WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1572/98 by James JANSSEN van RAAY to the Council. Flags on 15 August
Date: 1998-05-25
Institutions: European Parliament, JANSSEN VAN RAAY
Subjects: Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, commemoration, history, pacifism, public holiday, war

C 13/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.1.1999

(1999/C 13/065)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1572/98

by James Janssen van Raay (UPE) to the Council

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Flags on 15 August

1.
As the Netherlands is the only allied country that does not commemorate 15 August 1945 on which the
Second World War ended, I deliberately tabled questions during the Dutch Presidency. My questions were never
answered. They must have been mislaid. How is this possible?

2.
The United Kingdom commemorates the end of both the First World War (Poppy Day) and the Second
World War. Can the British Presidency encourage the designation of 15 August as an official day of
remembrance, with the traditional showing of the flag, if only to celebrate the ensuing long period of peace
we have enjoyed?

3.
The Emperor of Japan will shortly be visiting London and will be honoured with a prestigious decoration
(Order of the Garter). Will the British Presidency take this opportunity to refer Japan to the immeasurable
hardship suffered by the Asian peoples whom it suppressed and urge it to provide massive aid now that the same
peoples are again suffering hardship?

Reply

(24 September 1998)

On the subject of peace celebrations on 15 August, the Council would refer the Honourable Member to the reply
to Written Question No E-1331/98, the only question which the Council has received on the matter.

The Council has no comments on the Honourable Member(cid:146)s suggestions to the United Kingdom Presidency.

(1999/C 13/066)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1574/98

by SØrgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 May 1998)

Subject: Issue of permanent residence permits in the Netherlands

On 7 February 1996 and 7 April 1997 the Commission replied to my previous questions E-3661/95 (1) and
E-0973/97 (2) on Dutch regulations concerning the cost of residence permits issued to citizens of Member States.
It stated in its most recent answer that (cid:145)as the Commission is not satisfied with the Dutch authorities(cid:146) reply to its
letter, it will deliver a reasoned opinion to the Netherlands(cid:146).

Even though more than a year has passed since that answer was given, the situation has not yet been resolved.

Can the Commission say what approaches have been made and what action taken to find a satisfactory solution to
this problem?

(1) OJ C 122, 25.4.1996, p. 26.
(2) OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 209.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(3 August 1998)

The Dutch authorities issue different kinds of residence documents: Union residence permits and a residence
document based entirely on national law and called vergunning tot vestiging. The Union residence permit is
issued for a fee of 35 hfl, and renewed free of charge. A fee of 500 hfl is charged in order to obtain the vergunning
tot vestiging. This latter document provides more rights and guarantees to its holder than required under
Community law. It is not limited in time and it can be issued to all foreigners.