Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 202
# Official Journal

Volume 38
### of the European Communities 7 August 1995

Volume 38

7 August 1995

###### English edition Information and Notices

Notice No Contents
Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

95 / C 202 / 01 E-64 / 95 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of the prescription requirements and time lags for veterinary drugs in the
European Union 1

95 / C 202 / 02 E-68 / 95 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Council
Subject : iMilitary aid by individual EU Member States to the Sudanese Government 2

95 / C 202 / 03 E-82 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Council
Subject : Multilateral surveillance of economic policies 2

95 / C 202 / 04 E-99 / 95 by Manuel Porto to the Council
Subject : Cost of newsprint 3

95 / C 202 / 05 E - 144 / 95 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Repatriation of corpses within the European Union 3

95 / C 202 / 06 E-428 / 95 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Intra-Community transfer of mortal remains 3

Joint answer to Written Questions E-144 / 95 and E-428 / 95 3

95 / C 202 / 07 E - 174 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Implementation of the White Paper 4

95 / C 202 / 08 E - 176 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Promotion of local employment initiatives and partnership with local authorities .... 4

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E - 19 1 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Economic cooperation between the countries of central and eastern Europe

E - 192 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Dialogue with the countries of eastern Europe

E - 195 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Euro-Atlantic Conference

E-l 96 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Accession to the Maastricht Treaty

E-204 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : European contribution to the eight major trans-European network schemes

E-205 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Financing of the gas pipeline scheme linking Russia and the European Union

Joint answer to Written Questions E-204 / 95 and E-205 / 95

E-206 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Participation of private funding in major infrastructure projects

E-209 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Research guidelines

E-211 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council

Subject : European supersonic aircraft priorities

E-215 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Coordination of the work of the stability pact and that of the WEU on stability

E-217 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Setting-up of an Atlantic anchovy observatory

E-221 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Summer-time and energy-saving

E-223 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Promoting European tourism in America and Asia

E-224 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : European Union's cultural policy

E-225 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Introduction of Finnish and Swedish as official languages

E-226 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Enlargement and regional policy

E-232 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Community developers

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95 / C 202 / 26 E-234 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Industrial policy 11

95 / C 202 / 27 E-235 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Minimum prices for haematite pig iron 12

95 / C 202 / 28 E-236 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Fisheries policy and trade policy 12

95 / C 202 / 29 E-237 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Industrial policy 13

95 / C 202 / 30 E-238 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Action to relaunch cabotage 13

95 / C 202 / 31 E-239 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Regional partnership and the Community 's overall development plans 13

95 / C 202 / 32 E-240 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Community regional planning policy 13

Joint answer to Written Questions E-239 / 95 and E-240 / 95 13

95 / C 202 / 33 E-241 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Forestry policy 14

95 / C 202 / 34 E-266 / 95 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Council
Subject : Press release of the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting of 30 November and
1 December 1994 14

95 / C 202 / 35 E-275 / 95 by Luigi Florio, Gian Boniperti, Aldo Arroni and Riccardo Garosci to the
Council

Subject : Violence against street children in Guatemala 15

95 / C 202 / 36 E-278 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Recognized Turkish political refugee forced into hiding ( Supplementary answer ) .... 15

95 / C 202 / 37 E-287 / 95 by Jan Bertens to the Council
Subject : Missing people in Cyprus 16

95 / C 202 / 38 E-383 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Public health / tourism problems in the island of Symi 16

95 / C 202 / 39 E-393 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : The island of Symi and the second Community Support Framework 17

95 / C 202 / 40 E-433 / 95 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Eligibility for the aid scheme for small-scale investment in the border area under
Interreg II 17

95 / C 202 / 41 E-450 / 95 by Wayne David to the Council
Subject : Human rights and arms export control procedures 18

95 / C 202 / 42 E-451 / 95 by Wayne David to the Council
Subject : Drift nets 18

EN

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P-475 / 95 by Susan Waddington to the Commission
Subject : Incineration of waste-derived product ' Cemfuel '

E-483 / 95 by Giles Chichester to the Commission
Subject : Implementation and enforcement of common fisheries policy

E-509 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Competitiveness of agriculture and management of agricultural resources

E-5 13 / 95 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Food distribution for the poor

E-549 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Scanzo muscatel

E - 556 / 95 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Shipments of nuclear waste

E-569 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : European cane sugar

E-590 / 95 by Wolfgang Nußbaumer to the Commission
Subject : Austrian motor vehicle accessories and equipment industry : authorization of back-to-back
transactions with Japan

E-601 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Putting an end to the ' bonito war ' by banning the use of drift nets

E-737 / 95 by Doeke Eisma to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the Directive on the conservation of natural habitats

E-752 / 95 by Jose Barros Moura to the Commission

Subject : Disadvantaged agricultural areas — Revinhade Felgueiras

E-757 / 95 by Holger Gustafsson to the Commission
Subject : Unsatisfactory EU protective measures for the transport and treatment of animals for
slaughter

E-777 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Regional planning

E-783 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Regional partnership arrangements and plan for land use in the Community

Joint answer to Written Questions E-777 / 95 and E-783 / 95

E-805 / 95 by Mikko Rönnholm, Saara-Maria Paakkinen, Ulpu Iivari and Riitta Myller to
the Commission

Subject : Raising the age limit for youth unemployment to 25

E-809 / 95 by Giulio Fantuzzi to the Commission
Subject : Compatibility of self-certification rules for milk producers with Community rules . . .

E-8 14 / 95 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission
Subject : Documentation on RTD programmes

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95 / C 202 / 60 E-846 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Harness racing in Krombeke and Sint-Eloois Winkel ( Belgium ) 27

95 / C 202 / 61 E-851 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Support for scientific and technical policy 27

95 / C 202 / 62 E-854 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject : Avicenne programme 28

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E-862 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Pollution caused by industrial waste no longer subject to criminal proceedings 28

E-866 / 95 by Joan Vallve to the Commission
Subject : Inclusion of apricots in the list of Mediterranean products 29

E-867 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Allocation to Luxembourg under the Pesca programme 29

E-875 / 95 by Phillip Whitehead to the Commission
Subject : Conservation of natural habitats, flora and fauna 30

E-881 / 95 by Carmen Fraga Estevez to the Commission
Subject : Council Agreement of 22 December 1994 concerning the management of fishing effort
with regard to specific Community fishing zones and resources 30

95 / C 202 / 68 E-901 / 95 by Francisca Sauquillo Perez del Arco to the Commission
Subject : Equal treatment for women 30

95 / C 202 / 69

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EN

E-9 10 / 95 by Christian Jacob to the Commission
Subject : Community production of asparagus and competition from third countries 31

E-912 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Measures to assist the regional press 31

E-915 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Atlantic monitoring unit for anchovy 32

E-941 / 95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission

Subject : Adapt programme 32

E-974 / 95 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Commission
Subject : Cooperation in the fields of justice and home affairs 33

E-984 / 95 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Recruitment of staff to the European institutions 34

P - 1004 / 95 by Christian Jacob to the Commission
Subject : Provisions concerning compensatory payments 34

E-l 005 / 95 by Friedrich Wolf to the Commission
Subject : Contracts awarded by the Commission information office in Bonn 35

E-1033 / 95 by Mair Morgan to the Commission
Subject : Pension deductions 35

E-l 048 / 95 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission
Subject : Peace process in Northern Ireland 36

( Continued overleaf )

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95 / C 202 / 79 P-l 052 / 95 by Erika Mann to the Commission
Subject : Information concerning the amount of aid received by Lower Saxony in 1994 36

95 / C 202 / 80 E - 1062 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Fisheries inspection 37

95 / C 202 / 81 E-1086 / 95 by Kirsten Jensen to the Commission
Subject : Cross-border transport of bicycles 37

95 / C 202 / 82 E - 1087 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler to the Commission
Subject :. EC aid to development projects in Paraguay 38

95 / C 202 / 83 E-l 092 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler to the Commission
Subject : European ban on anti-Semitic writings denying the holocaust 38

95 / C 202 / 84 P-l 116 / 95 by Wayne David to the Commission
Subject : Use of Phare funds in Romania 39

95 / C 202 / 85 E-l 119 / 95 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Drug-related deaths 40

95 / C 202 / 86 E-l 125 / 95 by Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject : EU development funding to Central America 40

95 / C 202 / 87 E-l 133 / 95 by Doeke Eisma to the Commission
Subject : Commission action in response to the oil disaster in the Komi Republic in October

1994 41

95 / C 202 / 88 P-l 140 / 95 by Andre Laignel to the Commission
Subject : Agriculture : upgrading of the compensatory payment for protein crops 41

95 / C 202 / 89 P-l 141 / 95 by Michael Tappin to the Commission
Subject : Imposition of certification schema on ceramic tiles produced in the EU for export to
Poland 42

95 / C 202 / 90 P-l 187 / 95 by Livio Filippi to the Commission
Subject : EU ceramic tile exports to Poland 43

95 / C 202 / 91 E-l 197 / 95 by Jose García-Margallo y Marfil to the Commission
Subject : EU exports of ceramics to Poland 43

Joint answer to Written Questions P                   - 1 141 / 95, P-1187 / 95 and E-l 197 / 95 43

95 / C 202 / 92 P-l 143 / 95 by Antoine-François Bernardini to the Commission
Subject : Postal services 44

95 / C 202 / 93 P-l 145 / 95 by Raymond Chesa to the Commission
Subject : Adjustment of the Regulation on high-protein products in the CAP 44

95 / C 202 / 94 E-l 150 / 95 by Gerhard Botz to the Commission
Subject : Fostering of contacts between citizens of the EU and the countries of central and eastern
Europe 45

95 / C 202 / 95 P-l 161 / 95 by Christian Jacob to the Commission
Subject : Agricultural insurance : State aid for insurance 46

EN

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95 / C 202 / 96 P - 1171 / 95 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz to the Commission
Subject : Failure to provide an EIA for the construction of the A 250 motorway in Germany 46

95 / C 202 / 97 E-l 183 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Using new technologies in tele-learning and distance learning 47

95 / C 202 / 98 E-l 184 / 95 by Gerard Caudron to the Commission
Subject : Protein crop Regulation 48

95 / C 202 / 99 P-1204 / 95 by Lilli Gyldenkilde to the Commission
Subject : Thermie II 48

95 / C 202 / 100 E-1206 / 95 by Lilli Gyldenkilde to the Commission
Subject : Thermie II 49

95 / C 202 / 101 P-1222 / 95 by Yvan Blot to the Commission
Subject : Compensatory payments in respect of protein seeds 49

95 / C 202 / 102 E - 1252 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Adjustment of provisions with regard to the market in high-protein products 49

95 / C 202 / 103 E-12 65 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : European aid to ensure minimum living conditions for Guatemalan refugees 50

95 / C 202 / 104 E-l 266 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Essential products and medical aid to the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka 50

95 / C 202 / 105 E-1267 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Aid to Cuban population affected by cyclone Gordon 51

95 / C 202 / 106 E-1268 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Aid to El Salvador 51

95 / C 202 / 107 E-1276 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : 1994 annual report of the European Community Humanitarian Office 51

95 / C 202 / 108 E-1280 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Arms to Indonesia 52

95 / C 202 / 109 E-1283 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Street-children in Honduras 52

95 / C 202 / 110 E-l 320 / 95 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens to the Commission
Subject : Erasmus scholarships 53

95 / C 202 / 111 E-1335 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Eligibility criteria for the award of Erasmus Socrates grants to higher education
establishments 53

95 / C 202 / 112 E-1336 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Eligibility criteria for the award of Erasmus / Socrates grants to higher education
establishments 53

EN

( Continued overleaf )

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95 / C 202 / 113 E-1468 / 95 by Anne Andre-Leonard to the Commission
Subject : Grants under the Socrates programme 54

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1320 / 95, E-1335 / 95, E-1336 / 95 and
E-1468 / 95 54

95 / C 202 / 114 E-1356 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Competitiveness of agriculture and management of agricultural resources 54

95 / C 202 / 115 P-1368 / 95 by Angela Kokkola to the Commission
Subject : The UN Conference in Peking in September 1995 55

95 / C 202 / 116 P-1369 / 95 by Jiirgen Schroder to the Commission
Subject : Trans-frontier measures between Germany and the Czech Republic and between Germany
and Poland 55

95 / C 202 / 117 E-1374 / 95 by Francisco Lucas Pires to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact of the Spanish national water-management scheme 56

95 / C 202 / 118 E-1425 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Evaluation of the radiation protection programme 56

95 / C 202 / 119 P-1431 / 95 by Helena Torres Marques to the Commission
Subject : Tourism as a European Union common policy 57

95 / C 202 / 120 E-1443 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Proposed PA Nam project in Tibet 57

95 / C 202 / 121 E-1694 / 95 by Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Adjustment in compensatory payments for protein crops 58

95 / C 202 / 122 E - 1695 / 95 by Jack Lang to the Commission
Subject : The protein crop Regulation 58

EN

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-64 / 95

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 01 )

Subject : Harmonization of the prescription requirements

and time lags for veterinary drugs in the European
Union

Because of the dismantling of the internal borders on

1 January 1993 and differences in national legislation on
prescription requirements, individual Member States are no
longer able adequately to monitor the different marketing
channels for veterinary drugs . This situation is aggravated
by the existence of different rules governing time lags in the
individual Member States .

This naturally distorts competition and provides many
opportunities for abuse, thereby jeopardizing public health
and consumer protection .

Does the Commission intend to submit a proposal for
harmonizing the prescription requirements and the time lags
for veterinary drugs in the European Union ?

If so, when will this take place ? What preliminary measures
have so far been taken in this connection ?

Does the Commission agree that swift action is necessary if
abuse is to be prevented ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1 995 )

Directive 81 / 851 / EEC ( ] ), as amended by Directive
90 / 676 / EEC ( 2 ), introduced rules to harmonize the principal

aspects of the marketing of veterinary medicinal products
with a view, in particular, to protecting the health of
consumers of products of animal origin .

For example, it imposed obligations to ensure that only
qualified and authorized persons may operate as wholesale
and retail traders in this sector and that transactions in

medicinal products for livestock intended for human
consumption are duly recorded .

The Directive also stipulates that certain categories of
medicinal products may be supplied on prescription only .
These minimum rules ensure broad alignment of the
decisions taken at national level on administration of

veterinary medicinal products . In January 1993 the
Commission started broad consultations in response to
certain Member States ' fears that completion of the internal
market would make it more difficult for the national

authorities to demand a prescription for certain categories
of products if animal owners could obtain them without a
prescription in a neighbouring Member State . However, the
Commission decided, on the basis of the outcome of these
consultations, that the problem was not great enough to
warrant action by the Community at the moment .

To protect consumers, Directive 81 / 851 / EEC requires a
withdrawal period to be set between administration of the
final dose of the veterinary medicinal product and the sale of
the meat or other products derived from the same animal for
consumption . This withdrawal period must be indicated on
the labelling and package inserts for the veterinary
medicinal product in question . Hitherto, it has been left to
the national authorities to decide whether to authorize

marketing of a given medicinal product and they have
sometimes set different withdrawal periods . The new
marketing authorization system introduced on 1 January

1995 should gradually lead to closer coordination of the
national decisions taken in the decentralized procedure . In
the case of the centralized procedure, the Commission
Decisions granting marketing authorization are valid

No C 202 / 2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

throughout the Community and will indicate the
withdrawal period to be observed .

(') OJ No L 317, 6 . 11 . 1981 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 373, 31 . 12 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-68 / 95

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

to the Council

( 30 January 1995 )

Article 2 of the abovementioned Decision provides for
Member States to take the necessary steps to ensure that the
embargo is applicable from 16 March 1994 .

Information is being collected in the Working Party on
Conventional Arms Exports, in close liaison with the
geographical working parties, on implementation by the
Member States of embargoes decided on by the Union .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-82 / 95

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Council
( 95 / C 202 / 02 )

(3 February 1995 )

Subject : Military aid by individual EU Member States to the

Sudanese Government

How does the Council view the fact that individual Member

States are providing the Sudanese Gouvernment with
military aid ( notably in the form of training for Sudanese
police officers and security equipment for the Sudanese
Government ) in its struggle against the resistance
movement, although the European Union imposed an arms
embargo on the Sudan on 15 March 1994 ?

What measures does the Council intend to introduce so as to

reestablish a common standpoint of the Member States of
the EU in this area of foreign and security policy ?

(9 SIC 202 / 03 )

Subject : Multilateral surveillance of economic policies

In 1992 the Council began six-monthly multilateral
surveillance activities with a view to promoting an
independent coordination of economic policies within the
Community ( pursuant to Decision 90 / 141 / EEC (')). In the
light of two years ' experience, what assessment can the
Council give to the citizens regarding this European Union
action designed to ' discipline the Governments '?

(') OJ No L 78, 24 . 3 . 1990, p . 23 .

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )
Answer

( 26 June 1995 )
The Council attaches the greatest importance to the
fulfilment of the obligations laid down by Article 103 ( 3 ) of

considered the case of Sudan at their the Treaty referring to the multilateral surveillance . The
. They deplored the regime 's lack of purpose of this exercise of monitoring economic
rights situation, which remains developments is to ensure closer coordination of economic

policies and sustained convergence of the economic
performances of the Member States along with the process
towards Economic and Monetary Union .

The experts on Africa considered the case of Sudan at their
meeting on 13 February . They deplored the regime 's lack of
openness and the human rights situation, which remains
bad .

The EU supports the move by the ' Friends of the Igadd ',
which is attempting to restart the peace initiative in
Sudan .

In addition, as the Honourable Member points out, the
European Union adopted a common position on the basis of
Article J. 2 of the Treaty on European Union concerning the
imposition of an embargo on arms, munitions and military
equipment on Sudan . That Decision specifies the equipment
covered by the embargo .

The Treaty on European Union states that ' Member States
shall support the Union 's external and security policy
actively and unreservedly in a spirit of loyalty and mutual
solidarity . They shall refrain from any action which is
contrary to the interests of the Union or likely to impair its
effectiveness as a cohesive force in international relations .

The Council shall ensure that these principles are complied
with .'

In this framework, an overall assessment is regularly carried
out on the consistency of the economic policies being
followed by Member States with the broad guidelines set out
by the Council .

Accordingly, the Council reviewed in December 1994 the
progreess made in the implementation of the Broad
Economic Policy Guidelines adopted in December 1993 and
July 1 994 . It took note with satisfaction that in the course of

1994 economic prospects have significantly improved and
that progress has been made in implementing the agreed
policies .

The outcome of this review was reported by the President of
the Council to the European Parliament, in accordance with
the provisions of Article 103 ( 4 ) of the Treaty .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION E-99 / 95

by Manuel Porto ( ELDR )

to the Council

(3 February 1995 )

Would the Commission be prepared to investigate these
possibilities upon the presentation of evidence ?

( 95 / C 20.2 / 04 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-428 / 95

by Ian White ( PSE )

Subject : Cost of newsprint

In recent months, the cost of printing paper has seen an
unexpected and considerable increase of approximately
30% .

In view of its significance with regard to the cost of
publications, accounting for 20 to 25 % of the total cost, an
irreplaceable medium for the dissemination of information
and culture is being penalized, to the importance of which I
attempted to draw attention in my report for the European
Parliament in April 1994 ( A3-282 / 94 ). Moreover, the high
postal charges in some countries make distribution
particularly difficult .

Given that such important interests are at stake in the case of
the printed media, which must not be allowed to be placed at
a disadvantage with regard to the audio-visual media . I
would like to ask the Commission and the Council whether

this price increase is not the result of concerted practices
contrary to the EC Treaty ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

It is the Commission 's responsibility to ensure that
Community rules on competition are properly applied and
to take any measures necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-144 / 95

by Ian White ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 05 )

Subject : Repatriation of corpses within the European

Union

It would appear that there is no standard procedure within
the European Union for the repatriation of corpses from one
Member State to another . This inevitably adds to the
distress of the bereaved during a very difficult period .

Are there any proposals being considered by the
Commission for :

1 . The possibility of a standard procedure to be accepted

by all Member States for this purpose ;

2 . A European death certificate .

to the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 06 )

Subject : Intra-Community transfer of mortal remains

What position has been reached in the preparatory work for
the draft Directive on intra-Community transfer of mortal
remains ? Why has no progress seemingly been made since
January 1993 ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-144 / 95 and E-428 / 95

given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 April 1995 )

The international transfer of mortal remains is currently
regulated, at the European level, by the International
Agreement of Berlin of 1937 ( No 4391 League of the
Nations Treaty Series ), and by the Convention of
Strasbourg of 1973 ( adopted by the Council of Europe ).
Not all the Member States are parties to the
abovementioned agreements .

The Commission has examined in depth the desirability and
feasibility of putting forward proposals for the
harmonization of conditions attached to the transfer of

mortal remains within the Community . In this examination
the Commission was assisted by national experts appointed
by Member States and consulted health experts and
associations of undertakers .

Although national rules diverge, they all pursue the same
aims, in particular the protection of public health . In view of
the relatively limited number of cases of transfers of mortal
remains between Member States, the Commission is not
convinced that detailed harmonization of national rules in

such a sensitive area is desirable or necessary . Very few
complaints about difficulties in effecting such transfers have
been addressed to the Commission in the past .

The Commission therefore considers that legislative
harmonization would not be justified from the point of view
of subsidiarity and proportionality .

No C 202 / 4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 74 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 07 )

Subject : Implementation of the White Paper

How does the Council intend to implement the
Commission 's White Paper in which it has already expressed
interest, with particular reference to training, reduction of
employment charges, organization of working hours and
removal of the red tape that is strangulating the labour
market ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

It is therefore for Member States ' Governments to enter into

appropriate contacts with their local authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 9 1 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 09 )

Subject : Economic cooperation between the countries of

central and eastern Europe

How does the Council intend to encourage the countries of
central and eastern Europe to cooperate with one another in
economic affairs ?

The Council will examine any proposal which the
Commission submits to it in the areas referred to by the
Honourable Member . Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 76 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 08 )

Subject : Promotion of local employment initiatives and

partnership with local authorities

How does the Council intend to esolve the contradiction

between its desire to promote local employment initiatives,
as expressed at the Essen summit, and its refusal to
communicate directly with local authorities ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

The Essen European Council recommended inter alia
increasing ' the employment-intensiveness of growth ' by
promoting initiatives, particularly at regional and local
level, that create jobs which take account of new
requirements, e.g. in the environmental and social-services
sphere .

