do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0125/00 by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Arms exports.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European arms policy, Sudan, arms trade, third country

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/181

Neither the conclusions of the European Council in Cologne nor the conclusions of the European Council
in Helsinki
include the implementation of a European Employment Policy within the mandate of the
conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States which shall be called to amend the
Treaties.

(2000/C 280 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0125/00

by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Arms exports

Is the Council aware that restraints on arms exports to countries such as Sudan are being evaded through
licensing of arms manufacture to third country producers?

What steps will the Council take about this?

Reply

(16 March 2000)

The problem referred to by the Honourable Member has not been placed before the Council. However, the
subject of arms brokering is currently being examined within the Council(cid:146)s subordinate bodies.

(2000/C 280 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0134/00

by Joost Lagendijk (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Subject: Influencing of staff of DG XX (Financial Control) during inquiries by the European Court of

Auditors

The web page of (cid:145)Renouveau & Democratie(cid:146) includes the following questions to the Commission:

(cid:129) Is it true that prior to checks by the European Court of Auditors on the DG for Financial Control the

management of the DG distributes a list of possible questions and suggested answers?

(cid:129) Is it true that staff are asked to report to management on the substance of the talks they have with the

Court of Auditors?

If the answers are in the affirmative can the Commission answer these questions:

(cid:129) what were the (cid:145)standard questions and suggested answers(cid:146)?

(cid:129) does the Commission agree that this procedure is an impediment to proper checks by the Court of

Auditors since it is impossible for staff to answer entirely freely?

(cid:129) what action does the Commission intend to take in response to this procedure, and when?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2000)

The list of questions which was distributed was not (cid:145)possible questions(cid:146) but, at the request of the Court of
Auditors, a questionnaire prepared by the audit team of the Court of Auditors. Also, what was put on the
Intranet of DG Financial Control (cid:129) to be used as a basis for obtaining information (cid:129) were not (cid:145)suggested
answers(cid:146) but the answers to the same questionnaire by a unit of DG Financial Control.
2000/110/EC: Council Decision of 31 January 2000 appointing a United Kingdom member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, United Kingdom, appointment of staff

L 33/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

8. 2. 2000

COUNCIL DECISION

of 31 January 2000

appointing a United Kingdom member of the Committee of the Regions

(2000/110/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the Council Decision of 26 January 1998 (1) appointing members and alternate members
of the Committee of the Regions,

Whereas a seat for a member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the resignation
of Ms Pam Warhurst, United Kingdom member, notified to the Council on 25 May 1999;

Having regard to the proposal from the United Kingdom Government,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Ms Muriel Mary Barker is hereby appointed a member of the Committee of the Regions in place of Ms Pam
Warhurst for the remainder of her term of office, which runs until 25 January 2002.

Done at Brussels, 31 January 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. PINA MOURA

(1) OJ L 28, 4.2.1998, p. 19.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0135/00 by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Council. Progress in setting-up the European Police College.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU police cooperation, vocational training

C 280 E/182

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.10.2000

Yes, the staff is required to report to management the substance of the talks they have with the Court of
Auditors.

The Commission must preserve the confidentiality of the work of the Court of Auditors.

No, because the staff had and has both the duty to answer fully the requests or questions presented by the
Court of Auditors and the freedom to express their opinion to the Court of Auditors in writing or orally.

No action is required.

(2000/C 280 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0135/00

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Council

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Progress in setting-up the European Police College

At the Tampere summit, the European Council decided to establish a European Police College, in the form
of a network of existing national training institutes.

1.

How far have the actual plans for establishing this European Police College progressed?

2. Within what timeframe is setting up of the college being planned and when is it to start work?

3. What will be the precise scope of the College(cid:146)s activities, and what tasks is it to undertake beyond
coordinating the national training systems?

4.

How large a staff will be required in the Council(cid:146)s view?

5. What expenditure will be involved?

Reply

(28 March 2000)

On 14 December 1999 the Committee referred to in Article 36 of the TEU decided to commission a
preliminary study on the future network of European Police Colleges. The General Secretariat of the
Council of the European Union is currently carrying out that study. It will be examined by the Article 36
Committee on 28 and 29 February 2000.

Once the preliminary study has been examined, the next step will be to determine how the network design
that is generally supported by the Member States is to be implemented in detail. The Finnish Presidency set
1 January 2001 as the target for the network to start operating.

A detailed description of the network(cid:146)s activities will be provided at a later stage. The tasks assigned to the
network are currently expected to go beyond those now covered by the Association of European Police
Colleges (AEPC).

No precise information regarding staff requirements will be available until the preliminary study, or even
the second study, has been completed.

Precise information about the network(cid:146)s financial requirements is not yet available.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0166/00 by Rosa Díez González (PSE), Fernando Pérez Royo (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Effects of state aid on the Spanish electricity sector.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, common commercial policy, competitiveness, control of State aid, electrical industry

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/191

(cid:129) a Member State may not extend the period for monitoring the correct collection of the tax to 8 years
from the date on which VAT became chargeable while simultaneously restricting the right to VAT
deduction claimed by the tax authorities following such monitoring to no more than 5 or 3 years
from the date on which VAT became chargeable.

