do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 51/2003 of 10 January 2003 fixing the maximum export refund on wholly milled round grain, medium grain and long grain A rice to be exported to certain third countries in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1897/2002
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, rice, third country

11.1.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 7/71

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 51/2003

of 10 January 2003

fixing the maximum export refund on wholly milled round grain, medium grain and long grain A
rice to be exported to certain third countries in connection with the invitation to tender issued in
Regulation (EC) No 1897/2002

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of 22
December 1995 on the common organisation of the market in
rice (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No
411/2002 (2), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

(3)

(4)

The application of the abovementioned criteria to the
current market situation for the rice in question results
in the maximum export
the
amount specified in Article 1.

refund being fixed at

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

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

An invitation to tender for the export refund on rice was
issued pursuant
to Commission Regulation (EC) No
1897/2002 (3).

Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 584/
75 (4), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1948/
2002 (5), allows the Commission to fix,
in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 22 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 3072/95 and on the basis of the tenders
submitted, a maximum export refund.
In fixing this
maximum, the criteria provided for in Article 13 of
Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 must be taken into
account. A contract is awarded to any tenderer whose
tender is equal to or less than the maximum export
refund.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The maximum export refund on wholly milled grain, medium
grain and long grain A rice to be exported to certain third
countries pursuant to the invitation to tender issued in Regula-
tion (EC) No 1897/2002 is hereby fixed on the basis of the
tenders submitted from 6 to 9 January 2003 at 156,00 EUR/t.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 11 January 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 10 January 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 329, 30.12.1995, p. 18.
(2) OJ L 62, 5.3.2002, p. 27.
(3) OJ L 287, 25.10.2002, p. 8.
(4) OJ L 61, 7.3.1975, p. 25.
(5) OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 18.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3878/02 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Community-wide harmonisation of time limits for the writing-off of tax arrears.
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: debt, direct tax, fiscal policy, tax harmonisation

C 78 E/692

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Furthermore, will the Commission also undertake to raise the matter in an effective way with the Russian
authorities, if necessary seeking their cooperation in obtaining this elusive information, and state when this
will be done?

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 18.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2003)

The Commission will continue to raise the issue of the treatment of baby seals in the White Sea with the
Russian authorities in the context of its Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, in particular at the Sub-
Committee on Environment.

As regards the number of seal pups killed during recent years the Russian authorities have so far indicated
that they do not have such information, but they believe that numbers should have been decreasing over
the last few years reflecting a downward trend in profitability. Figures from other sources are not
sufficiently up to date to assess the situation.

(2004/C 78 E/0739)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3878/02

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2003)

Subject: Community-wide harmonisation of time limits for the writing-off of tax arrears

Regarding the EU’s goal of tax harmonisation, numerous experts on international taxation in the context of
the different Member States are now considering whether harmonisation should extend to the time limits
for the writing-off of tax arrears.

The variations existing between Member States in the time limits for writing off tax arrears create a degree
of discrimination between citizens and undertakings of different Member States, and for those operating in
more than one country confusion can arise.

Can the Commission state whether its proposals on the time limits for writing off tax arrears include any
consideration of the desirability of harmonising the national rules in this field,
in order to introduce
uniform rules and put an end to the discrimination between Member States?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

The Commission’s policy in direct taxation is set out in its Communication (1) addressed to the Council, the
Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee. In that document it says:

It is clear that there is no need for an across the board harmonisation of Member States’ tax systems.
Provided that they respect Community rules, Member States are free to choose the tax systems that
they consider most appropriate and according to their preferences.

In this context, the Commission has no plans to make a proposal to harmonise the direct tax rules to
which the Honourable Member refers.

(1) OJ C 284, 10.10.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0011/03 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Value of the euro against other world currencies.
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: economic statistics, euro, exchange rate, foreign currency, foreign exchange market

C 222 E/132

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

‘Prestige’ oil tanker off the north-west coast of Spain (see paragraphs 32, 33 and 34 of the Conclusions).
The Council described the damage caused to the marine and socioeconomic environment, and the threat
to the livelihood of thousands of people, as intolerable.

What concrete steps did the Council take to help the victims by 31 December 2002? In addition to its
commitment to take precautionary measures to avoid any similar future disasters, are any measures being
taken to provide Spain with additional financial assistance?

Reply

(13 May 2003)

The Council would refer
to its reply to Questions E-3563/02 put by
Brice Hortefeux, E-3581/02, E-3582/02, E-3583/02, E-3584/02, E-3587/02 and E-3589/02 put by Camilo
Nogueira Román, E-3625/02 put by Paolo Costa and others and E-3761/02 put by Emmanouil
Bakopoulos on the same subject.

the Honourable Member

(2003/C 222 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0011/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Value of the euro against other world currencies

(10 January 2003)

The Commission informs me in its answer to my question No E-0177/02 (1) of 5 February 2002 that the
European Central Bank (ECB) publishes reference values for 28 currencies.