In that context, it called upon the Member States to
transpose its recommendations in their individual policies
into a multiannual programme having regard to the specific
features of their economic and social situation .

The Council is aware of the importance of encouraging the
countries of central and eastern Europe to cooperate
amongst themselves, especially in the economic field . Such
close economic cooperation between the CCEE cannot but
contribute to the process of opening up their economies and
therefore develop their capacity to cope with competitive
pressure and market forces . This will help the associated
countries to take on the obligations of membership of the
Union .

In the context of the accession preparation strategy adopted
in Essen, the European Council encouraged the associated
countries to expand the bilateral free trade relationship they
each have with the Union to their relations with one

another . In that connection, the efforts made to create a
central Europe free trade area are on the right lines .

In order to continue promoting interregional cooperation
which will contribute to the achievement of the Stability
Pact, the Union will launch a new initiative to encourage
trade, involving support for the introduction of modern
commercial legislation and the transfer of know-how

( promotion of exports, dissemination of standards,
technical assistance for the development of the export
insurance and guarantee system ).

In addition, a programme for regional cooperation and
good-neighbourly relations will be prepared in order to
encourage multiannual, multilateral cooperation in land
and sea frontier regions in fields such as transport, public
services, the environment, economic development, human
resources and agriculture . The programme will also
incorporate the inter-CCEE dimension .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 5

Lastly, a programme will be prepared to eliminate delays at WRITTEN QUESTION E-195 / 95
frontiers . by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

At this stage a total of ECU 610 million ( 1995 — 1999 ) has
been committed for assistance through Phare for the above
initiative and programmes, ECU 260 million of which are
earmarked for 1995 .

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 11 )

Subject : Euro-Atlantic Conference

The Council is planning to hold a Euro-Mediterranean
conference in 1995 bringing together all the countries of the
Union and all the countries bordering on the
WRITTEN QUESTION E - 192 / 95 Mediterranean . Is it planning to hold a Euro-Atlantic
conference of the same type ?

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 10 )
Answer

( 22 lune 1995 )

Subject : Dialogue with the countries of eastern Europe

What measures does the Council intend to take, in order to
maintain a permanent dialogue with the countries of eastern
Europe, with the aim of involving them in the Union 's
decisions ?

The nature and history of relations between the European
Union and the countries bordering on the Mediterranean on
the one hand and the United States and Canada on the other

hand have been such that the framework for those relations

is different .

As regards Euro-Atlantic relations, the European Union
signed ' transatlantic ' declarations with Canada on
Answer 22 November 1990 and with the United States on

( 22 lune 1995 ) 23 November 1990 .

The strategy of preparation of the associated countries of
central and eastern Europe for accession which was adopted
by the Essen European Council is being politically
implemented by the creation between the associated States
and the institutions of the European Union of ' structured '
relations which encourage mutual trust and will provide a
framework for addressing topics of common interest .

In this context — and without prejudice to the bilateral
dialogue in the association councils — the multilateral
dialogue is of prime importance, as the strategy has made it
possible to lay down the framework and practical
procedures for that dialogue .

Furthermore, the multilateral political dialogue with the
associated countries is strengthened and enlarged to all
levels within the framework of the common foreign and
security policy by thus providing those countries with the
opportunity to come into line with certain CFSP measures of
the Union and statements, demarches and joint actions .

Those declarations laid the foundations for broadening
relations between the parties by extending transatlantic
cooperation to the political, economic, scientific and
cultural spheres . Furthermore, they establish an
institutional framework for consultations, providing for
regular meetings at several levels ( Heads of State and
Government, Ministers, political directors, experts ).

The last Summit meetings with Canada and the United
States were held in July 1994 in Bonn and Berlin
respectively . Very recently, at the end of January 1995, the
President of the Council, Mr Alain Juppe, and the
Vice-President of the Commission, Sir Leon Brittan, visited
Washington in the context of that political dialogue .

Given the proper functioning of that framework for
relations and the importance which the parties concerned
would attach to a specific dialogue, the Council does not at
this stage envisage holding a Euro-Atlantic Conference with
Canada and the United States as referred to by the
Honourable Member .

No C 202 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 96 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-204 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 12 )

Subject : Accession to the Maastricht Treaty

Parliament would like confirmation from the Council that

the future accession of the eastern European countries to the
Union will take place on the basis of the renegotiated Treaty
of 1996 .

Can the Council provide this assurance ?

Answer

( 22 lune 1995 )

The Honourable Member is kindly requested to refer in
particular to the following passages of the text of the overall
strategy to prepare for the accession of the associated
countries of central and eastern Europe adopted by the
Essen European Council :

' The European Council meeting of Copenhagen in June
1993 agreed that the associated countries in central and
eastern Europe that so desire shall become members of
the European Union . Accession will take place as soon as
the associated country is able to assume the obligations
of membership by satisfying the economic and political
conditions required as set out in the conclusions of that
meeting . The Union 's capacity to absorb new members,
while maintaining the momentum of European
integration and respecting its internal cohesion and its
fundamental principles is also an important
consideration in the general interest of both the Union
and the candidate countries .

The associated countries have made remarkable progress
on the road to political and economic reform .
Consistency in this reform course is the key to successful
integration into the EU .

The associated countries need to prepare for
membership and to strengthen their capacity to assume
the responsibilities of a Member State . On the European
Union side, the institutional conditions for ensuring the
proper functioning of the Union must be created at the

1996 Intergovernmental Conference, which for that
reason must take place before accession negotiations
begin . In addition, the Council wishes to have at its
disposal a detailed analysis carried out by the
Commission on the impact of enlargement in the context
of the current policies of the Union and their
development .'

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 13 )

Subject : European contribution to the eight major
trans-European network schemes

The Essen European Council welcomed the major step
taken towards establishing trans-European networks
reaching beyond the Union . Can the Council give details of
the total cost and the European contribution envisaged for
each of the eight major schemes adopted for central and
eastern Europe ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-205 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 14 )

Subject : Financing of the gas pipeline scheme linking Russia

and the European Union

The Essen European Council put forward ten major energy
schemes, including a gas pipeline linking Russia and the
European Union via Belarus and Poland . How does the
Council intend to finance this scheme ?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-204 / 95 and E-205 / 95

( 22 June 1995 )

The gas pipeline scheme to which the Honourable Member
refers has been included on the list of priority projects in the
energy sector in the context in particular of a comprehensive
approach to gas supply in the European Union .

This project is, however, still at the preliminary study stage .
In general, the Council is also examining a proposal for a
Council Decision laying down a series of measures aimed at
creating a more favourable context for the development of
trans-European networks in the energy sector ( l ) which
provides for the possibility of Community financial support
for feasibility studies on such projects of common
interest .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 7

The Council considers that adoption of the project should WRITTEN QUESTION E-209 / 95
also promote broad diversification of the nature and sources by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )
of funding which would subsequently be necessary for to the Council
carrying it through .

( 22 February 1995 )

(») OJ No C 72, 10 . 3 . 1994, p . 15 . ( 95 / C 202 / 16 )

Subject : Research guidelines

What industrial perspectives has the Council adopted to
guide the research activities provided for in the new
WRITTEN QUESTION E-206 / 95 framework programme ?

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

Answer
( 22 February 1995 )

( 22 June 1995 )
( 95 / C 202 / 15 )

Subject : Participation of private funding in major
infrastructure projects

To ensure that the funding needed for major trans-European
transport projects does not jeopardize the convergence
criteria laid down in the Maastricht Treaty, the Union is
attempting to attract supplementary private funding . What
measures will the Council take to attract such private
funding ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

The Council intends to encourage the private financing of
the trans-European networks by strengthening the
credibility of the launching of the priority projects agreed

upon at the European Council in Essen .

The Council accordingly hopes that the Regulation laying
down general rules for the granting of Community financial
aid for trans-European networks and the Community
guidelines under discussion within the Council and the
European Parliament will soon be finalized .

Under the same strategy of mobilizing private capital, the
Council welcomes the EIB 's decision to facilitate the

financing of trans-European networks projects through a
special window .

Article 130f of the EC Treaty lays down the general
objectives which the Community 's R&D policy has to
follow, in particular strengthening the scientific and
technological bases of Community industry and promotion
of its competitiveness at international level .

The Commission 's White Paper on Growth,
Competitiveness and Employment recognizes that research
and technological development ( R&D ) can contribute to
the economic growth of the Community, to strengthening
the competitiveness of its industry at international level and
to stimulating employment . Prerequisites for the attainment
of these objectives are an appropriate level of funding, a
number of research projects and an efficient mechanism for
disseminating results .

The role of small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) and
the importance of the transfer of technology and
coordination of national efforts must be emphasized .

The above principles and objectives are all embodied in the
Fourth Community R&D Framework Programme

( 1994 — 1998 ) and have been incorporated in the specific
programmes adopted for the implementation of the
Framework Programme . Measures to increase the
participation of SMEs, mechanisms for the coordination of
national research work ( integrated research project
consortia ) and specific measures for dissemination of the
results have been provided for in almost all the specific
programmes . A specific programme for the dissemination
and optimization of the results of research activities was
accordingly approved { Council Decision 94 / 917 / EC ) (').

The new requirements and subjects identified in the White
Paper as strategic for the economic growth of the
Community and for the competitiveness of its industry, such
as the environment, biotechnology, health and
telecommunications have all formed the subject of specific
research programmes .

It invited should Member also be noted States that and the the European Commission Council to take in Essen all as the environment,

telecommunications have all

appropriate initiatives to eliminate obstacles of an research programmes .
administrative and legal nature to the implementation of
priority projects .
(') OJ No L 361, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

No C 202 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-211 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 17 )

minimize the impact on the environment . Coordination and
assessment of the results of research into generic
technologies is also provided for with a view to contributing
to the definition of technical and operational solutions
tailored to European needs .

I 1 ) OJ No L 126, 18 . 5 . 1994, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 222, 26 . 8 . 1994 .
(>) OJ No L 361, 31 . 12 . 1994 .
Subject : European supersonic aircraft priorities

Will the Council make supersonic aircraft a priority for

European research, in particular by launching a specific
programme as the US already has ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-215 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

Aeronautical research is covered in two specific RTD
programmes adopted under the Fourth Framework
Programme ( Decision No 1110 / 94 / CEE of the European
Parliament and the Council ) ('), viz :

( a ) the specific programme for research and technological
development, including demonstration, in the field of
industrial and materials technologies ( Council Decision
94 / 5 71 / EEC ) ( 2 );

( b ) the specific programme for research and technological

development, including demonstration, in the field of
transport ( Council Decision 94 / 914 / EC ) ( 3 ).

It will be recalled that the principles underlying the Fourth
Framework RTD Programme advocate that Community
research should be pre-competitive, generic and
multi-sectoral .

In line with above approach, the programme on industrial
and materials technologies lays special emphasis on
aeronautics research to reflect the essential advanced

technology requirements of that industry and its capability
for proving the feasibility of advanced generic technologies,
which will then be spun off to other transport or industrial
sectors . It is not therefore directed towards the development
of a specific type of aircraft .

It is specified that aeronautics research will relate to
advanced technologies, notably as regards environmental
protection and the reduction of energy consumption .
Measures will be geared to improving safety, increasing the
capacity and profitability of air transport and facilitating the
production, operation, reliability and maintenance of future
generations of aircraft .

The purpose of research under the research programme on
transport is to define the objectives of European interest
with regard to air traffic problems, improve safety and

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 18 )

Subject : Coordination of the work of the stability pact and

that of the WEU on stability

How will the Council ensure the necessary consistency
between the stability pact proposed by the French
Government and the white paper on security in Europe
commissioned from the WEU ?

Answer

( 26 lune 1995 )

1 . The Pact on Stability in Europe is an exercise in
preventive diplomacy, an initiative launched by France,
which became a European Union Joint Action . It is aimed at
promoting good-neighbourly relations between the central
and east European countries qualified for accession to the
European Union, by encouraging the conclusion between
them of bilateral agreements, in particular on issues relating
to borders and minorities and on regional cooperation .

The Pact, which was adopted at the Final Conference in
Paris on 20 and 21 March 1995, lists the agreements which
have been concluded and has been entrusted to the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

( OSCE ), which will follow its implementation in accordance
with its own procedures .

The European Union also provides support for the
implementation of those agreements by funding specific
projects which contribute to achieving the Pact 's
objectives .

The Union considers that, by reason of its objectives and
regional approach, the Stability Pact is destined to make a
significant and original contribution to Europe 's security .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 9

2 . The WEU proceedings aimed at preparing a White
Paper on security in Europe are a joint study exercise on the
new security conditions in Europe . This exercise brings
together under WEU auspices the Member States of the
European Union, the associated central and east European
countries and the European members of the Atlantic
Alliance, i.e. 27 countries in all . The European Union will
take an active part in this exercise and will contribute to the
discussions, which are designed, in particular, to analyze
together with all full members, associate members,
observers and associate partners the security issues affecting
all these countries in the new situation in Europe, with aim
of strengthening the security and stability of the whole
continent in Europe . This study exercise has just started .
From January to June 1995 it is being conducted under the
Portuguese Presidency of the WEU ( analysis of risks and
challenges ) and will continue, from July to December 1995,
under the joint European Union-WEU Presidency of Spain

( responses ). It is not possible at this stage to prejudge its
conclusions . It goes without saying, however, that the
existence of the Stability Pact will feature in the discussion of
the factors to be taken into consideration .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-217 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 19 )

Subject : Setting-up of an Atlantic anchovy observatory

After accepting a big increase in the French quota for
anchovy fishing ( 17 300 tonnes ) is the Council prepared to
support the setting-up of an Atlantic observatory to ensure
better control of this resource ? This initiative could be part
of inter-regional cooperation .

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

The problem of the allocation of anchovy was addressed in
bilateral arrangements between Spain and France in
December 1994 ( Cf. press communication 12330 / 94 ) ( l ).

These two Member States have decided to establish a
Franco-Spanish Fisheries Committee . This has been noted
by the Council and the Commission .

examine any proposal from the Commission with a view to
improving the state of that stock .

(') Press 279 of 22 December 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-221 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 20 )

Subject : Summer-time and energy-saving

What are the Council 's findings regarding summer-time and
what plans does it have regarding time changes for the
purposes of energy-saving in Europe ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

On 30 May 1994 the Fluropean Parliament and the Council
adopted the seventh Directive 94 / 2 1 / EC ( J ) on summer-time
arrangements throughout the Community for 1995, 1996
and 1997 .

When it adopted the Directive the Council noted the
Commission 's undertaking to carry out, in cooperation with
representatives of interest groups and Member States '
national experts, a thorough study of the economic and
non-economic effects of the change from summer-time to
winter-time and vice-versa and the adoption of
summer-time in general so as to obtain the fullest possible
appraisal of how such changes affect energy consumption,
public health, working conditions and lifestyles, agriculture,
environmental protection, road safety, and the tourist and
leisure industries .

The Council also noted the Commission 's undertaking to
report to the European Parliament and the Council on the
matter by 1 January 1996 .

Article 4 of the said seventh Directive stipulates that the
arrangements to apply from 1998 onwards are to be
adopted by 1 January 1997 on a proposal from the
Commission to be submitted before 1 January 1996 .

The Council will study the future Commission proposal in
the light of the report which the Commission is to submit to
it and to the European Parliament by 1 January 1996 .

(') OJ No L 164, 30 . 6 . 1994, p . 1 .

The Council will furthermore closely follow the
development of the anchovy fishery and will carefully

No C 202 / 10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

QUESTION E-223 / 95 What guidelines does the Council wish to promote to ensure

Raffarin ( PPE ) that Article 128 of the Maastricht Treaty becomes a

reality ?
to the Council

WRITTEN QUESTION E-223 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 21 )

Answer

Subject : Promoting European tourism in America and ( 22 June 1995 )

Asia

Would the Council be in favour of the European Union
carrying out a promotion campaign for its ' Atlantic tourism '
in America and Asia ?

Answer

( 22 June 19 L                  - 5 ;

The Honourable Member 's attention is drawn to the fact

that the following measure is included in the Community
action plan to assist tourism adopted by the Council on

13 July 1992 ( Decision 92 / 421 / EEC (')):

On 10 November 1994 the Council adopted conclusions
concerning European Community action in support of
culture ( { ) on the basis of a Commission communication
relating to Article 128 of the EC Treaty .

As regards future guidelines the Council will, as required

under Article 128, act on proposals from the Commission . It
is currently examining two proposals submitted by the
Commission to the European Parliament and the Council
concerning support for artistic and cultural activities having
a European dimension and support in the field of books and
reading ( 2 ).

' Promotion in third countries (') ( 2 ) OJ Interinstitutional No C 348, 9 . Hie 12 . No 1994 94 . / 189 ( COD ).

Community action in this field is directed at making
Europe a more attractive destination for tourists from
distant countries .

This will be carried out by means of measures confined to
pilot projects to promote Europe as a tourist destination
on the markets of distant countries, particularly North
America and Japan, whose growth is likely to have an
impact on tourism within the Community .'

This measure was pinpointed as a priority as from the first
year of the action plan, which extends over three years

( 1993—1995 ).

The Commission is to submit a report to the European
Parliament and the Council, no later than 30 June 1995,
evaluating the results of the plan .

(') OJ No L 231, 13 . 8 . 1992, p . 26 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-224 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 22 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-225 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 23 )

Subject : Introduction of Finnish and Swedish as official

languages

The introduction of Portuguese and Spanish as official

languages led to a 30 % increase in transition costs in

1986 .

Could the Council ask the Commission to calculate the

additional costs arising from the introduction of Finnish and
Swedish as official languages ?

What proposals will the Council make to solve the problem
of the complexity of the translation system arising from the
use of 11 official languages ?

Subject : European Union's cultural policy
Answer

The Maastricht Treaty, which came into force on ( 22 June 1995 )
1 November 1993, provides that the Community ' shall
contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member
States, while respecting their national and regional diversity The Council is unable to make a precise estimation of the
and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage additional costs arising from the introduction of new official
to the fore '. languages . However, it is a rule of Community law,

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 11

enshrined in Council Regulation No 1 / EEC ( ), as amended, WRITTEN QUESTION E-232
that Regulations and other legal acts of general application by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )
shall be published in the Official Journal in all official to the Council
languages . Therefore, the question of the additional cost of
translating texts into Finnish and Swedish is not relevant, as ( 22 February 1995 )
the cost involved is the result of a mandatory legal 95 / C 202 / 25 )
requirement .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-232 / 95

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

95 / C 202 / 25 )

Subject : Community developers
(M OJ No 385, 6 . 10 . 1958 .

On the initiative of Parliament, a multiannual training
programme has been introduced for the persons responsible
for administrating Community projects in the regions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-226 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 24 )

The relevance of this measure was demonstrated at the

colloquy organized by the Commission on 25 November

1994 .

Can the Council explain how this programme could be
pursued in the context of the new educational programmes

( Socrates or Leonardo )?

Answer

Subject : Enlargement and regional policy
( 22 lune 1995 )

Can the Council state the presumed financial consequences
of Finland, Sweden and Austria becoming eligible for
Structural Fund payments ?

What changes will be made to the existing financial
distribution in the wake of enlargement ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission
have adapted the financial perspective, and in particular
heading 2 ( structural measures ), determining the new
financial resources following enlargement of the European
Union, in accordance with paragraph 24 of the
Interinstitutional Agreement of 24 October 1993 .

In point XVII of Annex 1 to the Accession Treaty the
Honourable Member will find the indicative commitment

appropriations for the new Member States covering, on the
one hand, all of Objectives 1 to 5b, on the other hand, those
earmarked for Objective 1 . The appropriations actually
allocated per objective will be determined by applying the
Structural Funds rules, as for the 12 Member States .

The indicative commitment appropriations for Objective 6
are mentioned in Annex 2 to Protocol No 6 to the Accession

Treaty .

As the Socrates programme ( approved by the Council on

10 March 1994 ) and the Leonardo programme ( ] ) are
managed by the Commission, the Honourable Member
could ask it for a reply concerning aid for training
programmes for persons responsible for administering
Community projects in the regions .

(') OJ No L 340, 29 . 12 . 1994, p . 8 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-234 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 26 )

Subject : Industrial policy

How does the Council intend to resolve the contradiction
between the need to preserve industrial capacity in the
Community and the obligation to find room for cheap
products from eastern Europe ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

The Council does not share the Honourable Member 's

opinion that there is a contradiction between the need to

No C 202 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

preserve industrial capacity in the European Union and the
obligation to find room for products from eastern
Europe .

As the Honourable Member is aware, contractual relations
with the European partners in the associated countries are
governed by the Europe Association Agreements . These are
preferential Agreements for the establishment of a free trade
area which have already made it possible to develop trade
and establish a climate favourable to the development of
mutual economic relations .

The harmonious development of trade, in the context of
greater liberalization of world trade following the
conclusion of the Uruguay Round, has advantages for all
parties to those Agreements both in economic terms,
notably through increased competitivenes following the
opening up of the economy to the outside, and in terms of
greater stability throughout Europe .

It was in that spirit that the European Council decided in
Essen to boost and improve the process of further preparing
the associated States of central and eastern Europe for
accession and decided on a comprehensive strategy to
prepare for the accession of those countries at a later
date .

As regards the Association Agreements, it pointed out in
particular that they would be adjusted in the light of
enlargement and of the conclusion of the Uruguay Round so
as not to disrupt traditional trade patterns and to develop
trade further .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-235 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 27 )

Subject : Minimum prices for haematite pig iron

The introduction of minimum prices for haematite pig iron
has two consequences for chilled cast iron producers :

1 . an unjustified increase in purchase prices for raw
materials in the Community ;

2 . the undermining of their position vis-a-vis chilled cast
iron producers in the countries of eastern Europe with
whom they are in competition on the European market,
which will put thousands of jobs at risk .

What measures does the Council intend to take to put an end

to this situation ?

Answer

( 22 June 199 5 )

The Council is unable to answer the Honourable Member 's

questions . It would be more appropriate to put them to the
Commission, as it examines the dossiers and is therefore
best placed and best equipped to answer this type of
question .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-236 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

95 / C 202 / 28 )

Subject : Fisheries policy and trade policy

How does the Council intend to reconcile the interests of
fishermen in the Union with the imperatives of trade policy,
under which cheap imports are allowed in on a massive scale
from China, Alaska, Russia, etc .?

Unless a compromise is found, the Union will in any case
have to pay the social and cultural price of the long-term
disappearance of what is a traditional activity along the
entire Atlantic coast .

