do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0646/99 by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission. Tax on the employment of foreign nationals.
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, artistic profession, discrimination on the basis of nationality, foreign national, tax collection, tax on income

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/1

I

(Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

(2000/C 170 E/001)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0646/99

by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission

(16 March 1999)

Subject: Tax on the employment of foreign nationals

Is the Commission aware that in the world of German theatre, a tax on the employment of foreign
nationals appears to be paid at a rate of 20 %. Can the Commission confirm that this is the case and does
it accept that such practice is therefore discriminatory against other EU citizens within the Federal
Republic of Germany?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1999)

Non-resident artists are subject to German income tax on their professional income earned in Germany
irrespective of whether or not they are also subject to income tax in their Member States of residence (the
latter must of course take into account the tax paid in Germany). In order to ensure the payment of tax at
all and to facilitate its collection, organisers are bound, by virtue of the (German) Income Tax Act 1997,
lastly modified by the Tax Relief Act 1999/2000/2002 of 24 March 1999, to withhold from the fees
agreed with non-resident artists, as well as from the related performance and ancillary costs, income tax at
a rate of 25 % (15 % before 1996), topped up by the solidarity complement tax as well as by VAT.

Such tax deduction corresponds to a taxable profit, at the marginal top rate of at present 53 %, of less than
50 % of the gross fees. In other words, the system assumes deductible expenses of more than 50 %, which
appears not to be unrealistically low. Moreover, a reduction of the tax to be withheld can be granted on
request to the fiscal authorities, if it is shown that the tax finally to be paid would be lower (paragraph 50a
Income Tax Act). This will in particular apply, if expenses are incurred which would normally not be part
of the tax base. In any event, an individual tax assessment under the progressive tax rate can be obtained
by introducing a tax return. Overpaid taxes will then be reimbursed. However, the 25 % tax withheld is
considered to be final, if no action is taken by the non-resident artist.

German artists are subject to the same tax, but they always pay it at their individual tax rate according to
their income situation as declared in their tax return.

The different methods of tax collection are not considered to be discriminatory, because they reflect the
different situation of non-resident and resident artists and do not appear to be disproportionate.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 571/1999 of 16 March 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 1426/98 fixing the maximum amount of compensatory aid for the appreciable revaluation of the pound sterling on 3 May 1998
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: United Kingdom, agri-monetary policy, exchange rate, monetary compensatory amount, national currency, representative rate

17. 3. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 70/15

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 571/1999

of 16 March 1999

amending Regulation (EC) No 1426/98 fixing the maximum amount of compens-
atory aid for the appreciable revaluation of the pound sterling on 3 May 1998

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2799/98 of
15 December 1998 establishing agrimonetary arrange-
ments for the euro (1), and in particular Article 10(1)
thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1426/98 (2)
fixes the maximum amount of compensatory aid for the
appreciable revaluation of the pound sterling on 3 May
1998;

Whereas Article 4(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 724/
97 of 22 April 1997 determining measures
and
compensation relating to appreciable revaluations that
affect farm incomes (3), as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 942/98 (4), provides for the reduction or cancella-
tion of the maximum amount of the first tranche of
compensatory aid as a function of the effect on income of
the development of
the agricultural conversion rates
recorded during an observation period, account also being
taken of the situation on the market in the same period,
which ends on 28 February 1999;

Whereas Regulation (EC) No 724/97 was repealed by
Regulation (EC) No 2799/98; whereas, however, to avoid
overcompensation because the agricultural conversion
rate for the pound sterling and the exchange rate recorded
in the observation period were higher than the rate on the
date of the appreciable revaluation, the maximum amount
of the first tranche of compensatory aid for the appreci-
able revaluation of the pound sterling on 3 May 1998
should be cancelled, because of the level reached;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
the Management
in accordance with the opinions of
Committees concerned,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The maximum amount of ECU 2,1 million in Article 1 of
Regulation (EC) No 1426/98 is replaced by EUR 0.

Article 2

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

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

Done at Brussels, 16 March 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 349, 24. 12. 1998, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 190, 4. 7. 1998, p. 17.
(3) OJ L 108, 25. 4. 1997, p. 9.
(4) OJ L 132, 6. 5. 1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 646/99 by Ian WHITE Tax on the employment of foreign nationals
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Parliament, WHITE
Subjects: EU national, Germany, artistic profession, freedom to provide services, performing arts, tax on income

29.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 341/137

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-159/99 by
Mr Watson during question time at Parliament’s March 1999 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (March 1999).

(1999/C 341/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0646/99

by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission

(16 March 1999)

Subject: Tax on the employment of foreign nationals

Is the Commission aware that in the world of German theatre, a tax on the employment of foreign nationals
appears to be paid at a rate of 20 %. Can the Commission confirm that this is the case and does it accept that
such practice is therefore discriminatory against other EU citizens within the Federal Republic of Germany?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings
as soon as possible.

