do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 763/98 of 6 April 1998 closing invitations to tender for the refund on exports of wholly milled rice opened by Regulations (EC) No 2095/97, (EC) No 2096/97, (EC) No 2097/97 and (EC) No 2098/97
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, rice, third country

7. 4. 98

‹

EN

‹

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 107/3

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 763/98

of 6 April 1998

closing invitations to tender for the refund on exports of wholly milled rice
opened by Regulations (EC) No 2095/97, (EC) No 2096/97, (EC) No 2097/97 and
(EC) No 2098/97

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of
22 December 1995 on the common organisation of the
market in rice (1), as amended by Regulation (EC) No
192/98 (2), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

Whereas the quantities of rice exported in the 1997/98
marketing year under the invitations to tender for the
export refund opened by Commission Regulations (EC)
No 2095/97 (3), (EC) No 2096/97 (4), (EC) No 2097/97 (5)
and (EC) No 2098/97 (6) have reached the forecasts
without exceeding the limits laid down by the Uruguay
Round agreement; whereas those invitations to tender
should be closed;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
in accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The invitations to tender to determine the export refund
on wholly milled rice opened by Regulations (EC) No
2095/97, No 2096/97, No 2097/97 and No 2098/97 are
hereby closed.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day fol-
lowing its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

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

Done at Brussels, 6 April 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 329, 30. 12. 1995, p. 18.
(2) OJ L 20, 27. 1. 1998, p. 16.
(3) OJ L 292, 25. 10. 1997, p. 16.
(4) OJ L 292, 25. 10. 1997, p. 19.
(5) OJ L 292, 25. 10. 1997, p. 22.
(6) OJ L 292, 25. 10. 1997, p. 25.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1047/98 by Josu IMAZ SAN MIGUEL to the Commission. Vignemale tunnel
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, IMAZ SAN MIGUEL
Subjects: France, Spain, economic and social cohesion, engineering structure, rail network, rail transport, trans-European network, transport infrastructure













EUR-Lex - 91998E1047 - EN






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91998E1047

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1047/98 by Josu IMAZ SAN MIGUEL to the Commission. Vignemale tunnel  


Official Journal C 402 , 22/12/1998 P. 0064 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1047/98by Josu Imaz San Miguel (PPE) to the Commission(6 April 1998)Subject: Vignemale tunnelThe Commission will shortly be updating the list of European transport infrastructure priority projects in the light of their Community interest, funding potential and social and economic impact.One of the projects that is being put forward at present for the rail link between the Iberian peninsula and the rest of Europe would cross the Pyrenees in a low-altitude tunnel in the region known as Vignemale, thus linking up the Autonomous Community of Aragón and France.Has the Commission considered including this project in its list of priorities? Is the Commission considering funding it from the Cohesion Fund?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission(29 May 1998)In June 1996, when Decision No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network(1) was adopted, the Commission committed itself to re-examine a number of projects identified by the Parliament in the second reading but not included in the Decision. This examination is being undertaken in the framework of the revision of the guidelines scheduled in 1999.The Commission recently received from the Midi-Pyrenees Region, supported by the Autonomous Community of Aragon, a document that sets out the broad outline of the project referred to by the Honourable Member.The Commission intends to carry out an examination of this project on the basis of the information now available.The Cohesion fund finances trans-European network projects located in eligible Member States. To date, the Commission has not received any application for assistance from the Spanish authorities for the project in question.(1) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1063/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Bull bars on vehicles
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: approval, approximation of laws, motor car, road safety, road transport, transport regulations, transport safety, vehicle parts

C 386/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

So far the MAI negotiating group is discussing an incomplete package of proposals for a text that intends to deal
with this issue in a comprehensive way. The different elements so far contained in papers before the group
include:

› the preamble, indicating the resolve of the parties to implement the MAI in a manner consistent with

sustainable development and with environmental protection;

› the affirmation in the text of the agreement of the right of contracting parties to regulate in a non-
discriminatory manner to ensure that investment activity is undertaken in a manner sensitive to health, safety
or environmental concerns;

› a provision preventing the lowering of domestic environment measures to attract an investment; and

› an exception in the prevention of performance requirements article covering such requirements that could
affect compliance with laws and regulations, or that could affect health, safety or the environment.

