do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3017/98 by Luigi FLORIO to the Council. Israel's request to join the group of Western European and other States in the UN
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, FLORIO
Subjects: Israel, UN programmes and funds, UNO, Western Europe

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/151

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament’s Secretariat.

(1) OJ C 96, 8.4.1999.

(1999/C 135/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3014/98

by Paul Lannoye (V) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Echelon system

The interim report published by STOA in January 1998 confirms the existence of the Echelon system,
whereby the United States, with the aid of a grid of telecommunications networks based on Vortex
satellites, can intercept all messages sent within the European Union by telephone, fax or E-mail.

We are told by a well-informed source that the President of the Commission has circulated a document to
the institution’s chief section heads warning of the risks of the Commission’s communications being
intercepted.

Can the Commission confirm this information? What steps does it intend to take, within the framework of
its powers, to protect institutions, businesses and individuals within the Union against all forms of political
and economic espionage?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

The Honourable Member is referred to Commission answers to Written Questions numbers E/1039/98 by
Ms Van Dijk (1), E-1049/98 by Ms Van Dijk (2), E-130/6/98 by Ms Muscardini and others (3), E-1329/98
by Ms Raschhofer (4), E-1776/98 by Mr Manisco (5) and E-1987/98 by Mr Kaklamanis (6).

(1) OJ C 354, 19.11.1998, p. 55.
(2) OJ C 354, 19.11.1998, p. 54.
(3) OJ C 402, 22.12.1998, p. 109.
(4) OJ C 50, 22.2.1999, p. 35.
(5) OJ C 50, 22.2.1999, p. 90.
(6) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 130.

(1999/C 135/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3017/98

by Luigi Florio (PPE) to the Council

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Israel’s request to join the group of Western European and other States in the UN

The State of Israel is the only one of the 185 Member States of the UN which cannot be elected to the
Security Council. This is because the group of Asian States, to which Israel belongs geographically, ban it
from joining their organization and the European Union countries have not yet responded to Israel’s
request to join the Western group.

The United States, Australia, Canada and Norway have already indicated that they are in favour.

What response does the Council intend to make to Israel’s request?

Does it not consider that to approve the request would be a sign that it rightfully condemns the Asian
group’s discrimination against Israel?
Commission Decision No 2123/98/ECSC of 2 October 1998 amending Annex IV to Commission Decision No 1401/97/ECSC on administering certain restrictions on imports of certain steel products from Ukraine
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Ukraine, import restriction, iron and steel product, originating product, quantitative restriction

3. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 268/29

COMMISSION DECISION No 2123/98/ECSC

of 2 October 1998

amending Annex IV to Commission Decision No 1401/97/ECSC on adminis-
tering certain restrictions on imports of certain steel products from Ukraine

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

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

Having regard to Commission Decision No 1401/97/
ECSC of 7 July 1997 on administering certain restrictions
on imports of certain steel products from Ukraine (1), as
previously amended by Commission Decision No 2233/
97/ECSC of 10 November 1997 (2) and in particular
Article 8 in conjunction with Article 7 thereof,

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

Whereas it is therefore necessary to amend Annex IV to
the
Decision No 1401/97/ECSC to take account of
amended quantitative limits;

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 1401/97/ECSC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Annex IV to Decision No 1401/97/ECSC is replaced by
the text contained in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

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 193, 22. 7. 1997, p. 12.
(2) OJ L 306, 11. 11. 1997, p. 7.
(3) OJ L 210, 4. 8. 1997, p. 32.

L 268/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 10. 98

ANNEX

‘ANNEX IV

QUANTITATIVE LIMITS

Ukraine

Products

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

(tonnes)

SA. Flat products

1. Coils

2. Heavy plate

30 362

31 250

32 032

32 832

33 653

102 707

107 843

110 539

113 302

116 135

3. Other flat products

12 862

14 135

14 488

14 850

15 222

SB. Long products

1. Beams

2. Wire rod

8 359

8 163 (1)

8 996

22 000

27 894 (2)

23 677

3. Other long products

56 864

55 527 (3)

61 200

9 221

24 269

62 730

9 452

24 876

64 298

(1) This figure has been reduced by 614 tonnes.
(2) This figure has been increased by 4 794 tonnes.
(3) This figure has been reduced by 4 180 tonnes.'
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2899/98 by Irini LAMBRAKI to the Commission. Serious problems faced by citrus fruit producers in Chios
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, LAMBRAKI
Subjects: Aegean Islands, EU aid, agricultural product, citrus fruit, common organisation of markets, island region, operational programme, producer organisation, regions of Greece

21.7.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 207/17

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question E-2163/98 by
Mr Ian White (1).

