Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

/*/*•• 1   - v   - " fl ISSN 0378-6986
# Official Journal c 79

# Volume 39
##### of the European Communities 18 March ^

English edition Information and Notices

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

96 / C 79 / 01 E-218 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Application of the cultural exception principle to European audiovisual policy 1

96 / C 79 / 02 P-930 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Protection of hamsters in the Netherlands ( Supplementary answer ) 2

96 / C 79 / 03 E-1691 / 95 by Jose Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject : Use of Community funds in an agricultural hydraulics project in the Vale do Lis, Leiria

( Supplementary answer ) 2

96 / C 79 / 04 E-l 703 / 95 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : European Social Fund assistance to Portugal ( Supplementary answer ) 3

96 / C 79 / 05 E-l 767 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Council
Subject : French Presidency of the Council 4

96 / C 79 / 06 E-2035 / 95 by Doeke Eisma to the Council
Subject : Observer status for the EU on the International Commission on the Meuse and the
Commission on the Scheldt 4

96 / C 79 / 07 E-2052 / 95 by Wolfgang Nußbaumer to the Commission
Subject : Switzerland 4

96 / C 79 / 08 E-2131 / 95 by Françoise Grossetete to the Council
Subject : Mutual recognition of professional experience acquired, on the basis of diplomas,
successively in several Member States 5

96 / C 79 / 09 E-2 171 / 95 by Marianne Thyssen to the Commission
Subject : Sports policy 6

EN

Price : ECU 19,50 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

96 / C 79 / 10

96 / C 79 / 1 1

96 / C 79 / 12

96 / C 79 / 13

96 / C 79 / 14

96 / C 79 / 15

96 / C 79 / 16

E-2214 / 95 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : European water pollution control : Commitology 6

P-2417 / 95 by Jose Apolinario to the Commission
Subject : Balances under the First CSF for Portugal ( 1989 — 1993 ) ( Supplementary answer ) ... 7

E-2481 / 95 by James Moorhouse to the Council
Subject : Tape-recording of Council meetings 8

E-2492 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Council

Subject : Human rights 8

P-2528 / 95 by Frode Kristoffersen to the Commission
Subject : Norway 's introduction of new rules on the landing of EU catches in Norwegian ports 9

E-2565 / 95 by Richard Howitt to the Commission
Subject : Application for a loan to the European Investment Bank from IDAT Ltd 9

E-2607 / 95 by Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission
Subject : Application of Directive 91 / 493 / EEC 9

96 / C 79 / 17 E-26 11 / 95 by Michl Ebner to the Council

Subject : Inclusion of the European flag in the design of national licence plates 10

96 / C 79 / 18

E-2621 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Publication of notices to tender in the Official Journal of the European Communities 10

96 / C 79 / 19 E-2630 / 95 by Mathias Reichhold to the Council

Subject : 1996 Budget 11

96 / C 79 / 20

96 / C 79 / 21

96 / C 79 / 22

96 / C 79 / 23

E-2633 / 95 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Transposition of legislation with health and safety impact 11

E-2641 / 95 by Gianni Tamino to the Commission
Subject : Publication of statistical data on the use of animals for experimental purposes in Italy 12

E-2651 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Cot to the Council
Subject : Trans-European transport networks . Do the 14 projects still have priority ? 12

E-2681 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Breach of Community law by the municipality of Nea Philadelphia, Attica 13

96 / C 79 / 24 P-2700 / 95 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna to the Council

Subject : Regional planning in the European Union 14

96 / C 79 / 25

96 / C 79 / 26

96 / C 79 / 27

96 / C 79 / 28

EN

E-2706 / 95 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Slimming products and consumer protection 14

E-2712 / 95 by Stephen Hughes to the Council
Subject : Community information policy 15

E-2716 / 95 by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Community measures to obtain fishing licences to replace cancelled or unrenewed fisheries
agreements 15

E-2719 / 95 by Wolfgang Nuftbaumer to the Commission
Subject : Freedom of movement for goods in the internal market and tax harmonization 16

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

96 / C 79 29 E-2722 / 95 by Angela Billingham to the Commission
Subject : EC Directive 86 / 653 / EEC — commercials agents 17

96 / C 79 / 30 E-2725 / 95 by Pierluigi Castagnetti, Danilo Poggiolini, Gerardo Bianco and Giampaolo
D'Andrea to the Council

Subject : Inappropriate statements by the Finance Minister of a Member State 17

96 / C 79 / 31 E-2730 / 95 by Cristiana Muscardini and Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission

Subject : Flood-prevention measures 18

96 / C 79 / 32

96 / C 79 / 33

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E-2731 / 95 by Cristiana Muscardini and Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Serious " weather conditions in Lombardy and Piedmont 18

E-2732 / 95 by Cristiana Muscardini and Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : EIB investments in the areas hit by flooding in November 1994 19

E-2739 / 95 by Joan Vallve to the Commission
Subject : Obstacles to the free movement of traffic and the common transport policy 19

E-2902 / 95 by Manuel Medina Ortega to the Commission
Subject : Compatibility of Community law 20

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2739 / 95 and E-2902 / 95 20

E-2741 / 95 by Christiane Taubira-Delannon to the Commission
Subject : Devaluation of the CFA franc 20

E-2746 / 95 by Christine Crawley to the Council
Subject : Chinese orphanages . ... 21

E-2747 / 95 by Christine Crawley to the Council

Subject : Prisons in Honduras 21

E-2770 / 95 by James Moorhouse to the Council
Subject : Public debates in the Council 22

E-2777 / 95 by Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Community measures in the area of civil protection 23

E-2790 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Failure of coastal shipping services to respect departure times 24

96 / C 79 / 42 E-2799 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Council

Subject : Recognition of Slovenia and Croatia 24

96 / C 79 / 43

96 / C 79 / 44

96 / C 79 / 45

96 / C 79 / 46

EN

E-2806 / 95 by Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Council
Subject : Filling of posts in the secretariat of the European Ombudsman 25

E-28 12 / 95 by Inigo Mendez de Vigo to the Council
Subject : Setting of area of fallow land 25

E-28 13 / 95 by Edouard des Places to the Council
Subject : Promotion of wool production in the European Union 25

E-2815 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Netherlands ' fertilizer policy in contravention of the nitrates Directive and the North Sea
agreements : 26

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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EN

E-2824 / 95 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : EBRD loans to Croatia

E-2836 / 95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission
Subject : European waste catalogue — a standard definition

E-2841 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Rising levels of environmental platinum

P-2852 / 95 by Edouard des Places to the Council
Subject : European rules on sheepmeat and goatmeat premium rights

E-2856 / 95 by Michl Ebner to the Council
Subject : Use of display boards to advertize EU funding of building projects

E-2861 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Sustainable cities project 1993 — 1995

E-2862 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Detection of banned agreements and concerted practices

E-2872 / 95 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : State aids

E-2873 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for the Ionian Islands

E-2874 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for Thessaly ( ERDF )

E-2875 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for the southern Aegean

E - 2876 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for Attiki ( ERDF )

E-2877 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for central Greece ( Sterea
Ellada )

E-2878 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for central Greece ( Sterea
Ellada )

E-2879 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for eastern Macedonia-Thrace

( ERDF )

E-28 80 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for Epirus

E-2881 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for central Macedonia ( ERDF )

E-2882 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for Crete

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Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

96 / C 79 / 65 E-2883 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for central Greece ( Sterea
Ellada ) 35

96 / C 79 / 66 E-2884 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for western Greece ( ERDF ) ... 35

96 / C 79 / 67 E-2885 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for Crete 36

96 / C 79 / 68 E-2886 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for Macedonia 36

96 / C 79 / 69 E-2887 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for central Greece ( Sterea
Ellada ) 36

96 / C 79 / 70 E-2888 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF for the Peloponnese ( ERDF ) . . 37

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2873 / 95 to E-2888 / 95 37

96 / C 79 / 71 E-2894 / 95 by Iñigo Mendez de Vigo to the Commission
Subject : Drought aid to Spain 37

96 / C 79 / 72 P-2917 / 95 by Francisco Lucas Pires to the Council
Subject : European Schools in Brussels 38

96 / C 79 / 73 E-2934 / 95 by Bernie Malone to the Commission
Subject : Cuts in the 1996 budget for the Joule programme 39

96 / C 79 / 74 E-2938 / 95 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Council
Subject : Terrorist attacks in France 39

96 / C 79 / 75 P-2941 / 95 by Niels Kofoed to the Commission
Subject : Killing of wild game 40

96 / C 79 / 76 E-2953 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler to the Commission
Subject : Impact of EU food aid on the agricultural markets of the recipient countries 40

96 / C 79 / 77 E-2963 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Creating a common regional and urban planning policy 41

96 / C 79 / 78 E-2980 / 95 by Roberto Mezzaroma to the Commission
Subject : Case involving the Gemina finance company in Italy 42

96 / C 79 / 79 P-2984 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : City provinces and voting rights for EU citizens 43

96 / C 79 / 80 E-2990 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Council
Subject : Immediate release of Ibrahim Akso, a Turkish Kurd 43

96 / C 79 / 81 E-3009 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Differences in air fares 43

96 / C 79 / 82 E-3020 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Defraudment of the Community budget 44

EN

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

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96 / C 79 / 98

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96 / C 79 / 101

EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-3038 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Viability of link between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and the Black Sea 45

E-3055 / 95 by Nuala Ahern to the Council
Subject : Implementation of Article 3(1 ) of the Euratom Treaty 45

E-3058 / 95 by Nuala Ahern to the Council
Subject : Reports from the South Pacific Forum 45

E-3068 / 95 by Kenneth Coates to the Commission
Subject : Objective 2 Status — Unemployment statistics 46

E-3073 / 95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Amnesty law in France 46

P-3080 / 95 by Glenys Kinnock to the Commission
Subject : Commission action against fraud 47

E-3094 / 95 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Income tax 47

E-30 95 / 95 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Moratorium on timber imports from Sarawak 47

E-3 105 / 95 by Lilli Gyldenkilde to the Commission
Subject : Exclusion of junior doctors from Directive 93 / 104 / EC 48

E-3 108 / 95 by Peter Pex to the Commission
Subject : Free market for European Union services — coding of satellite information by
Eumetsat 49

E-3 109 / 95 by Peter Pex to the Commission
Subject : Free market for services in the European Union — Case No IV / 34.563 — Ecomet : market
for meteorological data and products and value added services, 50

E-3 11 1 / 95 by Wolfgang Ullmann and Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Council Directive 94 / 80 / EC of 19 December 1994 on the exercise of
the right to vote in municipal elections by citizens of the Union in Bavaria ( Federal Republic of
Germany ) 50

E-3121 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen and Bartho Pronk to the Commission
Subject : Netherlands contribution to financial compensation for the United Kingdom 51

E-3 123 / 95 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Price trends of CMO bananas 51

E-3 13 1 / 95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso to the Commission
Subject : Article 235 of the Treaty and social policy : 52

E-3 132 / 95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso to the Commission
Subject : Epidemic in Nicaragua and EU aid 53

P-3 139 / 95 by Daniel Féret to the Commission
Subject : Recent derogations from the application of the Schengen Agreement 53

E-3 143 / 95 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Access to information 54

E-3 148 / 95 by Doeke Eisma and Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Tax treatment of life insurance in the Netherlands 54

( Continued on inside back cover )

Notice No

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EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-3157 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Use of Dutch in the Official Journal of the European Communities

E-3 158 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Use of languages

E-3 176 / 95 by Spalato Bellere, Amedeo Amadeo and Cristiana Muscardini to the
Commission

Subject : Physiotherapists and sports masseurs

P-3 179 / 95 by Charlotte Cederschiold to the Commission
Subject : Legislation on age discrimination

P-3 1 81 / 95 by Antonio Tajani to the Commission
Subject : Urban programme

E-3203 / 95 by James Fitzsimons to the Commission
Subject : C0 2 — energy Directive

E-32 18 / 95 by Armelle Guinebertiere to the Commission
Subject : Protecting small businesses

E-3220 / 95 by Armelle Guinebertiere to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization and recognition of diplomas in the Union

E-3250 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Euro-Info-Centres

E-3266 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : Spanish designations of origin

E-3286 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Commission competence to deal with racism and xenophobia

E-3290 / 95 by Jose Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject : Brussels II European School ( Woluwe )

E-33 15 / 95 by Frank Vanhecke to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against the Dutch language by the services of the European
Commission

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18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-218 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 01 )

Subject : Application of the cultural exception principle to

European audiovisual policy

What proposals will the Council put forward to strengthen
the ' cultural exception ' strategy developed in the GATT
negotiations, in particular as regards the European
audiovisual sector ?

Answer

(6 February 1996 )

1 . The results of the Uruguav Round do not include any
specific provisions for the crural sector . Under the General
Agreement on Trade in Services ( GATS ), the European
Community and its Member States made no specific
commitments on audiovisual services . As regards the
development of a European audiovisual policy, the Council

( Audiovisual Affairs ) meeting on 21 June 1995 recorded its

agreement to :

— the common position on the Decision on the
implementation of a training programme for
professionals in the European audiovisual programme
industry ( Media II — Training );

— the Decision on a programme encouraging the
development and distribution of European audiovisual
works ( Media II — Development and Distribution );

2 . The purpose of the ' Training ' Decision is to give
professionals in the audiovisual industry the skills they need
to exploit the European dimension of the market to the full
and make use of new technology .

In pursuing those objectives, particular attention will be
paid to the specific needs of countries or regions with a
low production capacity and / or a restricted linguistic and
geographical area .

3 . The purpose of the ' Development-Distribution '
Decision is to strengthen the European audiovisual industry
by promoting :

— the development of European audiovisual works and

— the distribution of those works, both within the

Community and outside it .

Those aims must work toward, among other things :

— increasing the competitiveness of the European
audiovisual industry ( by supporting the development of
projects which have a true distribution potential );

— developing potential in countries or regions with a low

production capacity and / or a restricted geographical
and linguistic area .

4 . Finally, the Commission has recently submitted to the
Council and the European Parliament a proposal for a
Decision establishing a European Guarantee Fund to
promote cinema and television production .

No C 79 / 2 1 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

WRITTEN QUESTION P-930 / 95 Netherlands . The Commission will be informed of further

by Nel van Dijk ( V ) actions as soon as possible .

to the Commission

(') OJ No C 179, 13 . 7 . 1995 .
( 17 March 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 02 )

Subject : Protection of hamsters in the Netherlands

The common hamster ( Cricetus cricetus ) has declined
considerably, both in numbers and in distribution, in the
Netherlands, according to a recent reply by the Minister for
Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries to questions
by four Members of the Lower House of the Netherlands
Parliament ( Written Questions of 19 January 1995 by
the members Stellingwerf, Swildens-Rozendaal, Esselink
and M. B. Vos ; Minister 's reply of 27 February 1995 ).
Hitherto, no account has been taken of the hamster in
land development projects or physical planning and
development, despite the fact that the EU 's Habitats
Directive 92 / 43 / EEC, Appendix IV, requires strict
protection of hamster populations ( hamsters are also
protected under Appendix II to the Bern Convention, the
Dutch Nature Conservancy Act and the Protected
Indigenous Animal Species Decree ) (').

Will the Commission urge the Minister to ensure that the
Action Plan for Hamsters, which he has announced, is
adopted and implemented very soon, given that the Habitats
Directive entered into force last year ?

Will the Commission point out to the Minister that
protection of hamsters requires not only agricultural
practices which avoid damage to nature but also careful
planning of infrastructure and construction projects in areas
which may be hamster habitats ?

Will the Commission urge the Minister, in addition to the
current limited surveys of hamster distribution, to arrange
for the fullest possible survey of the hamster population and
its habitats, since adequate protection would appear to be
impossible without this ?

( 1 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7 .

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1995 )

Further to its reply of 20 April 1995 ('), the Commission
informs the Honourable Member that according to
information received from the Netherlands authorities an

action plan for the protection of hamsters is being
elaborated but is not yet available for publication .

It is expected that this action plan will give a full description
of the conservation status of the common hamster in the

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1691 / 95

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 03 )

Subject : Use of Community funds in an agricultural

hydraulics project in the Vale do Lis, Leiria

In a unanimous decision by acclamation, the ordinary
general meeting of the Vale do Lis Irrigationists ' and Users '
Association, held on 26 March 1995, adopted two motions
on the position as regards still-uncompleted works to
reclaim the boundaries of the irrigated area in the Vale do
Lis . The association was seeking answers to the questions
below :

1 . What use has been made by the Institute for Agricultural

Structures and Rural Development ( IEADR ), formerly
the Department of Hydraulics and Agricultural
Engineering ( DGHEA ), and the Portuguese Ministry of
Agriculture, of the PEDAP Community funds intended
to improve the boundaries of the irrigated area in the
Vale do Lis ? What amount did the Community
institutions agree to contribute to the Vale do Lis
agricultural hydraulics improvement project, bearing in
mind that after five years, none of the work planned has
been carried out, even though, initially ( in 1990 ),
various senior government officials maintained in
statements to the press that the sum of Esc 800 million
was available ?

2 . How much money has been provided by the Community
institutions to the Portuguese Government with a view
to financing the Vale do Lis agricultural hydraulics
improvement project ?

3 . How much funding for the project has still to be

supplied to the Portuguese Government ?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler

on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 1995 )

Further to its answer of 28 July, the Commission would add
that the 1993 reform of the Structural Funds retained and

18 . 3 . 96 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 3

strengthened the principles of concentration, partnership have been used and that the operation is
and additionality adopted in 1988 . The changes introduced satisfactory pace towards its planned goals
werde dictated by a need to make the funds more effective
and to incorporate the demands of subsidiarity into (') OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .
Community structural operations . They resulted in fewer ( 2 ) OJ No L 337, 24 . 12 . 1994 .
operational powers for the Commission, particularly in
choosing the projects to benefit from Community
co-financing . This choice is now entirely a matter for the
Member States, with the Commission 's powers limited to
monitoring, evaluation and supervision as provided for by
coordinating Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253 / 88 ( 1 ), as last
amended by Regulation ( EC ) No 3 193 / 94 ( 2 ). WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 703 / 95

have been used and that the operation is progressing at a
satisfactory pace towards its planned goals .

(') OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 337, 24 . 12 . 1994 .

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

Turning more specifically to the questions raised by the ( 21 June 1995 )
Honourable Member, the Commission has obtained details ( 96 / C 79 / 04 )
from the relevant Member State and would point out
that :

Subject : European Social Fund assistance to Portugal

under the specific programme to develop Portuguese
agriculture, three projects were approved to reclaim
irrigated plots of land in the Vale do Lis . A total
investment of Esc 635 875 417 was approved .

The first and largest project, costing Esc 605 904 364,
included the following work :

— repair of the stretch upstream from channel I,

— repair of the sprinkler systems,

— rebuilding of the stretch upstream from
channel II,

— repair of the sprinkler systems,

— cleaning of the natural drainage network .

Projects number two and three included repair work to
the ' Salgadas ' and ' Necessidades ' pumping stations at an
estimated cost of Esc 19 363 400 and Esc 9 450 474

respectively . Both are now finished . The low completion
rate for the first project — only 70,7 % — is due to
changes in land consolidation work, including a plot
regrouping project, which has led to a review of
priorities ;

a total of Esc 90 938 417 in appropriations was paid by
the EAGGF to Ifadap ( Instituto financiamento e apoio
ao desenvolvimento da agricultura e pesca ), the body
which was responsible for payments under Article 21(1 )
of the coordinating Regulation and which paid out this
sum to the projects ;

as the projects are being carried out, Ifadap makes
payments to the end beneficiaries . EAGGF aid, which
comes in the form of co-financing alongside domestic
public expenditure is, in accordance with the rules, paid
out once the body responsible certifies that any advances

The fact that vocational training constitutes a priority for
activities financed by the Community, in particular under
the European Social Fund, has been stated time and time
again ; on the other hand, it is also part of declared policy to
devote special attention to small and medium-sized
undertakings, since it is recognized that they have a vital role
to play where the economic fabric and, above all,
unemployment are concerned .

The news that ESF aid for training in Portugal was used up
in the first quarter of the year is therefore something of a
surprise . What gives cause for a stronger reaction than
surprise, however, are the additional reports that the money
ran Out because unduly large shares were allocated to big
companies such as the BCP and BCA banks, with the result
that SMU projects which, from the technical point of view,
would have deserved support, were starved of resources .

Does the Commission think it right that Community aid
should be employed in such a way ?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Flynn

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1995 )

Further to its answer of 1 1 July 1995 ( ), the Commission is
now in a position to provide the following information .

After termination of a number of measures under the

' Occupational training and employment ' operational
programme owing to the exhaustion of the allocated
resources, the Monitoring Committee for the Community
Support Framework decided, on 30 June 1995, to allocate a
further ECU 18 million to the programme .

This additional allocation was made subject to compliance
with the project selection criteria . Priority was to be given to
applications analysed but not approved by the European

No C 79 / 4 | EN [ Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Institute for Vocational Training ( EIVT ) owing to the lack
of financial resources, and to applications for technically
versed projects which would not otherwise have been
approved . The entire sum allocated for initial training was
to be taken up by firms with fewer than 50 workers .
Regarding continuing training, those with fewer than 50
workers would be given priority, and the balance allocated
to undertakings with no more than 100 workers . The
amount envisaged for the training of instructors would be
allocated to establishments which had signed an agreement
with the EIVT .

The Commission has asked the Portuguese authorities for
detailed information on the implementation of these
measures, which it will be sure to pass on to the Honourable
Member as soon as possible .

(!) OJ No C 257, 2 . 10 . 1995, p . 68 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 767 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Council

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2035 / 95

by Doeke Eisma ( ELDR )

to the Council

( 14 July 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 06 )

Subject : Observer status for the EU on the International

Commission on the Meuse and the Commission on

the Scheldt

The work of the various sea and river committees requires
constant coordination within the EU . It is therefore very
important that the EU should play an active role .

Can the Council confirm that it has not yet taken any
decision on observer status for the EU on the International

Commission on the Meuse and the Commission on the

Scheldt ?

If no such decision has yet been taken, why not ?

( 26 June 1995 ) Answer

( 96 / C 79 / 05 ) (6 February 1996 )

Subject : French Presidency of the Council

The Spanish edition of 1 3 May of the daily bulletin ' Europe '
expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of the French
Council Presidency, which during that week adopted
political decisions in Paris on behalf of the Union ( one
concerning Croatia, the other Turkish action towards the
Kurds ), without it being possible to obtain the texts in
Brussels on the day the decisions were taken .

' Europe ' also stated that those who tried to obtain the texts
in Paris met with the reply that they had been published in
the ' Bulletin du Quai d'Orsay '.

Why was it not possible to obtain the complete text of the
declarations from the Council Secretariat or the French

delegation in Brussels on the day they were issued ?

Answer

It is only on a proposal from the Commission that the
Council can take the decision to request observer status
for the European Community on the International
Commissions on the Meuse and the Scheldt . The Council

has not received any such proposal to date .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2052 / 95

by Wolfgang NulSbaumer ( NI )

to the Commission

( 12 July 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 07 )

Subject : Switzerland

(6 February 1996 ) The EU and Switzerland are currently negotiating the
conclusion of bilateral agreements concerning the free
movement of persons, access to public procurement

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the reply contracts, road transport, access to the market for
given by the President of the Council on 12 July 1995 to agricultural products, the removal of technical trade
Question H-434 by Mr Balfe . This reply was published in barriers, air transport and research .
the verbatim report of the sitting on 12 July 1995 .

In the course of these negotiations, a link has been made
between access to public procurement contracts and the free

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 7 9 / 5

movement of persons . This will have additional implications the European investment bank, if the Swiss authorities
for European transit traffic through Switzerland . make such a request .

