do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Opinion of the European Central Bank at the request of the Council of the European Union under Article 105a(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community on a proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Council Regulation (EC) No 975/98 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: European Central Bank
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, European Central Bank, euro, issue of securities, money, technical specification

C  77/8

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

20.3.1999

EUROPEAN  CENTRAL  BANK

OPINION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  CENTRAL  BANK

at  the  request  of  the  Council  of  the  European  Union  under  Article  105a(2)  of  the  Treaty  estab(cid:220)
lishing  the  European  Community  on  a  proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  (EC)  amending
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  975/98  on  denominations  and  technical  specifications  of  euro
coins  intended  for  circulation

(1999/C  77/05)

1.(cid:217)On  26  October  1998  the  European  Central  Bank
(ECB)  received  a  request  from  the  Council  of  the
European  Union  for  an  ECB  opinion  on  a  proposal
for  a  Council  Regulation  (EC)  amending  Council
Regulation  (EC)  No  975/98  on  denominations  and
technical  specifications  of  euro  coins 
intended  for
circulation.

functions  of 

2.(cid:217)In  accordance  with  Article  1091(2)  of  the  Treaty
establishing 
the  European  Community  (hereinafter
referred  to  as  the  Treaty),  the  ECB  has  taken  over  the
advisory 
the  European  Monetary
Institute  (EMI),  which  went  into  liquidation  upon  the
establishment  of  the  ECB  on  1  June  1998.  The  ECB’s
competence  to  deliver  an  opinion  is  based  on  Articles
105a(2)  and  109f(8)  of  the  Treaty.  In  accordance  with
Article  17(5),  first  sentence,  of  the  Rules  of  Procedure
of  the  ECB,  this  ECB  opinion  has  been  adopted  by
the  Governing  Council  of  the  ECB.

3.(cid:217)The  objective  of  the  proposal  for  a  Council  Regu(cid:220)
lation  (EC)  is  to  address,  by  amending  the  weight  of
the  50  cent  coin  and  the  definition  of  the  edge  of  the
10  and  50  cent  coins,  the  concerns  expressed,  on  the
one  hand,  by  the  vending  machine  industry  and,  on
the  other,  by  the  European  Blind  Union.  The  ECB
welcomes 
the  proposed  amendments,  which  will
reduce  the  risk  of  fraud  involving  vending  machines
and  the  risk  of  confusion  for  blind  and  visually  handi(cid:220)
capped  people.

4.(cid:217)This  ECB  opinion  will  be  published  in  the  Official

Journal  of  the  European  Communities.

Done  at  Frankfurt  am  Main  on  16  November  1998.

The  President  of  the  ECB

Willem  F.  DUISENBERG
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3343/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. The Raspberry Ice Cream War
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: EU publication, European Commissioner, United Kingdom, book trade, costing, withdrawal from the market

C 182/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

broadcasters, the Conseil superieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the public authorities and sports federations) to
agree on how to improve and clarify the existing code of conduct on the broadcasting in France of sports
events which take place abroad and at which advertising hoardings for alcoholic beverages may appear on
screen. Discussions are currently being held between the CSA and broadcasters on this topic. The Commission
hopes that the advertisers, who had played no part in drawing up the original code of conduct, might soon be
involved in the work. The Commission will assess the results of these discussions in 1999 and decide, on the
basis of this assessment, whether to take any further action on the infringement proceedings which are
currently under way.

As regards the ban on television advertising of children’s toys in Greece, a letter of formal notice was sent
2.
to Greece in March 1997 under the procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EC Treaty. On the basis of the
reply from the Greek authorities, the Commission felt there was a need to have a closer look at the issue of the
risks which television advertising might pose to children.

The Commission intends to open talks with the Greek authorities on this topic in the near future.

(1999/C 182/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3343/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: The Raspberry Ice Cream War

It has been reported in the British press that 75 000 copies of a children’s comic entitled ‘The Raspberry Ice
Cream War’, produced by the Commission, have been withdrawn from circulation in the UK.

Can the Commission please confirm whether this is true, provide further details and estimate the cost of
producing and pulping this comic?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

It is correct that the Commission decided not to distribute in the United Kingdom the 65 000 copies of the
publication mentioned by the Honourable Member (production cost ECU 0,30 a copy) but it was not
necessary to pulp them, due to demand for the english language version outside the United Kingdom.

(1999/C 182/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3351/98

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: Second report pursuant to Article 26 of Directive 86/609/EEC

In its answers to Written Questions E-2376/97 (1) and E-0038/98 (2) the Commission said ‘the report is
scheduled to be available by the end of April 1998.’

