do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3229/98 by Edith MÜLLER to the Commission. Competitions
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: European Parliament, MUELLER EDITH
Subjects: EU statistics, European official, admission to examinations, competition (EU), distribution by sex, nationality, recruitment

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/181

(1999/C 135/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3229/98

by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Subject: Competitions

Can the Commission provide the following statistical information in respect of each of the staff
recruitment competitions held over the last five years: number of applications, number of candidates
admitted to the written tests, number of candidates admitted to the oral tests and number of successful
candidates, with the figures in each case being broken down by sex and nationality?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 1998)

At the end of 1998 the Commission will present a three-year report on the recruitment requirements of the
Community institutions on the basis of Article 2 of Annex XI to the Staff Regulations. The report will
include the statistics requested by the Honourable Member.

In the immediate future, the Commission is sending the Honourable Member and Parliament’s Secretariat
a set of (not necessarily complete) statistics on the A and B open competitions organised and managed by
the Commission in the period 1993-97.

(1999/C 135/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3244/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(28 October 1998)

Subject: Action to preserve the Monastery of St Andrew in occupied Cyprus

According to recent reports, the historic Monastery of St Andrew in the Turkish-occupied sector of Cyprus
has fallen into a dire state of repair due to being completely abandoned and the failure to carry out
necessary maintenance work.

This information is also confirmed by reports in the Turkish Cypriot press (the newspaper Kibris), which
describe the state of the monastery as very poor and point out that it is in immediate need of repair.

What action can the Commission take to remedy the unacceptable state of the island’s cultural heritage?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

The Commission is aware of the state of the Monastery of Saint Andrew in northern Cyprus. For the time
being, however, the Turkish Cypriot authorities refuse to have any dealings with EU representatives, and
the leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community broke off bi-communal contacts at the end of last year. This
rules out any operation in northern Cyprus and the Commission is therefore unable to consider specific
heritage conservation measures.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3216/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Proceedings against Greece for failure to implement Directive 96/42/EC
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: EC Directive, Greece, VAT, action for failure to fulfil an obligation, application of EU law, floriculture, fraud against the EU, fuel wood, infringement of EU law, national implementing measure

21.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 142/107

(1999/C 142/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3216/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Subject: Proceedings against Greece for failure to implement Directive 96/42/EC

The Fifteenth Annual Report monitoring the application of Community law in 1997 indicates that
proceedings have been initiated against Greece in relation to Directive 96/42/EC concerning taxation of
floricultural products. Will the Commission say:

1. what exactly the infringement by Greece consists of, and

2. what the substance of the Commission’s arguments is?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 1998)

According to Article 2 of Council Directive 96/42/EC of 25 June 1996 amending Directive 77/388/EEC on
the common system of value added tax, (1) Member States are obliged to communicate to the Commission
the provisions of domestic law that they adopt in connection with reduced VAT rates on floricultural
products and wood used as firewood.

Greece was already applying the reduced rate to cut flowers and other floricultural products, as well as to
wood used as firewood, prior to the adoption of the Directive. Nevertheless, under its provisions, Greece is
obliged to comply with the requirement to communicate the measure to the Commission, even if there is
no need for it to adopt any new measures.

In spite of this, Greece has failed to communicate to the Commission the measures which transpose
Directive 96/42/EC.

(1) OJ L 170, 9.7.1996.

(1999/C 142/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3227/98

by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission

(19 October 1998)

Subject: Use of baboons in xenotransplantation research in the UK

Is the Commission aware that wild baboons have been used in xenotransplantation (animal-to-human
transplantation) research in the United Kingdom? Does the Commission consider that this is compatible
with the provisions of Article 7(3), second indent, of Directive 86/609/EEC (1)?

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 1998)

The Commission is aware that wild caught baboons have been used for xenotransplantation research in the
United Kingdom. The use of animals for experimentation in the United Kingdom is regulated by
the Animal Act of 1986 in accordance with Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the
approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding
the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (1), and it is the responsibility
of the national authorities − and not that of the Commission − that the provisions of the Animal Act are
respected.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3239/98 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Assistance to victims of crime in the European Union
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: Finland, Red Cross, competence of the Member States, crime against individuals, financing, victim

C 142/108

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.5.1999

An exemption to use non-purpose bred animals can be obtained ‘under arrangements determined by the
authority’ (Article 19(4) of the Directive) and it is at the discretion of the authorities of the Member States
that the applicant sufficiently justifies that ‘Experiments on animals taken from the wild may not be
carried out unless experiments on other animals would not suffice for the aims of the experiments’
(Article 7(3), 2nd indent).

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

(1999/C 142/133)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3237/98

by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Subject: Availability of Commission documents and of publications of the various services and agencies

on the internet

The practice of EU institutions making more and more documents available through the internet has met
with wide-spread public approval.