(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2000)

As the Commission informed the Honourable Member in its answer to Written Questions P-2500/99 and
P-2751/99 (1), the issue it raises concerns a number of very specific and complex cases of interpretation of
Community VAT legislation. A detailed analysis of Articles 17 to 19 of the Sixth VAT Directive (2) is
therefore required to decide what tax treatment to apply.

A detailed case-by-case examination will have to be made given the size and specific nature of the request
which covers a vast list of transactions and practical cases.

The Commission would point out to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s that such a detailed reply will require
lengthy and painstaking research that it is unable to undertake at present and which goes far beyond the
scope of an answer to a written question.

(1) OJ C 225 E, 8.8.2000, p. 152.
(2) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977.

(2000/C 280 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0166/00

by Rosa D(cid:237)ez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE)
and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Effects of state aid on the Spanish electricity sector

Given the enviable economic and financial situation of Spanish electricity companies receiving competition
transition costs (CTC), what measures will the Commission take to link the payment of eligible CTC to the
financial and economic viability of companies? Does it plan to assess the impact of and need for CTC at
the level of consolidated companies or by individual assets?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2000)

The Commission takes the view that, to rank as a stranded cost, a given investment or contract must
become uneconomic as a result of the liberalisation of the electricity market provided for in Parliament
and Council Directive 96/92/EC of 19 December 1996 concerning common rules for the internal market
in electricity (1) and must significantly affect the competitiveness of the company concerned. The Com-
mission analyses stranded costs on an asset-by-asset basis before determining their impact on the
competitiveness of consolidated companies.

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0150/00 by Emmanouil Mastorakis (PSE) to the Commission. Community Interreg Initiative.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Epirus, Greece, Peloponnese, cross-border cooperation, eligible region

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/1

I

(Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

(2001/C 53 E/001)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0150/00

by Emmanouil Mastorakis (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Community Interreg Initiative

Despite the increase in Interreg funding for the period 2000-2006 compared with the previous period,
efforts have clearly been made not to alter the list of Group A recipients, with very few exceptions, the
obvious aim being to concentrate the funds as effectively as possible. However, the fact that exceptions
have been made prove that there was a need to remedy previously existing injustices and omissions.
Notable omissions from the list of recipients in Greece are the prefectures of Arta and Ilia and this despite
the inclusion of neighbouring prefectures which could be regarded as falling within the same category.

Can the Commission show understanding in this matter and reconsider the possibility of including these
two prefectures, which were unjustly omitted?

(2001/C 53 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0229/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: Failure to include the Prefecture of Arta in the Community initiative Interreg

It appears from information I have received that the Prefecture of Arta has not been included in the
operational programmes announced by the Commission for part A of the Community initiative Interreg,
despite the fact that the basic criterion for inclusion, namely the existence of external land or sea borders,
is met by this prefecture, since the Gulf of Ambrakia lies at its southern extremity and is also part of the
Ionian Sea. Will the Commission say what the situation is and whether or not the Prefecture of Arta will
finally be included in the Community initiative Interreg like all the rest of north-western Greece?

(2001/C 53 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0336/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Exclusion of the prefecture of Arta from assistance under the Community Interreg 2000-2006

initiative

The Commission recently forwarded a draft notification to the EU Member States concerning the
Community(cid:146)s Interreg 2000-2006 initiative.
Council Decision of 31 January 2000 appointing a member of the Advisory Committee of the Euratom Supply Agency
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Euratom Supply Agency, advisory committee (EU), appointment of staff

9.2.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 37/1

I

(Information)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 31 January 2000

appointing a member of the Advisory Committee of the Euratom Supply Agency

(2000/C 37/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the
second and third paragraphs of Article 54 thereof,

Having regard to Article X of the Statutes of the Euratom Supply Agency (1), as last amended by Decision
95/1/EC, Euratom, ECSC of 1 January 1995 (2),

Having regard to the Council Decision of 14 June 1999 appointing the members of
Committee of the Euratom Supply Agency (3),

the Advisory

Having regard to the opinion of the Commission,

Whereas a member’s seat on the aforementioned Committee has become vacant following the resignation
of Mr Blackwell GRESLEY, which was brought to the Council’s attention on 8 October 1999;

Whereas that vacancy should be filled;

Having regard to the nomination submitted by the United Kingdom Government on 8 October 1999,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Mr Mark ELLIOTT is heeby appointed a member of the Advisory Committee of the Euratom Supply
Agency for the remainder of the Committee’s term of office, that is until 28 March 2001.

