do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0381/00 by Juan Ojeda Sanz (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Improving road safety by tackling accident black spots and sections of road with high accident rates.
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common transport policy, management accounting, road safety, transport infrastructure

C 330 E/146

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

However the Commission well understands the necessity of ensuring passengers are informed about their
rights, if they are to insist on their respect. For that reason, it plans to launch an immediate initiative to
improve information to passengers. It intends to arrange for the publication and display, in airports, travel
agencies and the offices of airlines, of a charter of all existing rights. This would cover compensation for
denied boarding, among other things.

(2000/C 330 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0381/00

by Juan Ojeda Sanz (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Improving road safety by tackling accident (cid:145)black spots(cid:146) and sections of road with high accident

rates

The most recent information concerning the new communication on road safety currently being drawn up
by the Commission seems to indicate that the new programme (cid:145)classifies(cid:146) the proposed measures by order
of effectiveness, on the basis of the now-popular measure of EUR 1 million.

However, like previous programmes, which were too general in nature, the new communication may miss
a unique opportunity to take more decisive action on infrastructure and, more specifically, on (cid:145)black spots(cid:146),
using engineering techniques which experts term (cid:145)low cost(cid:146).

What effectiveness rating does the Commission(cid:146)s new communication attach to tackling accident black
spots and improving sections of road with high accident rates as a road safety measure?

Does the Commission intend to issue Europe-wide recommendations on the definition and typology of
these (cid:145)low-cost engineering techniques(cid:146)?

Finally, does the Commission intend to draw up Europe-wide recommendations on tackling accident black
spots, and to create a budget line for co-financing relevant projects at national level?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 2000)

In its forthcoming communication on road safety,
infrastructure measures including
improvements to the layout and design of roadside objects to reduce the severity of injury in a road
accident, and management of black spots, have been identified as priorities.

the low cost

In general these measures appear to be very cost-effective with an estimated cost per avoided fatality
starting at around € 80 000.

Investments in these infrastructure measures have to be left to local authorities but the Commission will
develop guidelines in order to exchange best practice experience. Moreover authorities at all levels are
recommended to bring the benefit of such measures closer to those who decide on the investments by
means of targeted financial programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0337/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Implementation of the second Community support framework.
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, Greece, use of aid

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/7

(2001/C 46 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0337/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Implementation of the second Community support framework

The second Community support framework for Greece is already drawing to an end and during the year
2000 work will be carried out only on projects agreed up to the end of 1999.

In view of this:

1. What is the take-up rate for national and regional programmes under the second Community support

framework?

2.

In which programmes has the take-up been slowest and what are the main reasons for the delay?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2000)

1.
On 15 January 2000, the average implementation rate (in terms of payments) of the different
operational programmes under the Community support framework for Greece during the 1994-1999
programming period, taking all Structural Funds together, was 72,5 % in the case of the national OPs and
76,8 % in the case of the regional OPs.

As a result of reprogramming exercises undertaken up to the end of 1999, the commitment rate for all
programmes should very soon reach 100 %. On the payments side, the rules allow for an additional two-
year period for implementing payments on the sums allocated to the Greek CSF.

The programmes covering postal services and privately owned infrastructure in Northern Greece are
2.
showing a rather low payment rate but the amounts involved are not very substantial and can thus be
easily taken up in the near future. The causes of these delays are mainly to be found in the difficulties at
the start-up of the postal services programme and in the late adoption in 1997 of the aid for private
infrastructure in Northern Greece.

(2001/C 46 E/009)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0366/00

by Carmen Fraga EstØvez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Inability to provide data on tuna fillet imports

(14 February 2000)

When the Thai authorities asked the European Union to open a new quota to allow 8 000 tonnes of
products to be imported under tariff heading 1604.14.00 (tinned tuna and tuna fillets), at a time when the
Community tuna fillet market may be considered to be adequately supplied, as a study commissioned by
the Commission has just shown, I asked the Commission various questions in Written Question E-2310/
99 (1), including the amounts of tuna fillets exported by Thailand to the EU under the last two quotas
opened, and the names of the Community companies which have been buying them.

