WRITTEN QUESTION E-2444/99 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Early retirement scheme.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, common agricultural policy, early retirement, euro, pension scheme, regulation (EU)

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/165

Reply

(31 January 2000)

An Evaluation Report on the Humanitarian Situation in Northern Iraq of June 1999, commissioned and
financed by the European Commission, gives an overview of the humanitarian situation in Kurdish
controlled areas of northern Iraq. It is clear from the report that there are numerous necessary and urgent
basic humanitarian needs that must be attended to, such as mine clearance, malnutrition and rehabilitation
of water plants. To these necessary activities must be added study and assessment of the effects of chemical
and other weapons of mass destruction on the overall living conditions in northern Iraq. The implementa-
tion of the oil-for-food programme needs to be speeded up and streamlined which requires the full
cooperation of the Iraqi government. An effective implementation of humanitarian assistance would also
be facilitated by an improvement of the political situation in northern Iraq. The recent normalisation
measures agreed between the two main Kurdish Parties are important in this context. The Council, assisted
by the Secretary General/High Representative for the CFSP, will continue to closely monitor the situation
in Iraq,
including the northern provinces, and contribute to ensuring an adequate response from the
European Union when circumstances so permit to the needs of the Iraqi people.

(2000/C 219 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2444/99

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Early retirement scheme

Has the Commission made a decision as to when farmers will be paid compensation following the 5,055 %
reduction in the Early Retirement Pension Scheme arising from the introduction of the Euro in January
1999 to participants who joined the scheme prior to 1998?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No E-2170/99 by
Mr McCartin (1).

(1)

See page 110.

(2000/C 219 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2448/99

by Ilkka Suominen (PPE-DE) to the Council

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Future of the EU(cid:146)s Youth programme and of the Council of Youth Ministers

Putting the EU(cid:146)s youth programme into practice has been one of the Finnish Presidency(cid:146)s major objectives.
However, it now appears that the implementation of the youth programme, which was intended to be
launched at the beginning of next year, may be postponed owing to intervention by some Member States
in the programme(cid:146)s budget.

In his report, the Secretary-General of the Council proposes the holding of Council meetings on an
irregular basis and the abolition of the Council of Youth Ministers. This formation of the Council has
brought about significant programmes which have noticeably improved the freedom of movement of
young people in Europe, and this in turn has actively helped ensure that (cid:145)closeness to the citizen(cid:146) has
found a place on the European Union(cid:146)s agenda.