do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376/99 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Esperanto.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU institution, European Commission, official language, powers of the institutions (EU)

C 203 E/170

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

The Commission is also committing M€ 10 to the new trust fund of the United Nations transitory
administration in East Timor (Untaet), offering basic administrative and logistical support for future
transitional administration and humanitarian assistance.

From a development perspective, a coherent rehabilitation and reconstruction strategy for the relatively
small territory of East Timor will require extensive co-ordination among all parties. The recent joint
assessment mission led by the World Bank (cid:129) in which the Commission participated actively (cid:129) will
provide a basis for developing a blueprint for concrete long-term action that will be discussed at a donors(cid:146)
meeting in Tokyo on 17 December 1999. The Commission is currently evaluating the joint mission(cid:146)s
summary report with a view to identifying areas where the Community can best contribute in order to
maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of its aid.

(2000/C 203 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376/99

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Esperanto

Would the Commission give consideration to the inclusion of Esperanto as one of the EU working
languages?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2000)

In accordance with Article 290 of the EC Treaty, (cid:145)The rules governing the languages of the institutions of
the Community shall [(cid:133)] be determined by the Council, acting unanimously.(cid:146) That Article does not
provide for any proposal on the part of the Commission.

(2000/C 203 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2389/99

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Threats to European investments in Cuba

(1 December 1999)

According to information from official sources, the Spanish undertaking Sol-MeliÆ has recently been
subjected to pressure from the US authorities over its investments in Cuba.

Is the Commission aware of
this pressure? Does it share the view that pressure of any kind on
undertakings from a Member State amounts to a clear gesture of hostility to the European Union as a
whole?

Has the Commission taken steps to examine the matter?

Should the existence of this pressure be confirmed, does the Commission intend to take any form of action
in the framework of the agreements subscribed between the EU and the US?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

The Commission is aware that the American authorities have been conducting enquiries under the Helms-
Burton Act into the activities in Cuba of certain Community companies, including Sol-MeliÆ.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2568/99 by Francesco Speroni (TDI) to the Commission. Visual flight by night in Italy.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, State aid, building industry, restriction on competition, type of business

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/181

(2000/C 219 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2568/99

by Francesco Speroni (TDI) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Visual flight by night in Italy

Does the Commission intend to urge the Italian State to ensure that its competent authorities adopt valid
provisions enabling flights to be carried out in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules by Night as in other
Member States of the European Union?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2000)

At present visual night flights are not covered by Community legislation. Each Member State has its own
requirements governing such operations and is responsible for deciding if and how they can be carried out.

As this does not appear to affect the fundamental freedoms of the EC Treaty, the Commission does not
plan to legislate in this field in the near future.

(2000/C 219 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2578/99

by Esko Sepp(cid:228)nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: German government aid to a building concern

The German federal government is clearly giving significant economic aid to a major building concern
(Holzmann) to rescue it from having to go into liquidation. Does the Commission consider that the
German government(cid:146)s action is compatible with EU competition law?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2000)

The German government has recently notified the proposed aid. The Honourable Member can be assured
that the case is being carefully scrutinised.

(2000/C 219 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2588/99

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 January 2000)

Subject: Directive on the conservation of wild birds

On 1 March 1994 the Commission submitted a proposal (1) for a directive amending Council Directive
79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2). As this proposal is based on Article 175
(ex Article 130s) of the EC Treaty, the cooperation procedure with the European Parliament applies.
Parliament delivered its opinion on 15 February 1996 (3). The Council has not yet adopted a common
position on this subject.
European Parliament resolution on the hurricane disaster in Denmark, Germany and the UK
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Denmark, EU aid, European forestry policy, Germany, United Kingdom, cyclone, forest conservation

18.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 296/209

Thursday 16 December 1999

18. Natural disasters: Denmark, Germany and the UK

B5-0376/1999

European Parliament resolution on the hurricane disaster in Denmark, Germany and the UK

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the hurricane disaster which occurred on Friday 3 December 1999 in northern Ger-

many, southern Denmark and parts of the United Kingdom,

B.

dismayed at the number of deaths caused by this natural disaster,

C.

concerned about the thousands of families and businesses who remained without any electricity for
several days after the hurricane,

D. worried about the severe damage to forests in southern Jutland which adversely affects living condi-
tions for an incalculable number of animal and plant species and seriously jeopardises environmental
protection measures taken by the Danish state over many years,

E. whereas,

in addition to the lives lost and the environmental damage, the hurricane caused direct
damage to houses, cars, businesses, farms and regional infrastructure (roads, power supplies, etc.) esti-
mated at € 135 000 000,

Extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to all those affected by the hurri-

1.
cane;

Calls on the competent authorities to draw up thorough and rigorous assessments of the damage to

2.
forests and of all the other environmental consequences of the hurricane;

Calls on the Danish electricity suppliers to ensure that the power supply is made less vulnerable to

3.
similar natural catastrophes in future;

4.
Is aware that substantial funding will be required to restore forests and remedy the damage caused to
property; calls on the Commission, therefore, to support the regions concerned as far as possible in fund-
ing the requisite measures;

Calls on the Commission, in that connection, to support the regions and local authorities concerned,

5.
with particular regard to the targeted use of existing aid, and to grant them every possible assistance;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the govern-

6.
ments and regions of the Member States concerned.

19. Natural disasters: Vietnam

B5-0336/1999

European Parliament resolution on the floods in Vietnam

The European Parliament,

A. whereas more than one hundred people died in the hurricane at the beginning of December,

B. whereas, according to reports by the International Federation of the Red Cross, hundreds of thousands
of people in Vietnam are likely to be short of food over the next nine months because of the floods,
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2668/1999 of 16 December 1999 fixing production refunds on cereals and rice
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: cereals, production refund, rice

L 325/50

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 12. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2668/1999

of 16 December 1999

fixing production refunds on cereals and rice

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
1253/1999 (2), and in particular Article 7 (3) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of 22
December 1995 on the common organisation of the market in
rice (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2072/98 (4), and
in particular Article 7(2) thereof,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1722/93 of
30 June 1993 laying down detailed rules for the arrangements
concerning production refunds
and rice
sectors (5), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 87/1999 (6),
and in particular Article 3 thereof,

in the

cereals

(1) Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 1722/93 establishes the
conditions for granting the production refund; whereas
the basis for the calculation is established in Article 3 of
the said Regulation; whereas the refund thus calculated

must be fixed once a month and may be altered if the
price of maize and/or wheat changes significantly;

(2) Whereas the production refunds to be fixed in this
Regulation should be adjusted by the coefficients listed
in the Annex II to Regulation (EEC) No 1722/93 to
establish the exact amount payable;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The refund referred to in Article 3(2) of Regulation (EEC) No
1722/93, expressed per tonne of starch extracted from maize,
wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, rice or broken rice, shall be
EUR 49,01/t.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 17 December 1999.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 16 December 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 18.
(3) OJ L 329, 30.12.1995, p. 18.
(4) OJ L 265, 30.9.1998, p. 4.
(5) OJ L 159, 1.7.1993, p. 112.
(6) OJ L 9, 15.1.1999, p. 8.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2474/99 by Manuel Pérez Álvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Safety standards in old people's homes.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU competence, EU law, European social policy, social facilities

C 203 E/174

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

(2000/C 203 E/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2474/99

by Manuel PØrez `lvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Safety standards in old people(cid:146)s homes

(16 December 1999)

Disturbing news reports appear daily of deaths of senior citizens, operational difficulties and other
problems in old people(cid:146)s homes.

Can the Commission state whether there is any Community regulation harmonising the minimum safety
standards for old people(cid:146)s homes in the Member States, or whether it intends to propose any such
measure?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2000)

Minimum standards, and systems for monitoring and enforcing adherence to them, are found at
appropriate national and regional levels in most Member States. There is no Community competence.

The Commission is aware of attempts by some European associations of professionals in residential care (cid:129)
such as the European association of directors of residential care homes for the elderly (EDE) (cid:129) to develop
European codes of good practice and a system of certification for the training of residential care personnel,
but it is not involved in these endeavours.

(2000/C 203 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2570/99

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Secretariat of the Energy Charter

The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported on 20 November that the Netherlands Government is
concerned at
in Brussels. A year ago the
management consultancy firm of Arthur D. Little issued a report on the management of the Secretariat
at the request of the then chairman of the Governmental Council of the Energy Charter, Mr Rutten.

the Energy Charter Secretariat

the poor management at

1. What progress has been made on the Energy Charter Protocol?

Is the Commission aware of the Arthur D. Little study on the operation of the Secretariat of the

2.
Energy Charter?

3. What is the status of this report, and when can it be made available to the Member States and the
European Parliament?

Is it true that the Finnish Presidency has requested Mr Sch(cid:252)tterle, Secretary-General of the Energy

4.
Charter, to communicate the report to the Member States?

5.