1 . What measures does the Commission plan to introduce

to monitor compliance with future provisions ?

2 . Will the Commission consider making a financial
contribution to the planned Swiss NEAT project ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2131 / 95

by Françoise Grossetête ( PPE )

to the Council

(1 September 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 1995 )

On the basis of the conclusions of the Council of 3 1 October

1994, negotiations with Switzerland are now underway in
the areas of free movement of people, research, public
procurement, mutual recognition of conformity assessment,
market access for agricultural products, and transport ( air
and land ).

In its conclusions, the Council stressed the central elements
of its approach : the aim of the Community must be to reach
an overall balance of mutual advantage, within each sectoral
agreement and between the different agreements, and an
appropriate parallelism must be ensured between the
different sectoral agreements concerned . These elements
provide the basis for the organization and conduct of
negotiations on the part of the Commission .

At the opening of negotiations on 12 December 1994, the
Community delegation recalled the conclusions of the
Council and stressed that negotiations in all areas must
advance in parallel .

1 . It is envisaged that the application of a future bilateral
agreement between the Community and Switzerland on
road, rail and combined transport would be
administered and controlled by the joint committee
already established under Article 18 of the
EEC-Switzerland transit agreement of 1993 . This
committee would also be responsible for adapting the
agreement to the evolving ' acquis communautaire '. As
regards a future agreement on air transport, a joint
committee with appropriate competences would be set
up . The application of Community rules in the
air-transport sector, in particular those concerning the
right of establishment, competition rules and State aids,
will be under the jurisdiction of the Community
institutions .

2 . The NEAT project cannot be financed from Community
budget resources . It is however eligible for a loan from

( 96 / C 79 / 08 )

Subject : Mutual recognition of professional experience

acquired, on the basis of diplomas, successively in
several Member States

Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ( 1 ) of 21 December 1988 on a general
system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas
awarded on completion of professional education and
training of at least three years ' duration, which has wholly
or partly been transposed by the Member States of the
European Union, is a contribution to the free movement of
persons and constitutes a significant step in this
direction .

However, it does not provide for mutual recognition of
other aspects associated with the diplomas, such as
professional experience acquired on the basis of these
diplomas succesively in several Member States .

The public services of Member States generally refuse to
recognize seniority acquired in the public services of other
Member States . This means that holders of diplomas
covered by Articles 48 et seq . are open to indirect

discrimination on grounds of nationality, contrary to the
principle laid down by Article 7 of the EC Treaty .

In its ruling of 23 February 1994 on the ' Integraut Scholz v.
Opera Universitaria di Cagliari and Cinzia Porcedda '
case ( 2 ), the Court of Justice removed the legal vacuum on
the matter by ruling that Article 48 must be interpreted as
meaning that, where a public body of a Member State, in
recruiting staff for posts which do not fall within the scope
of Article 48 ( 4 ) of the EC Treaty, provides for account to be
taken of candidates ' previous employment in the public
service, that body may not, in relation to Community
nationals, make a distinction according to whether such
employment was in the public service of that particular State
or in the public service of another Member State .

However, the Court 's reply applies only to cases relating to
recruitment to the public service by open competition and
does not deal with recruitment by internal procedures or
employment in the private sector .

No C 79 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Does the Council intend to remedy this situation, which is
an obstacle to the free movement of persons, by adopting
binding Community legislation on the matter ?

(') OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989, p . 16 .

( 2 ) ECR 1994, I pp . 505 et seq .

Answer

(6 February 1996 )

Only the Commission is competent to submit proposals to
the Council in this area .

Moreover, in so far as the problems referred to by the
Honourable Member relate to Directive 89 / 48 / EEC, it is
also the case that monitoring the implementation of
Directives already adopted is equally the responsibility of
the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 171 / 95

by Marianne Thyssen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 July 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 09 )

Subject : Sports policy

Will the Commission state :

1 . Who has been invited to participate in the 1995

European Sports Forum and the criteria on the basis of
which they have been invited ?

2 . How the Eurathlon Monitoring Committee was selected
and what criteria were used for selection ? What volume

of appropriations has been earmarked for 1995 ? Is that
sufficient ?

3 . What steps it is taking to promote membership of

sporting organizations in the European Union and in the
countries of central and eastern Europe in order to
encourage everyone to participate in sporting activity
and foster the establishment of a democratically
oriented social fabric ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1995 )

1 . Participants in the European sports forum 1995 will
be as follows :

— representatives of ministries responsible for sport in the

Member States ;

— representatives of non-governmental sports
organizations in the Member States ;

— Members of the Parliament with interest in sports

matters ;

— representatives of the European non-governmental

sports organization ( ENGSO );

— representatives of the European Olympic Commitee

( EOC );

— various observers from the sport sector not represented

by the participants mentioned above .

2 . The Commission assumes that the Honourable

Member is referring to the Eurathlon jury as mentioned in
the Eurathlon decision . This consists of two members from

the Commission ( president and secretary ), one
representative of the ENGSO, one representative of EOC,
one representative of Sport for all, invited by the
Commission and three representatives of Member States

( one currently holding the Council Presidency, one which
held the Council Presidency last and one which holds the
Council Presidency next ).

For Eurathlon ECU 700 000 were earmarked in the 1995

budget . The Commission received more than 800 proposals,
82 of which were selected and recommended by the jury for
funding . The average support amounts to less than ECU

10 000 per project . In many cases, the projects had to be
adapted because of the small amount that could be allocated
given the limited funds available . The funding requested by
the applicants of the 82 selected projects significantly
exceeded the amount earmarked in the budget .

3 . This year, representatives of six countries of central
and eastern Europe are invited to participate as observers at
the European sport forum .

As far as the Commission is aware, sports organizations
have already established many contacts amongst themselves
in order to discuss, promote and implement cooperation
with countries of central and eastern Europe .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2214 / 95

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 July 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 10 )

Subject : European water pollution control : Commitology

The purpose of conferring powers on the Commission,
pursuant to Article 145, is to speed up implementation of
Directives . Commitology has been created for this purpose .
Although the IPPC Directive, the ecological water Directive
and the amendment that has been announced to Directive
76 / 464 / EEC ( ! ) concern broadly the same policies and
issues, different committees have been proposed .

An advisory committee has been proposed for the IPPC .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 7

A management committee pursuant to procedure lib has
been proposed for the ecological water Directive .

A regulatory committee pursuant to procedure Illb has
been proposed for the planned amendment to the 1976
Directive .

This involves the entire spectrum of possible committees
and co-decision proceedings for the various measures
for implementing EU Directives . Furthermore, the
Commission 's proposals involve a substantial transfer of
responsibilities to the Commission, i.e. the inclusion of
substances in the various substances lists, regulating the
areas of application by amending the lists of industries and
new limit values as contained in the original proposal
for the drinking water Directive .

1 . How does the Commission justify these different
proposals for the committee procedure in the different
water Directives ?

2 . Does the Commission feel there is a need for

clarification of the powers conferred by Article 145 ?

3 . The Commission is not sure that it fully understands
the third item in the question . It is in any case certain that
any measure that is likely to ensure the implementation
of a basic act, which presumes the adoption of a
second-generation legal act, is covered by the concept of
implementing competence within the meaning of
Article 145 ( 3 ) of the EC Treaty .

As the Honourable Member will be aware, it occurs that
during discussions within the Parliament and within the
Council in order to reach a common position the type of
committee and the tasks assigned to it may be modified . This
was the case for the proposed Directive on integrated
pollution control .

As to the amendment of Directive 76 / 464 / EEC, the
Commission will in due time, when adopting the proposal,
decide on the most appropriate type of procedure for the
exercise of implementing powers to be conferred on the
Commission .

2 . No, unless as a result of the Intergovernmental
Conference such a clarification were required .

3 . Where does the Commission see the distinction between .

implementing measures and material indications by the
Commission ? (') COM(93 ) 680 final — OJ No C 222, 10 . 8 . 1994 .

(') OJ No L 129, 18 . 5 . 1976, p . 23 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2417 / 95

(1 December 1995 )
by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

1 . As a rule the Commission proposes the advisory ­
committee procedure for the exercise of implementation
powers under Article 100a of the EC Treaty .

For proposals not relating to the internal market it is also
possible to envisage either a management committee
procedure ( Ha or lib ) or a legislative-committee procedure

( Ilia ). The choice between these types of committee depends
on the type of measures to be adopted and the requirements
of the sector in question . For example, in its proposed
Directive on the ecological quality of water ('), the
Commission has proposed a lib procedure, given the terms
of reference of the committee :

— adapting the annexes to the Directive to scientific and

technological progress,

— assessment of the monitoring systems and of the

integrated programmes and establishment of technical
specifications for monitoring systems and inventories,

— decisions relating to waters common to more than one

Member State,

— identification of sectors where economic instruments

(1 September 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 11 )

Subject : Balances under the First CSF for Portugal

( 1989—1993 )

In view of the Commission 's reply to my Written Question
P-857 / 95 ( ] ) and the information it contains on the balance
relating to the First Community Support Framework

( 1989 — 1993 ) which are still to be paid and the technical
settlement regarding the conversion of the ECU, could the
Commission provide an update of the overall amounts and
the amount for each Operational Programme relating to the
First CSF balances and state the amount actually transferred
to Portugal and the date on which this occurred ?

This information could be made available in respect of each
of the Structural Funds, if possible as clearly and as
accurately as in the abovementioned reply to Written
Question P-857 / 95 and with an indication of the amounts
paid following the closure of each dossier .

will be useful . C ) OJ No C 190, 24 . 7 . 1995, p . 30 .

No C 79 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1996 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to his Written Question P-3298 / 95 ( ! ).

(') OJ No C 66, 4 . 3 . 1996 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2481 / 95

by James Moorhouse ( PPE )

to the Council

( 13 September 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 12 )

introduced under a decision taken at the second meeting of
the ECSC Council on 1 December 1952 .

The tapes are used only for the Secretariat 's internal
requirements ; their purpose is to help the Council General
Secretariat carry out its secretarial task, that is to note
decisions taken at Council meetings and to draft minutes .
For the same reasons, meetings of Coreper and of numerous
working parties are also recorded .

The recordings are kept in the sound archives of the General
Secretariat, access being strictly limited to officials of the
General Secretariats with responsibility in the matter . After
the minutes of the relevant meetings have been drafted, the
recordings are systematically effaced .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2492 / 95

Subject : Tape-recording of Council meetings by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Council

The Council of the Euopean Union has admitted that all
meetings of the Council are tape-recorded . Can the

( 13 September 1995 )

Council : ( 96 / C 79 / 13 )

1 . Indicate whether all Council meetings since 1958 have
been tape-recorded, and, if not, since when this practice Subject : Human rights
began ;

2 . Clarify whether it is also the practice of the Council to
tape-record meetings of the European Council ( Heads of
States and Governments ), the Committee of Permanent
Representatives, and any other instances of the
Council ;

3 . State whether the Council has in its possession a
complete set of these tape-recordings since the practice
of recording meetings began ;

4 . State where in the Council Secretariat such

tape-recordings are kept ;

5 . Indicate who has access to such recordings and on what
basis ;

6 . Indicate whether it is the Council 's intention to destroy
or erase such recordings after a certain period of
time ;

7 . Indicate whether it is the Council 's intention to release

such recordings to the EU archive at the European
University Institute after a certain period of time, or in
any other way make them available to the public in due

course .

The President of the Italian Football Federation, Mr
Antonio Matarrese, has expressed his unwillingness to
allow the Italian national football team to travel to Split for
the European Championship qualifying game against
Croatia in spring 1996 .

This question has provoked differing reactions on the part
of public opinion and sporting circles in Italy .

Croatia is still in a state of war and last month during the
terrible conflict in the Balkans, the Croats were responsible
for shameful acts of war and ethnic cleansing, in violation of
the human rights resolutely upheld by the European
Union .

Given the serious security concerns to which the match
might give rise and, in particular, the fact that it would have
to be played in a country in a state of war, will the Council
make representations to the governing body of European
football ( UEFA ) with a view to having the match cancelled,
postponed, or, preferably, played in a country that is not in a
state of war ?

Answer

(6 February 1996 )

Answer

(7 February 1996 )
The matter raised by the Honourable Member does not
come within the Council 's sphere of competence .
Tape-recordings of Council meetings are a technical tool
of the Council General Secretariat . The practice was

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 9

QUESTION P-2528 / 95 Does the Commission agree that SMEs based in areas of

Kristoffersen ( PPE ) high unemployment such as this company should receive

to the Commission priority when EIB loans are determined ?

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2528 / 95

by Frode Kristoffersen ( PPE )

(7 September 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 14 )

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Norway 's introduction of new rules on the landing (4 December 1995 )

of EU catches in Norwegian ports

Will the Commission state whether it will take steps to
counter the unilateral Norwegian measures against EU
fishermen landing in Norwegian ports herring caught
international waters and whether it will, if necessary, refer
the matter to the Court of Justice of the European
Communities with a view to ensuring that the Norwegian
authorities do not place EU fishermen at a competitive
disadvantage compared with fishermen from third
countries ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1995 )

At the meeting of the EC-EEA Joint Committee on 18 July
the Commission raised the issue of the landing of
Community catches in Norwegian ports, in order to gauge
whether the measures unilaterally taken by Norway were
allowable under Article V of Protocol No 9 to the EEA

Agreement . It emerged that there were differences of
opinion on the management of ' Atlanto-Scandian ' herring
stocks .

The Norwegian authorities and the Commission agreed that
this matter should be discussed within the North-East

Atlantic Fisheries Commission, whose next meeting is from

15 to 17 November .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2565 / 95

Facilitating the access of small and medium sized enterprises

( SME ) to sources of financing is part of the Commission 's
policy objectives . A recent example is the SME Facility,
providing interest rate reductions on European Investment
Bank ( EIB ) loans, which was established within the
framework of the growth initiative following the European
Council in Copenhagen . In particular where areas are
lagging behind or are characterized by high unemployment,
the Commission considers that the EIB can provide valuable
support to SMEs .

In practice, applications by SMEs are channelled through
global loans made available by the EIB to banks or financial
institutions operating at European, national or regional
levels . The proceeds are allocated by the intermediaries in
agreement with the EIB and in keeping with its economic,
technical and financial criteria . This way of working makes
it possible to reach large numbers of SMEs and to have
allocation decisions benefit from locally available
knowledge . Global loans are decided by the EIB after
obtaining the Commission 's favourable opinion . Within the
framework of a global loan, however, individual SME
applications are not submitted to the Commission .

The EIB has gradually extended its global loan system to
cover the entire Community and especially the areas
qualifying for support under the Structural Funds .
According to information provided by the EIB, the system
makes available resources in sufficient quantity for
applications complying with the EIB 's lending criteria,
thereby avoiding the need for priority setting .

by Richard Howitt ( PSE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2607 / 95

to the Commission
by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )

( 22 September 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 15 )

Subject : Application for a loan to the European Investment

Bank from ID AT Ltd

Will the Commission ensure its representatives support a
loan application from ID AT Ltd of Benfleet, Essex to the
European Investment Bank, to support their purchase of a
Soraluce computer-aided milling machine ?

to the Commission

( 27 September 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 16 )

Subject : Application of Directive 91 / 493 / EEC

What mechanisms are available to the Commission to

ascertain the degree to which the various Member States are
complying with Directive 91 / 493 / EEC of 22 July 1991 (^

No C 79 / 10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

laying down the health conditions for the production and
the placing on the market of fishery products ?

( J ) OJ No L 268, 24 . 9 . 1991, p . 15 .

in the top corner of its red and white banner on the side
nearest to the flag-pole .

What practical steps will the Council take with regard to
these two matters ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission Answer

(6 December 1995 ) (6 February 1996 )

Member States were required to notify the Commission by

1 January 1993 of measures taken for the purpose of
transposing Council Directive 91 / 493 / EEC . Only Portugal
has " failed to do so, and infringement proceedings have been
initiated .

Article 8 of the Directive empowers the Commission to
carry out checks in the Member States in order to ensure that
the rules are being uniformly applied . As the Directive set a
deadline of 31 December 1995 for bringing establishments
into line with the Community requirements, the
Commission has agreed with the Member States that no
inspections will be carried out until 1996 .

Since 2 October, however, the Commission has been
carrying out a series of fact-finding trips to Member States in
order to find out the extent to which the requirements of the
Directive have bee;n transposed into national law . This
process is due to be complete by the end of the first quarter
of 1996 .

The Council has not received any Commission proposal for
the introduction of a Community licence plate for cars
which includes the European flag .

The Commission stated its position in the reply to Written
Question No 2574 / 92 (*), in which it referred to the
technical specifications for a standard design of Community
registration plate sent to the Member States as well as to the
principle of subsidiarity as regards adoption of that
design .

As regards the suggestion of incorporating the European
flag into the Member States ' national flags, the Community
has no powers in this regard . Member States ' national flag
designs are exclusively a matter for the Member States .

( 1 ) OJ No C 86, 26 . 3 . 1993, p . 27 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2621 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2611 / 95 (2 October 1995 )

by Michl Ebner ( PPE ) ( 96 / C 79 / 18 )

to the Council

( 27 September 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 17 )

Subject : Inclusion of the European flag in the design of

national licence plates

The proposal by the former President of the Commission
that aircraft operated by the airlines of the Member States
should include in their livery the flag of the European Union
is having the desired effect of ensuring that most airlines
mark their aircraft with the European flag either in addition
to their national flag or instead of it .

Would it not therefore be worthwhile, with a view to
helping people to identify with Europe, to take a step further
in this direction and incorporate the European flag — in
addition to national flags — in the design of vehicle licence
plates and in other national symbols ? For example, the
European flag should be incorporated into national flags, in
the same way as the USA has incorporated the lines of stars

Subject : Publication of notices to tender in the Official

Journal of the European Communities

According to press reports, for invitations to tender to be
published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities, Italy is one of the few countries which
complies with Community rules and systematically
publishes all invitations to tender of Lit 600 million or more .
This does not happen in many other Member States, with
the result that Italian firms are heavily penalized . While they
are not informed of what is happening outside their own
country, their foreign competitors are able to gain a
foothold in Italy without any difficulty .

This is clearly a case of discrimination against Italian firms
which are excluded from bidding for works and supply

contracts .

Will the Commission re-establish a level playing field for all
undertakings in the Member States, not to restrict the
market but in fact to broaden it ?

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 11

Answer given by Mr Monti the debate on the 1996 Draft Budget, a number of members
on behalf of the Commission expressed regret that the southern Member States were

( 21 November 1995 ) being placed at a financial disadvantage in the agriculture
sector .

The Commission would stress that the information in the

press to which the Honourable Member refers is
unfounded .

According to the latest data published by the Office for
Official Publications of the European Communities for
1994 ( EUR 12 ), it is clear that the contracting authorities
and entities in all the Member States currently publish in the
Official Journal of the European Communities a
comparable number of contract notices for public
procurement covered by all the Community Directives

( Council Directive 93 / 36 / EECof 14 June 1993 coordinating
procedures for the award of public supply contracts ( a );
Council Directive 93 / 37 / EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning
the coordination of procedures for the award of public
works contracts ( J ); Council Directive 92 / 50 / EEC of 1 8 June

1992 relating to the coordination of procedures for the
award of public service contracts ( 2 ) and Council Directive
93 / 38 / EEC of 14 June 1993 coordinating the procurement
procedures of entities operating in the water, energy,
transport and telecommunications sectors (*)), if we take
account of the derogations from implementation of certain
Directives which some Member States enjoy . In the course
of 1994, 11 597 notices and communications of all kinds
were published in the Official Journal by Italian entities . In
comparison, 1 659 were published in Belgium, 2 326 in
Denmark, 18 669 in Germany, 1 334 in Greece, 2 065 in
Spain, 12 417 in France, 708 in Ireland, 289 in
Luxembourg, 1 821 in the Netherlands, 854 in Portuguese
and 18 370 in the United Kingdom .

Of course, by performing its task of monitoring compliance
with Community law under Article 155 of the EC Treaty,
the Commission will continue to ensure that the provisions
of the Treaty and of the Directives on public procurement,
particularly those concerning the obligation to publish
contract notices in the Official Journal, are correctly applied
by all the bodies concerned, so as to permit increasingly
efficient functioning of the internal market and to open up
public procurement to the broadest possible measure of
Community competition .

0 ) OJ No L 199, 9 . 8 . 1993 .

Does the Council agree ?

If so, how does it intend to overcome this
discrimination ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

The Council has never carried out an assessment of the

financial effects of the CAP on any of the Member States,
which would entail analyzing a complex series of fluctuating
elements .

It should, however, be noted that in a joint statement made
in the Council in September 1993 in the context of the
Uruguay Round, the Commission and the Council
undertook, for those sectors in which common market
organizations had not yet been reformed at that time ( i.e.
basically Mediterranean products : wine, olive oil, cotton,
fruit and vegetables ), to maintain farm incomes and
Community preference while taking account of the
conditions and agricultural and financial principles which
had been applied throughout the agricultural sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2633 / 95

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 20 )

Subject : Transposition of legislation with health and safety

impact

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

How many Commission officials are engaged in checking
national transposing legislation for Single Market
legislation with a health and safety impact ? With the
existing level of resources how long will it take for
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630 / 95 tansposing legislation for Single Market legislation already
adopted to be fully checked ?

by Mathias Reichhold ( NI )

to the Council

( 29 September 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Bangemann

( 96 / C 79 / 19 ) on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1995 )
Subject : 1996 Budget

At the meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural
Development on 7 and 8 September 1995, in the context of

Several Commission departments are involved in checking
the transposition of Community law intended to protect

No C 79 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

health and the safety of users . However it is not possible to
provide exact figures on the proportion of tasks that directly
relate to the checking of transposition . There are in certain
departments staff who are specifically assigned to this
checking, while in others it is possible that the staff in
question also has to perform other tasks . It is quite possible
in both cases that the Commission may call upon outside
experts in order to conduct an initial examination of
national regulations .

Even if one only considers those departments concerned
with industry one can say, by way of an example, that a
relatively small number of officials are responsible for
checking the transposition of Directives that are sometimes
highly technical ( foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products,
motor vehicles, mechanical engineering, metrology,
chemical products, etc .). It is for practical reasons
impossible to determine the amount of time that will be
needed still in order fully to check the transposition of the
laws in question . It must also be noted that instances of
poor transposition are sometimes detected when the
implementation of Community law is checked after
complaints have been lodged, for example . The checking of
implementation is a task that is at least as important to the
Commission as the checking of transposition as such .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the gaps in the Italian
authorities ' statistical data on the number of animals used

for experimental purposes . Gaps have also been found in the
data sent by other Member States . However, it should be
stressed that this is the first time statistical data has been

collected in accordance with Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ( 1 ).

The significant difference between the number of animals
used in Italy as published in the Official Journal of the
Italian Republic No 194 of 31 August 1995 and the number
appearing in the Commission 's report to the Council and
Parliament is soon to be taken up with the Italian
authorities . The Commission will at the same time raise the

question of the different types of tables used by the Italian
authorities .

(') OJ No L 388, 18 . 12 . 1986 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2651 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Cot ( PSE )

to the Council

( 29 September 1995 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2641 / 95

by Gianni Tamino ( V )

to the Commission

(2 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 21 )

Subject : Publication of statistical data on the use of animals

for experimental purposes in Italy

Statistical data on the use of animals for experimental
purposes were published in the Italian Republic 's Official
Journal No 194 on 21 August 1995, albeit six months later

than scheduled under existing regulations . If the tables
published are compared with those drawn up by the
Commission of the European Union last year ^), it can be
seen that the figures for 1992 record 84 772 fewer animals,
including 11 994 dogs . Moreover, seven tables suggested by
the EU have been omitted, together with the specific figures
for non-human primates in the general table published .