Answer

( 22 lune 1995 )

The Council always endeavours to strike a balance between
the interests of Community producers and to secure supplies
for its market .

Thus, the Regulation on the common organization of the
market ( Revised by Council Regulation ( EC )
No 3318 / 94 ) (') lays down mechanisms for lessening the
effects of any disturbances of market conditions, including
systems such as reference prices and the safeguard clause .
Furthermore, a degree of customs protection exists for very
cheap imports .

Reference should also be made to the adoption by the
Council of Regulation ( EC ) No 1093 / 94 ( 2 ) setting the terms
under which fishing vessels of a third country may land
directly and market their catches at Community ports,
directed towards ensuring equal treatment and preventing
distortions of competition .

(') O J No L . 350, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 15 .
(-) OJ No L 121, 12 . 5 . 1994 .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 13

WRITTEN QUESTION E-237 / 95

Answer

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) ( 22 June 1995 )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

The Council is informed that the Commission is currently
( 95 / C 202 / 29 ) preparing, in the light of the study mentioned in the
question, a communication to the Council and the European
Parliament on short-distance maritime transport . The
Subject : Industrial policy Honourable Member is kindly requested to ask the
Commission for further information on the subject .

As far as industry is concerned, the enlargement of the
Community without prior reinforcement of its political and
economic decision-making structures entails the risk that
European industry could collapse in the face of its main
competitors, the US and Japan .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-239 / 95

What plans does the Council have to reform the institutions
in this context ?

Answer

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 199 5 )

95 / C 202 / 31 )

( 22 June 1995 ) Subject : Regional partnership and the Community 's overall

development plans

Any reform of the institutions will be planned for in the
framework of the Intergovernmental Conference scheduled
for 1996 . Under Article N of the Treaty on European Union,
it is for the government of any Member State or the
Commission to submit to the Council proposals for the
amendment of the Treaties . If the Council, after consulting
the European Parliament and, where appropriate, the
Commission, delivers an opinion in favour of calling a
conference of representatives of the governments of the
Member States, the conference shall be convened by the
President of the Council for the purpose of determining by
common accord the amendments to be made to those

Treaties . The Council has not to date received any such
proposals concerning industrial policy .

What measures does the Council intend to take to ensure

participation by the regions in the activities launched in the
context of the Community 's overall development plans ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-240 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 32 )

Subject : Community regional planning policy

What is the Council 's position concerning Parliament 's
proposal for a Community initiative for regional planning at
European level ( Interam )?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-238 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 30 )

Subject : Action to relaunch cabotage

Given that the European road network will reach saturation
point by the year 2010, can the Council provide information
on the outcome of the Commission 's studies concerning the
relaunching of maritime transport via cabotage ?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-239 / 95 and E-240 / 95

( 22 June 1995 )

The Council has determined the operating rules of the
Structural Funds and has entrusted their management to the
Commission . It is not for the Council to intervene to steer

that management in one direction or another .

No C 202 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-241 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 33 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-266 / 95

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE )

to the Council

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 34 )

Subject : Forestry policy Subject : Press release of the Justice and Home Affairs

Council meeting of 30 November and 1 December
1994
What are the Council 's intentions concerning the institution
of a Community forestry policy ? In what ways could it
encourage the initiatives which have been launched in the On 21 December 1994 the press release of the above
context of inter-regional cooperation ? Council was still not available in all nine languages
( including English and German ) at the Council 's Press
Office . On the other hand, all language versions of the press
releases of the Energy Council of 29 November, the Youth
Council of 30 November and the Education Council of

Answer 5 December were available .

( 22 June 1 995 )

1 . The Council attaches the utmost importance to the
principles of the protection and development of Europe 's
forestry, principles underlying resolutions to which the
European Community and its Member States are signatory,
in particular those adapted at the Ministerial Conferences
on the Protection of Forests in Europe in Strasbourg in
December 1990 and Helsinki in June 1993 .

Over the last few years the Council has taken significant
measures to ensure Community support for forestry and
supplement national policies in this area ; thus, the measures
decided upon by the Council in the context of the 1 992 CAP
reform represented a very significant effort in favour of the
afforestation of agricultural land and of improving forest
areas on farms ; in addition, there are the measures
implemented under rural and regional development
measures which benefit from financial assistance from the

Structural Funds and which concern regions whose
development is lagging behind ( Objective 1 ) and rural areas

( Objective 5b ). The Council also recently bolstered the
measures to protect forests against air pollution and fires
and renewed the European Forestry Information and
Communication System ( EFICS ).

2 . The Council recognized the importance of close
on-going cooperation on forestry between Member States
without excluding inter-regional cooperation which applies
the Community measures referred to above ; furthermore,
by setting up the Standing Forestry Committee the Council
established a framework within which the Commission and
the Member States can regularly monitor situations and
developments in the forestry sector and implement
appropriate measures .

Will the Council detail when each of the nine language
versions of the above press release eventually became
available to the public ; and what steps it intends to take to
speed up availability of press releases of future Council
meetings of fustice and Home Affairs Ministers ?

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

The delays noted by the Honourable Member in the
translation of the ' JHA ' press release of 30 November and

1 December 1994 are generally due to the heavy workload
of the Translation Service of the General Secretariat of the

Council, resulting from the large number of Council
meeting towards the end of each Presidency . To ensure that
all these meetings can be held, the General Secretariat has to
give priority to the documents necessary for Ministers '
discussions .

The difference in the time taken to translate the JHA press
release into the various languages stems from the fact that
the different language divisions have varying workloads

( according to the requirements of the delegations and in
particular also of the Presidency of the Council ).

In view of the limited staff of the Council 's Translation
Service and of the abovementioned constraints deriving
from the Council 's work timetable, the General Secretariat
cannot guarantee that delays will not occur in future .
However, internal measures have been taken to ensure as far
as possible that translations of press releases into the various
languages are produced at the same time .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 15

Press release on ' JHA ' Council meeting
on 30 November and 1 December 1994

Date of availability of the various translations

Portuguese 13 December 1994

Greek 16 December 1994

Dutch 19 December 1994

Spanish and German 3 January 1995

Italian and English 5 January 1995

Danish 9 January 1995

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 75 / 95

by Luigi Florio ( FE ), Gian Boniperti ( FE ), Aldo Arroni ( FE )

and Riccardo Garosci ( FE )

to the Council

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 35 )

Subject : Violence against street children in Guatemala

Can the Council say whether it intends to adopt economic
sanctions against Guatemala, a country which exports
around half its banana production to Europe, in view of the
bloody acts of violence systematically perpetrated by the
Guatemalan police against the ' street children ' and
frequently condemned and documented by Amnesty
International ?

Answer

( 22 June 199 5 )

The European Union has on a number of occasions — most
recently at the San Jose XI ministerial meeting with the
Central American countries ( Panama, 23 and 24 March
1995 ) — expressed the importance it attaches to observance
of the principles of representative democracy, the rule of
law, constitutional order and full respect for human
rights .

In that connection, the ministers of the European Union
stressed the importance of the multiannual programme to
promote human rights in such fields as the acts of the armed
forces and of the forces of law and order, which should
always be subject to the principles underlying the rule of law
and human rights .

In this context, the role of human beings as central to, and
the ultimate target of, the process of sustainable
development, was at the heart of the debate at the San
Jose XI Ministerial Conference . It was agreed to combat

poverty and to give all citizens access to basic services,
particularly education, training and health care . These
measures will clearly have a positive effect on the problem of
street children .

European Union and Central American ministers agreed
that these objectives would be achieved principally by
implementing national policies to reduce existing disparities
and, to that end, there would be increased European Union
cooperation to alleviate the social costs of structural
adjustment .

Against this background, a multiannual programme to help
street children in Guatemala was approved by the
Commission in June 1994, following a favourable opinion
from the ALA Committee . The financing agreement for that
programme was signed in Guatemala City on 6 April by the
competent national authority, which will enable the
Commission to put it into operation shortly . The
programme is designed to provide a systematic boost to
training for the staff of public authorities who are in contact
with young people on the fringes of society, and in the longer
term envisages measures to prevent young people who no
longer have contact with their families from sliding into
delinquency .

The European Union is also pursuing its efforts to combat
this problem in the framework of international
organizations, particularly the United Nations . On the
European Union 's initiative, the UN General Assembly has
adopted a resolution on the tragic fate of street children
every year since 1992 . The matter has also been discussed by
the Commission on Human rights, at the European Union 's
instigation, and a resolution has been adopted on this
subject in previous years .

The European Union will continue to monitor this matter
closely .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-278 / 95

by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 36 )

Subject : Recognized Turkish political refugee forced into

hiding

After visiting his parents in Turkey, Ayhan Uzala, a Turkish
political refugee living in the Netherlands was picked up,
detained and tortured by the Turkish secret police .

He has since been released and has gone into hiding in
Turkey . He dare not board a plane bound for the
Netherlands for fear of being picked up again at the airport .
His Dutch wife and five-year old child have now been
waiting two months for his return .

Is the Commission prepared to approach the Turkish
Government as a matter of urgency, so that Mr Uzala can
return in safety to the Netherlands ?

No C 202 / 16 [ EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

Supplementary answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 May 199S )

The European Union hopes that more active cooperation by
the two parties concerned will enable the Committee to fulfil
its mandate more effectively .

The European Union will continue to monitor the issue
Further to its answer of 20 March 1995, the Commission closelv .
can now confirm to the Honourable xMember, following its
inquiries in Turkey, that Mr Ayhan Uzala is not staying in
Turkey anymore but has safely returned to the
Netherlands .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 83 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-287 / 95

by Jan Bertens ( ELDR ) ( IS February 199S )

to the Council ( 95 / C 202 / 38 )

(9 February 199S )

( 95 / C 202 / 37 )

Subject : Missing people in Cyprus

1 . Does the Council intend to let the 20th anniversary of
the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly,
calling on parties in armed conflicts to respect the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 especially with reference to " the
provision of information on those who are missing ', pass by
without taking any concrete action on the 1619 Greek
Cypriots still unaccounted for after disappearing in 1974
after the Turkish invasion ?

2 . What kind of concrete actions does the Council intend

to take to persuade the Turkish Government to fulfil its
humanitarian obligations under international law and put
an end to the agony and uncertainty of the families and
friends of these missing people ?

Answer

( 26 June 199S )

The problem of the fate of the missing persons is one of the
most tragic aspects of the Cyprus question . It is being
investigated by the Committee on Missing Persons in
Cyprus, set up in 1981 under the aegis of the
Secretary-General of the United Nations . This Committee
acts on the basis of an agreement between the island 's two
communities . Its role is to look into the cases of persons
reported missing during the inter-Community conflicts and
the events of July 1974 and thereafter .

The Committee comprises three members : one for each of
the two Cypriot communities and a third recommended by
the International Committee of the Red Cross with the

agreement of the two parties and appointed by the United
Nations Secretary-General .

Subject : Public health / tourism problems in the island of

Symi

The remote island of Symi in the Dodecanese has an acute
public health problem caused by the lack of a sewage system
with a biological waste treatment, which has led the
inhabitants and local authorities to make protest after
protest . Sewage from the cesspits is now threatening the
reservoirs and water supply system to the town of Symi . The
problem is aggravated during the summer when thousands
of tourists stay on the island, and a further 2000 arrive from
Rhodes every day . A final study for the sewage system was
drawn up in 1989, but the funds to construct it and add a
biological purification plant have still not been found . As the
absence of this system is a public health hazard and
constitutes an obstacle to tourism on the island, will the

Commission state :

1 . whether it intends to include the project in the regional
operational programmes provided there is a proposal
from the Greek authorities ;

2 . if there is a proposal from the Greek authorities ; what
the earliest possible date for inclusion of this project
would be ; and

3 . what other Community programmes for the protection

of the environment or for outlying regions might cover
this project ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 April 199 S )

As it stated in its answer to Written Question No 393 / 95 by
Mr Papayannakis (') on this matter, the Commission is not
aware of the project to which the Honourable Member

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 17

refers and so it cannot adopt a position on whether the
project should be included in the regional operational
programme ( OP ) or on deadlines relating to it .

As regards sources of Community part-finance other than
the OP referred to, projects of this type could, subject to the
necessary and sufficient conditions and the rules in force for
each source, be put forward for part-finance under the
Interreg II Initiative or the Cohesion Fund .

(') See page 17 of this Official Journal .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

The Commission was unaware of the situation referred to

by the Honourable Member and intends to draw the
attention of the Greek authorities to it at a forthcoming
meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the Multifund
Operational Programme for the Southern Aegean .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-433 / 95

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE / NGL )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 93 / 95 to the Commission

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL ) ( 22 February 1995 )

to the Commission ( 95 / C 202 / 40 )

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 39 )

Subject : The island of Symi and the second Community

Support Framework

Symi is one of the smaller Aegean islands . It used to be an
important commercial and transit centre, but now the
mainstay of the island 's economy is tourism . For many years
the island 's infrastructures have been stretched to breaking
point and its economy is now seriously jeopardized . The
most seriously affected infrastructures are the water supply
and the sewage systems which are particularly important for
island 's relatively developed tourist industry . Curiously
enough although the second CSF set aside resources for the
water supply system, it failed to provide any aid for the
sewage system . However, there would be many technical
and economic advantages in carrying out these two projects
at the same time, and the notion that all the island 's
problems can be solved by such half-measures is, to put it
mildly, nonsense .

Subject : Eligibility for the aid scheme for small-scale

investment in the border area under Interreg II

The Chamber of Official Clearing Agents has recently been
informed, in reply to a fax which it sent over two months
ago, that the Portuguese authorities have, amongst other
measures, proposed, in connection with the Interreg II
programme, extending the aid scheme for small-scale
investment in the border area, the conditions of eligibility
for which will be determined when the current negotiations
with the Commission regarding the programme have been
concluded .

No comments will be made concerning the way in which the
Portuguese authorities interpret the concept of
participation, but could the Commission say what stage has
been reached in the above negotiations and what their likely
finishing date and outcome will be ?

Will the Commission sav : Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 March 1995 )
1 . Whether it is aware of this problem ;

2 . Whether it intends to ask the Greek Government to

explain why the investment programme for Symi was
clearly so poorly planned ; and

3 . Whether it intend to recommend that the Greek

Government should make a more rational usage of the
funds earmarked for the island under the second CSF so

as to enable a new era in the tourist development of the
island to begin ?

The Portuguese and Spanish authorities ' proposal in regard
to the Interreg II Community initiative reached the
Commission on 3 November 1994 and is at present under
discussion between the Commission and the national

authorities . Adoption of the decision granting assistance is
expected very soon .

No C 202 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-450 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-451 / 95

by Wayne David ( PSE ) by Wayne David ( PSE )

to the Council to the Council

( 24 February 1995 ) ( 24 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 41 ) ( 95 / C 202 / 42 )

Subject : Drift nets

Subject : Human rights and arms export control Given the European Union 's scientific, technical and
procedures economic committee 's examination of the effects of drift

nets on the stocks of various species of fish, will the Council
ensure that the conclusions of this study are presented to
Parliament at the earliest opportunity ?
With regard to Amnesty International 's paper on ' European
Union : Human rights and military, security and police
transfers — when will established criteria be implemented ?',
is the Council aware of the lack of scrutiny v current EU Answer
arms export control procedures ? Is the Councii ntending to ( 22 June 1995 )
review the scrutiny procedures taking into consideration
Amnesty International 's recommendations ?

Subject : Human rights and arms export control
procedures

Answer

( 22 June 1995 )

The Scientific Technical and Economic Committee on

Fisheries delivers opinions to the Commission of which it is
a consultative body .

It is therefore up to the Commission to decide on the
presentation of the conclusions of this opinion to the
Answer European Parliament .

( 26 June 1995 )

The European Union is very watchful of arms exports to
States in which human rights are breached .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-475 / 95

by Susan Waddington ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

The 1991 European Council meeting in Luxembourg noted ( 95 / C 202 / 43 )
with satisfaction that ' work in progress in the organs of
European political cooperation has already, by comparing
national policies on arms exports, identified a number of Subject : Incineration of waste-derived product ' CemfueP
common criteria on which these policies are based '.

Is the Commission aware of the waste-derived product
' CemfueP, that is being used as a fuel for a cement kiln based

Those criteria, which were supplemented at the Lisbon in Ketton in my constituency, and what ' is the Commission 's
European Council in 1992, include ' the respect of human view of the burning of ' Cemfuel in view of Directive
' 94 / 67 / EC (M on the incineration of hazardous waste ?
rights in the country of final destination and ' the internal
situation in the country of final destination, as a function of
the existence of tensions or internal armed conflicts '. I 1 ) OJ No L 365, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 34 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

The new terms of reference of the Working Party on
on behalf of the Commission
Conventional Arms Exports states that particular attention
should be paid to the application of these criteria with a view ( 24 March 1995 )
to reaching a common interpretation on the basis of the
common foreign and security policy of the European
Union . Waste is defined in Article 1(a ) of

( 24 March 1995 )

Waste is defined in Article 1(a ) of Council Directive

75 / 442 / EEC f 1 ) on waste as :

' any substance or object in the categories set out in
Annex I which the holder discards or intends or is

required to discard '.

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 19

On the assumption that ' CemfueP is a ' waste ', it is necessary
to consider the classification of such waste in the context of
Council Directive 91 / 689 / EEC on hazardous waste ( 2 ) and
Council Decision 94 / 904 / EC of 22 December 1994
establishing a list of hazardous waste ( 3 ). In order to
correctly classify ' Cemfuel waste ' as hazardous, information
regarding its origin and composition are necessary .

If ' Cemfuel waste ' is classified as hazardous waste, it would
be subject to the provision of the recently adopted Directive
on the incineration of hazardous waste . However, it should
be noted that Member States are required to bring into force
the laws, regulations and administrative provisions
necessary to comply with this Directive before 31 December

1996 .

The role of the Commission is to verify the application of
control of the common fisheries policy by the national
authorities . If the Commission considers that major
irregularities have occurred it draws these to the attention of
the Member State concerned which is then required to
conduct an administrative inquiry .

At the end of 1994, the Commission requested and
participated in administrative inquiries which were
conducted in France, Spain and the United Kingdom . In
each of these Member States the Commission considered
that irregularities may have occurred in the registration of
catches of certain species subject to quotas .

The final reports of each of these inquiries will shortly be
available to the Commission and their conclusions will be

The Commission is going to ask the United Kingdom to
provide possible further information on this issue . included in the general report on enforcement of the

common fisheries policy as provided in Article 35 of the new
control Regulation . It will be made available to the
(M OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975 . Parliament for information .

The Commission is going to ask the United Kingdom to
provide possible further information on this issue .

( 2 ) OJ No L 377, 31 . 12 . 1991 .
(■') OJ No L 356, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-483 / 95

by Giles Chichester ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

(>) OJ No L 261, 20 . 10 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-509 / 95

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

( 95 / C 202 / 44 ) to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 45 )
Subject : Implementation and enforcement of common

fisheries policy

In its efforts to ensure even-handed enforcement of the

common fisheries policy, could the Commission please
outline :

1 . how many visits it has made to Spain and what
irregularities it has discovered .

2 . how many visits it has made to France and what
irregularities it has discovered .

3 . how many visits it has made to the South-West of
England and what irregularities it has discovered .

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 1995 )

Subject : Competitiveness of agriculture and management

of agricultural resources

Under the research and technological development
programme in the field of competitivenes of agriculture and
management of agricultural resources ( 1989 — 1993 ) (')
more than 80 research contracts were awarded, worth more
than ECU 50 million . Where have the results been

published ? How can interested sectors gain access to the
results of this research ?

(>) OJ No L 58, 7 . 3 . 1990, p . 9 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

In the framework of the control Regulation ( Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2847 / 93 of 12 October 1993
establishing a control system applicable to the common The specific Community research
fisheries policy ) ( ] ), Commission officials conducted in development programme in the field

1994, 15 visits to Spain, 11 to France and 12 to the United
Kingdom . Of the latter three visits were made to South-West
England .

The specific Community research and technological
development programme in the field of competitiveness of
agriculture and management of agricultural resources

( 1989 — 1993 ), ' Camar ', has not yet terminated . The last
shared-cost research contracts will expire in 1996 . At

No C 202 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

present the Commission has only received a small number of
the final scientific reports . Therefore, one cannot expect to
see all results of the Camar programme published at this
stage . However, both the scientific contractors and the
Commission have made a continuous effort to disseminate

preliminary results from the Camar programme before it
ends .

The Commission has in 1993 published a catalogue of the
Camar projects, including a review of the progress of each
project . This publication enables people to learn about the
preliminary results and encourages those interested to
contact the research teams, or the Commission, to obtain
further details .

The Commission has also published preliminary results of a
number of projects, in the form of proceedings of Camar
workshops, by which the results were disseminated to and
discussed with fellow scientists .

In addition, the contractors are obliged by the terms of their
contracts with the Commission to disseminate the results of

their work . They have published a large number of articles in
specialised scientific journals and in the farming press . They
have also engaged in other efforts to disseminate or
commercialise their results, such as open days for farmers,
presentations at conferences, information leaflets and
cooperation with agricultural advisory services .

The Commission plans, in due course, to publish extracts of
the results from'Camar, both for the programme in general
and for groups of projects . Both the general agricultural
community and specialist groups of readers will be
targeted .

Some examples of publications from Camar are sent to the
Honourable Member and the Secretariat-General of the

Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 13 / 95

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 46 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 1995 )

Information on the implementation of the 1994 plan for
distribution to the most deprived persons in the Community
is not yet available .

Article 10 of the Regulation implementing the measure

( Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 3149 / 92 (')) provides
that, ' before the end of March each year, the Member States
shall send the Commission a report on the implementation
of the plan on their territory during the previous year '.

The Commission will forward the information requested to
the Honourable Member as soon as it becomes available .

(') OJ No L 313, 30 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-549 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 47 )

Subject : Scanzo muscatel

Scanzo muscatel has been recognized as a wine of designated
origin from a sub-region of the ' Valcalepio passito ' ( raisin
wine area ).

The vineyards producing this wine, which were planted after

1977, — without any designated origin, do not exceed 100
ha .

As a result of Community rules, Scanzo muscatel, which has
a long established tradition, is in danger of disappearing .

