do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3296/98 by José BARROS MOURA to the Council. Transfer of Macao to Chinese administration - troops
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: BARROS MOURA, European Parliament
Subjects: China, Macao, armed forces, common foreign and security policy, the EU's international role













EUR-Lex - 91998E3296 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91998E3296

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3296/98 by José BARROS MOURA to the Council. Transfer of Macao to Chinese administration - troops  


Official Journal C 182 , 28/06/1999 P. 0060 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3296/98by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Council(10 November 1998)Subject: Transfer of Macao to Chinese administration - troopsIn 1975 Portugal withdrew its military forces from the territory of Macao, the size of which did not justify a military presence. The Sino-Portuguese joint declaration grants the Central Government of the People's Republic of China exclusive competence in the area of defence and foreign policy, it being understood by the two parties that no Chinese troops would be stationed there. This was confirmed in April 1997 in the European Parliament by Mr Lu Ping in reply to my question.Nevertheless, the Deputy Prime Minister Qian Qichen has now announced to the Preparatory Commission meeting in Beijing that China will send troops to Macao as a symbol of sovereignty.How does the Council assess this fact from the point of view of the credibility of China's commitments to the principle of "one country, two systems?"Reply(8 February 1999)At its meeting in Amsterdam on 16-17 June 1997, the European Council expressed its wish that the transition process in the territory would continue to be in accordance with the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987, thus contributing to a smooth transfer of responsibilities on 20 December 1999.The European Union pays particular attention to the principle "one country, two systems" in this context.It is the impression of the Council that the transition period so far has evolved in a positive way. The Council expects that full respect for a high degree of autonomy of the future Special Administrative Region will continue to guarantee the preservation of the specific social, juridical, economic and cultural identity of Macau.The Council furthermore, while noting that the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration grants the Government of China exclusive competence in defence and foreign policy matters, would like to presume that no unilateral actions taken by the Chinese authorities infringe upon the Joint Declaration and is confident that any deployment of troops in Macau after the transfer of administration will be in accordance with the Joint Declaration, and with the sole purpose of upholding the defence of the territory.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3304/98 by Kenneth COATES to the Council. Code of conduct on arms exports
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: COATES, European Parliament
Subjects: arms trade, code of conduct, competence of the Member States, exchange of information, export licence, illicit trade, report

C 182/62

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

(1999/C 182/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3304/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

The objective of the recent code of conduct on arms exports is to ‘prevent the export of equipment which
might be used for internal repression.’ What is the position on equipment which may be used in violations of
human rights outside the recipient country’s borders? Is it covered by the code?

(1999/C 182/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

Member States have yet to agree on a common list of equipment to be covered by the code. Existing national
and international lists currently in use omit much of the military, security and police equipment often used in
human rights abuses. Will the common list be comprehensive and include such items?

(1999/C 182/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3306/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

How will arms brokers such as Sandline International be brought within the scope of the code of conduct on
arms exports?

(1999/C 182/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3307/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

What preparations are in hand for a common system of end-use control on arms exports, with follow-up
checks, for all Member States to prevent end-users from re-exporting or using arms for prescribed purposes?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3301/98, E-3302/98, E-3303/98, E-3304/98,
E-3305/98, E-3306/98 and E-3307/98

(22 and 23 February 1999)

As the Honourable Member knows, the Code of Conduct on arms exports was adopted on 8 June 1998 with a
view to setting high common standards which should be regarded as the minimum for the management of,
and restraint in, conventional arms transfers by all Member States and to strengthen the exchange of relevant
information with a view to achieving greater transparency within the Union.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3306/98 by Kenneth COATES to the Council. Code of conduct on arms exports
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: COATES, European Parliament
Subjects: arms trade, code of conduct, competence of the Member States, exchange of information, export licence, illicit trade, report

C 182/62

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

(1999/C 182/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3304/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

The objective of the recent code of conduct on arms exports is to ‘prevent the export of equipment which
might be used for internal repression.’ What is the position on equipment which may be used in violations of
human rights outside the recipient country’s borders? Is it covered by the code?

