Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 350
# Official Journal

Volume 36
### of the European Communities 29 December 1993

Volume 36

29 December 1993

##### Information and Notices

English edition

Notice No

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Contents Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

No 1176 / 92 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission
Subject : New legal and financial framework for Community film societies 1

No 1511 / 92 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Netherlands contribution to EC own resources 1

No 1859 / 92 by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser to the Commission
Subject : Disbanding of DC XXIII 2

No 1973 / 92 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subjcct : Future of small and medium-sized enterprise unit, DC XXIII 2

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1859 / 92 and 1973 / 92 2

No 2238 / 92 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Excessive charges for currency exchange and transfer 2

No 3086 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Infringements by Spain of the directives on public works contracts and public supply
contracts 3

No 3099 / 92 by Mr Wilfried Telkamper to the Commission
Subject : Community Directive on environmental impact assessment — interpretation of
Article 9 3

No 3296 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Adaptation of airports in Community territory for external border controls in the Member
States 4

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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No 19 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Greek social security funds

No 141 / 93 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Safety regulations for children 's pushchairs

No 186 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Consumers and insurance companies

No 287 / 93 by Mr Isidoro Sanchez Garcia to the Commission
Subject : Iberia restructuring plan

No 343 / 93 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : ESF funding for childcare facilities in Ireland

No 525 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Guaranteeing the same level of health and safety protection in all industries and all
occupations in Greece

No 527 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Motor vehicle accidents

No 764 / 93 by Mr Bartho Pronk to the Commission
Subject : Safety of open lorries

No 809 / 93 by Mr Leen van der Waal to the Commission .
Subject : State aid to Air France

No 851 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Research into the health hazards arising from lack of labelling on disposable medical
articles

No 1000 / 93 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Archaeological site in the region of Voula, Attica

No 1015 / 93 by Mr Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Community directive on municipal abattoirs — interpretations wrongly applied with
disastrous consequences for rural areas

No 1028 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate — Compliance with IAEA Safety Series 6

No 1053 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Proposal for the creation of a central body to help shape Community programmes

No 1054 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Eurural and tackling rural problems

No 1055 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Proposal of the Panhellenic Confederation of Unions of Agricultural Cooperatives

( PASEGES ) for the Greek Eurural programme

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1053 / 93 to 1055 / 93

No 1065 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Development of rail services in the Peloponnese

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No 1080 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of software products 12

No 1084 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The need to withdraw antiquated tankers 13

No 1129 / 93 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : Acceptance of the Member States ' currencies in neighbouring countries 13

No 1178 / 93 by Mr Karl von Wogau to the Commission
Subject : Approval of caravans in Italy 14

No 1 1 85 / 93 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Proposed EC directive on furniture safety 14

No 1267 / 93 by Andrea Raggio and Luigi Colajanni to the Commission
Subject : The Italian Government 's attitude to Community regional policy 15

No 1271 / 93 by Mr Karl von Wogau to the Commission
Subject : Licensing of motor vehicles 15

No 1275 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Need for a regulation on the administrative procedure to be observed in Commission
activity 16

No 1276 / 93 by Mr Derek Prag to the Commission
Subject : The European Social Fund - 16

93 / C 350 / 35 No 1281 / 93 by Mr Diego de los Santos López to the Commission

Subject : Exercise of the profession of optician and right of establishment of optical technicians 17

93 / C 350 / 36

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No 1290 / 93 by Mr Karl von Wogau to the Commission
Subject : Fine imposed on crossing the Italian border 17

No 1295 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The financial position of the Patras University Regional Hospital 18

No 1314 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Participation of Mongolia in programmes 18

No 1322 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Measures to prevent the spread of tuberculosis 18

No 1348 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Use of asbestos tiles in Greek bakery ovens 19

No 1363 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation
Subject : The smuggling of nuclear materials and weapons in Croatia 19

No 1372 / 93 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Community support for emigration to Latin American countries 20

No 1704 / 93 by Mr Edward Newman to the Commission
Subject : Emigration from Eastern Europe to Latin America 20

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1372 / 93 and 1704 / 93 20

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 350 / 44 No 1415 / 93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Bosnian refugees 21

93 / C 350 / 45 No 1416 / 93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : European Social fund 21

93 / C 350 / 46 No 1432 / 93 by Mr Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : EC information offices and the Maastricht debate 21

93 / C 350 / 47 No 1441 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Building on Korais Street which should be subject to a conservation order 22

93 / C 350 / 48 No 1462 / 93 by Mr Henry Chabert to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Serious dangers presented by nuclear arms proliferation 22

93 / C 350 / 49 No 1480 / 93 by Mr Marc Galle to the Commission
Subject : Use of noise barriers as a source of electricity 23

93 / C 350 / 50 No 1522 / 93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Minimum tax damaging to self-employed workers in Italy 24

93 / C 350 / 51 No 1535 / 93 by Mr Paul Staes to the Commission
Subject : Public availability of information 24

