do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/03 by Bernhard Rapkay (PSE) to the Commission. EU funding for Nordrhein-Westfalen for the years 2001 and 2002.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, North Rhine-Westphalia, Structural Funds, aid system, co-financing, support policy

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/447

(2004/C 78 E/0468)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/03

by Bernhard Rapkay (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: EU funding for Nordrhein-Westfalen for the years 2001 and 2002

1. What amounts of European Union funding were paid to Nordrhein-Westfalen in 2001 and 2002
from:

(cid:1) the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),

(cid:1) the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (cid:1) Guidance Section,

(cid:1) the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (cid:1) Guarantee Section,

(cid:1) the European Social Fund (ESF),

(cid:1) European Community research programmes,

(cid:1) European Community programmes for the environment,

(cid:1) other European Community programmes?

2. Who were the beneficiaries?

3. What amounts were made available by way of co-financing either with the Land of Nordrhein-
Westfalen or with the Federal Republic of Germany?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2004)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament’s Secretariat.

(2004/C 78 E/0469)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2996/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Standardisation of computer dates

Will the Commission state whether there is any EU legislation that sets a standard format for dates in
computer software?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 2003)

The format for dates in computer software has not been regulated by Community legislation.

in 1992 the European Committee For Standardization (1) has adopted ISO 8601 under the
However,
standard EN 28601 to end the traditional confusion involving periods, slashes, the order of the numbers,
and other date formats formerly used throughout Europe.

(1) http://www.cenorm.be/
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

14.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/3

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

13 October 2003

(2003/C 246/02)

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

1,1688

126,82

7,4303

LVL

MTL

PLN

Currency

Latvian lats

Maltese lira

Polish zloty

Exchange
rate

0,6473

0,4289

4,5183

0,70435

ROL

Romanian leu

38 797

9,006

1,5493

88,82

8,225

1,9471

SIT

SKK

TRL

AUD

CAD

Slovenian tolar

Slovak koruna

Turkish lira

Australian dollar

Canadian dollar

0,58435

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

32,073

NZD

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

235,65

41,278

1 646 000

1,6948

1,5458

9,0416

1,9541

2,0142

256,7

KRW

South Korean won

1 340,67

3,4524

ZAR

South African rand

8,1615

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3012/03 by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Wine.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: TRIPS, World Trade Organisation, designation of origin, product designation, wine

C 78 E/454

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0480)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3012/03

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Wine

Amidst the tortuous negotiations over alcoholic beverages and foods, has the Commission been able to
discuss with the other members of the WTO the list of geographical indications that the European Union
would like to see protected internationally?

This list includes several names of wine, such as Rioja, and other food products.

Does the Commission believe that it will be possible to reach an agreement in this area, given the strong
resistance shown by countries like the United States, who have grown used to freely misappropriating
Community names?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2003)

indications in the World Trade Organisation
The Community presented its short list of geographical
(WTO) agriculture negotiations at the end of August 2003 in Geneva. Given the short term between its
submission to the WTO and the Fifth Ministerial Conference, there was no time to discuss the list before
Cancun. Unfortunately, due to the course of events in the Conference, it was not possible to discuss it in
Cancun.

The Commission considers that this is a very important issue in order to guarantee effective protection of
geographical names which are being abused worldwide. It will, therefore, continue asking for this matter to
be an integral part of the negotiations in Geneva, though the degree of acceptance of this proposal by
other WTO Members appears to be low at this stage.

(2004/C 78 E/0481)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3030/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Use of hydraulic dredges in the EU

Hydraulic dredges, wrongly called ‘chupadeiras’ or ‘chuponas’ (suckers), a fishing technique which has
profound repercussions in terms of the environment and of conservation of fish stocks, are used for fishing
for bivalves; the high-pressure hosing and consequent stirring up of the offshore seabed in order to catch
epi-benthic fauna in the dredges has both directly and indirectly destructive effects on the seabed and
affects its recolonisation and reconstitution.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:1) is this technique being used in the European Union? If so, where and by which parts of the fleet;

(cid:1) what is the Commission’s opinion of this technique? Is there any Community legislation in this area?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3019/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Community funding and maintaining jobs.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, European Regional Development Fund, Portugal, eligibility criteria, financing plan, inland waterway fleet, inland waterway transport, job creation, job preservation

C 70 E/198

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

(2004/C 70 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3019/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Community funding and maintaining jobs

Soflusa is a river transport company operating between Lisbon and Barreiro/Moita, and is proceeding to
modernise its fleet with an eligible global investment of Euro 9 819 608, for which joint funding of 50 %
from the ERDF was scheduled, and partially paid in 2002.

In the project submitted with the purpose of obtaining the funding, the undertakings given by Soflusa
included maintaining their 254 existing jobs and creating a further 50.

Now, according to a statement issued by the company’s workers’ trade unions, Soflusa’s administration has
stated that this undertaking to maintain the jobs and create new ones is not going to be met, claiming in
the media that this undertaking was an oversight, and thus rubbishing the social undertakings given in
order to obtain Community funds, which is simply inadmissible.