Is the Commissoin aware of the above facts ?

Subject : Trans-European transport networks . Do the
14 projects still have priority ?

In adopting its common position on the guidelines for the
trans-European transport networks, the ' Transport '
Council of 17 June 1995 placed all the projects on an equal
footing without establishing any order of priority ; in so
doing if refused to append to the text the list of 14 priority
projects decided upon at the Essen European Council .

Can the Council provide assurances that this does not place
in jeopardy the rapid scheduling of the 14 priority projects,
including the Lyon-Turin and Munich-Brenner-Verona
projects, the implementation of which would combat
unemployment and, by relieving congestion on the road
network, help to remedy the serious atmospheric pollution
in the Alpine valleys ?

Answer

(6 February 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 22 )

Does it intend to make representations to the Italian
authorities to ensure that the data are rectified and that in

At its meeting on 28 September 1995 the Transport Council

future information the general ? public will be supplied with accurate adopted a common position on the proposal for a Decision

of the European Parliament and of the Council on
Community guidelines for the development of the
(') COM(94 ) 195 final . trans-European transport network .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 13

As is customary, that common position was accompanied by
a statement of the Council 's reasons . The common position
and the statement of the Council 's reasons were forwarded

to the European Parliament on 9 October 1995 .

The reasons which led the Council to decide against keeping
the new Annex III to the Commission 's amended proposal
are given in point IH.l.(b ) of that statement . It should be
remembered that the Annex in question contained a
non-exhaustive list of 40 priority projects, including the 14
projects mentioned in the conclusions of the Presidency of
the Essen European Council .

The President of the Transport Council also provided an
explanation on this subject at the presentation made to the
European Parliament 's Committee on Transport and
Tourism on 19 July 1995 .

Although the Council considered it inappropriate to include
Annex III in the Decision on the guidelines for the
trans-European transport network, it attaches great
importance to implementation of the conclusions of the
Essen European Council . That is why it drew up a statement
on the subject and agreed to request the European
Parliament to subscribe to it if it so wished . That statement

reads as follows :

' The Council, referring to the conclusions of the Essen
European Council on trans-European networks, stresses
the importance which it attaches to coherent and rapid
development of the trans-European transport network
and in particular to the 14 priority projects which
were the subject of the Essen European Council
agreement .'

swimming-pools, an exhibition hall, a theatre, a museum,
athletics tracks, installations for overhead and surface
railways, an aquarium and an administrative block with a
total budget of Drs 10,5 billion, for which clearing and
felling has already begun . There are, however, derelict urban
areas locally where the authority could carry out its plans
under a development programme ( Esperos, Tegopoulos,
Kaisaris, Britannia ).

1 . Has any application been submited to the European
Union for the funding of development schemes in the
Nea Philadelphia forest under the regional operational
programme or any other Community programme ?

2 . Does the lack of an environmental impact assessment
not constitute a breach of Community and national law
since land reclamation for the purpose of conversion to
another type of land use and urban development
projects fall within the provisions of Directive
85 / 337 / EEC (*) on drawing up an environmental impact
assessment ( Article 4(2 ) — Annex II, 1(d ) and
10(b ))?

3 . How does the Commission intend to intervene to

prevent yet another green ' lung ' in Attica from being
destroyed and the European Union 's policy on
improving the environment in Athens from being
circumvented by such a project ?

4 . Which Community programme could accommodate

the works planned by the local authority in Nea
Philadelphia in order to develop existing urban areas,
save the forest and preserve its protective environmental
role ?

(') OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2681 / 95
by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL ) ( 19 December 1995 )

to the Commission

(4 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 23 )

Subject : Breach of Community law by the municipality of

Nea Philadelphia, Attica

The local authority of Nea Philadelphia, 7 km from the
centre of Athens, is planning to carry out construction work
in the Nea Philadelphia forest, an area of 47 hectares,
without an environmental impact assessment . Official
documents in my possession confirm that illegal work has
been carried out in the forest on previous occasions to build
a taverna, fuel tanks, 13 kiosks, two artificial lakes, tennis
courts, a zoological garden and car parks, as well as to widen
roads and clear land for markets etc . Much of the forest has

nevertheless been preserved unspoiled hitherto, though it is
under threat from new plans to build bars, restaurants, two

1 . No application for funding has been submitted to the
Commission in the context of the Structural Funds .

2 . Activities of the kind described by the Honourable
Member come under Annex II ( point 1 10(b ) ' urban
development projects ') to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the
effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment .

Article 4(2 ) of the Directive specifies that projects covered
by Annex II require an environmental impact assessment
where Member States consider that their characteristics so

require .

3 . As the Commission has no information about the facts

reported by the Honourable Member, it will contact the
Greek authorities in this connection and will inform the

No C 79 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Honourable Member direct about the results of its

examination and any action it takes on this matter .

4 . The projects in question are not eligible for funding
under an operational programme, but could be examined in
the context of a pilot urban development project under
Article 10 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2083 / 93 ( ] )
concerning the activities of the European Regional
Development Fund .

(>) OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2700 / 95

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna ( PPE )

to the Council

( 26 September 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 24 )

Subject : Regional planning in the European Union

The idea of a regional planning policy at European level is
increasingly taking hold both in the Member States and in
academic and professional circles . The Community
institutions ( Parliament, the Commission, the Council, the
Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social
Committee ) have accordingly all issued resolutions and
opinions on the need for a global, coherent vision of
European regional planning .

Moreover, since 1989, there have been regular informal
meetings of ministers responsible for regional planning
under the various EU presidencies, the last of which was
held in Strasbourg on 30 and 31 March 1994 under the
French presidency . At that informal meeting, the ministers
agreed to submit during the Spanish presidency a
provisional document on Community plans for the
development of European spatial planning .

Could the Council provide information on the progress of
this provisional document ?

Are there plans to hold an informal Council meeting of the
ministers responsible for regional planning during the
Spanish presidency ?

Answer

It cannot therefore provide any information on the progress
of the provisional document .

The document in question is being discussed in the Spatial
Development Committee, an informal group attached to the
Commission with representatives of the Member States and
chaired by the Presidency-in-Office of the Council . It was set
up following the informal meetings of Ministers responsible
for Regional Planning, in particular the meetings in Liege,
Corfu, Leipzig and Strasbourg .

This interim document was submitted by the Spanish
Presidency on the Committee 's behalf to the informal
meeting of the Regional Planning Ministers in Madrid on
30 November 1995 .

2 . Since regional planning is not a matter of Community
competence, no corresponding formal Council meeting is to
be convened during the Spanish Presidency .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2706 / 95

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 25 )

Subject : Slimming products and consumer protection

Pills, capsules and other ' miracle ' medicines which are
supposed to have a slimming effect have been on the market
for many years . It seems that many of these products, even
some of those sold in chemists, are in fact mixtures of
substances such as amphetamines, laxatives, diuretics and
appetite suppressants, which can seriously damage health
and have sometimes proved fatal .

Is the Commission aware of this problem which is causing
concern among scientists, and does it intend to take
appropriate action to protect consumers on a European
scale ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

(6 February 1996 ) Since the Honourable Member 's question refers to
medicines, it should be pointed out that Community
pharmaceutical legislation ( Directive 65 / 65 / EEC ) (*), as

1 . Regional planning does not come within the amended by Directive 93 / 39 / EEC ( 2 ), provides that the
Community 's sphere of competence, and the Council is not placing of medicinal products on the market is subject to
involved in the discussions on ' Plans for the development of prior authorization which is given, depending on the
Community spatial planning '. product concerned, by the authorities of the Member States

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 15

or by the Community . Authorization is given only after a
detailed examination of the request for authorization,
which must give details of the quality, effectiveness and
safety of the product in use, and subject to monitoring of any
undesirable side-effects . In accordance with Council
Directive 92 / 28 / EEC ( 3 ) the advertising of medicinal
products must be in conformity with the terms of the
authorization to put them on the market .

With regard to anorectic drugs designed to take away the
feeling of hunger, it has recently emerged that these may
cause pulmonary hypertension, an extremely rare but
potentially dangerous reaction . As these drugs are
distributed within the Community, the European Agency
for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, working in the
framework of a new Community procedure, has started to
re-examine all authorizations for placing them on the
market . This examination covers 14 active substances used

in about 160 products and should be concluded by the end
of the year .

There have also been accidents recently following the taking
of magistral preparations made up in accordance with
medical prescriptions . These are medicines which are not
placed on the market but are prepared under the full
responsibility of the pharmacist and the doctor who
prescribes them for the treatment of individual patients .
Magistral preparations are not covered by Community
legislation . Their control and distribution by pharmacies is
under the responsibility of the Member States . Misleading
advertising of products sold in pharmacies or outside the
pharmaceutical circuit would fall within the scope of
Directive 84 / 450 / EEC ( 4 ).

The Honourable Member 's attention is drawn to the answer

already given on this subject to Written Question
No 2119 / 94 by Mr Colom i Naval .

(') OJ No 22, 9 . 2 . 1965 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 214, 24 . 8 . 1993 .
(') OJ No L 113, 30 . 4 . 1992 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 250, 19 . 9 . 1984 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2712 / 95

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Council

(6 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 26 )

Subject : Community information policy

Could the Council provide a list of members serving on the
Working Party on Information which it has established and
a listing of the six-monthly seminars the Working Party has
held, with their locations, since the Berlin seminar in
October 1994 ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

As a rule meeting of the Working Party on Information are
attended by Press and Information Counsellors from the
Permanent Representations .

The names of those Counsellors are published in the list of
officials of the Permanent Representations contained in the
' Annuaire interinstitutionneP ( interinstitutional guide ) of
the European Union .

Since the seminar in Berlin in October 1994 only one other
seminar has been held, in Paris in May 1995, with the
information policy of the European Union as the main
topic .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2716 / 95

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 27 )

Subject : Community measures to obtain fishing licences

to replace cancelled or unrenewed fisheries

agreements

Experience shows that it is becoming increasingly difficult to
renew fisheries agreements with the countries with which
the Community authorities traditionally concluded such
agreements . There is a clear need to look for innovative ways
of guaranteeing the traditional livelihood of thousands of
Community fishermen whose only means of subsistence is
fishing .

The possibility should therefore be considered of
investigating which third countries grant their nationals
fishing licences, so that fisheries agreements can be
concluded on a case-by-case basis with foreign fishing
companies to allow their abundant fishery resources to be
exploited .

Does the Commission therefore think that it should set up
— for the sake of the Community fishing companies
concerned — a service to investigate, and identify, countries
which grant licences to their nationals, with a view to
establishing joint ventures with foreign fishing companies so
that Community fishing companies always have the
opportunity to fish via these joint ventures, thereby avoiding
the tense wait, while they are not working, for the renewal of
fisheries agreements which are increasingly difficult to
conclude ?

No C 79 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 1995 )

The fishery agreements concluded by the Community are
not designed to be static, but develop under the influence of
a range of factors of a political, legal or economic nature .
The Commission therefore agrees with the Honourable
Member on the need to seek new ways of providing
access for Community fishermen to the fish stocks of
non-Community countries .

Accordingly, the Commission has continually improved the
design of fishery agreements and has concluded ' second
generation ' agreements providing for closer, sustainable
cooperation with the countries concerned .

Experience has shown that Community firms wishing to fish
a non-Community country 's stocks, outside existing fishery
agreements, can do so without difficulty by applying
privately for licences . The suggestion that the Commission
should become involved in the search for partners is an
interesting one nevertheless, and merits further study .
Parliament 's support would be particularly welcome in
implementing such an approach, one of the first stages of
which would have to be an assessment of the costs in terms

of budget funds and staffing resources .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2719 / 95

by Wolfgang Nufibaumer ( NI )

to the Commission

(6 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 28 )

Subject ; Freedom of movement for goods in the internal

market and tax harmonization

The Commission 's programme for the implementation of
the European Single Market is based inter alia on the
principle of freedom of movement for goods . The internal
market is intended to guarantee unlimited freedom of trade
and the removal of technical obstacles to trade with effect

from 1 January 1993 . The principle of freedom of
movement for goods is based on the principle of
non-discrimination . In this connection attempts are being
made to harmonize administrative guidelines and taxation
procedures with a view to creating equal conditions for
trade in the transport sector . The travelling market sector in
Austria is currently having to contend with severe technical
adjustment problems in the transport of goods to
neighbouring EU countries .

1 . Do long application procedures in Italy for obtaining a
tax office reference number and the costly business of
applying for a trading permit in Germany represent

unlawful discrimination or an infringement of the
freedom of trade ?

2 . Is the Commission making any attempts to simplify or
harmonize the procedures for obtaining trading permits
or tax registration numbers in Europe ?

3 . If so, when will these severe technical barriers to trade be
removed ?

4 . What action has the Commission taken so far in the

travelling market sector ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 November 1995 )

The Commission has not been informed of particularly long
delays in issuing tax office reference numbers in Italy .
Pursuant to Article 22 of Directive 77 / 388 / EEC ( 1 ), the
procedure for issuing these numbers is determined by the
Member States . The Commission ' has no plans to propose
any changes to these provisions .

Nor has it come to the Commission 's attention that the

business of applying for a trading permit is especially costly
in Germany . According to the judgment of the Court of
Justice of 31 March 1993 in Case C-19 / 92 Kraus,
applications for authorization to pursue a profession should
not be conditional on the payment of excessive
administrative fees . More specifically, fees over and above
the objective costs of the authorization procedure can be
regarded as excessive . In the specific case of the travelling
market sector, the authorization procedure provided for by
Directive 75 / 369 / EEC ( 2 ) is relatively simple, and therefore
the associated administrative costs should not normally be
excessive .

Travelling market traders are covered by Directive
75 / 369 / EEC of 16 June 1975 on measures to facilitate the

effective exercise of freedom of establishment and freedom

to provide services in respect of itinerant activities and, in
particular, transitional measures in respect of those
activities . This Directive stipulates that Member States may
not refuse to allow a Community national to take up an
activity if he has acquired at least three years ' experience in
another Member State . Migrants without the necessary
experience may invoke articles of the Treaty as interpreted
by the Court ( Case C-340 / 89 Vlassopoulou [ 1991 ] ECR
1-2357 ). In this judgment, the Court ruled that a Member
State which receives a request to admit a person to this
regulated profession must take into consideration the
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of qualifications
which the person concerned has acquired in order to
exercise the same profession in another Member State by
making a comparison between the specialized knowledge
and abilities certified by those diplomas and the knowledge
and qualifications required by the national rules . If the
host Member State concludes from that comparative

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 17

examination of diplomas that the knowledge and
qualifications certified by the foreign diploma correspond to
those required by the national provisions, it must allow the
migrant to take up the profession . If, on the other hand, the
comparison reveals that the knowledge and qualifications
certified by the foreign diploma and those required by the
national provisions correspond only partially, the host
Member State is entitled to require the person concerned to
show that he has acquired the knowledge and qualifications
which are lacking .

') OJ No L 145, 13 . 6 . 1977 .

2 ) OJ No L 167, 30 . 6 . 1975 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2722 / 95

by Angela Billingham ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1995 )

. 96 / C 79 / 29 )

Subject : EC Directive 8 6 / 65 3 / EEC — commercials agents

Is the Commission aware of the problems faced by
individuals seeking redress under Directive 86 / 653 / EEC (*)?
Does it know that companies in some Member States seem
to ignore their obligations under this Directive and seem to
use their financial strength to avoid any claim ?

How many cases is the Commission aware of ? What
steps does the Commission propose to ensure that the will of
Parliament is not frustrated by Member States '
unwillingness to interpret the Directive correctly, or to
enforce it against recalcitrant companies ?

(') OJ No L 382, 31 . 12 . 1986, p . 17 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1995 )

The Commission is currently undertaking work on a report
on the application of Article 17 of the Directive
86 / 653 / EEC . This provision requires Member States to take
the action necessary to ensure that the commercial agent,
after termination of the agency contract, receives either an
indemnity or compensation .

In the course of preparing its report the Commission hopes
to obtain further information concerning the application of

the Directive given that, up to now, the Commission is
aware of very few cases . After assessing the situation,
the Commission will then consider what action is

appropriate .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2725 / 95

by Pierluigi Castagnetti ( PPE ), Danilo Poggiolini ( PPE ),

Gerardo Bianco ( PPE ) and Giampaolo D'Andrea ( PPE )

to the Council

(6 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 30 )

Subject : Inappropriate statements by the Finance Minister

of a Member State

Does the Council not consider that statements by individual
ministers from the Member States, such as the statement
issued on 20 September 1995 by the German Finance
Minister, Theo Waigel, on whether Italy and other countries
could be admitted to the third phase of European monetary
union, which led to serious disturbances on the money and
financial markets, represent an infringement of the rules of
the Maastricht Treaty in which it is stipulated that it is up to
the monetary bodies set up for that purpose, the
Commission and the Council of Ministers as a collegiate
body to make such assessments ?

Answer

(6 February 1996 )

Article 109j of the Treaty establishing the European
Community lays down the procedure and periods for
deciding on Member States ' participation in the single

currency .

It should be noted that on the basis of reports from the
Commission and the EMI, the Council will assess for each
Member State, whether it fulfils the necessary conditions for
the adoption of a single currency .

Subsequently, the Council, meeting in the composition of
Heads of State or Government, will confirm before 1 July

1998 which Member States fulfil the necessary conditions
for the adoption of a single currency to enable the third state
of EMU to start on 1 January 1999 .

To the Council 's konwledge, no Member State has called
these provisions into question .

No C 79 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2730 / 95

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) and Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(6 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 31 )

objective, reliable and comparable information on
environmental issues of European nature . The task
proposed by the Honourable Members is beyond both the
competence and the resources of the Agency as it currently
stands . The Agency has, however, just launched a European
topic centre on land cover which will address some
underlying issues relevant to the questions posed .

(') OJ No L 120, 11 . 5 . 1990 .
Subject : Flood-prevention measures

In the second and third weeks of September, bad weather
and violent storms caused more floods in Lombardy and
Piedmont . In November 1994, following the disastrous
floods in northern Italy, and Provence and the Cote d'Azur
in France, we asked the Commission to draw up a
ground-water map covering the Union 's territory and
identifying the areas at greatest risk, and a plan for the
reforestation of all the areas which could help stabilize the
ecosystem ( Written Question E-2480 / 94 ( ! )).

In the wake of the latest disastrous floods, we repeat our
requests and ask whether the Environment Agency should
not take on the specific task of monitoring regional
planning in the Member States .

(!) OJ No C 81, 3 . 4 . 1995, p . 37 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1995 )

The Commission shares the regrets of the Honourable
Members at the damage and human suffering caused by the
latest floods in Italy .

On 4 October 1995, the Commission approved the
programming into the budget of the new Interreg C
initiative which, in particular, includes a section on regional
planning and water management . It is intended, against this
background, to support the preparation and joint
implementation of concerted plans and programmes on the
improvement of transnational catchment areas for the
major European rivers and to organize territorial preventive
action against flooding . r

The river Po catchment area ( which extends into
Switzerland ) counts among the transnational basins
considered eligible . In its Decision of 4 October the
Commission reserved ECU 5 million for concerted action

on preventing floods in this region .

Replying to the second part of the question, the Commission
recalls that the remit of the European environment agency,
as laid down in Regulation ( EEC ) No 1210 / 90 ( l ), is to take
the action necessary to provide policy makers with

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2731 / 95

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) and Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(6 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 32 )

Subject : Serious weather conditions in Lombardy and

Piedmont

The violent storms over northern Italy, and over Lombardy
and Piedmont in particular, have already caused damage
worth several billion lire and led to a serious economic crisis,
with temporary lay-offs of hundreds of workers as hundreds
of firms have had to halt production .

In the light of what happened in previous years, which
should serve as a guide to the public authorities in taking
steps to prevent the advent of disasters with such tragic
consequences for the public, can the Commission adopt
urgent measures to help those who have been affected and
adopt a directive which, drawing on the experience of the
disasters which occurred in previous years, will provide
guidelines for the measures that can be taken by the public
authorities to cope with such natural disasters, in particular
by developing regional monitoring networks ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1995 )

The Commission has been following with concern the
situation in the regions of Northern Italy for the last few
years, given the extensive damage due to bad weather
conditions in the area and the impact which this has had on
employment .

The measures for which public authorities are supposed to
provide and take, under such circumstances, however, are
the exclusive competence of the regional and national
authorities concerned . Consequently, it does not seem very
appropriate for the Commission to submit a proposal for a
Directive on this question .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 19

As regards assistance to populations which are the victims of
such disasters, the Community generally provides
emergency aid, budget funds permitting .

It is also possible to provide support to the services which
have to deal with flood damage . This type of disaster is
encountered by other Member States and calls for an
appropriate technology . Unfortunately, the budget funds
for Community cooperation on civil protection — line
B4-3300 — have just been cut again by Parliament and it is
not certain that such support will be guaranteed in 1996 .

The Commission approved on 4 October 1995 a budgetary
plan for the new Community initiative Interreg C, which
contains a section on land and water management . In this
context, it is planned to support the drawing up and joint
implementation of concerted plans and programmes for
developing and managing the transnational river basins of
major European rivers, and organizing action to prevent
floods .

The Po river basis ( which extends into the territory of
Switzerland ) is one of the transnational basins which could
be eligible for such action . In its decision of 4 October, the
Commission set aside ECU 5 million for a concerted

campaign to prevent flooding in this region .

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 1995 )

The European Investment Bank ( EIB ) provides loans in
support of capital investment projects that contribute
towards Community policy objectives, according to the
eligibility criteria established by its board of governors

( consisting of one minister for each Member State ) and by its
board of directors in line with the framework of objectives
given to the bank by the EC Treaty . The EIB finances large
investments through individual loans and small and
medium-sized investments through global loans arranged
with banks and financing institutions .

In this context on May 8 1995 the EIB signed the first
tranche ( Lit 600 billion ) of a Lit 1 200 billion global loan
with four banks namely IMI, Banca Mediocredito, Crediop
and Banca Nazionale del Lavoro for the rehabilitation of

infrastructure and facilities damaged by the 1994 floods in
northern Italy .

On July 25 1995 the EIB 's board of directors modified the
eligibility criteria by extending them to include medium and
long-term fixed investment in the retail and other private
consumer services, notably by means of global loan
financing . The new eligibility criteria are already applicable
to the existing global loan for infrastructure and industrial
and services facilities in northern Italy damaged by the 1994
floods .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732 / 95

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) and Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2739 / 95
to the Commission

by Joan Vallvé ( ELDR )
(6 October 1995 )

to the Commission

( 96 / C 79 / 33 )

Subject : EIB investments in the areas hit by flooding in

( 12 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 34 )

November 1994
Subject : Obstacles to the free movement of traffic and the

common transport policy

The EIB has earmarked Lit 1 200 billion to undertakings
damaged by the floods which affected northern Italy and, in
particular, Piedmont, Liguria and Lombardy in November
last year .

However, as if rivers and mud had targeted only small and
medium-sized undertakings when wreaking destruction, the
EIB is not including retailers amongst those eligible for such
funding, even though they were amongst those who suffered
most from the disaster .

Can the Commission launch an aid programme for retailers
hit by the floods, including them amongst the beneficiaries
of EIB-funded aid ?

On 1 July 1995 a heavy goods vehicle from Gerona ( Spain ),
registration number GI 0218 AY, entered Italy from
Switzerland via the Gaggiolo ( Stabio ) border crossing,
having completed all the customs procedures .

The driver was arrested and fined Lit 542 000 by the
highway police, pursuant to Article 6 / 1.12 of the Nuovo
Codice della Strada ( D.L. 285 / 92 ), for driving on a Saturday

( when heavy goods vehicles are banned from the roads ),
despite the fact that he had not been informed of this ban by
any authority or road sign .

