WRITTEN QUESTION E-2321/99 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European civilian and solidarity service.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU action, European Union, alternative service, equal treatment, national service, voluntary military service

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/99

in 1997 the Commission evaluated the scientific studies and the opinions expressed by the
Besides,
interested parties, notably as regards work with the mouse. According to the results of the evaluation,
Directive 90/270/EEC adequately addresses these aspects, notably in point 1(d) of the Annex, which
prescribes that the work surface shall be large enough to allow, inter alia, a flexible arrangement of the
ancillary equipment (for example the mouse) and to allow workers to find a comfortable position.

As regards adjusting the height of the work desks, Directive 90/270/EEC does not lay down minimum
requirements; rather, it provides that the work seat shall be adjustable in height and that the seat back shall
be adjustable in both height and tilt.

Besides, with a view to evaluating the possible need for Community action on risk factors concerning
upper limb disorders, the data assembled on this subject by the European Agency for Health and Safety at
Work have been forwarded for opinion to the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health
Protection at Work. Once the Committee has delivered its opinion the Commission will take whatever
initiatives are required.

(1) OJ L 156, 21.6.1990.

(2000/C 225 E/099)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2321/99

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: European civilian and solidarity service

In view of the fact that compulsory military service has been abolished or its reform is at least being
debated in many Member States and the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the establishment of
a European civilian service on 22 September 1995, in which it called on the Commission to submit a
proposal for the creation of a European civilian service, the Commission is asked to say whether it is
considering the possibility of taking initiatives and measures to establish a three- to four-month civilian
and solidarity service applicable to all (cid:129) men and women alike?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 2000)

A programme of European civilian and solidarity service has been established through Decision
No 1686/98/EC of the Parliament and the Council of 20 July 1998 establishing the Community action
programme (cid:145)European Voluntary Service for Young People(cid:146) (1).

The programme has the following objectives (Article 1):

((cid:133)) It is intended, while respecting equal opportunities for men and women, to encourage mobility
and solidarity among young people as part of active citizenship, to promote, and give them the
chance of acquiring, informal education experience in a variety of sectors of activity, which may be
one of the foundations of their future development, and to promote, through their participation in
transnational activities of benefit to the community, an active contribution on their part to the ideals
of democracy, tolerance and solidarity in the context of European integration and to cooperation
between the European Community and third countries.

However, it has to be stressed that European voluntary service is not a substitute for military or alternative
services which are according to the principle of subsidiary within the responsibility of the Member States.
Concerning this item recital 21 of the decision says:

for the
Whereas European voluntary service activities are not a substitute for military service,
alternative service formulae provided in particular for conscientious objectors or for the compulsory
civilian service existing in several Member States ((cid:133)).

The activities of European voluntary service will be continued from the year 2000 on within the
framework of the Community action programme YOUTH (2), which is currently under negotiation.

C 225 E/100

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

The Commission has recently launched a comparative analysis and description of all civil service schemes
(cid:129) including those that are an alternative to military service (cid:129) in the Member States. The results (cid:129) which
should be available in the second half of the year (cid:129) should identify possibilities for building up synergies
between national civil service schemes and European voluntary service.

(1) OJ L 214, 31.7.1998.
(2) OJ C 210, 22.7.1999.

(2000/C 225 E/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2322/99

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Agreement

for scientific and technological cooperation between the EC and the Argentine

Republic

The Commission is proposing that a scientific and technological agreement should be concluded with the
Argentine Republic. It would provide for an increase in cooperation and exchanges of views on research
and development.

As the Committee on Budgets has already stated, further and more precise information is needed from the
Commission in this regard.

Without answers to the following questions it will be impossible to give this matter appropriate
consideration:

1. What financial contribution will the Argentine partners be making to the research activities?

2. Are there any analyses of the benefits and cost efficiency of international cooperation agreements of

this kind? If so, what do they say?

3. To what extent are scientists, research workers, officials and other public employees involved under

this cooperation agreement?

4. Does this agreement also extend to research in the area of biotechnology or military biotechnology?

(2000/C 225 E/101)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2323/99

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the EC and the People(cid:146)s Republic

of China

The Commission is proposing that a scientific and technological agreement should be concluded with the
People(cid:146)s Republic of China. It would provide for an increase in cooperation and exchanges of views on
research and development.

As the Committee on Budgets has already stated, further and more precise information is needed from the
Commission in this regard.

Without answers to the following questions it will be impossible to give this matter appropriate
consideration:

1. What financial contribution will the Chinese partners be making to the research activities?

2. Are there any analyses of the benefits and cost efficiency of international cooperation agreements of

this kind? If so, what do they say?