do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4017/97 by Niels SINDAL to the Commission. Stowaways
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, SINDAL
Subjects: International Maritime Organisation, border control, external border of the EU, illegal migration, international waters, intra-EU transport, maritime law, maritime safety, maritime surveillance, maritime transport

C 187/110

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 6. 98

(98/C 187/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4017/97

by Niels Sindal (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Stowaways

What action is the Commission proposing to take as regards the problems concerning the treatment of stowaways
on vessels in European waters?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 1998)

The Commission is aware of the problem of stowaways, both in the framework of maritime transport policy and
of questions which are currently dealt with under Title VI of the Treaty on European Union.

As the proposal on a convention on the monitoring of persons crossing the external frontiers of the Member
States (1) was not adopted by the Council, there are no binding legal provisions on this matter.

When the Treaty of Amsterdam comes into force, questions relating to the crossing of external borders will come
under the first pillar, specifically Article 73(2)(a) on the rules and procedures to be applied by Member States
when carrying out checks on persons crossing external borders, with the proviso that, during a transitional period
of five years following the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Council shall act unanimously on a
proposal  from  the  Commission  or  on  the  initiative  of  a  Member  State  and  after  consulting  the  European
Parliament.

Compatibility and consistency with international maritime law must be sought. Specific international rules on
stowaways on ships have been established. In this framework, a draft legal instrument aimed at combating illegal
immigration  by  sea  routes  has  been  submitted  by  Italy  to  the  International  Maritime  Organisation.  The
Commission is cooperating with the IMO on this matter.

(1)  OJ C 128, 9.5.1994.

(98/C 187/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4023/97

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Psychiatric care in Greece

The guarantee of a high level of health care is one of the aims of the European Union which was strengthened by
the Amsterdam Treaty. In Greece, certain shortcomings are becoming apparent in the psychiatric care system,
including the discouragement of the private treatment of patients. To be exact, while the cost of treatment in
private sector institutions is set at Drs 14 000, private clinics may not charge more than Drs 7 000 per day, which
is leading to the collapse of private clinics. This is in spite of the fact that 50% of psychiatric patients are treated
in clinics which are under threat of closure, a threat which has already been carried out in some cases. Will the
Commission say what measures it can and will take to reform the mental health sector in Greece?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4050/97 by Stephen HUGHES to the Commission. Psycho-organic syndrome
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, HUGHES STEPHEN
Subjects: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, health policy, information, occupational health, occupational safety

C 223/46

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 7. 98

(98/C 223/53)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4050/97

by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Psycho-organic syndrome

Considering the family of agents associated with psycho-organic syndrome, what are the exposure limits in the
fifteen Member States? Have any been banned? Are any associated with recognised industrial injuries in any of
the  Member  States?  To  what  extent  has  substitution  occurred  in  Member  States  in  relation  to  those  agents
considered most dangerous?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 1998)

The  Commission  has  asked  the  European  agency  for  safety  and  health  at  work  to  provide  it  with  technical
information on the question raised by the Honourable Member.

The Commission will reply fully to the Honourable Member when this information has been received.

(98/C 223/54)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4055/97

by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Council

(15 January 1998)

Subject: Amnesty International report on the human rights situation in Turkey

The latest Amnesty International report on the human rights situation in Turkey accuses that country of torturing
juveniles,  executions  and  the  disappearance  of  detainees.  According  to  Amnesty  International(cid:146)s  figures,
25 people were killed in custody and 23 went missing after their arrest during 1997.

1.  What measures will the Council take to stop successive Turkish governments(cid:146) mockery of the EU and to put

an end to the unacceptable human rights situation in Turkey, and

2.  what will it do to make Turkish political and military leaders aware that they cannot continue torturing and

killing their own people when the international community is looking on in horror?

(98/C 223/55)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0262/98

by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Council

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Amnesty International Report on the human rights situation in Turkey

The  most  recent  Amnesty  International  report  on  the  human  rights  situation  in  Turkey  accuses  Turkey  of
torturing minors and the execution and disappearances of prisoners. According to Amnesty International figures,
during 1997 25 people were killed during detention and 23 others disappeared following their arrest.