The driver also had to hand over the vehicle papers ( the
lorry 's roadworthiness certificate and his own driving

No C 79 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

licence ) which the police held for a month, as a result of
which he had to return home without his papers and
suffered financial loss through being unable to work during
that period . Similar situations have occurred on a number of
occasions recently, which has led to constant complaints
from Spanish road hauliers .

In view of the fact that the aim of the common transport
policy is to remove all sources of discrimination and
disparity in the transport policy of the Member States which
hinder the operation of the common market and to improve
freedom of movement through the harmonization of the
Member States ' transport laws, does the Commission not
think that some kind of actions should be taken to prevent
the occurrence of such situations, which leave road hauliers
defenceless and hamper the common transport policy, thus
undermining the right to free movement throughout the
territory of the Member States ?

Does the Commission not think that the abovementioned

Nuovo Codice della Strada could be contravening
Community law by forcing vehicles to travel through other
Member States without the necessary papers ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2902 / 95

by Manuel Medina Ortega ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 October 1995 )

Penalties are a solely national prerogative provided that the
principles of non-discrimination, proportionality and
territoriality are met .

In particular, where the authorities in one Member State
impose a penalty on a driver holding a driving license issued
by another Member State and where the intended penalty
implies a ban on driving for a specific period, the imposition
of that penalty must not involve any ban on driving an
vehicle on the territory of the other Member States . In this
instance Article 42 — suspension of the validity of driving
licences — of the Vienna Convention on road traffic, one of
the aims of which is to ' facilitate international road traffic '

provides that the withdrawal of a driving licence must not
extend beyond the period provided for by the penalty or
' until the driver leaves its territory, if that departure takes
place before expiry of that period '.

The Commission feels, with regard to the confiscation of the
vehicle documents, which implies, in practice, a ban on the
use of the vehicle for a certain period, that such a penalty is,
in principle, not contrary to Community law provided that
it is not discriminatory and that the period of document
confiscation is proportional to the seriousness of the offence
committed .

( 96 / C 79 / 35 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2741 / 95
by Christiane Taubira-Delannon ( ARE )

to the Commission

Subject : Compatibility of Community law

Does the Commission consider the provisions of the twelfth
subparagraph of Article 6(1 ) of the new Italian highway
code ( B.L. 285 / 92 ) under which the papers of certain
vehicles which have circulated on Saturdays are confiscated,
thereby preventing such vehicles from crossing
intra-Community borders, to be compatible with
Community law ?

( 12 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 36

Subject : Devaluation of the CFA franc

borders, to be compatible with Since it is taking an inordinate amount of time for the
law ? devaluation of the CFA franc to have a positive effect on the

economies of the African countries concerned and on the

living conditions of their people, does the Commission not
think that the accompanying measures which it has already
adopted should be supplemented by specific aid for the
Joint answer to Written Questions benefit of the sectors and population categories which are

E-2739 / 95 and E-2902 / 95 most affected by the devaluation ?

E-2739 / 95 and E-2902 / 95

given by Mr Kinnock
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1995 )

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

The measures banning the use of certain types of vehicle on ( 22 December 1995 )
certain days or on certain roads taken by the national,
regional or local authorities do not, in principle, constitute
an infringement of free movement or of the common
transport policy, provided that those measures are not Almost two years after the decision to devalue the CFA
discriminatory and that they do not, in practice, call into ( African Fiancial Community ) franc, although the situation
question the use of a certain mode of transport . does vary from country to country, positive effects can

18 . 3 . 96 LJN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 21

clearly be seen : marked recovery of the ' primary balance '
of public finances, which was one of the objectives ;
improvement in the payments balance ; resumption of
economic growth in most countries thanks to an
improvement in competitiveness, particularly in agricultural
exports ; and, finally, control of inflation following
absorption of the mechanical effect of the 1994
devaluation .

In the 12 countries where it was possible, the Commission
decided to support the economic reform programmes
implemented in response to the change in the parity of the
CFA franc and aimed at securing or speeding up their
beneficial effects on the population . To this end, the specific
resources for assisting structural adjustment and the
resources of the national indicative programmes and of
Stabex have been very swiftly and systematically focused
both on the social sector and measures to alleviate the social

repercussions and on boosting economic growth by
supporting the sectors which sustain such growth

( financing of overdue payments in the domestic economy,
highly labour-intensive activities, road maintenance and
agricultural development ). Thus, following the devaluation,
a total of ECU 425 million will effectively have been paid
in 1994 and 1995 ( ECU 230 million and ECU 195 million )
to support the economic reform programmes .

In 1996 the Commission intends to pursue the same
approach, while seeking to remedy the causes of the
inadequate response to devaluation in terms of supply and
investment, in particular inadequate or dilatory economic
and budgetary reforms . In this connection, it is actively
supporting efforts to impart fresh impetus to the regional
integration of these economies ( the West African Economic
and Monetary Union ( WAEMU ) and the Economic and
Monetary Community of Central Africa ( CEMAC )), since
these should facilitate the implementation of reforms,
particularly through the cooperation and regional policy
surveillance mechanisms which these countries are

developing with assistance from the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2746 / 95

What steps can the foreign ministers take to verify this
evidence, and what pressure can they bring to ensure that
China realizes these standards are completely unacceptable
to the European Union ?

Answer

(6 February 1996 )

The Council has no information on the situation in Chinese

State orphanages, a question which has never been raised in
the Council . The Council has never hidden the importance it
attaches to questions pertaining to human rights in China .
The framework of the EU-China political dialogue on
human rights, the first meeting of which was held in January
this year, enables the European Union to raise the subject of
human rights directly with the Chinese authorities . The
European Union will continue to monitor closely human
rights in China, and will bear in mind the situation in
Chinese State orphanages .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2747 / 95

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Council

( 11 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 38

Subject : Prisons in Honduras

Would the foreign ministers comment on the fact that
juveniles are being housed in cells with adult males in
Honduran prisons ? Do the foreign ministers accept that
these young boys are at risk in these circumstances ? What
pressure can ministers bring on the Honduran authorities to
bring a rapid end to this practice ?

by Christine Crawley ( PSE ) Answer

to the Council (6 February 1996 )

( 11 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 37 )

Subject : Chinese orphanages

There is evidence in the British media of unacceptable
treatment of babies in Chinese State orphanages where
predominantly female babies are left to die over a prolonged
period through intentional neglect .

The European Parliament attaches great importance to
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,
regarding respect for human dignity as a priority . This is a
requirement which must apply in all situations, even in the
case of prisoners and in particular of juveniles . This matter
will be brought to the attention of the relevant EU
bodies .

No C 79 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2770 / 95

by James Moorhouse ( PPE )

to the Council

(1 1 October 1 995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 39 )

Subject : Public debates in the Council

1 . Annex II of the Report by the European Commission
to the Reflection Group contains a table ' Public Debates in
the Council ', listing all such debates since February 1993 .
Will the Council publish a list updating this table, detailing
all public debates in the Council during the French and
Spanish Presidencies of 1995 ?

2 . Does the Council have any plans either to widen or to
narrow the range of debates held in public ?

3 . Will the Council indicate the number of occasions in

1994 and 1995 that the Presidency or a Member State has
requested a debate to be held in public and that the request
has not been agreed by the Council ?

Answer

(6 February 1996 )

1 . The Honourable Member will find attached a list of

public debates organized by the Council as at 31 October

1995 .

2 . On 29 May 1995 the Council decided to hold more
frequent public debates on important issues concerning the
interests of the Union or on significant new legislative

proposals . It accordingly stipulated that at the beginning of
each six-month period the Presidency should put forward
proposals for the organization of such debates .

On 17 July 1995 the Council therefore drew up a list of
topics on which public debates could be held in the
Council 's various compositions during the second half of

1995 .

In the light of that list, the Honourable Member will find
below the public debates still to be held, with the proviso
that an individual decision will have to be taken on each of

them :

— Internal Market Council : Thursday, 23 November 1995

— ' Citizens first ' — Rights of citizens in the context of
the internal market

— Labour and Social Affairs Council : Tuesday,
5 December 1995 — ' Employment situation in the
Union '

— Environment Council : Monday, 18 and Tuesday
19 December 1995 — ' Integrated management of the
coastline '

— Development Council : Wednesday, 20 December 1995

— ' Regulations on humanitarian aid and food aid '.

3 . The Council does not have a list of requests for public
debates which did not receive unanimous approval in the
Council .

It should be noted that, pursuant to the aforementioned
Council conclusions of 29 May 1995, the list of public
debates will be adopted by the Council at the beginning of
each half-year .

Public council meetings

Council Date Subject

General affairs 1 February 1993 1 . Danish Presidency's programme

2 . Opening of accession negotiations

Agriculture 10 February 1993 Proposal on the prices for agricultural products and on related
measures 1993 / 94 — Commission presentation

Economic and financial affairs 15 February 1993 Danish Presidency's Ecofin programme

General affairs 5 April 1993 Opening of negotiations with Norway

Internal market 5 April 1993 Sutherland Report

Social affairs 6 April 1993 Employment situation

Industry 3 May 1993 Industrial competitiveness and environmental protection

Development cooperation 25 May 1993 Run-up to 2000

General affairs 19 July 1993 Belgian Presidency's programme

Economic and financial affairs 13 September 1993 Belgian Presidency's Ecofin programme

18 . 3 . 96 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 23

Council Date Subject

Internal market 11 November 1993 Strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs and craft trades and the
development of employment in the Community

Environment 2 and 3 December 1993 Green Paper on civil liability

General affairs 7 February 1994 Greek Presidency's programme

Ecofin 14 February 1994 Greek Presidency's Ecofin programme

Agriculture 21 February 1994 Proposals on the prices for agricultural products and on related
measures 1994 / 95 — Commission presentation

Ecofin 11 July 1994 German Presidency's Ecofin programme

General affairs 18 July 1994 German Presidency's programme

Ecofin 16 January 1995 Welcoming of the new Member States and presentation of the French
Presidency's Ecofin programme

General affairs 23 January 1995 French Presidency's programme and tribute to Jacques Delors

Ecofin 20 February 1995 Presentation of the Commission's work programme in the Ecofin
field

Agriculture 21 February 1995 Proposal on the prices for agricultural products and on related
measures 1995 / 96 — Commission presentation

T elecommunications 13 June 1995 The way to the information society

— approaches to be pursued to achieve the applications of the

information society

— guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks

— Commission presentation

Environment 22 and 23 June 1995 Proposal for a Directive on the ecological quality of water for human
consumption

Ecofin 10 July 1995 Spanish Presidency's Ecofin programme

General affairs 17 July 1995 Spanish Presidency's programme

Justice and home affairs 25 September 1995 Debate on judicial cooperation in family law

( Brussels II Convention )

Labour and social affairs 5 October 1995 4th World Conference on Women — Peking (4 to 15 September

1995 )

General affairs 30 and 31 October 1995 Structured dialogue meeting with the CCEE ( Phare programme )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2777 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

the provision of information to the public and the media
when disasters occur .

to the Commission
What were the conclusions of the workshop ?

( 12 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 40 )

Subject : Community measures in the area of civil
protection

From 6 to 8 September, as part of Community measures in
the area of civil protection, the civil protection unit of the
Commission 's Directorate-General responsible for the
Environment held a workshop in conjunction with the
Home Office Emergency Planning College ( Easingwold ) on

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1995 )

The Commission is sending the Honourable Member and
Parliament 's Secretariat a copy of the report on the
workshop on provision of information in times of crisis,
held at the Emergency Planning College in Easingwold,

No C 79 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

United Kingdom . The report covers the contributions of all
the participants as well as the conclusions reached by those
heading the workshop ( the rapporteur general and the
Commission representative ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2790 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 16 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 41

Subject : Failure of coastal shipping services to respect

departure times

Is frequently occurs in Community ports that ships
operating scheduled routes to islands fail to respect
departure times and the resulting delays affect passengers,
pose a public health threat ( due to the increased travel time
for sensitive products such as horticultural produce, meat,
ice-cream and also livestock, etc .) and place an excessive
strain on other scheduled services . These delays may be
caused by the most insignificant technical fault in the ships
concerned, adverse weather conditions or the fact that ships
in Greece, for instance, are not obliged by the authorities to
remain in the port of departure for a minimum time before
departing on the next scheduled service, which would
enable them to be properly cleaned and maintenance work
to be carried out .

Will the Commission say :

1 . Are there any international agreements or regulations
laying down a minimum period of time during which
coastal vessels must remain in the harbour of departure

before sailing again ?

2 . How have the Member States solved the problem of
delays ?

3 . What action does it intend to take to address the

problem of delays and the need carry out indispensable
maintenance work and clean vessels properly after
sailing one route ?

In ports, foreign ships are in addition, subject to Port State
control . When there are clear grounds for believing that a
ship 's condition is not consistent with its certificates, steps
are taken to ensure that the ship does not sail until it can
proceed to sea or leave the port without danger to the ship
or those on board . Port state control practices have
been harmonized in the Community under Council
Directive 95 / 21 / EC ( 1 ).

The Commission does not compile information on Member
States ' actions to solve delays in ports, which is a matter
solely for national authorities .

Future Commission initiatives for passenger vessels will
relate solely to the safety of roH on-roll off ferries calling
at European ports . These initiatives, implementing the
Council resolution of 22 December 1994 ( 2 ) on the safety
of ro-ro passenger ferries, are listed in the Commission 's
legislative programme .

(') OJ No L 157, 7 . 7 . 1995 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 379, 31 . 12 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 799 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Council

( 23 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 42 )

Subject : Recognition of Slovenia and Croatia

Would the Council care to comment on a claim being made
in the United Kingdom that during the Maastricht
negotiations the United Kingdom 's opt-outs were obtained
on the back of a promise to recognize Slovenia and
Croatia ?

Answer

(6 February 1996 )

The Council has no knowledge of the claim to which the

Answer given by Mr Kinnock Honourable Member refers . However, it should perhaps be

on behalf of the Commission pointed out that the recognition of Slovenia and Croatia

stemmed from a joint decision adopted at the extraordinary

( 17 November 1995 ) ministerial meeting held in Brussels on 16 December 1991 .

That decision was based on strict application of the
guidelines regarding the recognition of new States in eastern
There are no specific international or Community Europe and in the Soviet Union which were approved at the
Regulations concerning a mandatory period for a stay in a same ministerial meeting ( 1 ).
port . According to the international regulations applicable
to ships involved in international journeys there is, however,
a general obligation to ensure that the ship will remain fit in (') Press Releases Nos 128 and 129 of 1991 .
all respects to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or
those on board .

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 November 1995 )

(') Press Releases Nos 128 and 129 of 1991 .

18 . 3 . 96 |_ EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 25

QUESTION E-2806 / 95 Although this question has been raised orally by the

Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) Commissioner responsible, the Council has not yet received

to the Council a Commission proposal to amend the procedure for
adjusting the set-aside rate .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2806 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )

( 23 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 43 ) t 1 ) OJ No L 236, 5 . 10 . 1995 .

Subject : Filling of posts in the secretariat of the European

Ombudsman

According to what criteria and when will the future staff of
the Secretariat of the European Ombudsman be selected ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-2813 / 95

by Edouard des Places ( EDN )

to the Council

Answer ( 23 October 1995 )

(6 February 1996 ) ( 96 / C 79 / 45

The question put by the Honourable Member does not fall
within the Council 's sphere of competence .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2812 / 95

by Inigo Méndez de Vigo ( PPE )

to the Council

( 23 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 44 )

Subject : Setting of area of fallow land

The Council is soon to fix the percentage of land used for the
cultivation of cereals, oleaginous and protein crops to be set
aside in the next harvest year .

Due to the late adoption of the decision, some farmers have
already started to sow their winter crops .

Has the Council considered the possibility of relinquishing
the responsibility for this issue to the Commission in order
to avoid such delays which ulimately harm European
farmers ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

The Commission, after drawing up the forward estimate for
the cereal market, submitted to the Council on 27 July 1995
a proposal concerning the set-aside rate for the 1996 / 97
agricultural year . The Council, aware of the need for a swift
decision on the subject, immediately started consultations
with the European Parliament, which delivered its opinion
under the emergency procedure . The Regulation ( EC )
No 2336 / 95 in question was adopted by the Council on
26 September 1995 ( ! ).

Subject : Promotion of wool production in the European

Union

The European Union has a sheep population of 98 million ;
this livestock contributes to the upkeep of rural areas in the
most deprived regions of the Union .

Wool, a natural non-food product and potential raw
material for industry and craft trades, is not subject to any
upgrading ; today, the selling price for wool does not even
cover the cost of shearing paid by the sheep farmers .

Wool, a non-food product, could not be part of the COM
in sheepmeat and goatmeat .

Can the Council foresee the implementation of structural
measures aimed at promoting the improvement and the
organization of this production ( under animal products :
Annex II, Chapter 5, 05.15 to the Treaty of Rome ) in order
to encourage a judicious use of wool from European sheep
stocks ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

The Council has not received any Commission proposals for
the implementation of structural measures directed
specifically at wool production .

It should, however, be pointed out that the regulations in
force relating to structures provide for a whole series of
measures which benefit, inter alios, producers in the sheep
rearing sector . Thus, the legislation passed by the Council on
the adjustment of agricultural structures pursuant to
Objective 5a of the Structural Funds is directed towards
important measures aimed in particular at helping
modernization investment in farms and the establishment of

producer groups Furthermore, highly articulated structural
measures are provided for under operational programmes

No C 79 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

to encourage the development of the most backward regions
and of rural areas under Objectives 1 and 5b . A feature of
those measures is their great flexibility, allowing the best
adjustment to priority requirements at regional and local
level in the framework of the partnership between the
Commission and the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2815 / 95

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

( 16 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 46 )

Subject : Netherlands ' fertilizer policy in contravention of

the nitrates Directive and the North Sea

agreements

Is the Commission aware that the Netherlands Government

is about to establish new leaching values for nitrogen and
phosphates as part of its fertilizer policy for the period

1998—2010 ?

Will the new leaching values for nitrogen (a phased
reduction from 300 kg N loss per hectare in 1998 to 180 kg
per hectare in 2010, excluding 45 kg atmospheric deposits )
and the absence of any financial incentive for farmers to
comply with these values mean that in the sandy soil of the
eastern and southern Netherlands and the adjoining areas of
Germany and Belgium the groundwater will contain more
than 50 mg N per litre well beyond the year 2020, and that it
must therefore be deemed to be polluted within the meaning
of the EU nitrates Directive ( Council Directive 91 / 676 / EEC
of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters
against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural
sources ) ( l )}

How do these leaching values for nitrogen from livestock
manure or artificial fertilizer compare with the total
quantity specified in Annex III of the Directive for livestock
manure applied to the land per year of 170 kg per
hectare ?

Will the leaching values determined by the Netherlands
Government mean that the limit values for nitrates in

surface water in the Netherlands will be exceeded until way
into the next century ?

Does not the Netherlands Government 's fertilizer policy —
which permits substantial eutrophication of groundwater
and surface water — therefore contravene the nitrates

Directive ?

How do these leaching values for nitrogen and phosphates
compare with the provisions ( e.g. a minimum of 1 m
transparency in surface water ) of the bathing water
Directive ( Council Directive 76 / 160 / EEC of 8 December
1975 concerning the quality of bathing water ) ( 2 )?

In Germany and Denmark, where the leaching values are
more stringent, is there not ' extreme concern ... at the
unlawful " dumping of fertilizers " in the Netherlands ', and
is not the Netherlands ' fertilizer policy ' regarded as totally
unfair competition ' ( 3 )?

Do not the leaching values envisaged by the Netherlands
Government for nitrogen and phosphates violate the
agreement made at the North Sea conference in Esbjerg that
an ecologically balanced use of fertilizer should be achieved
between 2000 and 2002 ?

Is the Commission prepared to call on the Netherlands
Government — before the fertilizer policy is considered in
the Second Chamber in early December 1995 — to comply
with the nitrates Directive and the agreements to protect the
North Sea ( The association of water supply undertakings in
the Netherlands, VEWIN, believes that the following
nitrogen leaching values are required to comply with the EU
nitrates Directive : 10 — 65 kg for arable farming and
horticulture, 45 — 140 kg for dairy farming . VEWIN
believes that these loss values should apply to all farmers and
that levies and premiums should be used as incentives .)?

Can failure to comply with the nitrates Directive and the
North Sea agreements have an impact on the agricultural

( structural ) subsidies paid by the Commission to the
Netherlands ?

(') OJ No L 375, 31 . 12 . 1991, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 31, 5 . 2 . 1976, p . 1 .

( 3 ) W. de Boo, ' Nederland loopt achter met mestregels ' in :

Boerderij 80 / 40, 4 . 7 . 1995 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 November 1995 )

The Commission has not been informed by the Dutch
authorities of their intention to establish leaching values for
nitrogen and phosphates, as there is no obligation for
Member States in Community environmental law to do so .
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to his Written Question P-2780 / 95 where it is stated
that the Commission is aware of the existence of the

' Integrale notitie Mestbeleid ', which presents the intended
fertilizer policy of the Dutch Government to the Dutch
Parliament, and it has asked for a copy . It will also meet the
Dutch authorities to discuss this document in the very near
future .

According to Article 12 of Directive 91 / 676 / EEC concerning
the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates
from agricultural sources the Member States had to bring
into force the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions necessary to comply with the Directive before

19 December 1993 . As the Commission did not receive the

legislation transposing the Directive into Dutch national
law, a letter of official notice has been addressed to the
Dutch authorities to remind them of their obligation .

18 . 3 . 96 L^N Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 27

The Directive provides for four-year action programmes to
be estalished by the Member States for the purpose of
realizing the objectives of the Directive . The first
programme for the Netherlands is due to begin on
19 December 1995 . Annex III paragraph 2b of the Directive
enables the Member States, during and after the first
four-year programme, to fix the annual application per
hectare of livestock manure at amounts other than the

210 kg N and 170 kg N specified respectively for the first
programme period and for the period after that programme .
After receiving any such requests the Commission will
examine the different proposals according to the procedures
and criteria laid down in the Directive .

Furthermore, as mentioned by the Honourable Member, it
is necessary to respect the objectives concerning water
quality provided in other Community legislation . The
Commission will, if necessary, take the appropriate steps to
ensure compliance .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2824 / 95

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 16 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 47 )

( EBRD ) did approve a loan of ECU 5,3 million to the
Agro-Orbtnicka Banka which will enable it to grant
medium - and long-term loans to small and medium-sized
agro-industrial enterprises in Croatia .

2 . The Commission does not wish to comment on how

this decision ties in with the Articles of Agreement of the
EBRD .

3 . Within the governing bodies of the EBRD, the
Commission always adopts a position in line with its general
policy, particularly concerning human rights . With regard
to Croatia in particular, it would remind the Honourable
Member that on 4 August 1995 the Union decided to
suspend implementation of the Phare programme and to
halt negotiations for a cooperation agreement . The fact
remains that, while the decisions taken by the Board of
Directors of the EBRD do depend on the position taken by
the Commission and the European Investment Bank, both
represented on the Board, they also reflect the attitude of the
Member States, which together form the absolute
majority .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2836 / 95

by Karl Schweitzer ( NI )

to the Commission

Subject : EBRD loans to Croatia ( 18 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 48 )
According to the Articles of Agreement of the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as signed on
29 May 1990, the bank is obliged to make loans conditional Subject : European waste catalogue — a standard
on multi-party democracy, justice, respect for human definition
rights and the market economy .

