do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
98/173/EC: Commission Decision of 17 February 1998 amending Decision 95/232/EC on the organisation of a temporary experiment under Council Directive 69/208/EEC in order to establish conditions to be satisfied by the seed of hybrids and varietal associations of swede rape and turnip rape (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: marketing standard, oil seed rape, plant health control, plant health legislation, seed

L 63/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

4. 3. 98

COMMISSION DECISION

of 17 February 1998

amending Decision 95/232/EC on the organisation of a temporary experiment
under Council Directive 69/208/EEC in order to establish conditions to be satis-
fied by the seed of hybrids and varietal associations of swede rape and turnip
rape

(Text with EEA relevance)

(98/173/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 69/208/EEC of 30
June 1969 on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre
plants (1), as last amended by Council Directive 96/
72/EC (2), and in particular Article 12a thereof,

Whereas Commission Decision 95/232/EC (3), established
a temporary experiment under specified conditions with
the aim of establishing the conditions to be satisfied by
the seed of hybrids and varietal associations of swede rape
and turnip rape;

Whereas in the light of the experience gained in the
course of the experiment which expires on 31 December
1997 further
to be collected at
Community level with a view to drawing proper conclu-
for possible future adaptations of Community
sions
provisions;

information needs

Whereas it is therefore, desirable to extend the period of
the experiment under the same conditions with the aim
of assessing whether adaptations should be made to the
Community provisions in the future;

Whereas it is necessary not to interrupt the continuity of
the experiment;

Whereas the measures contained in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee
on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horti-
culture and Forestry,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In Article 5(3) and (5) of Decision 95/232/EC the date of
31 December 1997 is replaced by 31 December 1998.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on 31 December
1997.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 February 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 169, 10. 7. 1969, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 304, 27. 11. 1996, p. 10.
(3) OJ L 154, 5. 7. 1995, p. 22.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 489/98 by Karl HABSBURG-LOTHRINGEN to the Commission. Report on the approximation of the rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, HABSBURG-LOTHRINGEN
Subjects: alcoholic beverage, excise duty, fiscal policy, single market, tax harmonisation

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/117

(98/C 304/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0489/98

by Karl Habsburg-Lothringen (PPE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Report on the approximation of the rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages

With a view to the approximation of excise duty rates, a system of minimum rates of excise duty was introduced
with Directive 92/84/EEC (1). Pursuant to Article 8 of that Directive, the Council is to examine the rates of duty
every  two  years  and,  acting  unanimously  after  consulting  the  European  Parliament,  adopt  the  necessary
measures.

That  examination  is  to  be  carried  out  on  the  basis  of  a  report  and,  where  appropriate,  a  proposal  from  the
Commission. In addition to competition between the different categories of alcoholic drinks, the report is to take
into  account  the  proper  functioning  of  the  internal  market,  the  real  value  of  the  rates  of  duty  and  the  wider
objectives of the Treaty.

An initial Commission report to the Council and the European Parliament dated 13 September 1995 proposed in
essence that the approximation of the minimum rates of duty for alcoholic products be postponed until further
investigations and consultations had been concluded.

No second report has been published. Pursuant to the Directive referred to above, it is now more than one year
overdue.

When will the Commission submit to the European Parliament a report on the approximation of the rates of
excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages?

How does the Commission account for the fact that that report is already more than one year overdue?

(1)  OJ L 316, 31.10.1992, p. 29.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-37/98 by Mr Miller (1).

(1)  OJ C 196, 22.6.1998, p. 110.

(98/C 304/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0490/98

by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Council

(27 February 1998)

Subject: Duty-free sales

I note that the Council has been able to answer Question No E-2666/97 (1) no more than very superficially and
therefore put these questions once again.

The Council has decided that duty-free sales should cease in 1999. The stated reason is that duty-free sales are not
logically compatible with the internal market.

What is the purpose of this decision?

Could this purpose be achieved by less drastic means?

If so, what measures might be considered sufficient? If not, why not?

How do duty-free sales hamper the proper functioning of the internal market?