(1999/C 341/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0651/99

by Johannes Blokland (I-EDN) to the Commission

(9 March 1999)

Subject: Problems concerning the Prins Maurits ‘Open Christianity’ school in St Petersburg (Russia)

Is the Commission aware of the attempts by the authorities in St Petersburg to shut down the ‘Open

1.
Christianity’ school?

Can the Commission confirm that the local authorities and the police are intimidating the staff and

2.
pupils of this school? What are the underlying reasons?

Is the EU in contact with the authorities in St Petersburg? Are there, or have there been, any contacts

3.
between the EU and the management of ‘Open Christianity’?

4.
Is the Commission prepared to make known to the Russian government its concern at the action of the
local authorities in St Petersburg? Will the Commission inform Parliament of the Russian government’s
response?

5. What can be done, in the Commission’s opinion, to prevent the closure of the ‘Open Christianity’ school?

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

(29 March 1999)

The Delegation of the Commission in Russia has followed the developments around the ‘Open Christianity’
school in St. Petersburg. The school has just been vacated, apparently as a consequence of problems with the
leasing of the premises. The status of the lease contract is somewhat vague.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 639/99 by Hanja MAIJ-WEGGEN Detention of Aliakram Gummatov in Azerbaijan
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: Azerbaijan, EU relations, diplomatic relations, human rights, prisoner, the EU's international role

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/113

(1999/C 348/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0639/99

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(16 March 1999)

Subject: Detention of Aliakram Gummatov in Azerbaijan

The ‘Help Alikram Gummarov’ committee in the Netherlands is very concerned about Mr Gummarov and at
the decreasing likelihood that he will leave prison alive.

Is the Commission prepared to ask the government of Azerbaijan for details of Alikram Gummarov and of the
way in which he is being treated in prison, and is the Commission prepared to report back on this?

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

(13 April 1999)

Via regular diplomatic channels, the matter will be raised with the Azerbaijan authorities.

(1999/C 348/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0647/99

by Ben Fayot (PSE) to the Commission

(16 March 1999)

Subject: Liaison committee for senior citizens’ organisations

The liaison committee for senior citizens’ organisations, composed of 5 major European organisations, is run
by the Commission and seems at present to be in suspended animation.

It is rumoured that the Commission wishes to reorganise this committee, turning it into a full-time senior
citizens’ forum, enlarged to cover a whole range of associations.

Can the Commission state whether the forum will be established, and if so, what the criteria will be for its
composition? Care must be taken in particular to ensure that its member associations are representative at
European level.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The liaison group for older people is active and is being run in accordance with the procedures set out in
Commission Decision 91/544/EEC of 17 October 1991 (1) establishing it. The liaison group meets twice a year
and the agenda always covers a wide range of issues relating to the interests of the elderly, including social
protection, employment and pensions.

Discussions have been held with the members of the liaison group on ways of strengthening co-operation and
co-ordination between pan-European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the field of the
elderly in order to raise the profile of this target group at European level, particularly during this United
Nations International year of older people.

At the last meeting of the liaison group on 8 March 1999, a majority of members voted in favour of setting up
a working group to look into the possibility of creating a European older people’s platform. If this working
group wishes to submit a proposal for the establishment of such a structure, aspects such as aims, tasks, rules
and internal regulations (including questions concerning the degree of representation of potential platform
members) will have to be addressed.

(1) OJ L 296, 26.10.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 643/99 by Gerhard SCHMID Cost of the EU driving licence
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Parliament, SCHMID
Subjects: EC Directive, European driving licence, competence of the Member States, member country, prices













EUR-Lex - 91999E0643 - EN






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91999E0643

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 643/99 by Gerhard SCHMID Cost of the EU driving licence  


Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0081 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0643/99by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission(16 March 1999)Subject: Cost of the EU driving licenceA charge is usually made for the issue of the new EU driving licence by the relevant authorities in the Member States.1. Is it generally compulsory to exchange old driving licences for the new EU licence?2. Does the Commission know how much is charged in each of the Member States for the issuing of the new EU licence?3. How does the Commission explain the sometimes considerable differences in the amounts charged in the Member States for the issue of the new driving licence?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission(4 May 1999)1. Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 of July 1991 on driving licences(1) lays down detailed provisions regarding the issue of driving licences stipulating that:"'Member States shall introduce a national driving licence based on the Community model described in Annex I, in accordance with the provisions of this Directive.''Driving licences issued by Member States shall be mutually recognised. ''Where the holder of a valid national driving licence takes up normal residence in a Member State other than that which issued the licence, the host Member State may apply to the holder of the licences its national rules on the period of validity of the licences, medical checks and tax arrangements and may enter on the licence any information indispensable for administration.'"As of 1st July 1996, all Member States introduced a new driving licence model in accordance with the provisions of this Directive. However, the issuing of driving licences remains a national competence. Accordingly, the adoption of the new Community model does not imply that existing valid licences have to be renewed. That is for each Member State to decide individually. Clearly, the Directive indicates that all licences issued by a Member State should be mutually recognised, including those driving licences issued before 1st July 1996 and which are not in conformity with the Directive's provisions.2. The cost for the issuing of a new Community licence is also a matter of national competence. In practice, every Member State charges a different amount for the issuing of a new driving licence, ranging from approximately 12,5[fmxeuro] to 84[fmxeuro].3. The considerable differences in the amounts charged in the Member States for the issue of a new driving licence, reflect the different costs per Member State for the theoretical test, the practical test, the medical checks, the cost for administering this process and the subsequent issue of the document itself.(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 564/1999 of 16 March 1999 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: fresh fruit, fresh vegetable, import price, reference price, third country