93 / C 350 / 52 No 1540 / 93 by Mrs Marianne Thyssen to the Commission
Subject : Setting up of an ' advisory committee on the social economy ' 25

93 / C 350 / 53 No 1559 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Transportation of plutonium 26

93 / C 350 / 54 No 1572 / 93 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : School nurses 26

93 / C 350 / 55 No 1582 / 93 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Support for the European Anti-Racist Network 27

93 / C 350 / 56 No 1583 / 93 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Vocational training for the unemployed 28

93 / C 350 / 57 No 1595 / 93 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Council
Subject : Mismanagement of Phare and Tacis programmes 28

93 / C 350 / 58 No 1598 / 93 by Mrs Dorothee Piermont to the Commission
Subject : Subsidies for NGOs promoting human rights — Budget Item A3-3030 29

93 / C 350 / 59 No 1612 / 93 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : European Youth Parliament 29

93 / C 350 / 60 No 1647 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Nuclear non-proliferation policy 29

93 / C 350 / 61 No 1689 / 93 by Mrs Anna Hermans to the Commission
Subject : Advanced vocational training 30

93 / C 350 / 62 E-l 752 / 93 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Council
Subject : Redevelopment programme for deprived areas 30

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

93 / C 350 / 63 E-1801 / 93 by Mrs Christine Crawley to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Rape of women in former Yugoslavia 31

93 / C 350 / 64 E-l 830 / 93 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : EIB global loans to support SMEs 32

93 / C 350 / 65 E-l 848 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Stockpiling of weapons smuggled into occupied Cyprus 32

93 / C 350 / 66 E-l 888 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Bronchial asthma in Greece -, 32

93 / C 350 / 67 E-1953 / 93 by Mr James Ford to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Slaughter of seals in Namibia 33

93 / C 350 / 68 E-1967 / 93 by Mr Ernest Glinne to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Need to activate the Military Staff Committee set up under Articles 26, 46 and 47 of the
UN Charter 33

93 / C 3S0 / 69 E-l 969 / 93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Community aid for NGOs in Chile 33

93 / C 350 / 70 E-1990 / 93 by Mr Filippos Pierros to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Sanctions against Croatia 34

93 / C 350 / 71 E-2016 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Non-proliferation arrangements 34

93 / C 350 / 72 E-2022 / 93 by Mr Filippos Pierros to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Politically motivated murders in Turkey 34

93 / C 350 / 73 E-2032193 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Council
Subject : Campaign against drug abuse — activities of the European Committee for the Campaign
against Drug Abuse 35

93 / C 350 / 74 E-2118 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Unita attack on train 35

93 / C 350 / 75 E-21 19 / 93 by Mr Juan Ramirez Heredia to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Reactions of the Trevi Group in Copenhagen and Kolding to racist violence 36

93 / C 350 / 76 E-2157 / 93 by Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Reintroduction of the death penalty in Peru 36

93 / C 350 / 77 E-21 94 / 93 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to European Political Cooperation
Subject : The Middle Eastern peace process 37

93 / C 350 / 78 E-2209 / 93 by Mr Ernest Glinne to European Political Cooperation
Subject : The need to outlaw the practice of excision or infibulation of persons of the female sex
within the territory of the Community 37

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) P age

93 / C 350 / 79 E-2226 / 93 by Mr Antonio Capucho and Mr Jan Bertens to European Political
Cooperation
Subject : Middle East peace negotations 38

93 / C 350 / 80 E-2235 / 93 by Mr David Morris to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union 39

93 / C 350 / 81 E-2261 / 93 by Mr Filippos Pierros to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Release by Iran of an Israeli prisoner 39

93 / C 350 / 82 E-2342 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Council
Subject : Commission proposal for a directive on data protection 40

93 / C 350 / 83 E-2378 / 93 by Mr Stephen Hughes to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Export of land mines 40

93 / C 350 / 84 E-2389 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Violation by Greek companies ( Evroil Abee and Mamidol -J « toil ) of the UN embargo on
Bosnia 40

93 / C 350 / 85 E-2456 / 93 by Mr Claude Desama to the Council
Subject : Continuing obstructions at the Community 's internal land frontier 41

93 / C 350 / 86 E-2481 / 93 by Mr Luigi Vertemati to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Growth of terrorism 41

93 / C 350 / 87 E-2506 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Radiation from missiles used to attack Iraq 42

93 / C 350 / 88 E-2539 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Greece to comply with internal market rules on movement of Community
goods 42

93 / C 350 / 89 E-2575 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Council
Subject : Uniform principles for the assessment of plant protection products 43

93 / C 350 / 90 E-2 655 / 93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to European Political Cooperation
Subject : European mediator for Somalia 43

93 / C 350 / 91 E-2691 / 93 by Mr James Ford to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Violation of human rights of the Baha'i community in Iran 44

93 / C 350 / 92 E-2746 / 93 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Release of the leader of the Albanian Socialist Party 44

( Continued on inside back cover )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 350 / 93 E-2755 / 93 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Council
Subject : Directive on dual-use products 45