(1999/C 182/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

Member States have yet to agree on a common list of equipment to be covered by the code. Existing national
and international lists currently in use omit much of the military, security and police equipment often used in
human rights abuses. Will the common list be comprehensive and include such items?

(1999/C 182/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3306/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

How will arms brokers such as Sandline International be brought within the scope of the code of conduct on
arms exports?

(1999/C 182/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3307/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

What preparations are in hand for a common system of end-use control on arms exports, with follow-up
checks, for all Member States to prevent end-users from re-exporting or using arms for prescribed purposes?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3301/98, E-3302/98, E-3303/98, E-3304/98,
E-3305/98, E-3306/98 and E-3307/98

(22 and 23 February 1999)

As the Honourable Member knows, the Code of Conduct on arms exports was adopted on 8 June 1998 with a
view to setting high common standards which should be regarded as the minimum for the management of,
and restraint in, conventional arms transfers by all Member States and to strengthen the exchange of relevant
information with a view to achieving greater transparency within the Union.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3303/98 by Kenneth COATES to the Council. Code of conduct on arms exports
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: COATES, European Parliament
Subjects: arms trade, code of conduct, competence of the Member States, exchange of information, export licence, illicit trade, report

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/61

It is the impression of the Council that the transition period so far has evolved in a positive way. The Council
expects that full respect for a high degree of autonomy of the future Special Administrative Region will
continue to guarantee the preservation of the specific social, juridical, economic and cultural identity of
Macau.

The Council furthermore, while noting that the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration grants the Government of
China exclusive competence in defence and foreign policy matters, would like to presume that no unilateral
actions taken by the Chinese authorities infringe upon the Joint Declaration and is confident that any
deployment of troops in Macau after the transfer of administration will be in accordance with the Joint
Declaration, and with the sole purpose of upholding the defence of the territory.

(1999/C 182/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3301/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

Under the Code of conduct on arms exports, does a country wishing to export arms have to consult any other
Member States which have refused export licences?

If it had to consult with all other Member States, would that make the process more transparent and provide
greater safeguards against any collusion?

(1999/C 182/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3302/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

Will Member States publish comprehensive annual reports of their arms exports, in order to achieve greater
transparency under the new code of conduct on arms exports?

(1999/C 182/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3303/98

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Code of conduct on arms exports

Will the code of conduct on arms exports prohibit the licensed production of arms, as distinct from arms
exports, where they might be used in situations prescribed by the code of conduct? If not, how is this problem
to be addressed?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3309/98 by Manuel ESCOLÁ HERNANDO 'Energy Amplifier' project in Aragon
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: ESCOLA HERNANDO, European Parliament
Subjects: Aragon, EU programme, State aid, invitation to tender, nuclear fission, nuclear power station, project management, prototype, radioactive waste, waste disposal













EUR-Lex - 91998E3309 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91998E3309

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3309/98 by Manuel ESCOLÁ HERNANDO 'Energy Amplifier' project in Aragon  


Official Journal C 289 , 11/10/1999 P. 0035 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3309/98by Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) to the Commission(10 November 1998)Subject: 'Energy Amplifier' project in AragonIn Aragon (Spain), an undertaking called LAESA (Energy Amplifier Laboratory) has recently been set up, in response to a proposal by Professor Rubbia, for the elimination of waste generated by nuclear power stations via the transmutation of elements.This project has given rise to a major controversy in Aragon, since LAESA has proposed constructing, over the next few years, a prototype which would, in laboratory fashion, provide solutions to the still unresolved technical and engineering problems.Given the scale of the investment involved in this project, LAESA has decided to seek public funding for it.Is the Commission aware of this project?If so, does the Commission believe that the prototype can be constructed within the next five years?Is the Commission in a position to finance this or a similar project?Has LAESA asked for any kind of financial support from the Commission? If so, was this granted, and what was the sum involved?Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission(18 December 1998)The Commission is aware of the proposal of LAESA, and the information about the development of this project has been published. There are still many technical problems to be solved before operating such a prototype on a reliable basis and to achieve the construction of the prototype in five years would require a substantial effort from the main European nuclear industrial companies and research institutions.LAESA like the other European nuclear industrial companies and research institutions will be able to participate in the call for proposals of the specific programme on nuclear energy of the fifth framework programme. Partitioning and transmutation is part of the key action on nuclear fission. LAESA has never asked for any kind of financial support from the Commission's research and technological development (RTD) framework-programmes.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2428/98 of 10 November 1998 on the issue of import licences for garlic originating in China
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: China, bulb vegetable, exchange of information, import licence, originating product, quantitative restriction