Will the Council say:

1.  What measures it intends to take to put an end to the mockery of the European Union by successive Turkish

governments and to the continuing unacceptable human rights situation in Turkey?

2.  What does it intend to do to make the political and military leadership of Turkey finally realize that they
cannot continue to torture and kill their own citizens under the gaze of a horrified international community?
Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1323/90 instituting specific aid for sheep and goat farming in certain less-favoured areas of the Community (COM(97)0407 C4-0452/97 97/0210(CNS))
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, aid to agriculture, cattle, less-favoured region, livestock farming, sheep













EUR-Lex - 51998AP0001 - EN






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51998AP0001

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1323/90 instituting specific aid for sheep and goat farming in certain less-favoured areas of the Community (COM(97)0407 C4-0452/97 97/0210(CNS))  


Official Journal C 034 , 02/02/1998 P. 0065 





A4-0001/98Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1323/90 instituting specific aid for sheep and goat farming in certain less-favoured areas of the Community (COM(97)0407 - C4-0452/97 - 97/0210(CNS))The proposal was approved.Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1323/90 instituting specific aid for sheep and goat farming in certain less-favoured areas of the Community (COM(97)0407 - C4-0452/97 - 97/0210(CNS))(Consultation procedure)The European Parliament,- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0407 - 97/0210(CNS) ((OJ C 264, 30.8.1997, p. 32.)),- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0452/97),- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,- having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0001/98),1. Approves the Commission proposal;2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4035/97 by Bryan CASSIDY to the Commission. Producer responsibility obligations (packaging waste) regulations, UK 1996
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: CASSIDY, European Parliament
Subjects: United Kingdom, environmental protection, packaging, producer's liability, waste disposal, waste management, waste recycling

C 223/44

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 7. 98

(98/C 223/49)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4033/97

by Bryan Cassidy (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Producer responsibility obligations (packaging waste) regulations, UK 1996

Is the Commission aware that the provisions of the UK regulations make it a criminal offence not to comply with
the  regulations  for  every  company  subject  to  them  in  the  UK  and  that,  therefore,  if  the  UK  does  not  reach
Directive 94/62/EC(cid:146)s (1) targets, then every company in the UK subject to these regulations is separately liable?

(1)  OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10.

(98/C 223/50)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4035/97

by Bryan Cassidy (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Producer responsibility obligations (packaging waste) regulations, UK 1996

Does  the  Commission  agree  that  the  criminal  liability  in  the  UK  regulations  far  exceeds  the  provisions  of
Directive 94/62/EC (1)?

(1)  OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-4033/97 and E-4035/97
given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1998)

While directives are binding on Member States, they can choose the form and methods of implementation. In
addition,  Article  5  of  the  EC  Treaty  requires  Member  States  to  take  all  appropriate  measures  to  ensure  the
fulfilment of the obligations arising out of the EC Treaty. Thus the imposition of sanctions for non-compliance is
largely a matter for national authorities to determine. In this regard it is useful to refer to the Court of justice(cid:146)s
judgement in case C-58/95. In this case the Court held that Article 5 and the third paragraph of Article 189 of the
EC Treaty must be interpreted as not precluding a Member State from imposing criminal penalties to ensure
compliance  with  waste  directives,  provided  that  those  penalties  are  analogous  to  those  applicable  to
infringements of national law of a similar nature and importance and are, in any event, effective, proportionate
and dissuasive.

(98/C 223/51)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4042/97

by Jesu· s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Council

(15 January 1998)

Subject: European Cities of Culture

Does the Council of Ministers of Culture of the European Union intend at an early date to decide on the city or
cities which will hold the title of Europe’s cultural capital in the year 2001?

If so, which cities will be applying for the nomination?

