do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

19.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 223/1

I

(Information)

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

18 September 2003

(2003/C 223/01)

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

1,129

130,15

7,4277

0,699

9,0318

1,5583

88,88

8,176

1,9469

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

0,58462

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

32,548

NZD

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

Exchange
rate

0,6421

0,4269

4,5124

38 100

235,235

41,39

1 550 000

1,691

1,5415

8,8052

1,9341

1,975

256,24

KRW

South Korean won

1 320,87

3,4531

ZAR

South African rand

8,354

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1640/2003 of 18 September 2003 determining the world market price for unginned cotton
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: cotton, world market price

L 233/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

19.9.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1640/2003

of 18 September 2003

determining the world market price for unginned cotton

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Protocol 4 on cotton, annexed to the Act of
Accession of Greece, as last amended by Council Regulation
(EC) No 1050/2001 (1),

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1051/2001 of 22
May 2001 on production aid for cotton (2), and in particular
Article 4 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

In accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No
1051/2001, a world market price for unginned cotton is
to be determined periodically from the price for ginned
cotton recorded on the world market and by reference
to the historical relationship between the price recorded
for ginned cotton and that calculated for unginned
cotton. That historical relationship has been established
in Article 2(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1591/
2001 of 2 August 2001 (3), as amended by Regulation
(EC) No 1486/2002 (4). Where the world market price
cannot be determined in this way, it is to be based on
the most recent price determined.

(2)

In accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No
1051/2001, the world market price for unginned cotton
is to be determined in respect of a product of specific
characteristics and by reference to the most favourable

offers and quotations on the world market among those
considered representative of the real market trend. To
that end, an average is to be calculated of offers and
European
recorded on one or more
quotations
exchanges for a product delivered cif to a port in the
Community and coming from the various supplier coun-
tries considered the most representative in terms of
there is provision for
international
adjusting the criteria for determining the world market
price for ginned cotton to reflect differences justified by
the quality of the product delivered and the offers and
quotations concerned. Those adjustments are specified in
Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1591/2001.

trade. However,

(3)

The application of the above criteria gives the world
market price for unginned cotton determined herein-
after,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The world price for unginned cotton as referred to in Article 4
of Regulation (EC) No 1051/2001 is hereby determined as
equalling EUR 31,905/100 kg.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 19 September 2003.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 18 September 2003.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 148, 1.6.2001, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 148, 1.6.2001, p. 3.
(3) OJ L 210, 3.8.2001, p. 10.
(4) OJ L 223, 20.8.2002, p. 3.
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3132 — Sasol/Mitsubishi Chemical/JV) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: chemical industry, economic concentration, electronics industry, exchange of information, gas, merger control, pharmaceutical product

C 223/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

19.9.2003

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3220 — EADS/EADS Telecom)

(2003/C 223/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 22 August 2003 the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to
declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. The full text of the decision is only available in English and will be
made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

— as a paper version through the sales offices of the Office for Official Publications of the European

Communities (see list on the last page),

— in electronic form in the ‘CEN’ version of the CELEX database, under document No 303M3220. CELEX

is the computerised documentation system of European Community law.

For more information concerning subscriptions please contact:

EUR-OP,
Information, Marketing and Public Relations,
2, rue Mercier,
L-2985 Luxembourg.
Tel. (352) 29 29 427 18, fax (352) 29 29 427 09.

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3132 — Sasol/Mitsubishi Chemical/JV)

(2003/C 223/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 11 September 2003 the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to
declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. The full text of the decision is only available in English and will be
made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

— as a paper version through the sales offices of the Office for Official Publications of the European

Communities (see list on the last page),

— in electronic form in the ‘CEN’ version of the CELEX database, under document No 303M3132. CELEX

is the computerised documentation system of European Community law.

For more information concerning subscriptions please contact:

EUR-OP,
Information, Marketing and Public Relations,
2, rue Mercier,
L-2985 Luxembourg.
Tel. (352) 29 29 427 18, fax (352) 29 29 427 09.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2819/03 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Environmental impact assessments in Ireland.
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, environmental impact, environmental protection, impact study, motorway, project evaluation, stagnant water

C 78 E/434

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

In the end, the implementation of the Corridor VIII, which has been signed only recently, depends on the
countries concerned in the first place. As the Honourable Member may know, the whole alignment of the
Corridor VIII on rail is also mentioned in the Report of the TEN-T High Level Group as an important
project for territorial cohesion.

(2004/C 78 E/0455)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2819/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Environmental impact assessments in Ireland

On 22 July, the Commission announced (IP/03/1070) that it was referring Ireland to the European Court
of Justice concerning the possibility, inter alia, that Irish authorities allow a decision to be made before
impact assessment has been fully assessed in line with the EIA
rather than after an environmental
Directive.