Astonishingly, the Commission replied that it was unable to provide the information requested, since
because the trading activities of private companies were involved, the Commission had no data.
2000/143/CFSP: Council Decision of 14 February 2000 setting up the Interim Political and Security Committee
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: civil defence, civil servant, common foreign and security policy, common security and defence policy, diplomatic representation, international security

22. 2. 2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 49/1

(Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union)

COUNCIL DECISION

of 14 February 2000

setting up the Interim Political and Security Committee

(2000/143/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in partic-
ular Article 28(1),

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community and in particular Article 207 thereof,

Recalling Article 25 of the Treaty on European Union,

Whereas:

In the framework of the strengthening of the common foreign
and security policy (CFSP) and in particular of the common
European policy on security and defence provided for in Article
17 of the Treaty on European Union, the European Council
meeting in Helsinki on 10 and 11 December 1999 invited the
Council to establish as of March 2000 the interim bodies and
arrangements for the implementation of the common Euro-
pean policy on security and defence,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

composed of national representatives at senior/ambassadorial
level within the framework of Member States Permanent Repre-
sentations.

in
The Interim Political and Security Committee shall,
2.
close contact with the Secretary General/High Representative:

(a) prepare recommendations on the future functioning of the
common European policy on security and defence;

(b) deal with CFSP affairs on a day-to-day basis.

Article 2

1.

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 March 2000.

It shall apply until the permanent bodies of the common

2.
European policy on security and defence are established.

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.

Article 3

Article 1

Done at Brussels, 14 February 2000.

1.
The Political Committee established by Article 25 of the
Treaty on European Union shall meet in Brussels under a
separate formation, called the ‘Interim Political and Security
Committee’, when it is not in session. This formation shall be

For the Council

The President

J. GAMA
2000/144/CFSP: Council Decision of 14 February 2000 setting up the Interim Military Body
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European defence policy, armed forces, civil defence, civil servant, common foreign and security policy, international security

L 49/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22. 2. 2000

COUNCIL DECISION

of 14 February 2000

setting up the Interim Military Body

(2000/144/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 28(1),

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and in particular Article 207 thereof,

Recalling Article 25 of the Treaty on European Union,

Whereas:

In the framework of the strengthening of the common foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and in particular
of the common European policy on security and defence provided for in Article 17 of the Treaty on
European Union, the European Council meeting in Helsinki on 10 and 11 December 1999 invited the
Council to establish as of March 2000 the interim bodies and arrangements for the implementation of the
common European policy on security and defence,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

An Interim Military Body consisting of representatives of Member States' chiefs of defence is set up to give
military advice as required to the Political Committee, including in its formation as Interim Political and
Security Committee, and to the Secretary General/High Representative. It is assisted by the military experts
seconded from Member States to the Council Secretariat.

1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 March 2000.

Article 2

It shall apply until the permanent bodies of the common European policy on security and defence are

2.
established.

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.

Article 3

Done at Brussels, 14 February 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. GAMA
Council Regulation (EC) No 543/2000 of 14 February 2000 concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the Slovak Republic to the Community for the period 1 January to 31 December 2000 (extension of the double-checking system)
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: ECSC, Slovakia, export monitoring, iron and steel product, transport document

15.3.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 67/3

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 543/2000

of 14 February 2000

concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the Slovak Republic to the
Community for the period 1 January to 31 December 2000 (extension of the double-checking
system)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The Europe Agreement establishing an association
between the European Communities and their Member
States, of, the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the
other part (1); entered into force on 1 February 1995.

The Parties decided by Decision No 000/2000 of the
Association Council (2) to extend the double-checking
system, introduced by Decision No 3/97 of the Associa-
tion Council, for the period between 1 January and 31
December 2000 (3).

