WRITTEN QUESTION E-2639/00 by Claude Turmes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Enlargement and gender impact studies.
Date: 2000-08-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community acquis, Eastern Bloc countries, economic situation, enlargement of the Union, gender equality, position of women, pre-accession strategy, social impact, social situation

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/63

Furthermore Commission Regulation (EC) No 615/98 of 18 March 1998 provides specific detailed rules of
application for export refund arrangements as regards the welfare of
live bovine animals during
transport (1) to third countries.

Under the above mentioned Regulation every consignment of bovine animals sent to third countries is
required to comply, during the transport to the first place of unloading in the third country of final
destination, with Community legislation in the field of
the protection of animals during transport.
Regulation (EC) No 615/98 provides for the possibility to carry out a veterinary check on the animals
after their arrival in the third country of final destination.

When the results of these inspections (which must be carried out by a veterinarian) are not satisfactory as
far as animal welfare is concerned, the payment of the export refund is refused or if already granted is
recoverable.

(1) OJ L 82, 19.3.1998.

(2001/C 136 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2639/00

by Claude Turmes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Enlargement and gender impact studies

The overall changes in the 90s have had a strong impact on the social and economic situation of people in
the eastern countries. Income has fallen, loss of jobs has been huge, social security systems have fallen
apart and the level of crime has risen. Women, who were formally considered as equal beings before, who
had equal pay in jobs and equal education and had access to child care, are generally worse off today than
15 years ago.

The Commission(cid:146)s commitment to gender mainstreaming means that the accession strategy should include
gender awareness on all levels. For that purpose, the Commission should start with gender impact studies
of the enlargement and propose on the basis of those studies activities that lead to gender equality (and
empowerment of women). Of course, the focus should be on gender, i.e. both sexes.

What studies on gender impact are in progress? Concerning which countries?

Can the Commission make them available, or, if they are not advanced enough, can Parliament be given
their terms of reference?

What are the criteria used in the studies?

If no such studies exist, why does the Commission not take seriously a Commission commitment which
has existed since 1995?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 2000)

The Commssion is aware that changes since the fall of Communism have had a strong impact on the
social and economic situation of people in the eastern countries, and that these changes have, in some
cases, resulted in a worsening situation for women. Through the negotiation process and the pre-accession
tools, in particular the regular reports, the Commission is actively overseeing and monitoring the full
transposition and implementation of the Community (cid:145)acquis(cid:146) in this area.

C 136 E/64

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

With respect to studies on gender impact, the Commission has published a call for tender for a small scale
study on women and enlargement which will supplement studies from the United Nations international
children(cid:146)s emergency fund (Unicef). In the context of the new framework strategy (2001-2005) for the
promotion of equality it is foreseen that more in depth studies on women in the accession countries will
be launched in 2001.

The Commission reaffirms its commitment to gender mainstreaming in all areas and will continue to
closely monitor the issue of gender in the particular context of the enlargement.

(2001/C 136 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2642/00

by Jaime Valdivielso de CuØ (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Transport

The Commission is to improve the rights of passengers from the European Union vis-(cid:224)-vis airlines as from
1 January 2001.

Among other measures, the plans relate to refunds where flights are delayed, accommodation expenses,
announcements and the provision of food and drink in the event of serious delays.

Can the Commission say what measures are to be taken against companies which fail to comply with
these rules?

Will European consumers enjoy the same rights in the case of non-Community airlines and journeys to
third countries where they have purchased their ticket on Union territory?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2000)

The Commission attaches great importance to reinforcing the protection of air passengers so that they
benefit to the full from Community policy on air transport. This can best be done primarily through a
combination of Community legislation to extend passengers(cid:146) rights and of voluntary commitments by
airlines and airports to raise their quality of service.

In its communication (cid:145)Protection of air pasengers in the European Union(cid:146) (1) the Commission stated its
intention to propose in 2001 legislation that would enable delayed passengers to continue their journeys
under good conditions, by giving them the right to a choice between refund of the relevant part of the
ticket or an alternative flight to the destination at the earliest opportunity. Moreover, it will consider how
best to ensure proper assistance for delayed passengers, mainly in the form of meals, lodging for the night
and communications, which can be achieved through legislation or through voluntary commitments by
airlines.

To ensure the full protection of passengers, the legislation would apply to contracts for flights to, from and
within the Community, irrespective of the state where the carrier was established or of the nationality of
the passenger. Thus, its scope would be analogous to that of the regulation on compensation for denied
boarding (Regulation (EEC)295/91 of 4 February 1991 establishing common rules for a denied-boarding
compensation system in scheduled air transport (2)).

Paragraphs 51 to 53 of the above mentioned communication sets out the Commission(cid:146)s views on the
envisaged procedures for complaints by passengers. In respect of the enforcement of existing and future