What measures is the Commission going to take to ensure that Soflusa’s administration meets its social
commitments, and specifically those concerning job creation, which were taken as read when the
Community funding was awarded?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2003)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the President of the Commission is
already aware of the problem, following a letter dated 6 October 2003 from the employees’ trade union
representatives. As mentioned in the reply to the trade unions,
the Commission requested further
information from the national authorities on 3 November 2003.

In addition, the Commission can confirm that no European Social Fund assistance was granted to the firm
Soflusa.

(2004/C 70 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3022/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Funding of research into accident prevention

According to data produced by the European Accident Prevention Network, one third of fatalities in
developed countries are caused by accidents, and young people are particularly affected.

In Greece, the number and frequency of fatal accidents of various types stand at extremely high levels.

In spite of this extremely worrying situation, the Commission recently cut the appropriations allocated to
research into and prevention of accidents in European Union countries by 30 %, with the result that it has
become considerably more difficult for the competent bodies to carry out their work.

Will the Commission support the proposals and requests made by the European Accident Prevention
Network? What further steps will it take to reduce the number of fatal accidents and improve public
safety?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2996/03 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Standardisation of computer dates.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law, data processing, standardisation

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/447

(2004/C 78 E/0468)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/03

by Bernhard Rapkay (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: EU funding for Nordrhein-Westfalen for the years 2001 and 2002

1. What amounts of European Union funding were paid to Nordrhein-Westfalen in 2001 and 2002
from:

(cid:1) the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),

(cid:1) the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (cid:1) Guidance Section,

(cid:1) the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (cid:1) Guarantee Section,

(cid:1) the European Social Fund (ESF),

(cid:1) European Community research programmes,

(cid:1) European Community programmes for the environment,

(cid:1) other European Community programmes?

2. Who were the beneficiaries?

3. What amounts were made available by way of co-financing either with the Land of Nordrhein-
Westfalen or with the Federal Republic of Germany?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2004)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament’s Secretariat.

(2004/C 78 E/0469)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2996/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Standardisation of computer dates

Will the Commission state whether there is any EU legislation that sets a standard format for dates in
computer software?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 2003)

The format for dates in computer software has not been regulated by Community legislation.

in 1992 the European Committee For Standardization (1) has adopted ISO 8601 under the
However,
standard EN 28601 to end the traditional confusion involving periods, slashes, the order of the numbers,
and other date formats formerly used throughout Europe.

(1) http://www.cenorm.be/
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3014/03 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. European market in car insurance.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: insurance law, insurance premium, motor vehicle insurance, price fluctuation, single market, third-party insurance

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/43

could be reached either on the Commission proposal as amended in the light of the opinion given by the
European Parliament in November or on the Presidency text put forward for the occasion.

(1) OJ L 294, 29.10.2002.

(2004/C 84 E/0047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2952/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) and Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council

Subject: Sentence of death by stoning in Nigeria

(8 October 2003)

Mr Jibrin Babaji, a Nigerian citizen aged 20, has been found guilty of sexual relations with three underage
boys and has been sentenced to death by stoning. The sentence was handed down on Tuesday,
23 September 2003 by an Islamic court in Bauchi state, under the Sharia penal code.

Does the Council have further information on the matter? What measures does it intend to take, in line
with the European positions in favour of a moratorium on the death penalty worldwide, to ensure that this
death sentence is not executed?

Reply

(8 March 2004)

The Council underlines that the EU and its Member States continuously act in international fora, such
instruments

1.
as the Commission on Human Rights, with a view to favoring the adoption of
condemning capital punishment.

legal

Regarding the specific problem mentioned in the question, the abolition of the death penalty in
2.
general and death by stoning in particular remains a subject of dialogue with Nigeria. The EU Heads of
Mission in Abuja have been asked to make representations regarding the sentence of death by stoning
passed on Jibril Babaji, as well as the sentences against Fatima Ousmane and Amadou Brahim, which have
just come to our attention.

(2004/C 84 E/0048)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3014/03

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: European market in car insurance

Although the common market has been developing for some time and in certain sectors has been
completed, the internal market in car insurance has a long way to go, in particular as regards third-party
insurance. For example, it is still impossible to insure a vehicle with an insurance company based outside
the Member State in which the owner of the vehicle resides.

1. What initiatives has the Commission promoted to harmonise the internal market in car insurance?

2.
In view of the fact that it is impossible to insure a vehicle with an insurance company based outside
the Member State in which the owner of the vehicle resides, what steps will the Commission take to
remedy this anomaly?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/03 by Bernhard Rapkay (PSE) to the Commission. EU funding for Nordrhein-Westfalen for the years 2001 and 2002.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF Guarantee Section, EAGGF Guidance Section, EU programme, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, North Rhine-Westphalia, economic support, environmental policy, exchange of information, research

C 58 E/210

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2004/C 58 E/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/03

by Bernhard Rapkay (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: EU funding for Nordrhein-Westfalen for the years 2001 and 2002

1. What amounts of European Union funding were paid to Nordrhein-Westfalen in 2001 and 2002
from:

(cid:1) the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),

(cid:1) the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (cid:1) Guidance Section,

(cid:1) the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (cid:1) Guarantee Section,

(cid:1) the European Social Fund (ESF),

(cid:1) European Community research programmes,

(cid:1) European Community programmes for the environment,

(cid:1) other European Community programmes?