Why has the Commission not adhered to this schedule and when does it now expect to publish the second
report, the original deadline for which was 27 May 1997?

(1) OJ C 76, 11.3.1998, p. 102.
(2) OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 20.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3369/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Semi-skimmed milk
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU aid, child, delivery, educational institution, harmonisation of prices, nutrition, public health, selling price, skimmed milk, whole milk













EUR-Lex - 91998E3369 - EN






Avis juridique important




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91998E3369

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3369/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Semi-skimmed milk  


Official Journal C 297 , 15/10/1999 P. 0068 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3369/98by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission(16 November 1998)Subject: Semi-skimmed milkWould the Commission confirm that its answer to question E-1368/98(1) is correct?Is it not in order for Member States to charge different prices for whole and semi-skimmed milk?Was consideration given to child health issues when Regulation (EEC) 3392/93(2), Article 4.1b was drawn up?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(7 December 1998)The Commission confirms that its answer to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-1368/98 is correct.The Community legislation on school milk subsidies provides that the amount of aid for the different dairy products shall be determined taking into account the milk content of the products concerned. In other words, the amount of aid should be related to the value of the products. The underlying objective is to ensure that the net selling price for the different products would be more or less the same so as to avoid that this price would influence the choice of the pupil for one product or another. However, the regulations do not oblige Member States to charge the same selling price for different products. They merely oblige Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that the aid is reflected in the price paid by the beneficiary. It is, therefore, admissible that semi-skimmed milk and whole milk be sold at different prices.The Commission is convinced that the operation of the Community school milk scheme is consistent with policy on health issues.(1) OJ C 402, 22.12.1998, p. 119.(2) OJ L 306, 11.12.1993, p. 27.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3347/98 by Ernesto CACCAVALE to the Commission. Wrongful maintaining of the monopoly of the Italian State Printing Works
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: CACCAVALE, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, State aid, judgment of the Court (EU), monopoly, printing, public administration, restriction on competition













EUR-Lex - 91998E3347 - EN






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91998E3347

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3347/98 by Ernesto CACCAVALE to the Commission. Wrongful maintaining of the monopoly of the Italian State Printing Works  


Official Journal C 142 , 21/05/1999 P. 0123 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3347/98by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission(16 November 1998)Subject: Wrongful maintaining of the monopoly of the Italian State Printing WorksOn the basis of judgment C/44/96 the European Court of Justice recently obliged Austria to dismantle the legal monopoly in the supply of goods and services to the civil service, which was operated by Strohal Rotation Druck. According to Community legislation, therefore, government departments cannot grant exclusive rights to supply stationery and printing services to the civil service, with very few exceptions ( such as stamps and codes of law). Whilst in other Member States, such as France and Great Britain, the State bodies which used to have a monopoly in supplies to the civil service have already been privatized, the situation in Italy has remained unchanged. According to press reports it would seem that the Chairman of the Italian State Printing Works, which last year suffered a loss of more than Lit 600 billion, intends to reschedule the group's debts with an Italian government decree providing for the transfer of approximately 1 000 billion of public funds and confirming the Printing Works' exclusive right to supply stamps and stationery to the civil service.Can the Commission therefore say:- whether the decree in question does not constitute State aid;- whether there are not sufficient reasons to justify infringement proceedings against the Italian State, which continues to maintain a protected market in this sector in blatant contravention of Community rules on free competition?Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission(15 December 1998)The Commission asked the Italian authorities about alleged state aid to Poligrafico in April 1997. The information submitted by the Italian authorities on several occasions has not reassured the Commission on the absence of state aid.Therefore, the Commission, by decision of 28 October 1998, decided to open proceedings under Article 93(2) EC Treaty. This will allow the Commission to assess the presence of state aid, and, if so, its compatibility with the common market, in the capital increases in favour of Cartiere Miliani di Fabriano, controlled by Poligrafico, and in the exclusive contracts granted to Poligrafico itself for the provision of products and services to the state.On the basis of the observations submitted by the Italian government, the Commission will assess the measures in accordance with the state aid rules of the EC Treaty, and in particular with Articles 92 and 93.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2463/98 of 16 November 1998 on the issuing of a standing invitation to tender for the resale on the internal market of 17 500 tonnes of barley held by the Finnish intervention agency
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Finland, award of contract, barley, intervention agency, marketing

L 307/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 11. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2463/98

of 16 November 1998

on the issuing of a standing invitation to tender for the resale on the internal
market of 17 500 tonnes of barley held by the Finnish intervention agency

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Article 2

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the
market in cereals (1), as last amended by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 923/96 (2), and in particular Article 5
thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93 (3),
as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2193/96 (4), lays
down the procedure and conditions for the disposal of
cereals held by the intervention agencies;

Whereas, in the present market situation, a standing in-
vitation to tender for the resale on the internal market of
17 500 tonnes of barley held by the Finnish intervention
agency should be issued;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
the Management
in accordance with the opinion of
Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The Finnish intervention agency shall issue pursuant to
Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93 a standing invitation to
tender for the resale on the internal market of 17 500
tonnes of barley held by it.

