do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3555/01 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Failure of Greece to comply fully with the judgment of the Court of Justice concerning used cars.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, judgment of the Court (EU), motor car, used goods, vehicle tax

C 172 E/86

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

(2002/C 172 E/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3555/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Failure of Greece to comply fully with the judgment of the Court of Justice concerning used cars

In reply to my Question No E-0574/01 (1), the Commission informed me that it had addressed a reasoned
opinion to the Greek administration under Article 228 (ex-Article 171) of the EC Treaty for incomplete
in Case C-375/95, Commission v. Hellenic Republic,
application of
concerning the taxation of motor vehicles.

Justice judgment

the Court of

Can the Commission say what developments have taken place in the above matter?

(1) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 75.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2002)

Greece has replied to the reasoned opinion mentioned in the Commission’s reply to the honourable
Member’s previous written question E-574/01. In addition, the European Court of Justice has issued its
decision in case C-393/98 (Gomez-Valente), which has aspects in common with the present case. The
resultant legal position has been examined, and the Commission will decide in the near future how to
proceed further.

(2002/C 172 E/089)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3557/01

by Alexander Radwan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Withholding of tax in connection with building work

(4 January 2002)

Income tax law in the Federal Republic of Germany provides that tax must be withheld in connection with
building work as from 1 January 2002.

Customers will be required to withhold 15 % of the invoiced amount and pay it over to the tax office
responsible for the building firm concerned. All payments to building firms or construction trade
businesses inside and outside the country are subject to this.

If, for instance, the owner of a large house containing several flats rented to private individuals has the
bathrooms renovated, he must declare and pay over 15 % of the amount invoiced by the plumbers to his
tax office. If he has his own house renovated, mandatory withholding also applies, since, as a landlord, he
is operating a business.

Customers are liable in respect of the withholding of tax, i.e. they must, in addition, pay over 15 % of the
invoiced amount to their tax office if they have made payments in full to builders without an exemption
certificate. They may also be liable to a fine of up to € 25 000.

Is this statutory provision compatible with the internal market?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2002)

The Commission would refer
Mrs Plooij-Van Gorsel (1).

(1) See page 17.

the Honourable Member

to its answer

to written E-2875/01 by
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3488/01 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Environment and the EIB.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Investment Bank, Internet site, access to information, financing, project evaluation

C 160 E/122

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

In reply to the Honourable Member’s question about the status of Charleroi and the surrounding area, to
give some facts without prejudging the analysis in progress, the Commission informs the Honourable
Member that, based on the regional aid map for Belgium for 2000-2006, which was considered
compatible with Article 87(3)(c) (formerly Article 92) of the EC Treaty (1),
it can be considered a ‘less
favoured’ region eligible for regional aid, with an aid intensity ceiling of 20 % net grant equivalent.

(1) State aid No 799/1999 3 Belgium. Decision available from site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/

state_aids/industrie_1999.htm.

(2002/C 160 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3488/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Environment and the EIB

What does the Commission think of
concerning the environmental impact of their projects?

the detail given on the European Investment Bank’s website

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2002)

The Commission understands that the European Investment Bank (EIB) has established a website (1) where
limited information is provided concerning projects introduced to the EIB for financing.

Apparently the purpose is to give to all interested parties a general view of all important aspects related to
these projects, i.e. project description, project objectives as well as environmental aspects.

Requests for additional information concerning these aspects may be addressed as indicated in the above
website to the Information and Communications Department of the EIB.

(1) http://www.europaworld.org/issue15/theeuropeaninvestmentbank291200.htm.

(2002/C 160 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3490/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Objective One

Is the Commission aware that Objective One funding has been allocated by Merseyside, in the UK, to the
Liverpool City Council bid for the 2008 European Capital of Culture?

Whilst acknowledging that the partnership is permitted to make such a decision, would the Commission
agree that this is an inappropriate use of funds, and puts other cities which do not qualify for such funding
at an unfair disadvantage?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3587/01 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission. Microfinance schemes.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, cooperation policy, developing countries, development aid, financial institution, microfinance, poverty

C 28 E/6

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2002)

The European Union has carefully monitored the situation since the arrest of the Bubi prisoners accused of
the attempted coup of June 1998.

The EU has made representations on several occasions,
the
15 prisoners condemned to death had their sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Some 30 prisoners
serving sentences of more than six years were released under the amnesty declared in January 2001.

the main outcome so far being that

On the occasion of his last visit in November 2001, the special representative of the United Nations
Commission on Human Rights was allowed to visit all the places where Bubi prisoners were being held
and noted an overall improvement in the conditions in which they were being held.

In the course of the political dialogue with Equatorial Guinea, the EU has always stressed the need for the
country to accede at the earliest opportunity to the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The EU has reiterated the importance of respecting and applying the principles of the national pact
between the government and the political parties.