For its part, the Commission has proposed to introduce in the agreement a general exception similar to the
General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) Article XX which would apply to measures necessary to protect
human, animal and plant health and life and to protect exhaustible natural resources.

On the basis of the same considerations, international rule-making in the field of environment can continue
without being hampered by the MAI. For this reason a specific article to subordinate the MAI to international
environmental agreements does not seem necessary.

(98/C 386/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1063/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Bull bars on vehicles

Will the Commission consider the use of new European legislation to ban the fitting of bull bars on all new
vehicles at the earliest opportunity?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No E-2965/97 by
Mr Sindal (1).

(1) OJ C 134, 30.4.1998, p. 45.

(98/C 386/101)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1064/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Agricultural grants for greyhound breeding

Will the Commission confirm that no agricultural grants allow for greyhound breeding in Ireland to be
subsidized?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1064/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Agricultural grants for greyhound breeding
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: Ireland, aid to agriculture, domestic animal, economic support, livestock farming

C 386/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

So far the MAI negotiating group is discussing an incomplete package of proposals for a text that intends to deal
with this issue in a comprehensive way. The different elements so far contained in papers before the group
include:

› the preamble, indicating the resolve of the parties to implement the MAI in a manner consistent with

sustainable development and with environmental protection;

› the affirmation in the text of the agreement of the right of contracting parties to regulate in a non-
discriminatory manner to ensure that investment activity is undertaken in a manner sensitive to health, safety
or environmental concerns;

› a provision preventing the lowering of domestic environment measures to attract an investment; and

› an exception in the prevention of performance requirements article covering such requirements that could
affect compliance with laws and regulations, or that could affect health, safety or the environment.

For its part, the Commission has proposed to introduce in the agreement a general exception similar to the
General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) Article XX which would apply to measures necessary to protect
human, animal and plant health and life and to protect exhaustible natural resources.

On the basis of the same considerations, international rule-making in the field of environment can continue
without being hampered by the MAI. For this reason a specific article to subordinate the MAI to international
environmental agreements does not seem necessary.

(98/C 386/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1063/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Bull bars on vehicles

Will the Commission consider the use of new European legislation to ban the fitting of bull bars on all new
vehicles at the earliest opportunity?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No E-2965/97 by
Mr Sindal (1).

(1) OJ C 134, 30.4.1998, p. 45.

(98/C 386/101)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1064/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Agricultural grants for greyhound breeding

Will the Commission confirm that no agricultural grants allow for greyhound breeding in Ireland to be
subsidized?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1178/98 by Luisa TODINI to the Commission. Compensation for the 'Bright' variety of tobacco between Umbria and Veneto (1997 marketing year)
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, TODINI
Subjects: Italy, agricultural surplus, financial equalisation, tobacco

11.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 386/89

The Member States have established an informal network on the implementation and enforcement of environ-
mental law (IMPEL), which aims to monitor illegal cross-border waste transport. It also has a working group on
environmental prosecutions, and is considering if it can address environmental crime in a wider context.
The Commission takes part in the activities of this network. IMPEL has produced a report on transfrontier
shipments of waste, known as (cid:145)TFS-2 project transfrontier shipment of waste, final report concerning European
co-operation on the enforcement of Community Regulation (EEC) 259/93 on transfrontier shipments of waste
› May 1996(cid:146). The Commission is sending this report direct to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament(cid:146)s
Secretariat.

The Commission has not carried out studies or investigations in relation to the matters raised by the Honourable
Member in the zones she mentions.

(1) OJ C 158, 25.5.1998.

(98/C 386/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1178/98

by Luisa Todini (PPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Compensation for the (cid:145)Bright(cid:146) variety of tobacco between Umbria and Veneto (1997 marketing year)

In Italy more than 75 % of the (cid:145)Bright(cid:146) variety of tobacco is produced in Umbria and Veneto. The 1997 crop in
Veneto was some 4 000 tonnes below average because of serious virus diseases, whereas in Umbria there was a
considerable quantitative increase of a top quality product.

Considering the 1995 precedent sanctioned by Article 14 of Commission Regulation (EC) 1066/95 (1) the
agricultural policies ministry has requested that the end-of-year compensation for all varieties of tobacco be made
permanent under the regulation in compliance with the nationally guaranteed quantitative limit.

