WRITTEN QUESTION E-0224/03 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Council. AIDS in Eastern Europe.
Date: 2003-02-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: AIDS, Central and Eastern Europe, action programme, aid policy, disease prevention, health aid, sex education, social situation

C 222 E/166

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18.9.2003

Article 6 of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage
improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (3), obliges employers to evaluate the risks to the
safety and health of workers, and, in its Article 9, the obligation on employers of being in possession of an
assessment of the risks to safety and health at work and deciding on the protective measures to be taken.
Moreover, Council Directive 98/24/CE of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of
workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (4), in its Article 4, establishes that in the case of
activities involving exposure to several hazardous chemical agents, the risk shall be assessed on the basis of
the risk presented by all such chemical agents in combination.

Regarding carcinogenic agents, Council Directive 90/394/EEC of 28 June 1990 (5) as amended by Council
Directive 97/42/EC of 27 June 1997 (6) and Council Directive 1999/38/EC of 29 April 1999 on the
protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work and extending it to
nitagens (7) states, in its Article 4, that the employer shall reduce the use of a carcinogen at the place of
work, in particular by replacing it, in so far as is technically possible, by a substance, preparation or
process which, under its conditions of use, is not dangerous or is less dangerous to workers’ health or
safety. The same Directive points out, in its Article 5, that where the results of the risk assessment reveal a
risk to workers’ health or safety, workers’ exposure must be prevented. In addition, Council Directive 90/
394/EEC in its last amendment by Council Directive 1999/38/EC establishes an occupational exposure
limit value for benzene of 3,25 milligram(mg)/m3 or 1 part per million (ppm). As transitional measure, a
limit value of 9,75 mg/m3 or 3 ppm is accepted until 27 June 2003.

The Commission feels that the legislation on PAH in force and under preparation ensures sufficient
protection to human health.

(1) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.
(2) OJ L 313, 13.12.2000.
(3) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
(4) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.
(5) OJ L 196, 26.7.1990.
(6) OJ L 179, 8.7.1997.
(7) OJ L 138, 1.6.1999.

(2003/C 222 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0224/03

by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 February 2003)

Subject: AIDS in Eastern Europe

At the end of 2001 one million adults and children in Eastern Europe had been diagnosed with AIDS. This
area, along with Central Asia, has the highest growth rate in the world. In one year alone, the rate of
infection in the region rose by 42 % and shows no sign of slowing down. A number of factors are
contributing to this scenario: a growing but unstable economy, with a high rate of unemployment, the
liberalisation of social and cultural norms and inadequate public health services.

These factors are creating a series of problems which are playing a major role in the growth of the
epidemic:

(cid:1) The number of young people leaving school is very high. The lack of jobs is increasing the risk of

young people joining vulnerable groups, such as drug addicts, or turning to prostitution.

(cid:1) Trafficking in human beings and the sex trade have increased since the fall of the Berlin Wall, as has

drug use among young people.

(cid:1) Lack of information about sexuality and reproductive health is leading to a total unawareness of the
risk of
infection: sex education programmes are required to inform the public about sexually
transmitted diseases and AIDS. In addition, the political authorities should be urged to take steps to

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remove discrimination against people infected with the virus, by incorporating AIDS prevention
programmes into their sexuality and reproductive health programmes.

The national governments of this region often lack the financial resources and expertise required to
introduce prevention programmes. A great deal of assistance is required in this context.

How does the Council intend to coordinate the Member States’ AIDS prevention initiatives?

Reply

(13 May 2003)

The Council shares the Honourable Member’s concerns about the spread of Aids in Eastern Europe.

is indeed the task of

It
the Community and its Member States to promote
coordination, consistency and complementarity between all aspects of their initiatives to combat Aids in
East European countries.

the European Union,

A programme of Community action on the prevention of AIDS within the framework for action in the
field of public health (1996-2000) (1), which provided for the participation of the associated countries of
Central and Eastern Europe and was extended until the end of 2002, has expired.

The programme,
Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) (2) which sets out three major objectives:

like other health sector programmes, has been incorporated in the programme of

(cid:1) to improve information and knowledge for the development of public health;

(cid:1) to enhance the capability of responding rapidly and in a coordinated fashion to threats to health;

(cid:1) to promote health and prevent disease through addressing health determinants across all policies and

activities.

This programme is also open to the participation of the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The Greek Presidency has proposed that targeted support for the public health sector (with particular
reference to combatting communicable diseases) could be a priority for the first half of 2003.

The Council, the Commission and the Member States, according to their respective competence and
capacity, and within the limits of the budgetary means at their disposal, are committed to supporting the
Presidency’s initiative.

(1) OJ L 95, 16.4.1996, p. 16.
(2) OJ L 271, 9.10.2002, p. 1.

(2003/C 222 E/192)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0228/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 February 2003)

Subject: Bringing forward legislative simplification in the area of patient mobility

In the light of the conclusions of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
meeting in December 2002 on patient mobility between Member States of the European Union, can the
Council say what will be in the reform package it is preparing to promote the freedom to be treated in any
hospital in an EU country?