1 . Is it true that the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development ( EBRD ) has granted a loan of ECU 5,3
million to a Croatian bank ( Agro-Obrtnicka Banka ) to
develop the Croatian agro-industry ( as stated in
European Report of 27 July 1995 )?

2 . If so, how does this decision tie in with the Articles of
Agreement of a of the EBRD which commits the Bank to
helping promote human rights ?

3 . What action can be taken to prevent decisions taken by
the Commission under its human rights policy from
being undermined by the EBRD ?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1995 )

1 . On 16 May 1995 the Board of Directors of the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

A definitive, inclusive and binding list of ' hazardous waste ',
as provided for in Article 1(4 ) of Directive 91 / 689 / EEC ( 1 ),
in accordance with Commission proposal ( 2 ), was not, in
fact, drawn up, since the task proved to be too difficult, as
indicated by the Economic and Social Committee in its
opinion ( 3 ), with reference to the Commission 's original
proposal ( 4 ) endorsed in an earlier ECSC opinion . However,
these problems do not arise in drawing up the European
waste catalogue ( EWC ) ( 94 / 3 / EEC ) since, degrees of risk are
not taken as decisive criteria . It would therefore appear
necessary to persuade the Member States to use the EWC as
a basis for, or instead of, their own lists of waste . The
introduction of the standard European consignment note by
Commission Decision 94 / 774 / EC ( 5 ) has not achieved any
further harmonization of the definition of waste . Strictly in
accordance with OECD requirements, it is necessary to
indicate the EWC number, the international waste
identification code ( IWIC ), the UNEP classification and the
countries of despatch and destination .

What steps will the Commission take to further harmonize
the definiton of waste at European level and to ensure that
the Member States adopt the EWC as a framewoxk list to be

No C 79 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

used as a basis for, or instead of, their own lists, so as to
achieve further hamonization of the internal market ?

(!) OJ No L 377, 31 . 12 . 1991, p . 20 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 425 final — OJ No C 271, 7 . 10 . 1993, p . 16 .

purposes . It is further envisaged that such a classification
system could replace all existing national lists .

H OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 5, 7 . 1 . 1994 .

( 3 ) OJ No C 34, 2 . 2 . 1994, p . 7 . ( 3 ) OJ No L 356, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

( 4 ) OJ No C 295, 19 . 11 . 1988 . ( 4 ) OJ No L 30, 6 . 2 . 1993 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 310, 3 . 12 . 1994, p . 70 . ( 5 ) cf . OECD Council Decision C(92 ) 39 final .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1995 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2841 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

The Community definition of waste is set out in the first
paragraph of Article 1(a ) of Council Directive 75 / 442 / EEC
on waste ('). The second paragraph of Article 1(a ) requires
the establishment of a list of wastes . This list was established

on 20 December 1993 by Commission Decision
94 / 3 / EC ( 2 ).

The list of hazardous wastes pursuant to Article 1(4 ) of
Council Directive 91 / 689 / EEC on hazardous waste was

established on 22 December 1994 by Council Decision
94 / 904 / EC ( 3 ). This list of hazardous waste is drawn from
and referenced to the list of waste established pursuant to
Article 1(a ) of Council Directive 75 / 442 / EEC on waste .

The consignment note established by Commission Decision
94 / 774 / EC pertains to Council Regulation ( EEC ) No
259 / 93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste
within, into and out of the Community ( 4 ). Annexes II, III
and IV to this Regulation comprise three lists of wastes
which have been established by the Organization for
economic cooperation and development ( OECD ) as part of
a mechanism to control transfrontier movements of waste
destined for recovery operations within the OECD ( 5 ). These
lists are commonly referred to as the green, amber and red
lists .

All Community waste management legislation seeks to
ensure a high level of environmental protection . In addition,
the above legislative provisions aim to improve the
efficiency of waste management in the Community by the
application of a common terminology and definition of
waste at Community level . This aim would be compromised
if Member States were free to establish lists or categories of
waste which do not correspond with the Community
lists .

Therefore, the Commission is of the opinion that the only
way of meeting the aims of Community waste management
legislation is for Member States to adopt, in their national
laws, the Community definitions of waste and hazardous
waste as well as the Community lists of wastes .

Furthermore, the Commission is in the process of
evalutating these different Community lists of wastes with a
view to developing one comprehensive waste classification
system that could be used for all Community legislative

to the Commission

( 18 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 49 )

Subject : Rising levels of environmental platinum

Is the Commission aware of the recent study undertaken in
the UK which has revealed disturbing rises in inputs of
platinum to water, sediments, soil and the food chain via
road dust, and does it plan any studies to gather more
information on exposure to platinum and other metals in
water, air and food ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1995 )

The Commission regrets to inform the Honourable Member
that it is not up to date as regards the study carried out in the
United Kingdom .

At Community level the risks linked with existing chemical
substances are assessed under Regulation ( EEC ) No 793 / 93
on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing
substances ( J ). This Regulation lays down the procedures for
the evaluation of those substances and provides, in
particular, for the drawing up of priority lists .

The first two lists of priority substances were adopted on
25 May 1994 and 27 September 1995 via Commission
Regulations ( EC ) No 1179 / 94 ( 2 ) and ( EC ) No 22 68 / 95 ( 3 ),
in accordance with the opinion of the Management
Committee set up by Regulation ( EEC ) No 793 / 93, and
following consultation of all parties concerned . Platinum is
not contained in these first lists of priority substances .

In its second priority list the Commission has stipulated, as
regards heavy metals, that zinc and certain of its derivatives
shall be covered by a risk assessment . The Netherlands have
been made responsible for the work involved in its capacity
as a rapporteur Member State .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 29

In addition assessment work on the effects of zinc has begun
at international level as part of the international programme
on chemical safety ( IPCS ). The results of that work should
be available in late 1996 . The Commission is keeping a close
eye on that work .

(!) OJ No L 84, 5 . 4 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 131, 26 . 5 . 1994 .

(- 1 ) OJ No L 231, 28 . 9 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2852 / 95

by Edouard des Places ( EDN )

to the Council

( 11 October 1 995 )

{ 96 / C 79 / 50 )

Subject : European rules on sheepmeat and goatmeat
premium rights

The breeding of sheep and goats is of great importance for
the maintenance of rural areas in the least-favoured regions
of the European Union .

Premium rights in this sector are currently governed by
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3567 / 92 (').

However, the strict application of the limits set out in
Articles 6 and 7 of this Regulation has been shown in
practice to restrict the possibilities for the temporary leasing
or transfer of unused or partly used premium rights,
resulting in ' dead ' quotas, which could otherwise be used
temporarily and to good effect by neighbouring breeders .

In addition, the transfer or leasing of rights via the national
reserve is subject to restrictions under Article 11 of the
Regulation .

Harmonization of notification procedures and deadlines for
' compensatory premiums ' in the sheepbreeding sector and
of supply and demand with regard to the transfer and / or
temporary leasing of rights ( Articles 7 and 9 of the
Regulation ) would make it possible to obtain an objective
assessment with regard to the allocation of these rights .

Will the Commission submit proposals to Parliament with a
view to resolving these problems by making Regulation

( EEC ) No 3567 / 92 more flexible ?

(!) OJ No L 362, 11 . 12 . 1992, p . 41 .

Answer

national reserves and transfers of rights provided for in
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3013 / 89 ('), as last amended
by Regulation ( EEC ) No 2069 / 92 ( 2 ). It is therefore for the
Commission, rather than the Council, to take any initiative
in the matter .

However, Article 5b(5 ) of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 2069 / 92 stipulates that ' Commission shall submit to the
Council before 1 July 1996 a report on the application of the
arrangements laid down in Article 5a ( introduction of an
individual limit per producer ) and in this Article ( creation of
a national reserve ) together with, where appropriate, any
necessary proposals '.

The Honourable Member may be assured that, once it has
received the said report and any appropriate proposals, the
Council will examine them with the greatest attention .

(') OJ No L 289, 7 . 10 . 1989, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 6 . 1992, p . 59 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2856 / 95

by Michl Ebner ( PPE )

to the Council

( 25 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 51 )

Subject : Use of display boards to advertize EU funding of

building projects

In all the EU Member States, major projects, particularly
public works, receive European Union funding and support .
In every case, the names of the clients and contractors must
be indicated on display boards . It has been suggested that
the public should also be informed if a given project is
receiving EU funding . This could be done most effectively in
situ, that is to say putting up a special board at the relevant
site .

Do rules already exist concerning the public display of
information concerning the amount and nature of EU
funding ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

(6 February 1996 ) 1 . As regards projects benefiting from Community
financing through the Structural Funds, the Council
established the principle of publicity in Article 32 of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3567 / 92 is a Commission Regulation Regulation ( EEC ) No 2082 / 93 ; more specifically, in
laying down implementing rules for the individual limits, paragraph 2 of that Article it is stated that :

No C 79 / 30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

' The body responsible for implementing a measure
carried out with financial assistance from the

Community shall ensure that adequate publicity is given
to the measure with a view to :

— making potential beneficiaries and trade
organizations aware of the opportunities afforded by
the measure,

— making the general public aware of the role played by

the Community in relation to the measure .'

The last subparagraph of paragraph 2 stipulates that the
Commission shall draw up detailed arrangements for
information and publicity concerning assistance from the
Structural Funds and the FIFG .

2 . The same rules on publicity are laid down for
Community financing of projects through the Cohesion
Fund .

In addition to these rules, Article 14(2 ) of Regulation ( EC )
No 1164 / 94 on the Cohesion Fund states that :

' Member States shall ensure, in particular, that directly
visible display panels are erected showing the percentage
of the total cost of a given project which is being financed
by the Community, together with the Community logo,
and that representatives of the Community institutions
are duly involved in the most important public activities
connected with the Fund .'

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2861 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 52 )

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 1995 )

The sustainable cities project essentially consists of :

— policy reports and recommendations concerning good

practice in sustainable urban development

— networking activities which aim to disseminate the good

practice information and encourage exchange of
experience . This is done through the sustainable cities
campaign with the participation of large European local
authority networks and more than 100 cities and towns
which have signed the sustainable cities and towns
charter ( the list of participants is sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of the

Parliament ).

The reports are prepared by the urban environment expert
group which consists of representatives from the Member
States, as well as 12 independent experts . The Commission
would also refer the Honourable Member to its answer to

Written Question E-751 / 94 by Mr Deprezf 1 ). The
independent experts include five large European networks
of local authorities ( Conseil des communes et regions
d'Europe ( CCRE ) WHO-healthy cities network, Eurocities,
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives

( ICLEI ) and the United Towns Organisation ( UTO )
network ).

These five networks give the campaign a very broad and
extensive coverage of the different types of local authorities
in Europe .

A key task of the campaign is to encourage and assist local
authorities in the development of their local agenda 21
plans .

In autumn 1996 a report on the project will be presented at
the second sustainable cities conference in Lisbon and this

will be an occasion to evaluate the progress achieved with
the project .

( ] ) OJ No C 17, 23 . 1 . 1995 .

Subject : Sustainable cities project 1993 — 1995 WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 862 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

As part of efforts to improve the urban environment, the
Commission cooperates with a group of experts which has
launched a three-year project entitled ' Sustainable cities
project 1993 — 1995, the aim being to promote a broad
exchange of experiences and disseminate information on the
best sustainable development practices at local level .

Can the Commission say in which cities this project has been
carried out and what results have been obtained to date ?

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 53 )

Subject : Detection of banned agreements and concerted

practices

The Commissioner responsible for competition, Mr Karel
Van Miert, has announced that he will shortly be submitting

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 31

a proposal to the Commission aimed at introducing a kind
of immunity for undertakings which cooperate with the
Commission 's investigations into banned agreements and
concerted practices before they have actually been detected,
on the grounds that some undertakings no longer wish to
take part in such agreements but fear being penalized for
their behaviour or failure to report the matter in the past,
and that a promise of immunity would encourage them to
cooperate with the Commission . Mr Van Miert takes the
view that the possibility of immunity is now still more
necessary given that a number of judgments handed down
by the Court of First Instance have made the rules with
which the Commission must comply in reporting such
agreements increasingly complex, while cartels themselves
are becoming increasingly sophisticated .

Can the Commission provide a copy of the above
proposal ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1995 )

The proposal to which the Honourable Member refers is
under discussion within the Commission .

Its adoption is imminent .

It will be published in the Official Journal so as to bring it to
the attention of all those concerned and susequently to
sound out their views .

may adopt a provisional Decision ordering a Member State
to recover any aid disbursed in breach of the procedural
requirements, i.e. without the Commission 's prior
authorization . The Commission 's intention is to make use of

this power only in those cases where it is deemed necessary
in order to safeguard the effectiveness of Article 93 of the EC
Treaty .

In the last five years, 18% of aid cases examined by the
Commission have been registered as ' non-notified ' aid,
either because the Member State 's notification was late, or
because the Commission started investigations on its own
initiative following a complaint or other information . All
the Member States, with the exception of Ireland and
Luxembourg, have been involved .

In Annex II to its XXIIIrd Report on Competition Policy,
the Commission presents a summary table for the period

1982 — 1993 of the cases in which it required the Member
States to recover aid from beneficiary firms where the aid
had not just been granted in breach of the procedural rules,
but was also considered by the Commission to be
incompatible with the common market under Articles 92
and 93 of the EC Treaty .

( 1 ) OJ No C 156, 22 . 6 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2873 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2872 / 95

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE ) ( 21 October 1995 )

to the Commission ( 96 / C 79 / 55 )

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 54 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for the Ionian Islands
Subject : State aids

Following the Commission 's Decision of early May 1995 to
write to Member States concerning the recovery of
payments from Member States of funds paid as State aids
without consulting the Commission, will the Commission
list the Member States involved, and in each case the nature
of the State aids advanced ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1995 )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It is
also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for the
Ionian Islands ( Sub-programme 6 ), ECU 20 967 248 has
been earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF .

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
To date, the Commission has not had to take the action degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
announced in its Decision of 10 May 1995 ( l ), whereby it 31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

No C 79 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

sub-programme ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in Sub-programme 6
above ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 6 were
completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of funds by Sub ­
programme 6 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2874 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 56 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for Thessaly ( ERDF )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Communtiy Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
Thessaly ( Sub-programme 8 ), ECU 5 059 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

sub-programme ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under
the first CSF were not included in Sub-programme 8
above ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 8 were

completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of funds by Sub ­
programme 8 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2875 / 95

by Alexandras Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 57 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for the southern Aegean

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
Thessaly ( Sub-programme 7 ), ECU 10 700 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF .

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above
sub-programme ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in Sub-programme 7
above ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 7 were
completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of funds by Sub ­
programme 7 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2876 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 58 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for Attiki ( ERDF )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
Attiki ( Sub-programme 7 ), ECU 65 259 000 has been

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 33

earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

sub-programme ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in Sub-programme 7
above ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 7 were

completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of funds by Sub ­
programme 7 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2877 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 59 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for central Greece ( Sterea Ellada )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

The Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for central
Greece " ( Sterea Ellada ) ( Measure 7.1 ) includes the
completion of the operational phases of infrastructural
projects . ECU 30 288 000 has accordingly been earmarked
for continued work on projects which were included but not
completed under the first CSF .

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

measure ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in the above

measure ?

3 . Which projects included in Measure 7.1 were completed

( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of appropriations by
Measure 7.1 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2878 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 60 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for central Greece ( Sterea Ellada )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

The Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for the Ionian
Islands ( Measure 7.4 ) includes the completion of unfinished
projects under the first CSF in Fokida . A total of ECU
2 754 000 has accordingly been earmarked for continued
work on projects which were included in the first CSF .

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

measure ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included under Measure 7.4

above ?

3 . Which projects included in Measure 7.4 were completed

( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages

remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of funds by Measure 7.4 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2879 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 61 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for eastern Macedonia-Thrace ( ERDF )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

No C 79 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
eastern Macedonia-Thrace, ECU 47 586 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

measure ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included ?

3 . Which projects were completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projcets remain unfinished and what stages
 - remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of appropriations ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2880 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 }

( 96 / C 79 / 62 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for Epirus

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
Epirus ( Sub-programme 6 ), ECU 8 095 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

sub-programme ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in Sub-programme 6
above ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 6 were
completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of appropriations by the
sub-programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2881 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 63 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for central Macedonia ( ERDF )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
central Macedonia ( Measure 7.1 ), ECU 30 953 000 has
been earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

measure ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in the above

measure ?

3 . Which projects included in Measure 7 . 1 were completed

( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of appropriations by
Measure 7.1 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2882 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 64 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for Crete

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 35

is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
Crete ( Sub-programme 7 ), ECU 4 411 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP )

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of functional autonomy and to become operational
by 31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . Which specific projects were included in the above
action ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in Sub-programme 7
above ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 7 were
completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of appropriations by the
sub-programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2883 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 65 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for central Greece ( Sterea Ellada )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework .
It is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

The Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for central
Greece ( Sterea Ellada ) ( Measure 7.2 ) includes the
completion of the operational phases of infrastructural
projects . ECU 1 755 000 has accordingly been earmarked
for continued work on projects which were included but not
completed under the first CSF . The local authorities are
responsible for the implementation of this measure .

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

measure ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under
the first CSF were not included in the above

measure ?

3 . Which projects inclueded in Measure 7.2 were
completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages

remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of appropriations by
Measure 7.2 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2884 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 66 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for western Greece ( ERDF )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework .
It is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

The ROP for western Greece ( Paragraph VII . 1 ) includes
ECU 6 050 000 earmarked for projects not completed
under the first CSF .

These include :

— 11 road-building projects and one harbour project in

Patras,

— six water supply projects, one drainage project, one

biological purification project and one refinery,

— improvement of tourist areas and

— improvement of education standards .

Given that these projects were scheduled for completion by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . Which of the above projects have been completed ?

2 . Which are unfinished and what phases remain to be
completed ?

3 . What was the take-up of appropriations by the

programme ?

No C 79 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2885 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 67 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for Crete

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
Creted ( Sub-programme 7 ), ECU 10 628 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under
the first CSF were not included in Sub-programme 7
above ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 7 were

completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages

remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of funds by Sub ­
programme 7 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2886 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 68 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for Macedonia

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for
central Macedonia ( Measure 7.2 ), ECU 461 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the first CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

measure ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included in the above

measure ?

3 . Which projects included in Measure 7.2 were completed

( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages
remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the take-up of funds appropriations by

Measure 7.2 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2887 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 69 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for central Greece ( Sterea Ellada )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

The ROP for the mainland Greece ( Measure 7.3 ) includes
the completion of unfinished projects under the first CSF in
the prefecture of Evritania seeking to reduce its isolation and
promote its development . ECU 17 897 00 0 has accordingly
been earmarked for continued work on projects included in
the first CSF

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What stage has been reached by the Karpenisi-Lamia
and Kapenisi-Karditsa road links ?

2 . What specific projects were included in the above

measure ?

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 37

3 . Which of projects launched but not completed under the

first CSF were not included in Measure 7.3 above ?

4 . Which projects ioncluded in Measure 7.3 were
completed by 31 July 1995 ?

5 . Which are unfinished and what stages remain to be
completed ?

6 . What was the take-up of appropriations by Measure

7.3 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2888 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 70 )

Subject : Completion of unfinished projects under the first

CSF for the Peloponnese ( ERDF )

The Commission is responsible for the efficient operation
and monitoring of the Community Support Framework . It
is also responsible for ensuring transparency and is
accordingly obliged to keep the European Parliament
informed .

Under the Regional Operational Programme ( ROP ) for the
Peloponnese ( Sub-programme 7 ), ECU 9 815 000 has been
earmarked for continued work on projects which were
included but not completed under the First CSF

( IMP-ROP ).

Given that these projects were scheduled to have a minimum
degree of fuctional autonomy and to become operational by
31 July 1995, can the Commission say :

1 . What specific projects were included in the above

sub-programme ?

2 . Which of the projects launched but not completed under

the first CSF were not included under the above

sub-programme ?

3 . Which projects included in Sub-programme 7 were

completed ( by 31 July 1995 )?

4 . Which projects remain unfinished and what stages

remain to be completed ?

5 . What was the uptake of funds by Sub-programme 7 ?

6 . In which project was the Tsakona-Paradisio section
of the Tripoli-Kalamata road included ? What
appropriations were earmarked for this purpose and
what is the cross-section of the road ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-2873 / 95 to E-2888 / 95

given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1995 )

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the

Commission 's answer to Written Questions E-2235 / 95 to
2251 / 95 C ).

The closure date set for the sub-programmes concerned in
respect of unfinished projects included in the Community
Support Framework for Greece covering the period
1989-1993, under the Regional Operational Programmes,
was 31 December 1995 .

The take-up of funds per region for the sub-programmes in
question at the end of September 1995 was a follows :

Southern Aegean Islands 100 [°] / [/] o,
Northern Aegean Islands 87 [°] / [/] °j
Attica 100 [°] / [/] Oj
Epirus 83 [°] / [/] °,
Crete 98 [°] / [/] o,
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 98 [°] / [/] o,
Thessaly 100 [°] / [/] o,
Ionian Islands 83 [o] / [/] o,
Mainland Greece 82 [°] / [/] 0,
Central Macedonia 59 [°] / [/] ο .
Western Macedonia 43 [°] / [/] o,
Peloponnese 95 [°] / [/] o,
Western Greece 88 [°] / [/] o.

For the other information sought the Hourable Member is
kindly requested to address the relevant authorities of the
Member State in question .

(') OJ No C 340, 18 . 12 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2894 / 95

by Inigo Méndez de Vigo ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 71 )

Subject : Drought aid to Spain

The Commission recently agreed to an ' additional effort ' to
help Spain, in view of the effects of the drought on the
production of cereals and olive oil, which is 50 % down on
previous years .

Can the Commission give details of the amount of this
' additional effort ' and say to which regions it will apply ?

No C 79 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1995 )

The Commission is most concerned at the disastrous effects

of the drought in a number of Member States, including
Spain .

To help the Member States and the particular areas
concerned to deal with water resource management
problems arising from flooding and drought, through a
preventive and cooperative approach, the Commission
approved on 4 October the allocation of ECU 150 million
from the budget reserve for the Community Initiatives in
order to back up Interreg II by means of a third component
specifically aimed at tackling drought .

The Commission also welcomes the proposals put forward
by Spain for projects to improve water distribution systems,
notably those aimed at better water management and
greater economy in the use of water .

For these purposes Spain has access to the funds earmarked
under the Community support framework and may submit
proposals to the Monitoring Committee or to the
Commission for modifying existing programmes in order to
include preventive or control measures to deal with drought .
There is also the possibility of using resources deriving from
the deflator to finance measures to soften the impact of
drought .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2917 / 95

by Francisco Lucas Pires ( PPE )

to the Council

( 17 October 1995 )

96 / C 79 / 72 )

Subject : European Schools in Brussels

An inspection of the European School in Woluwe

( Brussels II ) by the Woluwe St-Lambert Fire Safety
Department on 4 July 1995 revealed inadequate safety
standards in the secondary and primary school buildings
and, in certain cases, overcrowding levels of up to 100 % ( as
many as 420 and 120 people too many per floor
respectively ). The question therefore arises as to whether the
projected third European School in Brussels will meet the
necessary accommodation standards for teaching to take
place under suitable conditions .

1 . What stage has been reached by plans for the third

European School in Brussels ?

2 . What official or legal steps remain to be completed

before the building can commence ?

3 . What are the anticipated dates of commencement and

completion of the third European School ?

4 . For how many language sections and for what
maximum number of pupils were the first and second
European Schools in Brussels designed ? What are the
relevant figures for the projected third European
School ?

5 . What per capita space requirement (m 2 of school

grounds ) is provided for in the European Schools in
Brussels ? What per capita space requirement is provided
for under the current plans and estimates for the third
European School ?