What specific cases in Ireland is the Commission concerned about in this regard?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 2003)

The Commission’s concerns derived from its examination of the way in which the impact of the Kildare
Bypass motorway project on an internationally important wetland, Pollardstown Fen, and an associated
aquifer were assessed.

More specifically, despite advice from the statutory nature conservation authority that the information
provided by the developer was seriously deficient, certain important studies on the likely impacts were
only undertaken after the decision approving the project was already taken.

Whilst the Commission did not challenge the specific project,
it decided to challenge the underlying
approach taken on the basis that it was not compliant with the requirements of Council Directive 85/337/
EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment (1).

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

(2004/C 78 E/0456)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2826/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(23 September 2003)

Subject: Eco-driving

Introducing a new, more environmentally friendly driving style using electronic equipment in cars, known
as ‘eco-driving’, has been a topic of discussion in Europe for some time now. I would like further
information from the Commission regarding the practicalities of eco-driving.

Can the Commission state what measures it intends to take to introduce a more environmentally friendly
driving style?

What is the Commission’s opinion of the proposal by the Netherlands Government that all new cars in
Europe be equipped with cruise control and an on-board computer? According to the Netherlands, this
could reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by around 10 %. Is this proposal feasible?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1657/2003 of 19 September 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, grape, import price, pip fruit, stone fruit

L 234/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

20.9.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1657/2003

of 19 September 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 20 September 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 19 September 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.

20.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 234/7

to the Commission Regulation of 19 September 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining
the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0709 90 70

0805 50 10

0806 10 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

0809 30 10, 0809 30 90

0809 40 05

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
060
092
094
096
999

052
999

382
388
524
528
999

052
064
999

388
400
508
512
720
800
804
999

052
064
388
999

052
624
999

052
060
066
624
999

114,5
105,1
107,3
81,8
72,9
96,3

120,2
120,2

58,3
62,9
61,0
61,0
60,8

77,5
61,2
69,3

72,3
70,6
35,3
96,2
51,6
124,1
91,9
77,4

106,3
48,7
82,0
79,0

117,6
111,9
114,8

54,7
59,0
71,8
116,3
75,5

(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 Regulation (EC) No 1658/2003 of 19 September 2003 suspending the buying-in of butter in certain Member States
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, butter, market intervention, purchase

L 234/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

20.9.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1658/2003

of 19 September 2003

suspending the buying-in of butter in certain Member States

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(2)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 of 17
May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in milk
and milk products (1), as last amended by Commission Regula-
tion (EC) No 806/2003 (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999
of 16 December 1999 laying down detailed rules for the appli-
cation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards
intervention on the market in butter and cream (3), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 359/2003 (4), and in particular
Article 2 thereof,

Whereas:

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1539/2003 suspending
the buying-in of butter in certain Member States (5)
establishes the most recent
list of Member States in
which intervention is suspended. This list must be
adjusted as a result of the market prices communicated
by Sweden under Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 2771/
1999.
In the interests of clarity, the list in question
should be replaced and Regulation (EC) No 1539/2003
should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Buying-in of butter by invitation to tender as provided for in
Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 is hereby
suspended in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, France, the
Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden and the
United Kingdom.

(1)

Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999 lays down
that buying-in by invitation to tender is to be opened or
suspended by the Commission in a Member State, as
appropriate, once it is observed that, for two weeks in
succession, the market price in that Member State is
below or equal to or above 92 % of the intervention
price.

Regulation (EC) No 1539/2003 is hereby repealed.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 20 September 2003.

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels, 19 September 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 48.
(2) OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 333, 24.12.1999, p. 11.
(4) OJ L 53, 28.2.2003, p. 17.

(5) OJ L 218, 30.8.2003, p. 37.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2818/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Commitment and absorption of Cohesion Fund appropriations for Greece in 2003.
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cohesion Fund, Greece, commitment of expenditure, financial management

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/223

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2003)

The Commission will make proposals for cohesion policy for the period after 2006 in the Third Cohesion
Report which is scheduled for publication before the end of this year. While it is too early to speculate on
the nature of these proposals, they will take account of the contributions to the debate on future cohesion
policy that the Commission launched in January 2001 with the publication of the Second Cohesion
Report. The Parliament has been fully associated with this debate. The Commission’s proposals will also
include those regarding the future of the Community Initiatives, taking into account their added value in
relation to the interventions supported under the mainstream regional development programmes.

