do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
2003/399/EC: Council Decision of 6 May 2003 on the designation of the European Capital of Culture 2006
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European cultural event, Greece

L 139/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

6.6.2003

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 6 May 2003

on the designation of the European Capital of Culture 2006

(2003/399/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Decision No 1419/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May
1999 establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2005 to
2019 (1), and in particular Article 2(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Selection Panel report received by the European Parliament, the Council and the
Commission on 1 October 2002,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The City of Patras shall be designated as the European Capital of Culture 2006.

Article 1

The City of Patras shall take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of Articles 1
and 5 of Decision No 1419/1999/EC.

Article 2

Done at Brussels, 6 May 2003.

For the Council

The President

P. EFTHYMIOU

(1) OJ L 166, 1.7.1999, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1519/03 by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission. Advances — Objective 2 research projects.
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, Structural Funds, advance payment, co-financing, operational programme, research and development, research project

C 11 E/188

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2003)

As an area of outstanding natural value it is possible that the Biebrza National Park will be identified as a
Natura 2000 protected after accession. This implies that strict conservation rules will apply. Article 6 of
the Habitats Directive requires all Member States to carry out a full assessment of all alternatives to a
proposed investment that risks having a potential negative environmental impact on a possible Natura
2000 site. If no alternative exists, the investment can only be allowed if an overriding public interest is
demonstrated and all the necessary compensatory and mitigation measures have been applied.

The Commission has started negotiations with the Polish authorities with a view to the adoption of the
programmes to be financed by the Structural Funds upon accession. In its comments to the Polish National
Development Plan, the Commission has underlined that the Polish Community Support framework will
need to demonstrate that environmental considerations and sustainable development play a role across the
whole programme.

The selection of projects to be financed by Structural Funds is the responsibility of the national authorities
in Member States. Nevertheless, all projects submitted by the Polish authorities for community financing
after accession will have to comply with all relevant Community rules,
including the environmental
legislation applicable in Poland, as foreseen in the Accession Treaty.

(2004/C 11 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1519/03

by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Advances (cid:1) Objective 2 research projects

(6 May 2003)

What is the Commission’s interpretation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1), and what is its
final position on the payment of advances and whether or not they must be included in the calculations
for the N+2 rule as regards research projects co-financed by the Structural Funds as part of the Objective 2
operational R & D programme in Spain in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 2003)

The Commission asks the Honourable Member to refer to its reply to Written Question E-1376/03 (1) on
the same topic but with reference to Objective 1 in Spain.

As Objective 2 assistance in Spain is being given through seven SPDs there is by contrast with Objective 1
no multiregional research and development Operational Programme.

The research projects are part-financed from the ERDF under measure 3,2 of each SPD. For these SPDs the
first date for the purposes of application of the N+2 rule is 31 December 2003.

(1) See page 178.
2003/340/EC: Council Decision of 6 May 2003 appointing a member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, France, appointment of staff

15.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 120/59

COUNCIL DECISION

of 6 May 2003

appointing a member of the Committee of the Regions

(2003/340/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the French Government,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

On 22 January 2002 the Council adopted Decision 2002/60/EC appointing the members and alter-
nate members of the Committee of the Regions (1).

The seat of a member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the resignation
of Mr Jean-Paul DELEVOYE, of which the Council was notified on 14 February 2003,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Mr André ROSSINOT, Mayor of Nancy, is hereby appointed a member of the Committee of the Regions in
place of Mr Jean-Paul DELEVOYE for the remainder of his term of office, which ends on 25 January 2006.

Done at Brussels, 6 May 2003.

For the Council

The President

P. EFTHYMIOU

(1) OJ L 24, 26.1.2002, p. 38.
2003/341/EC: Council Decision of 6 May 2003 appointing a member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, France, appointment of staff

L 120/60

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

15.5.2003

COUNCIL DECISION

of 6 May 2003

appointing a member of the Committee of the Regions

(2003/341/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the French Government,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

On 22 January 2002 the Council adopted Decision 2002/60/EC appointing the members and alter-
nate members of the Committee of the Regions (1).

The seat of a member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the resignation
of Mr Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN, of which the Council was notified on 28 October 2002,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Mr Jacques VALADE, Senator for the Gironde, is hereby appointed a member of the Committee of the
Regions in place of Mr Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN for the remainder of his term of office, which ends on 25
January 2006.

Done at Brussels, 6 May 2003.

