WRITTEN QUESTION P-1301/01 by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Plans to support the Russian plutonium management and disposition and MOX plutonium fuel programmes.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Russia, group of leading industrialised countries, nuclear fuel, nuclear non-proliferation, the EU's international role

C 261 E/234

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2001)

The Commission is aware of the painful social and economic consequences that the populations of the
neighboring region must endure as a result of the tragic accident that occurred with the Entre-os-Rios
bridge and is available to discuss with the national authorities ways to address the problem within the
scope of its responsibility and in accordance with Community legislation.

For the current Structural Funds programming period, the timing for the submission, evaluation and
financing decisions for individual projects are under the responsibility of the managing national authorities
of the individual Programs at the national level, who must decide on the schedules regarding financing
decisions concerning the projects and of course ways to speed up the procedures if needed. Nevertheless
these procedures and decisions must remain compatible with the applicable Community regulations and
programming instruments.

The Commission would also like to inform the Honorable Member that
the Community directives
concerning public tenders such as Council Directive 93/37/CEE of 14 June 1993 concerning the
coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts (1) foresees simplified procedures for
awarding public contracts. Within this legal framework, the Commission is available to respond to any
request from the Portuguese authorities so as to find the most appropriate solution for this case.

(1) OJ L 199, 9.8.1993.

(2001/C 261 E/267)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1278/01

by Ant(cid:243)nio Seguro (PSE) to the Commission

(2 May 2001)

Subject: Prepayment at filling stations

Prepayment facilities are increasingly available at petrol pumps. Will the Commission state whether it is
legal for prepayment to be the only possible form of payment at filling stations?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2001)

The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission.

(2001/C 261 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1301/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Plans to support the Russian plutonium management and disposition and MOX plutonium fuel

programmes

What communications and collaboration has the Commission had with Member State Governments and
the governments of the G-8 group of leading industrial nations, concerning plans to support the Russian
plutonium management and disposition and MOX plutonium fuel programmes? Are there any plans to
provide financial support from Community funds for these Russian plutonium programmes?

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/235

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2001)

The Commission participates in the meetings of the group of eight most industrialized countries G8, from
the Heads of States Summits to the technical levels meetings. Concerning the specific issue mentioned by
the Honourable Member, the Commission is represented in the permanent Non Proliferation Expert group
(NPEG) of the G8 and in the temporary Plutonium Disposition Planning Group (PDPG) created following
the G8 Summit in Okinawa.

The Commission is also involved in implementing a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Union
Joint Action on non-proliferation and disarmament decided by the Council at the end of 1999. This
programme is implemented under close supervision of the Council and involves both issues relating to
plutonium disposition and the dismantling of chemical weapons.

No decision as been taken to date to use Community funds to support
programmes.

the Russian plutonium

(2001/C 261 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1357/01

by Rolf Linkohr (PSE) to the Commission

(7 May 2001)

Subject: Evangelical radio station in Athens

Is the Commission aware that an evangelical minority in Greece has repeatedly been prohibited from

1.
operating a radio station in Athens?

Does the Commission consider that this is compatible with the rights enshrined in the Charter of

2.
Fundamental Rights?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2001)

It is not for the Commission to comment on the question raised.

(2001/C 261 E/270)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1546/01

by Peter Sichrovsky (NI) to the Commission

(14 May 2001)

Subject:

(cid:145)About(cid:146) law in France

In the opinion of the Commission, does the (cid:145)About(cid:146) bill (cid:129) aimed at reinforcing the legal provisions to
combat associations or groupings representing a threat to public order or a major danger to the human
person as a result of their criminal activities (cid:129), which was adopted in the French Senate on Thursday,
3 May comply with Article 6, paragraph 2 of the Convention on Human Rights of 4 November 1950?

Does this law not violate freedom of religion?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2001)

It is not for the Commission to comment on the question raised.