6 . What will be the total number of pupils at the three

European Schools in Brussels on completion of the third
European School, on the basis of anticipated future
trends ?

7 . What area of office space (m 2 ) was available to the

institutions of the European Communities when the
European Schools first came into being and how much
space is available today ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

1 . The European Schools are governed by an
intergovernmental Protocol on the Statute of the European
School, signed in Luxembourg on 12 April 1957 by the
representatives of the Governments of the six founding
members of the Communities and thereafter ratified by the
national authorities of the signatory countries and,
subsequently, by DK, GR, IRL, UK, E and P.

2 . Pending ratification by the signatory States of the new
Convention of 1993, the 1957 Statute ( together with an
annexed Convention on the European baccalaureate and
several protocols ) is still in force .

3 . Article 28 of that Statute confers on the Board of

Governors of the European Schools the power to ' negotiate
with the Government of a country in which a School is
located any additional Agreement required to ensure that
the school can operate under the best possible
conditions '.

4 . The above provisions are, moreover, reproduced in
full in the new Statute of the Schools — not yet in force —
and more specifically in Article 30 thereof .

5 . As the matter is governed by an intergovernmental
Agreement and is entrusted by that Agreement to
negotiation between the Board or Governors of the
European Schools and the Government of the country in
which each school is located, it is not for the Council of the
European Union to intervene in that relationship . The
Council is therefore unable to answer the questions put by
the Honourable Member .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 39

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2934 / 95

— the setting-up of an extensive information campaign to

by Bernie Malone ( PSE ) inform the potential proposers and to assist them in

to the Commission presenting high quality projects .

( 27 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 73 )

Subject : Cuts in the 1996 budget for the Joule

programme

Given the importance of furthering research into renewable
energy sources and the acknowledgement that important
steps must be taken in the very near future to implement
alternative energy policies, can the Commission confirm
that it intends cutting funding for the Joule programme to
ECU 81,6 million when Parliament had indicated that the
fund should receive ECU 100 million and, if so, what
alternative measures does the Commission intend putting in
place to supplement this fall in resources for this very
important research area ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1995 )

The Commission agrees with the Parliament on the
importance of fostering research in renewable energy ­
sources . The Commission therefore fully intends to
implement Council Decision 94 / 806 / EC of 23 November

1994 adopting a specific programme for research and
technological development, including demonstration, in the
field of non-nuclear energy ( 1994 — 1998 ) f 1 ), and in
particular to respect the indicated share for renewable
energies research and development of 58,6% of the
budget .

In the context of the first call for proposals which closed in
March 1995, the Commission has selected for funding 95
projects in the area of renewable energies which amount to
ECU 85 million of funding .

In order to move towards the declared objective of reaching
the budget percentage of 58,6% in favour of renewable
energies, the Commission intends to take the following

measures :

— the establishment of a reserve list of projects which could

be funded in 1996, with emphasis and priority to
projects in the area of renewable energy sources,

— the launch on 15 January 1996 of an additional call for

proposals restricted to some sectors of renewable
energies .

(!) OJ No L 334, 22 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2938 / 95

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Council

( 27 October 1995 )

96 / C 79 / 74 )

Subject : Terrorist attacks in France

The terrorist attacks carried out in France, from the one on
25 July to the most recent at the beginning of October, have
aroused indignation and anger all over Europe . For decades
the human race has felt its safety threatened by the
possibility that the fragile balance of peace, based on the
nuclear deterrent, might be upset at any moment . Despite
the end of the Cold War, people are still insecure because of
repeated and unpredictable terrorist acts and are continually
exposed to mortal dangers, as if they were in a constant state
of war without any beginning or end and without frontiers,
since frontiers no longer provide any protection .

In view of this situation, can the Council say what steps
should be taken and what instruments are to be used in the

context of the policy on internal affairs and police
cooperation to reassure defenceless citizens and protect
them as efficiently as possible against terrorist aggression,
which has had such tragic consequences in France in the last
few months ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

1 . The Council took careful note of the resolution on

terrorism in France, which the European Parliament
adopted at its September 1995 part-session .

2 . Further to the reply already given to the Honourable
Member 's Written Question No E-2446 / 95 : ' Terrorist
attack in Paris ', the Council would add the following points
which emphasize its firm intention to step up action and
strengthen instruments to protect citizens against terrorist
aggression :

( a ) The conclusions of the Presidency of the Council of
25 September 1995 on terrorism ;

No C 79 / 40 PEN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

( b ) The La Gomera Declaration on terrorism, which the

Council adopted at its meeting on 23 November
1995 .

3 . The Council also regularly evaluates the external and
internal threat posed by terrorism to the Member States of
the European Union .

4 . To prevent and combat terrorist action effectively, the
Council has recognized the need for thorough coordination
between Member States through improvement in the
mechanism of police and judicial cooperation .

It is not within the power of the Commission to suspend a
Council Directive .

The Commission is currently reviewing Directive
92 / 45 / EEC as part of a wider review of veterinary public
health legislation, with the aim of meeting the needs of
consumers and producers by providing for a high level of
health protection within a coherent and transparent legal
framework .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2953 / 95

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2941 / 95 (9 November 1995 )

by Niels Kofoed ( ELDR ) ( 96 / C 79 / 76 )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 75 )

Subject : Killing of wild game

The fact that hunters and dealers are very dissatisfied with
wild game Directive 92 / 45 / EEC of 16 June 1992 (*) and
that several Member States are seemingly putting off
implementing it suggests that the requirement it sets are too
far-reaching and unnecessary .

Subject : Impact of EU food aid on the agricultural markets

of the recipient countries

Further to my question E-1954 / 95 ( J ) — and I should like to
thank the Commission for its detailed answer to that

question — I should be grateful for an answer to the
following supplementary question :

Have there in the past been food-aid programmes which the
Commission has observed in retrospect to have had a
negative influence on the internal agricultural markets of the
recipient country ? Can the Commission give any examples ?
What conclusions has the Commission drawn from this for

its studies in advance of such programmes ?

Which countries have implemented the directive ? If only a What conclusions has the
few have done so, is the Communission prepared to suspend its studies in advance of such
it until it has found a solution to the requirements that are
proving to be impracticable, such as those concerning
processing houses ? C ) OJ No C 300, 13 . 11 . 1995, p . 32 .

0 ) OJ No L 268, 14 . 9 . 1992, p . 35 .

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1996 )
Answer given by Herrn Fischler

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 November 1995 ) To reply to this question it is necessary to divide total food
aid provided by the Community into the three main
categories : direct food aid ( roughly one-third of total ),

On 20 October 1995 12 Member States had notified to the and the indirect type which is provided through the World
Commission the national implementation measures for food programme ( WFP ), and through non-governmental
Council Directive 92 / 45 / EEC on public health and animal organizations . It is assumed that the Honourable Member
health problems relating to the killing of wild game and the does not refer to the effects of emergency operations .
placing on the market of wild-game meat .

They are Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain,
France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Finland,
Sweden and United Kingdom . The Commission is checking
the notified national measures for conformity with the
Directive .

The Commission is well aware of negative influences on the
agricultural markets in recipient countries which may
consist of temporary low prices, or structurally low
price-setting that discourages national production, or
changes in the composition of demand for foodstuffs to
which national production cannot adjust .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 41

The first type of negative influence ( temporary low prices ) is efficiency and effectiveness, a factor in its proposal for a
mainly caused by late arrival of food-aid shipments at a time food-aid Regulation .
close to the new harvest season . Much effort is put into
reducing this kind of disruption, by working on procedures
and on coordination with other food-aid donors and

agencies, as the problem may very well be caused by other
donations than those from the Community . This includes
the indirect food aid from the Community which passes
through WFP . WRITTEN QUESTION E-2963 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

Regarding the second type of negative influence

( structurally low price setting ), which may occur mainly
when the food-aid products compete with domestic
products, it is said that such effects existed in western Africa
before the change in parity of the CFA ( Communaute
financiere africaine ) franc . A study of the combined effects
of commercial exports of cereals from Europe and food aid
is under way . Meanwhile, the risk of such competition is
much lower now in that part of the world, because the lower
value of the CFA franc provides effective protection from
low world market prices, and stimulates domestic
production . Such effects are reported to exist in Zambia
also .

The main reasons for this negative influence are insufficient
controls by the recipient government upon food-aid
utilization, exaggerated demands for food-aid, the absence
of a determined policy to encourage and favour domestic
agricultural production, and easy granting of cereal import
licences . Preparaty studies for food-aid operations are now
much stricter on these points . Monetization of food aid is
one of the best means to reduce this risk, particularly when
combined with modestly sized price-stabilization stocks in
the country, and enhanced coordination with other donors .
In this regard, positive results can be reported in
Mozambique and Mali . Furthermore, greater emphasis is
laid now on food aid as an instrument for development in
combination with other instruments for cooperation under
the Lome Convention and other protocols .

The third type of negative effect ( changes in the composition
of demand ) may be attributed to prolonged delivery of
non-domestic products in refugee camps, or to vested
commercial interests in the recipient country . The best
defence against this risk is to apply local purchases and
triangular operations with a neighbouring African,
Caribbean and Pacific-country in a programmed way . This
is increasingly being done in the Community 's direct
food-aid programmes, as well in food aid through NGOs . It
is however more difficult through WFP . An efficient tool to
reduce this third negative effect is the use, in current
programmes to help a country that is normally a beneficiary
of the Community 's programmed food aid, of hard currency

( be it on a limited scale ) in order to encourage commercial
imports of foodstuffs .

The Commission 's awareness of these negative influences on
agricultural markets in recipient countries is, together with
the need to ensure long-term food security and to increase

to the Commission

(9 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 77 )

Subject : Creating a common regional and urban planning

policy

The Committee of the Regions is urging that the EU Treaty
include a common policy on regional and urban planning
systems . Surely the EU, which has adopted a number of
individual schemes and drawn up papers on the subject
( Green Paper on the Urban Environment, Europe 2000 —
for European territorial development, the Fifth Action
Programme on the Environment, the White Paper on
Employment, Urban, the Integrated Mediterranean
Programmes, the regional aspects of the Community
Support Frameworks, the Cohesion Fund etc .) ought not to
be allowing and increased flow of appropriations for
regional and urban planning programmes without a clear
common policy and clear regional and urban planning
objectives .

1 . Does the Commission agree that the various individual
regional and urban planning programmes may interfere
with the implementation of other common policies,
since there is no common regional and urban planning
policy ?

2 . Does it agree that specific regional and urban planning
policies in the Member States may create conditions for
unfair competition ?

3 . Would it give favourable consideration to supporting

the request by the Committee of the Regions to the

1996 Intergovernmental Conference to have the Treaty
include separate provisions on a common regional and
urban planning policy ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1995 )

As the Honourable Member states, common regional and
urban planning policies are being framed and may well
receive formal recognition . One purpose of a regional
planning policy, in particular, is to try and ensure greater

No C 79 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

consistency and coordination between the various common
policies which have implications for land-use . At this early
stage it is difficult to predict the effects in detail ; conflicting
interests are always possible but would have to be dealt with
case by case .

As regards competition, operations carried out under the
Structural Fund Regulations are required to be compatible
with Community competition policy ; this in turn takes into
account the common interest, and hence the objective of
strengthening economic and social cohesion within the
Community .

The Commission intends to study carefully the request by
Committee of the Regions that the Intergovernmental
Conference consider bringing planning policy within the
Community 's sphere of competence, and will make known
its views as part of its contribution to the Treaty review

process .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2980 / 95

by Roberto Mezzaroma ( UPE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 78 )

Subject : Case involving the Gemina finance company in

Italy

The Italian judicial authorities have opened an investigation
into the Gemina finance company in order to establish the
truth regarding a deficit of Lit 200 billion and have carried
out searches at the offices of two internationally renowned
auditing firms, Arthur Andersen and Coopers & Lybrand,
which have been responsible for certifying Gemina 's balance
sheets .

The affair has raised a number of questions about the
regularity of proceedings and the lack of transparency
on the Italian share market, the latter being a potential
source of serious harm to shareholders, especially small
shareholders, who in this particular instance were unable
to sell or buy because Gemina shares were repeatedly
suspended from and readmitted to trading as a result of
decisions taken by the Italian stock exchange supervisory
authority, Consob .

Will the Commission take steps, namely amend the rules on
company reports and accounts and review the current
system for certifying balance sheets, in order to ensure that
the assets of quoted companies are managed in a more open
way, thus protecting shareholders ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1995 )

The protection of shareholders is one of the objectives of
accounting harmonization . The provisions contained in the
accounting Directives ( Council Directives 78 / 660 / EEC ( 1 ),
83 / 349 / EEC ( 2 ), 86 / 635 / EEC ( 3 ) and 91 / 674 / EEC ( 4 )) are
minimum requirements, the application of which should
ensure that limited liability companies give a true and fair
view of their assets, liabilities, financial position and profit
and loss . Member States may require the disclosure of
additional information .

There is no evidence which demonstrates that the provisions
contained in the accounting Directives are not
sufficiently effective when they are properly applied .

With a view to enhancing the financial reporting system, the
Commission adopted on 14 November a communication on
accounting harmonization, a new strategy vis-a-vis
international harmonization ( 5 ). The main objective of the
new strategy is to ensure that companies seeking capital in
the international capital markets would only need to
prepare one set of consolidated accounts which would
comply with the more demanding requirements of such
markets . The new strategy will ultimately improve the
situation of investors who will obtain more information .

As far as the current system of statutory auditing
is concerned, Council Directive 84 / 253 / EEC ( 6 ) deals
exclusively with the minimum qualifications necessary in
order to be approved as a statutory auditor . Therefore,
several fundamental issues relating to the role, position and
liability of statutory auditors are at present not covered by
Community legislation . The Commission has launched a
study on these issues and on the basis of this study it intends
publishing in the first half of 1996 a green paper with a view
to possible future action .

The Council Directive 79 / 279 / EEC ( 7 ) of 5 March 1979,
coordinating the conditions for the admission of securities
to official stock exchange listing, allows the authorities to
suspend the listing of a security where the market is no
longer operating normally, or where investor protection
considerations justify this . The action taken by the Consob
in connection with the suspension of the shares in Gemina
would appear to have been completely in accordance with
these principles .

(M OJ No L 222, 14 . 8 . 1978 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 193, 18 . 7 . 1983 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 372, 31 . 12 . 1986 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

( 5 ) COM(95 ) 508 .

( 6 ) OJ No L 126, 12 . 5 . 1984 .

( 7 ) OJ No L 66, 16 . 3 . 1979 .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 43

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2984 / 95

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

(1 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 79 )

Subject : City provinces and voting rights for EU citizens

The Dutch Government is considering establishing city
provinces in the Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Hague regions .
Some of the powers of the constituent municipal authorities
will be transferred to these city provinces . This represents a
diminution of the democratic rights of non-Dutch
inhabitants since they are entitled to vote and stand for
election to municipal authorities but not to provincial
authorities .

Does the Commission believe that the equal treatment of
Dutch and other Union citizens, as provided for in Article 8b
of the EC Treaty, is infringed through the creation of city
provinces if there is no extension of the right to vote and
stand for election to provincial authorities ? Does this
therefore constitute ' unlawful legislation '^)?

( 1 ) Professor M. U. Jessurum d'Oliveira, ' EU-burger kan stemrecht

in stadsprovincie opeisen ' ( EU citizens can claim voting rights in
city provinces ), in Volkskrant, 13 June 1995 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1995 )

It is not Commission policy to answer hypothetical
questions .

Party for Democracy and Change, was immediately arrested
on his arrival in Ankara on the usual charges of separatist
propaganda and attempting to divide the country . He was
sentenced in absentia by the Ankara court to 24 months in
imprisonment and a fine of TL 300 million .

In addition to the measures which it is continually being
urged on to take to improve the human rights situation and
resolve the Kurdish problem, what steps will it take to
achieve the immediate release of Ibrahim Aksoy ?

Answer

(7 February 1995 )

Closer relations between the Union and Turkey, together
with continued vigilance on the part of the Union regarding
human rights in Turkey, are the best guarantees the
European Union can offer to facilitate further progress in
the human rights situation in Turkey . Any specific case, as
referred to by the Honourable Member, is in principle a
matter for the Turkish judicial system .

At the 30 October 1995 meeting on the EC-Turkey
Association Council the European Union welcomed the
reforms introduced by Turkey over the last few months to
strengthen democracy and the observance of human rights .
These reforms demonstrate the Turkish Government 's

efforts to progress further along the road to the observance
of human rights, democratization and the rule of law . The
European Union attaches the greatest importance to respect
for human rights and continues to avail itself of every
possible opportunity to convey this message to the Turkish
authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3009 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2990 / 95
to the Commission
by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Council ( 13 November 1995 )

( 13 November 1995 )

96 / C 79 / 80 )

Subject : Immediate release of Ibrahim Akso, a Turkish

Kurd

Despite repeated appeals by the European Union to Turkey,
partly in connection with the Customs Union, to introduce
substantial changes with a view to improving its human
rights record, particularly with regard to its Kurdish
population, another example has now been added to its
already long list of human rights violations .

On 13 October 1995, Ibrahim Aksoy, of Kurdish origin, a
former Member of Parliament and charmain of the Kurdish

( 96 / C 79 / 81 )

Subject : Differences in air fares

The schedules and price lists of most Community flag
carriers show that fares vary considerably according to
destinations, without regard to the length of the journey .

Specifically as far as Italy is concerned, as, moreover, has
already been pointed out, there are substantial discrepancies
that work primarily to the disadvantage of passengers using
northern airports, especially Milan .

This discrimination is entirely illogical and unacceptable,
and the Commission should take steps to eliminate the

No C 79 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

manifestly unequal treatment accorded to the Union 's
consumers, who should all enjoy the same rights as well as
being bound by the same obligations . Will the Commission
therefore ensure that fares are calculated on the basis of

distance and not in the light of other dangerously subjective
appreciations ( for example the supposed reputation of being
a tourist centre )?

which certainly contribute greatly to the Euro-scepticism
reflected in the ' barometers ' published by the Commission
itself . Can the Commission give a brief account of the efforts
it is no doubt making to combat the fraud perpetrated
against its own financial resources ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Van Miert ( 21 December 1995 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1995 )

Under the Community provisions governing air transport,
airline companies are free to establish their fares as they
see fit in accordance with their commercial policy . The
Commission cannot force airlines to calculate their fares

on the basis of distance, as the Honourable Member

suggests .

It is true, however, that the provisions contain safeguard
clauses authorizing Member States, under Commission
supervision, to suspend the application of a basic fare which
penalizes users because it is too high in relation to the overall
long-term costs borne by the carrier . The Commission can
also act directly on the basis of a complaint from a person
having a legitimate interest . In the case of routes involving
Italy and, in particular, the Milan region, the Commission
has received no such complaints to date . In any event, it is
primarily up to the Member States to apply the safeguard
clauses, the Commission being able to intervene only in duly
warranted cases .

The Commission can also intervene under the competition
rules where airlines fix their fares by agreement or where an
airline uses a dominant position on the market to charge
excessively high fares . In the case in point, the facts in the
Commission 's possession do not suggest that such an
infringement is being committed .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3020 / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 13 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 82 )

Subject : Defraudment of the Community budget

Some time ago a monthly publication dealing with
European topics brought out an issue with the following
words emblazoned across its front cover : ' EU Fraud — a

continent of crooks ' ( Eurobusiness, February 1995 ).

Enough time has now gone by for the Commission to have
assessed this serious accusation and others like it, all of

The Commission adopted at the beginning of 1995 its 1995
antifraud work programme (*) and the 1994 report on the
fight against fraud ( 2 ). These two documents contain the
Commission 's global strategy to counter fraud and the
results already obtained . They were presented to the
Parliament, to the Council as well as to the press .

Since then, further progress has been made, including :

— the Commission has centralized and reinforced its

antifraud activities ;

— the Commission has created task forces in operational

areas ;

— in line with its communication on fraud in the transit

procedure ( 3 ), the Commission has taken action to
counter fraud and has proposed measures for the
future ;

— in the area of secondary legislation, the Commission 's

proposal for a Regulation on measures to be taken with
regard to certain beneficiaries of operations financed
by the guarantee section of the European Agricultural
Guidance and Guarantee Fund ( EAGGF ) ( Regulation
( EC ) No 14 69 / 95 ( 4 ) was adopted in June 1995 ( so ­
called black list );

— the Convention on the protection of the financial

interests of the Community was adopted in July 1995,
providing for important provisions, particularly on
sanctions .

The Commission is now preparing the 1996 work
programme . The new guidelines will be established with the
help of the Advisory Committee for the Coordination of
Fraud Prevention ( Cocolaf ) before the end of this year .

With the additional staff assigned to Uclaf this year, the task
force is now well placed to pursue its important work and
implement the work programme . Since as much as 80 % of
EU funds are administered in the Member States, there is a
need for support at national level and for parliamentarians
from different Member States to influence also the policies
in their respective countries .

(■) COM(95 ) 23 .

( 2 ) COM(95 ) 98 .

( 3 ) COM(95 ) 108 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 145, 29 . 6 . 1995 .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 45

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3038 / 95 of course examine the viability and dimensions of this
by Alexandras Alavanos ( GUE / NGL ) project taking into consideration the existence of the via

to the Commission Egnatia .

( 15 November 199S )

( 96 / C 79 / 83 )

Subject : Viability of link between the Adriatic and Ionian

Seas and the Black Sea

The European Council meeting in Corfu in June 1994
classified the Egnatia road among the Community 's priority
transport projects . However, the pan-European Conference
on Transport which took place in Crete in the same year
included the route linking Durves, Tirana, Skopje, Sofia and
Varna, which runs parallel to the Egnatia route, as project
No 8 in a series of nine road axes with third countries .

Given that both these routes link the Adriatic and the Ionian

Seas with the Black Sea, that the EU intends to finance
both projects, that the flow of traffic on the two routes will
play a significant role in the amortization of the projects
owing to private sector participation and, finally, that
construction has already begun on the Egnatia route, will
the Commission say whether it has carried out the necessary
studies regarding the viability of, and the relation between,
these two parallel routes .

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1995 )

The via Egnatia and the Crete priority corridor No 8 present
very distinctive features in terms of functionality, technical
maturity and financial planning . Though both run East ­
West in parallel at a distance of 200 km, the via Egnatia will
be a Community road with no border controls which will
extend to the Community eastern frontier with Turkey and
will also connect, via branches, with three other Balkan
States, namely Albania, Fyrom and Bulgaria . It will also
substantially improve the accessibility of the Greek regions
of Epiros, Macedonia ( western, central and eastern ) and
Thrace . The Crete priority corridor No 8 will connect three
European capitals, namely Tirane, Skopje and Sofia, and
will provide access to the Black Sea and to Turkey ( via
corridor No 4 ).

For the via Egnatia, feasibility studies ( technical, socio ­
economic and financial ) have already been conducted ( or
are being conducted ) and substantial Community grants
have been secured for the construction of its biggest part

( around 70 % ).

As regards the implementation of corridor No 8, the process
is at its very earliest stage . Given the relatively limited
standard to which corridor No 8 is likely to be developed, it
is unlikely that significant traffic will be diverted from the
via Egnatia . In any case, the necessary feasibility studies,
which will be conducted by the interested parties, will

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3055 / 95

by Nuala Ahern ( V )

to the Council

( 15 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 84 )

Subject : Implementation of Article 3(1 ) of the Euratom

Treaty

How has the Council implemented Euratom Treaty
Article 3(1 ) in regard to coordination of EU nuclear policy
with the Parliament, the Commission and the Court of
Justice respectively ?