(1)

See page 4.

(1999/C 207/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2899/98

by Irini Lambraki (PSE) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Serious problems faced by citrus fruit producers in Chios

The specific problems faced by the European Union’s island regions, particularly the Aegean Islands, are well
known and indeed provision is made for specific aid measures under the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Agriculture is hardest hit by these problems, because the small size of farms, together with the high cost of
transport, result in the final cost of products being uncompetitive.

The citrus fruit producers agricultural cooperative in Chios is the largest producers’ association in the Aegean
region. Nevertheless, it is facing serious problems because the COM in citrus fruits applies across the board to
all EU regions without taking into account the specific problems of island regions.

This policy will lead to the gradual abandonment of citrus fruit production in Chios, with serious repercussions
for the socio-economic life of the island, and will lead to depopulation of the traditional settlement of Kambos,
which is a major centre for the production of this crop.

Will the Commission say:

8 what possibilities are available under existing legislation to assist these producers?

8 what measures it intends to take in the immediate future to tackle this serious problem as part of the new

policy to assist island regions?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Council Regulation (EEC) 2019/93 of 19 July 1993 introducing specific measures for the smaller Aegean
Islands concerning certain agricultural products (1) provides for specific measures to support local products
and derogations from structural measures to take account of the special socio-economic problems affecting
the Islands.

Furthermore, the common organisation of the market in fresh fruit and vegetables includes a number of
measures which could be applied to citrus fruit production in the Aegean Islands. The most important of these
is the creation by producer organisations of operational funds to finance operational programmes. Such funds
receive Community financial assistance and may be used to finance measures designed to overcome problems
faced by the producer organisations concerned.

(1) OJ L 184, 27.7.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2910/98 by Edward KELLETT-BOWMAN to the Commission. Safety in the workplace: soldering
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: dangerous substance, health risk, metalworking, occupational health, occupational medicine, occupational safety

29.4.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 118/163

In addition, the national websites of the employment services, which contain large vacancy databases, are
also interlinked. Access to these websites is increasingly being made available in job centres. Finally, there
are a significant number of bilateral transfers of vacancies between countries especially where they share a
common border or where there are specific skill shortages in one Member State which can be met by
suitable job seekers from another.

(1999/C 118/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2910/98

by Edward Kellett-Bowman (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Safety in the workplace: soldering

(2 October 1998)

Is the Commission aware of the problems caused by the toxic fumes resulting from the soldering process
which affect many workers, particularly those in electronics assembly work, and are there any plans to
draw up proposals to deal with this toxic pollution?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1998)

The Commission is aware of the risks to the health of workers arising from exposure to welding fumes.

Workers exposed to welding fumes are already covered by the measures provided by the Community
legislation on health and safety at work, such as Council Directives 80/1107/EEC (1), 89/391/EEC (2),
89/654/EEC (3), 89/655/EEC3, 89/656/EEC3, 90/394/EEC (4) and 98/24/EC (5). These directives lay down
minimum requirements under Article 118A of the EC Treaty which are to be applied in the workplace in
order to ensure that all the necessary steps have been taken to prevent or adequately control workers(cid:146)
exposure.

(1) OJ L 327, 3.12.1980.
(2) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
(3) OJ L 393, 30.12.1989.
(4) OJ L 196, 26.7.1990.
(5) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.

(1999/C 118/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2918/98

by Hon(cid:243)rio Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: The entry into force of Commission Decision 97/296 of 22 April 1997

Following the entry into force of Commission Decision 97/296 (1) of 22 April 1997, fishery products may
be imported from a number of third countries authorised to do so. Such imports are subject to compliance
with certain formalities and checks on the health conditions for production.