What will be the criteria for selecting the city or cities which will become Europe’s cultural capital in the year
2001?
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 97/98 of 14 January 1998 concerning Regulation (EC) No 1218/96 relating to the partial exemption from the import duty for certain products in the cereals sector laid down in the Agreements between the European Community and the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Romania
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: CCT duties, Romania, common wheat, import licence, quantitative restriction, tariff exemption

15. 1. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 9/31

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 97/98

of 14 January 1998

concerning Regulation (EC) No 1218/96 relating to the partial exemption from
the import duty for certain products in the cereals sector laid down in the
Agreements between the European Community and the Republic of Poland, the
Republic of Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of
Bulgaria and the Republic of Romania

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the
market in cereals (1), as last amended by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 923/96 (2), and in particular Article 9
thereof,
Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1218/96 of 28
June 1996 relating to the partial exemption from the
import duty for certain products in the cereals sector laid
down in the Agreements between the European
Community and the Republic of Poland, the Republic of
Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, the
Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Romania (3), as
last amended by Regulation (EC) No 32/98 (4), specifies
the quantities of barley and common wheat originating
in the Czech and Slovak Republics and the Republic of
Hungary which enjoy preferential access under
the
Interim Agreement concluded with those countries;
Whereas the Commission must fix a single coefficient for
reducing the quantities in the import licences applied for
in the
where these quantities exceed the quantities

annual quota; whereas applications for import licences
submitted on 12 January 1998 for common wheat from
the Republic of Romania relate to 243 340 tonnes and
the maximum quantity which may be imported is 10 580
tonnes at a duty reduced by 80 %,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

for

for

the

licences

‘Romania' quota
Applications
provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1218/96 at an import
duty reduced by 80 % for common wheat falling within
CN code 1001 90 99, submitted on 12 January 1998 and
forwarded to the Commission, shall be accepted for the
tonnages indicated therein multiplied by a coefficient of
0,0434783

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 15 January
1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 14 January 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 126, 24. 5. 1996, p. 37.
(3) OJ L 161, 29. 6. 1996, p. 51.
(4) OJ L 5, 9. 1. 1998, p. 4.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4009/97 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. Competitiveness of Community slate production
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA
Subjects: Brazil, China, competitiveness, customs duties, declining industrial region, earths and stones, export (EU), import (EU), mining extraction, mining industry

C 196/56

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22. 6. 98

As suggested in the question, the 5th RTD framework programme proposal (2) is designed to enhance the support
to the participation of SMEs namely through the programme (cid:145)Innovation and SMEs(cid:146). Undertakings from the
slate sector will have opportunities to participate as in the past, in particular in the activities under the themes
(cid:145)Creating a user friendly information and society(cid:146) and (cid:145)Promoting a competitive and sustainable growth(cid:146).

(1)  OJ L 126, 18.5.1994.
(2)  COM(97) 142 final.

(98/C 196/77)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4009/97

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Competitiveness of Community slate production

The production of slate in the Community constitutes an industry with a long tradition and good prospects for the
future, located in a number of Member States. In Spain alone, it employs 4 800 people directly and over 19 000
indirectly, in peripheral regions which are lagging behind or in declining industrial regions. The competitiveness
of the sector is now being seriously threatened by imports of finished slate from third countries which operate
less rigorous standards in terms of working conditions and the environment than those applying in the EU.

Is the Commission aware of this state of affairs?

Can it state what measures it has adopted or intends to adopt to stimulate the competitiveness of slate production
in the Community?

Can it state which countries are exporting slate to the EU and specify the quantities and conditions concerned?

Can it provide information on the customs tariff applying to imports of finished slate?

Can it provide information on the economic and trade agreements between the EU and third countries which have
a direct or indirect impact on slate production in the third countries concerned?

(98/C 196/78)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4011/97

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Exports of slate from the Community

The EU imports far more slate from third countries › such as China or Brazil › than it exports to the same
countries.