Will the Commission take measures to protect the vineyards
producing Scanzo muscatel planted after 1976 and, in view
of the existing EC derogation allowing the Franiacorta area
to expand to 900 ha, can it introduce similar arrangements
for an increase to 400 ha in the vineyards producing Scanzo
muscatel ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Food distribution for the poor (3 April 1995 )

Further to Written Question E-3898 / 93 (*) can the
Commission inform Parliament how much of the Union 's

food surplus was distributed to the poor during 1994 ? What
were the total sums and tonnage for each Member State and
which States did not make use of their allocated quota ?

Concerning wine-growing areas, Article 6 of Regulation

( EEC ) No 822 / 87 (') prohibits all new planting of vines until

food surplus was distributed to the poor during 1994 ? What 31 August 1996 with certain derogations, particularly in
were the total sums and tonnage for each Member State and areas intended for the cultivation of mother plantations,
which States did not make use of their allocated quota ? while permitting replanting ( including of Moscato di

Scanzo ) without restrictions other than those relating to the
(') OJ No C 332, 28 . 11 . 1994, p . 32 . variety in question .

7 . 8 . 95 bN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 21

These provisions mean that the areas under vines cannot be 2 . What response has been made to the second letter ?
extended although areas currently used as vineyards may
continue to be used for that purpose . (') OJ No L 35, 12 . 2 . 1992, p . 24 .

The Commission considers that this situation cannot be
altered until the market organization for the sector is Answer given by Mr

on behalf of the

reformed . A proposal to this end is currently before the
Council and Parliament ( 2 ). (8 June 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

(') OJ No L 84, 27 . 3 . 1987 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 194, 16 . 7 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-556 / 95

The Commission makes every effort to reply to questions as
quickly as possible .

Sometimes, however, as in the case referred to by the
Honourable Member, it is obliged to hold internal
consultations, which inevitably delays the reply
procedure .

by Alex Smith ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-569 / 95

to the Commission
by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

(1 March 1995 )

to the Commission

(6 March 1 995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 49 )

{9 SIC 202 / 48 )

Subject : Shipments of nuclear waste
Subject : European cane sugar

In September 1994 a coalition of four environmental groups

( Nuclear Control Institute of Washington DC, World
Information Service on Energy, Greenpeace International
and Citizens Nuclear Information Centre ) forwarded a
detailed letter to the President of the Commission on the

perceived risks posed by the transportation by sea of
high-level nuclear waste from Cap de La Hague in France to
Japan . This letter called for an urgent environmental impact

assessment to be prepared on the dangers of these
shipments .

Four months later ( 16 January 1995 ) the office of the
President of the Commission replied that the Commission
was confident that France would fully respect national and
European Union law ( particularly EC Directive
92 / 3 / Euratom ) (') for planned shipments of radioactive

waste .

The Nuclear Control Institute then forwarded a further

letter to the President of the Commission and the Transport
and Energy Commissioners, challenging the assertion that
France has fully complied with Directive 92 / 3 / Euratom .

Can the Commission explain :

1 . Why the first response ( six lines in length ) took four
months to complete ?

Five Council Decisions concerning the guaranteed prices for
cane sugar from a long list of supplier countries for different
periods between 1989 and 1993 ( ! ).

Could these agreements, which were concluded by an
exchange of letters, have adverse effects on Community cane
sugar producers such as those in the region of Motril,
Granada ( Spain ), or will the principle of generalized
preferences continue to work in their favour ?

(•) OJ No L 355, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 1995 )

The rules for the implementation of Protocol 7 on ACP
sugar annexed to the Third ACP-EEC Convention ( ') and of
Protocol 8 on ACP sugar annexed to the Fourth ACP-EEC
Convention ( 2 ) lay down that the agreement on the
guaranteed prices for cane sugar for each marketing year is
to be concluded in the form of an exchange of letters
between the Community and the ACP countries concerned .
A similar arrangement is provided for in the Agreement
between the European Economic Community and the
Republic of India on cane sugar ( 3 ). The Council Decisions
to which the Honourable Member refers formalize the said

agreements in accordance with the procedure laid down .

No C 202 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

Furthermore, cane sugar produced in the Community and
therefore in the region of Motril, Granada ( Spain ) is covered
by the common organization of the market in the sugar
sector and directly benefits from the price and marketing
guarantees provided for in that organization on the same
terms as beet sugar . Moreover, cane sugar in the
abovementioned region is produced directly as white sugar,
therefore benefiting from a higher intervention price than
other Community cane sugar which passes through the
brown sugar stage .

The abovementioned agreements, formalized through the
respective exchanges of letters, can in no way prejudice the
interests of Community cane-sugar producers since the
principle of Community preference is guaranteed, being
included in the common organization of the market in the

sugar sector .

(') OJ No L 86, 31 . 3 . 1986 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 299, 17 . 8 . 1991 .

(■') OJ No L 190, 22 . 7 . 1975 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-590 / 95

by Wolfgang NufSbaumer ( NI )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 50

Subject : Austrian motor vehicle accessories and equipment

industry : authorization of back-to-back
transactions with Japan

In the 1970s and 1980s business between Austria and Japan
was greatly stimulated . This was due partly to large-scale car
production in Japan, despite the fact that Austria levied
import duty on cars of Japanese origin . However, when
Austria 's trade-balance deficit with Japan became serious,
the Austrian Government agreed with the Japanese
Government that the Japanese should be granted tariff
concessions for the marketing of cars in Austria to a value
equal to that of the equipment and accessories which
Austrian firms were permitted to supply to the Japanese
motor vehicle industry . This compensation transaction
arrangement lapsed when Austria joined the EU . During the
negotiations in Brussels, however, Austria received a pledge
that Austrian firms would in all essential respects be able to
continue with the arrangement in future .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 May 1995 )

Following accession on 1 January 1995, Austria applies
integrally the common customs tariff including that for
automobile imports . The system of counter purchases of car
parts and components referred to by the Flonourable
Member has ceased to exist from this date . This is because

the continuation of the system would have been contrary to
the internal market and to international trading rules .

The Commission recognises that, partly as a result of the
system, Austrian car parts and component manufacturers
have developed strong links with Japanese automobile
manufacturers . The Commission has conveyed to the
Ministry of trade and industry in Japan ( MITI ) Austrian
concerns that a sudden discontinuation of such links would

entail the risk of disruption in the business activities of
Austrian car parts and components manufacturers and that
this should be avoided as far as possible . MITI confirmed
that it will transmit these concerns to the Japanese
automobile manufacturers . The Commission has been

informed by the Japanese authorities that Japanese
automobile manufacturers will continue to purchase
Austrian car parts and components in so far as they are
competitive both in terms of quality and price .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-601 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 51 )

Subject : Putting an end to the ' bonito war ' by banning the

use of drift nets

What steps does the Commission intend to take to prevent
the fisheries dispute from continuing or escalating during
the coming months as a result of the failure to ban the use of
drift nets as Parliament recommended ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission
The following questions arise :
( 30 March 1995 )

1 . Can the Commission guarantee that Austria 's motor
vehicle acessories and equipment suppliers will be able
to continue to undertake back-to-back transactions

with Japan ?

2 . For how long and in what quantity will the Austrian
motor vehicle accessories and equipment industry be
permitted to undertake such back-to-back
transactions ?

3 . Are there plans for phasing out these transactions ?

The Commission shares the concerns expressed by the
Honourable Member with respect to the inherent dangers of
conflict at sea during the forthcoming 1995 albacore tuna
season . This is one of the reasons why the Commission will
insist, with Member States, that the satisfactory level of
control attained in the latter half of the 1 994 season must be

maintained again this year . The Commission seeks firm
commitments from the Member States concerned with

respect to their control obligations in this particular fishery ­

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 23

and will play an active coordinating role in this regard . In
addition, the Commission will deploy its own resources to
monitor the control efforts of Member States so as to ensure

that enforcement is proportionate, efficient and
non-discriminatory .

With regard to the future use of driftnets in this particular
fishery, the Commission will in the next series of Council
meetings continue vigorously to pursue the adoption of its
proposals to phase out driftnets . In this respect, the
Commission has recently organized two additional
workshops on the biological as well as socio-economic
implications of the use of driftnets . The conclusions of these
meetings will be available as soon as the corresponding
reports are finalised .

Where Member States do not communicate any national
legislation or where they communicate inadequate national
legislation, the Commission initiates the procedure under
Article 169 of the EC Treaty . The procedure has been
initiated, for failure to communicate national implementing
measures, in regard to Germany, Greece, Spain, France,
Ireland, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom ( the
procedures relating to Ireland and the United Kingdom are
to be set aside ). In addition, it has brought up and will
continue to bring up issues of implementation of the
Directive in bilateral and multilateral contacts with national

authorities .

(>) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-752 / 95

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-737 / 95 to the Commission

by Doeke Eisma ( ELDR )

( IS March 1995 )

to the Commission
( 95 / C 202 / 53 )

( IS March 199S )

( 95 / C 202 / 52 )
Subject : Disadvantaged agricultural areas — Revinhade

Felgueiras

Subject : Implementation of the Directive on the
conservation of natural habitats

Which Member States have submitted reports to the
Commission, pursuant to Article 23 of the Directive on the
conservation of natural habitats, on how they have brought
their legislation in line with the obligations in that
Directive ?

Is the Commission prepared to carry out its own evaluation
of these modifications ?

What is the Commission going to do about Member States
which have not complied with these obligations ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 May 199 S )

The following Member States have communicated national
legislation to the Commission pursuant to Article 23 of
Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ('): Belgium, Denmark, Ireland,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom . Some of these
Member States have made it clear that further legislation is
needed to comply with the Directive . The remaining
Member States have indicated that new legislation is in
preparation .

The Commission examines national legislation to see
whether it gives full effect to the provisions of the
Directive .

Will the Commission say what level of financial
cpmpensation has been fixed in respect of the disadvantaged
areas ( mountainous or difficult to farm ) in the district of
Felgueiras, and notably the administrative parishes of
Friande, Jugueiros, Pinheiro, Santao, Sendim and Vila
Verde ? Will the district of Revinhade be considered for

compensation or not ? If not, why not ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 April 199 S )

The administrative parishes of Friande, Jugueiros, Pinheiro,
Santao, Sendim and Vila Verde are covered by Law
No 79 / 91 of 8 March 1991, updated in 1993, establishing
the following levels of aid for individual farmers of the said
parishes :

— for the first 10 livestock units (1 to 10 ): ECU 65 per

livestock unit

— for the following 10 livestock units ( 11 to 20 ): ECU 47,3

per livestock unit

— for the following 10 livestock units ( 21 to 30 ): ECU 35,5

per livestock unit

— per hectare of cultivated area in compliance with No 8 of

Article 48 of Decree-Law No 81 / 91 of 19 February : ECU
35,5 / ha .

With regard to the administrative parish of Revinhade, since
it does not comply with the requirements of Directives

No C 202 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

75 / 268 / EEC (') and 86 / 467 / EEC ( 2 ) concerning the
definition of less-favoured areas, it does not benefit from the
arrangements in question .

(M OJ No L 128, 19 . 5 . 1975 .
(-) OJ No L 273, 24 . 9 . 1986 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-757 / 95

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

The Commission shares the view that effective and realistic

Community rules on animal welfare are necessary . The
general public is very concerned about this sensitive issue
and the Commission has decided to give animal welfare a
high priority .

by Holger Gustafsson ( PPE ) Community legislation has been in force since 1974
covering the protection of animals on farms, during

to the Commission

transport and at the time of slaughter and the Commission is

( 15 March 1995 ) currently working on proposals which, when adopted, will

95 / C 202 / 54 substantially improve the level of protection .

to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 54 )

Subject : Unsatisfactory EU protective measures for the

transport and treatment of animals for slaughter

In negotiating membership of the EU Sweden secured
special agreements on food and animal protection in
applying agricultural policy . Under these agreements,
Sweden may retain high national standards, while the EU
undertook to review and improve its legislation .

The current situation regarding the transport and treatment
of animals for slaughter within the EU is totally
unsatisfactory . It is so serious that there is a need for
thorough and immediate reform . As a Swede and a Christian
Democrat, I shall do my utmost to press for higher animal
protection standards throughout the EU . Healthy
conditions in stalls and quality fodder are essential in
producing healthy animal and quality food . It is equally
important that animals are treated with consideration and
dignity during transport and slaughter . More stringent
standards should be applied to the transport of animals for
slaughter by improving legislation, reviewing the EU 's
conditions for subsidies and by promoting more local
slaughterhouses .

The work that the Commission is carrying out in this area is
important but must not be of an ad hoc nature . Only a
wide-ranging investigation and analysis of the situation of
animals for slaughter and livestock producing appropriate
proposals for measures based on an ethically acceptable
approach can result in a lasting solution .

Does the Commission take the view that animal husbandry
in the EU should be based on clearly defined ethical
principles acceptable to the general public ?

What further measures will the Commission take to

improve animal protection within the EU ?

A proposal from the Commission to modify Directive
91 / 628 / EEC on the protection of animals during
transport ('), is before the Council . The proposal contains
strict rules on planning long journeys including feeding and
watering intervals, resting periods and space allowances .
Any person transporting animals for long journeys must
draw up a route plan whereby it can be ensured that the
animals are rested and that the maximum intervals for

feeding and watering are also taken into account . Up to
now, the Council has not taken a decision on the
proposal .

During the Agricultural Council of January 1995, it was
decided to draw up, as soon as possible, the report as
foreseen in Article 6 of Council Directive 91 / 629 / EEC ( 2 )
laying down minimum standards for the protection of
calves .

The Commission has requested the scientific veterinary
committee to make an interim report particularly on the
housing and feeding of calves by June of this year and the
final report before the end of the year .

The Commission aims to provide a legislative framework
within which the Member States can ensure that animals are
kept, transported and slaughtered under satisfactory
conditions and which provides farmers and operators with a
clear set of rules they can meet .

(M COM(93 ) 330 final — OJ No C 250, 14 . 9 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 340, 11 . 12 . 1991 .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 25

WRITTEN QUESTION E-777 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-805 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) by Mikko Rönnholm ( PSE ), Saara-Maria Paakkinen ( PSE ),

to the Commission Ulpu Iivari ( PSE ) and Riitta Myller ( PSE )

to the Commission
( 20 March 1995 )

(9 SIC 202 / 55 ) ( 20 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 57 )

Subject : Regional planning

What will be the legal status of the plan for land use in the
Community which is currently under consideration ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-783 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 56 )

Subject : Regional partnership arrangements and plan for

land use in the Community

What measures will the Commission propose to ensure the
involvement of the regions in measures taken under the plan
for land use in Europe ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-777 / 95 and E-783 / 95

given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies
on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

The Member States and the Commission began work on the
implementation of a European spatial development
perspective ( ESDP ), which is the policy continuation of the
Commission 's ' Europe 2000 +' communication, within the
Committee on Spatial Development, pursuant to Article

10 ( 1 ) ( a ) of the ERDF Regulation (') and in the light of
discussions in the informal meeting of ministers responsible
for regional policy and planning held in Liege in November
1993 .

The legal status of the ESDP will be clarified in future
discussions so that, where appropriate, legal form can be
given to Community work on regional planning .

As regards the association of the regions with preparation of
the ESDP, the Commission has sent the Committee of the
Regions all the background documents to the perspective
which have been drawn up in the Committee on Spatial
Development and discussed at informal meetings of
ministers .

(!) Of No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

Subject : Raising the age limit for youth unemployment

to 25

Youth unemployment is a burning issue in all European
countries, which erodes belief in the future, creates social
problems and diminishes the chances of success of our
societies .

At present support measures aimed at eliminating youth
unemployment are directed at young people under 20 .
Support measures are necessary and worthwhile in
themselves, but an age limit of 20 means that often well
educated unemployed young people over 20 fall outside the
scope of the support measures . However it is particularly
difficult for the unemployed over 20, but under 25 to enter
working life because they lack work experience . These
young people who have studied are in addition often
burdened by large debts from studying . In Finland a
remarkable number of 20 — 25 year olds are students and
many towns, beginning with Helsinki, have invested in the
employment both of this age group and even of 25 — 29 year
olds . The problem is being excerbated as a result of growing
graduate unemployment . For society, allowing this group to
remain idle means wasting large investments in education
and future development opportunities .

In view of the above, does the Commission intend to take
measures for raising the age limit for youth unemployment
to 25, so that 20 —25 year olds can also be eligible for EU
measures aimed at reducing youth unemployment ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 1 995 )

The age threshold for the definition of youth unemployment
used by the Commission for the calculation of youth
unemployment statistics is already 25 years . The monthly
bulletin of unemployment published by Eurostat presents
unemployment for all young people under 25 years, and
separately for men and women .

The age threshold for access to special labour market
programmes and measures in the Member States aimed
specifically at young people is decided by each Member State
as a function of the objectives of the particular measures and
the scale of the problem to be addressed . Most, if not all,
Member States have such programmes, which aim to

No C 202 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

improve the employment prospects of young people and
help them to enter the labour market . In the majority of
cases access to such programmes is open up to 25 years, but
may also be lower or even higher .

The Commission does agree that the level of youth
unemployment — defined as unemployment of those under
25 years — in the Community is extremely serious . In
February 1995 it averaged 21,2 % for the Member States
taken together, although this represents a slight fall from the
rate of 22,0 % in February 1994 . It is estimated that young
people are twice as much at risk from unemployment as
adults . The spread of youth unemployment among the
Member States is also much greater than for overall
unemployment, ranging from 6,7 % in Luxembourg to
43,7% in Spain .

Many of these unemployed young people have never been
employed, and young people compromise a significant
proportion of the long-term unemployed . Furthermore,
some 5 million young people under 25 years have no
recognisable, marketable qualification, and up to 20 of
young people are leaving education each year without
recognisable, marketable qualifications . In the white paper
on growth, competitiveness and employment, the
Commission put forward a series of proposals for
improving the prospects of young people under 25 to enter
the labour market .

These proposals have now been further focused, both in
terms of policy objectives and of resources . The recent
Community support frameworks or single programming
documents of the European social fund under Objective 3
for 1994 — 1999 include measures aimed particularly at
unqualified young people under 20 in order to address the
disproportionate risk they face of becoming long-term
unemployed or precariously employed adults . A new strand
of the ' employment ' initiative ( Youthstart ) is devoted to
innovative transnational actions for achieving these
objectives .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-809 / 95

by Giulio Fantuzzi ( PSE )

to the Commission

The Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Resources,
Walter Luchetti, declared the Government 's opposition to
the amendment authorizing the use ( until the individual
circumstances of milk producers were definitively
ascertained ) of self-certification of products in accordance
with Law No 15 of 4 January 1968, citing constitutional
issues stemming from incompatibility with Community
rules .

Will the Commission therefore state whether it recognizes,
and in what terms, the existence of the problem referred to
by the Minister ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 April 1995 )

As soon as the Chamber of Deputies in Italy had adopted
Decree-law No 727 to which the Flonourable Member

refers, the Commission informed the Italian authorities of

the serious concern that several elements of the text caused

it, including the provisions on self-certification .

When this Decree-law was converted into a full Law by the
Italian Parliament on 24 February 1995, the Commission
wrote a letter to the Italian authorities stressing the danger
of allowing, in all cases of dispute, the self-certification of
the marketed quantities . In addition to the fact that such a
measure is not provided for in Community law, resorting to
it is likely to compromise the objective that allocations for
the 1995 / 96 milk year should be made in strict compliance
with the overal quantities guaranteed on 1 April 1995 .

It was therefore pointed out to the Italian authorities that
the Commission, given the current legal position, would be
forced to draw appropriate conclusions if the measures
objected to were to be implemented, whether in the context
of the clearance of EAGGF accounts or the infringement
procedure .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-814 / 95

( 20 March 1995 ) by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE )

(9 SIC 202 / 58 ) to the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

Subject : Compatibility of self-certification rules for milk

producers with Community rules

At its sitting of 14 February 1995, the Chamber of Deputies
of the Italian Republic debated draft Law No 727 of
23 December 1994 laying down the rules for the
re-incorporation of milk production into the Community

quota .

( 95 / C 202 / 59 )

Subject : Documentation on RTD programmes

Documentation for those interested in research and
technological development programmes is not currently
available in all the Community 's official languages . For

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 27

example, on 1 February 1995, documentation concerning
the ' Technological Research ' programme was available in
English only, ' Telematics Systems ' documentation was
available in German and English, ' Materials Technology '
documentation in English, French, German and Italian and
' Advanced Communications Technology ' in English . The
situation is similar for other programmes .

Clearly this causes discrimination to arise between users,
particularly small and medium-sized undertakings, where
linguistic knowledge may be more limited . This places
certain countries at a disadvantage compared with others in
terms of access to the above Community funds and

programmes .

In view of this, has the Commission considered postponing
the deadline for applications regarding these programmes to
enable documentation in all the Union 's official languages to
be made available long enough in advance ?

Does not the Commission consider that the unavailability of
documents in certain languages affects equal opportunities
in terms of access to Community programmes for all
individuals and undertakings in the European Union ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 1995 )

Although the simultaneous launch of calls for proposals on
most of the 20 specific research programmes under the

1994 — 1998 framework programme created bottlenecks in
the timely production of supporting supplementary
information in all official languages in some specific cases, it
should be noted that the documentation on the specific
programmes ( Council Decisions, text of calls,
work-programmes ) is available in the official languages of
the Community . Also proposals for projects may be
submitted in any official language of the Community .

The Commission is seeking to improve the efficiency of
circulation of and access to information . Between 250 000

and 300 000 information packages have been sent by the
Commission for the first calls for proposals under the
Fourth Framework Programme .

Relevant information on several programmes is already
available on telematic support ( e.g. Arcade, Cordis ). The
Commission is also exploring new communication systems

( e.g. world-wide web ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-846 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 March 1 995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 60 )

Subject : Harness racing in Krombeke and Sint-Eloois
Winkel ( Belgium )

With a view to stopping needless violence against animals,
will the Commission consider taking action to stop street
races in these Belgian towns, because of the extremely high
casualty rate inflicted on the horses, who are destined for the
slaughterhouse in any event ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 April 199S )

The Commission is aware that street races with horses take
place in Belgium and that horses may be injured accidentally
during these races . As a matter of principle, the Commission
deplores all forms of cruelty to animals and has, in its
proposals concerning the welfare of animals, consistently
sought to provide for the highest possible standards of
welfare .

