do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3859/98 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS Progress in implementing subprogramme for tourism under the Community Support Framework for Greece
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, HATZIDAKIS
Subjects: Community support framework, EU programme, Greece, budget, commitment of expenditure, tourism, use of aid













EUR-Lex - 91998E3859 - EN






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91998E3859

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3859/98 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS Progress in implementing subprogramme for tourism under the Community Support Framework for Greece  


Official Journal C 325 , 12/11/1999 P. 0034 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3859/98by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission(4 January 1999)Subject: Progress in implementing subprogramme for tourism under the Community Support Framework for GreeceAccording to my information, there has been an exceptionally low take-up of Community funds - only ECU 34,5 million (i.e. 18,06 %) by October this year - for the subprogramme for tourism under the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece, the total budget for which is ECU 191 million. The take-up for the development of marine tourism is particularly low; the ECU 610 000 used represents only 1,8 % of the Community appropriations committed of ECU 33,3 million. I am also informed that there have been delays in paying the first instalment to tourist businesses which are covered by measures to assist small and medium-sized enterprises and in carrying out inspections of projects covered by measures to modernise existing hotels.Could the Commission:1. provide me with the latest data on the take-up of Community appropriations for the subprogramme for tourism under the CSF for Greece, in total and per sector; and2. inform me of the reasons for the low take-up of the relevant funds and whether there is any possibility of carrying over the unused appropriations to the 3rd CSF?Answer given on behalf of Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission(11 February 1999)Under a Commission Decision of 8 December 1997 the tourism subprogramme has a total budget of [fmxeuro]519 million, for which public commitments amount to [fmxeuro]200 million.Total expenditure on the programme, public and private, amounts to around [fmxeuro]108 million, a take-up rate of 20,8 % of the total budget.Take-up by measure is as follows:>TABLE>The poor take-up for the programme is mainly due to delay in adoption by the Greek Parliament of the laws on privatisation of port infrastructure (marinas) and to legislative and administrative delays in specifying the integrated tourism development zones.Greece will be able to make commitments under the subprogramme until 31 December 1999 and payments until 31 December 2001. The Commission will however on the occasion of the next monitoring committee scheduled for the first quarter of 1999 look very carefully at the take-up prospects for the subprogramme and may request from the Greek authorities transfer of some of the uncommitted appropriations to other programmes of the present CSF. Carryover of appropriations to the CSF of the next programming period is not possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3905/98 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE Determining the production coefficient for olive mills
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: ARIAS CANETE, European Parliament
Subjects: accounting, aid system, common organisation of markets, crop yield, fats, olive oil, olive-growing, payment, product quality, production aid

C 320/86

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

Some countries for various reasons prefer to import live animals for slaughter afterwards. If the Community
did not subsidise such exports it would lose the markets to other exporting countries. The Honourable
Member is reminded that, following adoption of Council Regulation (EC) 2634/97 of 18 December 1997
amending Regulation (EEC) 805/68 on the common organisation of the market in beef and veal (1), which
makes payment of export refunds on live cattle conditional on compliance with the provisions on animal
welfare during transport, Commission Regulation (EC) 615/98 of 18 March 1998 laying down specific
detailed rules of application for the export refund arrangements as regards the welfare of live bovine animals
during transport (2), applicable since 1 September 1998, has introduced checking of all live cattle leaving
Community territory plus targeted checks when cattle are unloaded in the country of destination.

The Commission has always tried to keep export refund levels for live cattle and for beef roughly parallel while
taking into account the specific requirements of certain countries of destination and the Community market
situation.

(1) OJ L 356, 31.12.1997.
(2) OJ L 82, 19.3.1998.

(1999/C 320/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3904/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Checks on olive residue

The Regulation on the application of production aid for olive oil lays down that, where olive residue is sent to
an extraction establishment, quantities must be determined batch by batch, indicating the consignee, whereas
‘in other cases’ they must merely be determined on a flat-rate basis, indicating the consignee.