What was the basis for the Council(cid:146)s decision?

How many jobs in the EU are affected by this Council decision?

What was the Council(cid:146)s assessment of the decision(cid:146)s impact on employment?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 321/98 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Commission. EU-subsidized Prince Programme
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, MENDEZ DE VIGO
Subjects: EU programme, European citizenship, Spain, citizens' Europe, cultural event, public awareness campaign













EUR-Lex - 91998E0321 - EN






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91998E0321

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 321/98 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Commission. EU-subsidized Prince Programme  


Official Journal C 310 , 09/10/1998 P. 0049 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0321/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (17 February 1998)Subject: EU-subsidized Prince ProgrammeIn 1997, the Commission organized a series of meetings to inform the public about the scope and contents of the Intergovernmental Conference and the Amsterdam Treaty.Can the Commission provide me with a list of the Spanish MEPs who attended the meetings held in Spain with EU funds provided under the Prince Programme?Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1998)The Commission is sending the list of main events organised as part of the Information Programme for European Citizens (Prince) direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat.However, it should point out that in some cases it has not been possible to state which Member(s) took part in these events as requests for Members to attend had, in some cases, to go through the secretariats of the political groups, in accordance with the cooperation procedure in force between the Commission Representation and Parliament's Office in Spain.
Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision providing supplementary macro-financial assistance for Ukraine (COM(97)0588 C4-0614/ 97 97/0312(CNS))
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: Committee on External Economic Relations, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, Ukraine, aid system, long-term credit













EUR-Lex - 51998AP0025 - EN






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51998AP0025

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision providing supplementary macro-financial assistance for Ukraine (COM(97)0588 C4-0614/ 97 97/0312(CNS))  


Official Journal C 080 , 16/03/1998 P. 0029 





A4-0025/98Proposal for a Council Decision providing supplementary macro-financial assistance for Ukraine (COM(97)0588 - C4-0614/97 - 97/0312(CNS))The proposal was approved with the following amendment:(Amendment 1)Recital 8>Original text>Whereas the Ukrainian authorities are committed to pursuing the implementation of the plan for the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in accordance with the modalities supported by the Group of Seven and the European Union;>Text following EP vote>Whereascommitments were entered into by the Ukrainian authorities, the Group of Seven (G7) and the European Union under the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 21 December 1995 concerning the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant by 2000;Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision providing supplementary macro-financial assistance for Ukraine (COM(97)0588 - C4-0614/97 - 97/0312(CNS))(Consultation procedure)The European Parliament,- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0588 - 97/0312(CNS) ((OJ C 386, 20.12.1997, p. 10.)),- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty (C4-0614/97),- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,- having regard to the report of the Committee on External Economic Relations and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0025/98),1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendment;2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;3. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;4. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;5. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 316/98 by Wilmya ZIMMERMANN to the Commission. Common European holiday on 9 May
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, ZIMMERMANN
Subjects: European symbol, commemoration, cultural event, promotion of the European idea, public holiday

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/75

(98/C 304/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0309/98

by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 February 1998)

Subject: Taxation of aircraft fuel

At  the  Transport  Council  of  11  March  1997  the  Commission  was  asked  to  examine  the  implications  of  the
possible introduction of measures on the taxation of aircraft fuel.

When can the findings of the study be expected?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 1998)

In  May  1997,  the  Ecofin  Council,  in  response  to  the  Commission(cid:146)s  report (1)  under  Article  8(6)  of  Directive
92/81/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonization of the structures of excise duties on mineral oils (2), adopted
a  resolution  requesting  the  Commission  to  provide  further  information  on  all  aspects  of  the  introduction  of
taxation  of  aircraft  fuel.  To  meet  this  request,  the  Commission  has  launched  a  study  to  examine  the  various
effects of the introduction of taxation within the Community. The consortium carrying out this study is due to
produce its final report during the late summer of 1998.

(1)  COM(96) 549 final.
(2)  OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.

