do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
2003/768/EC: Council Decision of 20 October 2003 appointing an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, Netherlands, appointment of staff

29.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 278/47

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 20 October 2003

appointing an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions

(2003/768/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Netherlands Govern-
ment,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

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

The seat of an alternate member of the Committee of
the Regions has fallen vacant following the resignation
of Mr L.E. VAN DER SAR, of which the Council was noti-
fied on 2 October 2003,

Sole Article

Ms R. KRUISINGA, gedeputeerde van de provincie Noord-
Holland, is hereby appointed a member of the Committee of
the Regions in place of Mr L.E. VAN DER SAR for the remainder
of his term of office, which ends on 25 January 2006.

Done at Luxembourg, 20 October 2003.

For the Council

The President

P. MARONI

(1) OJ L 24, 26.1.2002, p. 38.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3095/03 by Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso (NI) to the Commission. Basque Country's recognition through repression.
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Basque Country, EU action, action programme, autonomous movement, political prisoner, regionalism, repression

C 70 E/216

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2003)

In its Communication entitled ‘Adapting to change in work and society: a new Community strategy on
health and safety at work 2002-2006’ (1),
it would ‘examine the
appropriateness and the scope of a Community instrument on psychological harassment and violence at
work’.

the Commission announced that

The Commission is currently compiling and analysing the information available in this area. The analysis
takes into account inter alia the legislative and/or regulatory initiatives adopted or planned in the Member
States.

Accordingly, Parliament’s resolution on harassment in the workplace (2) and the opinion on violence at
work adopted by the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work (3) will also
be taken into account.

On the basis of the above, the Commission plans, in the course of 2004, to consult the social partners on
the possible direction of Community action in this area, in accordance with Article 138 of the EC Treaty.

(1) COM(2002) 118 final.
(2) A5-0283/2001, 19.9.2001.
(3) COM(2003) 346 final.

(2004/C 70 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3095/03

by Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso (NI) to the Commission

Subject: Basque Country’s recognition through repression

(20 October 2003)

In my written question E-0645/03 (1) dated 24 February 2003, I referred to the 634 politically motivated
people who were arrested during 2002 in the Basque Country.

On 8 October, early in the morning, 34 people were arrested by the Spanish and French police on both
sides of the border that divides our country and constitutes an internal iron curtain. Let me recall that
Germany was able to commemorate last week the 13th anniversary of its reunification, while the Basque
Country remains torn to pieces: It is not recognised at all in the Northern part, under French rule, and it is
under two separate administrations as part of the Kingdom of Spain.

As those detainees all over the country indicate, can the Basque Country achieve recognition only through
repression?

Could the Commission present a proposal for a Community action plan to guarantee the Basque people
the right to exist?

(1) OJ C 11 E, 15.1.2004, p. 102.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2003)

The Commission takes the view that the facts to which the Honourable Member refers do not fall within
the powers conferred on it by the European Union and Community Treaties.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1849/2003 of 20 October 2003 determining the world market price for unginned cotton
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: cotton, world market price

21.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 269/7

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1849/2003

of 20 October 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 34,495/100 kg.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 21 October 2003.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 20 October 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.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3100/03 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Commission's involvement in national campaigns.
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, European Commission, European Commissioner, duties of civil servants, election campaign, referendum

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/779

4. The Commission’s proposal for a Regulation concerning monitoring of forests and environmental
interactions in the Community (3), on which the Council has adopted the Common Position (EC)
No 46/2003 of 13 June 2003, is currently under its second reading. The Commission cannot make an
assessment about the ‘forest’ definition in the Forest Focus and the definitions of forest under the
proposed Greek Forestry Law.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(2) COM(2001) 162 final.
(3) OJ C 20 E, 28.1.2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0828)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3098/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Margot Wallström and the EMU campaign

Margot Wallström was heavily involved during the last weeks of the recently concluded EMU campaign in
Sweden.

Was the Commissioner on leave of absence from her normal duties at the Commission during this period?

(2004/C 78 E/0829)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3100/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Commission’s involvement in national campaigns

(20 October 2003)

The Commission’s administrative guide states that the Commission and its staff must be ‘courteous,
objective and impartial’ in their dealings with the general public.

