WRITTEN QUESTION E-4004/03 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Disabled children in Russia.
Date: 2004-01-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Russia, child protection, cooperation policy, disabled person, integration of people with disabilities, social situation

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/165

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member’s attention to the efforts made during the
8.
transitional period to clarify the way that the Regulation applies to warranty schemes, and in particular to
the guidance given to all interested parties through an explanatory brochure (5) and a set of Frequently
Asked Questions (6).

Now that the transitional period is over, and the Regulation is bedding-in, the Commission will shift its
efforts towards more focused monitoring and enforcement. The Commission will also carry out an
assessment of the operation of the block exemption in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EC)
No 1400/2002.

(1) See the reply to question 38 in the Commission’s Explanatory Brochure for more explanation on this point.
(2) See Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1400/2002.
(3) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2790/1999 of 22 December 1999 on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty

to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices, OJ L 336, 29.12.1999.
(4) OFT report entitled ‘New car warranties (cid:1) Report of the market study’ (December 2003).
(5) See in particular Section 5.1.2.
(6) See the replies to questions 1 and 2. Both the Brochure and the FAQs are available on the Commission’s website at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/car_sector/distribution/

(2004/C 88 E/0173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4004/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(7 January 2004)

Subject: Disabled children in Russia

A number of my constituents have expressed much concern over the treatment of disabled children in
Russia.

Is the Commission aware of the lack of provisions for both physically and mentally disabled children in
Russia?

Could the Commission please indicate what measures, if any, it has taken so as to encourage Russia to
address this issue and improve this situation?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 2004)

The Commission has been working for several years via TACIS to improve the treatment of disabled
children in Russia. Examples of projects include ‘Partnership in health, education and social assistance’,
implemented as part of the 1999 TACIS Action Programme for Russia in cooperation with the Ministry of
Education, which has promoted the early detection of disabilities and the better treatment of Russian
children in several regions of Russia.

Further projects (cid:1) to be implemented with Russian institutions including the Russian Ministry of Labour
and Social Development (cid:1) are currently being prepared.

These projects aim, ‘inter alia’ , to:

(cid:1) improve existing legislation;

(cid:1) develop mechanisms of cooperation between different departments/agencies and organisations dealing

with disabled children;

(cid:1) develop programmes for the social inclusion of children with disabilities and provide support to their

families;

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Official Journal of the European Union

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8.4.2004

(cid:1) better train social workers, medical staff and teachers;

(cid:1) raise awareness of the rights of disabled children and their families,

the problems which they

experience and their contribution as valued members of society.

The Commission has also provided support to a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
charities, parents’ associations and religious organizations via its Civil Society Programme, with the aim of
promoting better understanding and treatment of disabled children. The Commission has every intention
of continuing its work in this important area.

(2004/C 88 E/0174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0012/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(16 January 2004)

Subject: EU-India Summit (cid:1) closer relations

The Fourth EU-India Summit, held in New Delhi on 29 November 2003, examined the development of
bilateral relations and discussed ways and means of strengthening them.

According to the Commission’s strategy paper on India of 10 September 2002 one of the priorities is
‘promoting cultural understanding’ (page 23), which will require cultural interaction on both sides and be a
reason for reactivating the EU-India Cross Cultural Programme.

In view of the subcontinent’s ethnic, social and cultural diversity, special attention should be devoted to the
variety of cultural links between its peoples and various EU Member States, which in themselves enhance
the mutual understanding which the Union wants to encourage, since they can help to create a closer
social, technical and economic relationship and cooperation.

We should bear in mind the special links between Portugal and the territories of Goa, Damão, Diu, Dadrá
and Nagar-Aveli, the outcome of more than 450 years of history, which in the interests of the desired
closer links between the European Union and India ought to be strengthened.

Can the Commission therefore say:

(cid:1) what steps it has taken or intends to take to encourage the study of Portuguese, the third European

world language, in that part of the world;

(cid:1) what measures it intends to propose to the Indian authorities with a view to strengthening and

improving a relationship which is long-established but restricted by distance;

(cid:1) in what ways it will try to make the Indian authorities aware of the issue and persuade them to

promote the strengthening of the region’s cultural and historical ties with the Union;

(cid:1) whether it will agree to grant new support for cultural projects devised by the governments of the
Member States, universities, NGOs, churches, etc., dealing specifically with enhancing, publicising,
restoring, rebuilding and preserving the shared cultural and historical heritage, and seek Indian
government support for such projects?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2004)

The fourth EU-India Summit held in Delhi on 29 November 2003 was an important event in enhancing
the relationship between both sides. The relationship has received a significant boost since the first Summit
held in Lisbon in June 2000 under the Portuguese Presidency.