Done at Brussels, 31 January 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. PINA MOURA

(1) OJ 27, 6.12.1958, p. 534/58.
(2) OJ L 1, 1.1.1995, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 186, 2.7.1999, p. 1.
Council Decision of 31 January 2000 appointing a member of the Advisory Committee of the Euratom Supply Agency
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Euratom Supply Agency, advisory committee (EU), appointment of staff

C 37/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9.2.2000

COUNCIL DECISION

of 31 January 2000

appointing a member of the Advisory Committee of the Euratom Supply Agency

(2000/C 37/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the
second and third paragraphs of Article 54 thereof,

Having regard to Article X of the Statutes of the Euratom Supply Agency (1), as last amended by Decision
95/1/EC, Euratom, ECSC of 1 January 1995 (2),

Having regard to the Council Decision of 14 June 1999 appointing the members of
Committee of the Euratom Supply Agency (3),

the Advisory

Having regard to the opinion of the Commission,

Whereas a member’s seat on the aforementioned Committee has become vacant following the resignation
of Mr Diego MOLINA OTERO, which was brought to the Council’s attention on 28 May 1999;

Whereas that vacancy should be filled;

Having regard to the nomination submitted by the Spanish Government on 28 May 1999,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Mr Enrique VALERO ABAD is hereby appointed a member of the Advisory Committee of the Euratom
Supply Agency for the remainder of the Committee’s term of office, that is until 28 March 2001.

Done at Brussels, 31 January 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. PINA MOURA

(1) OJ 27, 6.12.1958, p. 534/58.
(2) OJ L 1, 1.1.1995, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 186, 2.7.1999, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0164/00 by Rosa Díez González (PSE), Fernando Pérez Royo (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Competition transition costs (CTC) in Spain.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, common commercial policy, economic consequence, electrical industry, privatisation

C 303 E/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

Financial support measures for shipowners and crews affected by the non-renewal of the agreement with
Morocco have been authorised by the Commission already. As from 1 January 2000 these will be financed
as part of programmes under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) 2000-2006 for Spain
and Portugal, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the new FIFG Regulation.

(2000/C 303 E/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0164/00

by Rosa D(cid:237)ez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE)
and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Competition transition costs (CTC) in Spain

Without prejudice to the outcome of the assessment of the Spanish electricity sector entrusted to an
independent expert by the Commission, will the Commission say how it determined which costs not able
to be covered during the transition to competition derive directly from the regulatory framework adopted
by Spain in the past? Has the Commission checked whether compensation has been paid to cover these
costs in the past? Does it not find it unacceptable that consumers (whether eligible or not) should have to
meet costs for CTC which in no way correspond to the definition of such costs?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2000)

The Commission has not yet completed its examination of Spanish stranded costs and cannot therefore
give an immediate answer to the first question put by the Honourable Members. It is clear in any event
that costs already compensated for in the past will not be regarded as stranded costs. Electricity consumers
will have to meet only costs which the Commission regards as stranded.

(2000/C 303 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0169/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Piecework

The German firm Volkswagen has reintroduced piecework to the European car industry. Its 5 000 x 5 000
plan includes a condition unprecedented in this industry whereby working time is to be made a variable
element of employment for which employees themselves are responsible.

Does the Commission have any views on this new working arrangement involving a fixed salary for
variable working hours? Could it be put forward as one way of helping to fight unemployment and create
jobs in Europe?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2000)

The Commission considers that new forms of work organisation are likely to be most successful when they
are introduced in agreement between the social partners. It is also important to ensure a suitable balance
of flexibility and security. Innovative forms of work organisation can lead to an increase in employment,
but this will depend very much on the particular circumstances.
2000/109/EC: Council Decision of 31 January 2000 appointing a Spanish alternate member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, Spain, appointment of staff

8. 2. 2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 33/17

COUNCIL DECISION

of 31 January 2000

appointing a Spanish alternate member of the Committee of the Regions

(2000/109/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the Council Decision of 26 January 1998 (1) appointing the members and alternate
members of the Committee of the Regions,

Whereas a seat as an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the
resignation of Mr Juan Rodríguez Yuste, alternate member, notified to the Council on 10 January 2000,

Having regard to the proposal from the Spanish Government,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Mr Jesús Gamallo Aller is hereby appointed an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions in place
of Mr Juan Rodríguez Yuste for the remainder of his term of office, which runs until 25 January 2002.

Done at Brussels, 31 January 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. PINA MOURA

(1) OJ L 28, 4.2.1998, p. 19.
2000/106/EC: Council Decision of 31 January 2000 appointing a German member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, Germany, appointment of staff

L 33/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

8. 2. 2000

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 31 January 2000

appointing a German member of the Committee of the Regions

(2000/106/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the Council Decision of 26 January 1998 (1) appointing members and alternate members
of the Committee of the Regions,

Whereas a seat as a member of the Committee has become vacant following the resignation of Mr Günter
Meyer, member, notified to the Council on 17 November 1999;

Having regard to the proposal from the German Government,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Mr Stanislaw Tillich is hereby appointed a member of the Committee of the Regions in place of Mr Günter
Meyer for the remainder of his term of office, which expires on 25 January 2002.

Done at Brussels, 31 January 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. PINA MOURA

(1) OJ L 28, 4.2.1998, p. 19.