do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3211/98 by Bernard CASTAGNEDE to the Commission. Compensation for banana producers following hurricane Georges
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: CASTAGNEDE, European Parliament
Subjects: ACP countries, EU aid, aid system, cyclone, producer organisation, supply, tropical fruit

15.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 297/57

The Commission has asked the Member States to provide details of their own national climate change
strategies so that it can develop an overall cost-effective and environmentally sound Community climate
change strategy. It intends to come forward with a new communication on this by June 1999.

The Commission does not have the information available at this stage to make an informed reply to this

4.
question.

5.
The European investment bank (EIB), as an important provider of funds for the development of the
Community’s economy, already takes into account the environmental objectives of the Community when
making loans. The Commission will work to ensure that the EIB takes due account in its lending of the
importance of the Community meeting its Kyoto target.

(1) COM(98) 571 final.

(1999/C 297/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3205/98

by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: European overnight railway services

In the light of the decision of the Court of First Instance, does the Commission intend to extend the operating
authorisation of European Night Services beyond the present period of eight years?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

In its decision of 15 September 1998, the Court of first instance decided that the agreement concerning
European night services does not infringe Article 85(1) of the EC Treaty.

Under these circumstances a new Commission decision granting an exemption in accordance with the
provisions of Article 85(3) of the EC Treaty is not necessary.

(1999/C 297/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3211/98

by Bernard Castagnède (ARE) to the Commission

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Compensation for banana producers following hurricane Georges

What steps does the Commission intend to take to compensate European and traditional ACP banana
producers in the Caribbean whose crops have been devastated by hurricane Georges?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

Under Council Regulation (EEC) 404/93 of 13 February on the common organisation of the market in
bananas (1), the Commission can adopt specific measures if banana supplies to the Community market are
affected by exceptional circumstances.

It is first of all necessary to establish whether the circumstances really are exceptional. Those resulting from
hurricane Georges¢s passage over Guadeloupe are currently being evaluated, so the Commission is not yet in a
position to take a decision in the matter.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3242/98 by Georg JARZEMBOWSKI to the Commission. Council inactivity in the legislative process
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: European Parliament, JARZEMBOWSKI
Subjects: Council of the European Union, European Commission, European Parliament, action for failure to act, decision-making, intergovernmental conference (EU), legislative procedure, proposal (EU)













EUR-Lex - 91998E3242 - EN






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91998E3242

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3242/98 by Georg JARZEMBOWSKI to the Commission. Council inactivity in the legislative process  


Official Journal C 297 , 15/10/1999 P. 0062 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-3242/98by Georg Jarzembowski (PPE) to the Commission(19 October 1998)Subject: Council inactivity in the legislative processIn contrast to the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union is not bound by set deadlines in the performance of its tasks pursuant to the Treaty Establishing the European Community (ECT). In the legislative process, as with other decisions, the time when a decision is taken is always at the discretion of the Council. In the past this has meant that in controversial and politically sensitive matters the Council has often been inactive, even when the Commission has submitted a proposal and Parliament has exercised its rights of codecision in accordance with the Treaty. In these cases of Council inactivity Community law merely allows the Commission to amend or withdraw its proposal (cf. Article 189a ECT).In this context I should like to ask the Commission:1. In how many instances in the last ten years has the Council adopted neither a favourable nor an unfavourable decision in respect of a Commission proposal and after the involvement of Parliament?2. How many dossiers are older than the period of office of the current Commission, and how many are more than nine months old?3. To which policy areas of the EC do the dossiers referred to in question 1 belong?4. Does the Commission intend to submit to the next Intergovernmental Conference a proposal for inclusion in the EC Treaty of a clause establishing a timetable for Council decisions on Commission proposals or any other decision?5. If not, what are the Commission's views on including in the EC treaty a deadline of, say, six or nine months for Council decisions?Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission(20 November 1998)The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat-General lists in which he will find detailed answers to the questions raised.1. There are 280 proposals since 1 January 1988 transmitted to the Council, on which it has consulted Parliament but not taken a decision.2. 68 of these proposals were transmitted to it before 31 December 1994; 205 of these proposals were transmitted to it before 31 December 1997 (i.e. over nine months ago).3. With regard to policy areas, the Honourable Member is referred to the list mentioned above, where proposals are classified by sector.4. No.5. The Commission has always endeavoured to act in such a way that the legislator can take a decision on its proposals as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2994/98 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Council. Reform of the law on representation in the armed forces in Italy
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: European Parliament, MEZZAROMA
Subjects: Italy, Western European Union, amendment of a law, armed forces, competence of the Member States

C 135/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

(1999/C 135/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/98

by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Reform of the law on representation in the armed forces in Italy

On 21 July 1998, the defence committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved the text of a law
aimed at reforming the system of representation in the armed forces.

