WRITTEN QUESTION E-0228/03 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Council. Bringing forward legislative simplification in the area of patient mobility.
Date: 2003-02-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: citizens' Europe, cross-border cooperation, free movement of persons, health care, health care system, right to health, simplification of legislation

18.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/167

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?

C 222 E/168

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

Does the Council not consider that the date of 2004 is too far away to promote the simplification of
existing procedures and cutting of red tape involved in some Member States, including Italy, for obtaining
authorisation for treatment abroad?

Does the Council intend to take the necessary measures to extend Community jurisdiction in the sphere of
patient mobility?

Reply

(13 May 2003)

The Honourable Parliamentarian’s attention is drawn to the fact that the Council, at its meeting on
2/3 December 2002, did not adopt conclusions on patient mobility. Instead, the Council, at that meeting,
took note of Commissioner Byrne’s report on the ongoing high-level reflection process on patient mobility
and health care developments in the European Union, and,
in particular, on the development of an
organisational framework for such a process.

It is recalled that such process, which is still ongoing, was launched by the Conclusions of the Council and
of the representatives of the Member States meeting in the Council of 26 June 2002 on patient mobility
and health care developments in the European Union (1). The Council and the representatives of the
Member States meeting in the Council considered notably that there is a need to strengthen co-operation
in order to promote the greatest opportunities for access to health care of high quality while maintaining
the financial sustainability of healthcare systems in the European Union. The imminent enlargement of the
European Union makes this even more imperative. In addition, they further recognised that there would be
value in the Commission pursuing in close co-operation with the Council and all the Member States (cid:1)
particularly health ministers and other key stakeholders (cid:1) a high level process of reflection, closely co-
ordinated with relevant work ongoing in different fora, including action already initiated in the context of
the Lisbon process, which should aim at developing timely conclusions for possible further action.

(1) OJ C 183, 1.8.2002, p. 1.

(2003/C 222 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0234/03

by Gerardo Galeote Quecedo (PPE-DE)
and Juan Ojeda Sanz (PPE-DE) to the Council

(4 February 2003)

Subject: Double-hull vessels for the transport of hydrocarbons

The conclusions of the Council of Transport Ministers of 6 December 2002 stated that heavy grades of
hydrocarbons (heavy fuel, tar, bitumen and heavy crude oils) should only be transported in double-hull
tankers, and that the Member States would, through administrative agreements, undertake not to accept
single-hull tankers carrying the heaviest grades of hydrocarbons into their ports, terminals or anchorage
areas.

Some Member States are already adopting national measures to comply with this agreement. What plans
does the Greek Presidency have for spurring Member States to honour their commitment?

A specific case is to be found in Algeciras Bay, where Gibraltar is allowing the single-hull tanker
Vemamagna, with a capacity of 100 000 tonnes of fuel, to act as a floating fuel depot for other vessels just
600 metres from the Spanish shore.

Will the Greek Presidency contact the British authorities to call for strict implementation of Community
rules on the environment with regard to bunkering activities in Gibraltar and encourage them to comply
with the agreement prohibiting single-hull vessels?