(2004/C 65 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2818/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Commitment and absorption of Cohesion Fund appropriations for Greece in 2003

Can the Commission provide information on the current situation as regards the commitment and
absorption of Cohesion Fund appropriations for Greece in 2003? Does the Commission consider the
situation to be satisfactory?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2003)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that, as at 30 September 2003, commitments for
Greece in 2003 under the Cohesion Fund were EUR 167 million, to which a further EUR 29 million
currently being implemented can be added, plus an additional amount of around EUR 53 million for new
projects at the final examination stage.

The Commission has requested the Greek authorities to submit new applications for part-financing as
quickly as possible so that EUR 612 million, which is the indicative amount that Greece is supposed to
commit under the 2003 budget, can be committed. The Greek authorities have reconfirmed their intention
of submitting sufficient new applications very shortly to meet the EUR 612 million target.

(2004/C 65 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2820/03

by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Separate registration numbers for trailers

The Netherlands have introduced a new law requiring each trailer (i.e. large trailer, small trailer, caravan,
etc.) to have its own separate and unique registration plate fixed in the usual place.

The UK is one of two EU Member States that does not have a separate registration system for trailers.

I understand that the Dutch authorities are to require UK hauliers to apply for a temporary Dutch
registration number called a ‘BO number’ in order to carry goods/cargo through the country.
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3220 — EADS/EADS Telecom) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: aeronautical industry, aerospace industry, economic concentration, exchange of information, merger control, telecommunications

C 223/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

19.9.2003

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3220 — EADS/EADS Telecom)

(2003/C 223/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 22 August 2003 the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to
declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. The full text of the decision is only available in English and will be
made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

— as a paper version through the sales offices of the Office for Official Publications of the European

Communities (see list on the last page),

— in electronic form in the ‘CEN’ version of the CELEX database, under document No 303M3220. CELEX

is the computerised documentation system of European Community law.

For more information concerning subscriptions please contact:

EUR-OP,
Information, Marketing and Public Relations,
2, rue Mercier,
L-2985 Luxembourg.
Tel. (352) 29 29 427 18, fax (352) 29 29 427 09.

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3132 — Sasol/Mitsubishi Chemical/JV)

(2003/C 223/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 11 September 2003 the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to
declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. The full text of the decision is only available in English and will be
made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

— as a paper version through the sales offices of the Office for Official Publications of the European

Communities (see list on the last page),

— in electronic form in the ‘CEN’ version of the CELEX database, under document No 303M3132. CELEX

is the computerised documentation system of European Community law.

For more information concerning subscriptions please contact:

EUR-OP,
Information, Marketing and Public Relations,
2, rue Mercier,
L-2985 Luxembourg.
Tel. (352) 29 29 427 18, fax (352) 29 29 427 09.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2812/03 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission. Revision of the Directive on driving licences — driving licences for light motorcycles.
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: approximation of laws, driving licence, technical specification, traffic regulations, two-wheeled vehicle

C 78 E/174

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2812/03

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Revision of the Directive on driving licences (cid:1) driving licences for light motorcycles

The Commission’s Work Programme for 2003 includes a proposed revision of the Directive on driving
licences.

Is the Commission planning to make it possible for drivers applying for Category B licences to
automatically obtain Category A1 licences for motorcycles of 125 cc and under and 11 kW and under
(light motorcycles) without a further test?

In Germany before 1 April 1980,
licences for Category A1 mopeds were issued at the same time as
Category 3 licences (equivalent to the present Category B), meaning a greater choice of modes of transport.

Would it not be a good idea to introduce a similar rule throughout Europe?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2003)

Council Directive 91/439/EEC (1) allows Member States to authorise light motorcycles to be driven on their
territory under a category B car licence. This option is currently available in Spain, France, Italy and
Austria, with certain conditions applying in the case of Spain, France and Austria (2). Regarding the
situation in Germany, it should be noted that this is an acquired right of long standing which has been
confirmed by Decision 2000/275/EC (3), and not an equivalence under the terms of the driving licences
Directive.

The Commission does not intend to propose amendments in this respect.

(1) Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences, OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.
(2) Commission interpretative communication on Community driver licensing, OJ C 77, 28.3.2002.
(3) Commission Decision 2000/275/EC of 21 March 2000 on equivalences between certain categories of driving

licences, OJ L 91, 12.4.2000.

(2004/C 78 E/0179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2813/03

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Revision of the Directive on driving licences (cid:1) eyesight requirements

A revision of the Directive on driving licences is included in the Commission’s Work Programme for 2003.

Will uniform rules on eyesight requirements be introduced as part of this revision?

it be possible for the visually impaired to use bioptics so that they too can meet the eyesight

Will
requirements?