2. Who were the beneficiaries?

3. What amounts were made available by way of co-financing either with the Land of Nordrhein-
Westfalen or with the Federal Republic of Germany?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1800/2003 of 14 October 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, grape, import price, pip fruit, stone fruit

L 264/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

15.10.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1800/2003

of 14 October 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 15 October 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 14 October 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.

15.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 264/15

to the Commission Regulation of 14 October 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 50 10

0806 10 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
060
068
096
204
999

052
999

052
999

052
388
524
528
999

052
400
508
624
999

060
096
388
400
508
512
720
800
804
999

052
064
720
999

100,0
95,1
67,7
66,2
125,5
90,9

101,8
101,8

89,1
89,1

90,9
53,8
82,8
55,3
70,7

105,2
192,8
301,7
230,3
207,5

38,7
41,3
74,0
73,9
108,4
36,1
48,9
168,8
97,1
76,4

87,4
54,7
85,2
75,8

(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 1807/2003 of 14 October 2003 prohibiting fishing for cod by vessels flying the flag of Portugal
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU waters, Portugal, fishing rights, sea fish, ship's flag

L 265/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

16.10.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1807/2003

of 14 October 2003

prohibiting fishing for cod by vessels flying the flag of Portugal

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12
October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the
common fisheries policy (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 806/2003 (2), and in particular Article 21(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Council Regulation (EC) No 2341/2002 of 20 December
2002 fixing for 2003 the fishing opportunities and asso-
ciated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of
fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for
Community vessels,
in waters where catch limitations
are required (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
1754/2003 (4), lays down quotas for cod for 2003.

In order
to ensure compliance with the provisions
relating to the quantity limits on catches of stocks
subject to quotas, the Commission must fix the date by
which catches made by vessels flying the flag of a
Member State are deemed to have exhausted the quota
allocated.

According to the information received by the Commis-
sion, catches of cod in the waters of ICES divisions I, IIb,
by vessels flying the flag of Portugal or registered in

Portugal have exhausted the quota allocated for 2003.
Portugal has prohibited fishing for this stock from 7
October 2003. This date
should consequently be
adopted in this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Catches of cod in the waters of ICES divisions I, IIb, by vessels
flying the flag of Portugal or registered in Portugal are hereby
deemed to have exhausted the quota allocated to Portugal for
2003.

Fishing for cod in the waters of ICES divisions I, IIb, by vessels
flying the flag of Portugal or registered in Portugal is hereby
prohibited, as are the retention on board, transhipment and
landing of this stock caught by the above vessels after the date
of application of this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 7 October 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 14 October 2003.

For the Commission

Jörgen HOLMQUIST

Director-General for Fisheries

(1) OJ L 261, 20.10.1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 356, 31.12.2002, p. 12.
(4) OJ L 252, 4.10.2003, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3018/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Promotions within the Commission.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, administrator, appointment of staff, promotion, regulations for civil servants

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/209

(2004/C 78 E/0213)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3011/03

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 October 2003)

Subject: Fisheries: national boundaries within the EU’s EEZ

In the hypothetical situation that national boundaries were to be established within the European Union’s
Exclusive Economic Zone, where within the ICES zones IIa, IV (a, b and c), Vb (1 and 2), VI (a and b), VII
(a, d, e, f, g, h and j) and XII would those boundaries lie?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2003)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that the Member States are responsible for defining
their exclusive economic zones and the boundaries between sea areas where such a definition is necessary
as a result of opposing or adjacent coastlines. They are defined in accordance with the rules of the
international law of the sea.

The Member States have adopted national legislation defining the boundaries in the zones referred to in
the Honourable Member’s question, with the exception of International Council for the Exploration of the
Sea (ICES) zone XII, which only covers international waters.

(2004/C 78 E/0214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3018/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Promotions within the Commission

What is the Commission’s position with regard to the claims made by the Commission official Josè A.
Sequeira Carvalho (Staff No 61779) with regard to his failure to be promoted to A4, which he believes
should have taken place in 2000?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2003)

The reasons why Mr Sequeira has not been promoted to grade A4 since 2000 were set out in detail in a
note signed by Mr Richelle, Director General of Directorate General Development on 13 August 2003 and
addressed to Mr Sequeira.

Officials who are not satisfied with a decision by the Appointing Authority can, of course, specify and
register a complaint in accordance with Article 90 §2 of the Staff Regulation. Such complaints (cid:1) or
appeals (cid:1) are given attention with rigour and with respect for the privacy of the individual.