Although the Community has introduced common rules on
animal welfare pursuant to agricultural and environmental
policy, there are no plans to introduce such rules in the area
of street races with horses . The legislative competence in this
particular domain therefore remains with Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-851 / 95

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 61 )

Subject : Support for scientific and technical policy

The activities of the Monitor programme relating to
strategic analysis, forecasting and evaluation in matters of
research and technology ( 1989 — 1992 ) ( Council Decision
No 89 / 414 / EEC ) (*) included the FAST sub-programme
which, according to information from the Commission,
disseminated the full results of work undertaken in the fields

of social and economic cohesion, innovations in
agro-biotechnology, water resources, etc . What means are
available to the Commission for the purpose of informing
the general public that the above results are accessible via the

No C 202 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

FAST sub-programme ? How can copies be obtained ? Have
lists of the studies carried out been published ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1995 )
(') OJ No L 200, 13 . 7 . 1989, p . 38 .

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 May 1995 )

The research results of the Monitor-FAST programme are
made available to the public via publications, articles in
specialist journals and newspapers and research reports

( FAST Occasional Papers ). These are provided free of
charge on request and have an average circulation of 500 to
5 000 .

The publication of results is also announced in the various

newsletters produced by DG XII and DG XIII of which
several thousand copies are circulated .

DG XII 's newsletter is sent to all the research institutes and

research centres involved in Community research
programmes . The same goes for DG XIII 's newsletter,
notably in the information and communication technology
sectors . DG XIII 's newsletter is also distributed to members
of the Cordis network ( Community Research and
Development Information System ).

Many of the results are also presented at national,

Community or international conferences, colloquia and
work seminars .

Since the Avicenne programme has so far only involved
three calls for proposals over the last three years, most of the
research concerned is not likely to give tangible results yet as
it is intended to cover four or five-year periods .

However, the Commission recently published a catalogue of
all of the research projects that it is supporting as part of
international scientific cooperation with non-member
Mediterranean countries . All of the Avicenne projects are
included, together with updated summaries of the work .
This catalogue is being sent directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-862 / 95

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 63 )

Subject : Pollution caused by industrial waste no longer

subject to criminal proceedings

Law No 2207 adopted by the Greek Parliament on 25 April

1994 removes pollution caused by industrial — including
toxic — waste from the criminal domain . Uncontrolled

dumping of waste is now therefore no longer categorized as
a criminal offence but merely as a misdemeanour subject to a
fine of Dr 20 000 . The law has thus become more lenient in a

country which produces 6 685 000 tonnes of waste a year,
WRITTEN QUESTION E-854 / 95 572 000 tonnes of which is toxic and hazardous .

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission Given that :

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 62 )

Subject : Avicenne programme

In the context of scientific and technological cooperation
with the countries of Latin America, Asia and the
Mediterranean an exploratory action has been launched in
the form of the Avicenne programme . This programme,
which is open to the countries of the southern
Mediterranean, covers two important fields :

health and the environment ( J ). Are any results available
from the research work which has been undertaken ? What
specific projects are being funded ?

I 1 ) OJ No C 173, 9 . 7 . 1992, p . 15 .

— these changes to the law have resulted in a halt to

investigations into the causes of industrial pollution,
since the prosecuting authorities do not conduct
investigations into misdemeanours, and the
discontinuation of all cases already documented ;

— public health and the environment is endangered ;

— there have been numerous breaches of Directive
78 / 319 / EEC { l ), which aims to protect human health
and the environment from toxic and hazardous waste

and was transposed into Greek law in 1985 by
Ministerial Decision 72751 / 3054,

will the Commission say whether Greece has complied with
its obligation under Directive 78 / 319 / EEC to draw up and
forward to the Commission, every three years, a special
report on the management of toxic and hazardous waste ?

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 29

Will it intercede to ensure that the component Greek
authorities revoke this scandalous law which is completely
contrary to Directive 78 / 319 / EEC and will it call for its
immediate and total removal from the Greek statute

books ?

(') OJ No L 84, 31 . 3 . 1978, p . 43 .

preference be given to processing rather than withdrawal or
destruction of certain agricultural products not included in
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 ( 3 ) and specifically mentions
apricots can the Commission say whether it would be
possible to include apricots under Regulation ( EEC )
No 426 / 86 among the Mediterranean products most
affected by competition ? Does the Commission think a
specific proposal will be adopted for Majorcan dried
apricots, given their importance for the region ?

(M OJ No C 152, 19 . 6 . 1995, p . 19 .
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard ( 2 ) OJ No L 49, 27 . 2 . 1986, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 49, 27 . 2 . 1986, p . 1 .

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 5 ) OJ No L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission has not received situation reports on the
disposal of toxic and dangerous waste in Greece, as required (3 May 1995 )
by Article 16 ( 1 ) of Council Directive 78 / 319 / EEC on toxic
and dangerous waste . As far as the categorization of
offences under national legislation implementing the In its answer to Written Question No
provisions of Council Directive 78 / 319 / EEC is concerned, it apricots, the Commission stated
is a matter, for Member States to categorize such offences . including this product in the list
Council Directive 78 / 319 / EEC does not make any explicit production aid ( Regulation ( EEC )
provision relating to criminality of offences .

In its answer to Written Question No 2802 / 94 on Majorcan
apricots, the Commission stated its reasons for not
including this product in the list of those qualifying for
production aid ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 426 / 86 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-866 / 95

by Joan Vallve ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 64 )

Subject : Inclusion of apricots in the list of Mediterranean

products

The processing of apricots into dried form is a traditional
activity in Majorca, where a specific industry has grown up
for the purpose, and where there is intense competition from
Maghreb and Middle Eastern coutries .

A few months ago, I tabled a Written Question to the
Commission ( E-2802 / 94 ) ( ! ) requesting the possibility of
transferring ( under Regulation ( EEC ) No 426 / 86 ( 2 ))
Majorca 's surplus fresh apricots to apricot-processing
enterprises in Majorca . In reply, the Commission reply
advised waiting for new proposals to be drawn up which it
considered could take account of the situation of Majorcan
dried apricots .

In view of Parliament 's adoption of the resolution on the
development and future of Community policy in the fruit
and vegetables sector ( A4-15 / 95 ), which urges that

The Commission does not intend to extend this list to

incorporate apricots or any other products .

The Commission is, however, currently drawing up reforms
of the fruit and vegetable sector according to the criteria
outlined in the answer referred to above . Consequently, the
case of Majorcan apricots can be examined when the new
provisions are in place .

In view of the above, the Commission is not in a position to
add anything to the answer already given to the Honourable
Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-867 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 65 )

Subject : Allocation to Luxembourg under the Pesca

programme

When allocating the budgetary provision for the
Community Pesca programme among the Member States,
the Commission approved a subsidy of ECU 1 million to the
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg .

In view of the fact that the object of the Pesca programme is
to help those working in the fisheries sector to withstand the
structural crisis, and considering that the Grand Duchy does

No C 202 / 30 MEN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

not have a coast or a fishing fleet, what were the
Commission 's reasons for taking this decision ? What
specific use will be made of this subsidy ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

The Commission has allocated no Community funds to
Luxembourg under the Pesca Initiative .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-875 / 95

by Phillip Whitehead ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

rights between Member States, which has been happening
relatively frequently .

Surprisingly, however, the agreement allows something
which constitutes a complete novelty, namely that the
quotas exchanged may be caught in zones other than those
laid down by the annual regulation on TACs and quotas,
with the agreements stating that these quotas must be
caught ' exclusively in waters under the sovereignty or
jurisdiction of France or Portugal, as appropriate '. This
means, for example, that in the case of anchovies, 80% of
the exchanged quota is to be caught in Zone IX instead of
Zone VIII .

Does the Commission believe that the principle of relative
stability has been respected in this Council Agreement ?

( 95 / C 202 / 66 ) Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Conservation of natural habitats, flora and (2 May 1 995 )
fauna

What specific action is the Commission taking to ensure that

specific taking to ensure The exchanges to which the Honourable Member refers do

Council Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( ] ) of 21 May 1992 on the not affect the allocation of quotas and so, therefore, have no
conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna impact on relative stability . The possibility of transferring
is being implemented in Member States of the European quotas to other zones, as it has been introduced, is not a
Union ? novelty as it is allowed in the case of other species . It is

intended to ensure better use of the resources available .

0 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7 .

Council Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( ] ) of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna
is being implemented in Member States of the European
Union ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-901 / 95
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco ( PSE )
answer to Written Question No 737 / 95 ( ] ) - to the Commission

(') See page 23 of this Official Journal . ( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 68 )

Subject : Equal treatment for women
WRITTEN QUESTION E-881 / 95

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 67 )

Subject : Council Agreement of 22 December 1994
concerning the management of fishing effort with
regard to specific Community fishing zones and

resources

Last December, the Council of fisheries Ministers agreed on
certain measures concerning the exchange of specific fishing

Since just and equal treatment for all does not mean treating
everyone as though they were identical and ignoring their
differences, but in treatment which takes account of
differences, does the Commission really believe that its
commitment to respecting equal treatment for men and
women as meaning that it must ignore fundamental
differences such as pregnancy, childbirth and
breast-feeding ?

Does the Commission think that in any one of these
situations, a woman can take part in a competition on an
equal footing with a man ?

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 31

Answer given by Mr Liikanen organization of the market for fruit and vegetables to

on behalf of the Commission support the production of asparagus intended for

( 15 May 1995 ) processing ?

Article 27 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the
European Communities provides that ' officials shall be
selected without reference to race, creed or sex .' The
principle is applied by analogy in the event of an internal
competition .

The Commission is at pains to secure compliance with the
principle of equal treatment for all applicants at all its
competitions . Consequently it arranges for the tests to be
held in a variety of locations within the Community, but
always the same tests on the same dates . That is why it is not
possible for an applicant to plead health considerations

( sickness, pregnancy, confinement or accident ) or any other
personal considerations, however, justified, to have the date
or substance of the tests changed .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-9 10 / 95

by Christian Jacob ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 69 )

Subject : Community production of asparagus and
competition from third countries

Community production of asparagus for processing is being
seriously threatened by competition from third countries, in
particular China and Peru, which are exporting increasing
quantities of frozen and tinned asparagus to the European
Union .

The cultivation and processing of asparagus is highly
labour-intensive, which makes competition from countries
with cheap labour particularly fierce .

In addition, concessions to Peru are being renewed in 1995
for an extra year under the preferential arrangements
granted to certain Latin American countries as part of
measures to combat the production of cocaine : processed
asparagus from these countries is exempt from customs
duty .

Can the Commission produce a study showing that the
cultivation of asparagus is really replacing that of
cocaine ?

If not, does the Commission intend to propose that the
preferential arrangements for semi-processed and processed
asparagus from these countries be halted as of 1 January

1996 ?

Lastly, what specific proposals does the Commission plan to
put forward as part of the reform of the common

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

The main object of the special Andean arrangements is to
stimulate the economies of the countries in question through
the granting of certain preferences in order to constitute a
sound basis free of the influence of drug trafficking . At the
same time, by encouraging exports, the system of
preferences promotes the development of legal crops at the
expense of drugs .

It is not, however, possible to measure the direct correlation
between the increase in production of a particular product,
for example, asparagus exported to the Community after
processing, and a reduction in the area given over to illegal
crops . The Commission is kept informed at a more general
level of the results of efforts of the Andean authorities to

combat drug trafficking and the impact of the preferential

arrangements .

The Commission is aware of the severe international

competition being faced by producers of asparagus for
processing and preserving . In its communication to the
Council and Parliament on the ' Development and future of
Community policy in the fruit and vegetables sector ' ('), the
Commission identified the asparagus sector as one of
regional importance and exposed to international
competition resulting in specific problems for which the
normal tools of the market organization could prove
inadequate . If this proves to be the case, the introduction of
specific measures for the sector could be considered .

Naturally, the Commission will be able to consider the need
for and content of specific measures only after
implementation of the reform . Proposals on this subject will
be presented shortly .

(') COM(94 ) 360 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-912 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 70 )

Subject : Measures to assist the regional press

Does the Commission consider that, in order to protect the
place of the written word in our culture, the European
Union should take measures to deal with the crisis facing the

No C 202 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

press in all the countries of the Union, in particular the
regional press, which is a cornerstone of local
democracy ?

unit to keep a closer watch on this species ? Such a measure
could be introduced as part of inter-regional
cooperation .

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission
on behalf of the Commission
(5 May 1 995 )
( 12 May 1995 )

At the European press meeting held in Luxembourg from 2
to 4 July 1991, press representatives emphasized the
essentially national character of the print media ( dailies,
weeklies and periodicals ) and the need to respect local
cultures in achieving European integration . The meeting
welcomed the positive effects on the print media resulting
from the advertising requirements for the broadcast media
laid down by Council Directive 89 / 552 / EEC of 3 October

1989 ( the ' television without frontiers ' Directive ) ( l ).

Today the completion of the single market raises the

question whether the differences in national rules on media
pluralism and ownership and the principles of free
movement of services and freedom of establishment are

compatible . Following Parliament 's resolutions on this
matter, the Green Paper published by the Commission in
December 1992 paved the way for initial consultations with
all parties concerned on the advisability of Community
action ( 2 ). On 5 October 1994 the Commission launched a
second round of consultations, no longer on advisability,
but on the details of a Community initiative to secure
equivalent protection of pluralism from one country to
another ( 3 ). The importance of this debate is obvious . The
Commission is particularly anxious to maintain close
contact with Parliament, especially the Members more
particularly interested in the matter .

Notwithstanding the question of the possible creation of an
Atlantic Observatory which is presently under
consideration, Spain and France jointly stated at the
Fisheries Council of December 1994 that they were
committed to setting up a ' Franco-Spanish fisheries
committee ', to examine all topics of a bilateral interest at
administrative level, where necessary in collaboration with
the trade . They restated their intention to renew and, if
possible, improve the 1992 bilateral agreement on
anchovies for a multiannual period with effect from 1995,
taking account of the concerns of the two Member States,
including in particular the level of the annual exchange of
quotas, control measures and marketing problems .

At the beginning of March 1995 this committee began its
operations and a preliminary agreement has been drawn up
on issues related to the anchovy fishery . The committee
includes representatives of the regions concerned by the
fishery . This will ensure the desired inter-regional

cooperation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-941 / 95

by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE )

to the Commission

(') OJ No L 298, 17 . 10 . 1989 . ( 31 March 1995 )

( 2 ) COM(92 ) 480 final .
(■') COM(94 ) 353 final .

( 95 / C 202 / 72 )

Subject : Adapt programme

Can the Commission say what projects have been agreed for
Malaga in the context of the Adapt programme ? What is the
extent of the Community contribution, and what dates have

QUESTION E-915 / 95 been set for presentation by the Member State of the

Raffarin ( PPE ) respective projects for approval by the Commission, and for

to the Commission the Community subsidy for each project to be made
available to the Spanish authorities ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-915 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 71 )

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Atlantic monitoring unit for anchovy
( 10 May 1995 )

Having accepted a sizeable increase in the French quota for
anchovy fishing ( 17 300 tonnes ), is the Commission
prepared to support the creation of an Atlantic monitoring

The deadline for presenting projects for inclusion in the
Adapt programme is 31 July 1995 .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 33

The ESF ( European Social Fund ) contribution to Spain for
the Adapt programme amounts to ECU 229 million .

Operational programmes are submitted for the
Commission 's approval after negotiations have taken place
between the latter and the Member States . However, the
projects themselves are not presented to the Commission for
its approval . Responsibility for approving them rests solely
with the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-974 / 95

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 73 )

Subject : Cooperation in the fields of justice and home

affairs

1 . Will the Commission set out the Commission

Member, Directorate-General and administrative unit
responsible for the following areas of Union activity :

( a ) the free movement of persons under Article 7a of the EC
Treaty,

( b ) visa matters under Article 100c of the EC Treaty,

( c ) drug dependence under Article 129 of the EC
Treaty,

( d ) each of the nine areas ( subdivided as necessary ) cited as

' matters of common interest ' under Article K.l,

( e ) respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
under Article F.2,

( f ) the fight against racism and xenophobia under the Joint
Declaration of 11 June 1986 and subsequent texts ?

2 . In the light of experience of the Treaty on European
Union, does the Commission have plans to change the above
structures, for example, by making a single
Directorate-General competent for justice and home
affairs ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 May 1995 )

1 . Responsibility for cooperation in the fields of justice
and home affairs, as set out in Title VI of the Treaty on
European Union ( TEU ) lies with Mrs Gradin at the level of

the Commission, and with the Secretariat-General,
Directorate F, at the level of the Commission services . Other
services are closely associated with work under Title VI in so
far as it involves Community policies for which they are
responsible and involved . However, with regard to the
specific areas in the Honourable Member 's question, the
responsibilities are divided as follows :

( a ) the free movement of people under Article 7A of the EC
Treaty comes under the responsibility of Mr Monti and
his services ( DG XV, Directorate A );

( b ) Mr Monti and DG XV, Directorate A are also
responsible for those aspects of visa policy covered by
Article 100 C of the EC Treaty ;

( c ) drug dependence as covered by Article 129 of the EC
Treaty is the responsibility of Mr Flynn and his services
in DG V, Directorate F ;

( d ) the nine areas listed in Article K.l of the Treaty on

European Union are the responsibility of Mrs Gradin
and her services in the Secretariat-General, Directorate
F. In so far as Article K.l . 5 concerns fighting fraud
against the Community budget the
Secretariat-General 's UCLAF takes the lead, also under
the responsibility of Mrs Gradin . Mr Monti and his
services in DG XXI are closely associated with work
under Article K.l . 8 ; his services in DG XV are closely
associated with work under Article K.l . 6 and, in so far
it relates to Article 7 A of the EC Treaty, with work
under Article K.l.l to 3 ;

( e ) respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is
primarily the responsibility of Mr Van Den Broek, an
agreement with President Santer, and his services in
DG 1A, Directorate A. This reflects the importance of
the matter in the context of the Union 's relations with

third countries . The commitment to compliance with
the relevant Council of Europe Convention of 1950
also appears in Article K.2 of the Treaty on European
Union for which Mrs Gradin has overall

responsibility ;

( f ) lead responsibility for the fight against racism and
xenophobia lies with Mr Flynn and his services in
DG V, Directorate D. Mrs Gradin and the
Secretariat-General, Directorate F, are closely
associated, in particular where aspects falling under
title VI of the Treaty on European Union, notably
police cooperation, are concerned .

2 . The Commission is currently examining whether or
not the present structure and the resources committed to it
within the Secretariat-General are adequate for the
increasing level of activity generated by the new areas of
cooperation introduced by Title VI of the Treaty on
European Union .

No C 202 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION P - 1004 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-984 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION P 

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE ) by Christian Jacob ( RDE )

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

(9 SIC 202 / 74 )

Subject : Recruitment of staff to the European
institutions

In answer to a written qustion from Christine Oddy

( CE - 1966 / 94 ( 1 )), the Commission stated that the ' staff
regulations require the institutions to recruit on the basis of
merit '. Yet in the same answer it justifies continuing age
discrimination on the grounds that ' the removal of age limits

. . . would undoubtedly aggravate the imbalance ( of gender
and national origin ). 1

Could the Commission explain its philosophical and
political basis for justifying one form of discrimination as
opposed to another ? Could it explain how age
discrimination can be reconciled with the requirement ' to
recruit on the basis of merit '?

Would it accept that discriminating against older workers in
order to reduce sexual imbalances is lazy, absurd and an
avoidance of its responsibility both to treat potential
applicants fairly and to maximize its own efficiency ?

(>) OJ No C 55, 6 . 3 . 1995, p . 20 .

to the Commission

( 24 March 1 995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 75 )

Subject : Provisions concerning compensatory payments

The protein crop regulation offers the Commission the
possibility of using the arrangements for compensatory
payments to compensate for falls in market prices

( Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 Article 15 ( 2 ): From the
1994 / 95 marketing year onwards, the Council may decide,
according to the procedure laid down in Article 43 ( 2 ) of the
Treaty that the arrangements for making the compensatory
payments for oil seeds shall also apply to the case of protein
crops .) (*).

Since the market price of protein crops has fallen by 10 %
since the beginning of the 1994 / 95 season, there is great
concern about the future of these products . Protein crops
are the only major arable crops which do not benefit from a
producers ' income stabilization scheme . The loss of
profitability in the case of protein crops could, if no
measures are taken, lead to a considerable reduction in the
area under such crops from 1995 onwards . Protein crops are
essential for maintaining soil quality in land used for major
crops ; they supply a considerable demand, and help to offset
the European Union 's severe protein shortfall ( the EU is only
35% self-sufficient ).

Does the Commission intend to make use of the

opportunities in existing Regulations ( cf . Article 15 ( 2 ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 cited below ) and raise the
compensatory payments for protein crops before the 1995
sowing ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .
Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 May 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1995 )
The Commission explained in detail in its reply to the
Written Question No 1966 / 94 by Mrs Oddy the reasons for
maintaining age limits in competitions for certain grades of The Commission does not intend
permanent officials . There is no contradiction between this concerning the level of the
policy and the statutory requirement to recruit on the basis beans and sweet lupins before the
candidate of merit . Recruitment is assessed on is the via basis open of competitions his results of where the written each 1 995 harvest . Sowing for the 1995

way throughout the Community .

and oral tests . Only the candidates who perform best at
these objective tests are placed on the reserve lists . The
Commission does not accept the hypothesis in the The marketing year 1995 / 96 is
Honourable Member 's last question . transitional period of the reform

The Commission does not intend to table a proposal
concerning the level of the compensatory payment for peas,
beans and sweet lupins before the start of sowing for the

1 995 harvest . Sowing for the 1995 harvest is now well under
way throughout the Community .

The marketing year 1995 / 96 is the final year of the
transitional period of the reform and only in this year will
the effects of the reform become evident . Since 1993 / 94 the

value of the compensatory payment for cereals has risen as
the institutional prices have been reduced . The value of the
compensatory payment for peas, beans and sweet lupins has

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 35

been unchanged since 1993 / 94, when it was set at a level
intended to allow peas, beans and sweet lupins to compete
with cereals at the end of the transitional period .

In 1993 / 94 and 1994 / 95, producers of peas, beans and
sweet lupins enjoyed a comparative advantage over
producers of cereals through the payment of protein crop
compensation that was based on a cereals price much lower
than the prevailing market price . Under these conditions the
area of peas, beans and sweet lupins increased significantly,
whilst the area sown with other crops declined .

Latest estimates of the area of land sown with peas, beans
and sweet lupins for harvest in 1995 show that Community
sowings are at approximately the same level that they were
in 1992 / 93, the year before the reformed regime was put
into place . Therefore, there was no basis for the
Commission to propose a modification of the support
arrangements for 1995 / 96 before sowing started .