17. 3. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 70/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 564/1999

of 16 March 1999

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain
fruit and vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/
94 of 21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the applica-
tion of
the import arrangements for fruit and veget-
ables (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1498/
98 (2), and in particular Article 4 (1) thereof,

Whereas Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down,
pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilat-
eral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commis-
sion fixes the standard values for imports from third
countries, in respect of the products and periods stipu-
lated in the Annex thereto;

Whereas, in compliance with the above criteria, the stand-
ard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of
Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in
the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 17 March 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 16 March 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 337, 24. 12. 1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 198, 15. 7. 1998, p. 4.

L 70/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 3. 1999

to the Commission Regulation of 16 March 1999 establishing the standard import values for
determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 10 00

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 30 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country
code (1)

Standard import
value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
624
999
068
999
220
999
052
204
999
052
204
212
600
624
999
052
600
999
039
064
388
400
404
508
512
528
720
999
052
388
400
512
528
624
999

72,0
34,0
122,8
76,3
140,6
140,6
269,5
269,5
119,8
160,0
139,9
64,0
47,7
47,9
39,9
48,8
49,7
44,0
56,8
50,4
103,9
56,2
109,6
81,8
78,1
80,9
77,5
77,0
82,1
83,0
133,1
65,4
49,7
57,9
66,5
73,3
74,3

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2317/97 (OJ L 321, 22. 11. 1997, p. 19). Code

‘999' stands for ‘of other origin'.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 567/1999 of 16 March 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 2007/98 on a special intervention measure for cereals in Finland and Sweden
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Finland, Sweden, award of contract, cereals, export refund, market intervention

L 70/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 3. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 567/1999

of 16 March 1999

amending Regulation (EC) No 2007/98 on a special intervention measure for
cereals in Finland and Sweden

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

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),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/
95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for
the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the
measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the
market for cereals (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2513/98 (4),

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 2007/98 (5), as
last amended by Regulation (EC) No 244/1999 (6), opens
an invitation to tender for the refund for the export of
oats produced in Finland and Sweden to all third coun-
tries; whereas, in the present situation, it is appropriate to
increase the quantity put up for tender;

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

Article 1(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2007/98 is hereby
amended as follows:

A special intervention measure in the form of
‘1.
an export refund shall be implemented in respect of
550 000 tonnes of oats produced in Finland and
Sweden and intended for export from Finland and
Sweden to all third countries.

Article 13 of Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 and the
provisions adopted for the application of that Article
shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the said refund.'

Article 2

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 March 1999.

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. 37.
(3) OJ L 147, 30. 6. 1995, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 313, 21. 11. 1998, p. 16.
(5) OJ L 258, 22. 9. 1998, p. 13.
(6) OJ L 27, 2. 2. 1999, p. 10.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 570/1999 of 16 March 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 1921/95 laying down detailed rules for the application of the system of import licences for products processed from fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-03-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Combined Nomenclature, fruit product, import licence, vegetable product

L 70/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 3. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 570/1999

of 16 March 1999

amending Regulation (EC) No 1921/95 laying down detailed rules for the applica-
tion of the system of import licences for products processed from fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 of
28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the
markets in processed fruit and vegetable products (1), as
last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2199/97 (2), and in
particular Article 11(2) thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1921/95 (3), as
last amended by Regulation (EC) No 12/1999 (4),
lays
down the detailed rules for the application of the system
of import licences for products processed from fruit and
vegetables; whereas, in accordance with that Regulation,
the Combined Nomenclature subheading must be shown
in licence applications; whereas, in the case of certain
products covered by CN heading 2008 70, variations in
the natural sugar content mean it is not always possible to
know the exact subheading when licences are applied for;
whereas special provisions should therefore be laid down
so that two subheadings can be shown in licence applica-
tions;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The following Article is inserted in Regulation (EC) No
1921/95:

‘Article 6

In the case of processed-peach products covered by
CN code 2008 70, applicants may show the following
licence
CN codes in section 16 of
applications:
or
2008 70 71 and 2008 70 79. The codes shown in
applications shall appear on the import licences'.

import
2008 70 69

2008 70 61

their

and

Article 2

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 March 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 297, 21. 11. 1996, p. 29.
(2) OJ L 303, 6. 11. 1997, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 185, 4. 8. 1995, p. 10.
(4) OJ L 4, 8. 1. 1999, p. 1.