Can the Commission state what measures it has adopted or intends to adopt to stimulate exports of slate from the
Community to third countries?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-4009/97 and E-4011/97
given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 1998)

The Community is a net exporter of finished slate. In 1996 it exported 43 610 tonnes (7 997 of which came from
Spain), while its imports totalled 26 639 tonnes. The trend for 1997, estimated on the basis of the figures for the
first six months, seems to give the same result in the same proportions as for 1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4068/97 by Daniela RASCHHOFER to the Commission. Report of the Court of Auditors
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, European Court of Auditors, association, promotion of the European idea, report

9. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 310/11

(98/C 310/11)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4068/97

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Report of the Court of Auditors

The Annual Report of the Court of Auditors concerning the financial year 1996, volume I, contains a statement,
on page 351, second column, that there are doubts as to compliance with the rules for granting subsidies provided
for in Article A-304. In this connection reference is made to an association which regularly receives significant
funds from the Community budget.

Which association is being referred to here?

Who is the authorized representative of that association?

What projects were being subsidized?

What are the objects of that association?

What measures have been taken to put right the abuses noted in this case?

Have the misused funds been recovered?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 1998)

The association is the European Movement, International Secretariat. The President of the European Movement
is Mr Soares. The Secretary General is Mr Dastoli.

The  grant  is  intended  to  cover  the  organisation(cid:146)s  programme  of  activities  to  promote  the  idea  of  European
integration and to enable it to act as a network resource for national organisations of the European Movement.

The Commission(cid:146)s financial controller carried out audits of the organisation in 1996 and 1997 and is satisfied that
the situation has been put right. An amount of ECU 145 330 has been recovered and the grant specified by the
budget authority for 1998 is now ECU 300 000.

The Commission would point out that, as in many cases of recurring grants, the beneficiary and the amount are
specified as such in the budget by the budget authority.

(98/C 310/12)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4074/97

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Tobacco and tobacco growers

European tobacco production currently covers only about 25% of demand and any reduction thereof will simply
increase the already enormous volume of imports from third countries which already meet 75% of demand in the
European Union.

Current downward trends in EU tobacco production will have disastrous consequences for certain countries to
the south, in particular Greece, where 70 000 families engaged in tobacco growing and 400 000 people directly or
indirectly involved in the growing, processing, distribution and marketing of tobacco products will be faced with
the spectre of unemployment.

Tobacco is known to account for 13% of total agricultural exports from Greece. Clearly no alternative form of
agriculture  production  on  small  plots  of  land  situated  in  less  favoured  regions  could  provide  the  families  of
tobacco producers with sufficient income for them to continue working the land.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4041/97 by Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO to the Commission. European City of Culture: the criteria
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: CABEZON ALONSO, European Parliament
Subjects: EU initiative, European symbol, cultural cooperation, cultural event, proposal (EU), town

16. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/113

(98/C 187/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4040/97

by Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Candidates for European City of Culture

Which cities have so far submitted their candidacies for nomination as European City of Culture from the year
2000?

(98/C 187/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4041/97

by Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: European City of Culture: the criteria

Does the Commission intend to produce a proposal laying down criteria to ensure that the Council of Ministers of
Culture of the European Union designates the city or cities which will hold the title of European City of Culture
from the year 2000?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-4040/97 and E-4041/97
given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the Commission proposal for a European Parliament
and  Council  decision  establishing  a  Community  initiative  for  the  European  City  of  Culture  event,  and  in
particular Articles 2 and 3 of the decision (1).

(1)  OJ C 362, 28.11.1997.

(98/C 187/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4043/97

by Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Release of Cuban dissidents

Has the Commission made representations of any kind to the Cuban authorities to secure the release from prison
of  Cuban  citizens  Marta  Beatriz  Roque,  Rene· Go·mez,  Vladimiro  Roca  and  Re·lix  Bonne,  who  have  been
imprisoned merely for joining groups of internal political dissidents in Cuba?

Answer given by Mr Mar(cid:14)·n on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 1998)

The European Union made two official representations in July 1997, through the Presidency(cid:146)s representative in
Havana,  to  request  the  release  of  the  four  dissidents  mentioned  by  the  Honourable  Member.  These
representations were supported by the Commission and made on its behalf under the Union(cid:146)s common foreign
and security policy.

In recent communications with the Cuban authorities, the Commission representatives made it clear that release
of the four dissidents and, more generally, a change in the authorities(cid:146) repressive attitude towards fundamental
rights of expression and association are essential if the Union is to consider stepping up its cooperation with
Cuba.