(98/C 304/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0313/98

by Luis Campoy Zueco (PPE) to the Commission

(10 February 1998)

Subject: URBAN programme

Will the Commission give details of the Spanish projects selected for the URBAN programme in 1997 and say
whether any of them concern the region of Navarra?

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

(4 March 1998)

As  part  of  the  extension  of  the  URBAN  initiative,  the  Spanish  national  authorities  have  presented  the  draft
URBAN  II  operational  programme  for  1997-99  to  the  Commission  for  approval.  It  covers  Co·rdoba,
Avile·s-Corvera, Santander, Albacete, Leo·n, Castello·n, Pontevedra, Telde, Murcia, Zaragoza, Santa Coloma de
Grammenet and Palma de Mallorca.

None of these projects concerns the region of Navarra.

(98/C 304/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0316/98

by Wilmya Zimmermann (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Common European holiday on 9 May

The  Commission  has  made  it  clear,  for  example  in  its  (cid:145)citizens(cid:146)  Europe(cid:146)  programme,  that  a  greater  effort  is
required to persuade the citizens of the European Union to identify with it.

The  introduction  of  the  common  currency  will  be  an  important  step  in  this  direction,  but  a  common  public
holiday could also be a great help. The European flag and hymn would be backed up by a unifying symbol which
would be of benefit to the entire citizenry of Europe.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 297/98 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Putting an end to terrorist activities planned in London
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: Algeria, Bahrain, EU police cooperation, Egypt, United Kingdom, judicial inquiry, terrorism

C 323/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21. 10. 98

The Commission provides support (MECU almost 5.5 to date) to civil society organisations and to human rights
monitoring and advocacy groups in Croatia, as well as to independent media, and intends to continue its support
in these fields.

The Honourable Member is further referred to the reply given to written question E-3946/97 by M. Swoboda (1)
and to the Commission(cid:146)s intervention during the debate in plenary concerning human rights and civic society in
Croatia on 18 December 1997.

(1)  OJ C 187, 16.6.1998, p. 99.

(98/C 323/36)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0270/98

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

(13 February 1998)

Subject: Supersession of national commercial rules on the quality of processed products in the Member States

by Community law

At present, the EU Member States operate different rules and regulations on the quality of processed fisheries
and aquaculture products placed on the market. Some of these market quality rules › as distinguished from those
strictly relating to health and hygiene › are more restrictive in some Member States than in others.

In some cases, the national rules date from before the country concerned joined the Community, which was itself
then organised and structured very differently from how it is today.

Can the Commission state whether these national commercial rules on quality may be considered to have been
superseded by Community law, especially as they imply discrimination between Member States and hinder or
obstruct the marketing and distribution of food products without any justification on health grounds?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 1998)

The commercial quality of preserved fishery and aquaculture products is largely governed by the provisions of
Regulation  (EEC)  No  2136/89  of  21  June  1989  laying  down  common  marketing  standards  for  preserved
sardines (1) and Regulation (EEC) No 1536/92 of 9 June 1992 laying down common marketing standards for
preserved tuna and bonito (2).

These provisions are binding in all Member States and invalidate any national standard which would not be in
conformity with the above Community legislation.

(1)  OJ L 212, 22.7.1989.
(2)  OJ L 163, 17.6.1992.

(98/C 323/37)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0297/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Putting an end to terrorist activities planned in London

1.
Can the Council President indicate how attacks were planned by groups who originated in Algeria, Bahrain
and Egypt but used London as a base for plotting terrorist attacks to be carried out in the various countries?

2.

Is the Council President prepared to indicate how an end might be put to the situation described above?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 267/98 by Yiannis ROUBATIS to the Council. Tragic consequences of the sanctions policy for the population of Iraq
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, ROUBATIS
Subjects: Iraq, aid to disaster victims, civil defence, first aid, health care, humanitarian aid, public health, sanction (EU), trade by product, undernourishment

C 196/122

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22. 6. 98

It should be added that it is not for the Council to comment on audiovisual media management appointments in a
Member State, on Government education policy in a Member State, on the rulings of a Member State(cid:146)s court or
indeed on statements made by a Commissioner in a personal capacity.

