do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3664/98 by José GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL to the Commission. Counterfeiting and piracy
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: audiovisual piracy, computer piracy, economic consequence, fraud, industrial counterfeiting, intellectual property, professional association, single market, type of business

21.7.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 207/105

Will the Commission provide guidelines on how to devise and implement a programme to combat this
problem?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

Due to the complex nature of the Year 2000 computing problem, the various interfaces between different
products and systems, and the enormous number of products which could potentially be affected, it is not
possible to define one standard methodology to address all aspects of this problem.

Nevertheless, the Commission’s Year 2000 world wide web site (http/www.ispo.cec.be/y2keuro) contains links
to web sites of Member States’ governments and relevant industry sectors which provide various guidelines on
how to address the problem.

(1999/C 207/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3661/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: The millennium bug

It has been established that the ‘millennium bug’, a problem also known as the ‘year 2000 effect’, may affect all
types of programmable electronic systems (PESs), ranging from mainframe computers to microchips.

These systems are employed for all nature of industrial purposes at the various stages of the production
process, in the transport sector, in the public services and so forth. Furthermore, the said systems are date-
dependent and their reaction on the first day of the new millennium will be critical. For those reasons, it would
advisable to pinpoint the risks involved.

Has the Commission carried out a general analysis of the nature of the problems which may arise and of the
potential errors or breakdowns in date-dependent systems?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its communications (1) (2) on the Year 2000
computing problem and on how the Community is tacking the Year 2000 computing problem respectively.

(1) COM(98) 102.
(2)
SEC(98) 2100.

(1999/C 207/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3664/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Counterfeiting and piracy

On 22 October 1998 the Commission announced the publication of a Green Paper on combating counter-
feiting and piracy in the single market, with which it launched wide-ranging consultations on the matter with
interested parties in the Member States.

In the Commission’s view, what impact have these practices had on the EU economy?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2629/98 of 7 December 1998 laying down rates of compensatory interest applicable during the first half of 1999 to customs debts incurred in relation to compensating products or goods in the unaltered state (inward processing relief arrangements and temporary importation)
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU customs procedure, customs debt, customs regulations, interest, legal code, monetary compensatory amount

L 332/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

8. 12. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2629/98

of 7 December 1998

laying down rates of compensatory interest applicable during the first half of
1999 to customs debts incurred in relation to compensating products or goods in
the unaltered state (inward processing relief arrangements and temporary
importation)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92
of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs
Code (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 82/97 of
the European Parliament and of the Council (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EEC) No
2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the
implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92
establishing the Community Customs Code (3), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1677/98 (4), and in
particular Articles 589(4)(a) and 709 thereof,

interest

applicable

Whereas Article 589(4)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/
93 provides that the Commission shall publish rates of
to customs debts
compensatory
incurred in relation to compensating products or goods in
the unaltered state, in order to make up for the unjustified
financial advantage arising from the postponement of the
date on which the customs debt is incurred in the case of
the
non-exportation out of
Community; whereas the rates of compensatory interest
for the first half of 1999 must be established in accord-
ance with the rules laid down in that Regulation,

the customs

territory of

Article 1

The annual rates of compensatory interest referred to in
Articles 589(4)(a) and 709(3)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No
2454/93 applicable for the period from 1 January until 30
June 1999 are the following:

Belgium
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Spain
France
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Austria
Portugal
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom

3,65
3,97
3,55
14,97
4,48
3,60
6,04
5,45
3,65
3,48
3,64
4,58
3,58
4,57
7,49.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 7 December 1998.

For the Commission

Mario MONTI

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 302, 19. 10. 1992, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 17, 21. 1. 1997, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 253, 11. 10. 1993, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 212, 30. 7. 1998, p. 18.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3700/98 by Gerhard HAGER Studies on transitional periods
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, HAGER
Subjects: Austria, European Commission, accession to the European Union, enlargement of the Union, exchange of information, international negotiations, national implementing measure

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/67

jet printing technology for the textiles,
Another project in the same programme dealing with digital
photographic and graphic industries has developed a printing system as well as environmentally friendly
high gloss coated paper and polyester ink jet films with high light and water fastness.

Although within these projects the question of permanent paper and stable acid-based inks was not specifically
addressed, the improved know-how on printing inks and printing technology should have increased the
overall scientific knowledge in this area.

(1999/C 320/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3700/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Studies on transitional periods

In the run-up to the Pörtschach summit Austria’s Federal Chancellor referred to a study which had been
commissioned from research institutes in agreement with the heads of government of the candidate countries
and ‘is to contain the data needed for the calculation of the transitional periods’.

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of this?

Does it have any information on whether and where these studies have been commissioned?

Have tenders been invited, or are they being invited, for these studies throughout the Union, or is this a

3.
purely Austrian initiative?

Is the Commission cooperating in these studies with the material at its disposal, especially its experience

4.
and data in connection with the southward enlargement?

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

(26 January 1999)

The Commission is not aware of the specific study mentioned by the Honourable Member. On the issues
related to the accession negotiations many studies are produced. The transitional periods will be decided in the
framework of the accession negotiations.