93 / C 350 / 94 E-2795 / 93 by Mr Winifred Ewing to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Israeli prisoner of war Ron Arad 45

93 / C 350 / 95 No 2841 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Council
Subject : Integration of environmental concerns in urban planning 45

93 / C 350 / 96 E-2997 / 93 by Mr James Elles, Mr Otto Habsburg, Mr Fernand Herman and Mrs Ria
Oomen-Ruijten to the Council
Subject : Relations between the EC, Eastern Europe and the CIS 46

93 / C 350 / 97 E-3 170 / 93 by Mr Bouke Beumer to the Council
Subject : Commission 's strategic programme on reinforcing the effectiveness of the Internal
Market 48

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 1

I

( Information )

###### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1176 / 92

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( IS May 1992 )

( 93 / C 350 / 01 )

Subject : New legal and financial framework for
Community film societies

In recent conferences held by various European Community
film societies, mention has been made of the statement by
the Assembly of film society federations stressing the need to
create a new framework to facilitate, both legally and
financially, the distribution throughout the Community
Member States of films of cultural interest which have not

been put on general release since they were made .

The statement also pointed out that a new line of work has
begun for European film societies, namely, setting up a
specific programme for the promotion and dissemination of
films as vehicles of culture .

Given the importance of films in the European cultural
environment and the new ambitions of film societies, does
the Commission not consider that it should respond to the
wishes of such associations and promote a new legal and
financial framework to facilitate the distribution amongst
the EC Member States of films which enhance the cultural

dimension of the cinema ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 1993 )

The Commission was not previously aware of the
statements referred to by the Honourable Member .

The Commission does however agree with the Honourable
Member 's views on the need to facilitate the movement of
films produced by Member States, especially those of
cultural interest .

The Commission already facilitates the movement of films
through the MEDIA programme, and in particular the
EFDO projects ( distribution ), EURO-AIM ( promotion of
independent production and distribution ) and the MEDIA
Theatres project ( promotion of European films in the
cinema ).

The Commission also promotes European cultural
productions, particularly the work of young artists, by
giving financial backing to film festivals in individual
Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1511 / 92

by Mr Gijs de Vries ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 350 / 02 )

Subject : Netherlands contribution to EC own resources

According to the Netherlands Central Statistical Office, the
Netherlands gross domestic product in 1987 was not Fl
430,2 billion as was previously supposed, but Fl 440,6
billion . For 1988 and 1989 the difference should be slightly
smaller, at about Fl 8 to 9 billion ( see NRC Handelsblad,
8 May 1992 ).

On the basis of this new calculation of its GDP, how much
more should the Netherlands contribute to the EC

budget ?

No C 350 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 29, 12 . 93

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 1993 )

Under Article 10 ( 8 ) of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1552 / 89 C )
the Commission informs the Member States of any
adjustments to their GNP balances so that they can enter
them in the account opened in the name of the Commission
with their Treasury on the first working day of December of
the same year . After 30 September of the fourth year
following a given financial year, any changes to GNP are no
longer taken into account, except on points previously
notified either by the Commission or by the Member
State .

With the exception of ad hoc financial contributions
relating to earlier financial years, GNP has only been taken
into account in drawing up the budget from 1988 . The most
recent figures supplied by Eurostat in November 1992 —
GNP for the Netherlands of F1 453 910 million in 1988 and

F1 484 470 million in 1989 — were taken into account by
the Commission at the applicable rates of 0,1442 and
0,0675 % respectively for the calculation of the balances
referred to in the above Regulation .

0 ) OJ No L 155, 7 . 5 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1859 / 92

by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 350 / 03 )

Subject : Disbanding of DG XXIII

Since 1989, DG XXIII, continuing where the Task Force left
off, has been pursuing the policy on behalf of small firms
and traders initiated by the European Parliament and has
done a good deal of useful work on their behalf, as well as
examining all directives for their effects on this sector, as
called for by Parliament .

In view of the importance of small firms and traders as the
backbone of social policy in the integration of Europe and
the growing threat from the increasing number of mergers
between large international undertakings, the work of DG
XXIII is of the greatest value in the preservation and
progress of this sector .

It is true that the Commission is thinking of disbanding DG
XXIII, which has fully proved its worth, and incorporating
it into DG III and is the Commission planning to inform or
consult Parliament on this measure ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1973 / 92

by Mr Christopher Jackson ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 350 / 04 )

Subject : Future of small and medium-sized enterprise unit,

DG XXIII

Could the Commission please confirm or deny recent
rumours that the SME unit, along with DG XXIII, is to be
dissolved ? Could the Commission also outline its future

proposals for the support of SMEs within the
Community ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 1859 / 92 and 1973 / 92

given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

The Honourable Members are requested to refer to the
Commission 's answers to oral questions H-751 / 92,
H-760 / 92 and H-834 / 92, put by Mr Kellett-Bowman, Mrs
Nielsen and Mr Speciale respectively, at question time
during the European Parliament 's September 1992
part-session and to question H-865 / 92 put by Mrs
Braun-Moser at question time during the European
Parliament 's November 1992 part-session .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2238 / 92

by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 350 / 05 )

Subject : Excessive charges for currency exchange and

transfer

In view of the fact that voluntary codes of conduct have
clearly had no effect on the exploitation by banks and other
institutions of the needs of tourists, businesses and migrant
workers to exchange or transfer money across borders,
what steps does the Commission intend to take to end the
scandal of their profiteering ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

In March 1992 the Commission published a working
document that envisages a series of measures for facilitating
cross-border payments (*).

