do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 146/98 by Brian SIMPSON to the Commission. Dresser-Rand
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, SIMPSON BRIAN
Subjects: European Regional Development Fund, State aid, United Kingdom, Upper Normandy, application of EU law, infringement of EU law, job cuts, transfer of businesses

17. 7. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 223/125

The  new  common  organisation  of  the  market,  which  came  into  force  last  year,  aims  specifically  to  enable
producers(cid:146) organisations to improve their structural situation (by encouraging them to market their own products
and to set up operational funds and operational programmes).

2. Withdrawals cannot be considered as a subtitute market outlet. The 35% limit, degressive over time, was
fixed by the Council to prevent misuse of the measure, which should be applied only occasionally.

3.
During recent marketing years, more than three quarters of Greek production benefitted from Community
financial support (export refunds, processing aid, market withdrawals). In addition, at the request of the Greek
authorities, on 5 February 1998 the Commission approved the free distribution of 11 600 tonnes of oranges to
Greece(cid:146)s non-Community neighbours.

Lastly, when the export refunds were last fixed, the share of quantities earmarked for B licences was increased, in
accordance with exporters(cid:146) wishes, while remaining within the limits laid down in the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) agreements.

(98/C 223/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0146/98

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Dresser-Rand

Is the Commission aware that the Dresser-Rand Company based in Wythenshawe, United Kingdom, is to transfer
its production to Le Havre in France with the loss of 300 jobs from an ERDF Objective 2 area?

Can  the  Commission  investigate  whether  this  move  resulted  from  illegal  subsidies  or  sweeteners  paid  to  the
company by the French authorities?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1998)

The Commission has taken note of the question put by the Honourable Member. It has already responded in a
positive  manner,  by  contacting  the  French  authorities  to  ensure  that  Community  rules  on  state  aid  are  being
complied with.

It will inform the Honourable Member as soon as possible of the findings of its investigations.

(98/C 223/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0147/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Slot allocation at Schipol Airport, Amsterdam

As a result of complaints about noise pollution, the Netherlands Government last year took a decision, under
Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 (1) to declare Schipol over capacity and to reduce by 10 000 the number of slots
available.

Many  regional  airports,  such  as  Southampton  Airport  in  the  UK,  were  badly  affected  by  this  decision.
Southampton has lost all five of its daily slots at Schipol. Regional airports which are able to offer regular flights
to major international airports make an enormous contribution to the regional economy.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 158/98 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Olive oil production
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: EU Member State, disclosure of information, marketing year, olive oil, production aid, production statistics

C 310/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 1998)

Since Andorra is not a Member State, its tobacco production is not covered by the common organisation of the
market in raw tobacco and therefore receives no Community aid.

(98/C 310/34)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0157/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Repairs to the Corinth Canal

The  Corinth  Canal  is  one  of  the  greatest  technical  feats  in  the  world  and  extremely  important  for  the  Greek
economy. Being 100 years old, it naturally requires a great deal of maintenance work.

Following a collapse in the walls on 18 December 1997, the canal was closed for a lengthy period. The cost of
repairs is put at Drs 30 billion. Is there any possibility of Union funding for these repairs and have the Greek
authorities submitted a request to that effect?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1998)

The Commission has not received any application for financing of the work to which the Honourable Member
refers.

However,  the  Greek  authorities  can  submit  such  an  application  following  the  procedures  provided  for  in  the
Community  support  framework  (CSF).  The  Commission  is  prepared  to  examine  all  financing  possibilities  in
partnership with the Greek authorities, subject to the availability of funds under the CSF.

(98/C 310/35)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0158/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Olive oil production

As  the  information  given  by  the  Greek  authorities  is  not  clear,  would  the  Commission  provide  me  with
information concerning the production of olive oil in Greece and the other Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1998)

The olive oil production estimates provided by the Member States are disputed and the Commission has asked
the Court of Auditors to examine the matter. The production entitled to aid according to the Member States(cid:146)
figures is given in the table below.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 140/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Fisheries operational programme in Greece
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Greece, aquaculture, commitment of expenditure, financial aid, fishing fleet, fishing industry, food processing, industrial infrastructure, marketing, operational programme

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/39

At this moment, the Commission has no intention to make proposals for additional taxes on tobacco products.
However,  Member  States  are  free  to  subject  tobacco  products  to  other  indirect  taxes  for  specific  purposes,
provided  that  those  taxes  comply  with  the  tax  rules  applicable  for  excise  duty  and  VAT  purposes  as  far  as
determination of the tax base, calculation of the tax, chargeability and monitoring of the tax are concerned.