1.
The final date for the submission of tenders for the
first partial invitation to tender shall be 25 November
1998.

The final date for the submission of tenders for the
2.
last partial invitation to tender shall expire on 27 January
1999.

Tenders must be lodged with the Finnish interven-

3.
tion agency at the following address:

Maa- ja mets(cid:132)talousministeri(cid:148)
Maatalouspolitiikan osasto, interventioelin
Mariankatu 23, P.O. Box 232,
FIN-00171 HELSINKI
Fax (358) 0 160 97 60.

Article 3

Not later than Tuesday of the week following the final
date for the submission of tenders, the Finnish interven-
tion agency shall notify the Commission of the quantities
and average prices of the various lots sold.

Article 4

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of 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, 16 November 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 126, 24. 5. 1996, p. 57.
(3) OJ L 191, 31. 7. 1993, p. 76.
(4) OJ L 293, 16. 11. 1996, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3360/98 by Irene SOLTWEDEL-SCHÄFER to the Commission. Eco-audit
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: European Parliament, SOLTWEDEL-SCHAEFER
Subjects: European Parliament, building industry, energy saving, environmental monitoring, solar architecture

21.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 142/125

(1999/C 142/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3360/98

by Irene Soltwedel-Schäfer (V) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: Eco-audit

1.
The eco-audit which has existed in the EU since 29 June 1993 has so far been carried out by about
1960 undertakings. To what extent was Council Regulation (EEC) 1836/93 (1) taken into account in the
European Parliament’s new buildings in Brussels (Rue Wiertz) and Strasbourg?

2. What potential water and energy savings were taken into account in the two new buildings, and what
technical means were used to achieve them?

3. What potential energy savings did the installation of solar cell units make possible?

4. What waste avoidance strategies has the European Parliament’s administration adopted or im-
plemented for Parliament’s buildings?

(1) OJ L 168, 10.7.1993, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1998)

As the Honorable Member rightly mentions Council Regulation (EEC) 1836/93 allowing voluntary
participation by companies in the industrial sector in a Community eco-management and audit scheme
(EMAS) entered into force on 13 July 1993 and was applicable from 13 April 1995. Since then 1962
companies in the industrial sectors mentioned in Article 2 (i) of the Regulation have been registered in the
scheme. However the building industry is not amongst the sectors for which the scheme is open. The
reason for this was the intention to concentrate on the industrial and manufacturing sector in the first
instance.

On 30 October 1998 the Commission adopted a proposal for the revision of the EMAS regulation (1), in
which it is proposed to extend the scope of the scheme to all sectors including the building industry. After
the entering into force of the proposed revision it will be possible for building companies together with
their building locations to register in the EMAS scheme.

As far as the administration of the Parliament buildings are concerned the Commission is not competent.

(1) COM(98) 622 final.

(1999/C 142/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3375/98

by Quinídio Correia (PSE) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: Afforestation and woodland maintenance grants

According to information contained in the explanatory statement of the report A4-0346/98 of 30 Septem-
ber 1998, the Autonomous Region of Madeira is said to have received the highest afforestation and
woodland maintenance grants of all EU countries, amounting to ECU 6000 per hectare per year.

1. Can the Commission confirm the accuracy of these statements, which the report attributes to outside

sources in the industry?

2. How many hectares have received grants under Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 (1) instituting a Commun-
ity aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture, and can the Commission provide a full list of the
beneficiaries?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3351/98 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Second report pursuant to Article 26 of Directive 86/609/EEC
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: European Parliament, TAMINO
Subjects: animal experimentation, official language, protection of animals, report, scientific research, statistics, translation

C 182/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

broadcasters, the Conseil superieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the public authorities and sports federations) to
agree on how to improve and clarify the existing code of conduct on the broadcasting in France of sports
events which take place abroad and at which advertising hoardings for alcoholic beverages may appear on
screen. Discussions are currently being held between the CSA and broadcasters on this topic. The Commission
hopes that the advertisers, who had played no part in drawing up the original code of conduct, might soon be
involved in the work. The Commission will assess the results of these discussions in 1999 and decide, on the
basis of this assessment, whether to take any further action on the infringement proceedings which are
currently under way.