Can the Commission provide a list of those currencies among the 28 which appreciated or depreciated
against the euro between its introduction on 1 January 1999 and the end of 2002,
indicating the
percentage change in the exchange rate between the currency concerned and the euro?

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 28.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Given that it is the ECB that collects and publishes this information, it may be better to consult the source
directly. At the ECB web site (http://www.ecb.int/stats/eurofxref/) information can easily be found about
reference rates, based on the regular daily concertation procedure between central banks within and
outside the European System of Central Banks. Historical series of a subset of the reference rates are also
published in the Monthly Bulletin.

(2003/C 222 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0012/03

by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2003)

Subject: Port services

In February 2001, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive on market access to port services,
which was revised in February 2002.

As a result of the events of 11 September 2001, the American authorities have implemented a set of rules
requiring various degrees of certification/identification of employees handling freight to the USA, including
dockers.
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3060 — UCB/Solutia) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: chemical industry, economic concentration, exchange of information, merger control, pharmaceutical product, thin sheet

10.1.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 5/3

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3060 — UCB/Solutia)

(2003/C 5/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.
On 23 December 2002 the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant
to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
1310/97 (2), by which the undertaking UCB SA (UCB Belgium), acquires within the meaning of Article
3(1)(b) of the Regulation, control of parts (the acquired business) of the undertaking Solutia Inc., (Solutia,
United States of America), by way of purchase of shares and assets.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

— UCB: pharmaceuticals, performances films and specialty chemicals,

— Solutia: performance films, specialty products such as resins, additives and adhesives, among others,

and nylon products,

— the acquired business: Solutia's resins, adhesives and additives business.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within

3.
the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit

4.
proposed operation.

their possible observations on the

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.
Observations can be sent by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference
COMP/M.3060 — UCB/Solutia, to:

European Commission,
Directorate-General for Competition,
Directorate B — Merger Task Force,
J-70,
B-1049 Brussels.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 41/2003 of 10 January 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit

11.1.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 7/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 41/2003

of 10 January 2003

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

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

(2)

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
import arrangements
last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1947/2002 (2), and in parti-
cular 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 11 January 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 10 January 2003.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 17.

L 7/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.1.2003

to the Commission Regulation of 10 January 2003 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 10 00

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
624
999

052
999

220
999

052
204
999

052
204
220
999

204
999

052
204
624
999

052
600
999

060
400
404
720
999

052
400
720
999

87,1
56,1
83,5
154,7
95,3

127,6
127,6

91,4
91,4

111,6
159,1
135,3

50,4
54,6
55,4
53,5

68,5
68,5

67,2
78,2
76,8
74,1

76,2
79,6
77,9

42,4
104,2
105,3
123,2
93,8

124,8
116,4
48,6
96,6

(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’.
Commission communication regarding the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2725/2000 "Eurodac"
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, database management system, foreign national, identity document, residence permit, right of asylum

C 5/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

10.1.2003

Final report of the Hearing Officer in case COMP/37.512 — Vitamins

(prepared under Article 15 of Commission Decision 2001/462/EC, ECSC of 23 May 2001 on the
terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings (OJ L 162, 19.6.2001,
p. 21))

(2003/C 5/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

The draft decision does not give rise to particular comments on the proceedings which took a normal
course.

The parties' rights of defence were fully respected.

The draft decision deals only with objections in respect of which the parties have been afforded the
opportunity of making know their views.

Done at Brussels on 9 November 2001.

Karen WILLIAMS

Commission communication regarding the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No
2725/2000 ‘Eurodac’

(2003/C 5/03)

As provided in Council Regulation (EC) No 2725/2000 (1), and in particular Article 27 thereof, the
Commission hereby notifies that:

— each Member State has made the notification to the Commission in accordance with Article 27(2)(a) of

that Regulation,

— the Commission has made the necessary technical arrangements for the Central Unit

to begin
operations in accordance with the implementing rules adopted under Article 4(7) and Article 12(5)
of the Regulation,

— the Regulation shall apply, and Eurodac shall start operations from 15 January 2003 (12.00 UTC).