In the latter case the consignee may act as an intermediary, since that person is named only as the consignee
for the total amount, and there are no subsequent checks.

Is it not inconsistent that it should be possible to circumvent checks through the interposition of an
intermediary?

(1999/C 320/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3905/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Determining the production coefficient for olive mills

Under the new Regulation on the application of production aid for olive oil the production coefficient for mills
with a continuous two-stage production cycle has been estimated at 0,70 (where 0,80 would be more
appropriate).

When olives are processed in a two-stage cycle, the oil and the sum of waste liquid plus residue are separated.
Together, these components must make up 100 %.

If the average oil yield of olives is estimated to be around 20 %, the amount of residue produced must be 80 %.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3901/98 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Participation of Commissioner Leon Brittan in the 1998 Bilderberg meeting
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: European Commissioner, Scotland, allowances and expenses, international meeting, operating cost, paid leave

C 207/144

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?

(1999/C 207/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3900/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Participation of Commissioner Hans van den Broek in the 1995 Bilderberg meeting

Concerning the Bilderberg meeting attended by Commissioner van den Broek in Bürgenstock from 8-11 June
1995, could the Commission state:

1. What the items were which made up the total travel and whether the costs were reimbursed at the time, or

if not who paid them?

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?

(1999/C 207/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3901/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Participation of Commissioner Leon Brittan in the 1998 Bilderberg meeting

Concerning the Bilderberg meeting attended by Commissioner Leon Brittan in Turnberry, Scotland from
14-17 May 1998, could the Commission state:

1. What the items were which made up the total travel and whether the costs were reimbursed at the time, or

if not who paid them?

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?

(1999/C 207/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3902/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Participation of Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard in the 1995 Bilderberg meeting

Concerning the Bilderberg meeting attended by Commissioner Bjerregaard in Bürgenstock from 8-11 June
1995, could the Commission state:

1. What the items were which made up the total travel and whether the costs were reimbursed at the time, or

if not who paid them?

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3883/98 by Michl EBNER to the Council. European Civilian Service
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: EBNER, European Parliament
Subjects: EU Member State, EU policy, European Movement, alternative service, approximation of laws, national service













EUR-Lex - 91998E3883 - EN






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91998E3883

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3883/98 by Michl EBNER to the Council. European Civilian Service  


Official Journal C 207 , 21/07/1999 P. 0141 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3883/98by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Council(4 January 1999)Subject: European Civilian ServiceMost Member States of the Union acknowledge civilian service, but some, like Greece, do not. Accordingly, in the latter instance, people who refuse to undertake military service on religious or conscientious grounds are persecuted by national authorities.On 22 September 1995, the European Parliament adopted a resolution (B4-1127/95)(1) on the establishment of a European Civilian Service in which it called on the Commission to submit a proposal for the establishment of a European Civilian Service.Does the Council intend:- as part of the process for the harmonisation of the legal system in the European Union, to put in hand an approximation of the relevant laws of the various Member States, and- does it intend, in connection with the mobility of the inhabitants of the European Union, to devise a system which would permit the establishment of a genuine European Civilian Service or enable individuals to serve in a Civilian Service in a Member State of the Union other their own?Reply(9 March 1999)The Honourable Member suggests devising a system that would permit the establishment of a European Civilian Service; however, the Treaties do not give the European Union any powers to harmonise Member States' legal systems in this regard.(1) OJ C 269, 16.10.1995, p. 232.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3932/98 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. The rearmament of South Africa
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, ROBLES PIQUER
Subjects: EU production, European Commission, Lomé Convention, South Africa, accession to an agreement, award of contract, international negotiations, rearmament

C 297/118

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

15.10.1999

(1999/C 297/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3932/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: The rearmament of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa has just announced a broad programme of rearmament, including the purchase
of warships, fighter aircraft, tanks, cannon and other heavy and light artillery from various European firms, in
addition to the creation of jobs in the South African arms industry, which grew substantially as a result of the
embargo during the apartheid era.