It is consequently necessary to extend the Community
implementing legislation introducted by Council Regula-
tion (EC) No 85/98 of 19 December 1997, concerning
the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from
Slovakia to the Community for the period 1 January to
31 December 1999 (extension of the double-checking
system) (4),

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 85/98 shall continue to apply for the
period between 1 January and 31 December 2000, in accord-
ance with the provisions of Decision No 1/2000 of the Asso-
ciation Council between the European Communities and their
Member States, of the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the
other part.

Article 2

Regulation (EC) No 85/98 shall in consequence be amended as
follows:

In the title preamble and Article 1(1) and (4) references to the
period ‘1 January to 31 December 1999’ shall be replaced by
references to ‘1 January to 31 December 2000’.

Article 3

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publica-
tion in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply with effect from 1 January 2000.

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

Done at Brussels, 14 February 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. GAMA

(1) OJ L 359, 31.12.1994, p. 2.
(2) See page 36 of this Official Journal.
(3) OJ L 13, 19.1.1998, p. 71. Decision as amended by Decision
1/1999 of the Association Council (OJ L 36, 10.2.1999, p. 18).
(4) OJ L 13, 19.1.1998, p. 15. Regulation as amended by Regulation

(EC) No 288/1999 (OJ L 36, 10.2.1999, p. 1).
2000/157/EC: Council Decision of 14 February 2000 appointing a Spanish alternate member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, Spain, appointment of staff

L 51/26

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

24. 2. 2000

COUNCIL DECISION

of 14 February 2000

appointing a Spanish alternate member of the Committee of the Regions

(2000/157/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 Fernando López Carrasco, alternate member, notified to the Council on 24 January 2000.

Having regard to the proposal from the Spanish Government,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Mr José María Barreda Fontes is hereby appointed an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions in
place of Mr Fernando López Carrasco for the remainder of his term of office, which runs until 25 January
2002.

Done at Brussels, 14 February 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. GAMA

(1) OJ L 28, 4.2.1998, p. 19.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0377/00 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Tax exemption for small firms.
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common commercial policy, control of State aid, small and medium-sized enterprises, tax exemption

C 303 E/186

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

The Commission is not aware of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. The information
supplied by the Honourable Member does not allow a thorough examination of the situation. At this stage,
there is no evidence of the existence of discrimination on grounds of nationality. Notwithstanding, the
Commission is ready to look into this case if more information becomes available.

(2000/C 303 E/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0377/00

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Tax exemption for small firms

Can the Commission state whether it is preparing legislative proposals whereby small firms would be
exempt
from the requirement of Commission clearance for State aid? If so, does this include tax
exemptions? When are these proposals likely to be finalised?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2000)

By Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the
EC Treaty (now Articles 87 and 88) to certain categories of horizontal state aid (1) the Commission was
enabled to exempt by Commission regulations certain types of horizontal aid measures from the
notification requirement. The categories covered by this Regulation include aid to small and medium-
sized enterprises (SME).

On 28 July 1999, the Commission adopted a draft exemption regulation for SME aid which is about to be
published in the Official journal. The Commission intends to adopt the regulation by July 2000.

The regulation will define up to which intensity certain aid to SME is exempted from the notification
requirement. These intensities apply no matter in which form the aid is granted and therefore also apply to
tax reductions or exemptions in favour of SME.

(1) OJ L 142, 14.5.1998.

(2000/C 303 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0386/00

by Vasco Gra(cid:231)a Moura (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 February 2000)

Subject: Payment to the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA)

Why has the Directorate-General for Education and Culture not yet paid the European Journalism Training
Association (EJTA) 50 % of the cost of projects for 1998 and 1999, contrary to the commitments given?

When will these payments be made?