Nevertheless, the Commission is keeping the matter under
scrutiny and awaits confirmation of the area sown with
these crops in 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1005 / 95

by Friedrich Wolf ( V )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 76 )

Subject : Contracts awarded by the Commission
information office in Bonn

On the basis of what criteria did the Commission office in

Bonn decide to award the contract for caretaking and
security services on its premises to the Interschutz
company ?

Is the Commission aware that the firm which will in future
be responsible for the surveillance of its premises is
infringing labour law by requiring applicants to fill in a
questionnaire which asks female applicants whether they
are pregnant and asks all applicants whether they are
members of a trade union ?

Does the Commission consider that the security firm
concerned, which pays its staff a gross hourly wage of DM

11, is capable of providing suitably qualified staff ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 May 1995 )

The Commission has no contract with Interschutz to guard
its premises at the Bonn Information Office . An invitation to

tender is being prepared, in full compliance with Directive
92 / 50 / EEC on public service contracts ( 1 ).

(') OJ No L 209, 24 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1033 / 95

by Mair Morgan ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 77 )

Subject : Pension deductions

At the moment, Member States are at liberty to demand
deductions for social security from payments made to
company pension funds by payees no longer resident in the
country requiring such deductions . A British employee
having worked for several years in Belgium, would, on
returning to work in the United Kingdom, still have
deductions taken from a Belgian pension plan for social
security, but would not have to make such contributions
from his British pension .

As the European Union is encouraging and facilitating the
movement of workers within its Member States, does the
Commission intend taking steps towards harmonizing the
rules on deductions made from pension payments ?

Does the Commission intend introducing a Directive that
Member States should only be allowed to take deductions
for contributions such as social security, if and when the
pension payee is resident in the country requiring such
deductions ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the problem raised by the
Honourable Member concerning deductions from
payments made to pension funds involving workers who
exercise their right to freedom of movement .

In this connection, under its medium-term social action
programme adopted in April 1995, the Commission expects
to put forward in the near future a proposal for a Directive
on safeguarding supplementary pension rights, which
should, among other things, address this problem .

No C 202 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1048 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION P 
by Roberta Angelilli ( NI ) by Erika Mann ( PSE )

WRITTEN QUESTION P - 1052 / 95

by Roberta Angelilli ( NI )

to the Commission to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 78 )

Subject : Peace process in Northern Ireland

In spite of the peace process launched in Northern Ireland,
which is being economically supported by the EU, there is
still a problem causing social and political difficulty because
of the unresolved judicial and criminal question of the
so-called political prisoners .

Can the Commission arrange for a working party to be set
up to check on :

1 . the number of political prisoners and their social
composition ;

2 . prison living conditions ;

3 . the possibility ot superseding the emergency legislation
on terrorism and the related increased penalties in
respect of current legislation and proposing — where
possible — alternative measures of detention, such as
house arrest for women with families and partial
freedom for men, i.e. the possibility of working outside
prison during the day-time ;

4 . the possibility of comparing data, legal developments
and the political situation in Ireland with regard to
terrorism and political imprisonment with those in other
countries of the European Union that have experienced
the same problem ( Italy, Spain, Germany, etc .), in
cooperation with associations dealing with these
questions, in the hope that a standard legal and political
solution can be found for the Union 's Member

States .

( 28 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 79 )

Subject : Information concerning the amount of aid received

by Lower Saxony in 1994

How much EC funding did Lower Saxony receive in 1994,
and in respect of which measures, from :

1 . the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ),

2 . the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section,

3 . the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section,

4 . the European Social Fund ( ESF ),

5 . European Community research programmes,

6 . European Community energy programmes,

7 . European Community environmental programmes,

and

8 . other European Community programmes ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 May 1995 )

Community finance for Lower Saxony in 1994 was as
follows :
Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 May 1995 ) ( ECU million )

ERDF

Objective 2 3,001
It would not be appropriate for the Commission to set up a Objective 5b 11,667
working party to examine the issues raised by the
Honourable Member as they do not fall within Community
competence . Interreg I programme for Germany and the Netherlands

( EMS-Dollart Euregio ). The ERDF contribution to the
1991 — 1993 operational programme was ECU 12 246 000 .
In 1994 ECU 3 674 000 was paid .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 37

( ECU million ) Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

EAGGF Guidance Section (')

Horizontal measures 37,6

Rural development 16,0

ESF

Objective 2 4,03

Objective 3 18,58

Objective 4 1,91
Objective 5b 5,83

Fisheries

FIFG 1,25

Energy
Thermie (3 projects ) 3,076

SAVE 0,032

Research

DG XII programmes 15,403
DG XIII programmes

Total cost of projects : 69,039
Communications technology

Medical data communications 3,908

Transport data communications 72,485

Education training and youth

Comett 0,57

Erasmus & Lingua ( Action II ) 1,49

Force 0,17

Youth for Europe 0,09

Lingua 0,52

Petra 0,23

ECSC loans

11 projects 1,04

(') The Land breakdown of Guarantee Section expenditure is not
available .

Two Euro-Info-Centres are in operation, and there are seven

members of the BC-Net ( Business Cooperation Network )
and the Business Cooperation Centre .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1062 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 80 )

Subject : Fisheries inspection

What is the ratio of each Member State 's fishery inspectors
to each Member State 's registered fishing vessels ?

(2 May 1995 )

Fisheries inspection in the Member States relies upon the
technical monitoring by the national authorities of :

— conservation and ressource management measures,

— structural measures,

— measures concerning the common organization of the

market .

The number of national authorities responsible for
inspection in each sector varies from one Member State to
the next and the Commission does not possess details of the
total number of individuals employed in the different
sectors . However, under the terms of Council Regulation

( EEC ) No 2847 / 93 ('), which entered into force on

1 January 1994, Member States are required to transmit to
the Commission before 1 June each year an annual report on
the application of this Regulation over the previous calendar
year . These reports will contain an assessment of the
technical and human ressources used by the Member States
and following their receipt the Commission should be in a
position to calculate the ratio of inspectors to registered
fishing vessels as the Honourable Member has requested .

(') O ] No L 261, 20 . 10 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1086 / 95

by Kirsten Jensen ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 81 )

Subject : Cross-border transport of bicycles

In its answer to question No 140 by Mr Rogalla

( H-764 / 92 ) ('), the Commission stated that it had
commissioned a study by the European Cyclists Federation
on the subject of transporting bicycles on trains .

Will it state what the conclusions of that report are and what
steps it has taken or has considered taking in response
thereto ?

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-423 ( October
1992 ).

No C 202 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

Since then, the Commission has participated in, or helped
plan, the following projects :

(2 June 1995 )
1 . Industry :

The Commission funded the study on ' provision for bicycles
made by the railways of western Europe ' at the request of
the European Cyclists Federation . The conclusion of the
report was that ' many of the present difficulties have
resulted from the lack of a mutually beneficial policy of
constructive consultation and investigation '. The
Commission believes that the work involved in the
preparation of the report was itself the beginning of such a
policy .

On the specific question of the carriage of bicycles on trains,
as the Commission has previously stated, this is a
commercial decision taken by the railway company and it is
not within the competence of the Commission to
intervene .

— Support for industrial development : 1st programme

1992 ( finished ): ECU 650 000

2nd programme 1994 ( under way ): ECU 850 000

3rd programme 1995 / 96 ( in the pipeline ):
approximately ECU 900 000 .

2 . Dam construction, and development and management
of the Pilcomayo river :

— Aid for the Rio Pilcomayo bi-national commission :

Dam construction feasibility study — set for this
year approximately ECU 650 000

— Aid for the Rio Pilcomayo tri-national commission :

Assessment and feasibility study for the management
of the Pilcomayo river basin — set for 1995 :
approximately ECU 600 000 .

3 . Infrastructure :

— Hidrovia : Series of studies into the Hidrovia ports

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1087 / 95

( Parana River, Paraguay ) set for 1995 / 96 :

Kreissl-Dörfler ( V ) approximately ECU 6 500 000 .

to the Commission

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

( 12 April 1995 ) (') OJ No L 52, 27 . 2 . 1992 .

( 95 / C 202 / 82 )

Subject : EC aid to development projects in Paraguay

What major projects ( exceeding ECU 500 000 ), either
carried out in the years 1980 — 1994 or still in progress,
particularly in the fields of industrial development,
dam-building and infrastructure, has the Commission
co-financed in Paraguay ?

Does the Commission have any plans to finance and
implement such projects in Paraguay in 1995 and 1996 ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 May 1995 )

Under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 443 / 92 ( ) and the
terms of the budget, the Commission cannot finance
large-scale infrastructure projects ( new factories, dams, etc .)
except in the case of hospitals and post-disaster rebuilding
work .

Responsibility for financing such projects lies with the
European Investment Bank ( EIB ) but the Commission does
step in with financing for related studies and technical

assistance .

In the case of Paraguay, the cooperation agreement was
signed in 1992 ( after the Stroessner era ), hence the absence
of any similar Commission-backed project before that
time .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1092 / 95

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

95 / C 202 / 83 )

Subject : European ban on anti-Semitic writings denying the

holocaust

A book is being offered for sale in Germany from Spain

[' Freispruch fur Hitler ? 27 ungehorte Zeugen wider die
Gaskammer ' ( Should Hitler be aquitted ? 37 unheard
witnesses against the gas chamber ) by Gerd Honsik ] which,
in a cynical and pseudoscholarly style, denies that the
holocaust took place . Copies of this shoddy piece of work
have in the past been seized in Germany, and a new edition is
now being sold to customers in Germany by mail order from
an address in Spain .

Some Member States have already introduced measures
under the criminal law against revisionist acts . In Article 9

( fc ) of its resolution of 15 March 1995 on the Commission 's
work programme for 1995, Parliament called for 'a
Directive to be adopted to combat racism, xenophobia and
anti-Semitism, and revisionist acts and denial of the
holocaust '.

What measures does the Commission intend to take in order

to secure a ban throughout Europe on the publication and

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 39

distribution of anti-Semitic and revisionist writings which
deny the holocaust ? Will it draft a Directive as called for by
Parliament ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

The Commission is very concerned by the information

on Answer behalf of given the by Commission Mr Flynn provided by the Honourable Member about the alleged

negligent use of Phare funds by consultants in Romania .
(1 June 1995 )

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's concern

about the cross-border transmission of racist and revisionist

material .

The Justice and home affairs Council addressed the issue in
its final report on the fight against racism and xenophobia .
The report proposes that the possibilities of bridging gaps in
Member States ' laws and international instruments be

examined in greater detail with a view to removing obstacles
to international judicial cooperation . The Council takes the
view that it could be necessary for Member States to
re-examine the balance of their criminal law, civil law and
administrative arrangements to ensure that the most
effective measures are in place to address the various
problems which arise .

The report is based in part on the answers from Member
States to a questionnaire which was elaborated and
distributed under German Presidency . These answers were
subsequently summarised in order to pinpoint possible
lacunae between Member States ' laws .

The Commission has also conducted a comparative study of
the relevant national legislation of Member States and plans
to bring it up-to-date in the course of 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P    - 11 16 / 95

by Wayne David ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 84 )

The Commission has no indication of this alleged
negligence, and the Romanian authorities, who are the
beneficiaries of Phare funds, have not complained about
negligence or mismanagement of such funds . Of course, the
Commission is interested and would appreciate any
additional information which would facilitate further

investigations in this matter .

In any case, the Phare programme implementation in
Romania shows a normal pace, comparable to other
countries . Indeed, as the information provided to the
Parliament with figures at 31 December 1994 shows, ECU
541,7 million has been committed in favour of Romania .
Out of this amount ECU 273,1 million of 50,4% of
commitments has been contracted, and ECU 255,3 million
or 47,1 % of commitments has been paid . These ratios are
very close to the average implementation ratios for the
whole Phare programme, i.e. 52,4 % for contracts and
50,2 % for payments .

As far as follow-up procedures are concerned, the
Commission ensures a continous monitoring of the
programmes being implemented by way of :

— six-monthly progress reports and work programmes

presented by the Romanian authorities and approved by
the Commission ;

— regular visits from the Commission 's Brussels-based task

managers as well as the Commission 's financial control
service and the European Court of Auditors ;

— monthly meetings between the Romanian authorities

and the EC delegation in Romania ; and

— approval by the Commission, either locally in Bucharest

or centrally in Brussels, of all contracts above ECU 1 000
to be concluded by the local authorities .

Subject : Use of Phare funds in Romania In addition, the Commission has recently launched an
external evaluation of programmes in Romania covering
almost all sectors where Phare is involved .

Is the Commission aware of negligent use of Phare funds by
consultants in Romania ? Can it comment on information
about extremely low success rates and a lack of follow-up
procedures involved in administering the funds ?

No C 202 / 40 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 119 / 95

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 85 )

Subject : Drug-related deaths

According to Politiken of 23 March 1995, there was a
record number of drug-related deaths in 1994 .

including research . These provisions can be found in the
abovementioned proposal for a Decision .

In connection with its priority work on demand for drugs
and the reduction of this demand, the European Monitoring
Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction will, moreover, be
able to help improve the comparability of national data on
drug-related deaths and, if necessary, contribute to the
harmonization of data-collection methods and criteria .

(') COM(94 ) 234 final .

( 2 ) COM(94 ) 223 final — OJ No C 257, 14 . 9 . 1994 .

What initiatives has the EU taken to control drugs ? What initiatives have been taken for research into the causes of

these drug-related deaths, and what results has this research
produced ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 125 / 95

by Bryan Cassidy ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Flynn ( 95 / C 202 / 86 )
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

Subject : EU development funding to Central America

The Treaty on European Union provided the Member States
and European institutions with a new framework for joint
action in the field of drug control and drug dependence . This
was the background to the Commission 's communication to
the Council and the European Parliament on a European
Union action plan to combat drugs ( 1 ) and the proposal for a
Decision on a first Community action programme to
prevent drug addiction ( adopted on 21 June 1994 in
accordance with the provisions governing action in the field
of public health in Article 129 of the Treaty ) ( 2 ).

It must, nevertheless, be stressed that the Member States are
still responsible for drug control . They alone have
jurisdiction over legislation in the area . Article 129 does not
provide for harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the
Member States .

The Commission 's preparatory work on the action plan to
combat drugs demonstrated that research is a key factor in

European efforts to combat drugs and also revealed the
relatively weak and compartmentalized nature of European
research in this context . For this reason, the Commission,
taking account of what has already been done ( particularly
the Biomed 2 programme ), advocates coordination of
integrated global research into drugs and drug dependence,
including analysis of the causes and effects of drug
dependence .

Article 129 of the Treaty also states explicitly that
Community action in the field of public health shall
promote research into the causes and ' transmission ' of drug
dependence and that health protection requirements shall
form a constituent part of the Community 's other policies,

Is EU development funding to Central American countries,
such as Guatemala, dependent on the human rights records
there ? If so, what steps has the Commission taken to make
sure that this EU funding is supplied in accordance with
human rights principles laid down by the EU ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 May 1995 )

Under the budget heading for ' Democratization and Human
Rights ' the Commission has since 1991 been funding a series
of initiatives in Guatemala carried out by the human rights
ombudsman, associations for the defence of indigenous
minorities, women and minors and by non-governmental
organizations specializing in the promotion and upholding
of human rights .

Since 1991 Guatemala has been taking part in a regional
Central American programme run by the Inter-American
Human Rights Institute, which provides training for
members of the armed forces, the police and the
judiciary .

The funds allocated for human rights activities over the last
two years in Guatemala amounted to :

— 1993 ECU 1 393 000

— 1994 ECU 2 225 000

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 41

This year some ECU 2 million is to be committed for
schemes in this field, with assistance going to the human
rights ombudsman, ministries and NGOs .

The projects are designed to provide targeted support for the
promotion, upholding and active defence of human rights
by experienced institutions and other civil bodies .

The other projects financed by the Community in
Guatemala are aimed almost exclusively at the poorest
sections of the population, who are often victims of human
rights violations . The aim is to improve their living
conditions and access to basic services .

Community development cooperation in Guatemala thus
dovetails with a development policy aimed at remedying the
deep-rooted causes of the fighting in a bid to contribute to
the drive for peace in the country .

The Commission hopes that the priority accorded to
encouraging human rights and democracy, which has led in
Guatemala to the kind of initiative described above, will
make it possible to nip any resurgence of violence in the bud .
The Community 's considerable efforts to help the poorest in

society, who are the first people to suffer breaches of human
rights, in conjunction with the work of the United Nations
Human Rights Monitoring Mission, should speed up the
peace and democratization process and hasten restoration
of the rule of law in Guatemala .

The Commission attaches great importance to continuing
its current efforts to bolster structures and institutions

aimed at protection human rights and leading, once peace
and political stability return, to a climate more conducive to
closer economic and social ties with Guatemala .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 133 / 95

by Doeke Eisma ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 87 )

In what way does the Commission intend to provide
financial assistance for the clean-up of the affected soil and
to contribute to the provision of new technologies for the
de-sulphurization of fuel ?

(') OJ No C 341, 5 . 12 . 1994, p . 167 .

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

Following the resolution of 17 November 1994, Tacis
would have been favourably inclined towards a request for
its technical or related assistance to help address the Komi
oil spill crisis . However, since the completion of a
fact-finding mission to Komi in which the Commission took
part, there has been no formal request from either the
Republic of Komi or the Russian Federation for any such

assistance .

The Commission has nonetheless remained in regular
contact with both the European bank for Reconstruction
and Development and the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development, especially since their
joint mission to the area in February 1995 . In line with the
banks ' recommendations, emergency work has started to
replace the mid-section of the pipeline as an emergency
measure before the spring thaw . A more substantial
follow-up project is about to be launched under the title
' Emergency oil spill recovery and mitigation project ' which
aims to stabilise the oil in the spill area, to minimise the
amount of oil released during runoff and prevent ecological
damage to the Pechora river basin, to continue the clean-up
in an environmentally appropriate way, to replace the
critical sections of the Kharyagu pipeline, and to enhance its
management and reliability, and to study needs for further
pipeline infrastructure development in Komi .

Although Tacis is not normally allowed to finance soil
clean-up operations as required in Komi, it is prepared to
finance the technical assistance component of such an
initiative, for example through its regional environmental
facility .

WRITTEN QUESTION P    - 1 140 / 95

by André Laignel ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 April 1995 )

Subject : Commission action in response to the oil disaster ( 95 / C 202 / 88 )

in the Komi Republic in October 1994

What initiatives, within and outside the Tacis programme,
has the Commission taken in response to the oil disaster
that occurred in the Komi Republic in October 1994 and
with respect to the European Parliament resolution
B4-345 / 94 (').

Subject : Agriculture : upgrading of the compensatory
payment for protein crops

The Regulation on protein crops allows the Commission to
adjust provisions relating to the compensatory payment in
such a way as to compensate for falling market prices .

No C 202 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

There is considerable concern about the future of protein
crops, given that the market prices for these crops have
fallen by 10% since the beginning of the 1994 / 95 marketing

year .

producers of cereals through the payment of compensation
based on a cereals 's price that was much lower than the
prevailing market price . Under these conditions the area of
peas, beans and sweet lupins increased significantly, whilst
the area sown with other crops declined .

Protein crops are the only arable crops which have no
system for the stabilization of producers ' incomes .
Latest estimates of the area of land sown with peas, beans
and sweet lupins for harvest in 1995 show the Community
sowings are at the same level that they were in 1992 / 93, the

In view of their declining profitability, 1995 could see a year before the reformed regime was put into place .
major reduction in the surface area under cultivation unless Therefore, there was no basis for the Commission to
appropriate measures are taken . propose a modification of the support arrangements for

1995 / 96 in the price package .

Protein crops play a vital role in maintaining the nutrient
balance of arable fields .

Nevertheless, the Commission is keeping the matter under
scrutiny and await confirmation of the area sown with these
They meet a high level of demand and help to palliate the crops in 1995 .
European Union 's serious protein deficit ( the EU provides
for a mere 35 % of its protein needs ).

Why does the Commission not use the option open to it
under Article 15(2 ) of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 ( ! ) to
propose the upgrading of the compensatory payment for
protein crops when farm prices are set this year ?

(') OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 141 / 95

by Michael Tappin ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 April 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler ( 95 / C 202 / 89 )
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1995 )

Subject : Imposition of certification schema on ceramic tiles

The Commission did not propose to modify the level of the produced in the EU for export to Poland
compensatory payment for peas, beans and sweet lupins in
the 1995 / 96 price package because it believed that such a
proposal would have been inappropriate .

1995 / 96 is the final year of the transitional period of the
reform and only in this year will the effects of the reform
become evident . Since 1993 / 94 the value of the

compensatory payment for cereals has risen as the
institutional prices have been reduced . The value of the
compensatory payment for peas, beans and sweet lupins has
been unchanged since 1993 / 94, when it was set at a level
intended to allow peas, beans and sweet lupins to compete
with cereals at the end of the transitional period .

Given that Poland is a signatory to the EU-Europe
agreement, that there has never been cause for concern for
consumer safety with regard to ceramic tiles produced
within the EU, that the costs of the certification scheme
proposed by the Polish Government to apply from 1 May

1 995 to all EU ceramic tiles for export to Poland will have to
be borne by the individual tile producers, that the export of
ceramic tiles to Poland was worth ECU 100 million to EU

companies in 1994, that the ceramics industry accounts for

, 1 % of EU GDP, that the industry is not in a sufficiently
intended to allow peas, beans and sweet lupins to compete healthy state to be able to take such penalties without great
with cereals at the end of the transitional period . risk to levels of employment etc ., and that many of the

factories involved in producing these tiles are situated in less
prosperous areas, what action is the Commission taking to
In 1993 / 94 and 1994 / 95, producers of peas, beans and combat what amounts to the implementation of a trade
sweet lupins enjoyed a comparative advantage over barrier by Poland on the EU ?

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 43

QUESTION P-l 187 / 95 Without wishing to impugn the technical competence of the

Livio Filippi ( PPE ) Warsaw Glass and Ceramics Institute, one may point out

to the Commission that nowhere else in the world are certificates of approval
required for ceramic tile imports .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 187 / 95

by Livio Filippi ( PPE )

( 11 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 90 )

Does the Commission not consider that this Polish

legislation amounts to a failure to comply with the
EU-Poland association agreement, insofar as it entails
Subject : EU ceramic tile exports to Poland standards different from those instituted by it ?

I understand that on 1 May 1995 the Polish authorities are
to introduce arrangements for compulsory certification of
ceramic tiles on the basis of the law of 3 April 1993 on
research and certification ( OJ 55 / 93 — Poland ), which lays
down quality standards different from those applicable to
similar certifications within the EU .