As regards the ban on television advertising of children’s toys in Greece, a letter of formal notice was sent
2.
to Greece in March 1997 under the procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EC Treaty. On the basis of the
reply from the Greek authorities, the Commission felt there was a need to have a closer look at the issue of the
risks which television advertising might pose to children.

The Commission intends to open talks with the Greek authorities on this topic in the near future.

(1999/C 182/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3343/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: The Raspberry Ice Cream War

It has been reported in the British press that 75 000 copies of a children’s comic entitled ‘The Raspberry Ice
Cream War’, produced by the Commission, have been withdrawn from circulation in the UK.

Can the Commission please confirm whether this is true, provide further details and estimate the cost of
producing and pulping this comic?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

It is correct that the Commission decided not to distribute in the United Kingdom the 65 000 copies of the
publication mentioned by the Honourable Member (production cost ECU 0,30 a copy) but it was not
necessary to pulp them, due to demand for the english language version outside the United Kingdom.

(1999/C 182/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3351/98

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: Second report pursuant to Article 26 of Directive 86/609/EEC

In its answers to Written Questions E-2376/97 (1) and E-0038/98 (2) the Commission said ‘the report is
scheduled to be available by the end of April 1998.’

Why has the Commission not adhered to this schedule and when does it now expect to publish the second
report, the original deadline for which was 27 May 1997?

(1) OJ C 76, 11.3.1998, p. 102.
(2) OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 20.
Council Decision of 16 November 1998 appointing the members and alternates of the Advisory Committee on Nursing Training
Date: 1998-11-16
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Ireland, advisory committee (EU), appointment of staff, nursing care, vocational training

C  367/2

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

27.11.98

Ms  Ilsedore  ZOPFY  is  hereby  appointed  an  alternate  of  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Nursing
Training  in  place  of  Ms  Christa  NOVAKIEWITSCH  for  the  remainder  of  her  term  of  office,
which  ends  on  5  July  2001.

Article  2

Ms  Claudia  NEUMANN  is  hereby  appointed  a  member  of  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Nursing
Training  in  place  of  Mr  Hermann  KURTENBACH  for  the  remainder  of  his  term  of  office,
which  ends  on  5  July  2001.

Article  3

Done  at  Brussels,  16  November  1998.

For  the  Council

The  President

J.  FARNLEITNER

COUNCIL  DECISION

of  16  November  1998

appointing  the  members  and  alternates  of  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Nursing  Training

(98/C  367/02)

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

Having  regard  to  Council  Decision  77/454/EEC  of  27  June  1977  setting  up  an  Advisory
Committee  on  Nursing  Training(cid:216)(˛),  and  in  particular  Articles  3  and  4  thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  Act  of  Accession  of  1994,  and  in  particular  Article  165(1)  thereof,

Whereas,  under  Article  3  of  the  Decision,  the  Committee  consists  of  three  experts  from  each
Member  State  and  an  alternate  for  each  member;  whereas,  under  Article  4  of  that  same
Decision,  the  term  of  office  of  these  members  and  alternates  is  three  years;

Whereas,  by  its  Decision  of  6  July  1998(cid:216)(ˇ),  the  Council  appointed  the  members  and  alternates
of  the  Committee  for  the  period  from  6  July  1998  to  5  July  2001;

Whereas  the  Irish  Government  has  submitted  a  list  of  candidates  for  the  appointment,
replacement  or  renewal  of  the  term  of  office  of  the  members  and  alternates,

(˛)(cid:217)OJ  L  176,  15.7.1977,  p.  11.
(ˇ)(cid:217)OJ  C  219,  15.7.1998,  p.  1.

27.11.98

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

C  367/3

HAS  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS:

The  following  are  hereby  appointed  members  and  alternates  of  the  Advisory  Committee  on
Nursing  Training  for  the  period  from  16  November  1998  to  5  July  2001:

Sole  Article

A. Experts  from  the  practising  profession

Ireland

Member
Ms  Ann  CARRIGY

Alternate
Mr  Patrick  MURRAY

B. Experts  from  the  establishments  providing  training  in  nursing

Ireland

Member
Ms  Mary  HODSON

Alternate
Mr  Seamus  COWMAN

C. Experts  from  the  competent  authorities  of  the  Member  State

Ireland

Member
Ms  Yvonne  O’SHEA

Alternate
Ms  Peta  TAAFE

Done  at  Brussels,  16  November  1998.

For  the  Council

The  President

J.  FARNLEITNER