What plans does the Commission have to expand these services in the coming months?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(14 December 1998)

Statistics on the use of the Europa Internet server confirm the widespread public approval of this initiative.
In September 1998, for example, almost 7 million Commission documents were consulted, which is more
than double the figure for September 1997. Approximately four hits on the the site are from within the
Community.

In the coming months the Commission’s plans include:

− continuing to develop the server in the eleven official Union languages;

− putting the Europe Direct service into full operation; this should make it easier for private individuals
and small and medium-sized businesses to locate information about the Community via the Internet
and by means of freephone services;

− incorporating the Eur-Lex service in the Europa structure as a whole (making the Official Journals

and current legislation available on-line);

− developing the EURO site;

− opening new sites, together with the Council, dealing with the common foreign and security policy

(CFSP) and cooperation in justice and home affairs.

(1999/C 142/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3239/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Assistance to victims of crime in the European Union

(26 October 1998)

According to reports in the Finnish media, the crime victims service which was set up in Finland in 1994 is
to be placed on a permanent footing. At present it is operated by volunteers, coordinated by the Finnish
Red Cross.

The service has proved extremely necessary. In the course of the public debate, the possibility has been
raised that it could be broadened through European coordination.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2303/98 of 26 October 1998 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, grape, import price, pip fruit

27. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 288/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2303/98

of 26 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 27 October
1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 26 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.

L 288/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

27. 10. 98

to the Commission Regulation of 26 October 1998 establishing the standard import values
for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

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)

060
204
999
052
999
052
999
052
388
524
528
999
052
064
400
999
060
064
388
400
404
800
999
052
064
400
720
728
999

80,7
81,2
80,9
73,5
73,5
91,2
91,2
58,7
62,1
53,5
50,5
56,2
117,6
69,2
239,8
142,2
39,5
43,3
30,3
82,2
81,5
156,9
72,3
97,9
60,5
84,3
97,9
126,7
93,5

(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'.
98/608/CFSP: Council Decision of 26 October 1998 modifying Joint Action 96/676/CFSP adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union in relation to the nomination of an EU Special Envoy for the Middle East peace process
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU financing, EU relations, Middle East, diplomatic relations, international security, peacekeeping

L 290/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29. 10. 98

COUNCIL DECISION

of 26 October 1998

modifying Joint Action 96/676/CFSP adopted by the Council on the basis of
Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union in relation to the nomination of an
EU Special Envoy for the Middle East peace process

(98/608/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in
particular, Articles J.3 and J.11 thereof,

Whereas Joint Action 96/676/CFSP of 25 November
1996 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of
the Treaty on European Union in relation to the nomina-
tion of an EU Special Envoy for the Middle East peace
process (1), as extended by Council Decision 97/475/CFSP
of 22 July 1997 (2), expires on 25 November 1998;

Whereas the European Union considers that this Joint
Action should be further extended until 31 December
1999 and that its scope should be widened in order to
include security issues in accordance with the Declaration
on cooperation between the European Union and the
Palestinian Authority in the field of security adopted by
the Council on 9 April 1998, with the aim of assisting the
Palestinians to meet their commitments on security under
the Oslo accords,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

‘— to develop joint cooperation on security issues
within the EU-Palestinian Permanent Security
Committee set up on 9 April 1998.'

Article 3

In order to cover the expenses connected with Joint
Action 96/676/CFSP as amended by Articles 1 and 2, the
following maximum amounts shall be charged to the
general budget of the European Communities:

— ECU 0,450 million for the financial year 1998,
— ECU 2,4 million for the financial year 1999.

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its
adoption.

Article 5

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.

The validity of Joint Action 96/676/CFSP shall be
extended until 31 December 1999.

Done at Luxembourg, 26 October 1998.

Article 2

In the first paragraph of Article 2 of Joint Action 96/676/
CFSP the following indent shall be added:

For the Council

The President

W. SCH(cid:154)SSEL

(1) OJ L 315, 4. 12. 1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 205, 31. 7. 1997, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3225/98 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Russian submarines
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: European Parliament, MEZZAROMA
Subjects: EU aid, Russia, nuclear safety, nuclear weapon, radiation protection, radioactive waste, radioactivity, submarine, technical cooperation, waste management

C 135/180

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

(1999/C 135/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3225/98

by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Subject: Russian submarines

Is the Commission aware − as I have been informed − that many nuclear-powered submarines are moored
in Russian fiords close to other countries’ frontiers, and that they receive little or no maintenance, although
their nuclear reactors are still active?

− if so, which directorates-general are dealing with the problem?

− what action has been taken by the European Union on this issue?

− what is the attitude of the countries concerned?

− what are the real dangers?

− and, finally, which officials are dealing with the problem?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

The Commission is perfectly aware that spent nuclear fuel from submarines and from icebreakers
represents a high risk to the environment in the Russion Federation and neighbouring countries. This
problem is of particular importance in the North-West of the country.

