WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2423/98 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. Provision of information concerning new regulations affecting third countries
Date: 1998-07-30
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: European Commission, agricultural product, environmental protection, exchange of information, generalised preferences, labour law, originating product, tariff preference, third country

C 118/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.4.1999

It is not the practice to release reports for circulation to interested parties prior to the completion of the
detailed scientific and technical examination by the other Member States, the Commission as well as the
scientific committee for plants.

(1999/C 118/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2423/98

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Provision of information concerning new regulations affecting third countries

The Council recently adopted a regulation relating to the generalised tariff preferences for agricultural and
industrial products exported to the EU by developing countries which uphold employment rights and
protect the environment.

Could the Commission say what action has been taken to ensure that the third countries which are affected
by the above regulation are aware of it? What is the procedure normally used by the Commission in such
cases?

Answer given by Mr Mar(cid:237)n on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

Since the entry into force of Council Regulation (EC) 1154/98 (1) applying the special incentive
arrangements concerning labour rights and environmental protection provided for in Articles 7 and 8 of
Regulations (EC) 3281/94 (2) and (EC) 1256/96 (3), the Commission has held an information meeting in
the Community for representatives of the beneficiary countries.

In addition, the Commission plans an annual series of information seminars on the scheme of generalised
preferences to be held in the beneficiary countries, which will of course emphasize the implementation of
the special incentive arrangements, plus a specific awareness campaign targeting the various groups
affected by the new schemes › producers, importers, governments of beneficiary countries, trade unions
and non-governmental organisations working in the countries concerned.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) 1154/98 of 25 May 1998 applying the special incentive arrangements concerning labour
rights and environmental protection provided for in Articles 7 and 8 of Regulations (EC) 3281/94 and (EC) 1256/
96 applying multiannual schemes of generalised tariff preferences in respect of certain industrial and agricultural
products originating in developing countries: OJ L 160, 4 June 1998.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) 3281/94 of 19 December 1994 applying a four-year scheme of generalised tariff
preferences (1995 to 1998) in respect of certain industrial products originating in developing countries: OJ L 348,
31 December 1994.

(3) Council Regulation (EC) 1256/96 of 20 June 1996 applying multiannual schemes of generalised tariff preferences
from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1999 in respect of certain agricultural products originating in developing countries:
OJ L 160, 29 June 1996.

(1999/C 118/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2436/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

Subject: EU support for European press publications

(30 July 1998)

Through DG X the Commission finances a host of actions, many of which cannot be described as
particularly objective; one example is the (cid:145)information campaign(cid:146) for the euro which is in fact more like a
(cid:145)propaganda campaign(cid:146), since the disadvantages of the Single Currency are passed over in complete
silence, while its advantages are idealized. While millions of ecus are allocated to support dubious actions
(which very obviously damages the prestige of the Commission and its image with the European public),
there does not appear to be any specific strategy to support European press publications (newspapers and
periodicals).