Can the Commission say whether it can guarantee that the health requirements for products from

1.
third countries are absolutely identical to those for fishery products produced in the Community?

Can the Commission say whether the importation of fishery products from those countries is in fact

2.
authorised before or after the actual health conditions of production are ascertained on the spot?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2120/98 of 2 October 1998 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, grape, import price, pip fruit

L 268/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 10. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2120/98

of 2 October 1998

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain
fruit and vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/
94 of 21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the applica-
the import arrangements for fruit and veget-
tion of
ables (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1498/
98 (2), and in particular Article 4 (1) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3813/92
of 28 December 1992 on the unit of account and the
conversion rates to be applied for the purposes of the
common agricultural policy (3), as last amended by Regu-
lation (EC) No 150/95 (4), and in particular Article 3 (3)
thereof,

Whereas Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down,
pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilat-
eral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commis-

sion fixes the standard values for imports from third
countries, in respect of the products and periods stipu-
lated in the Annex thereto;

Whereas, in compliance with the above criteria, the stand-
ard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of
Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in
the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 3 October 1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 2 October 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 337, 24. 12. 1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 198, 15. 7. 1998, p. 4.
(3) OJ L 387, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 22, 31. 1. 1995, p. 1.

3. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 268/9

to the Commission Regulation of 2 October 1998 establishing the standard import values for
determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0709 90 70

0805 30 10

0806 10 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country
code (1)

Standard import
value

(ECU/100 kg)

052
999
052
388
512
524
528
999
052
064
400
999
060
064
388
400
442
512
528
804
999
052
064
528
999

126,4
126,4
73,9
98,6
60,3
70,9
65,9
73,9
93,0
41,0
191,0
108,3
39,5
42,6
40,6
67,3
43,2
68,4
82,0
77,5
57,6
84,7
58,4
81,6
74,9

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2317/97 (OJ L 321, 22. 11. 1997, p. 19). Code

‘999' stands for ‘of other origin'.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2918/98 by Honório NOVO to the Commission. The entry into force of Commission Decision 97/ 296 of 22 April 1997
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, NOVO
Subjects: fishery product, health control, human nutrition, import, marketing standard, third country

29.4.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 118/163

In addition, the national websites of the employment services, which contain large vacancy databases, are
also interlinked. Access to these websites is increasingly being made available in job centres. Finally, there
are a significant number of bilateral transfers of vacancies between countries especially where they share a
common border or where there are specific skill shortages in one Member State which can be met by
suitable job seekers from another.

(1999/C 118/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2910/98

by Edward Kellett-Bowman (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Safety in the workplace: soldering

(2 October 1998)

Is the Commission aware of the problems caused by the toxic fumes resulting from the soldering process
which affect many workers, particularly those in electronics assembly work, and are there any plans to
draw up proposals to deal with this toxic pollution?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1998)

The Commission is aware of the risks to the health of workers arising from exposure to welding fumes.

Workers exposed to welding fumes are already covered by the measures provided by the Community
legislation on health and safety at work, such as Council Directives 80/1107/EEC (1), 89/391/EEC (2),
89/654/EEC (3), 89/655/EEC3, 89/656/EEC3, 90/394/EEC (4) and 98/24/EC (5). These directives lay down
minimum requirements under Article 118A of the EC Treaty which are to be applied in the workplace in
order to ensure that all the necessary steps have been taken to prevent or adequately control workers(cid:146)
exposure.

(1) OJ L 327, 3.12.1980.
(2) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
(3) OJ L 393, 30.12.1989.
(4) OJ L 196, 26.7.1990.
(5) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.

(1999/C 118/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2918/98

by Hon(cid:243)rio Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: The entry into force of Commission Decision 97/296 of 22 April 1997

Following the entry into force of Commission Decision 97/296 (1) of 22 April 1997, fishery products may
be imported from a number of third countries authorised to do so. Such imports are subject to compliance
with certain formalities and checks on the health conditions for production.

Can the Commission say whether it can guarantee that the health requirements for products from

1.
third countries are absolutely identical to those for fishery products produced in the Community?