11. 11. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 300/19

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2428/98

of 10 November 1998

on the issue of import licences for garlic originating in China

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
amended by
and vegetables (1),
market
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2520/97 (2),

in fruit

as

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1137/98 of
29 May 1998 concerning a protective measure applicable
to imports of garlic from China (3), and in particular
Article 1(3) thereof,

Whereas pursuant to Commission Regulation (EEC) No
1859/93 (4), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1662/
94 (5), the release for free circulation in the Community of
garlic imported from third countries is subject to presen-
tation of an import licence;

Whereas Article 1(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1137/98,
restricts the issue of import licences for garlic originating
in China to a maximum monthly quantity in the case of
applications lodged from 1 June 1998 to 31 May 1999;

Whereas, given the criteria laid down in Article 1(2) of
that Regulation and the import licences already issued,
the quantity applied for on 6 November 1998 is in excess
of the maximum monthly quantity given in the Annex to

that Regulation for
the month of November 1998;
whereas it is therefore necessary to determine to what
extent import licences may be issued in response to these
applications; whereas the issue of licences in response to
applications lodged after 6 November 1998 and before 3
December 1998 should be refused,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

licences applied for on 6 November 1998
Import
pursuant to Article 1 of Regulation (EEC) No 1859/93 for
garlic falling within CN code 0703 20 00 originating in
China shall be issued for 1,12685 % of
the quantity
applied for, having regard to the information available to
the Commission on 10 November 1998.

For the abovementioned products applications for import
licences lodged after 6 November 1998 and before 3
December 1998 shall be refused.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 11 November
1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 10 November 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 297, 21. 11. 1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 346, 17. 12. 1997, p. 41.
(3) OJ L 157, 30. 5. 1998, p. 107.
(4) OJ L 170, 13. 7. 1993, p. 10.
(5) OJ L 176, 9. 7. 1994, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3338/98 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI)
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: OECD, investment policy, multilateral agreement

C 118/186

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.4.1999

Concerning the Commission(cid:146)s position on the early closure of Kozloduy nuclear power plant units 1 to 4,
the Honourable Member is referred to the answer the Commission gave to his written question
E-2174/98 (2). The importance of closing these units at realistic dates in accordance with the nuclear
safety account agreement with Bulgaria was emphasised again on the occasion of the meeting between the
President of the Commission and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria on 8 October 1998.

(1) OJ L 82, 29.3.1990.
(2) See page 38.

(1999/C 118/240)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3207/98

by Livio Filippi (PPE) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Closure of Solvay plant in Ferrara

Solvay has decided to close a plant employing 200 workers in Ferrara, prompting justified protests by
local trade unions and organizations.

It has become all too frequent for multinational companies to lay off workers or close down plants with no
concern for the social effects of their actions.

Will the Commission therefore ascertain whether the company has complied with the obligation to consult
its workers laid down in the directive on the European works council and say what steps it plans to take to
ensure that the basic rights of workers are respected with a view to safeguarding jobs?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 1998)

The Commission is aware of problems in relation to the closure of a Solvay production plant in Ferrara
(Italy).