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 3

As regards the improvement in the performance of
cross-border payment systems sought by the Honourable
Member, the Commission worked with the associations
representing almost all credit institutions in the Community
to produce a set of guidelines aimed at better customer
information on such transactions . The guidelines are
printed in an annex to the working document . Banks have
been applying these guidelines since 1 January 1993 ; the
Commission feels that clear and precise information of the
kind called for by the guidelines will enable customers to
make a more fully informed choice between the different
services available, and between different banks, and will
thus lead to an overall improvement in the services
provided .

The Commission is closely monitoring the application of the
guidelines by banks and has launched a study that is to look
further into the question of transparency in cross-border
remote payment services .

As regards currency-exchange transactions, the
Commission is currently consulting with a working party of
national experts to establish what further measures might be
taken in respect of bureaux de change . Within the same
working party, the Commission has forcefully encouraged
the introduction of complaints procedures that would be
open to customers in any dispute arising out of cross-border
payment services . The Commission estimates that by the end
of 1993 complaints bodies will be working or commencing
operations in all Member States . These measures are
likewise described in the working document of March

1992 .

(M SEC(92 ) 621 final .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 September 1993 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
the 10th annual report on the monitoring of the application
of Community law ( 1 ), and in particular Annex 4 ( pages 246
and 263 ).

(') COM(93 ) 320 final — OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3099 / 92

by Mr Wilfried Telkamper ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 93 / C 350 / 07

Subject : Community Directive on environmental impact

assessment — interpretation of Article 9

Article 9 of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (*) environmental impact
assessment stipulates that :

' When a decision has been taken, the competent
authority or authorities shall inform the public
concerned of :

— the content of the decision and any conditions

attached thereto,

      - — the reasons and considerations on which the decision

is based where the Member States ' legislation so
provides .'

Does the Commission take the view that, where a decision is
taken not to carry out an environmental impact assessment
for a particular project, this decision must also be made
public pursuant to Article 9 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3086 / 92 (») OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p. 40 .

by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 93 / C 350 / 06 )

Subject : Infringements by Spain of the directives on public

works contracts and public supply contracts

What are the main infringements committed by Spain in
connection with the directives on public works contracts
and public supply contracts ( Directive 71 / 305 / EEC (*) and
Directive 77 / 62 / EEC ( 2 ))?

H OJ No L 185, 16 . 8 . 1971, p . 5 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 13, 15 . 1 . 1977, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 July 1993 )

Article 9 of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC does not require the
Member States to adopt a decision when they consider that a
project covered by Annex II does not need to be made
subject to an environmental impact assessment, but simply
makes reference to the provision of information on the
granting of development consent by the competent
authorities, the detailed arrangements for such information
being determined by the Member States .

However, under the terms of Directive 90 / 313 / EEC on the
freedom of access to information on the environment ( J ),

No C 350 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12, 93

any interested person may request information from the
competent authorities in the Member States concerning the
choices they have made as to whether or not a project
covered by Annex II should be made subject to an

assessment .

(!) OJ No L 158, 23 . 6 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3296 / 92

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January ' 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 08

Subject : Adaptation of airports in Community territory for

external border controls in the Member States

The impending entry into force of Community provisions
on freedom of movement of persons will increase the
mobility of Member State nationals within the European
Community as one result of the single internal market and
suitable facilities should accordingly be provided . At the
same time the main Community airports should be adapted
without delay to meet external control requirements in
respect of third country citizens who want to enter the
territory of the Member States .

However, in certain cases, the adaptation of control
facilities in the main airports for entry into the European
Community is causing difficulties which apparently cannot
be completely resolved by 1993 .

Does the Commission have any reports specifying the
present situation concerning control facilities in the main
airports for entry into the European Community, in order to
ensure adequate checks on third country nationals wishing
to enter the Member States ? If certain airports do not yet
have the necessary control facilities what interim measures
does the Commission propose ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

With regard to the adaptation of airport infrastructures
following implementation of the rules on the elimination of
baggage controls and formalities ( Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3925 / 91 ) ( 1 ), the Commission has received a certain
amount of information indicating that these measures have,
generally speaking, been applied in a harmonious

manner .

In accordance with the rules, Member States have taken the
most appropriate steps to ensure the free movement of

baggage in the case of persons on an intra-Community flight
while, at the same time, avoiding the upheavals that might
have resulted for airport infrastructures from any
misapplication of those rules .

Since the task of adapting infrastructures and / or
administrative procedures at airports so as to permit the
elimination of controls on passengers taking
intra-Community flights is more demanding, it could not be
completed by 1 January 1993 .