What type of support will be considered for the EJTA from the year 2000 onwards?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0356/00 by Elisa Damião (PSE) to the Commission. European list of occupational diseases.
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, occupational disease

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/209

(2000/C 280 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0335/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Increasing the national guaranteed quantity of cotton for Greece

(14 February 2000)

For many years Greek cotton production has exceeded the national guaranteed quantity (NGQ) of
782 000 tonnes, resulting in the imposition of large (cid:145)fines(cid:146) and a drastic reduction in producers(cid:146) incomes,
in addition to which the guaranteed target price (€ 106,3/100 kg of non-husked seed) has remained
unchanged for many years.

In general terms, the producer organisations and other bodies involved are accordingly seeking an increase
in the NGQ and in overall Community outlay.

In the course of deliberations concerning new arrangements regarding support for cotton production and
the adoption of Commission proposals, did Greece request an increase in the national guaranteed quantity
and total Community outlay? When did it do so and to which bodies did it table its request?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2000)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the
national authorities concerned.

(2000/C 280 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0356/00

by Elisa Damiªo (PSE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: European list of occupational diseases

The European list of occupational diseases, which is supposed to be open-ended, should take into account
the new risks related to insecurity, the pace of modern life, constant changes in people(cid:146)s jobs and working
environments, and technological development, which all have psychosomatic effects (commonly referred to
as (cid:145)stress(cid:146)) on the quality of life and health of workers.

In the light of various studies on the subject, will the Commission state to what extent this list of
occupational diseases and new risks has been updated in recent years?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2000)

The European schedule of occupational diseases was adopted in the form of Commission Recommendation
No 90/326/EEC of 22 May 1990 (1).

On 20 September 1996 the Commission produced a Communication (2) examining the extent to which the
Recommendation on the European schedule of occupational diseases had been implemented in the
Member States.

In 1999 the Commission, in collaboration with the Member States, embarked on technical studies with a
view to updating the aforementioned European schedule. Particular attention is being paid to the emergent
risks to workers(cid:146) health, such as psychosocial risks.

Once this work has been completed, the new European schedule of occupational diseases is expected to be
adopted in the first half of 2001.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1990.
(2) COM(96) 454 final.
2000/294/EC: Council Decision of 14 February 2000 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Russian Federation extending the double-checking system without quantitative limits in respect of the export of certain steel products covered by the EC and ECSC Treaties from the Russian Federation to the European Community for the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2001
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Russia, agreement (EU), export monitoring, iron and steel product, quantitative restriction

L 96/44

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

18.4.2000

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 14 February 2000

on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European
Community and the Russian Federation extending the double-checking system without quantit-
ative limits in respect of the export of certain steel products covered by the EC and ECSC Treaties
from the Russian Federation to the European Community for the period from 1 January 2000 to 31
December 2001

(2000/294/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 133 in conjunction with
Article 300(2), first sentence thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation estab-
lishing a partnership between the European Communi-
ties and their Member States, of the one part, and the
Russian Federation, of the other part (1), entered into
force on 1 December 1997.

Commission Decision 97/742/ECSC (2) concluded an
Agreement between the the European Coal and Steel
Community, of the one part, and the Russian Federation,
of
the other part, concerning certain steel products
which entered into force on 5 November 1997.

The Commission has finalised negotiations for an Agree-
ment in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the
European Community and the Russian Federation
extending a double-checking system without quantitative
limits in respect of the export of certain steel products
covered by the EC and ECSC Treaties from the Russian
Federation to the European Community.

(4)

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters
should be approved,

Article 1

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between
the European Community
and the Russian Federation
extending the double-checking system without quantitative
limits in respect of the export of certain steel products covered
by the EC and ECSC Treaties from the Russian Federation to
the European Community for the period from 1 January 2000
to 31 December 2001 is hereby approved on behalf of the
Community.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate
the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to
bind the Community.

Done at Brussels, 14 February 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. GAMA

(1) OJ L 327, 28.11.1997, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 300, 4.11.1997, p. 51.