do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2929/98 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. European Tourism Agency
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: DIEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU office or agency, EU programme, aid programme, resolution (EU), tourism policy













EUR-Lex - 91998E2929 - EN






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91998E2929

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2929/98 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. European Tourism Agency  


Official Journal C 135 , 14/05/1999 P. 0138 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2929/98by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Commission(2 October 1998)Subject: European Tourism AgencyIn its resolutions A4-80/94(1) and A4-16/96(2), the European Parliament called for the creation of a European Tourism Agency. In response, Commissioner Papoutsis stated (P-2433/96(3) and E-1129/97(4)) that the creation of such an agency would be examined on completion of the first multiannual programme to assist European tourism.Will the Commission say what steps it is taking to respond to the Parliament's calls in this regard, particularly in view of the regrettable absence of any mention of tourism in the Treaty of Amsterdam?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission(26 October 1998)As indicated in its previous replies, the Commission considers that the question of creating a European tourism agency should be examined after, and in accordance with, the decision on a multinannual programme to assist European tourism, to be taken by the Council. The adoption and implementation of such a programme continue to be the priority of the Commission in the field.(1) OJ C 18, 23.1.1995, p. 159.(2) OJ C 65, 4.3.1996, p. 34.(3) OJ C 365, 4.12.1996, p. 115.(4) OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 234.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2912/98 by Richard CORBETT Merseyside's new image
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: CORBETT, European Parliament
Subjects: Structural Funds, United Kingdom, advertising, economic growth, job creation, quality of life, tourism

C 320/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 1998)

Community rules on the protection of animals on farms lay down minimum standards which must be
observed by all Member States. They also allow Member States to introduce or maintain stricter standards for
the protection of animals than would be achieved by the Community rules, but any such national provisions
must be applied in accordance with the general rules of the EC Treaty and must be notified to the Commission.

Bearing in mind that producers may obtain a premium for using more welfare friendly systems, it is not clear
that higher welfare standards necessarily impose an economic disadvantage on those using them.

The World trade organisation (WTO) rules apply to trade between the Community as a whole and other WTO
members. They do not apply to trade between Member States. The possibility of amending WTO rules to take
account of welfare concerns will be addressed in the context of the determination of the Community
negotiating objectives for the next stage of the WTO negotiations.

(1999/C 320/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2911/98

by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Withdrawal from the EEC Surplus Food Scheme

Could the Commission indicate the total amount contributed by the British Government to the budget of the
European Union? What proportion of that amount is allocated to the Surplus Food Scheme?

Could the Commission indicate whether the British Government will still have to pay the contributions
relating specifically to the Surplus Food Scheme even though the UK will no longer take part?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 1998)

According to the 1999 preliminary draft budget the British share in total Community budget resources will
amount to 13,9 % or 11 606 million euro.The total provision for the scheme for distributing surplus food to
disadvantaged people amounts to 200 million euro. In accordance with normal budgetary principles, the own
resources contributions of the Member States are not allocated to specific expenditure lines.

If the United Kingdom joined the scheme, it would obtain receipts under that scheme. The extent of those
receipts in 1999, based on a formula which takes into account poverty keys, the utilisation of resources in
prior years and the request presented by the Member State, would be in the region of 11 million euro.

(1999/C 320/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2912/98

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Merseyside’s new image

In the context of a new round of Objective 1 measures to benefit Merseyside, does the Commission agree that
the issue of Merseyside’s image must be properly addressed?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2924/98 by Daniela RASCHHOFER Support for the press
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, dissemination of EU information, financial aid, freedom of the press, newspaper, press, terms for aid

C 289/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.10.1999

(1999/C 289/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2920/98

by Alan Gillis (PPE) to the Commission

(25 September 1998)

Subject: Conversion aid for regeneration

Given that assistance is available in some areas for reconversion, e.g. schemes which are assisting
redevelopment in mining areas in North Wales, what are the possibilities for areas of North Offaly, Ireland,
affected by heavy job losses resulting from cuts in operations by Bord na Mona (national peat production) and
by ESB (Electricity Supply Board), the major employers in the region, to be included in such schemes?