Does the Commission consider it possible to authorize such compensation given that it would mean that the
excess tobacco produced in Umbria would not have to be sold off or destroyed?

(1) OJ L 108, 13.5.1995, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1998)

The Commission is not in favour of the type of compensation called for by the Honourable Member. It believes
that to grant such compensation would undermine the principle of the individual quota which is one of the bases
of the common organisation of the market (COM) in tobacco. Furthermore, such compensation would do nothing
to solve the problem of under-production in Veneto.

Implementation of such compensation would be likely to encourage producers to systematically produce more
than their quota, leading them to believe believe that their over-production may always, after compensation, be
eligible for the premium. Since the 1997 harvest is over, it is very difficult to check the source of tobacco
receiving compensation.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1073/98 by Bernard CASTAGNEDE to the Commission. Animal feedingstuffs - French Guiana
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: CASTAGNEDE, European Parliament
Subjects: aid system, animal nutrition, cereals, peripheral region, supply

21. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 323/111

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible.

(98/C 323/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1073/98

by Bernard Castagne‘de (ARE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Animal feedingstuffs › French Guiana

The overseas department of French Guiana benefits from a supply system for animal feedingstuffs where the
level  of  aid  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the  refund  for  the  various  cereals  involved,  with  a  premium  of
ECU 20 per tonne.

For the last two years the refund has dropped sharply or has disappeared. Does the Commission envisage altering
its method of calculating the aid in favour of Guiana, along the lines of the Community aid for supplying the most
remote regions with cereals?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 1998)

The  Commission  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  its  answer  to  written  question  No 327/98  by
Mr Souchet (1)

(1)  OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 78.

(98/C 323/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1089/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Council

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Abolition of Intra-EU duty free

At the meeting of the Transport Council on 17 March 1998, a document was circulated calling for an economic
impact study on the effects of this abolition to be carried out. In the ensuing discussion, the majority of Transport
Ministers who spoke were in favour of conducting such a study.

Will a similar discussion now be held by the Ecofin Council?

Answer

(13/14 July 1998)

The decision to abolish the tax- and duty-free sales to intra-community travellers on 30 June 1999 was taken
unanimously by the Economy and Finance (Ecofin) Council in 1991. Since then, the issue of whether the Council
should nevertheless call on the Commission to conduct a study on the impact of the abolition has been discussed
several times by the Council. The issue was lastly examined at the Ecofin Council meeting on 19 May 1998. It is
clear from those discussions that there is no consensus among Finance Ministers for reopening the decision taken
in 1991, and for calling on the Commission to produce such a study. The Commission is, however, prepared to
clarify in a working document the instruments available to Member States for addressing the consequences of the
abolition of intra-EU tax- and duty-free sales on 30 June 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1050/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. East Timor
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU aid, East Timor, development aid, humanitarian aid

C 323/110

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21. 10. 98

This recent decision by the Turkish-Cypriot administration follows its scandalous disregard for the persistent
looting of religious and historical artefacts in the occupied part of Cyprus and is an insult to religious sentiment
and an act of provocation directed at the Armenian Orthodox Church and the 4000 or so Armenians living in the
free part of the island.

This  action  provocatively  disregards  the  judgment  of  the  European  Court  of  Human  Rights  in  Strasbourg
(the Loizidou judgment on property in the occupied territories), since it allows this historic monastery which is
the property of the Armenian Church to be turned into a profit-making enterprise.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to prevent this decision by the Turkish-Cypriot authorities to
convert the historic Armenian Monastery into a hotel from going ahead? How does it intend to ensure that the
judgment by the European Court of Human Rights on property in the occupied territories is respected?

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

(24 April 1998)

The  Commission  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  its  answer  to  written  question  No E-968/98  by
Mrs Daskalaki (1).

(1)  See page 100.

(98/C 323/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1050/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: East Timor

Does the Commissioner expect to bring forward further proposals regarding European Community aid to East
Timor?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 1998)

The  Commission  will  continue  to  examine  in  what  way  its  development  and  humanitarian  aid  may  best
contribute to the well being of the people of East Timor. A number of proposals are under consideration.

(98/C 323/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1052/98

by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Abolition of border controls and derogations

How  should  Article  14  and  Article  62  be  construed  in  relation  to  each  other  and  how  does  the  Schengen
Agreement(cid:146)s timetable for abolishing border controls take effect in relation to Articles 14 and 62?