3.
Community actions to combat cancer are found within the (cid:145)Europe Against Cancer(cid:146) programme, which
includes initiatives to inform and educate the public on the dangers of smoking. A series of prevention projects
have been financed by this programme, and details of such projects financed in 1996 and 1997 are sent direct to
the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat, together with details of information projects financed
through the Community fund for research and information on tobacco.

(1)  COM(98)19 final.
(2)  OJ L 291, 6.12.1995.
(3)  OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.

(98/C 304/53)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0140/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Fisheries operational programme in Greece

The  fisheries  operational  programme  in  Greece  comprises  four  Sub-Programmes  and  a  fifth  for  technical
assistance. As there is a timetable for each of sub-programmes 1 to 4, will the Commission say:

1.  what  progress  has  been  made  with  the  sub-programmes  and  what  measures  have  been  taken  in  each

sub-programme, and

2.  whether there have been any delays in taking up funds and, if so, what the main reasons for the delays are?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 1998)

The  progress  of  the  four  sub-programmes  of  the  fisheries  programme  in  Greece,  in  terms  of  financial

1.
commitments to measures by the Member State and payments (execution) is as follows:

› 

fleet:

financial commitments: 72% of the sub-programme
payments: 36% (ditto)

›  aquaculture:

financial commitments: 90.6% of the sub-programme
payment: 12.6% (ditto)

›  processing or marketing:

financial commitments: 64.1% of the sub-programme
payment: 11.6% (ditto)

› 

infrastructure:

financial commitments: 63.8% of the sub-programme
payment: 3.6% (ditto)

2.
The above data shows that the sub-programme for infrastructure is seriously lagging behind the others in
terms of utilisation of appropriations. The delays are mainly due to the time needed to carry out the investments
(often two years) after the funds have been committed to the measure.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 147/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. Slot allocation at Schipol Airport, Amsterdam
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: IATA, North Holland, air traffic, air transport, airline, airport, transport capacity, transport planning

17. 7. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 223/125

The  new  common  organisation  of  the  market,  which  came  into  force  last  year,  aims  specifically  to  enable
producers(cid:146) organisations to improve their structural situation (by encouraging them to market their own products
and to set up operational funds and operational programmes).

2. Withdrawals cannot be considered as a subtitute market outlet. The 35% limit, degressive over time, was
fixed by the Council to prevent misuse of the measure, which should be applied only occasionally.

3.
During recent marketing years, more than three quarters of Greek production benefitted from Community
financial support (export refunds, processing aid, market withdrawals). In addition, at the request of the Greek
authorities, on 5 February 1998 the Commission approved the free distribution of 11 600 tonnes of oranges to
Greece(cid:146)s non-Community neighbours.

Lastly, when the export refunds were last fixed, the share of quantities earmarked for B licences was increased, in
accordance with exporters(cid:146) wishes, while remaining within the limits laid down in the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) agreements.

(98/C 223/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0146/98

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Dresser-Rand

Is the Commission aware that the Dresser-Rand Company based in Wythenshawe, United Kingdom, is to transfer
its production to Le Havre in France with the loss of 300 jobs from an ERDF Objective 2 area?

Can  the  Commission  investigate  whether  this  move  resulted  from  illegal  subsidies  or  sweeteners  paid  to  the
company by the French authorities?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1998)

The Commission has taken note of the question put by the Honourable Member. It has already responded in a
positive  manner,  by  contacting  the  French  authorities  to  ensure  that  Community  rules  on  state  aid  are  being
complied with.

It will inform the Honourable Member as soon as possible of the findings of its investigations.

(98/C 223/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0147/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Slot allocation at Schipol Airport, Amsterdam

As a result of complaints about noise pollution, the Netherlands Government last year took a decision, under
Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 (1) to declare Schipol over capacity and to reduce by 10 000 the number of slots
available.