The substance of the law reveals the lack of a political will to undertake an innovative reform of the system
of representative in the armed forces so as to improve the conditions of military personnel.

The law has been met with complete indifference and has failed to prompt any critical reaction on the part
of military personnel, indicating a serious and alarming lack of concern about the law’s content.

For many years the fundamental rights of military personnel in the armed forces of European countries
have been enjoyed wide-ranging and comprehensive protection under the law. In view of the fact that in
1985 and 1997 the European Parliament adopted a recommendation stating that military personnel should
be allowed proper and effective representation, does the Council not consider it necessary to make a
specific recommendation, without encroaching on the autonomy of the Italian Parliament, that the new
law, which is set to be approved by the Senate, should incorporate the constitutional right to the protection
of the fundamental and inalienable rights of association and be brought into line with similar laws in other
European countries as part of a unified defence policy in the WEU?

Reply

(14 December 1998)

The question raised by the Honourable Member is not within the competence of the Council.

(1999/C 135/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2998/98

by Renate Heinisch (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Information on the level of EU aid paid to universities and research institutes in Baden-

Württemberg in 1997

For what measures was Community funding paid to universities and research institutes in Baden-
Württemberg in 1997, and how high were the grants from:

1.

the Fourth Framework Programme for activities in the field of research and technological develop-
ment and demonstration,

2.

the Community programmes in the areas of energy and the environment,

3. Community initiatives, particularly the Interreg programme,

4.

5.

the Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth for Europe programmes,

other Community programmes?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1998)

Further to its answer of 23 October 1998 (1), the Commission is now able to provide the following
additional information.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2968/98 by Riccardo GAROSCI to the Council. Restrictions on the free movement of EU citizens with reference to the implementation of the Schengen Agreements at the border between France and Italy
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: European Parliament, GAROSCI
Subjects: European official, France, Italy, Schengen Agreement, customs inspection, free movement of persons, vocational training

29.4.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 118/173

3.

For this question the Honourable Member should refer to the Presidency.

This question relates to access to documents and has to be answered by the institutions concerned, in

4.
this case the Council.

(1999/C 118/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2964/98

by Gerardo FernÆndez-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Teaching of Spanish in Brazil

(8 October 1998)

The Brazilian Government(cid:146)s recent decision to make the teaching of Spanish compulsory in Brazilian
schools immediately highlighted the difficulty of implementing the measures owing to the shortage of
Spanish teachers in Brazil.

Since, in order to continue the process of integrating the South-American economies, all Brazilian citizens
must have the opportunity of learning Spanish during their school career, the question of how the
European Union could help overcome the shortage of Spanish teachers needs to be given consideration.

Will the Commission say whether, as a way of supporting the process of economic integration in South
American through MERCOSUR and similar agreements, it agrees that it should propose a programme to
encourage Spanish teachers in the Community to teach Spanish in Brazil in order to overcome the shortage
of teachers?

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

(30 October 1998)

The Brazilian Government(cid:146)s very recent decision to step up the learning and use of Spanish by making
teaching of the language compulsory, raises questions about how this is going to be achieved.

It is clearly too soon to say, even in Brazil itself, how and when the process is going to get under way and
hence all the more so whether external aid will be necessary.

In any case, but in no way ruling out the Honourable Member(cid:146)s proposal, the beneficiary country must
first come forward to request cooperation.

