December  1996  amending  and
updating Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to
self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community, and Regulation (EEC)
No 574/72 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (2).

Accordingly, the Commission has contacted the Greek authorities to draw their attention to this situation.

(1)  OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.
(2)  OJ L 28, 30.1.1997.

(98/C 174/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3849/97

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Minewater pollution

What reply has the Commission received from the UK authorities concerning Directive 76/464/EEC (1) and the
escape of polluted minewaters from abandoned mines?

Given the threat of further closures of deep mines in Britain, and the possible cessation of water treatment and
pumping operations, what scope does Directive 80/68/EEC (2) afford in protecting groundwater from polluting
emissions from abandoned mines?

(1)  OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23.
(2)  OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3847/97 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Designation of 'the cultural capital of Europe'
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, European symbol, Macedonia, cultural organisation, cultural policy, draft budget, general budget (EU)













EUR-Lex - 91997E3847 - EN






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91997E3847

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3847/97 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Designation of 'the cultural capital of Europe'  


Official Journal C 196 , 22/06/1998 P. 0023 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3847/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (5 December 1997)Subject: Designation of 'the cultural capital of Europe'In replying on behalf of the Commission to Written Question E-3127/96 ((OJ C 105, 3.4.1997, p. 54. )) Mr Oreja made it clear that no application for funding had yet been made by the Greek authorities for the 'Thessaloniki - 1997 cultural capital of Europe' event. Given that one year has since elapsed and the event is now drawing to a close, can the Commission say whether it did finally provide funding for 'Thessaloniki - 1997 cultural capital of Europe' and if so, how much?Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (6 February 1998)The Commission made the following financial contributions to the European City of Culture event in 1997.1. A contribution of ECU 403 012 under Action IV of the Kaleidoscope Programme (Item B2-2001) to support the five activities below:- Soprano Vasso Papantaniou (and the Hungarian State Orchestra 11/11/1997) ECU 24 089- The Hungarian State Orchestra 11-12/11/1997 ECU 47 289- Ionio University Choir 22/11/1997 ECU 18 991- The Opera 'Konstantinos Palaiologos' 26-28/11/1997 ECU 296 390- Paul Mercier's 'Kitchensink' 1-2/12/1997 ECU 16 2532. A contribution of ECU 208 556 under Item B3-2003 (Other cultural measures in the Community and in cooperation with third countries) for the organisation of the exhibition 'Treasures from the Monasteries of Mont Athos.'The Community contribution for 1997 therefore totals ECU 611 568.As is the case every year, the Commission made a contribution of ECU 344 890 to the organisation of the Aristeion Prizes (The European Literary Prize and The European Translation Prize). This is part of the European City of Culture event.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3872/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Eco-label award scheme
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, consumer information, eco-label, environmental protection, international standard, labelling, public awareness campaign













EUR-Lex - 91997E3872 - EN






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91997E3872

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3872/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Eco-label award scheme  


Official Journal C 223 , 17/07/1998 P. 0028 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3872/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (5 December 1997)Subject: Eco-label award schemeThe Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council regulation (EC) on a revised Community eco-label award scheme (COM(96) 603 final - 96/0312 SYN) ((OJ C 114, 12.4.1997, p. 9. )).Will the Commission review the funding of the scheme after three years to assess to what extent it can become financially independent, given that once the Commission's participation has ceased the Member States should contribute to the operation of the scheme in view of the social and environmental advantages produced by the eco-label?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1998)The Commission proposal on a revised Community eco-label scheme foresees a Commission subsidy of ECU 5 030 000 in the first four years of operation of the European eco-label organisation (EEO). There are no plans to review the funding of the EEO after three years.However, the Commission does not support the EEO alone, in fact 50% of the annual fees of eco-labelled products would go to the EEO (Annex V.8, of the Commission's proposal). According to Article 7.1 of the financial statement of the Commission's proposal the eco-label competent bodies shall finance the EEO together with the Commission and shall continue to support the scheme when the Commission's subsidy ends. According to Article 10 of the Commission's proposal, Member States will have to contribute to the establishment of the scheme through information and promotional campaigns.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3883/97 by Amedeo AMADEO , Spalato BELLERE' to the Commission. Transportable pressure equipment
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: AMADEO, BELLERE, European Parliament
Subjects: approval, competition, consumer information, cost-benefit analysis, free movement of goods, marketing, pressure equipment, price reduction













EUR-Lex - 91997E3883 - EN






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91997E3883

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3883/97 by Amedeo AMADEO , Spalato BELLERE' to the Commission. Transportable pressure equipment  