Can the Commission say:

1. what the total cost of these purchases was, stating which countries and firms benefited and what the

repercussions on employment were in both South Africa and Europe;

2. whether there is any external threat to South Africa which might justify this operation;

3. what the likely impact of this expenditure will be on the current negotiations for an economic agreement
between the EU and South Africa and what the overall effect is on its new status as Member State of the
Lomé Convention?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1999)

The Commission was not consulted, informed or otherwise involved in the program of arm’s procurement of
South Africa. It is however aware of South African press statements on this issue.

The Commission is not in a position, nor is it within its role, to assess the need to modernise South Africa’s
security and defense systems as decided by the South African government.

The Commission does not see any direct link between the South African decision referred to and the
negotiations between the Community and South Africa or South Africa’s new status as a Member State of the
Lomé Convention.

(1999/C 297/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3935/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Imprisonment of three Cuban journalists

The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), meeting in Punta del Este (Uruguay), has called on the Cuban
Government to review the sentences passed on three Cuban journalists, Bernardo Arévalo Padrón, Lorenzo
Paez Núñez and Carlos Recio Martínez, who are to serve prison terms of six years, one and a half years and one
year respectively.

The IAPA has stressed once again that the Cuban Penal Code still refers to offences such as ‘giving false
information’ or ‘any other form of criminal censure’, which are used as a pretext for banning freedom of
information in a country where the State is, moreover, the sole owner of all the mass media.

What is the Council prepared to do to cooperate in the review and, if possible, annulment of these sentences, as
well as to promote freedom of information in Cuba?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3955/98 by James NICHOLSON Osteoporosis
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, NICHOLSON
Subjects: disease prevention, elderly person, health policy, health statistics, illness, public awareness campaign, public health, trauma

11.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 289/81

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 1999)

The Greek Government has confirmed to the Commission that it has not concluded any gentleman’s
agreement with the consortium building the Athens underground rail system.

It has informed the Commission of recent negotiations covering a range of technical problems with this large-
scale project. These negotiations, held under the provisions of the contract in force, resulted in an agreement
between the two parties involving no modification whatsoever of the contract.

The original contract for construction of the system, signed in 1991, was adjusted in 1994. This revision
incorporated a 14,64 % increase in the contract budget. The revised 1994 contract is still in force and it is
under its terms that an additional amount of 5 % has been granted to the consortium for additional work to
boost the safety of the system itself and the buildings of Athens, including construction of trial tunnels. A
further amount of 1 % has also been granted for various improvements to the project.

Community funding for the project under the Community support framework for Greece for 1994-99 is
EUR 783 million from the European Regional Development Fund. This amount has not been raised since the
CSF was approved.

(1999/C 289/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3736/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Osteoporosis

Recent scientific studies show that fractures attributable to osteoporosis pose a growing threat to the health of
the elderly, and that the incidence of such fractures will rise dramatically over the next few years.

Given that diet is an important factor in ensuring healthy bones, does the Commission plan to arrange for a
study to draw up public information policies and lay down systems to monitor the rate at which fractures
recur, both nationally and Community-wide?

With a view to Community measures directed towards preventing osteoporosis and increasing awareness
about it among the public and the health authorities of individual Member States, with the aim of safeguarding
the health of citizens and contributing to the training of appropriate health workers, can the Commission
launch a campaign to increase awareness about the fight against osteoporosis?