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

(16 October 1998)

Areas in North Wales traditionally dependent on coal-mining have benefited from redevelopment schemes
under initiatives such as Rechar. The areas of North Offaly mentioned by the Honourable Member do not
qualify for such aid because they are not coal-mining areas. However, Ireland is a single objective 1 region with
a Community support framework covering the whole country. It is therefore always open to the Irish
authorities to adjust priorities, within their overall structural funds budget, so as to target a specific area in need
of reconversion.

(1999/C 289/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2924/98

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Support for the press

The Commission is known to attach great importance to the impact of its policies and it therefore puts a
considerable effort into media work. A series of articles on the enlargement of the Community, ten pages in
total, has appeared in the Austrian daily ‘Der Standard’, with the Commission’s financial support.

1. What are the general principles governing financial support for media reports concerning the European
Union?

Is (and was) such financial support granted only in Austria and the new Member States or is it given in all

2.
15 Member States?

3. Which newspapers throughout Europe have received financial support?

4. What are the principal topics on which European support for media reporting has been given?

In which Austrian newspapers have series of articles on the European Union received financial support

5.
since Austrian accession?

6.

On what criteria were the newspapers selected?

7. Which subjects have been covered in the articles since Austrian accession?

8.

Under which item in the budget does financial support for media reports appear?

9. What amounts of financial support were given in Europe as a whole and in Austria in 1997 and 1998?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3064/98 by Helena TORRES MARQUES to the Commission. Portuguese energy projects
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, TORRES MARQUES
Subjects: Portugal, energy policy, energy technology, financial aid, industrial project, project evaluation

C 142/80

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.5.1999

(1999/C 142/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3064/98

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Portuguese energy projects

The Commission has decided to fund 116 energy technology demonstration projects and 120 related
measures, involving a total cost of ECU 110,5 million.

Could the Commission say whether the activities to be financed include any Portuguese projects or related
measures? If so, what amounts have been allocated to the individual projects and measures concerned?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

In 1998 12 proposals for (type A) demonstration projects, including 16 Portuguese participants, were
assessed by the Commission under the non-nuclear energy programme, demonstration part (Thermie).
The total estimated amount of support for those 12 proposals is ECU 8,1 million.

In addition the Commission assessed 19 proposals for back-up type-B activities with a forecast
involvement of 20 Portuguese organisations and a total amount of ECU 2,7 million.

The Commission will send a full list of those 31 proposals (12 type-A projects and 19 type-B projects)
direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament. This will state the
reference, title, cost, estimated support and the Portuguese proposer concerned.

(1999/C 142/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3068/98

by Werner Langen (PPE) to the Council

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Plans to make lotteries subject to European competition law

The opening of infringement proceedings against Ireland pursuant to Article 169 of the EC Treaty, the
request by a Finnish court for a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice and proposals to
make lotteries subject to European competition law rather than national legislation have given rise to some
debate in the Federal Republic of Germany.

As far as I am aware, the German Länder do not intend to open up the German lottery market to foreign
organisers. A range of different issues play a crucial role here, in particular tax considerations.

Can the Council say:

1. What led the Council to abandon its original declaration at the EU summit in Edinburgh of

12 December 1992 that it would not seek to regulate lotteries?

2. What opinion has the Council expressed in relation to the request by a Finnish court for a preliminary

ruling by the Court of Justice in the Läärä case C-124/97?

3. Has the subject been discussed in the Ecofin Council and, if not, when are such discussions scheduled

to take place?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2928/98 by Carlos CARNERO GONZÁLEZ to the Council. Possible restoration of the death penalty in the Philippines and the Marlon Parazo case
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: CARNERO GONZALEZ, European Parliament
Subjects: European Union, Philippines, cooperation policy, death penalty, human rights, right to justice

C 118/170

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.4.1999

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

According to the statute of the European system of central banks (ESCB) and the European central bank
(ECB), which is laid down in a protocol annexed to the Treaty, the terms and conditions of employment of
the members of the executive board, in particular their salaries, pensions and other social security benefits
shall be the subject of contracts with the ECB. The terms and conditions shall be fixed by the governing
council of the ECB on a proposal from a committee comprising three members appointed by the
governing council and three members appointed by the council. The members of the executive board do
not have the right to vote in the respective decisions. Since the Commission has no competence in this
field it cannot give information about the salary and the total compensation of the President of the ECB.