Official Journal C 196 , 22/06/1998 P. 0028 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3883/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Spalato Belleré (NI) to the Commission (5 December 1997)Subject: Transportable pressure equipmentThe Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council directive on transportable pressure equipment (COM(96) 674 final - 97/0011 SYN) ((OJ C 95, 24.3.1997, p. 2. )).The implementation of this directive will lead to a reduction in costs and thus provide economic advantages for manufacturers of pressure equipment, since in future approvals and the affixing of marks will be done in a single Member State, providing for free movement of approved equipment throughout the territory of the EU. This will lead to a sharp fall in the price of this equipment as a result of competition.Will the Commission ensure that industry in this sector (manufacturers of equipment such as gas bottles, tanks and other components, and producers and distributors of liquid gas) pass on the economic advantages they secure to consumers, in terms of the final price for these products?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (9 February 1998)The Commission considers that when the proposed directive enters into force manufacturers should benefit from economies in the costs connected with obtaining the approval of transportable pressure equipment. Indeed, the manufacturers of this equipment will no longer have to obtain approval in all the Member States, since approval and marking in only one Member State will be sufficient to allow the marketing of equipment and use in all the Member States.With regard to the effects of these savings on the price of this equipment, while no formal guarantee can be given that the savings will be passed on, the Commission is convinced that market forces will have this effect.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3855/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. The future of science parks in the European Union
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: European Parliament, ROBLES PIQUER
Subjects: EU programme, innovation, new technology, regional development, research and development, technology park













EUR-Lex - 91997E3855 - EN






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91997E3855

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3855/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. The future of science parks in the European Union  


Official Journal C 187 , 16/06/1998 P. 0071 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3855/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1997)Subject: The future of science parks in the European UnionAs some of the science parks scattered around Europe begin to review their achievements and future prospects, those responsible for running the parks are expressing the view that there is a lack of balance between what the parks offer and what is expected of them by many of the companies they are designed to serve. It sometimes seems that the whole basic model for science parks needs to be redefined.Does the Commission feel that the time is right to suggest a joint review of the future of science parks, which would also take account of experience and assessments from outside the Community?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (28 January 1998)For several years, the Commission has been keeping a close eye on the development of technology parks as part of its Innovation Programme and regional policy. Technology parks are designed to promote technological innovation and serve as support structures for regional economic development.In the last fifteen years or so, these structures have multiplied throughout the European Union and have now attained a certain maturity, although there are considerable variations between regions. As the Honourable Member rightly points out, the concept is still evolving in response to technological progress, especially in the information and communication technologies. For example, we are currently witnessing the emergence of multi-centre or 'virtual' parks.Technology parks are grouped into national associations which regularly organise forums where the members can compare notes on development, the structures which have been created and the tools which are available to the businesses concerned.Furthermore, the International Association of Science Parks, which brings together a large number of parks in Europe and other parts of the world, organises useful forums for reflecting on the future of technology parks, and the Commission maintains a keen interest in their deliberations.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3868/97 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Delay in works for the Jubilee in Rome
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, European Investment Bank, Latium, commemoration, public works, urban infrastructure













EUR-Lex - 91997E3868 - EN






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91997E3868

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3868/97 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Delay in works for the Jubilee in Rome  


Official Journal C 323 , 21/10/1998 P. 0003 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3868/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (5 December 1997)Subject: Delay in works for the Jubilee in RomeReplying to Written Question P-1677/97 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 80.)) of 27 June 1997, the Commission stated that the EIB had no reason to date to doubt the ability of the promoters to carry out the activities linked to the Rome 2000 project framework agreement. Recently, however, the President of the Agenzia Romano per l'Anno Santo, Luigi Zanda, expressed concern at the serious delays by the communal authorities of Rome in carrying out the works planned for the Jubilee, despite the fact that only 780 days remain before the great event. In view of the vital importance of the Jubilee not only for the city of Rome but for Europe and the world as a whole and bearing in mind that almost 50% of the funding for the works is being provided by the EIB:1. What is the Commission's opinion on the feasibility of completing the 500 or so works planned for the Jubilee 2000 which the EIB is helping to finance?2. Have any funds already been paid, given that the EIB is allocating the finance for individual works and not in a single tranche?3. Are the continual delays in the completion of the works in question by the communal authorities in Rome jeopardizing their prospects of actually benefitting from EIB funding for the Jubilee?Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)The projects being financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) within the framework of the Rome 2000 project were individually selected by the Bank, in accordance with its own criteria, as meeting an urgent need, viz. to improve infrastructures in Rome, and as having a significant and permanent impact on the economy. The vetting undertaken by the EIB confirmed the promoters' technical competence to carry out the projects satisfactorily.Among the projects in the Jubilee programme, some larger-scale works require a relatively lengthy authorisation procedure. This is why the national authorities' supervisory and coordinating roles have been strengthened. The EIB resources are managed by the national authorities, who pay them out as work progresses. A summary of these disbursements is presented to the Italian Parliament every six months.