Can the Commission say whether the importation of fishery products from those countries is in fact

2.
authorised before or after the actual health conditions of production are ascertained on the spot?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3052/98 by Ursula STENZEL to the Commission. ECHO
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, STENZEL
Subjects: Community budget, administrative court, budgetary control, confidentiality, fact-finding mission, fraud

C 297/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

15.10.1999

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

(4 December 1998)

To date, the Commission has not received a request from the Spanish authorities for part-financing in
connection with these works. If they are to be part-financed by the Community in due course, the Commission
will be ensuring that the rules on eligibility and combination of funding are fully complied with, as well as all
the legal provisions relating to the environment or arising from international obligations such as under the
joint management of cross-border river basins.

(1999/C 297/060)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3052/98

by Ursula Stenzel (PPE) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: ECHO

The members of the Committee on Budgetary Control sharply criticised the Commission in their hearing of
Commissioners Bonino, Liikanen and Gradin on the ECHO fraud cases.

Can the Commission say when the internal assessment of all potential future cases of this nature, mentioned by
Commissioner Liikanen in the committee meeting, will be available?

Once the assessment is completed, will the Commissioner be able to guarantee that such occurrences will no
longer be possible in future?

Can the Commission explain convincingly, and in a form comprehensible to EU citizens, why the UCLAF
report was not handed over to Parliament in its entirety?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 1998)

The Commission has carried out a detailed inquiry into the use of external technical and administrative
support. A first overview of the results was presented to Parliament’s Committee on Budgets on 5 November
1998. The budgetary authority will be provided with more detailed information in time for the second reading
of the 1999 budget.

The Commission is doing all in its power to ensure that the evaluation referred to by the Honourable Member
will be available shortly, bearing in mind the time needed to collect and analyse the results of the current
inquiry.

The Commission will ensure that measures are taken to remedy identified irregularities on a permanent basis.

As stated by Mr Santer at the first part-session in October 1998, the Commission, together with Parliament, is
looking into ways of providing Parliament with more information on inquiries conducted by the Task Force
for the Coordination of Fraud Prevention while observing the need to avoid prejudicing people’s rights and
breaching the confidentiality of the inquiries and the secrecy of formal investigations.

Here, the President has already taken the initiative of transmitting the report by the Task Force for the
Coordination of Fraud Prevention direct to Parliament’s President.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3050/98 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Commission. Dutch study of phthalates
Date: 1998-10-02
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: early childhood, marketing standard, product safety, public health, toxic substance, toy industry

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/159

The Commission has no instruments at its disposal to speed up ratification procedures in national
4.
parliaments. It can only underline the importance of ratification for the whole Energy Charter process, and
especially for the creation of an investor friendly climate in the transition countries.

(1999/C 135/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3044/98

by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: EU-funds for the trade sector

What percentage of EU funding goes on trade in the following areas, broken down by single Member State
if possible:

1.

2.

3.

Item B3-4000, ‘Industrial relations and social dialogue’;

Item B3-4002, ‘Information and training measure for workers’ organisations’;

Item B3-4003, ‘Information, consultation, and participation of representatives of undertakings’;

4. Administrative funds via DG XXIII in the fields of trade and support for SMES;

5. Leonardo Programme.

Can the Commissioner also tell me how and to what extent the social partners in the commercial sector are
funded with EU monies, and provide data on their implementation, broken down by Member State?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2097/98 by
Mr Blak (1).

(1) See page 14.

(1999/C 135/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3050/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Dutch study of phthalates

1. Why did the Scientific Committee for Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment set a higher TDI
level in April 1998 than in 1994?

2. Why was the assumed weight of the baby raised from 5 kg in the committee’s report of February to
8 kg in that of April 1998 and the assumed sucking time reduced from 12 to 6 hours, with the result that
only 2, instead of the former 3, phthalates were classified as potentially dangerous?

3.
The Scientific Committee estimates that phthalate intake from toys only accounts for 10-30 % of
total exposure. Why does the Committee nevertheless take the full TDI value (instead of only 10-30 %) as
the basis for its recommendation regarding the withdrawal of phthalates, thus ignoring a fact which it had
earlier pointed out itself?