(1999/C 118/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2928/98

by Carlos Carnero GonzÆlez (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Possible restoration of the death penalty in the Philippines and the Marlon Parazo case

Amnesty International is one of a number of organisations to have expressed deep concern recently at the
possible reintroduction of executions in the Philippines.

The first victims of the death penalty, were it to be restored, might well include Marlon Parazo, a deaf-
mute since birth, who, Amnesty claims, was sentenced to death at a trial at which he was unable either to
hear or rebut the charges against him.

The European Union has made the abolition of the death penalty a priority of its external action,
encouraging national legal systems to scrap it, or at least to refrain from enforcing it.

Bearing in mind these facts, as well as the existing cooperation links and relations between the EU and the
Philippines,

1.

Is the Council aware of the aforementioned situation?

2. Does it take the view that it should approach the Philippine authorities, urging them not to reintroduce

executions and, moreover, to initiate the procedures required to abolish the death penalty?

3. Will it take up the Marlon Parazo case in particular?

4. Would it be able to act in cooperation with the Commission in this matter?

Reply

(27 November 1998)

The EU has indeed recently raised its concern with the Government of the Philippines at the news that the
latter intends to resume capital punishment, thereby putting an end to the de facto moratorium which has
been in effect since 1976. The EU has appealed to the Government of the Philippines to maintain the
moratorium and not carry out the death sentences which it has announced.
Commission Decision No 2124/98/ECSC of 2 October 1998 amending Annex IV to Commission Decision No 2136/97/ECSC on administering certain restrictions on imports of certain steel products from the Russian Federation
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Russia, import restriction, iron and steel product, originating product, quantitative restriction

3. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 268/31

COMMISSION DECISION No 2124/98/ECSC

of 2 October 1998

amending Annex IV to Commission Decision No 2136/97/ECSC on adminis-
tering certain restrictions on imports of certain steel products from the Russian
Federation

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Coal and Steel Community,

Having regard to Commission Decision No 2136/97/
ECSC of 12 September 1997 on administering certain
restrictions on imports of certain steel products from the
Russian Federation (1) and in particular Article 8 in
conjunction with Article 7 thereof,

Whereas the Russian Federation has, in accordance with
Article 3(4) of the Agreement on trade in certain ECSC
steel products (2), requested the transfer of certain quantit-
ative limits for 1998 between different product groups,
and whereas the European Coal and Steel Community
consents to this request;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in
conformity with the opinion of the Committee estab-
lished under Article 7 of Decision No 2136/97/ECSC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Annex IV to Decision No 2136/97/ECSC is replaced by
the text contained in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

Whereas it is therefore necessary to amend Annex IV to
Decision No 2136/97/ECSC to take account of
the
amended quantitative limits;

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following
its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.

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

Done at Brussels, 2 October 1998.

For the Commission

Leon BRITTAN

Vice-President

(1) OJ L 300, 4. 11. 1997, p. 15.
(2) OJ L 300, 4. 11. 1997, p. 52.

L 268/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 10. 98

ANNEX

‘ANNEX IV

QUANTITATIVE LIMITS

Russian Federation

Products

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

(tonnes)

SA. Flat products

1. Coils

207 487

204 861 (1)

223 308

228 890

234 613

1.a. Hot-rolled coils for re-rolling

430 000

430 000

440 750

451 769

463 063

2. Heavy plate

31 115

42 671 (2)

33 488

3. Other flat products

28 265

32 678 (3)

30 420

34 325

31 180

35 183

31 960

SB. Long products

1. Beams

2. Wire rod

12 000

11 718 (4)

12 915

28 000

27 342 (5)

30 135

13 238

30 889

13 569

31 661

3. Other long products

104 357

112 515 (6)

112 314

115 122

118 000

(1) This figure has been reduced by 13 000 tonnes.
(2) This figure has been increased by 10 000 tonnes.
(3) This figure has been increased by 3 000 tonnes.
(4) This figure has been reduced by 882 tonnes.
(5) This figure has been reduced by 2 058 tonnes.
(6) This figure has been increased by 2 940 tonnes.'
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3016/98 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Substandard road construction in Greece
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, HATZIDAKIS
Subjects: EU aid, EU control, Greece, motorway, public works, road building, supervisory body, transport accident