Is it true that Germany considers it inappropriate to publish this report?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(10 January 2000)

The Commission has been informed of the existence of the report by a consultancy firm concerning the
management of the Energy Charter Secretariat. This report is classified as confidential and has not been
transmitted to the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2454/99 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission. State aid to shipbuilding.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: South Korea, State aid, World Trade Organisation, competition law, dumping, shipbuilding, trade agreement, trade relations

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/167

(2000/C 219 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2453/99

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: State aid to shipbuilding

Can the Commission indicate what action has been taken against the Government of the Republic of South
Korea on the issue of state aid to shipbuilding in order to enforce fair competition rules?

(2000/C 219 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2454/99

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: State aid to shipbuilding

Can the Commission confirm that discussions have taken place with the Government of the Republic of
South Korea on the subject of unfair competition in the field of shipbuilding because of the payment of
excessive state aid by that Government?

If so, what progress has been made?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2453/99 and E-2454/99
given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2000)

The Commission has received numerous submissions from European industry and the Member States
containing allegations about the use of subsidies or dumping in South Korea.

On 9 November 1999 the Council instructed the Commission to initiate certain measures to put a stop to
the unfair practices encountered in the industry.

The Commission plans to enter into a joint (government/industry) bilateral dialogue with South Korea with
a view to resolving the problems. The first such meeting took place in Paris on 14 December 1999 to
coincide with a meeting of the OECD(cid:146)s Working Party No 6 on Shipbuilding.

On the multilateral front the Commission is also considering anti-subsidy proceedings against Korea in the
World Trade Organisation (WTO). If the European industry lodges a complaint backed up by the necessary
evidence it could open an investigation under Council Regulation (EC) No 3284/94 of 22 December
1994on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Commun-
ity (1).

The Commission will be reporting on the situation to the next Council meeting of industry ministers and
this should enable the Community to decide whether other measures may be necessary to remedy the
situation.

(1) OJ L 349, 31.12.1994.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2653/1999 of 16 December 1999 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit

L 325/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 12. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2653/1999

of 16 December 1999

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

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(2)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

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

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

fruit and vegetables (1), as

for

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
standard values for imports from third countries,
in
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto;

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

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 17 December 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 16 December 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.

17. 12. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 325/9

to the Commission Regulation of 16 December 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 20 10

0805 20 30, 0805 20 50,
0805 20 70, 0805 20 90

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
052
999
220
999
052
204
999
052
204
388
999
052
204
999

052
204
464
999
052
600
999
400
404
728
999
052
064
400
720
999

103,5
47,2
132,5
94,4
118,8
118,8
196,7
196,7
114,6
106,0
110,3
41,8
43,6
35,6
40,3
77,1
52,5
64,8

74,1
53,1
123,0
83,4
51,8
69,5
60,6
82,6
77,3
89,9
83,3
142,9
64,2
113,2
69,8
97,5

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2645/98 (OJ L 335, 10.12.1998, p. 22). Code ‘999’ stands for ‘of

other origin’.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2661/1999 of 16 December 1999 fixing the maximum export refund on oats in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1897/1999
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, oats

L 325/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 12. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2661/1999

of 16 December 1999

fixing the maximum export refund on oats in connection with the invitation to tender issued in
Regulation (EC) No 1897/1999

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 Regulation (EC) No 1253/
1999 (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),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1897/1999
of 2 September 1999 on a special intervention measure for
cereals in Finland and Sweden (5), as last amended by Regula-
tion (EC) No 2482/1999 (6), and in particular Article 8 thereof,

(1) Whereas an invitation to tender for the refund for the
export of oats produced in Finland and Sweden for
export from Finland or Sweden to all third countries was
opened pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1897/1999;

(2) Whereas Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1897/1999
provides that the Commission may, on the basis of the
tenders notified, in accordance with the procedure laid

down in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92,
decide to fix a maximum export refund taking account
of the criteria referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC)
No 1501/95; whereas in that case a contract is awarded
to any tenderer whose bid is equal to or lower than the
maximum refund;

(3) Whereas the application of the abovementioned criteria
to the current market situation for the cereal in question
results in the maximum export refund being fixed at the
amount specified in Article 1;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For tenders notified from 10 to 16 December 1999, pursuant
to the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1897/
1999, the maximum refund on exportation of oats shall be
EUR 60,95/t.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 17 December 1999.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 16 December 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 18.
(3) OJ L 147, 30.6.1995, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 313, 21.11.1998, p. 16.
(5) OJ L 233, 3.9.1999, p. 10.
(6) OJ L 303, 26.11.1999, p. 3.