do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

20.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 14/1

I

(Information)

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

19 January 2004

(2004/C 14/01)

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

1,2373

132,43

7,4483

0,6928

9,176

1,5701

86,19

8,6065

1,9555

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

0,58672

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

32,811

NZD

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

Exchange
rate

0,6648

0,429

4,724

40 985

237,6

40,78

1 675 170

1,6323

1,6108

9,6088

1,8768

2,114

264,60

KRW

South Korean won

1 466,45

3,4527

ZAR

South African rand

9,015

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
Notice to importers — Imports into the Community of products from Serbia and Montenegro
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Serbia and Montenegro, import, originating product, sugar, tariff preference

C 14/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

20.1.2004

NOTICE TO IMPORTERS

Imports into the Community of products from Serbia and Montenegro

(2004/C 14/02)

By a notice to importers published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 152 of 26 June
2002, p. 14, Community operators were informed that there was reasonable doubt as to the proper
application of the preferential arrangements for sugar of headings CN 1701 and CN 1702, which was
declared at import as originating in the countries of the western Balkans in order to benefit from
preferential tariff measures.

The preferential arrangements provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2000 for sugar of CN
codes 1701 and 1702 imported from Serbia and Montenegro were suspended for a period of three months
by Commission Regulation (EC) No 764/2003. Following the publication of a second notice to importers
in the Official Journal of the European Union C 177 of 26 July 2003, p. 2, the suspension of preferences for
sugar was extended for an additional period of six months, beginning 8 August 2003, by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 1343/2003.

The suspension measure was decided on the basis of findings that the administrative structure and legal
framework in force in Serbia and Montenegro did not allow the competent authorities of this beneficiary
country to properly verify the originating status of the products and to provide administrative co-operation
as required for the verification of evidence of origin.

The Commission recognises the important efforts made in the meantime by Serbia and Montenegro with a
view to remedying the identified loopholes and to ensuring compliance with the conditions imposed by
Community law for Serbia and Montenegro to benefit from the preferential arrangements.

However, until such compliance is ensured, there are doubts that products imported from Serbia and
Montenegro under the preferential arrangements are actually and properly subject to the verification of
their originating status as required by Community law.

Community operators presenting documentary evidence of origin with a view to securing preferential
treatment for all products imported from Serbia and Montenegro are therefore advised to take all the
necessary precautions, since the release of the goods in question for free circulation may give rise to a
customs debt.

This notice does not apply to Kosovo as defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244
of 10 June 1999. Kosovo is subject to international civil administration by the United Nations Mission in
Kosovo (UNMIK) which has established a separate customs administration.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 94/2004 of 20 January 2004 determining the world market price for unginned cotton
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: cotton, world market price

21.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 14/9

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 94/2004

of 20 January 2004

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 33,259/100 kg.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 21 January 2004.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 20 January 2004.

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-0048/04 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Location of the European fisheries monitoring agency in Galicia.
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU office or agency, Galicia, fishing controls, seat of institution

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/529

(2004/C 84 E/0604)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0048/04

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Location of the European fisheries monitoring agency in Galicia

At the most recent Council meeting held in Brussels under the Italian presidency, in the context of the
decisions on the location of various agencies, it was agreed to create a European fisheries monitoring
agency, to be located in the Spanish state.

Has it already been agreed to locate this agency in Vigo, as has been suggested in Galician government and
media circles?

Given that, according to some reports, the agency will not begin operations until 2005, what are the
current forecasts?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2004)

We welcome the decision of the Member States’ representatives, when they met at Head of State and
Government level at Brussels on 13 December, that a European Fisheries Control Agency will be set up
and located in Spain.

It appears that the Spanish Government wishes the agency to be located at Vigo in Galicia but we have no
official confirmation of this choice.

In March we shall be sending the Council and Parliament a proposal for a Regulation establishing the
Agency.

(2004/C 84 E/0605)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0056/04

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Mr Prodi’s statement on the need for each Member State or group of Member States to take the
initiative and move forward on the basis of reinforced cooperation if the draft constitution is not
adopted in the near future

Given that reinforced cooperation does not have the effect of strengthening the Union’s democratic
elements, since it marginalises the common institutions, while the EU needs to define the adoption of the
Constitution as proposed by the Convention as an overriding objective, can the Commission explain the
significance of President Prodi’s recent statement to ‘La Repubblica’ in which he apparently assumes that
the Intergovernmental Conference has failed and calls for initiatives for further progress on the basis of
reinforced cooperation to be put forward by a Member State or group of Member States?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

The Commission hopes that the work of the Intergovernmental Conference on the draft Constitution can
be concluded as soon as possible, and in any event before the end of 2004. Mr Prodi has warned the
general public that, if work on the Constitution ends in failure, there is a risk that a group of Member
States will wish to proceed with European integration outside the framework of the present Treaties.
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3323 — Cardinal Health/Intercare Group) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: economic concentration, exchange of information, merger control, pharmaceutical product

C 14/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

20.1.2004

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3315 — Investcorp Group/Hilding Anders AB)

(2004/C 14/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 17 December 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 303M3315. 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.3323 — Cardinal Health/Intercare Group)