EUR-Lex - 91998E3016 - EN






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91998E3016

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3016/98 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Substandard road construction in Greece  


Official Journal C 297 , 15/10/1999 P. 0042 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-3016/98by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission(2 October 1998)Subject: Substandard road construction in GreeceGreece is the country where the largest number of fatal road accidents in the EU occur and the number is steadily rising. One major reason for this is the very poor state of its motorways, which are funded mainly by the Community.The problem is highlighted by the refusal of the Ministry of the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works to assume responsibility for large sections of the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni motorway, removing it from the tenderers to whom the contracts were originally awarded because of faulty workmanship. Furthermore, according to press reports, 30 kilometres of the Athens-Lamia road and 40 kilometres of the Athens-Korinthos road are evidently in a dangerously poor condition.To what extent does the Commission monitor the quality of the work carried out on road construction projects in Greece receiving Community funding and what steps will it take if substandard workmanship is discovered in connection with these projects?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission(6 November 1998)The Commission is aware of the problem posed by the poor quality of certain sections of the Athens-Iliki and Athens-Corinth motorways. It has addressed official questions to the Greek authorities on a number of occasions since the first meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the roads and access operational programme on 13 July 1995.Subsequently, the Greek authorities have informed the Commission on a number of occasions of the appointment of groups of experts to decide on the causes of the problems and appropriate remedies and of attempts by the firms responsible to repair the motorways; these have not, however, yielded satisfactory results.The Commission regards the delay in settling this matter as worrying. It will insist that the Greek authorities find a swift solution so that the motorways can be correctly repaired, responsibility clearly established and those to blame punished. This would also send a useful message to all those currently engaged in carrying out other projects under the Community Support Framework. The Commission would also refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No P-2120/98 by Mr Trakatellis(1) concerning checks on the quality of public works.The Commission will monitor this question closely and will not fail to apply the rules on the recovery of Community funds if the present situation continues.(1) OJ C 354, 24.11.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3048/98 by Mirja RYYNÄNEN to the Commission. Consequences for Finnish farmers of delays in mapping arable areas
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, RYYNAENEN
Subjects: EU control, Finland, agricultural holding, aid to agriculture, cartography, census, land register, utilised agricultural area

C 207/24

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that if the information he gives about the transport is
correct,
including Council Directive 91/628/EEC of
19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC
and 91/496/EEC (1).

it constitutes a breach of Community legislation,

The Commission will contact the Greek authorities about this matter. Furthermore the Commission would be
grateful to receive a copy of the reports to which the Honourable Member refers.

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

(1999/C 207/030)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3043/98

by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Carob growing

Can the Commissioner tell me the current estimates for the area under carobs and the number of trees in Italy,
Spain, Portugal and Greece, what the pattern has been in the last ten years and what specific measures have
been applied to the cultivation of carobs?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1998)

Around 100 000 hectares of carob trees are cultivated in the Community. However, the Commission does not
have more precise details of the current situation and trends relating to areas under carobs. It will collect this
information from the Member States and communicate it directly to the Honourable Member.

With respect to specific measures applied in the carob sector, the Honourable Member is asked to refer to the
reply given by the Commission to Written Question P-2096/98 by Mr Musumeci (1).

(1)

See page 3.

(1999/C 207/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3048/98

by Mirja Ryynänen (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Consequences for Finnish farmers of delays in mapping arable areas

The Finnish agriculture ministry was unable to complete the arable land register required by the EU before
monitoring began for this growing season. For this reason the cross-checks on the basis of the land register
were not able to start until August. The main reason for this is that the Irish firm selected on the basis of the
tendering procedure which the EU requires did not have the field maps needed for the register ready in time.
The problems included incorrectly drawn parcels and mis-measured areas: for example clean-felled areas were
recorded as fields. There was no time to enter the farmers’ corrections to the areas, and it was therefore
impossible to use the maps in this spring’s monitoring for subsidy purposes.