For the Council

The President

P. EFTHYMIOU

(1) OJ L 24, 26.1.2002, p. 38.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 776/2003 of 6 May 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit

7.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 113/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 776/2003

of 6 May 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 7 May 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 6 May 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 113/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

7.5.2003

to the Commission Regulation of 6 May 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 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 50 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
212
999

052
999

052
204
999

052
204
220
600
624
999

052
999

060
388
400
404
508
512
528
720
804
999

86,8
110,8
98,8

99,4
99,4

92,7
101,8
97,3

102,5
40,8
46,6
50,6
79,1
63,9

27,8
27,8

64,5
92,0
142,7
98,9
76,6
80,1
77,0
97,8
120,1
94,4

(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’.
2003/338/EC: Council Decision of 6 May 2003 appointing a member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, Germany, appointment of staff

15.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 120/57

COUNCIL DECISION

of 6 May 2003

appointing a member of the Committee of the Regions

(2003/338/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the German Government,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

On 22 January 2002 the Council adopted Decision 2002/60/EC appointing the members and alter-
nate members of the Committee of the Regions (1).

The seat of a member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the resignation
of Ms Heide SIMONIS, of which the Council was notified on 2 April 2003,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Ms Ulrike RODUST is hereby appointed a member of the Committee of the Regions in place of Ms Heide
SIMONIS for the remainder of her term of office, which ends on 25 January 2006.

Done at Brussels, 6 May 2003.

For the Council

The President

P. EFTHYMIOU

(1) OJ L 24, 26.1.2002, p. 38.
Council of the European Union — Council Resolution of 6 May 2003 on archives in the Member States
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: archives, cultural cooperation, cultural policy

C 113/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

13.5.2003

I

(Information)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Council Resolution of 6 May 2003 on archives in the Member States

(2003/C 113/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

1. RECALLING the Council Resolution of 14 November 1991 on arrangements concerning archives (1) as
well as the Council Conclusions of 17 June 1994 concerning greater cooperation in the field of
archives (2),

2. RECALLING the Report of the group of experts on the coordination of Archives in the European Union

published in 1994,

3. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the on-going activities related to public access to documents and archives of

the European Union,

4. STRESSES the importance of archives for the understanding of the history and culture of Europe,

5. STRESSES that well kept and accessible archives contribute to the democratic functioning of our

societies, particularly during a period of major change in Europe,

6. CONSIDERS that special attention should be paid to the challenges for archive management in the

context of the enlargement of the Union,

7. CONSIDERS that further development is needed in ICT applications and solutions in the field of archives,

8.

INVITES THE COMMISSION to convene a group of experts representative also of acceding countries,
appointed on the proposal of the relevant national Authorities, to address the following:

a) the situation of the public archives in the Member States of the European Union including various
aspects of the probable evolution of archives over the forthcoming years, taking into particular
account the enlargement of the European Union;

b) the consequences of the developments which have occurred in recent years in the field of archives,

including particularly the development of new technologies;

c) promotion of concrete activities, such as

— the encouragement of appropriate measures to prevent damage to archives through catastrophes

like flooding and to restore such documents and archives, and

— the strengthening of Europe-wide collaboration on the authenticity, long-term preservation and

availability of electronic documents and archives;

d) enhancing coordination, information sharing and exchanging of good practice between the archives

services;

e) possibilities of further integration of the work of this expert group with other relevant activities in

this field at the European level, in particular the Action Plan eEurope.

9.

INVITES THE COMMISSION to submit a report on this work, including orientations for increased future
cooperation on archives at the European level, to the Council before the middle of 2004.

(1) OJ C 314, 5.12.1991, p. 2.
(2) OJ C 235, 23.8.1994.
2003/339/EC: Council Decision of 6 May 2003 appointing an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, Germany, alternate, appointment of staff

L 120/58

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

15.5.2003

COUNCIL DECISION

of 6 May 2003

appointing an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions

(2003/339/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the German Government,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

On 22 January 2002 the Council adopted Decision 2002/60/EC appointing the members and alter-
nate members of the Committee of the Regions (1).

The seat of an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the
resignation of Ms Ulrike RODUST, of which the Council was notified on 2 April 2003,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Ms Heide SIMONIS is hereby appointed an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions in place of
Ms Ulrike RODUST for the remainder of her term of office, which ends on 25 January 2006.

Done at Brussels, 6 May 2003.

For the Council

The President

P. EFTHYMIOU

(1) OJ L 24, 26.1.2002, p. 38.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1595/03 by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission. Cross-border payments in euro.
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: banking, electronic banking, electronic money, euro, euro area, financial transaction, intra-EU payment

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/375

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the joint reply it gave to oral questions
H-0266/03, H-0268/03, H-0270/03, H-0272/03, H-0278/03, H-0283/03, H-0287/03 by Mr Lipietz,
Mrs Banotti, Mr Cushnahan, Mrs Morgantini, Mr Pronk, Mr Dhaene and Mrs Sandbaek during question
time at Parliament’s May 2003 session (1).

(1) Written reply of 13.5.2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0397)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1595/03

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Cross-border payments in euro

With reference to written question P-0327/03 (1) of 31 January 2003, the Commission’s answer to which
was unclear, the questioner once again seeks clarification as to whether an electronic card which serves as
both a credit card and a debit card in Portugal can only be used as a credit card in the other euro
countries.