Many  regional  airports,  such  as  Southampton  Airport  in  the  UK,  were  badly  affected  by  this  decision.
Southampton has lost all five of its daily slots at Schipol. Regional airports which are able to offer regular flights
to major international airports make an enormous contribution to the regional economy.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 143/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Murder of Cypriot Solomos Solomou
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Cyprus, Schengen Agreement, crime against individuals, database, homicide













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WRITTEN QUESTION No. 143/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Murder of Cypriot Solomos Solomou  


Official Journal C 402 , 22/12/1998 P. 0005 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0143/98by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(2 February 1998)Subject: Murder of Cypriot Solomos SolomouKenan Akin, a former member of the "government" of the self-styled "state" of northern Cyprus, and other individuals are accused by the Cypriot authorities of involvement in the murder of the Greek Cypriot, Solomos Solomou, and of other criminal acts. Interpol is already carrying out investigations into these matters.Does the Schengen data system have information about these individuals? In the event of any of the above persons applying for a visa for the EU, what action would normally be taken?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission(6 May 1998)The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the matter at issue. It does not enjoy access to files kept by the Schengen information system in order to check whether the names of certain individuals appear. In accordance with the provisions of the Schengen Convention, only the person concerned may have access to data concerning him.Notifications for purposes of non-admission are made by the Member State or Member States concerned on a request from the judicial or administrative authority in accordance with domestic law.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 145/98 by Kenneth COATES to the Commission. Anti-poverty programmes
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: COATES, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, United Kingdom, action programme, marginalisation, poverty, social development

C 310/26

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

In a declaration marking the start of the year of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights adopted in Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December, the European Council welcomed the implementation of
academic programmes by the European Commission for the fiftieth anniversary and said that the Member States
would be launching national initiatives to commemorate that anniversary.

The  Commission  will  consider  the  possibility  of  other  commemorative  schemes,  in  line  with  the  wishes
expressed by Parliament in its commentary on the 1998 budget.

(98/C 310/28)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0122/98

by Gerardo Ferna·ndez-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: European articles of association

The  recent  call  by  the  Commission  for  proposals  to  promote  the  development  of  international  youth
organizations  has  once  again  highlighted  the  need  for  a  set  of  European  articles  of  association  to  govern
associations extending beyond the territory of a Member State.

The  growing  interdependence  of  organizations  which  maintain  multiple  cooperative  links  beyond  the  purely
commercial sector in different Member States, calls for a legal framework in the European Union in order that
such organizations may develop their activities safe in the knowledge that precise regulations exist.

Can the Commission say whether it considers it necessary for such European articles of association to be adopted
at  a  European  level  in  order  to  facilitate  cooperation  between  individuals,  organizations  and  bodies  from
different Member States and to provide the necessary regulatory framework for their activities?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1998)

The  Commission  would  inform  the  Honourable  Member  that  in  order  to  facilitate  cooperation  between
organisations that wish to operate at European level through a non-profit body, it has already submitted to the
Council a draft regulation on the statute for a European association (1).

The draft, which was proposed in 1992, was amended in 1993 (2) following the opinions of the Parliament and the
Economic and social committee, but has not so far been adopted by the Council.

(1)  OJ  C 99, 21.4.1992.
(2)  OJ C 236, 31.8.1993.

(98/C 310/29)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0145/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Anti-poverty programmes

In 1996, the United Kingdom brought before the European Court of Justice a legal action concerning funding for
the Commission(cid:146)s anti-poverty and other social programmes to help excluded groups.

What  effect  is  this  having  on  the  Commission(cid:146)s  work  in  the  social  sphere  and  on  the  non-governmental
organizations which engage in it? How are programmes for the elderly and the disabled affected?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 157/98 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Repairs to the Corinth Canal
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: Community support framework, EU financing, Peloponnese, engineering structure, inland waterway, maintenance, natural disaster

C 310/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 1998)

Since Andorra is not a Member State, its tobacco production is not covered by the common organisation of the
market in raw tobacco and therefore receives no Community aid.

(98/C 310/34)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0157/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Repairs to the Corinth Canal

The  Corinth  Canal  is  one  of  the  greatest  technical  feats  in  the  world  and  extremely  important  for  the  Greek
economy. Being 100 years old, it naturally requires a great deal of maintenance work.