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

Article 3(1 ) of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic
Energy Community states that ' the tasks entrusted to the
Community shall be carried out by [. . .] a European
Parliament, a Council, a Commission, a Court of Justice

[ and ] a Court of Auditors ' and stipulates that ' each
institution shall act within the limits of the powers conferred
upon it by this Treaty '.

The Council can assure the Honourable Member that it

complies scrupulously with the different provisions of the
Treaty which govern relations between the institutions,
especially where they provide for consultation of the
European Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058 / 95

by Nuala Ahern ( V )

to the Council

( 15 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 85 )

Subject : Reports from the South Pacific Forum

What reports has the Council received from the meeting
of foreign ministers of the South Pacific Forum held

10— 14 September, in regard to their decisions and
declarations on French nuclear testing in the South
Pacific ?

No C 79 / 46 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Answer

(7 February 1996 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3073 / 95

by Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1 995 )
The Council of the European Union has received no reports
on their proceedings from the Foreign Ministers meeting in ( 96 / C 79 / 87 )
the South Pacific Forum .

Subject : Amnesty law in France

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3068 / 95

by Kenneth Coates ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 86 )

Subject : Objective 2 Status — Unemployment statistics

Is the Commission aware that under the amnesty law of
3 August 1995, promulgated on the accession of Jacques
Chirac as President, some 100 dental prosthesis specialists
were specifically excluded from its terms of application,
even though their profession is legally recognized in
Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Spain, while in
Britain, Belgium and Ireland consideration is being given to
how legal recognition can be introduced, and in Austria,
Germany and France applications for recognition have been
submitted ?

Does the Commission not consider that this exclusion

conflicts :

— with fair play, and
Having noted the Commission 's assurances in its reply
to Written Question E-2554 / 95 ( 1 ) that decisions on — with the
Objective 2 Status rest on the assessment of Member States ' professional
statistics in the light of Eurostat data, what arrangements International
are open to local and regional authorities to make their own
inputs to this determination ? Is the Commission

— with the acceptance by the Commission of the
professional training standards drawn up by the
International Federation of Denturists ( IFD )?

In the event of disputes about the figures, between local
and regional authorities and " their own Member State
Governments, is the Commission ready to consider the case
from all sides ?

Is the Commission prepared to make approaches to the
French authorities to ensure that these dental technicians,
who are working in good faith and in a medico-ethically
responsible manner, can still be allowed to benefit from the
provisions of the amnesty law ?

(') OJ No C 40, 12 . 2 . 1996 . Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 January 1996 )

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1995 )

The list of Objective 2 regions is determined on the basis of
proposals made by national authorities . Local and regional
authorities should therefore channel their requests through
national authorities and persuade them of the merits of the

case .

Where proposals are supported by national data and in view
of the need to ensure comparability between Member States,
the Commission insists that the statistics accord with certain

principles . First, they must be official data from the national
statistical institutes or statistical services . Second, the data
must have been published . Third, equivalent figures must be
available at national level for comparison with harmonized
data from Eurostat .

The Commission was unaware that the French amnesty law
of 3 August 1995 specifically excluded dental prosthesis
specialists from its terms of application . It cannot comment
on whether this exclusion conflicts with fair play . It can
comment only on whether such an exclusion is compatible
with Community law .

First of all, the profession of dental prosthesis specialist
is not covered by any Community harmonization ; the
Member States have sole jurisdiction in this area . They are
therefore free to regulate the profession . The fact that the
profession may be regulated in other Member States is
irrelevant . Therefore, any breach of French law committed
by the specialists in question must be dealt with solely under
French law . The French legislator has exclusive jurisdiction
in deciding which offences are covered by the amnesty
law .

The training standards drawn up by the International
Federation of Denturists ( IFD ) have not been formally
accepted by the Commission . As to the recognition of
diplomas on the basis of Directives 89 / 48 / EEC ( 1 ) and

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 47

92 / 51 / EEC ( ) on the general system for the recognition of
diplomas, which do not coordinate training or spheres
of professional activity but should cover the recognition
of qualifications of dental prosthesis specialists, the
Commission considers that core principles for training
conditions established among European professional
associations, such as the standards drawn up by the IFD,
can help facilitate the recognition of training and hence the
free movement of the professionals concerned within the
Community . It therefore approves of such standards, but
under no circumstances can it afford them legal recognition
or take any part in drawing up or implementing them, as this
is a matter for the professional associations concerned .

Accordingly, the Commission does not consider it
appropriate to make representations to the French
authorities to ensure that dental prosthesis specialists
benefit from the amnesty law .

(') OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 .

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

Fraud cases detected by the Commission in 1994 involve
nearly ECU 250 million ( in addition to the cases detected
and communicated by the Member States ). This
demonstrates the importance of these activities . The need to
increase further the cooperation between the Member States
and the Commission, especially in the framework of Article
209A of the EC Treaty, would certainly justify further
human resources to fight against fraud at the European
level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3094 / 95

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 89 )

Subject : Income tax

Is the Council aware of any European Union Member State
that allows its citizens to choose what policies their income

QUESTION P-3080 / 95 tax may be directed towards, for example, is there a Member

Glenys Kinnock ( PSE ) State which allows citizens to pay income tax into non ­

to the Commission military funds only ?

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3080 / 95

by Glenys Kinnock ( PSE )

( 13 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 88 )

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Commission action against fraud ( 22 December 1995 )

Could the Commission please estimate the current total
cost incurred in financing the investigation conducted into
fraud in the EU ? What are the staffing levels and costs
involved ?

Would the Commission confirm that further resources are

necessary to carry out the task effectively ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

Income tax, one of the main sources of tax revenue,
constitutes general revenue in Member States ' public
authority budgets . The Commission is not aware of any
Member State allowing taxpayers to stipulate that income
tax receipts may not be used for certain forms of
expenditure, e.g. military expenditure .

(3 January 1996 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3095 / 95

by Ian White ( PSE )

to the Commission

It is a joint task of the Member States and the Commission
to fight against fraud which damages the financial interests
of the Community .

Within the Commission, all operational anti-fraud
activities are now carried out by Directorate F of the
Secretaria-General ( Uclaf ). At present, Uclaf has a statutory
staff of 102 officials made up of 51 A-grade, 33 B-grade and

18 C-grade officials . The average cost of an investigator is
around ECU 56 000 per year ( salary ). The Uclaf budget for
missions in 1995 is approximately ECU 620 000 .

( 20 November 1995 )

(■ 96 / C 79 / 90 )

Subject : Moratorium on timber imports from Sarawak

Over the course of the last five years, the European
Parliament has used all the means at its disposal to express
concern about the serious situation facing indigenous
peoples and tropical forests in Sarawak . In response to

No C 79 / 48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

Parliament 's repeated calls for a moratorium on the import
of tropical timber from Sarawak, the Commission has
continually made reference of the ITTO 's mission to
Sarawak in 1990 .

Since five years have elapsed since the ITTO mission took
place, does the Commission have any concrete evidence to
prove that the recommendations of the mission have been
implemented on the ground ? If this evidence is lacking, what
actiop will the Commission take to implement Parliament 's
call for a moratorium on the import of tropical timber from
Sarawak ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1995 )

The Commission is most concerned at overlogging practices
which apparently are continuing in Sarawak in response to
strong regional market demand for tropical timber, despite
the International Tropical Timber Organization ( ITTO )
recommendations of 1990 on the necessity of implementing
a sound and sustainable forest management policy .
However, the Commission is not in a position to give a
recent monitoring report, nor an assessment of the impact of
the overlogging practices, since it does not have at its
disposal any reliable information about forestry issues in
Sarawak .

As regard trade aspects, the Commission is not in favour of a
moratorium on the import of tropical timber from Sarawak
since it could have a counter-productive effect of depleting
even further forestry resources via illegal logging and
exports . Instead it is in favour of positive incentives in order
to promote sustainable forest management . In this context,
in 1994, the Commission proposed and the Council agreed
to grant under the generalized system of preferences as from

1 January 1998, special incentive arrangements in the form
of additional preferences to beneficiary countries which
sustainable manage their forests .

The Commission also feels that a greater emphasis should be
placed on the dialogue between the Community and
Malaysia, in order to define projects that could help to
contain the problem . To this end of the Commission has
recently financed a project for development of mapping and
geographic information systems for the effective planning,
management, conservation and sustainable development of
forestry resources in peninsular Malaysia . Among the range
of positive measures to be deployed in the future, the
Commission further envisages funding a small training
programme in Sarawak in order to encourage a sustainable
forestry management approach . This will not only pave the
way for an improvement of forest management, but will also
facilitate positive dialogue with the local authorities in
Sarawak .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 105 / 95

by Lilli Gyldenkilde ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 91 )

Subject : Exclusion of junior doctors from Directive
93 / 104 / EC

In mid - 1994 the Commission carried out a survey of
the working conditions / working hours of junior doctors

( Directive 93 / 104 / EC ( J )) based on questionnaires sent to
the health authorities and all organizations representing
junior doctors in all the EU Member States .

The Coshape report on working conditions of junior
doctors was drawn up on the basis of the answers received
and published at the beginning of 1995 .

When finalizing and following up the Coshape report
the Commission arranged meetings with the Permanent
Working Group of Junior Hospital Doctors and its member
organizations . Following the latest meeting in April 1995,
the Commission intends to draw up a report laying down
guidelines for further action .

Now that the Commission has surveyed the working
hours / conditions of junior doctors in Europe ( the Coshape
report ) and investigated the possibility of establishing a
social dialogue between the representative organizations at
European level the conclusion is that the possibility of
solving the problem is clearly limited .

Since it will clearly be practically impossible to establish a
social dialogue with a view to an agreement on the working
hours of junior doctors, does the Commission intend to
fulfil the undertakings it gave in the White Paper and
ensure that junior doctors also have acceptable working
conditions ?

( 1 ) OJ No L 307, 13 . 12 . 1993, p . 18 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 January 1996 )

In 1994 the Commission arranged for a survey of the
working hours of doctors in training in the context of the
working time Directive 93 / 104 / EC . A report was presented
to the Commission in December 1994 .

On 19 April 1995 the Commission convened a meeting of
interested parties to discuss the main issues raided by the

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 49

report . Following that meeting, the Commission agreed to
support a conference on working conditions for doctors in
training in December 1995 . The Commission will carefully
study the results of the conference .

In parallel, the Commission has been following closely
developments in all the sectors and activities excluded from
the working time Directive . In its working programme for

1996, the Commission announced its intention to present a
white paper on working time with regard to sectors and
activities excluded from the working time Directive . In this
white paper the Commission will address the issues relating
to the working hours of doctors in training .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 108 / 95

by Peter Pex ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 92 )

Subject : Free market for European Union services —

coding of satellite information by Eumetsat

The meteorological satellite Meteosat, in addition to
transmitting images, is also being used as a data collection
platform .

Until recently, anyone wishing to obtain information from
Meteosat could do so by means of ( costly ) reception
equipment ( PDUS ).

However, on 1 September 1995, Eumetsat, the responsible
authority, began to codify the data, necessitating the
purchase of a decoder from a German firm which has a
monopoly on the production and sale of these devices

( costing around DM 14 000 ). The immediate effect has been
to render useless all PDU receivers at the expense of private
firms, universities and research centres in particular, which
are now confronted with the need for large additional
investment, forcing many to abandon their activities in this

area .

In addition, Eumetsat intend to charge an annual fee of
between ECU 60 000 and ECU 100 000 for use of satellite

information .

What view does the Commission take of this situation,
particularly since, as a result, it is impossible for a free
market in satellite information to develop and any
possibility of generating employment in this emerging sector
is being nipped in the bud ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1996 )

The European organization for the exploitation of
meteorological satellites ( Eumetsat ) is an intergovernmental
organization the primary objective of which is to establish,
maintain and exploit European systems of operational
meteorological satellites on behalf of its 17 European
Member States ( Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany,
Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway,
Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, United
Kingdom ). It has given the Commission the following
information .

The high-resolution image ( HRI ) data has never been freely
available to every user in possession of a primary data user
station ( PDUS ). However, the introduction of technical
control of the data through encryption has meant that many
previously existing unauthorized users have become obliged
to regularize their situation .

In order to receive encrypted HRI data, PDUS users need a
Meteosat key unit ( MKU ) and some adaptation to the PDUS
for interfacing with the MKU . PDUS manufacturers have
full details of the modifications needed . The MKU can be

obtained only from Eumetsat directly with a one-time
charge of ECU 700 ( i.e. some DM 1 400 and not
DM 14 000 ) to cover the marginal costs of manufacture and
administration . The original PDUS investment has therefore
in no way been lost, but is still a pre-requisite to receive
Eumetsat HRI data . No firm has been given any distribution
rights concerning the Eumetsat MKU .

Eumetsat provides the MKU to any authorized user of
Eumetsat HRI data . In order to become an authorized user,
a licensing agreement needs to be signed . The licence may
involve the payment of fees . A basic Eumetsat data set is
available unencrypted and free of charge to any user .

Outside the Eumetsat Member States, Eumetsat is
responsible for licensing and has issued a large number of
licences most of which are free of charge . Only for TV
broadcasters with a very large target audience might the
fees be within the range mentioned by the Honourable
Member .

Within the Eumetsat Member States, national
meteorological services are entrusted with licensing . It can
be noted that, as far as Eumetsat is aware, the charges within
Member States are significantly lower than the figures
indicated by the Honourable Member .

In view of this information the Commission does not see

that the rules governing the distribution of HRI data hinder
the commercial exploitation of these data or constitute an
obstacle for the development of commercial meteorology in
Europe .

No C 79 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3109 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-3111 / 95

by Peter Pex ( PPE ) by Wolfgang Ullmann ( V ) and

to the Commission Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler ( V )

to the Commission
( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 93 ) ( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 94 )

Subject : Free market for services in the European Union —

Case No IV / 34.563 — Ecomet : market for

meteorological data and products and value added
services

Does the Commission consider that agreement for the
setting up of Ecomet ( j ) (a cooperative association of
European public meteorological services ) may only be given
if the founders are willing and able to enter into long-term
commitments offering acceptable conditions to private
suppliers on the market ?

Does the Commission agree that all publicly funded national
meteorological services, data and products should be made
available at cost price ( that is to say, the cost of making the
data available ) at both national and international level with
a view to achieving a totally free market in the field of
meteorology ?

(!) OJ No C 223, 29 . 8 . 1995, p . 2 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 January 1996 )

During the examination of the Ecomet cooperation
agreement the Commission has insisted that the
independent service providers be given access to the
information they need in a way which matches their
requirements . This includes the conclusion of long lasting
contracts on the delivery of meteorological information .
Nothing in the Ecomet agreements prevents the members
from concluding such contracts .

The Commission does not share the view of the Honourable

Member that all meteorological information collected and
processed by an infrastructure financed by the tax payer has
to be delivered at a marginal cost (= cost for the delivery ) to
the independent service providers . It is not incompatible
with the Community competition rules and the rules on
the internal market that all those operators ( be they the
commercial arms of the national meteorological services
or the independent service providers ) which use such
information commercially have to contribute in a
proportionate way to the cost of the infrastructure which is
necessary to generate it . The fact that all the users have to
make such contributions does not hinder the development
of the internal market for meteorological services .

Subject : Implementation of Council Directive 94 / 80 / EC of

19 December 1994 on the exercise of the right to
vote in municipal elections by citizens of the Union
in Bavaria ( Federal Republic of Germany )

The amended version of the law on the election of municipal
councils, mayors, district assemblies and district
administrators ( Municipal and District Electoral Law —
GLKrWG ) of 27 August 1995, published in the Bavarian
Official Gazette No 20 of 8 September 19 95 states in the
second sentence of Article 11(1 ), implementing Article 1 1 of
Directive 94 / 80 / EEC ( 1 ) of 19 December 1994, that citizens
of other Member States of the Union entitled to vote must

apply in order to be entered on the electoral roll and that
they shall be informed by means of public notification only .
This means that, contrary to the statement issued by the
Bavarian Minister, Dr Beckstein when the law was adopted
by the Bavarian Parliament on 18 July 1995, citizens
of other Member States of the Union are not informed

individually concerning the application procedure for
registration on the electoral roll, thereby making it harder
for them to participate in municipal elections .

Does the Commission consider that the notification

procedures followed in this case are such as to provide
adequate information concerning conditions and
procedures for exercise of the right to vote and stand as a
candidate, in accordance with Article 11 of the

Directive ?

Does the Commission share the concern that the Directive

may be circumvented as a result of this failure to inform
potential voters of the application procedure to be
followed ?

(') OJ No L 368, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 38 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(3 January 1996 )

The ' Honourable Members raise the question whether the
choice of informing Community voters and potential
candidates of their rights through public notification only
can be considered as conforming to the provisions of
Directive 94 / 80 / EC on municipal elections . They refer
specifically to the Bavarian law on the election of municipal
councils, mayors, district assemblies and district
administrators adopted by the Land of Bavaria in
implementation of the Directive .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 51

It should be noted that Article 14 of the Directive sets

1 January 1996 as the deadline for Member States to bring
into force the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions necessary to comply with its provisions . Until
that date there is no obligation on the part of Member
States to adopt the necessary legislation or to notify the
Commission of such adoption . At this stage the Commission
has not received any formal notification from Germany on
the implementation of the Directive on its territory and
therefore, cannot comment on the specific text mentioned
by ther Honourable Members .

However, concerning the provisions of the Directive, its
Article 1 1 obliges Member States to inform voters and those
entitled to stand as candidates in good time and in an
appropriate manner of the conditions and the detailed
arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to
stand as a candidate in municipal elections . From the
wording of the Article it is clear that the only obligation
incumbent on Member States is to inform residents in an

appropriate manner whereas the choice of the way in which
this information is carried out is left entirely to the discretion
of the Member States themselves .

On this basis, it cannot be concluded that informing the
public through public notification only can be considered in
breach of the provisions of the Directive .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3121 / 95
by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE ) and Bartho Pronk ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 95 )

Subject : Netherlands contribution to financial
compensation for the United Kingdom

1 . Is the Commission aware of the letter from the

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Van Mierlo, and the
Minister of Finance, Mr Zalm, to the Netherlands Second
Chamber indicating that the Netherlands is no longer
prepared to contribute to financial compensation for the
UK ?

2 . Can the Commission confirm that Germany has also
considerably reduced its contribution to compensation for
the UK ? Can the Commission indicate by how much the
original German contribution has been reduced ?

3 . Can the Commission indicate how much each of the

EU countries is currently contributing to financial
compensation for the UK ?

4 . Can the Commission indicate how the amount will be

allocated if the Netherlands no longer contributes ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 1996 )

1 . No .

2 . According to Article 5 of Council Decision of 24 June
1988 on the system of the Communities ' own resources
( 88 / 376 / EEC, Euratom ) (*) the share of Germany in bearing
the cost of the correction is restricted to two-thirds of its

share in the Community GNP excluding the United
Kingdom .

3 . The cost of the correction is to be borne by the
Member States in 1996 follows :

( ECU million )

Member State

Belgium 149

Denmark 93

Germany 757

Greece 65

Spain 304

France 845

Ireland 32

Italy 638

Luxembourg 10

Netherlands 214

Austria 128

Portugal 59

Finland 69

Sweden 123

Total 3 486

4 . It is not Commission policy to answer hypothetical
questions .

f 1 ) OJ No L 185, 15 . 7 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 123 / 95

by Maartje van Putten ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 96 )

Subject : Price trends of CMO bananas

Statistics concerning the import prices ( CIF + list prices ) and
consumer prices of bananas reveals that

— from January 1992 to April 1995 inclusive, import

prices were almost always lower in Germany than in the
United Kingdom,

No C 79 / 52 1 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

— consumer prices in the United Kingdom in 1992 were

somewhat higher than in Germany,

— during the period from January 1992 to May 1995

inclusive, consumer prices in Germany rose considerably
while in the United Kingdom they fell somewhat, with
the result that, in May 1995, retail prices in Germany
were a good 50 % higher than the United Kingdom .

1 . Can the Commission confirm this ?

2 . Can the Commission explain this difference in retail
price levels and trends in the above Member States ?

3 . Can the Commission confirm that these price
differences are not the result of the import quotas
introduced under the common organization of the
market ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1995 )

1 . The conclusions drawn by the Honourable Member
from the average import and retail price trends in Germany
and the UK between the start of 1992 and May 1995 call for
a number of comments .

It is true that average import prices in Germany were lower
than in the UK but this requires qualification . UK import
prices were higher before common organization of the
banana market but the difference started to shrink markedly
from 1 July 1993 and was almost non-existent by May

1995 .

As for retail prices, the trend betwen the two countries has
been reversed, although this did occur at the end of 1992,
well before the start of the CMO .

2 . The difference in retail prices is due to the fact that
Regulation ( EEC ) No 404 / 93 on common organization of
the banana markets ( J ) only really provides a general
framework within which operators can still develop their
own strategies . In the UK, the retail and distribution trade is
currently taking a highly aggressive approach to the
marketing of bananas .

3 . The price trends are not solely the result of a new
import tariff quota under the CMO . The level of the quota is
high enough to ensure the Community market is adequately
supplied . In addition, the benefits of the quota are
distributed between a number of types of Community
operator doing different jobs in the marketing chain .

As explained, the difference in price trends on the
Community market — particularly among retailers — is
primarily the result of the marketing policies pursued by
Community operators themselves .

f 1 ) OJ No L 47, 25 . 2 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3131 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 97 )

Subject : Article 235 of the Treaty and social policy

Commission proposals based on Article 235 of the Treaty

( programme to combat exclusion, equality programme,
programme for the elderly ) require unanimity within the
Council, which makes it difficult ( if not impossible ) to get
them adopted on account of the reservations raised by some
of the Council delegations .

In view of this situation, is the Commission planning to
adopt a different approach which would enable the policies
contained in the abovementioned or similar proposals to be
implementd within the Union as common policies after
having been adopted by a majority vote in the Council of
Ministers ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 January 1996 )

With regard to the difficulties which arose during the
Council 's discussions on the proposals based on Article 235
of the EC Treaty, and the possibility of using other legal
bases in the field of social policy, the Commission considers
that Article 235 of the EC Treaty provides an appropriate
and adequate legal basis for the programmes to which the
Honourable Member refers .

The Commission would like to point out that, on
5 December 1995, the Labour and Social Affairs Council
approved the fourth medium-term Community action
programme on equal opportunities for men and women

( 1996-2000 ) (*), which has the same legal basis .

However, the Commission is aware that a number of social
policy proposals based on Article 235 of the EC Treaty are
still held up at the Council because, under this Article,
unanimity is required .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 53

It should be noted that any amendment to the terms of
Article 235 of the EC Treaty, and any other question
relating to the reform of the Treaties, mus be examined at
the Intergovernmental Conference in 1996 .

t 1 ) COM(95 ) 381 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 132 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 98 )

Subject : Epidemic in Nicaragua and EU aid

During the last few days of October 1 995 an epidemic broke
out amongst certain sections of the population in
Nicaragua, which resulted in a number of deaths .

What emergency aid has the European Union made

available to Nicaragua on the occasion of this epidemic, in
order to alleviate the effects thereof ?

Answer given by Ms Bonino
on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1996 )

The Commission received a request from the Nicaraguan
authorities for food aid for victims of the epidemic . After
consulting experts in the field, the Commission decided that
the aid requested did not reflect the situation in terms of
present needs ; it would, however, be willing to examine a
fresh request appropriately reformulated .

The non-governmental organization MDPL ( Movement for
Peace, Disarmament and Liberation ), which is currently
engaged in a humanitarian aid operation, financed by the
Community, to distribute medical equipment and medicines
in Nicaragua, has concentrated its efforts on the area
affected by the epidemic .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3139 / 95

by Daniel Féret ( NI )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1995 )

96 / C 79 / 99 )

Subject : Recent derogations from the application of the

Schengen Agreement

The wave of terrorist attacks which has been hitting France
has quite rightly prompted the French Government to

suspend application of the Schengen Agreement and to
re-establish controls at intra-Community borders .