In as much as these arrangements impose restrictions on EU
exports to Poland, are they incompatible with the
Association Agreement between Poland and the EU, and in
particular Article 1, Title I, thereof, which provides for the
harmonious expansion of trade and economic relations
between the parties ?

Can the Commission indicate what steps will be taken to
prevent restrictions on exports of ceramic tiles to
Poland ?

Does the Commission agree that the law of 21 July 1994
implies a distortion of competition ?

What is the Commission 's view on the prejudice occasioned
to small and medium-sized enterprises ? Does the
Commission consider that the Polish legislation may be in
breach of Article 89 of the agremeent ?

In view of the above, and given the Commission 's
responsibility under Article 155 of the EC Treaty as
guardian of the Treaties, what action does the Commission
intend to take ?

Joint answer to Written Questions
P-l 141 / 95, P-l 187 / 95 and E-l 197 / 95

given by Mr Van den Broek
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 197 / 95 ( 15 May 1995 )
by Jose Garria-Margallo y Marfil ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 91 )

Subject : EU exports of ceramics to Poland

The association agreement signed between the EU and the
Republic of Poland on 16 Decedmber 1991 provides for the
harmonization of Polish legislation with EU law in the areas
where it is necessary for the fulfilment of the EU 's objectives,
so as to facilitate the future integration of Poland .

On 21 July 1994 the ' Monitor Polski ' ( No 39 ) published a
legislative text, to come into force on 1 May 1995, under
which certificates of approval are to be compulsory for
imports of ( among other products ) ceramic tiles .

The expense required to obtain such certificates will be such
as, in practice, to impede free trade in general and penalize
the ceramic tile industry, which consists largely of small and
medium-sized enterprises .

As soon as the Commission learned of a Polish law to

introduce certificate requirements on a whole range of
products, made in Poland or abroad, it raised the issue with
the Polish authorities . A first formal discussion took place
on 23 June 1994 in Warsaw . As a result of that and
subsequent meetings, Poland agreed to postpone the entry
into force of its new certification legislation until 1 May

1 995 and a special working group composed of Community
and Polish Government experts was set up to examine the
issue and explain Community legislation and practices in
this area . In the course of these consultations, the
Commission requested deletion from the list of products
requiring certification, of a certain number of products,
including ceramics for construction . The Commission is
following this*issue very closely and has made it clear that
the introduction of the new certification legislation should
not create new trade barriers . In view of its ambition to

become a member of the Union, Poland also has every
interest in avoiding the introduction of legislation and
practices which are not in line with those in the
Community .

No C 202 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 143 / 95

by Antoine-François Bernardini ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 92 )

Subject : Postal services

In May 1992 the Commission published a Green Paper on
the postal sector announcing that framework rules would be
laid down . Since then, no legislative proposal has been
submitted to Parliament, even though the Council, in its
resolution of 7 February 1994 (') outlining the main
objectives of Community postal policy, had set the
Commission a deadline of 1 July 1 994 for the submission of
such measures . No text has yet been put forward .

Recently, the British press reported that the Commission
intended to reorganize postal services along the same lines as
the telecommunications sector .

That is the reason why I am asking the Commission whether
it intends to alter the approach adopted by the various
Community and national bodies .

Does the Commission not feel that it is dangerous to base
organizational proposals on ultra-liberal philosophies
which disregard economic, cultural and social realities (I am
thinking in particular of the current dispute in my
department, the Bouches du Rhone ).

Finally, can the Commission give the exact date on which it
will submit to the European Parliament and the Council a
proposal for a Directive giving a definition of the universal
service and the reservable sector, without which a universal
service cannot be viable on a long-term basis ?

(>) OJ No C 48, 16 . 2 . 1994, p . 3 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1995 )

After the Council resolution of 7 February 1994 an
extensive consultation was undertaken with all interested

parties . Subsequent to this consultation, the Comjnission
began the preparation of specific proposals . However the
complexity of the problem requires a thorough assessment
of a large range of juridical, competition and economic
aspects that did not allow conclusion of the Commission 's
work in 1994 .

For this reason the establishment of a regulatory framework
for postal services is contained in the Commission 's work
programme for 1995 ( ! ). This regulatory framework will
include proposals for common universal definition, quality
of services, technical standardization and the definition of
reservable services .

In designing its proposals, the Commission will take note of
the global development in the broader communication
services sector, which includes the telecommunication
sector as well as the postal sector . However, as these services
have their own special characteristics, the specific proposals
will need to reflect not only some common features ( such as
obligation from the Treaty, or common customer
requirements, for example ), but also they will need to be
oriented to different needs within each of the sectors .

Because the Commission has not yet formally put forward
any proposals, any reporting in the press is purely
speculative and should be treated as such .

(') COM(95 ) 26 final of 8 . 2 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 145 / 95

by Raymond Chesa ( RDE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 93 )

Subject : Adjustment of the Regulation on high-protein

products in the CAP

Since the beginning of the 1994 / 95 marketing year, the
market price of high-protein products has fallen by 10%
and the outlook for these crops is very worrying .
High-protein products are the only large-scale crop for
which there is no income stabilization system . However, the
Regulation on high-protein products offers the Commission
the option of adjusting the provisions on the compensatory
payment in order to offset falls in the market price .

Given the current situation, such a measure might well be
regarded as necessary .

Does the Commission intend to implement, before the 1995
sowing season, the provisions of Article 15(2 ) of Regulation
( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 (') which authorizes it to increase the
compensatory payment in respect of high-protein
products ?

(') OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

The Commission does not intend to table a proposal
concerning the level of the compensatory payment for peas,
beans and sweet lupins before sowings for the 1995 harvest

commence .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 45

1995 / 96 is the final year of the transitional period of the
reform and only in this year will the effects of the reform
become evident . Since 1 993 / 94 the value of the compenstory
payment for cereals has risen as the institutional prices have
been reduced . The value of the compensatory payment for
peas, beans and sweet lupins has been unchanged since

1993 / 94, when it was set at a level intended to allow peas,
beans and sweet lupins to compete with cereals at the end of
the transitional period .

In 1993 / 94 and 1994 / 95, producers of peas, beans and
sweet lupins enjoyed a comparative advantage over
producers of cereals through the payment of compensation
based on a cereals ' price that was much lower than the
prevailing market price . Under these conditions the area of
peas, beans and sweet lupins increased significantly, whilst
the area sown with other crops declined .

Latest estimates of the area of land sown with peas, beans
and sweet lupins for harvest in 1995 show that Community
sowings are at the same level that they were in 1992 / 93, the
year before the reformed regime was put into place .
Therefore, there was no basis for the Commission to
propose a modification of the support arrangements for

1995 / 96 in the price package .

Nevertheless, the Commission is keeping the matter under
scrutiny and awaits confirmation of the area sown with
these crops in 1995 .

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

National programmes financed under Phare include a
number of measures enabling Community citizens active in
the economy or in public life to forge contacts with their
opposite numbers from the East, for instance in the fields of
regional development, small business promotion and local
government reform . Some national programmes also extend
eligibility to non-governmental organizations and
associations, particularly in the areas of local job-creation,
support for the health sector, and environmental

measures .

Phare also sponsors a large number of ' horizontal '
programmes covering all the central European countries,
which foster decentralized cooperation and provide
opportunities for the contacts and exchanges essential to the
formation of a broader European consciousness .

These include the Tempus and Ace inter-university schemes,
the Coopme small business promotion scheme, town
twinning arrangements, Interreg, which fosters exchanges
between urban and regional local government authorities,
and programmes such as Democracy, Lien and the
Partnership and Institutional Development schemes .

Such horizontal programmes are constantly being extended
and upgraded, and their budgets are increasing . The budget
for the Democracy programme was doubled in 1993, from
ECU 5 million to ECU 10 million a year, and the ECU 5
million budgeted for Lien in 1994 is also expected to be
doubled . The appropriation for the Tempus programme, set
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1150 / 95 at ECU 429 million for the five years just elapsed, now

by Gerhard Botz ( PSE ) stands at ECU 96 million for 1995 alone .

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

The growth of these programmes is set to continue in the

( 95 / C 202 / 94 ) near future, and the countries with which we have signed

Europe Agreements will be participating in Community
programmes which are instrumental in strengthening ties
and building bridges between the Member States .
Subject : Fostering of contacts between citizens of the EU

( 95 / C 202 / 94 )

and the countries of central and eastern Europe

With the citizens of eastern and western Europe having been
separated for almost 50 years, there is a need now to
facilitate meetings between them to promote understanding
and knowledge of the situation .

1 . What measures is the new Commission planning to
support such efforts ?

2 . To what extent are EU funds being used to support such

activities ?

Budget heading B7-5020 ( commercial and economic
cooperation agreements with third countries ) can also be
used to fund participation by citizens of central and eastern
European countries in conferences, seminars and other
trade or professional events, while the Community
programme of visits jointly managed by Parliament and the
Commission organizes and finances visits to the
Community and the Member States by citizens of
non-member countries .

No C 202 / 46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 161 / 95

by Christian Jacob ( RDE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 95 )

Subject : Agricultural insurance : State aid for insurance

Article 92(2)(b ) of the Treaty on European Union states that
' The following shall be compatible with the common
market . . . aid to make good the damage caused by natural
disasters or exceptional occurrences '. Various Member
States of the European Union have therefore introduced aid
for harvest insurance taken out by farmers .

In this context, the subsidies currently granted by Member
States vary greatly in size : for example, from 10% of the
cost in some French departments to 60 % in Spain .

What is the European Commission 's view on this distortion
of competition between Member States ' farmers in
production sectors such as fruit and vegetables or wine,
which are particularly exposed to climatic risks and rely
greatly on insurance to protect incomes ?

Are not these distortions in breach of the general provisions
of the Treaty on European Union on common rules on
competition, taxation and the approximation of
legislation ?

Could this problem be included in the discussions on
reforming the relevant common market organizations ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1995 )

The Commission can provide the Honourable Member with
the following information .

Consideration of State aids to any sector of agriculture is
based on the factors below :

— where the insurance covers only losses which, if there

were no insurance, would be eligible for 100%
compensation from the Member States as natural
disasters or exceptional occurrences under Article

92(2)(b ) of the EC Treaty ( loss of production amounting
to at least 30%, or 20% in less-favoured areas ), State
aid for the insurance premium may be granted on a
permanent basis at a rate of up to 80 % of the premium
to be paid by the farmer ( 50% where the insurance

covers other risks of loss to the crop or herd where the
State would not intervene in the case of a loss );

— aids to insurance premiums other than for natural

disasters under Article 92(2)(b ) of the EC Treaty ( loss of
production amounting to at least 30%, or 20% in
less-favoured areas ) are compatible under Article
92(3)(c ) provided they last for no more than 10 years
and are gradually reduced from a figure of 30 % of the
premium .

The Commission does not consider that State aids which

comply with these criteria contravene the Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 171 / 95

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 96 )

Subject : Failure to provide an EIA for the construction of

the A 250 motorway in Germany

A Commission letter dated 4 July 1994 calls on the Federal
Republic of Germany to respond to a reasoned opinion
within two months . The subject of the reasoned opinion is
the faillure to provide an EIA ( Environmental Impact
Assessment ) for the construction of the A 250 motorway
near Liineburg .

1 . Has the Federal Government replied ?

2 . How does it justify its failure to provide an EIA ?

3 . Is there any real chance now of stopping the project ?

4 . Is the Federal Republic threatened with sanctions by the
EU ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1 995 )

The Commission has addressed a reasoned opinion to
Germany for failure to transpose Council Directive
85 / 337 / EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects
of certain public and private projects on the
environment 0 ). In this reasoned opinion, the Commission
also informed the German authorities that from the

information at its disposal, the Commission had to assume

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 47

that the construction of the A 250 motorway between
Winsen East and Liineburg Ortnissen had been authorized
without prior impact assessment according to Directive

85 / 337 / EEC .

By letter of 23 August 1994 the German authorities asked
the Commission for an extension of the deadline for reply
until 5 November 1994 . The Commission has not yet
received a reply .

The Commission is, therefore, not in a position to answer
the questions 2 and 3 of the Honourable Member . However,
the Commission would point out that Directive 85 / 337 / EEC
only establishes procedural requirements and does not
provide a legal basis for ' stopping ' certain projects .

As far as sanctions are concerned, only the Court of Justice
of the European Communities may inflict a lump sum or a
penalty payment on Member States ( Article 171 of the EC
Treaty ) and then only if a Member State has failed to take
the necessary measures to comply with a prior judgment of
the Court . In the case raised by the Honourable Member,
the Commission therefore could only propose to the Court
of Justice appropriate financial sanctions if the Court
decided that Germany had failed to fulfil its obligations
under Directive 85 / 337 / EEC and if Germany failed to take
the necessary measures to comply with such a judgment .

(') OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 1 83 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 97

Subject : Using new technologies in tele-learning and
distance learning

The European Union has promised to speed up the shift
towards the information society . What policy does the
Commission intend to promote in order to make the new
technologies available to this information society, especially
as regards distance learning and tele-learning ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

In 1991 the Commission, mindful of the need to make the
new technologies available to the information society, and
considering it advisable to set out broad guidelines for the

development of specific initiatives at Community level,
published a report ( l ) and a memorandum ( 2 ) on open and
distance learning in the Community .

In the light of experience gained from the various
programmes and initiatives in the field of education and
training, such as Erasmus, Comett, Eurotecnet, Force,
Lingua, Delta, Euroform, Now and Horizon, having regard
in particular to support for innovative multimedia projects,
and taking account of discussions held with European
experts in the field ( 3 ), the Commission has made open and
distance learning a key element of the new Socrates and
Leonardo programmes, in conjunction with the fourth
framework programme for research and technological
development ( R&D ).

In addition, four pilot projects demonstrating the links
between education, training, research and telematics were
launched in 1994 .

One of the objectives of the Leonardo programme ( 4 ) is to
' foster the development of methods of self-training at the
workplace and of open and distance learning and training,
in particular to facilitate access to continuing vocational
training '. A seminar on opportunities for distance learning
within Leonardo was held on 30 May 1995 in Leuven,
Belgium, with a satellite link-up to all the Member
States .

The Socrates programme ( 5 ) also affords scope for
employing and developing such methods as part of activities
relating to university and school education, with specific
provision being made for European-level cooperation in the
exchange of information and experience vis-a-vis open and
distance learning .

Under the fourth research and technological development
programme, and in the context of the telematics
applications ( education and training sector ) programme,
experimental distance education and training facilities
utilising multimedia telematics are to be introduced, mainly
for universities, SMEs, vocational training institutes and
training services within companies . An initial invitation to
tender has just been carried out and a number of
experimental projects are to commence shortly .

As a further element of the fourth R&D programme, the
specific programme of targeted socio-economic research ( 6 )
makes provision, under the heading ' Research on education
and training ', for Community research activities aimed at
supporting the efforts made by the Member States to
' improve their education and training systems through
research and dissemination of good practice and
innovations '.

For its part, the specific programme in the field of training
and mobility of researches includes, as an accompanying
measure, ' study of the possibility of organizing training
through distance learning for the less-favoured regions of
the Community, in close consultation with other
Community programmes '.

No C 202 / 48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

Moreover, at the beginning of 1995, the Commission set up Answer given by Mr Fischler
a Task Force for multimedia educational software, which is on behalf of the Commission
to carry out an investigation in the field, consult the parties (8 May 1995 )
involved and put forward recommendations on measures to
be taken at European level to promote development in this

sector .

(8 May 1995 )

. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No P                             - 1004 / 95 ( M.

(') SEC(91 ) 897 final .

( 2 ) COM(91 ) 388 final . (') See page 34 of this Official Journal .
(') EADTU, Madrid 1993 ; Poitiers workshop, October 1993 ;

Brussels conference, December 1993 ; Geneva conference and
Hagen workshop, 1994 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 340, 29 . 12 . 1994 .
C ) OJ No L 244, 31 . 8 . 1994 .

( 6 ) OJ No L 361, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1204 / 95

by Lilli Gyldenkilde ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 99 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 184 / 95

by Gerard Caudron ( PSE )

to the Commission

Subject : Thermie II

( 27 April 1995 )

( 27 April 1995 ) The EU 's energy technology demonstration projects in third

( 95 / C 202 / 98 ) countries have been implemented up to now under the

Thermie programme . Is there any guarantee of these
projects continuing after March 1995 when the contracts
with the organizations currently involved expire ?
Subject : Protein crop Regulation

( 95 / C 202 / 98 )

The protein crop Regulation offers the Commission the
possibility of using the arrangements for compensatory
payments to offset falls in market prices Regulation ( EEC )
No 1765 / 92, Article 15(2 ): From the 1994 / 95 marketing
year onwards, the Council may decide, according to the
procedure laid down in Article 43(2 ) of the Treaty that the
arrangements for making the compensatory payments for
oil seeds shall also apply to the case of protein crops (').

Since the market price of protein crops has fallen by 10 %
the beginning of the 1994 / 95 marketing year, there is great
concern about the future fo these products . Protein crops
are the only major arable crops which do not benefit from a
producers ' income stabilization scheme . The loss of
profitability in the case of protein crops could, if no
measures are taken, lead to a considerable reduction in the
area under such crops from 1 995 onwards . Protein crops are
essential for maintaining soil quality in land used for major
crops ; they supply a considerable demand, and help to offset
the European Union 's severe protein shortfall ( the EU is only
35 % self-sufficient ).

Does the Commission intend to make use of the
opportunities in existing Regulations ( cf . Article 15(2 ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92, below ) and raise the
compensatory payments for protein crops before the 1995
sowing ?

(M OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 May 1995 )

The Commission strongly favours the continuation of
energy technology dissemination activities in third countries
such as have been carried out to date under the first Thermie

programme . The continuation of these activities will depend
to a large extent on the final decision on Thermie II . Along
with a small part of the non-nuclear energy specific
programme, the new specific programme of research and
technological development ( RTD ) in the field of
cooperation with third countries and international
organizations also offers some possibilities, although energy
technology demonstration is only one of the many
components of this programme .

In anticipation of the outcome of these two issues, some of
the organizations concerned, in particular the EC Energy
Centers in central and eastern Europe, in collaboration with
the Commission, are urgently seeking ways of resolving the
current difficulties facing energy technology dissemination
in third countries .

The Commission is at present studying ways of resolving
this problem in a satisfactory manner .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 49

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1206 / 95

by Lilli Gyldenkilde ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 100 )

Subject : Thermie II

A number of social advantages, e.g. in terms of jobs, for
Member States of the EU have resulted from work carried

out in third countries, in particular in central and eastern
Europe, pursuant to the Thermie programme . Will the
relevant activities in these regions continue to be supported
under the new Thermie / Joule arrangements in the Fourth
Action Programme ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

concern about the future of these products . Protein crops
are the only major arable crops which do not benefit from a
producers ' income stabilization scheme . The loss of
profitability in the case of protein crops could, if no
measures are taken, lead to a considerable reduction in the
area under such crops from 1995 onwards .

Protein crops are essential for maintaining soil quality in
land used for major crops ; they supply a considerable
demand, and help to offset the European Union 's severe
protein shortfall ( the EU is only 35 % self-sufficient ).

Does the Commission intend to make use of the

opportunities in existing regulations ( cf . Article 15(2 ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92, cited below ) and raise the
compensatory payments for protein crops before the 1995
sowing ?

(') OJ No L 81, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

(2 June 1995 ) Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Some activities involving third countries, albeit limited, will
be possible under the new Joule-Thermie programme ( non
nuclear energy RTD specific programme ). These should
continue to bring mutual benefits to the Community and
third countries .

The Joule-Thermie programme as a whole should have a
positive impact on employment . By supporting the
development and wider use of new and advanced energy
technology, particularly among SMEs, it should help to
stimulate growth, strengthen European competitiveness and
create jobs .

( 10 May 1995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No P-l 004 / 95 by Mr
Jacob (').

(') See page 34 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1252 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 222 / 95 ( 95 / C 202 / 102 )

by Yvan Blot ( NI )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 101 )

Subject : Compensatory payments in respect of protein

seeds

The protein crop Regulation offers the Commission the
possibility of using the arrangements for compensatory
payments to compensate for falls in market prices
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92, Article 15(2 ) states that
from the 1994 / 95 marketing year onwards the Council may
decide, according to the procedure laid down in Article
43(2 ) of the Treaty, that the arrangements for making the
compensatory payments for oil seeds shall also apply to the
case of protein crops (').

Since the market price of protein crops has fallen by 10 %
since the beginning of the 1994 / 95 season, there is great

Subject : Adjustment of provisions with regard to the

market in high-protein products

The Regulation on high-protein products gives the
Commission the option of adjusting the compensation
measures, to offset reductions in market prices .

Since the beginning of the 1994 / 95 marketing year, market
prices for high-protein products have fallen by 10%, and
there is considerable concern for the future of these
products . High-protein crops alone of all major crops do not
have the benefit of a system for stabilizing producers '
incomes . Therefore, if high-protein crops become less
profitable and no counter-measures are taken, less land may
well be used for growing these crops after 1995 .

High-protein products are vital for a well-balanced rotation
of major crops . There is a great demand for them, and they
help to make up for the European Union 's protein deficit

( only 35% self-sufficiency ).

No C 202 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

Does the Commission intend to use its option under the WRITTEN QUESTION
Regulation ( cf . Article 15(2 ) of Regulation ( EEC ) by Christine Oddy ( PSE )
No 1765 / 92 ( x )) and increase compensatory payments for to the Commission
high-protein products, before the crops are sown in

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1266 / 95

to the Commission

1995 ?

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 104 )
(') OI No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
answer to Written Question No P-l 004 / 95 ( J ).

(') See page 34 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1265 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

Subject : Essential products and medical aid to the Jaffna

Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Will the Commission give a breakdown of the ECU 365 000
aid administered by the EC humanitarian aid office to assist
people in the Jaffna Peninsula ?

What steps will the Commission or the EC humanitarian
office take to evaluate the effectiveness of this aid ?

What plans does the Commission have for follow-up
support ?

(5 May 1995 ) Answer given by Mrs Bonino

( 95 / C 202 / 103 ) on behalf of the Commission

( 29 May 1995 )

Subject : European aid to ensure minimum living conditions

for Guatemalan refugees

What steps will the Commission take to evaluate the
effectiveness of the ECU 470 000 to provide food aid, basic
medical care, drinking water and sanitary assistance for the
returning Guatemalan refugees ?