Although the Commission does not possess a detailed report
on the progress in adapting infrastructures at all airports,
the work of the Schengen Group indicates that, at all but a
very few of the airports concerned, the work will be
completed by 1 December 1993 at the latest . By that date,
controls on persons taking intra-Schengen flights will have
to be dismantled . At those few airports in the Schengen area
where the infrastructure work will not be completed by that
date, a mixed transitional arrangement ( partial adaptation
of infrastructures and administrative measures ) will allow
controls on individuals to be discontinued .

(!) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 19 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 09 )

Subject : Greek social security funds

Social security funds in Greece are calling for independence
with regard to the investment of capital . More specifically,
they wish for an end to government influence in their
administration and to restrictions on the use they are
allowed to make of their funds . The bill being proposed by
the Greek Government, to be put to the vote in Parliament,
contains the following provisions :

1 . The authorization by the Minister responsible and the

Currency Committee of the Greek Central Bank shall
have to be obtained if social security funds wish to
purchase shares in unit trusts ;

2 . Investments by social security funds in unit trusts may
not exceed 20 % of the liquid assets of these funds ;

3 . The provisions of Law 1969 / 91 giving social security

funds the right to invest their assets in unit trusts as they
wish shall be abolished .

Will the Commission take any initiative in this respect ?

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 5

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 1993 )

Independence in the management and investment of social
security funds in Greece is an entirely domestic matter over
which the Community has no jurisdiction whatsoever .

The Commission 's proposal on institutions for retirement
provision ( l ), currently being discussed by the Council, on
which the European Parliament issued an opinion on first
reading on 18 November 1992, is concerned with the
freedom of management and investment of funds across
national boundaries .

In keeping with this principle, the proposal deliberately
excludes from its scope institutions for retirement provision
which are part of social security schemes and offer basic
benefits .

The Council is currently examining the situation in the
Member States to identify clearly the institutions for
retirement provision which should be excluded from its
scope without the need for explicit reference to specific
annexes of Regulations ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 ( 2 ) or ( EEC )
No 57 4 / 72 ( 3 ). It was basically the same concern which
prompted amendment No 27 adopted at the first reading of
the proposal at the European Parliament .

(!) COM(91 ) 301 final .

( 2 ) OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 74, 27 . 3 . 1972 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 141 / 93

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 10 )

Subject : Safety regulations for children 's pushchairs

Why are the proposed new standards for the safety of
children 's pushchairs Community-wide lower than those in
the UK ? Is this not an example of the danger of ' levelling
down '?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 1993 )

According to information obtained by the Commission,
standards relating to children 's pushchairs, currently in

preparation under CEN / TC 252 / WG 3, would not offer a
lower level of safety than that provided for in the United
Kingdom . Neither has the participating United Kingdom
committee made any such comments or observations .

It should also be remembered that the abovementioned

standards have not been drawn up at the Commission 's

request .

In principle, a standardization remit should be issued once
the proposal for a Directive relating to children 's articles has
been drawn up . From that time on, the CEN standards to
which reference will be made will have to be in accordance

with the provisions of that Directive, taking as a basis the
' high level of protection ' laid down in Article 100a of the
EEC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 186 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 February 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 11

Subject : Consumers and insurance companies

Given that there is no effective protection for consumers
against insurance companies subsidizing the cost of their
business policy with profits from consumers ' personal
policies, what action will the Commission take to protect
European citizens ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1993 )

The question raised by the Honourable Member concerns
the commercial policy of insurance undertakings . Under the
EEC Treaty, insurance undertakings are free to decide what
commercial strategy to pursue . When determining their
products and their premiums, they take into consideration
the competition which exists between the various markets,
as well as the principles of the insurance business . Such
competition relates not only to premiums, but also to the
guarantees provided by the insurer in his policy and the
service he offers throughout its life and its performance .

The application, with effect from 1 July 1994, of the third
Directive on the coordination of insurance, which completes
the single market in this sector, will result in keener
competition between insurance undertakings and a wider
choice of insurance products, which will be available to all

No C 350 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

those seeking insurance in the Community . As the frontiers

between Member States come down and the separate
national markets open up, insurers will be free to do
business throughout the Community, with a single
authorization and under the control of their home Member
State . Customers will thus have access to the whole range of
policies existing in the Community, including those
marketed in other Member States, and will be able to choose
those which correspond to their needs .

An insurance undertaking 's commercial strategy must in
any event comply with the rules of its home Member State
with regard to financial and prudential supervision and
must not imperil its financial position . The Directives
adopted in the field of insurance, which have coordinated
the national provisions relating to prudential control and
insurance conditions, require the financial position of
insurance undertakings to be adequate to guarantee the
protection of policyholders .

It is difficult to imagine that an insurance undertaking could
maintain a policy of financing its loss-making activities in
the industrial risks sector by charging excessive premiums
for consumer insurance . Through the competition
mechanism, an insurance business acting in this way would
rapidly lose consumer risk business to other undertakings,
which are often specialist ones, charging more competitive
premiums . The increase in competition between insurers as
a result of the completion of the single market will make any
such practice even more difficult .

