WRITTEN QUESTION E-1974/01 by Imelda Read (PSE) to the Commission. Osteoporosis.
Date: 2001-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Council of the European Union, disease prevention, illness, public health, recommendation

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/41

(2002/C 93 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1973/01

by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Kashmir

Given the recent Indian Government offer of talks with Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, what
initiatives will the European Union be taking to ensure that this opportunity is fully realised?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

The Union has extensive relations with India. These were further enhanced when both sides met for the
first Summit in Lisbon in June 2000, and are expected to receive an additional boost at the second Summit
in November 2001 in Delhi. Regular constructive meetings take place at all levels, from expert groups to
Foreign Ministers.

Pakistan has been under military rule since 12 October 1999. While the Union does not want to return to
‘business as usual’ under given circumstances, it would like to engage Pakistan in a constructive dialogue
and avoid further isolation. Ad hoc political Troika talks were held in Islamabad on 20-21 November
2000. More recently on 26-27 June 2001, Pakistan and the Commission held working Groups covering
development, trade and economic co-operation.

Full use is made of these contacts to raise all issues of common concern, among which Kashmir is high on
the agenda. Furthermore, EU Heads of Mission in New Delhi regularly visit Kashmir under an extended
Troika format to assess the situation, in particular with regard to respect for human rights. The Union
consistently points out the necessity of finding a peaceful solution of the conflict and stresses that dialogue
is the only way forward.

The Union thus sincerely welcomes the recent invitation by Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee to General
Musharraf to visit India for talks, as well as the positive Pakistani response. On 29 May 2001 a declaration
was issued stating the Union support of this encouraging event.

Union involvement in the resolution of the problem is only appropriate and possible if both India and
Pakistan request it. This is currently not the case.

(2002/C 93 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1974/01

by Imelda Read (PSE) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Osteoporosis

On 8 September 2000 (E-2102/00 (1)) Mr Byrne, on behalf of the Commission,
informed us that a
proposal for a Council recommendation concerning osteoporosis was in preparation and that it was the
Commission’s intention to forward the proposal to the Council by the end of last year.

Can the Commission specify what action is being taken and why no proposal has been put forward to
date?

(1) OJ C 81 E, 13.3.2001, p. 144.

C 93 E/42

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 2001)

The Commission has published a scientific report on osteoporosis in the European Community (1) in 1998.
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the underlying pathology of osteoporosis, it also covers
clinical aspects of managing osteoporosis and has an emphasis on the prevention of osteoporosis in its
conclusions.

As there have been no changes in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis since the report, the
Commission believes that the focus should be on encouraging next steps in meeting the recommendations
of the report itself and using the report as an indicator to Member States in developing their best practices.

The new Community Public Health Programme (2), which is presently being examined by the European
Parliament and the Council follows a three strand approach: Improving health information, Responding
rapidly to health threats and Addressing health determinants, and is a move away from disease specific
activity as in the past. The new programme aims to achieve a better focused approach and synergy
between actions, with a view to setting up comprehensive coping and prevention strategies based on best
practice.

Further activity following on from the scientific conclusions of the 1998 report could be accommodated
under the existing Health Promotion Programme, but health promotion activities will fall under the new
Public Health Programme in the future.

(1) Report on osteoporosis in the European Community D Action for prevention. European Commission, Directorate-

General for Employment, Industrial Relations and Social Affairs, 1998.
(COM(2000) 285 final D 2000/0119(COD)(.

(2)

(2002/C 93 E/055)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1993/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 July 2001)

Subject: Distortion of the market in the sale of airline tickets for flights in the EU

Is the Commission aware that certain airlines sell reduced price tickets for flights within the European
Union only in the Member State of origin or destination of the flights and not in the other thirteen states
of the Union? Can the Commission explain how it can allow this distortion of the market?

(2002/C 93 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1994/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 July 2001)

Subject: Distortion of the market in the sale of airline tickets for flights outside the EU

Is the Commission aware that certain airlines will only sell special offers for flights from the European
Union within certain Member States and not across the whole of the EU? Does the Commission not
believe this is a distortion of the internal market?