(1999/C 320/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3701/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Impending shortage of labour

At the informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Vienna Mrs Gradin referred to a study
which stated that, ‘even though the Union has 18 million unemployed today, it may face a shortage of labour
in 20 years’.

1. Was the Commissioner quoted correctly, and does she confirm this statement?

2.

If so, can she give the precise title of the study and say who wrote it and where it was published?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3691/98 by Anita POLLACK Reproductive rights in applying for accession
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: EU programme, accession to the European Union, competence of the Member States, family planning, non-governmental organisation, population policy, social policy, third country

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/65

The liberalisation process in recent years has opened up air transport to greater competition. This has also
facilitated the entry of new low cost airlines. Allowing the consumer greater choice places the onus on each
airline to offer a product that meets the requirements of each passenger at a competitive price and serves as a
deterrent to abusive pricing.

In order to enable airlines to react quickly in this more dynamic environment, the liberalisation measures have
also introduced the principle of pricing freedom. Nevertheless airlines are not allowed to apply excessively
high basic fares. Parties with a legitimate interest may ask the Member State(s) concerned or the Commission to
investigate very high fares in the light of the applicable regulation.

(1999/C 320/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3691/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Reproductive rights in applying for accession

Does the Commission have any information on the situation of reproductive rights in countries applying for
accession? Are there any EU projects in these countries to extend family planning services?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 1999)

The Commission has not carried out any specific studies on reproductive rights in candidate countries. It is not
aware that reproductive rights are denied to anybody in the candidate countries.

The definition of family policy does not fall within the competence of the Community. It remains the
responsibility of the Member States. Notwithstanding this general principle, family planning is part of the
activities of some micro projects funded in the framework of the LIEN programme which targets non-
governmental organisations (NGOs) in the social sector.

(1999/C 320/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3692/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Agenda 21

Given the commitment to sustainability in the Treaty, does the Commission agree that it would be useful to
have a local Agenda 21 coordinator in the Commission?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

In addition to the commitment to sustainable development in the EC Treaty, the Commission and the Member
States are signatories to Agenda 21 and so have signalled their approval of the Local Agenda 21 process set out
in Chapter 28. Article 10 of Decision No 2179/98/EC of the Parliament and Council of 24 September 1998 (1)
on the review of the 5th action programme (2) has strengthened the Community’s commitment to Local
Agenda 21 which is seen as especially important in relation to urban issues. The Communication ‘Sustainable
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3659/98 by José GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL The millennium bug
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, dissemination of information, electronics industry, information technology industry, public awareness campaign













EUR-Lex - 91998E3659 - EN






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91998E3659

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3659/98 by José GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL The millennium bug  


Official Journal C 325 , 12/11/1999 P. 0020 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3659/98by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission(7 December 1998)Subject: The millennium bugIt has been established that the "millennium bug", a problem also known as the "year 2000 effect", may affect all types of programmable electronic systems (PESs), ranging from mainframe computers to microchips.These systems are employed for all nature of industrial purposes at the various stages of the production process, in the transport sector, in the public services and so forth. Furthermore, the said systems are date-dependent and their reaction on the first day of the new millennium will be critical. For those reasons, it would advisable to pinpoint the risks involved.In the Commission's view, what role can the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work play in preventing and/or lessening the potential impact of computer errors on safety at the workplace?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission(10 March 1999)One of the tasks of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is to collect and disseminate technical, scientific and economic information in the Member States in order to inform Community bodies, the Member States and interested parties, as well as providing technical, scientific and economic information on methods and tools for carrying out preventive activities, with particular attention to the specific problems of small and medium-sized undertakings.The Commission particularly asked the Agency to raise industry awareness of the potential health and safety implications of this problem.In this regard, the Agency is undertaking the following actions:- establishing a special year 2000 information activity on the Agency's Web site with links to information available in the Member States as well as e.g. in the United States and Australia.- establishing - in connection with this activity - an interactive e-mail forum for exchanging information on this subject.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3835/98 by Gerhard HAGER Land consolidation in Austria
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, HAGER
Subjects: Austria, agricultural production policy, environmental protection, plot, policy on agricultural structures, protection of animal life, protection of plant life, redemption

C 320/80

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

steel RTD programme, and the advisory groups of key actions in the fifth framework programme with steel
experts are appropriate tools to identify the needs of the European steel industry in Community RTD
programmes. They are also a flexible instrument to react rapidly to new research trends.

(1999/C 320/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3835/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Land consolidation in Austria

Land consolidation work is currently being carried out in certain places in Austria, including Raabs an der
Thaya, an area covered by Natura 2000 (No AD 1201000/No AD 1201A00), with the aim of increasing
productivity. According to my information, there are numerous grounds for suspecting that this consolidation
work is incompatible with current EU directives (such as the Protection of Wild Birds Directive, 79/409/EEC,
and the Flora and Fauna Habitats Directive, 92/43/EEC) (1). The competent authorities claim that their actions
are lawful on the basis of the Lower Austria Lands Constitution Law.