Hence, with a view to promoting the establishment of constitutional government and reducing racial
tensions, the Commission approved a project in 2001 to provide support for the development of civil
society and reinforce legal security and the functions and activities of the country’s parliament.

(2003/C 28 E/005)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3587/01

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Microfinance schemes

There are many examples of microfinancing institutions such as the Graneen Bank and BRAC in
Bangladesh which successfully target poor people in some of the world’s poorest areas.

While I am aware that these are not a panacea for all poverty problems, they can be part of a raft of
initiatives.

What action is being taken to support these schemes and any others which are operating?

(2003/C 28 E/006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3614/01

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Microfinance and EU development policy

Microfinance is proving to be a most successful means of providing effective support for poor people, one
which enables them to lift themselves from poverty.
In terms of the EU’s development policy, and
following the Commission’s 1998 Communication, what action has been taken by the Commission to
implement its policy on microfinance over the last few years? Could the Commission provide details of the
action that it has taken? In particular, what action has been taken on microfinance programmes for rural
development?

Could the Commission also state what proportion of the EU’s financial aid to developing countries is
allocated to microfinance programmes?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 22/2002 of 8 January 2002 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, pip fruit

9.1.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 5/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 22/2002

of 8 January 2002

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(2)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

In compliance with the above criteria,
the standard
import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of
21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the
last
import arrangements
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1498/98 (2), and in particular
Article 4(1) thereof,

fruit and vegetables (1), as

for

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
standard values for imports from third countries,
in
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto.

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 9 January 2002.

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

Done at Brussels, 8 January 2002.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 198, 15.7.1998, p. 4.

L 5/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9.1.2002

to the Commission Regulation of 8 January 2002 establishing the standard import values for determining the
entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 20 10

0805 20 30, 0805 20 50, 0805 20 70,
0805 20 90

0805 50 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country
code (1)

Standard import
value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
999
052
999
052
204
999
052
204
508
999
204
999

052
999
052
600
999
060
400
404
720
999
064
400
720
999

107,2
84,1
130,7
107,3
179,9
179,9
203,9
251,9
227,9
60,6
55,3
21,6
45,8
74,8
74,8

70,4
70,4
54,4
51,0
52,7
32,7
113,4
105,9
113,4
91,4
70,7
111,1
126,4
102,7

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2020/2001 (OJ L 273, 16.10.2001, p. 6). Code ‘999’ stands for ‘of

other origin’.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3529/01 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Capital expenditure on Private Finance Initiatives and Public Private Partnerships.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, accounting, expenditure, private investment, private sector, public sector

C 160 E/136

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

leasing, where
deficit might result in an increase in debt). Nevertheless,
government is considered to bear most of the risk, the debt will increase initially by the amount of the
investment.

in cases similar to financial

3.

There have been no changes recently in statistical treatment.

There are no plans for changes in statistical treatment. However,

4.
methodology will be further refined.

it is always possible that the

(2002/C 160 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3529/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Capital expenditure on Private Finance Initiatives and Public Private Partnerships

1. Will the Commission specify the annual capital expenditure undertaken in schemes such as the
Private Finance Initiative or the Public Private Partnerships for the last five years, and for as far into the
future as each Member State projects?

2. Will it further express such capital spending as a percentage of GDP and projected GDP?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2002)

The Commission does not systematically collect separate information on the annual capital expenditure
undertaken in past, present or future partnership-type schemes in each Member State, and in the bi-annual
notifications of debt and deficit the Member States are not obliged to identify these transactions.

The Commission does not calculate nor publish such specific ratios.

(2002/C 160 E/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3534/01

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Council

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Signing of the Euratom Treaty

Does the Council consider that, by signing the Euratom Treaty, a Member State recognises the legitimacy
of civil nuclear establishments in other Member States, provided that they have complied with the
provisions of that Treaty?

Reply

(25/26 March 2002)

The Council would like to draw the attention of the honourable MEP to the fact that it is not the Council
but the Intergovernmental Conference, which is negotiating and concluding the Treaties. The Council can
therefore not
from the
procedural point of view as it results of the Treaties themselves, which a Member State may give to its
signing of a Treaty. The Commission is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Treaties.

take a position on the possible interpretation nor the significance, except
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3491/01 by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. CE standard marks and stun weapons.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC conformity marking, electrical equipment, non-lethal weapon, penal institution, police, technical regulations, trade-mark law

C 115 E/258

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written P-2783/01 by Mr Ford (1)

(1) OJ C 81 E, 4.4.2002, p. 209.

(2002/C 115 E/280)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3491/01

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: CE standard marks and stun weapons

Stun weapons are frequently used around the world as part of inhuman and degrading torture practices
which amount to serious human rights violations. According to an Amnesty International report, since
1990 electro-shock devices have been used to torture or ill-treat people in prisons, detention centres and
police stations in at least 76 countries in every region of the world.