(1999/C 289/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3955/98

by James Nicholson (I-EDN) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Osteoporosis

What measures has the Commission taken to date for the implementation of the recommendations set out in
the report on Osteoporosis in the European Community ; Action for Prevention, published on 10 June 1998?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3885/98 by Klaus-Heiner LEHNE to the Commission. European aid for the Netherlands Antilles
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, LEHNE
Subjects: EU financing, European Development Fund, Netherlands Antilles, advertising, technical cooperation, tourism

C 182/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 1999)

The Commission’s reply that Members of the Commission who attended Bilderberg meetings expressed their
personal views means that they were not representing the Commission, that they did not speak on behalf of
the Commission and that their comments were not binding on the Commission. Naturally they were invited to
attend the meetings mainly on account of their functions. The Commission considers that its Members should
be free to express their views on subjects relating to the work of the Community, in particular during
exchanges of views in international forums, without their participation being in any way binding on the
Commission.

(1999/C 182/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3885/98

by Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: European aid for the Netherlands Antilles

Is it true that the Deutsch-Caribbean Travel Centre in Frankfurt has received EU aid for an advertising
campaign?

Is it also true that that advertising budget amounts to about EUR 5,5 million from EU funds?

On what legal basis and from which aid fund was that amount paid out to DCTC?

How does the Commission justify the granting of this aid when these Caribbean islands, compared with other
regions, enjoy a high standard of living with very little poverty or crime?

What is the objective of the aid?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 1999)

It is not quite accurate to say that the Dutch Caribbean Travel Centre in Frankfurt has received Community aid
for an advertising campaign.

The aid in question, part of a regional programme for the Caribbean, is for a EUR 5 million project to promote
tourism in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The target audience comprises the German-speaking countries
(Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Italy and the Netherlands, and the project includes EUR 1,56 million for
technical assistance over four years, in the form of overall coordination services and technical support for the
Dutch Caribbean Travel Centre in Frankfurt.

As with all Community finance for this category of country from the seventh European Development Fund,
the legal basis for the aid is Council Decision 91/482/EEC of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas
countries and territories with the European Economic Community (1), adopted by the representatives of the
Member States meeting within the Council. In any case, before the Commission adopts the financing decision
for each individual project it also obtains the approval of the Member States via the EDF Committee.

(1) OJ L 263, 19.9.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3925/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS Statements by Community official concerning accession of Cyprus
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Cyprus, European official, European political cooperation, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, enlargement of the Union, military occupation, settlement of disputes













EUR-Lex - 91998E3925 - EN






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91998E3925

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3925/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS Statements by Community official concerning accession of Cyprus  


Official Journal C 341 , 29/11/1999 P. 0019 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3925/98by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission(4 January 1999)Subject: Statements by Community official concerning accession of CyprusAgence Europe's daily bulletin No 7356 of 4 December 1998 (page 12) reported statements made by the head of the Commission's Enlargement Task Force, Mr Klaus van der Pas, concerning the accession of Cyprus.Mr van der Pas stressed that he shared French concerns about "bringing into the EU a divided island, in a sort of war zone." This - to put it charitably - curious view of Mr van der Pas is "embellished" by his provocative remark that "these are fears shared by everyone". Finally, the Community official adds that "it is the Member States that are conducting the negotiations" and that, therefore, the Commission "will not make proposals that are not politically reasonable".Will the Commission state its official position on these unacceptable views and explain on what authority Mr van der Pas speaks for "everyone" in expressing provocative views on Cyprus, a country which (in every respect) is far more advanced than any other applicant country?Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission(12 February 1999)The Commission continues to base itself on the Union position as expressed at the opening of the accession negotiations with Cyprus. As it has done since the start of the negotiating process, the Commission will contribute actively in order to allow the negotiations with Cyprus to proceed as quickly as possible. It will do so notwithstanding persistent difficulties such as the fact that the Turkish-Cypriot community did not act up to now upon the explicit invitation to participate in the negotiations. The Honourable Member will not have failed to notice that these difficulties have led to various expressions of concern, including on behalf of certain Member States. The Commission fully shares the hope repeatedly expressed by the Union, that the accession negotiations will contribute positively to the search for a political solution to the Cyprus problem through the talks under the aegis of the United Nations which must continue with a view to creating a bi-community, bi-zonal federation.