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2725/2000 of 11 December 2000 concerning the establishment of Eurodac for the
comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of the Dublin Convention (OJ L 316, 15.12.2000, p. 1).
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3053 — Blackstone Group/TRW Automotive) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: economic concentration, exchange of information, investment company, investment transaction, merger control, motor car, service industry, spare part

C 5/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

10.1.2003

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3053 — Blackstone Group/TRW Automotive)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2003/C 5/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 20 December 2002 the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant
1.
to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (1), as
last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 1310/97 (2), by which the United States of America undertaking The Blackstone Group LP (Blackstone)
acquires, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Regulation, control of the whole of the undertaking
TRW Automotive Business, which is part of the Northrop Grumman group, by way of purchase of assests.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

— Blackstone: financial advisory services, private equity investing and property financing,

— TRW Automotive Business: production and distribution of automotive components.

3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within
the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant
to the Commission Notice on simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council
Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (3), it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the
procedure set out in the notice.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit

4.
proposed operation.

their possible observations on the

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.
Observations can be sent by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference
COMP/M.3053 — Blackstone Group/TRW Automotive, to:

European Commission,
Directorate-General for Competition,
Directorate B — Merger Task Force,
J-70,
B-1049 Brussels.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.
(3) OJ C 217, 29.7.2000, p. 32.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 52/2003 of 10 January 2003 fixing the maximum export refund on wholly milled long grain B rice to certain third countries in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1898/2002
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, rice, third country

L 7/72

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.1.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 52/2003

of 10 January 2003

fixing the maximum export refund on wholly milled long grain B rice to certain third countries in
connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1898/2002

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of 22
December 1995 on the common organisation of the market in
rice (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No
411/2002 (2), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

(3)

(4)

The application of the abovementioned criteria to the
current market situation for the rice in question results
the
in the maximum export
amount specified in Article 1.

refund being fixed at

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

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

An invitation to tender for the export refund on rice was
to Commission Regulation (EC) No
issued pursuant
1898/2002 (3).

Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 584/
75 (4), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1948/
2002 (5), allows the Commission to fix,
in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 22 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 3072/95 and on the basis of the tenders
submitted, a maximum export refund.
In fixing this
maximum, the criteria provided for in Article 13 of
Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 must be taken into
account. A contract is awarded to any tenderer whose
tender is equal to or less than the maximum export
refund.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The maximum export refund on wholly milled long grain B
rice to be exported to certain third countries pursuant to the
invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1898/2002 is
hereby fixed on the basis of the tenders submitted from 6 to 9
January 2003 at 260,00 EUR/t.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 11 January 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 10 January 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 329, 30.12.1995, p. 18.
(2) OJ L 62, 5.3.2002, p. 27.
(3) OJ L 287, 25.10.2002, p. 11.
(4) OJ L 61, 7.3.1975, p. 25.
(5) OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 18.
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

10.1.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 5/1

I

(Information)

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

9 January 2003

(2003/C 5/01)

1 euro =

USD

JPY

DKK

GBP

SEK

CHF

ISK

NOK

BGN

CYP

CZK

EEK

HUF

LTL

Currency

US dollar

Japanese yen

Danish krone

Pound sterling

Swedish krona

Swiss franc

Iceland króna

Norwegian krone

Bulgarian lev

Cyprus pound

Czech koruna

Estonian kroon

Hungarian forint

Lithuanian litas

Exchange
rate

1,0507

125,16

7,4297

0,653

9,111

1,4597

84,92

7,2255

1,9558

LVL

MTL

PLN

ROL

SIT

SKK

TRL

AUD

CAD

Currency

Latvian lats

Maltese lira

Polish zloty

Romanian leu

Slovenian tolar

Slovak koruna

Turkish lira

Australian dollar

Canadian dollar

0,57484

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

31,548

NZD

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

Exchange
rate

0,6168

0,4186

4,0218

35385

230,5425

41,49

1762000

1,8172

1,6371

8,1946

1,9685

1,8244

235,11

KRW

South Korean won

1238,25

3,4533

ZAR

South African rand

8,9861

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 47/2003 of 10 January 2003 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: common organisation of markets, fruit, market intervention, marketing standard, producer organisation, vegetable

L 7/64

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.1.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 47/2003

of 10 January 2003

amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28
October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in
fruit and vegetables (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
545/2002 (2), and in particular Article 2(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Annex I
to Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 lists the
products which are to be supplied fresh to the consumer
and are subject to standards.

Consumer packaging containing different species of fruit
and vegetables are becoming more common on the
market and enable demand from certain consumers to
be met.

Fair trading requires fresh fruit and vegetables sold in
the same package to be of uniform quality. This makes it
necessary to extend the list of products subject
to
marketing standards to include other products when
combined in sales packages with products already on
that list.

(4)

(5)

Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 should therefore
be amended.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The following is added to Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2200/
96:

‘Other products referred to in Article 1, when combined in
a sales package of a net weight of less than three kilograms
with at least one of the products in this Annex.’

Article 2

into force on the 20th day
This Regulation shall enter
following its publication 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, 10 January 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 84, 28.3.2002, p. 1.