Does the Commission consider that the French decision is

justified and that, therefore, the provisions concerning
controls at the Union 's external borders are inadequate or
inappropriate, in view of the danger of terrorist activities
and the threat of illegal immigration ?

Does the Commission see a connection between the

abolition of the European Union 's internal frontiers and the
new wave of terrorism and illegal immigration and does it
intend to propose appropriate measures to enable the
Member States of the European Union to limit as far as
possible the adverse effects of this two-fold threat ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1995 )

It should be noted that the French Government has not

suspended application of the Schengen Agreement . France is
making use of an exception clause which allows a Member
State, in accordance with the conditions and procedures laid
down in Article 2 ( 2 ) of the Agreement, to temporarily
reinstate controls at its internal borders where public policy
or public security so require, while continuing to apply all
the other provisions of the Agreement .

The Commission has provided for an exception clause
similar to Article 2 ( 2 ) of the Schengen Agreement in its
proposal for a Council Directive on the elimination of
controls on persons crossing internal frontiers ( 1 ).

The first question raised by the Honourable Member does
not concern Community law but solely the application by a
Member State of a provision in the Schengen Agreement .
Accordingly, it is not for the Commission to comment .

With regard to the second question concerning a possible
link between the elimination of controls at internal frontiers

and the recent wave of terrorist attacks in France, the
Commission takes the view that there is no such link in this

case since France retained controls at its internal frontiers

both during the initial phase of application of the Schengen
Agreement ( from 26 March 1995 to the end of June 1995 )
and after, on the basis of the exception clause in Article 2 ( 2 )
of the Agreement .

With regard to the removal of controls on persons crossing
internal frontiers and security in general, the Commission
would stress that the proposal for a Directive on the
elimination of controls on persons crossing internal
frontiers will enter into force only when all accompanying
measures ( concerning, in particular, the harmonization of
visa policies and of the arrangements for controls at external
frontiers, police cooperation and judicial cooperation on
criminal matters ) are operational . The accompanying

No C 79 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

measures are regarded as necessary in order to maintain
a high level of security in the area without internal
frontiers ( ! ).

(') COM(95 ) 347 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 143 / 95

by Ian White ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 100 )

Subject : Access to information

Will the Commission :

1 . publish on a regular basis a list of all its services,

devolved agencies and associated organizations which
during the past 12 months have initiated tender actions
for the provision of external consultancy services of
values in excess of ECU 30 000 ;

2 . make available at a specific time and place both in
Brussels and in Luxembourg for inspection by any
person details of each of the aforementioned tender
actions as follows :

— the subject-matter of the services provided,

— the Community Act(s ) respectively authorizing the

action and governing its subject matter,

— the name(s ) of the official(s ) of the service, agency or

organization responsible for determining the need
for the contracted services,

— the name and address of the successful

contractor,

— the value and the duration of the contract .

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1996 )

Article 56 of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1997
applicable to the general budget of the European
Communities, last amended by Council Regulation ( EC,
Euratom, ECSC ) No 2335 / 95 of 18 September 1995 (^
requires the Commission to fulfil the obligations contained
in the Council Directives relating to the coordination of
procedures for the award of public works, public supply and
public service contracts ( Council Directive 89 / 665 / EEC of
21 December 1989 on the coordination of the laws,
regulations and administrative provisions relating to the
application of the review procedures to the award of public
supply and public works contracts ( 2 ) and Council Directive
92 / 50 / EEC of 18 June 1992 relating to the coordination of
procedures for the award of public service contracts ( 3 )
where the amount of the contracts in question reaches or
exceeds the thresholds laid down in those Directives .

These three Directives specify that after the conclusion of
the public contracts in question, the Office for Official
Publications of the European Communities should be sent a
notice of the results of the award procedure . The Office
processes these notices ; in particular, it publishes some of
them in accordance with the detailed rules set out in the

Directives .

Thus, the Commission is bound by the same obligations as
the Member States under these Directives . Up to
31 December 1995, works contracts equalled or exceeded
ECU 5 million and supply and services contracts
ECU 200 000 .

From 1 January 1995, these thresholds will be changed and
increased to SDR 5 million ( special drawing rights ) and SDR

130 000 under the GATT agreement on public contracts .

The Commission is not considering applying this system
generally to public contracts, worth between ECU 30 000
and the above GATT thresholds .

(') OJ No L 240, 7 . 10 . 1995 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 395, 30 . 12 . 1989 .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 148 / 95

by Doeke Eisma ( ELDR ) and Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 101 )

Subject : Tax treatment of life insurance in the
Netherlands

Following the Schmacker judgment, the Court of Justice of
the European Communities has again given judgment in a
case concerning the permissibility of discrimination in
taxation of non-residents by Member States of the European
Union : the Wielocks case ( ] ). In it the Court considered
whether it was acceptable for the Netherlands to refuse
citizens / residents of other Member States the right to
constitute a pension reserve, offsetting part of their income
against tax for the purpose . The judgment has implications
for all Dutch legislation concerning the setting aside of assets
for retirement, including the recently introduced ' Brede
Herwaardering I en II ' ( Broad Reassessment I and II ).

In the light of this judgment, are the Dutch rules on
offsetting income for tax purposes in order to constitute a
pension reserve and the Broad Reassessment I and II
compatible with freedom to provide services and
particularly the Third Life Assurance Directive ( Council
Directive 92 / 96 / EEC of 10 . 11 . 1992 on the coordination of

laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to
direct life assurance and amending Directives 79 / 267 / EEC
and 90 / 619 / EEC ) ( 2 )?

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 55

If not, will the Commision institute proceedings against the
Netherlands pursuant to Article 169 ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 1996 )

(') Court of Justice of the European Communities, 11 August

1995, Case C-80 / 94 ( Wielockx ).

( 2 ) OJ No L 360, 9 . 12 . 1992, p . 1 . The Commission assures the Honourable Member that it

treats all tenders equally, irrespective of the language in
which they are drafted .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 January 1996 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
answer to Written Question E-589 / 95 ( 1 ) by Mr de Vries
where it indicated that it was currently studying the
compatibility of the Dutch tax legislation on pensions and
life insurances with Community law . The impact of the third
life insurance Directive ( 2 ) and the Wielockx case will be
taken into account . The Commission will decide on the basis

of this analysis whether to open the procedure under
Article 169 of the EC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3158 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 103 )

Subject : Use of languages

(') OJ No C 196, 31 . 7 . 1995 . In the Official Journal of the European Communities ( ) I
see that an agreement between the EEC and the USA is
printed in English only . In the case of . Annex 1, only the
French text is authentic for Belgium .

How did this come about ? Does it not violate both

European and Belgian rules on the use of languages ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3157 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE ) (') OJ No L 125, 20 . 5 . 1993 .
to the Commission

( 22 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 102 )

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Use of Dutch in the Official Journal of the ( 16 January 1995 )

European Communities

I have observed that the Commission is increasingly stating
quite openly in its calls for project proposals that it would
prefer them to be submitted in French or English . This was
the case for example in Official Journal of the European

Communities C 47 ( pollution of the sea ). In other calls for
proposals, a translation is requested (C 163, NAFO
observer scheme ). Sometimes an extensive summary in
French, English or German is requested (C 84, conclusion of
contracts, C 106, tourism, C 212, tourism, Japan ).

Does not this violate the existing rules on the use of
languages in Union ?

Does it not, moreover, distort competition in the case of
businesses and individuals working in a language other than
those stipulated, since they are first required to provide a
translation ?

In order to meet the strict timetable for implementing the
agreement with the United States, the Council adopted the
Decision in English only . However, the Commission
subsequently arranged for the translation of the Decision
into the other Community languages ( J ).

At the time of adoption, this memorandum of
understanding ( MoU ) was designed to be a stepping stone
towards the adoption of the revised General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade ( GATT ) Government Procurement
Agreement ( GPA ). The GATT, now World Trade
Organization ( WTO ), only accepts as authentic texts in its
working languages ( namely English, French and Spanish ).
Since the annexes were primarily drawn up for the
subsequent GPA negotiations, it was necessary to ensure
that there was an authentic list for each Contracting Party in
one of the GATT working languages, with translations into
the other Community official languages ( whether or not

No C 79 / 56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

authentic for the purposes of this MoU ) being made in
certain cases .

(') OJ No C 173, 24 . 6 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 176 / 95

by Spalato Bellere ( NI ), Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) and

Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

( 29 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 104 )

Subject : Physiotherapists and sports masseurs

The profession of physiotherapist is governed at
Community level by two texts on the recognition of
diplomas which make a distinction in terms of practitioners '
qualifications, i.e. as doctors or otherwise ( Directives
93 / 16 / EEC ( 1 ), 89 / 48 / EEC ( 2 ) and 92 / 51 / EEC (■')).

Some Member States, including Italy, are reviewing the
status of physiotherapists other than doctors, in particular
those who are blind, and are specifically planning to
introduce special professional registers .

Regarding trained physiotherapists who are not doctors,
but hold qualifications as sports masseurs and therefore
have special experience and particularly wide-ranging
expertise in physiokinesitherapy and massage techniques

( there are about 30 000 such persons in Italy ), will the
Commission issue a Directive establishing a specific register
to ensure that these professionals will be entitled to carry on
their occupation in all 15 Member States, precisely by virtue
of the experience they have acquired and the training they
have undergone ?

(!) OJ No L 165, 7 . 7 . 1993, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989, p . 16 .

been to consider proposing a specific sectoral Directive for a
given profession provided that the following three
conditions are met : there must be agreement on the
desirability and scope of a specific sectoral Directive within
the profession in all the Member States ; that agreement must
have the support of a significant majority of the Member
States ; adoption of a specific sectoral Directive must bring a
genuine substantial improvement over the general system .

At present, these conditions are not met for the profession in
question .

The Commission will be attentive to any major development
in this field .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3 179 / 95

by Charlotte Cederschiold ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 105 )

Subject : Legislation on age discrimination

There is a discussion within the Reflection Group to extend
the Maastricht Treaty with reference to human rights and
discrimination within the Member States . Is it the case that a

topic for the IGC is to reinforce non-discrimination as a
fundamental point of law ? If so, could age be one of the
elements in the non-discrimination law ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1995 )

( 3 ) OJ No L 209, 24 . 7 . 1992, p . 25 . The main items on the agenda for the Intergovernmental
Conference in 1996 will be set only after the Madrid
European Council . The conference will be convened during
the six months of the Italian Presidency . Thus it is difficult to
know in advance what these items will be .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 1995 )

Leaving aside the possibilities for recognition available
under the general system for the recognition of professional
qualifications, the Commission 's traditional approach has

However, the possibility of strengthening the non ­
discrimination principle was studied by the Reflection
Group set up by decision of the Corfu European Council .
Age discrimination was discussed .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 57

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3181 / 95

by Antonio Tajani ( UPE )

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 11 January 1996 )

( 21 November 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 106 )

Subject : Urban programme

Given that the Minister for the Budget, Reiner Masera,
announced on 15 February 1995 the government 's approval
of the 13 cities selected for aid under the Urban programme
in Italy, and since the projects to renovate the urban areas
in question are a matter of urgency, particularly those

( i.e. improvements to the Tor Bella Monaca and Torre
Angela areas ) affecting Rome, which is preparing for the
Jubilee of the year 2000 and the possibility of the Olympic

Games being held there in 2004, does the Commission
agree that it should approve the projects submitted as
soon as possible and make the relevant funds available
immediately ?

Answer given by Ms Wulf-Mathies

Under the amended proposal for a Directive (), Member
States are free to set the rate of tax ( including a zero rate ) to
be levied on each product that falls within the scope of the
tax . They also have some room for manoeuvre in granting
exemptions and reductions, in particular for industry, and
in applying the principle of tax neutrality .

The Commission is therefore not in a position to anticipate
Member States ' choices in this respect with a view to
assessing the direct costs ( in terms of higher energy prices )
and indirect costs ( knock-on increases in the prices of
intermediate materials ) to industry in each Member State of
the introduction of a C0 2 / energy tax .

The Honourable Member may nevertheless wish to refer
to the many studies published on the possible impact of
the original proposal both by the Commission ( e.g. ' The
climate challenge : Economic aspects of the Community 's
strategy for limiting C0 2 emissions ', European Economy,
No 51, May 1992 ) and by research centres . The studies are
available from the Commission .

on behalf of the Commission
(M COM(95 ) 172 .
( 12 December 1995 )

Although the list of Italian cities selected for aid under the
Community 's Urban initiative was approved by the Italian
authorities in February 1995, the final version of their
proposal did not reach the Commission until August .

The proposal required additional detailed work in the
context of the partnership arrangements, but appraisal is
now nearing completion . The Commission will approve the
Urban programme for Italy as soon as possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3203 / 95

by James Fitzsimons ( UPE )

to the Commission

( 29 November 1995 )

{ 961 C 79 / 107 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3218 / 95

by Armelle Guinebertière ( UPE )

to the Commission

(1 December 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 108 )

Subject : Protecting small businesses

How seriously does the European Community take the
major and worrying problem of the decline and weakness of
cottage industries and small businesses pitted against the
vast resources of mass retailing, which is contributing
to the disappearance of European manufacturers and
producers ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 January 1996 )
Subject : CO2 — energy Directive

On the assumption that all Member States exercise the
option to impose a carbon tax, can the Commission estimate
the cost to industry in each Member State in a full year of the
introduction of the proposed C0 2 energy Directive ?

Whilst acknowledging the important contribution by
hypermarkets and supermarkets to providing the
Community population with a continous supply of goods
at generally moderate prices, and consequently their not

No C 79 / 58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

inconsiderable contribution to the fight against inflation,
the Commission is aware of the pressures exercised by this
type of outlet on small retail and craft businesses . The
competitive pressure exercised by hypermarkets and
supermarkets is likely to have negative short - to
medium-term effects on the number of small businesses and

their potential for creating jobs . Hypermarkets and
supermarkets, which have experienced economic
concentration alongside large producers, now have growing
power over European suppliers in commercial negotiations,
and may weaken smaller-scale suppliers or those who
undertake considerable investment against a background of
contracts of often limited duration .

In full adherence to the principle of subsidiarity, however,
authorizations to open new hypermarkets and
supermarkets or to enlarge existing establishments are
subject to regulation not at European level, but at national
or regional level, and authorizations are granted after an
assessment of the advantages and disadvantages involved .

This is why the Commission is aiming, through the
pilot action programme Commerce 2000, to encourage
cooperation between small and medium-sized companies
and large distribution networks, such as those managed by
supermarkets and hypermarkets .

The Commission will pay special attention to developments
in relationships between industry and the distributive trades
and will ensure that no situation which might infringe
Community competition rules is allowed to develop .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3220 / 95

by Armelle Guinebertière ( UPE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1996 )

Academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study for
the purposes of continuation of studies is the responsibility
of the Member States and, within the Member States, the
regions and educational establishments, which enjoy a large
measure of autonomy in this respect .

Member States are free to stipulate that a school-leaving
certificate should cover certain subjects in order to give
access to certain areas of study .

Under the terms of Article 126 of the EC Treaty, the
Community is limited to encouraging academic recognition
through university partnerships ( particularly inter ­
university cooperation programmes under Erasmus and
Socrates ), by promoting the European Community course
credit transfer system ( ECTS ), by promoting the
transparency of curricula ( guides to national systems,
Ortelius higher education database ), and by the networking
of national academic recognition information centres

( Naric ).

In its White Paper on ' Education and Training — Teaching
and learning — Towards the knowledge-based society '^),
the Commission proposes the introduction of a skill
recognition system in order to contribute to the recognition
of the knowledge and know-how of each individual .

( 1 ) COM(95 ) 590 .

(1 December 1995 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3250 / 95

( 96 / C 79 / 109 ) by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

Subject : Harmonization and recognition of diplomas in the

Union

The Wallon Government of the French Community is
preparing, under decrees adopted in August 1995, to make
it compulsory for French students holding the baccalaureat
and enrolling to train as qualified hospital nurses to return
to secondary school .

Not only does this call into question the right to access to
higher education in the Community for a student holding a
certificate obtained in another Member State, in this case
the baccalaureat, it also raises the matter of harmonizing
European diplomas .

What measures does the Commission intend to take to

monitor scrupulously the enforcement of Community
legislation governing the equivalence of diplomas ?

(1 December 1995 )

( 96 / C 79 / 110 )

Subject : Euro-Info-Centres

Although the situation varies from one Member State to
another and in different regions or areas within the same
country, it is generally the case that small and medium-sized
undertakings have great difficulty in obtaining information
about the rules and provisions which they must observe in
order to comply with European Regulations .

In particular, the Euro-Info-Centres, which should be the
main source of information and point of contact for
businesses and indeed individual members of the public,
are failing to run properly and / or are completely non ­
operational .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 59

Will the Commission supply the following :

1 . literature on the operation of the Euro-Info-Centres ;

2 . list of activities undertaken, especially in north-west
Italy ;

The Commission will send a brochure describing the EIC
network directly to the Honourable Member and to the
Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

3 . breakdown of operating expenses of Euro-Info-Centres WRITTEN QUESTION E-3266 / 95
in north-west Italy ?

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and
Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 December 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission ( 96 / C 79 / 111

( 19 January 1996 )

Subject : Spanish designations of origin

The Commission is aware of the difficulties encountered by
small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) in gaining
access to information on European standards and
provisions . Using its network of Euro-Info Centres ( EICs ),
whose main purpose is to inform SMEs, the Commission
decided to base its 1995 promotional campaign on the
subject of standardization . The EICs are carrying out this
campaign in the field in cooperation with the relevant
technical bodies .

The Commission does not share the Honourable Member 's

opinion on the weakness of the EIC network, although it
does constantly endeavour to improve how it functions and
to encourage the EICs to increase the quality of the services
they offer to SMEs .

For instance, in the space of one year ( from September 1 994
to September 1995 ), the four EICs in the north-west region
of Italy answered almost 8 000 questions, over half of which
were complex and some of which particulary concerned
Community legislation .

However, the Commission would like to point out that the
work of the EICs is not confined simply to replying to
enterprises ' questions but concerns a variety of services,
such as : publications ( periodic bulletins, press articles,
specialized dossiers, etc .); cooperation partner search ;
information observatories, assistance with participation in
Community projects and programmes, the organization of
seminars, meetings and training ; promoting Community
instruments .

For each of the EICs, the Community 's direct contribution is
ECU 20 000 per year . Added to this there is an indirect
contribution which covers the provision of information,
documentation, training, technical backup and promotion
and amounts to an annual average of ECU 33 000 per EIC .
These two contributions represent only a small proportion

( about 25 % ) of the total cost of operating an EIC, which is
the responsibility of the host organization, i.e. chamber of
commerce or trade association .

Is it true that not all the Union Member States have been

informed of the areas and products of Spain which have a
designation of origin, despite the fact that the Spanish
Government issued the relevant lists for publication and
distribution two years ago ?

If this is true, what are the reasons for this situation ?

If the above is true, who is responsible ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1995 )

Regulation ( EEC ) No 2081 / 92 on the protection of
geographical indications and designations for agricultural
products and foodstuffs (') enabled Member States to notify
the Commission of protected or traditional national
designations so they could be registered by the
Community .

The Regulation met with a very high response from the
Member States, which sent in 1 400 such designations by
January 1994 . However, the registration procedure
stipulated in the Regulation includes a check to see whether
a given designation complies with Community rules . This
meant that from September 1994 onwards, more
information had to be requested from the Member States to
prevent the vast majority of designations being rejected out
of hand, with the enormous damage this would have done
to the interests of the relevant European producers .

The extra information did not start coming in to the
Commission until February 1995 and some has still not
arrived . That which had been received was looked at by the
Commission, which in September sent the committee set up
to regulate geographical indications and designations of
origin a draft Regulation listing those designations which it
felt complied with Regulation ( EEC ) No 2081 / 92 .

No C 79 / 60 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 96

The committee, which includes representatives from all by Mr Teverson and Mr Gasoliba i Bohm respectively
the Member States, has continued its discussions at twice ­ during question time at Parliament 's October I part ­
monthly meetings . It is due to give its opinion soon . session ( ! ) and to Written Question P-2782 / 95 by Mrs

Groner ( 2 ).
(') OJ No L 208, 24 . 7 . 1992 .

(') Parliament's Debates ( October 1995 ).

( 2 ) OJ No C 40, 12 . 2 . 1996 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3286 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 December 1995 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3315 / 95

( 96 / C 79 / 112 ) by Frank Vanhecke ( NI )

to the Commission

(9 December 1995 )

Subject : Commission competence to deal with racism and

xenophobia ( 96 / C 79 / 114 )

xenophobia

Does the Commission now accept that it has partial
competence in this area ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1996 )

The Commission draws the Honourable Member 's

attention to its recent communication on racism,
xenophobia and antisemitism ( I ), in particular its chapter
on the question of legislation at European level .

(') COM(95 ) 653 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3290 / 95

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 December 1995 )

96 / C 79 / 113 )

Subject : Discrimination against the Dutch language by the

services of the European Commission

On 13 October 1995 a meeting of the working party on
politics of the Joint Committee on Postal Services was held
at the Commission ( Directorate-General V ) in Brussels .

As usual, the Dutch-speaking participants found that no
Dutch-language interpreters were present .

There have been repeated complaints, both from the
participants themselves and in the form of parliamentary
questions, about the lack of Dutch interpreting at meetings
of the Joint Committee on Postal Services in the past, so that
one must assume that this state of affairs can no longer be
accidental but that the Commission deliberately wishes to
treat Dutch as a second-rate language .

Why is the Commission persisting in its refusal to provide
Dutch interpretation ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Brussels II European School ( Woluwe )

( 17 January 1996 )
In view of the numerous complaints from the parents of
children at the Brussels II European School ( Woluwe )
regarding the lack of safety and of decent working On 13 October 1995, Working Party
conditions owing to overcrowding, could the Commission Services Policy, of the Joint Committee
say whether it intends to intervene and what action it is held its first meeting to draft an opinion
thinking of taking to help solve the structural problems a Directive on common rules for
preventing the school premises from being enlarged ? Community postal services and the

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 1996 )

The Honourable Member is referred to the answers given by
the Commission to oral questions H-668 / 95 and H-669 / 95

On 13 October 1995, Working Party No 1 on Postal
Services Policy, of the Joint Committee on Postal Services,
held its first meeting to draft an opinion on the proposal for
a Directive on common rules for the development of
Community postal services and the improvement of quality
of service ( 1 ) and on the draft notice on the application of the
competition rules to the postal sector and, in particular, on
the assessment of certain State measures relating to postal
services ( 2 ).

Following the discussion at the meeting, a small group drew
up a draft opinion which was approved at the plenary
meeting of the Joint Committee on Postal Services on
21 November 1995 .

18 . 3 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79 / 61

It should be stressed that the proposal for a Directive and the
draft notice referred to above were on the agenda of the
Council on 27 November 1995 and that they are very
important initiatives for both management and labour in the
postal sector .

At the plenary meeting of the Joint Committee on
21 November 1995, where a vote was taken on the draft
opinion, interpretation into Dutch was provided . However,
at the meeting of Working Party No 1 on 13 October 1995,
the 27 participants received interpretation into only five

languages and there was no interpretation into Dutch for the
two Dutch-speaking participants .

The Commission always tries to ensure language coverage at
meetings, particularly when the social partners are present,
commensurate with the real interpreting needs and the
resources available .

(') COM(95 ) 227 .

( 2 ) SEC(95 ) 830 .