(1999/C 118/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2968/98

by Riccardo Garosci (PPE) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Restrictions on the free movement of EU citizens with reference to the implementation of the

Schengen Agreements at the border between France and Italy

I have seen for myself, and recent Italian press reports confirm, that French customs officials are carrying
out checks on motor vehicles travelling from and to France at the Italian-French frontier near Ventimiglia,
actually on Italian territory, in violation of the Schengen Agreement abolishing checks on persons at the
EU(cid:146)s internal frontiers (referred to in Article 7A of the EC Treaty).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3151/98 by Panayotis LAMBRIAS to the Commission. Comprehensive strategy for combating forest fires in the Mediterranean as part of Community civil defence policy
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: European Parliament, LAMBRIAS
Subjects: Mediterranean region (EU), cooperation policy, exchange of information, fire, fire protection, forest, forestry policy













EUR-Lex - 91998E3151 - EN






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91998E3151

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3151/98 by Panayotis LAMBRIAS to the Commission. Comprehensive strategy for combating forest fires in the Mediterranean as part of Community civil defence policy  


Official Journal C 142 , 21/05/1999 P. 0093 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3151/98by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission(19 October 1998)Subject: Comprehensive strategy for combating forest fires in the Mediterranean as part of Community civil defence policyGiven the views recently expressed in Parliament's resolution on the implementation of a Community forest policy which takes account of the specific nature of Mediterranean forests and establishes permanent cooperation between the Member States airborne fire-fighting forces, will the Commission say whether it is contemplating drawing up a comprehensive strategy for combating forest fires, particularly in southern Europe, as part of civil defence policy?Such a strategy would bring about considerable savings on the purchase of the necessary fire-fighting equipment and would promote coordinated action, exchange of experience, technical know-how and information between the Member States, resulting in more effective fire-fighting and a reduction in the scale of the damage caused.Will the Commission take the initiative to develop such a comprehensive strategy, bearing in mind that climate change is likely to increase the risk of fires in the Mediterranean?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission(27 November 1998)For several years the Commission has been supporting the Member States in the fight against forest fires. In the southerly Member States, in particular, self-training workshops have been held which enable experience to the exchanged and, since 1996, there has been a system enabling experts to be exchanged; Moreover, a system enabling information on risk levels to be exchanged between Member States every summer has been set up with Commission support.The Commission was able to further the expansion of mutual aid between Member States in the event of forest fires when, in 1994, it was possible, thanks to its support, to finalise an administrative agreement on the common use of airborne fire-fighting equipment between Italy and France.As part of the Community's current action programme on civil defence the Commission is prepared to provide additional support and to back-up any action enabling that mutual cooperation among the Member States to be improved in order to boost its effectiveness and reduce the impact of those disasters.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2945/98 by Umberto BOSSI to the Council. Delays on the part of the Italian Government in setting up a guarantee fund for SMEs
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: BOSSI, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, Italy, fund (EU), small and medium-sized enterprises

C 135/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

The Council is looking forward to cooperate with the new Government in Tirana, especially in the areas of
economic and democratic reform, and the enhancement of internal security. It made clear the absolute
necessity of progress in the national reconciliation process, and of the adoption of the constitution, and
urged all political forces, and in particular the leadership of the Democratic Party to live up to their
responsibility towards the Albanian people.

The Council welcomed the successful holding of the International Conference in Tirana on 30 October,
which took stock of cooperation between the International Community and Albania and mapped out
cooperation with the new Government in its pledge to restore democracy, security and political and
economic stability to the country.

(1999/C 135/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2936/98

by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Reduction of VAT on certain labour-intensive services

Could the Commission say what progress has been made on the Communication submitted by the
Commission on 12 November 1997 to encourage job creation at a local level and combat certain types of
‘undeclared’ work by reducing VAT on labour-intensive services such as building renovation etc.?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 1998)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the communication on the possibility of a
reduced VAT rate on labour-intensive services for an experimental period and on an optional basis which
it presented to the Council on 12 December 1997 (1) is still being discussed by that institution.

The Commission has now begun work on a proposal for an instrument on reduced rates of VAT.

It would be premature at this stage to discuss how activities such as building renovation should be treated
for VAT purposes. This matter will be addressed during the work on which the Commission is currently
engaged.

(1) SEC(97) 2089 final.

(1999/C 135/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/98

by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Delays on the part of the Italian Government in setting up a guarantee fund for SMEs

The Ecofin Council has approved the allocation of EUR 420 million to various measures aimed at SMEs,
including a loan-guarantee fund requiring a financial contribution from the Member States.