With particular reference to the requirement of impartiality, what is the Commission’s practice with regard
to the involvement of Commissioners and/or its staff in national campaigns in the run-up to referendums
on EU- and EMU-related matters?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3098/03 and E-3100/03
given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 2003)

As the Commission has repeatedly pointed out in answers to written or oral questions from Members of
the European Parliament (1),
its members are political figures who exercise a political role within the
parameters of which they retain the right
to express their personal opinions freely on their own
responsibility.

The Code of Conduct for Commissioners states that ‘Commissioners may be active members of political
parties or trade unions provided this not compromise their availability for the service of the Commission.’

(1) See for example, the answers by President Prodi to Questions 2459/99, 2600/99 and 2628/99, OJ C 225 E,

8.8.2000, and answer by President Prodi to Question 2629/99, OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3154/03 by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission. Mobile telephone safety.
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer protection, electromagnetic interference, medical device, mobile phone, product safety

C 65 E/270

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

(2004/C 65 E/283)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3154/03

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Mobile telephone safety

Given the findings of recent studies which show that the new generation of mobile telephones can
interfere with many types of heart pacemaker, can the Commission detail what measures are being taken
to prevent harm to the health of EU citizens?

It would seem that newer pacemakers that are fitted with a ceramic filter are immune. Can the
Commission confirm that steps are being taken to introduce these models across the industry and to
ensure that the public are aware of the risks of using the old models?

Can the Commission also detail what information it has provided regarding the safety of using mobile
telephones in conjunction with a pacemaker since 1994?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 2003)

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

(2004/C 65 E/284)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3161/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Italian proposal for adapting Directive 97/24/EC to technical progress

In 2000, the Italian Government proposed that a procedure be launched for adapting Directive 97/24/
EC (1) to technical progress with the aim of introducing the separate type-approval of replacement catalysts.
This adaptation would enable all manufacturers of replacement catalytic converters to obtain type-approval
for their products. Three years have passed since this proposal was presented, and it is still with the
relevant departments at the Commission.

Could the Commission indicate what stage those departments have reached in their work, whether they
have set themselves a deadline for completion of the work and whether on adoption the draft directive will
take the form of a technical directive?

(1) OJ L 226, 18.8.1997, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2003)

The Commission is presently working on a very large package of amendments with respect to motorcycle
emissions through reference to Articles 5-8 of Directive 2002/51/EC (1) (amending Directive 97/24/EC (2)).
That package includes replacement catalytic converters and the Commission has worked closely with the
Italian authorities, other Member States and stakeholders on this specific issue.
Commission opinion of 20 October 2003 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the decommissioning of the Hinkley Point A Power Station located in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: United Kingdom, decommissioning of power stations, nuclear safety, radioactive effluent, radioactive pollution, radioactive waste, storage of waste

22.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 253/7

COMMISSION OPINION

of 20 October 2003

concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the decommissioning of the
Hinkley Point A Power Station located in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 37 of
the Euratom Treaty

(2003/C 253/06)

(Only the English text is authentic)

On 30 April 2003 the European Commission received from the Government of the United Kingdom, in
accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, General Data relating to the plan for the disposal of
radioactive waste arising from the decommissioning of the Hinkley Point A Power Station.

On the basis of these data and additional information provided by the Government of the United Kingdom
on 14 August 2003, and following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up
the following opinion:

(a) The distance between the plant and the nearest neighbour Member State,

in this case France,

is

approximately 180 km.

(b) During normal operation, discharges of liquid and gaseous effluent will not cause an exposure of the

population in other Member States that is significant from the point of view of health.

(c) Solid intermediate level radioactive wastes are stored at the site. Low level radioactive wastes and
irradiated fuel elements are stored at the site before being transported off-site for disposal or repro-
cessing in facilities within the United Kingdom. Non-radioactive solid waste or residual materials which
are released from regulatory control will be released for disposal as conventional waste or for reuse or
recycling, in all cases complying with the criteria laid down in the Basic Safety Standards (Directive
96/29/Euratom).