The Commission considers that harmonization at

Community level in this area is not necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 287 / 93

by Mr Isidoro Sánchez García ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 1 2

s

Subject : Iberia restructuring plan

The Spanish Government has submitted a plan to the
Commission for the overall restructuring of Iberia for

1992 — 1996 . The plan aims to make the company viable
again and provides for an increase in capital of Ptas 120
billion, which requires Community authorization .

What is the substance of this plan and what are the

Commission 's conditions for approving it ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The aid in favour of Iberia, which formed part of a strategic
programme aimed at restructuring the airline, has benefitted
from an exemption under Article 92 ( C ) of the EC Treaty in
the light of assurance given by the Spanish government that
the aid will be the last capital injection from public funds for
the duration of the programme, the money will be used only
for the purposes of the plan, a nationality clause embodied
in Iberia 's statute will be deleted and, ( according to the
Third Package ), prices will also be cost-related in the
Spanish domestic market . As regards the contents of the
strategic plan the Commission is forwarding to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the

Parliament a copy of its decision in which the relevant points
of the plan are specifically addressed .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 343 / 93

by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 13

Subject : ESF funding for childcare facilities in Ireland

Could the Commission inform me how many projects for
funding under the NOW programme in Ireland have been
concerned with the better provision of childcare facilities ?
Does the Commission have experience of reluctance on the
part of the Irish authorities, in particular FAS, to forward
childcare projects to Brussels because of the increased unit
costs of training involved ? Does the Commission have any
plans in the future to promote the provision of childcare
facilities under existing ESF funding programmes, in
particular the NOW initiative, especially in Objective 1
regions like Ireland ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 June 1993 )

In December 1991 the Commission, approved the
operational programmes for Ireland under the NOW
initiative, amounting to a total of ECU 4 million, of which
ECU 3 674 196 was from the European Social Fund ( ESF )
and ECU 325 804 from the European Regional
Development Fund ( ERDF ). All the projects implemented
under these programmes are for childcare measures
financed by the ERDF in order to support women 's access to
training .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 7

The selection of projects falls within the field of competence
of the Member States . However, the Commission can state
that 17 projects have been approved by the Irish authorities
in an initial phase, and that other projects are in the course
of being approved under the additional budget allocated to
NOW in June 1992 ( ECU 1,8 million for Ireland ). Among
the projects presented, six are directly concerned with
childcare measures and the establishment of creches, and
two have been developed by the vocational training
organization FAS .

Under the third medium-term Community Action
Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men
( 1991 — 1995 ), the Commission supports a Network on
Childcare and other measures to reconcile working and
family life .

Within this framework, a working group on the Structural
Funds and Rural Areas was set up in December 1990 . The
main purpose of the Working Group was to identify the
contribution of childcare services to the objectives of the

Structural Funds, and to examine how the Structural Funds,
in turn, may be utilized in the service of developing childcare
provision particularly in non-advantaged areas including
rural regions . A report was produced on the activities of this
group in 1992, with conclusions and recommendations for
future action . These recommendations are under

consideration by the Commission in the context of the
current review of the Structural Fund Regulations .

The exact form of future Structural Fund operations has not
yet been finalized ; however, new experience gathered under
NOW will be taken into account in drawing up future ESF
policy .

Can the Commission state when the Greek authorities will

bring Greek legislation into line with these directives on the
health and safety of workers employed in all branches of
industry and in all occupations ? When does the Commission
intend to ask the Greek government to legislate and
introduce appropriate preventive measures and effective
inspection of safety conditions at the workplace ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

Greece has not informed the Commission of its national

measures for the implementation of the directives on the
protection of the health and safety of workers, which
entered into force on 1 January 1993 . The Commission has
therefore started the procedure provided for in Article 169
of the EEC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 527 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 15

Subject : Motor vehicle accidents

In view of the alarming increase in road accident deaths and
injuries throughout the Community, could the Commission
have a programme drawn up for instruction in the correct
use of means of transport, the Highway Code, driving, and
the risks arising from the immoderate consumption of
WRITTEN QUESTION No 525 / 93 drink, the use of drugs or narcotics, fatigue, etc ?

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 March 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Matutes
93 / C 350 / 14

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Guaranteeing the same level of health and safety

protection in all industries and all occupations in
Greece

In order to guarantee the same level of protection of safety
and health in all industries and all occupations, the
Commission has proposed a full package of appropriate
legislation, most of which has already been adopted in the
form of Council directives . However, according to trade
unions sources, these directives laying down minimum
health and safety requirements for all workers in the
Community have yet to be implemented by the Greek
authorities .

( 11 October 1993 )

The present rate of road accidents in the Community is
devastating .

Following a request from the Council formulated in a
resolution of 21 June 1991 the Commission adopted a
communication on a road safety action programme ( ] )
which is due to be presented to the Council shortly .