Article 13 of Council Directive 94/45/EC on the establishment of a European works council or a procedure
in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of
informing and consulting employees (1) gave the social partners the possibility to conclude a voluntary
agreement on the establishment of a European works council in order to fulfil the obligations set out in the
Directive. Such an Article 13 agreement exists in the Solvay group, but the Commission has no
information for the time being as to whether or not this agreement was fully respected in the context
of the closure of the plant in Ferrara. More information is being sought.

It must be emphasised that, in the first instance, the Member States are responsible for the implementation,
application and enforcement of Community directives.

(1) OJ L 10, 16.1.1998.

(1999/C 118/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3338/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI)

Given that negotiations in the OECD have resumed with a view to reaching agreement on the MAI, what
role does the Commission now intend to play, and will Parliament have a further opportunity to make its
views known when a revised text is being drawn up?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2425/98 of 10 November 1998 on the issue of system B export licences in the fruit and vegetables sector
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, export licence

L 300/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11. 11. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2425/98

of 10 November 1998

on the issue of system B export licences in the fruit and vegetables sector

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2190/
96 of 14 November 1996 on detailed rules for imple-
menting Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards
export refunds on fruit and vegetables (1), as last amended
by Regulation (EC) No 1287/98 (2), and in particular
Article 5(5) thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1875/98 (3),
fixes the indicative quantities for system B export licences
other than those sought in the context of food aid;

Whereas, in the light of the information available to the
Commission today, there is a risk that the indicative
quantities laid down for the current export period for
lemons will shortly be exceeded; whereas this overrun will
prejudice the proper working of the export refund scheme
in the fruit and vegetables sector;

Whereas, to avoid this situation, applications for system B
licences for lemons exported after 10 November 1998
should be rejected until the end of the current export
period,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Applications for system B export licences for lemons
submitted pursuant to Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No
1875/98, export declarations for which are accepted after
10 November 1998 and before 16 November 1998, are
hereby rejected.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 11 November
1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 10 November 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 292, 15. 11. 1996, p. 12.
(2) OJ L 178, 23. 6. 1998, p. 11.
(3) OJ L 243, 2. 9. 1998, p. 3.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3318/98 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Commission. Information about genetic manipulation in advertising
Date: 1998-11-10
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: advertising, consumer information, foodstuff, genetically modified organism, labelling, maize, new product, soya bean

C 182/66

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

(1999/C 182/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3318/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Information about genetic manipulation in advertising

1. What measures is the Commission planning to take to ensure that advertising informs consumers about
the genetic manipulation of soya and maize and other novel food products?

2.
Does the Commission share the Members’ view that information about genetic manipulation should be
provided at the advertising stage, thus satisfying consumers’ desire for information and transparency on this
issue?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1999)

The information that must be supplied under Council Directive 79/112/EEC (on the approximation of the laws
of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate
consumer) (1) / e.g. the list of ingredients / does not extend to the area of advertising.

Only the requirement contained in that Directive’s Article 2 that labelling contents and methods must not be
such as might mislead the purchaser also applies to advertising.

The Commission does not at present envisage departing from this principle and making it obligatory for
advertising to included information on any genetic manipulation of the advertised foodstuff or of its
ingredients. The labels of foodstuffs remain, in the Commission’s view, the appropriate place to inform
consumers on a product’s various properties.

(1) OJ L 33, 8.2.1979.

(1999/C 182/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3321/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Trial of Cuban dissidents for whom ‘the motherland belongs to everybody’

In its reply of 8 June 1998 to Written Question E-0975/98 (1), the Council referred to the declaration by the
European Union calling for the release of, amongst others, four members of the Internal Dissidence Working
Group, co-authors of a text entitled ‘The Motherland Belongs To Everybody.’

After a fourteen-month detention in prison, they have finally been charged under legal proceedings brought by
the Cuban Government, with the request that they serve five- or six-year prison sentences.

Does the Council intend to monitor this case closely, keep Parliament duly informed, and continue pressing for
reform of the Cuban civil code to help individuals whose sole crime has been to have ‘peacefully expressed
their political views?’

(1) OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 162.