(2004/C 14/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 16 December 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 303M3323. 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-0077/04 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Waste water treatment in Ireland.
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, infringement of EU law, wastewater, water treatment

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/759

The Commission will request further information from the Spanish Authorities in order to ensure that
European environmental legislation is properly applied.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora,

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for

Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(3) Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment, OJ L 175, 5.7.1985 as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997,
OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2004/C 84 E/0854)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0077/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Waste water treatment in Ireland

What response, if any, has the Commission received from the Irish Government in relation to the final
written warning it sent to the Irish Government in July (IP/03/1108) regarding the treatment of urban
waste water? What is the Commission’s attitude to the Irish Government’s response and what action is it
now taking or proposing to take in this matter?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2004)

The Commission notified a Reasoned Opinion to Ireland on 7 October 2002 with regard to Council
Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment (1). In 2003, Ireland sent
two responses to this Reasoned Opinion. These responses are still under consideration.

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991.

(2004/C 84 E/0855)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0080/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Rheumatism and Biomed programme

According to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), more than 50 % of Europe’s population
suffer, at one time or another, from an acute or chronic rheumatic disease. Has the Commission given
consideration to including the combating of rheumatic diseases as a theme under the Biomed programme
and if so, what conclusions has it come to?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2004)

The Commission’s commitment in rheumatic diseases research is evident in eight on-going projects related
to rheumatic diseases, financed with an EU financial contribution of more than EUR 11 million under the
5th Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development. The results of these projects are
expected from 2004 onwards.
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3297 — Norsk Hydro/Duke Energy) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: chemical product, economic concentration, electrical energy, exchange of information, merger control, metals, motor vehicle industry, oil industry

20.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 14/3

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3297 — Norsk Hydro/Duke Energy)

(2004/C 14/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 19 December 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 303M3297. 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.3312 — Nestlé/Ingman Foods)

(2004/C 14/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 17 December 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 303M3312. 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-0079/04 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Flight Times and Duty Limitations Proposal — COM(2002) 0030..
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: civil aviation, length of journey, proposal (EU), technical regulations, transport regulations

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/531

(2004/C 84 E/0607)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0079/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Flight Times and Duty Limitations Proposal (cid:1) COM(2002) 0030.

Could the Commission outline the Council’s reaction to its current proposal (1)
to update Council
Regulation 3922/91/EEC (2)? When does it envisage agreement on this proposal within Council? Does it
intend revising its proposal and if so, how?

(1) COM(2002) 0030, OJ C 227 E, 24.9.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 373, 31.12.1991, p. 4.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2004)

The Council has been unable to adopt the proposal, essentially because it is linked to a proposal for a
directive on the recognition of cabin crew qualifications. For that reason, and despite the Commission’s
efforts to overcome this position, which was expressed in December 2001, the dossier has remained
frozen. In a bid to resume work on the dossier, and taking account of the amendment Parliament adopted
in September 2002 on the limitation of flight time, which the Council did not wish to take into
consideration,
few days be putting forward a revised proposal
incorporating Parliament’s amendment.

the Commission will

in the next

(2004/C 84 E/0608)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0094/04

byAdriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(16 January 2004)

Subject: Reform of the COM in tobacco

On 18 November 2003 the Commission adopted a series of legislative proposals aimed at reforming the
COM in tobacco. The proposals entail dismantling the current COM and gradually eliminating any kind of
aid to tobacco production in Europe.

Since the elimination of aid will herald the end of tobacco production in Europe and thus the processing
industry will have no option but to obtain supplies from abroad, can the Commission say whether it
considers that:

(cid:1) the socio-economic problems caused in some areas of the European Union by the progressive
abandonment of this crop will be counterbalanced by tangible benefits in terms of combating
smoking;

(cid:1) it is illogical to eliminate tobacco production in Europe whilst failing to make provision for any form

of protection for imports of tobacco from abroad;

(cid:1) there is any point in eliminating tobacco production in Europe when the consumption of the product

continues to be lawful and there is strong demand on the market?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2004)

The proposal for a reform of the raw tobacco sector does not have as its aim to eliminate production of
tobacco in the Union as mentioned by the Honourable Member.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 89/2004 of 20 January 2004 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit, stone fruit

21.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 14/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 89/2004

of 20 January 2004

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 particu-
lar 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 Regu-
lation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 21 January 2004.

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

Done at Brussels, 20 January 2004.

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 14/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

21.1.2004

to the Commission Regulation of 20 January 2004 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 10 00

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 20 10

0805 20 30, 0805 20 50, 0805 20 70,
0805 20 90

0805 50 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
999

052
204
220
999

220
999

052
204
999

052
204
212
220
524
999

052
204
999

052
204
464
600
624
999

052
400
600
999

052
060
400
404
720
999

060
400
720
999

91,5
43,1
129,8
88,1

104,2
57,8
244,4
135,5

34,5
34,5

101,4
48,5
75,0

32,4
51,1
58,1
31,7
22,1
39,1

81,1
91,8
86,5

26,4
93,1
99,7
69,6
75,2
72,8

46,7
38,7
50,3
45,2

63,0
44,1
54,1
51,0
58,2
54,1

60,2
86,6
43,6
63,5

(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’.