(98/C 196/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0203/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Council

(11 February 1998)

Subject: Schengen task force

Recently  there  have  been  reports  of  a  (cid:145)task  force(cid:146)  which  will  be  concerned  with  measures  to  improve  the
Schengen external frontiers. Accordingly, I should like to ask the Council the following questions:

1. What prompted the European Union to set up this task force?

2. Where does the Council feel there are shortcomings in existing checks at external borders?

3. What improvements does the Council expect the new task force to bring about?

4.

Does the Council believe that setting up a task force can ensure foolproof checks at land and sea borders?

Is  the  Council  of  the  opinion  that  the  current  difficulties  are  caused  solely  by  problems  in  national

5.
transposition or by shortcomings in the Schengen rules?

Does the Council regard the practice of some Member States (detecting illegal immigrants but not ensuring

6.
that they subsequently leave the territory of the Union) as running counter to the Union(cid:146)s acquis?

Answer

(7 April 1998)

The working party referred to by the Honourable Member (the (cid:145)Schengen Task Force(cid:146)) is not a European Union
but a Schengen working party. The Council is not competent to reply to the question posed.

(98/C 196/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0267/98

by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Council

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Tragic consequences of the sanctions policy for the population of Iraq

The sanctions policy imposed on the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq has had tragic consequences for the
population of the country, and particularly children who suffer from malnutrition and a lack of drugs.

Given that it is questionable how much the sanctions policy has produced the desired results and the plight of the
population is unbearable for any civilized state:

Will the Council say:

1.  What is its position on this matter?

2.  Does  it  intend  to  take  any  measures  to  relieve  the  plight  of  the  population  and  particularly  the  children

suffering from malnutrition and a lack of drugs?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 500/98 by Jaak VANDEMEULEBROUCKE to the Council. Embargo on the supply of arms to Burundi
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, VANDEMEULEBROUCKE
Subjects: Burundi, arms control, arms trade, civil defence, common foreign and security policy, export monitoring, human rights, international sanctions, pacifism, peacekeeping

22. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 196/125

Answer

(30 April 1998)

The  Council  would  be  happy  to  support  international  efforts  to  re-activate  the  United  Nations  International
Commission. The United States has proposed enlarging the mandate of that Commission, including a reference
to Burundi, and has discussed elements for a draft Security Council resolution with representatives of African
countries at the UN. However, no text has yet been proposed.

No proposals have been made to deploy UN or OAU observers to key airstrips and border crossings in the region.
The Council would, however, give careful consideration to any such proposal.

(98/C 196/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0353/98

by Carmen D(cid:14)·ez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Council

(6 February 1998)

Subject: National emblems on euro banknotes

Given that the introduction of a single currency is an essential stage in the process of European integration, has
the  Council  taken  a  decision  on  whether  national  emblems  should  appear  on  one  of  the  sides  of  banknotes?
Would it not agree that, in addition to being contrary to the idea of a union, such emblems could be a source of
unwanted confusion?

Answer

(7 April 1998)

In accordance with the distribution of powers laid down in the Treaty the European Central Bank will have the
exclusive  right  to  authorize  the  issue  of  banknotes  in  euro,  and  to  take  decisions  regarding  their  design
(Article 105a of the Treaty and Article 16 of the Protocol on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks
and of the European Central Bank).

It will therefore be for the European Central Bank, once it has been established, to take the final decisions on this
matter.

(98/C 196/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0500/98

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Council

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Embargo on the supply of arms to Burundi

In its resolution of 18 December 1997, and on the recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur for Burundi,
the European Parliament called for an embargo on the supply of arms to the belligerent parties in Burundi.

As part of an active peace policy, is the Council prepared to act in accordance with that resolution and, more
generally, to prohibit Member States from participating in the supply of armaments to third countries?

Answer

(30 April 1998)

The Council is aware of the Resolution on Burundi adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 1997
and welcomes its condemnation of atrocities and human rights violations against the civilian population and of
the continuing supply of arms to the opposing parties in the conflict.