There have been reports that certain stun weapons manufacturers are advertising that their products have
been ‘awarded’ the European CE standard mark. When questioned regarding these markings, the European
Commission replied that ‘the Commission has no information about the validity of Teh Huang’s [the
company concerned in this case] CE marking, or about the possible sale of Teh Huangs products on the
territory of the European Union’ (e-mail to Amnesty International, Ireland, dated 26 February 2001).

In relation to this,
I am concerned that EU Member States are effectively allowing stun weapon
manufacturers to use the European Commission CE ‘safety’ markings on their stun batons as a quality
‘selling point’.

Therefore:

; Please could the Commission clarify the process by which European CE standard marks are awarded?

; How many stun weapon manufacturers are using the CE markings on their products?

; Is there a possibility that certain stun weapons manufacturers are using CE markings without

authorisation and, if so, what could the Commission do about it?

; What action could the Commission take to prevent stun weapon manufacturers using CE markings to

promote the sales of their products?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written P-2783/01 by Mr Ford (1).

(1) OJ C 81 E, 4.4.2002, p. 209.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3489/01 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Gypsies and travellers.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, Roma, equal treatment, teaching, vocational training

C 147 E/188

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

The Commission is represented on the EIB’s Board of Directors and delivers an opinion on Bank financing
proposals. As the Commission has no shareholding in the EIB, a capital
increase would have no
Community budgetary consequences. However, the Commission’s representatives in the Board of Directors
are actively taking part in the discussions, thereby seeking to ensure that the Bank retains its flexibility to
cater for calls by Parliament and/or Council to contribute to specific policy actions or needs.

(2002/C 147 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3489/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Gypsies and travellers

Is the Commission aware that there are currently no EU funded programmes aimed at developing and
improving the education and training of gypsies and travellers?

Would the Commission agree that
communities are currently being ignored?

the rights and equal opportunities of these highly marginalised

What plans does the Commission have to ensure that the educational needs of travelling communities are,
at least, represented in its programmes?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2002)

Under the current phase of Socrates (2000-2006) this target group has been made one of the main
priorities for support in the programme.

Within Comenius in particular, the programme action more specifically concerned with school education,
the education of Gypsies and Travellers is a priority in projects between schools,
the training of
educational staff and the new networks action.

Within Grundtvig, considerable emphasis is given to supporting activities designed to address the
educational needs of ‘hard-to-reach’ social groups, including Travellers, who do not generally tend to take
part in adult education or lifelong learning initiatives, in order to increase their capacity to play a full and
active role in society, to improve their employability by acquiring or updating their general skills and to
enhance their capacity to enter or re-enter formal education.

A number of projects targeting Gypsies have also been funded over the years within the framework of the
Leonardo Da Vinci and Youth Programmes.

The Commission therefore does not share the views of the Honourable Member that the rights of those
communities are ignored as far as Community funded educational activities are concerned.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 24/2002 of 8 January 2002 on the issuing of a standing invitation to tender for the resale on the internal market of 385000 tonnes of common wheat held by the French intervention agency
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: France, award of contract, common wheat, domestic market, intervention agency, sale

L 5/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9.1.2002

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 24/2002

of 8 January 2002

on the issuing of a standing invitation to tender for the resale on the internal market of 385 000
tonnes of common wheat held by the French intervention agency

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30
June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in
cereals (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1666/
2000 (2), and in particular Article 5 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93 (3), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1630/2000 (4),
lays
down the procedure and conditions for the disposal of
cereals held by the intervention agencies.

In the present market situation, a standing invitation to
tender for the resale on the internal market of 385 000
tonnes of common wheat held by the French interven-
tion agency should be issued.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
the Management
accordance with the opinion of
Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

resale on the internal market of 385 000 tonnes of common
wheat held by it.

Article 2

1.
partial

The final date for the submission of tenders for the first

invitation to tender shall be 15 January 2002.

2.
partial

The final date for the submission of tenders for the last
invitation to tender shall expire on 24 April 2002.

Tenders must be lodged with the French intervention

3.
agency at the following address:

interprofessionnel des céréales

Office national
21, avenue Bosquet
F-75326 Paris
Fax (33-1) 44 18 20 80.

Article 3

Not later than Wednesday of the week following the final date
for the submission of tenders, the French intervention agency
shall notify the Commission of the quantities and average
prices of the various lots sold.

Article 1

Article 4

The French intervention agency shall issue pursuant to Regula-
tion (EEC) No 2131/93 a standing invitation to tender for the

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

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

Done at Brussels, 8 January 2002.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 193, 29.7.2000, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 191, 31.7.1993, p. 76.
(4) OJ L 187, 26.7.2000, p. 24.