The Commission attaches great importance to the issue of nuclear safety in the Russian Federation. The
Community is the largest contributor to technical assistance in the field of nuclear safety in Russia. Of the
ECU 470 million of bilateral assistance committed since 1992, the Community has contributed close to
ECU 300 million (63 %).

The Commission is already supporting a range of projects addressing the issue of radioactive waste
management and fuel including undertaking an inventory of all the radioactive waste and spent fuel in
North-West Russia, an international project to remove spent nuclear fuel from the ship ‘Lepse’ which is
used to store spent fuel, the development of casks (containers) for the spent fuel, and providing technical
assistance in the management of spent fuel (storage, transport, disposal).

The Commission, along with Norway and the United States, has signaled willingness to participate in a
broader concerted international effort to address this issue, providing the Russian Federation removes the
obstacles concerning nuclear liability, customs and tax issues in the implementation of the projects and
grants access to sites and data, as appropriate.

Up to now, the Russian Federation has not removed these obstacles. The Commission uses all the
mechanisms and bilateral meetings to insist on the urgency of the question. Regular meetings of involved
countries and the Russian Federation take place in the framework of the contact expert group, created
under International atomic energy agency auspices. The next meeting is scheduled to take place
in November 1998 in Murmansk.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2306/98 of 26 October 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 1556/96 introducing a system of import licences for certain fruit and vegetables imported from third countries
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, import, import licence, third country

27. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 288/7

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2306/98

of 26 October 1998

amending Regulation (EC) No 1556/96 introducing a system of import licences
for certain fruit and vegetables imported from third countries

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of
28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the
market in fruit and vegetables (1), as last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2520/97 (2), and in
particular Article 31(2) thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1556/96 (3), as
last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1592/98 (4), intro-
duced a system of import licences for certain fruit and
vegetables imported from third countries and set the list
of products covered;

Whereas examination of the market situation for these
products indicates that the list should be amended by

abolishing the licence requirement for cucumbers and for
mandarins and similar citrus hybrids;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
in accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1556/96 is replaced by
the Annex hereto.

Article 2

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

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

Done at Brussels, 26 October 1998.

For the Commission
Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

ANNEX

‘ANNEX

CN Code

Period

Description

ex 0805 10 10
ex 0805 10 30
ex 0805 10 50

1 December to 31 May

Oranges'

(1) OJ L 297, 21. 11. 1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 346, 17. 12. 1997, p. 41.
(3) OJ L 193, 3. 8. 1996, p. 5.
(4) OJ L 208, 24. 7. 1998, p. 15.
98/612/CFSP: Council Decision of 26 October 1998 amending Common Position 96/635/CFSP on Burma/Myanmar
Date: 1998-10-26
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU visa policy, Myanmar/Burma, admission of aliens, international sanctions, military regime, the EU's international role

30. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 291/1

(Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union)

COUNCIL DECISION

of 26 October 1998

amending Common Position 96/635/CFSP on Burma/Myanmar

(98/612/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Article 2

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in
particular Article J.2 thereof,

Whereas Common Position 96/635/CFSP of 28 October
1996, defined by the Council on the basis of Article J.2 of
the Treaty on European Union, on Burma/Myanmar (1), as
amended by Decision 98/107/CFSP (2), and extended by
Decision 98/303/CFSP (3), expires on 29 October 1998;

Whereas Common Position 96/365/CFSP should be
further extended in the light of point 6 thereof;

Whereas the internal situation in Burma continues to
deteriorate, opposition activists, in particular representa-
tives elected to Parliament, continue to be detained and
the Burmese authorities have taken no steps towards
democracy and national reconciliation;

in this connection,

Whereas,
the restrictive measures
taken under Common Position 96/635/CFSP, should be
strengthened,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Common Position 96/635/CFSP is hereby extended until
29 April 1999.

Point 5(b) of Common Position 96/635/CFSP shall be
amended as follows:

‘(b)

introduces the following additional measures:

(i) ban on the issuing of entry and transit visas
to senior members of the State Peace and
(SPDC) and their
Development Council
families and to Burmese authorities in the
tourism sector;

(ii) ban on the issuing of entry and transit visas
to senior members of the military or the
security forces who formulate, implement or
benefit from policies that impede Burma/
Myanmar’s
transition to democracy, and
their families;

(iii) suspension of high-level bilateral govern-
ment
(Ministers and officials of political
director level and above) visits to Burma/
Myanmar.'

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Luxembourg, 26 October 1998.

For the Council

The President

W. SCH(cid:154)SSEL

(1) OJ L 287, 8. 11. 1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 32, 6. 2. 1998, p. 13.
(3) OJ L 138, 9. 5. 1998, p. 5.