Is the Commission aware of this issue?

If so, what has it done about it to date?

If not, what does it intend to do?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(13 January 1999)

The Commission is aware of these facts. It has received a complaint and is assessing it. It will inform the
complainant accordingly.

(1999/C 320/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3841/98

by Luigi Moretti (NI) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Publication entitled ‘Extremists in Europe’

In view of the fact that the publication of the book entitled ‘Extremists in Europe’ was partly funded by the
Commission.

Would the Commission state:

1. How many copies of the publication were printed?

2.

In how many languages?

3. What the Commission’s financial contribution was?

4. Who was responsible for deciding that this publication was eligible to receive Community funding, and

on what grounds did he or she do so?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3704/98 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Commission. Health insurance and discrimination against women
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: equal treatment, gender equality, health insurance, private insurance, social security, social-security contribution

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/121

This prompts me to ask the Council:

1. On what grounds were the ministers referred to above not present?

2.

Is it usual for not all the relevant ministers to attend informal meetings?

3. Does the Council have records showing which ministers have not attended informal and formal meetings

in the past two years and how often they have failed to attend?

Reply

(8 February 1999)

The Council does not keep a register of the presence or absence of Ministers at informal meetings organised by
the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council, which take place without the Council framework.
Ministers & or the senior officials who replace them & are not obliged to give reasons for their absence.

(1999/C 182/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3704/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Health insurance and discrimination against women

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware that women pay higher health insurance contributions?

Does it see this as contravening the principle of equality?

3. What measures is it planning to take to put a stop to this discriminatory practice?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The legal situation regarding differences in contribution levels for sickness insurance as between women and
men varies according to the type of sickness insurance scheme. As regards statutory schemes providing
protection against sickness, Council Directive 79/7/EEC of 19 December 1978 on the progressive imple-
mentation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security (1) precludes
any discrimination whatsoever on grounds of sex, including in the calculation of contributions.

For occupational schemes of sickness insurance, the relevant legislation is Directive 86/378/EEC as amended
by Directive 96/97/EC of 20 December 1996 on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for
men and women in occupational social security schemes (2), interpreting the provisions of Article 119 of the
EC Treaty. This Directive provides that it is contrary to equal treatment to set different contribution levels as
between men and women workers, but allows Member States to defer compulsory application of the principle
until 1 January 1999, if the difference results from different actuarial calculations.

There are no Community rules requiring private sickness insurance schemes to apply the principle of equal
treatment to the calculation of members’ contributions.

The Commission is not aware at present of any sickness insurance schemes which contravene the relevant
provisions of Community equality law.

(1) OJ L 6, 10.1.1979.
(2) OJ L 46, 17.2.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3655/98 by Elisabeth SCHROEDTER , Heidi HAUTALA to the Commission. Repressive measures taken against environmental activists in Ukraine
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, HAUTALA, SCHROEDTER
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, Ukraine, democracy, ecology movement, freedom of expression, repression, use of aid













EUR-Lex - 91998E3655 - EN






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91998E3655

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3655/98 by Elisabeth SCHROEDTER , Heidi HAUTALA to the Commission. Repressive measures taken against environmental activists in Ukraine  


Official Journal C 207 , 21/07/1999 P. 0102 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3655/98by Elisabeth Schroedter (V) and Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission(7 December 1998)Subject: Repressive measures taken against environmental activists in UkraineAfter the Ukrainian environmental group "Rainbow Keepers" released information about possible diversion and misuse of funds given by the EBRD, including funds for ensuring safety at Chernobyl, members of this organisation reported that they had been harassed by the police and the Ukrainian Secret Service (the former KGB). Before the EBRD summit in Kiev on 9-12 May, environmental activists were interrogated and threatened with arrest.Is the Commission aware of the harassment of environmental activists in Ukraine?What measures does the Commission take to promote freedom of speech in Ukraine?Does the Commission take any measures to protect from such harassment environmental activists who supply information about the misuse of EU funds to the European institutions?Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission(19 January 1999)The Commission is not aware of the harassment of ecological activists in Ukraine.As laid down in article 2 of the partnership and co-operation agreement between the Community and its Member States on the one part, and Ukraine on the other part, respect for democratic principles and human rights (as defined in particular in the Helsinki final act and the charter of Paris for a new Europe, including the freedom of opinion and of expression) constitutes an essential element of partnership and of the agreement.The Commission's main instrument to promote the freedom of expression in Ukraine is the Phare and Tacis democracy programme, which is part of the European democracy initiative of the Parliament. This programme aims to promote the concept of democratic society governed by the rule of law in Central and Eastern European countries, the New Independent States and Mongolia. In Ukraine, the Tacis democracy programme provides assistance to media monitoring and training, and actions to enhance the contribution of the independent television sector to democratic and civil society development, to promote civic education at school, and to further public participation in economic and environmental decision making.The Commission seeks to protect individuals and groups delivering information on alleged abuses of Community money by ensuring the confidentiality of the information provided and by maintaining the anonymity of the informer.