More precisely, can a card which is used to withdraw cash from ATMs free of charge in Portugal be used
for the same purpose in the other countries in the euro zone or might the withdrawal, without prior
warning, be considered as a cash advance with the charges that entails?

Similarly, can the Commission say what it means by ‘deferred debit cards’ mentioned in point 23 of
Commission Decision 2002/914/EC (2) of 24 July 2002 and what the advantages are for consumers?

(1) See page 354.
(2) OJ L 318, 22.11.2002, p. 17.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2003)

The Commission is still conducting an investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and
will inform her of the outcome as soon as possible.

(2004/C 78 E/0398)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1632/03

by Renato Brunetta (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 May 2003)

Subject: Sale of the ‘Vittoriosa Gaming’ company by the ‘Casinò Municipale di Venezia’

According to reports in the Venetian press, the ‘Casinò Municipale di Venezia SpA’, an entirely public
company of which the Venice municipality is the main shareholder, has been involved in a major
transaction to sell its holding in ‘Vittoriosa Gaming Ltd’ (which runs the Casino in Malta).

It has also been reported that the ‘Meliorbanca’ bank acted as advisors in this transaction.
Opinion of the Advisory Committee on Concentrations given at the 107th meeting on 27 March 2002 concerning a draft decision relating to Case COMP/M.2568 — Haniel/Ytong (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Advisory Committee on Concentrations
Subjects: building materials, dominant position, economic concentration, merger control

6.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 107/3

Opinion of the Advisory Committee on Concentrations given at the 107th meeting on 27 March
2002 concerning a draft decision relating to Case COMP/M.2568 — Haniel/Ytong

(2003/C 107/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. The Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission that the notified operation constitutes a concen-
tration within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and the notified operation has a
Community dimension as defined in Article 1(2) Merger Regulation.

2. The Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission's definition of the relevant product markets as

‘building materials for load-bearing walls’ and ‘building materials for non load-bearing walls’.

3. The Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission's definition of the relevant geographic markets

contained in the Draft Decision.

4. A majority of the Advisory Committee shares the Commission's view that Haniel controls the Coöper-
atieve Verkoop- en Productievereniging van Kalkzandsteenproducenten (CVK co-operative). A minority
abstains.

5. A majority of the Advisory Committee shares the Commission's view that Haniel holds a dominant
position on the market for wall building materials for load bearing walls in the Netherlands. A minority
abstains.

6. A majority of the Advisory Committee shares the Commission's view that Haneil's dominant position
on the market for ‘wall building materials for load-bearing walls’ will be strengthened and that no
dominant position will be created in the market for ‘building materials for non load-bearing walls’. A
minority abstains.

7. A majority of the Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission that the commitments as proposed
by the Parties would be sufficient to remove the competition concerns identified by the Commission,
taking into account
their bein conditional on another merger decision (M.2650 — Haniel/
Cementbouw/JV (CVK)). A minority abstains.

8. A majority of

the operation should be declared
compatible with the common market and the functioning of the EEA-Agreement. A minority abstains.

the Adivsory Committee therefore agrees that

9. The Advisory Committee asks the Commission to take account of all other points raised during its
discussion of the case and recommends the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the
European Union.
2003/342/EC: Council Decision of 6 May 2003 appointing an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, France, alternate, appointment of staff

15.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 120/61

COUNCIL DECISION

of 6 May 2003

appointing an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions

(2003/342/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the French Government,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

On 22 January 2002 the Council adopted Decision 2002/60/EC appointing the members and alter-
nate members of the Committee of the Regions (1).

The seat of an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the
resignation of Ms Nicole AMELINE, of which the Council was notified on 16 October 2002,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Ms Elisabeth MORIN, Chairwoman of the Poitou-Charentes Regional Council, is hereby appointed an alter-
nate member of the Committee of the Regions in place of Ms Nicole AMELINE for the remainder of her
term of office, which ends on 25 January 2006.

Done at Brussels, 6 May 2003.

For the Council

The President

P. EFTHYMIOU

(1) OJ L 24, 26.1.2002, p. 38.
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

6.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 107/1

I

(Information)

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

5 May 2003

(2003/C 107/01)

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

1,1218

133,46

7,4257

0,6996

9,0833

1,5134

83,59

7,866

1,9464

0,5881

31,287

LVL

MTL

PLN

ROL

SIT

SKK

TRL

AUD

CAD

HKD

NZD

Currency

Latvian lats

Maltese lira

Polish zloty

Romanian leu

Slovenian tolar

Slovak koruna

Turkish lira

Australian dollar

Canadian dollar

Hong Kong dollar

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

Exchange
rate

0,64

0,4267

4,2388

37 310

232,7516

41,156

1 715 000

1,7746

1,5926

8,7489

1,989

1,9775

245,01

KRW

South Korean won

1 360,18

3,4531

ZAR

South African rand

8,2229

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.