What follow-up plans does it have for the four-month
project ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 1995 )

Reports on the development of the operations are being
provided by the delegation in San Jose and by the
Commission 's correspondents in Guatemala who are closely
following the matter . Their feedback indicates that the
project is reaching its objectives .

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable
Member that the six-months ' project ( 21 September 1994 to
31 March 1995 ) will be extended for another six months in
order to cover the needs of the refugees till the starting date
of another programme . This programme will take over the
task of providing medical support and the assistance
necessary to integrate the refugees in their country of

origin .

The Commission allocated a total of ECU 360 000

humanitarian aid to assist the civilian population affected by
the war in Sri Lanka . This aid was implemented by the
International Committee of the Red Cross . The following is
a breakdown of the aid given :

( ECU )

Medical equipment and medicines 30 000

Renting small vessels 167 000

Four-wheel-drive vehicles 33 000

Administrative costs 123 200

Other 6 800

Total 360 000

The Commission receives regular interim and final reports
from the non governmental organization implementing the
aid . These reports detail and evaluate the project during its
realisation .

The Commission is prepared to evaluate any new requests
for humanitarian aid in this area should the situation

require .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 51

WRITTEN QUESTION E - 1267 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1268 / 95

Christine Oddy ( PSE ) by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 105 ) ( 95 / C 202 / 106 )

Subject : Aid to Cuban population affected by cyclone Subject : Aid to El Salvador

Gordon

Will the Commission give a breakdown of the ECU 365 000
aid implemented by the International Red Cross to assist
Cuban people affected by cyclone Gordon ?

Does the Commission have any plans to grant additional aid
to follow up this three-month project ?

What steps has the Commission taken to evaluate the
effectiveness of the three-month project and to identify more
long-term aid needs ?

Can the Commission state how effective the two projects for
the ECU 340 000 to provide medical aid, waste removal,
reduction of water pollution and information campaigns to
the town of Tecoluca and secondly to provide temporary
shelter for returning refugees from Honduras are
proving ?

Does the Commission have any plans to provide further aid
to El Salvador ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )
Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 May 1995 )

The ECU 350 000 given to the Red Cross ( Deutsches Rotes
Kreuz ) were distributed as follows :

( ECU )

staff

Expatriate 7 600

Local 6 000

Logistic goods

Products 91 878

Equipment 130 436

Direct and administrative costs 11 115

Medical

Equipment 45 951

Material 20 154

Direct and administrative costs 3 305

Transport 29 060

Reserve 4 496

In view of the acute needs, the Commissions considering a
global plan of humanitarian aid for Cuba during the course
of this year . On top of the evaluation undertaken on the spot
by a team of specialised correspondents, an independent
evaluation of the project is being caried out by an external
consultant .

The two projects started at the end of December 1994, and
neither has been completed . After completion the
Commission will be able to provide a report on the impact
and effectiveness of the aid . Nevertheless, the Commission is
informed through quarterly operational reports and the
Delegation 's following up of the implementation .

An assessment mission has just returned from the region .
The findings are being analyzed and a decision to provide
further aid might be taken later in the year .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1276 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 107 )

Subject : 1994 annual report of the European Community

Humanitarian Office

The Annual Report on Humanitarian Aid gives the principal

figures for humanitarian aid allocated through ECHO, by
region, by partner, 1990 — 1994 and EU contacts with UN
Agencies .

This does not indicate how ECHO evaluates the

effectiveness of its aid, whether the benefits of the aid
programmes last beyond the period of the project or

No C 202 / 52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

whether there has been a significant improvement in the
quality of aid programmes since ECHO has been
established . How does the Commission evaluate its aid

packages and how does it evaluate the effectiveness of
ECHO ?

What steps will the Commission take to oppose the
bombing of civilians in East Timor by Indonesia ? What steps
will the Commission take to ban arms to Indonesia ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mrs Bonino 31 1995

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

The Commission set up at the end of 1993 a small
evaluation unit within the European Office for Emergency
Humanitarian Aid ( ECHO ) in order to improve the quality
of operations funded and to achieve the best possible results
on a cost-benefit basis and has also developed a
methodology for the evaluation of humanitarian aid .

The Commission will evaluate each of ECHO 'S partners at
least once in order to get to know their general capacities
and operational capabilities . Furthermore, where there is
the likelihood of a need for further funding, where problems
have arisen or in other specific circumstances, there will be
further evaluations . The independent consultants who carry
out the evaluations discuss their findings with people
operating in the field and with their headquarters . The
consultants ' final reports are sent to the partner concerned
with an invitation to discuss the conclusions . Several
meetings have been held and the results have helped to
identify points that should be developed and areas where
changes should be made .

As regards the wider question of the longer term benefits of
Community-funded humanitarian programmes, one should
bear in mind the short term nature of the operations . The
results of most evaluations so far carried out by ECHO 'S
evaluation unit have been positive, and the Commission
intends to ensure that more evaluations covering a wider
scope of activities be carried out .

The Commission is not in possession of information about
the supply of military aircraft to Indonesia and their use .

The Commission and the Member States have been

following closely the respect for human rights in
Indonesia .

The Commission and the Member States have repeatedly

brought to the attention of the Government of Indonesia
their support for a just, comprehensive and internationally
acceptable settlement of the East Timor issue, respecting the
principles of the United Nations Charter, and taking into
account the need to defend human rights and fundamental
freedoms, as well as full respect for the legitimate interests
and aspirations of the population of East Timor .

For further details the Commission would refer the

Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No

1039 / 95 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1283 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 109 )

Subject : Street-children in Honduras

( 31 May 1995 )

QUESTION E-1280 / 95 What steps is the Commission taking to assist

street-children in Honduras ? Is the Commission aware that

Christine Oddy ( PSE ) there are growing levels of repression of street-children in

to the Commission Honduras ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1280 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 108 )

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Arms to Indonesia

( 19 May 1995 )

Is the Commission aware that Hawk aircraft are frequently
used in bombing raids in East Timor ?

Is the Commission further aware that in June 1993 British
Aerospace signed a contract with Indonesia to supply 24
Hawk aircraft ?

The Commission is aware of the problem of street-children
in Honduras and is currently providing financial assistance
to projects to benefit these children . Under the 1994 budget
the Commission approved a project for street-children in
Honduras for a total of ECU 600 000 .

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 53

The main objective of this project is to improve the living
conditions of the street-children, offering them a more
independent, productive and secure life . Specific objectives

are :

— To promote information about the childrens ' rights,

defend these rights and denounce violations .

— To support programmes to prevent more children

becoming destitute and having to live on the streets .

— To support the capacity of the ' Casa Alianza ' to help the

children already living on the streets and to provide
education programmes .

The project is being carried out by three non-governmental
organizations ' Casa Alianza ', ' Compartir ' and ' Coipriden '
and began on 7 February 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 320 / 95

by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 110 )

Subject : Erasmus scholarships

German ' Fachakademien ' are not included in the list of

educational establishments which may receive Erasmus
grants, unlike universities and ' Hochschulen '. In Spain
Erasmus financing is confined to State institutions .

Does the Commission not feel that this constitutes

discrimination against students in the Union, since not only
German and Spanish students but all other students wanting
to study at these German and Spanish institutions do not
qualify for an Erasmus grant ?

What initiatives will the Commission consider taking to put
an end to this discrimination ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1335 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 111 )

Subject : Eligibility criteria for the award of Erasmus

Socrates grants to higher education
establishments

The Higher Education Institute of the San Valero
Foundation, in Zaragoza ( Spain ), is a member of the Businet
network, whose objective is to promote the European
dimension in education . The institute offers university
courses validated by officially recognized British

universities . Nonetheless, it is not eligible for
Erasmus / Socrates grants, despite those British universities
being initially eligible for such grants . This is for two main

reasons :

— individual Member States are responsible for deciding

the list of establishments within their territory which are
to be eligible under the Erasmus / Socrates programmes,
and Spain has failed to include the institute concerned in
this list ;

— the institute is equally unable to benefit from the

programmes through the British universities which
validate its courses, owing to the nature of the
procedure, which in some cases lays down
nationality-based requirements .

Given that this situation is having effects contrary to the
objectives of the Erasmus / Socrates programmes and the
European dimension of education, can the Commission

state :

1 . what possibilities for action are open to it in the face of

what appears, in principle, to be an unjust situation for
the staff and students of this institute ;

2 . should the Commission be in a position to act, what
measures it intends to take to resolve situations of this

type ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 336 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 112 )

Subject : Eligibility criteria for the award of
Erasmus / Socrates grants to higher education
establishments

Businet, a network consisting of 72 universities and other
higher education establishments in western, central and
eastern Europe, has complained at a situation of absence of
equal opportunity with respect to eligibility for the
Erasmus / Socrates programmes . All the network 's German
members and most of its Spanish members have been ruled
ineligible for these programmes by decisions taken by their
education ministries, although the network says it can prove
that the courses offered by its members in Germany and
Spain are equivalent in all respects to similar courses in
France, Belgium and the UK for which Erasmus / Socrates
funding is available .

In view of the above, and considering that this situation is
having effects contrary to the objectives of the
Erasmus / Socrates programmes, does the Commission
intend to ascertain the real situation of the Spanish and
German members of the Businet network ? Should the

discrimination complained of be confirmed to exist, what
measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that

such cases do not recur in the future ?

No C 202 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1468 / 95

by Anne André-Léonard ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

(9 SIC 202 / 113 )

Subject : Grants under the Socrates programme

The procedure for awarding grants under the Socrates
programme states that any educational institution applying
must be registered as an eligible institution in the
Erasmus-Socrates Bureau in Brussels . To be registered in this
' bureau ', the names of agencies or institutions eligible for the
programme at Member State level must have been
communicated in advance by the Member States .

Is the Commission aware that the German Federal Ministry
of Education has restricted the allocation of grants to
' Hochschulen ' and in Spain it is restricted to State
institutions, which consequently excludes private schools in
Germany and higher education centres in Spain, despite the
fact that they issue diplomas which are recognized by
universities in other Member States of the European

Union ?

What steps does the Commission plan to take to remedy this
situation, which contravenes the principle of
non-discrimination on grounds of nationality enshrined in
Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, and which
negates some of the specific objectives of the Socrates
programme ( Article 3,111 ; Article 3, IV )?

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-1320 / 95, E-1335 / 95, E-1336 / 95 and E-1468 / 95

given by Mrs Cresson
on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

It is for the Member States to decide on the eligibility of
higher education establishments to participate in the
Erasmus programme ; each country applies its own criteria
and provides the Commission with the names of the
establishments concerned on an annual basis .

The Decision establishing the new Socrates programme (')
stipulates, in Article 2(1 ) ( Definitions ), that :

" for the purposes of this programme, the term
' university ' covers all types of higher education
institutions which offer qualifications or diplomas at
that level, whatever such establishments may be called in
the Member States ".

The Commission has consulted the German and Spanish
authorities on the questions raised by the Honourable
Member . The said authorities have stated that the criteria

used for including higher education establishments in the list
of bodies eligible to participate in the Erasmus programme
have to do with the quality of the studies and of the teaching
staff, the duration of studies and the approved level of
qualifications awarded . Whether such establishments have
private or public status plays no part in their decision .

Given that Article 126 of the EC Treaty makes it clear that
the Member States are responsible for organizing their
education systems, the Commission considers that it cannot
take any action in this field .

(') OJ No L 87, 20 . 4 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1356 / 95

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 114 )

Subject : Competitiveness of agriculture and management

of agricultural resources

More than 80 research contracts, worth more than ECU 50
million, were awarded under the programme for research
and technological development in the field of
competitiveness of agriculture and management of
agricultural resources ( 1989 —1993 ) (').

Where have the results been published ? How can interested
bodies gain access to the results of these research
studies ?

(') OJ No L 58, 7 . 3 . 1990, p . 9 .

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

The Commission would point out that this question is
exactly the same as the Honourable Member 's Written
Question No 509 / 95 .

the Member States ". The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable

Member (') to the answer is has already given to that
Article 2(2 ) provides that : question .

" each Member State shall specify the types of universities (') See page 19 ot this Official Journal .
and other educational institutions covered by this
programme '.

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 55

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 368 / 95

by Angela Kokkola ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 115 )

Subject : The UN Conference in Peking in September

1995

Does the Commission believe that an international

conference should be as representative as possible ?

If it does, what action has it taken so far to ensure that
non-governmental women 's organizations ( whose role and
activities are well known and important — I would mention,
purely by way of example, the women 's section of Amnesty
International and the Immigrants ' Forum ) are able to
participate in the Peking Conference on the same footing as
national representatives ?

With regard to the participation of HIV sufferers at the

Conference and the Forum, the Chinese authorities have
indicated that specific measures have been taken to
guarantee their access but that it is ultimately the Chinese
Government which will decide on the forms to be

distributed upon entry into the country .

The Commission would finally point out that it has
allocated ECU 1,3 million from the Community budget to
support the work of a large number of NGOs in connection
with the Conference and to help with the cost of their travel
to Beijing .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1369 / 95

by Jiirgen Schroder ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 116 )

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 May 1995 ) Subject : Trans-frontier measures between Germany and

the Czech Republic and between Germany and
Poland

The Commission is equally anxious to ensure that
non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) are able to
participate, in the best possible conditions, in the work of
the Forum and make contact with the delegations present in
Beijing, as was the tradition at previous UN conferences in
Rio, Vienna, Cairo and Copenhagen . It is aware of the
essential role played by NGOs and the importance of their
contribution to these events .

During the European regional preparatory conference held
in Vienna in October last year, the European Union made it
clear to the Secretary-General of the World Women 's

Conference that it was imperative that NGOs wishing to
participate in the Forum be allowed to do so and that they
should be allowed to enter China and gain access to the
meeting venues without hindrance .

At the last meeting of the Commission on the Status of
Women held in New York in March this year, which served
as a preparatory committee for the Conference, the Union
expressed concern about both the participation of certain
NGOs and the choice of venue for the Forum .

It lent weight to its concerns by asking the Chinese
authorities on 27 April to provide assurances that formal
contact would be possible at the Conference between the
NGOs and the official delegations .

The Commission is aware of the difficulties faced by NGOs
as a result of the Chinese authorities ' decision to hold the
Forum outside the city of Beijing . It will continue to push for
an alternative solution, although the Chinese Government
has already stressed that a change of venue at this stage
would be too problematic .

The 1994 budget includes appropriates of ECU 150 million

under Phare for trans-frontier cooperation programmes
between EU countries and countries of central and eastern

Europe . Can the Commission

1 . provide a breakdown of all German-Czech and
German-Polish trans-frontier projects, including the
funding involved, which were supported under the
budget line in question in 1994 or which will be
supported in the current year ( 1995 )?

2 . indicate whether the budget line in 1994 for
German-Czech and German-Polish trans-frontier

projects has been fully utilized, or whether applications
are still possible for appropriations which have not been
committed ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

Out of the ECU 150 million made available in 1994 for
financing actions of a structural nature in border regions of
countries of central and eastern Europe sharing a common
border with the Community, ECU 55 million has been
earmarked for the Polish-German border, and ECU 25
million for the Czech-German border .

The ECU 55 million for the Polish-German border has been

allocated as follows :

No C 202 / 56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

( in million ECU )

Name Contribution

Gubinek 16,0

Kolbaskowo 10,0

Olszyna 15,0

Osinow Dolny 1,2

Radomierzyce 0,3

Swiecko 5,5

Total 48,0

Measure 2 : Education and training

( in million ECU )

Name Contribution

Viadrina ( European University ) 4,0

Programme Management 3,0

Total 7,0

As to the Czech-German border, the ECU 25 million has
been broken down as follows :

Measure 1 : Transport infrastructure at border crossings

( in million ECU )

Name Contribution

Cheb ( Rail ) 8,9

Zelezna ( Road ) 1,0

Total 9,9

Measure 2 : Environmental infrastructure

( in million ECU )

1995 . The Commission should be able to take the relevant
decisions with respect to the 1995 programme in the course
of the summer .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 3 74 / 95

by Francisco Lucas Pires ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 117 )

Subject : Environmental impact of the Spanish national

water-management scheme

The Spanish national water-management scheme was
drawn up without consulting Portugal in spite of the fact
that three of the main waterways in the Iberian peninsula —
the rivers Douro, Tagus and Guadiana — flow through
Portugal for a large part of their course . The scheme is
reducing the volume of these rivers in Portugal and in other
areas of the peninsula, and this calls into question
international law on rivers and Community environmental
standards .

1 . Has the Commission analysed the environmental impact
of the scheme or does it know of any study made on the
subject ?

2 . What does it intend to do to encourage agreement

between the States concerned and to prevent the scheme
being completed in its current form ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No 2277 / 94 (').

Name Contribution
O J No C 152, 19 . 6 . 1995 .

Vresova — Nejdek ( steam, pipeline ) 4,9

Usti n. Ladern ( sewer ) 2,9

Hradek n. Nisou ( sewage plant ) 1,2

Rumburk ( sewer ) 1,9

Steti ( oxygen delignification ) 4,1

Total 15,0

In both cases, the funds available have been fully committed
in the course of 1994 .

At the moment, the elaboration of Multi-annual indicative
programmes covering the 1995 — 1999 period is under way,
as well as the joint identification of project proposals for

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1425 / 95

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1 995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 118 )

Subject : Evaluation of the radiation protection

programme

In 1992, the Commission announced, under point 316 of
the XXVIth General Report, that panels of independent

7 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 202 / 57

experts had begun their work to evaluate several specific
programmes, including the radiation protection
programme . Can the Commission tell me the results of this
evaluation ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )

The Commission would point out that this question is
exactly the same as the Honourable Member 's Written
Question No 848 / 95 .

The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable

Member to the answer it has already given to that
question ( 1 ).

(') OJ No C 196, 31 . 7 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1431 / 95

by Helena Torres Marques ( PSE )

When the Treaty on European Union was signed in 1992,
the Member States failed to reach a consensus on whether or

not it was appropriate to have a European policy on
tourism . This issue could be decided within the framework

of the discussions regarding revision of the Treaty and at the
Intergovernmental Conference in 1996 .

The Commission would like to point out to the Honourable
Member that it is not its duty to cite the official positions
taken by the Member States, even if it has been able to
discern certain attitudes expressed by the Member States '
representatives within various bodies .

The Commission 's Green Paper on the role of the
Community in the field of tourism (') will help further the
discussions on this issue . The reactions it provokes will
allow us to assess any possible developments, particularly as
regards the position of the Member State .

(') COM(95 ) 97 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1443 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

to the Commission
( 22 May 1995 )

(4 May 1995 )
95 / C 202 / 120
( 95 / C 202 / 119 )

Subject : Tourism as a European Union common policy

In ' Europe ' of 29 March 1995, Commissioner Papoutsis
appealed to the European Parliament to support the
Commission in its effort to promote a common tourism
policy in the European Union, adding that this would not be

easy,

' because various Member States claim, in the name of the
principle of subsidiarity, that tourism is not a European
Union matter '.

Can the Commissioner tell me which countries he is

referring to ?

Subject : Proposed PA Nam project in Tibet

Is the Commission aware of concerns surrounding the
proposed Pa Nam project in Tibet ?

Will the Commission undertake a full investigation into
local fears over the project ?

Is the Commission aware that there has been no

involvement of local or international NGOs in the

evaluation of this project and an absence of consultation
with local Tibetans ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis ( 21 June 1995 )

on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )
The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission 's

answers to Written Questions Nos 94 / 95 ( 1 ), 276 / 95 ( 2 ) and

The statement made by the Commissioner at the meeting of 1054 / 95 (').
the Committee on Transport and Tourism on 23 March

1995 was intended as a reminder to those members who

wanted the Community to step up its efforts to promote
tourism of the need to take account of the position of the
Member States regarding the application of the principle of
subsidiarity in this field .

(>) OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995, p . 58 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995, p . 64 .
(<) OJ No C 179, 13 . 7 . 1995, p . 63

No C 202 / 58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 7 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E - 1694 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1695 / 95

by Yves Verwaerde ( PPE )

Yves Verwaerde ( PPE ) by Jack Lang ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 15 June 1 9 95 )

( 15 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 202 / 121 ) ( 95 / C 202 / 122 )

Subject : Adjustment in compensatory payments for protein

crops Subject : The protein crop Regulation

The protein crop Regulation offers the Commission the
possibility of using the arrangements for compensatory
payments to offset falls in market prices .

Since the market price of protein crops has fallen by 10 %
since the beginning of the 1994 / 95 marketing year, there is
great concern about the future of these products .

Protein crops are the only major arable crops which do not
benefit from a producer 's income stabilization scheme . The
loss of profitability in the case of protein crops could, if no
measures are taken, lead to a considerable reduction in the
area under such crops from 19 95 onwards .

Protein crops are essential for maintaining soil quality in
land used for major crops . The supply considerable demand
and help to offset the European Union 's severe protein
shortfall ( the EU is only 35% self-sufficient ).

Does the Commission intend to make use of the
opportunities and existing Regulations ( cf . Article 15(2 ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 ( Article 15(2 ): ' From the
1994 / 95 marketing year onwards, the Council may decide,
according to the procedure laid down in Article 43(2 ) of the
Treaty, that the arrangements for making the compensatory
payments for oil seeds shall also apply to the case of protein
crops ') ( 1 ), and raise the compensatory payments for protein
crops before the 1995 sowing ?

(') Of No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

The protein crop Regulation offers the Commission the
possibility of using the arrangements for compensatory
payments to offset falls in market prices .

Since the market price of protein crops has fallen by 10 %
since the beginning of the 1994 / 95 marketing year, there is
great concern about the future of these products . Protein
crops are the only major arable crops which do not benefit
from a producers ' income stabilization scheme . The loss of
profitability in the case of protein crops could, if no
measures are taken, lead to a considerable reduction in the
area under such crops from 1995 onwards .

Protein crops are essential for maintaining soil quality in
land used for major crops . They supply a considerable
demand, and help to offset the European Union 's severe
protein shortfall ( the EU is only 35 % self-sufficient ).

Does the Commission intend to make use of the

opportunities in existing Regulations ( cf . Article 15(2 ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 (') below ) and raise the
compensatory payments for protein crops before the 1995
sowing ?

(') OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission

( 27 June 1995 ) ( 27 June 1995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
answer to Written Question No P - 1004 / 95 (')•

( l ) See page 34 of this Official Journal .

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No P-1004 / 95 ( M.

(') See page 34 of this Official Journal .