Following a collapse in the walls on 18 December 1997, the canal was closed for a lengthy period. The cost of
repairs is put at Drs 30 billion. Is there any possibility of Union funding for these repairs and have the Greek
authorities submitted a request to that effect?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1998)

The Commission has not received any application for financing of the work to which the Honourable Member
refers.

However,  the  Greek  authorities  can  submit  such  an  application  following  the  procedures  provided  for  in  the
Community  support  framework  (CSF).  The  Commission  is  prepared  to  examine  all  financing  possibilities  in
partnership with the Greek authorities, subject to the availability of funds under the CSF.

(98/C 310/35)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0158/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Olive oil production

As  the  information  given  by  the  Greek  authorities  is  not  clear,  would  the  Commission  provide  me  with
information concerning the production of olive oil in Greece and the other Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1998)

The olive oil production estimates provided by the Member States are disputed and the Commission has asked
the Court of Auditors to examine the matter. The production entitled to aid according to the Member States(cid:146)
figures is given in the table below.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 165/98 by Constanze KREHL to the Commission. Access to aid for measures co-financed from European Structural Fund resources
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, KREHL
Subjects: Structural Funds, eligibility criteria, eligible region, foreign national, terms for aid, third country













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WRITTEN QUESTION No. 165/98 by Constanze KREHL to the Commission. Access to aid for measures co-financed from European Structural Fund resources  


Official Journal C 223 , 17/07/1998 P. 0130 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0165/98 by Constanze Krehl (PSE) to the Commission (2 February 1998)Subject: Access to aid for measures co-financed from European Structural Fund resourcesCan the Commission say whether the Structural Fund Regulation provides that third-country nationals legally residing in an area covered by one of the Objectives are as a matter of principle excluded from structural fund aid?If the Structural Fund Regulation does not so provide, does it authorize the competent national and/or regional authorities to exclude as a matter of principle third-country nationals living in the relevant area covered by one of the Objectives in their directives relating to aid for measures which are co-financed from European Structural Fund resources?Is it therefore possible that a Polish lady, who is married to an EU citizen and lives with him in an EU country while still retaining her Polish nationality, may be denied access to European Structural Fund resources on those grounds?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (12 March 1998)There are no provisions in the structural funds regulations which would permit the exclusion from assistance from the funds of third country nationals legally residing in an area of a Member State eligible for assistance, nor do the regulations authorize national or regional authorities to exclude third country nationals from eligibility for assistance.The regulations do however stipulate that assistance may only be given for activities undertaken within the territory of the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 150/98 by Jaime VALDIVIELSO DE CUÉ to the Commission. Imports of wines departing from Community oenological practices
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, VALDIVIELSO DE CUE
Subjects: United States, derogation from EU law, human nutrition, import (EU), marketing, quality label, vinification, wine













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WRITTEN QUESTION No. 150/98 by Jaime VALDIVIELSO DE CUÉ to the Commission. Imports of wines departing from Community oenological practices  


Official Journal C 223 , 17/07/1998 P. 0126 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0150/98 by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE) to the Commission (2 February 1998)Subject: Imports of wines departing from Community oenological practicesCould the Commission say why it has granted a further year's extension in respect of imports of wines that have undergone oenological processes not provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 ((OJ L 84, 27.3.1987, p. 1. )), bearing in mind that the exceptions specified in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1873/84 ((OJ L 176, 3.7.1984, p. 6. )) applied for a period ending on 31 December 1997?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 March 1998)Under the 1983 'Wine Accord' between the Community and the United States, the Community granted a derogation to wines imported from the United States subject to oenological processes not provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the common organisation of the market in wine ((OJ L 84, 27.3.1987. )). The Council extended this derogation for a period of one year at the end of 1997, pursuant to the Commission proposal, in Council Regulation (EC) No 2612/97 of 15 December 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1873/84 authorising the offer or disposal for direct human consumption of certain imported wines which may have undergone oenological processes not provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 ((OJ L 353, 24.12.1997. )).The Commission considers that it was necessary to extend this derogation as consultations are currently underway between the Community and the United States on the provisions of the 1983 agreement, particularly improved protection of geographical indications and oenological processes.