What is the difference between the Danish derogation and the UK and Irish derogation from Article 14?

Does Denmark also have derogations from the provision concerning the abolition of border controls?

Does the derogation from Article 14 also apply to the Kingdom of Denmark?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1032/98 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Ramsgate Ferry Tragedy: failure of Swedish companies to pay fine
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: Sweden, United Kingdom, ferryboat, fine, organisation, transport accident

11.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 386/73

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

(23 April 1998)

The new Article 227(2) of the Treaty of Amsterdam, Agenda 2000 (1) and the Commission proposals on the new
Structural Funds regulations all pay close, and indeed specific, attention to the most remote regions by bringing
them under the new Objective 1.

The Commission plans to integrate the measures hitherto carried out under Regis I and II into the programming
for Objective 1 in order to promote thematic concentration, simplify management and administration and
increase their effectiveness.

As proposed in Article 19 of the new General Regulation on the Structural Funds (2), in order to continue to
promote cohesion and make the future Community initiatives more visible and more innovative, the Commission
plans to concentrate on only three topics of common interest: cross-border, transnational and inter-regional
cooperation, rural development and human resources in the context of equal opportunities.

(1) COM(97) 2000 final.
(2) COM(98) 131 final.

(98/C 386/096)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1032/98

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Ramsgate Ferry Tragedy: failure of Swedish companies to pay fine

In September 1994, a walkway between a dock at Ramsgate ferry terminal and a ship waiting to depart suddenly
collapsed; 6 passengers were killed and 7 others injured. The Swedish companies who manufactured the
walkway, FEAB and FKAB, were subsequently found guilty in British courts, who imposed a fine of £1 million
for negligence.

These Swedish firms have failed to pay this fine. The companies have recently stated on British television that
they have no intention of paying it. They claim that, because the incident occurred before Sweden joined the EU,
they are not bound by Community law.

Will the Commission join me in condemning these Swedish firms, FEAB and FKAB, for showing no respect for
British law or for the victims of the diaster or their families? Will the Commissioner further join me in calling on
the companies to pay the fine in full and apologize for their behaviour to date?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 1998)

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for information regarding the facts raised to by the
Honourable Member. It will inform him of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1019/98 by Freddy BLAK to the Commission. Alcohol consumption amongst young people in Denmark
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: BLAK, European Parliament
Subjects: Denmark, advertising, alcoholism, disaffection of young people, health policy, marketing restriction, public awareness campaign, young person

C 386/72

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

An announcement on the exact amount of the Community grant to the (cid:145)European City of Culture(cid:146) will be made, as
usual, at the beginning of the budget exercise for the year in question. In view of the financial perspective for the
culture budget, however, it is important to bear in mind that the Community(cid:146)s contribution to this event will
necessarily be largely symbolic.

(98/C 386/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1019/98

by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Alcohol consumption amongst young people in Denmark

Is the Commission aware that young people in Denmark are amongst the world(cid:146)s heaviest drinkers?

What steps has it taken to combat alcohol abuse amongst young people in the Member States?

Will it take specific action to remedy the situation in Denmark, where the problem is seemingly more acute than
in the other Member States?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(11 May 1998)

The Commission is well aware of the alcohol consumption figures in the Member States, including the situation
in Denmark.

Alerted by the increasing problems of alcohol abuse amongst children and young people in many Member States,
especially in relation to alcopops, the Commission has been discussing with Member States a code of practice on
sales, marketing and advertising of alcohol to address the problem of underage drinking. This is considered as the
soundest way to deal with the problem at this stage.

The Commission has no competence to take specific measures in individual Member States.

(98/C 386/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1022/98

by JosØ ApolinÆrio (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Structural Funds and the outermost regions

The text of the new Treaty on European Union › the Treaty of Amsterdam › refers to the concept of the
outermost regions. An analysis of Agenda 2000 and the information available on the new Structural Fund
regulations shows that this provision of the Treaty has not been taken into account in the texts proposed by the
Commission.

This being the case, can the Commission say what specific approach it will take to the outermost regions, in
particular the Azores, and whether, with the prospect of the Regis initiative coming to an end, it does not take the
view that the treatment of the outermost regions in the proposed regulations is insufficient and incomplete?