Implementation of the programme, which will back up the
constant efforts of the Member States to combat the lack of

safety on their own roads, should result in a drop in the
number of road accidents in the Community as a whole .

No C 350 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

The above communication tackles the question of road
safety training and sets out those fields in which the
Commission plans to take priority action .

Although this area of activity comes primarily under
national, regional or local jurisdiction, the Commission
could play a useful role, fully in accordance with the
principle of subsidiarity, by contributing towards and
supporting road safety training, for instance by gathering
and presenting all the pertinent information on experience
gained throughout the Community . This would be a major
contribution and would cost less than the separate efforts of
each individual Member State .

(M COM ( 93 ) 246 final .

Application of these general rules is left to the competent
enforcement authorities e.g. the police .

The Commission is not aware of studies or research into the

road safety risks involved .

Bearing in mind that most of these products are transported
locally, and that the current legal situation in Member States
leaves responsibility to enforcement authorities, the
Commission sees no need for action at Community level in
this field .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 809 / 93

by Mr Leen van der Waal ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 April 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 764 / 93 ( 93 / C 350 / 17 )

by Mr Bartho Pronk ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 April 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 16 )

Subject : Safety of open lorries

1 . Can the Commission say what safety requirements are
imposed by the Member States on lorries carrying
unprotected loads ( for example stones, waste, sand, gravel )
in open containers ?

2 . Has any research been carried out into the dangers of
the transport of such substances for traffic safety and the
risks of the load or parts of it being tipped out of the lorry
onto the road or other road-users ?

3 . If so, what conclusions were drawn, and what
measures will the Commission take ?

4 . If not, is the Commission prepared to have the matter
investigated and, depending on the conclusions drawn, take
suitable measures ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 September 1993 )

Secure containment of products like gravel and sand
transported in open lorries is in most Member States
regulated by general rules on safety, which in some cases are
complemented by extensive codes of practice .

Subject : State aid to Air France

Last year the Banque Nationale de Paris ( the French national
bank ) provided a convertible bond issue of FF 1,25 billion .
According to the report by the Commission to the Council
of the European Parliament of 30 March 1992 it appears
that the Commission has been investigating the matter for
some time .

Can the Commission say what is the outcome of its
investigations and what arguments have justified its
decision ?

(M SEC(92 ) 431 final .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

The Commission decided in July 1992 that the subscription
by Banque Nationale de Paris to FF 1,25 billion of bonds
redeemable into shares ( ORA ) of Air France is not an aid
under Article 92 of the EC Treaty .

During the course of its examination the Commission
considered that on the basis of the Court of Justice 's case law
and in particular the so-called market economy investor
principle that it would not have been unreasonable for a
private investor at that time ( end 1991 ), to enter into such a
financial transaction with Air France, and that therefore no
State aid was involved .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 9

WRITTEN QUESTION No 851 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 April 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 18 )

Subject : Research into the health hazards arising from lack

of labelling on disposable medical articles

Having regard to the provisions on public health and
consumer protection contained in Titles X and XI of the
Treaty on European Union and the fact that there is as yet no
Community legislation stipulating that labelling should
contain data concerning the chemical composition and fibre
content, instructions for safe disposal and standardized
absorption capacities of disposable medical articles, will the
Commission look into this matter and — in conformity with
its obligation under Article 100 A of the Treaty of Rome to
promote a high level of protection for health, safety, the
environment and consumers — finance research into the

health hazards arising from the lack of labelling ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Commission is not aware of any particular problems
resulting from a lack of labelling on these articles . In the
absence of medical data on the precise nature of these
hazards to the health of users, or to the public in the case of
the disposal of these articles, it does not appeare advisable to
conduct a study of this matter .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1000 / 93

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 May 1993 )

deme of Alai Aixonai . It is a unique discovery in that the site
comprises an entire urban community ( houses, public
buildings, temples, irrigation and sewage systems etc .), a
large part of which falls within what is now block No 153 of
contemporary Voula ( an area of 0,8— 0,9 hectares ).
Recently planning permission was given to build apartment
blocks on the site, despite initial protests from
archaeologists and various organizations concerned .
Protests by local residents have brought the matter to the
attention of the Council of State which is to deliberate in the

near future . Building apartment blocks on this site clearly
raises various serious legal and other problems in Greece but
it also raises social policy issues, since substantial funds are
being provided under the Delors II package for development
and economic, environmental and cultural improvements in
Attica which is being destroyed by decisions such as the one
to concrete over such an important historical site .

Would the Commission therefore say :

1 . whether such a building policy is consistent with the
spirit of the policy set out in the Maastricht Treaty 's new
provisions on culture and the objectives of the Cohesion
Fund which is to finance projects to repair similar
damage made in the past, including Attica .

2 . whether it intends to ask the Greek Government for an

explanation, and

3 . whether it might help to set up an archaeological park in

the area, partly using the Community funds earmarked
for projects in Attica ?

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1993 )

The Commission currently has no power to take initiatives
of the kind advocated by the Honourable Member .