(d) In the event of unplanned discharges of radioactive waste, which may follow an accident of the type
and magnitude considered in the General Data, the doses likely to be received by the population in
other Member States would not be significant from the point of view of health.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of
radioactive waste in whatever form arising from the decommissioning of the Hinkley Point A Power
Station in the United Kingdom, both in normal operation and in the event of an accident of the type
and magnitude considered in the General Data,
is not liable to result in radioactive contamination,
significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3098/03 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Margot Wallström and the EMU campaign.
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, European Commission, European Commissioner, duties of civil servants, election campaign, referendum

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/779

4. The Commission’s proposal for a Regulation concerning monitoring of forests and environmental
interactions in the Community (3), on which the Council has adopted the Common Position (EC)
No 46/2003 of 13 June 2003, is currently under its second reading. The Commission cannot make an
assessment about the ‘forest’ definition in the Forest Focus and the definitions of forest under the
proposed Greek Forestry Law.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(2) COM(2001) 162 final.
(3) OJ C 20 E, 28.1.2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0828)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3098/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Margot Wallström and the EMU campaign

Margot Wallström was heavily involved during the last weeks of the recently concluded EMU campaign in
Sweden.

Was the Commissioner on leave of absence from her normal duties at the Commission during this period?

(2004/C 78 E/0829)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3100/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Commission’s involvement in national campaigns

(20 October 2003)

The Commission’s administrative guide states that the Commission and its staff must be ‘courteous,
objective and impartial’ in their dealings with the general public.

With particular reference to the requirement of impartiality, what is the Commission’s practice with regard
to the involvement of Commissioners and/or its staff in national campaigns in the run-up to referendums
on EU- and EMU-related matters?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3098/03 and E-3100/03
given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 2003)

As the Commission has repeatedly pointed out in answers to written or oral questions from Members of
the European Parliament (1),
its members are political figures who exercise a political role within the
parameters of which they retain the right
to express their personal opinions freely on their own
responsibility.

The Code of Conduct for Commissioners states that ‘Commissioners may be active members of political
parties or trade unions provided this not compromise their availability for the service of the Commission.’

(1) See for example, the answers by President Prodi to Questions 2459/99, 2600/99 and 2628/99, OJ C 225 E,

8.8.2000, and answer by President Prodi to Question 2629/99, OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001.
Commission opinion of 20 October 2003 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the dismantling of nuclear facilities including research reactors and hot cells at Risø National Laboratories on the island of Zealand in Denmark, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Denmark, decommissioning of power stations, nuclear safety, radioactive effluent, radioactive pollution, radioactive waste, storage of waste

22.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 253/9

COMMISSION OPINION

of 20 October 2003

concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the dismantling of nuclear
facilities including research reactors and hot cells at Risø National Laboratories on the island of
Zealand in Denmark, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(2003/C 253/08)

(Only the Danish text is authentic)

On 7 April 2003 the European Commission received from the Danish Government, in accordance with
Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, General Data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste
arising from the dismantling of nuclear facilities including research reactors and hot cells at Risø National
Laboratories.

On the basis of these data and additional information provided by the Danish Government on 3 July 2003,
and following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up the following
opinion:

(a) The distance between the installation and the nearest border with another Member State, which is

Sweden, is 63 km while Rügen in Germany is 137 km away.

(b) During normal operation, discharges of liquid and gaseous effluent will not cause an exposure of the

population in other Member States that is significant from the point of view of health.

(c) Solid radioactive waste arising from the treatment of waste will be stored in a facility on site and finally
removed to future sites in Denmark. Non-radioactive solid waste and materials which are released from
regulatory control subject to compliance with clearance levels will be released for disposal as conven-
tional waste or for recycling or reuse. This will be done in compliance with the criteria laid down in
the Basic Safety Standards (Directive 96/29/Euratom).

(d) In the event of unplanned discharges of radioactive waste, which may follow an accident of the type
and magnitude considered in the General Data, the doses likely to be received by the population in
other Member States would not be significant from the point of view of health.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of
radioactive waste in whatever form arising from the dismantling of nuclear facilities including research
reactors and hot cells at Risø National Laboratories on the island of Zealand in Denmark, both in normal
operation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the General Data, is not
liable to result in the radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water,
soil or airspace of another Member State.