The Italian Ministry for Industry has initiated a yet to be concluded legislative procedure for the adoption
of a decree establishing a national guarantee fund to match the European fund. The Italian fund should
have been available by mid-September, but the decree is not expected to be issued in the near future.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2955/98 by Gerhard HAGER to the Council. VICLAS System
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: European Parliament, HAGER
Subjects: Austria, Presidency of the Council of the EU, fight against crime

21.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 142/61

As for the details of an eventual transition period the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
its reply to his Written Question E-1276/98. It is the Member States that formulate collectively the
Community negotiation positions. No decision has been taken so far on transition periods with respect to
the free movement of workers.

(1)

‘Ostmitteleuropa auf dem Weg in die EU − Transformation, Verflectung, Reformbedarf’ by the Deutsches Institut
für Wirtschaftsforschung, published in 1997, and ‘Auswirkungen der EU-Osterweiterung auf den österreichischen
Arbeitsmarkt’ by the ‘Osterreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung’, published in 1998.

(1999/C 142/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2955/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Viclas System

According to press reports, during its Presidency Austria intends to break new ground in the fight against
crime, by the introduction throughout Europe of the Viclas System installed in Austria in 1997 for the
identification and detection of serial offenders.

Can the Council answer the following:

1. On what legal basis is it to be introduced?

2. What actual form does the system take?

3. What legal data protection precautions does it contain?

4. What progress has been made in the negotiations?

5. Has there been any opposition to the plan?

Reply

(18/19 January 1999)

The Council has not been seized with any proposal relating to the so-called Viclas system and has no
information on the subject other than that the Austrian Presidency organised a seminar in Vienna from 23
to 27 November 1998 to explain the features of the system to experts of the Member States.

(1999/C 142/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2957/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Destruction of ancient monument in Izmir

One of the most important buildings of the late Hellenist/early Roman period in Izmir has been totally
destroyed by work to build an underground railway in that Turkish city.

During tunnelling work in the Tsangaya district of Izmir, an ancient public building was discovered at a
depth of some 20 metres with fluted columns and Corinthian-like capitals made of white marble.

This building (which in all probability was the Temple of the Goddess Athina) is now a pile of rubble, as
not even the archaeologists were allowed to intervene.

This incident demonstrates − yet again − how little the Turkish authorities are interested in preserving the
culture of the peoples who once flourished on the territory of present-day Turkey, and it attests to the
contempt in which they hold the monuments that are part of the European cultural heritage.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2250/98 of 19 October 1998 laying down to what extent applications for issue of export licences submitted during October 1998 for beef and veal products which may benefit from special import treatment in a third country may be accepted
Date: 1998-10-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: beef, export licence, import, third country

20. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 282/61

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2250/98

of 19 October 1998

laying down to what extent applications for issue of export licences submitted
during October 1998 for beef and veal products which may benefit from special
import treatment in a third country may be accepted

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1445/
95 of 26 June 1995 on rules of application for import and
export licences in the beef and veal sector and repealing
Regulation (EEC) No 2377/80 (1), as last amended by
Regulation (EC) No 759/98 (2), and in particular Article
12(8) thereof,

Whereas Regulation (EC) No 1445/95 lays down,
in
Article 12, detailed rules for export licence applications
for the products referred to in Article 1 of Commission
Regulation (EEC) No 2973/79 (3), as last amended by
Regulation (EEC) No 3434/87 (4);

Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 2973/79 fixed the quant-
ities of meat which might be exported on special terms
for the fourth quarter of 1998;

Whereas the quantities for which licence applications
have been lodged for the fourth quarter of 1998 are lower
than those available; whereas these applications can,
therefore, be met in full,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The applications for export licences lodged in October
1998 for the beef and veal referred to in Regulation (EEC)
No 2973/79 for the fourth quarter of 1998 shall be met in
full.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 20 October
1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 19 October 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 143, 27. 6. 1995, p. 35.
(2) OJ L 105, 4. 4. 1998, p. 7.
(3) OJ L 336, 29. 12. 1979, p. 44.
(4) OJ L 327, 18. 11. 1987, p. 7.