93 / C 350 / 19 In general terms, however, it might consider the possibility
of Community financial support for projects to set up
archaeological parks if the appropriate national authorities
asked it to do so in accordance with the usual
Subject : Archaeological site in the region of Voula, procedures .
Attica

During the 70s, archaeological digs in the area of Voula

( Athens ) unearthed some important remains of the ancient

No C 350 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1015 / 93

by Mr Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 20

Subject : Community directive on municipal abattoirs —

interpretations wrongly applied with disastrous
consequences for rural areas

Community legislation which in the interests of hygiene
raised from 600 to 1 000 the minimum number of livestock

units that have to be slaughtered annually for municipal
slaughterhouses to remain approved, has given rise to
various interpretations, with adverse effects on the economy
of many rural areas in southern Italy already threatened by
desertification .

1 . Is the Commission aware of the adverse and disastrous

effects on rural areas of southern Italy arising from
differing interpretations of the concept of ' small
slaughterhouse ' by the regions concerned ?

2 . What compensation does the Commission propose to

pay to those who have lost their jobs in slaughterhouses
and to breeders who are forced to sell off their

stock ?

3 . Does the Commission not consider that it should

allocate suitable funds for local authorities wishing to
adapt their facilities to the new health standards in order
to meet the requirements of Community legislation ?

4 . Does the Commission not consider that, in order to
avoid the closure of slaughterhouses which do not
satisfy the 1 000 units requirement, it should not only
provide funds to enable them to continue in business but
also extend the period for adjustment to Community
provisions from two to five years ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 1993 )

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the
Commission 's answer to Written Question No 2474 / 92 by
Lord O'Hagan ( 1 ).

The attention of the Commission has been drawn to certain
problems of small slaughterhouses in several Member
States . In consequence, the limitation for the output of the
small establishments according to Article 4 of the fresh meat
Directive was raised by Council Directive 92 / 120 / EEC ( 2 ) to
20 livestock units per week with a maximum of 1 000
livestock units per year until 31 December 1994 .

In order to get a comprehensive overview on the problems in
small establishments the Commission has decided to make
on-the-spot visits in the Member States .

On the basis of these visits the Commission will consider the
need for new proposals on the subject in the near future in
order to find a permanent solution for the existing problems
in small establishments .

Beside the existing Commission provisions for assisting
through FEOGA and specific regional programmes, the
Commission does not envisage specific financial measures in
this case .

(') OJ No C 141, 10 . 5 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 62, 15 . 3 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1028 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 May 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 21

Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate —
Compliance with IAEA Safety Series 6

Is the Commission aware that the present flask construction
and shielding would result in rupture of the flask within
around three hours of fire engulfment as specified by the
IAEA, and that the International Maritime Organization
has acknowledged that, typically, ship fires are of
significantly elevated temperature and of much longer
duration ( 20 to 25 hours ), considerably in excess of the 30
minute engulfment period specified by the IAEA ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

The Commission participates with the Member States in the
joint meetings between the IAEA and the International
Maritime Organization ( IMO ).

During the second joint meeting ( x ) on the Safe Carriage of
Irradiated Nuclear Fuel ( INF ) by sea, the IAEA fire test
specifications were under scrutiny on the basis of the latest
information on accident environment, accident statistics
and risk studies . The conclusion of the plenary of the joint
working group IAEA / IMO was that no information
challenging the adequacy of the IAEA thermal test had been
provided by the Member States or anti-nuclear groups . On
the contrary, there, are many studies which have concluded

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 11

that the IAEA fire test is adequate for the wide range of
environments to which a flask may be exposed in a severe
accident .

(*) Vienna 26 —30 April 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1053 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

development concerns not only agriculture but also local
craft industries, tourism, other services, health, education,
culture, environmental pollution, infrastructure projects
etc ., will the Commission create a partnership between
those who have a role to play in the countryside, which is an
essential condition for identifying, classifying and tackling
rural problems and determining the development choices to
be made ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1055 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 May 1993 )

(6 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 24
( 93 / C 350 / 22 )

Subject : Proposal for the creation of a central body to help

shape Community programmes

Representatives of agricultural cooperatives and local
government bodies propose setting up a network for
exchanging experiences, know-how and ideas and for
communication . This network would, through a central
body, help to shape Community rural programmes . In other
words, they propose the creation of a mechanism for
providing essential information, guidance and technical
assistance when setting up and evaluating programmes and
monitoring their implementation .

Does the Commission consider the creation of the

abovementioned coordinating body to be necessary and can
it describe in outline its basic principles ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1054 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 23 )

Subject : Eurural and tackling rural problems

Eurural is a grass-roots institution ; it is an initiative of trade
union, social and professional organizations in the
agricultural sector operating at Community level and is
intended to improve the organization and coordination of
attempts to develop the rural areas in Europe . In other
words, it seeks to bridge the gap between the rural areas and
the EC 's centres of decision-making .

Bearing in mind that economic and social activities in rural
areas are becoming increasingly diversified and that rural

Subject : Proposal of the Panhellenic Confederation of

Unions of Agricultural Cooperatives ( PASEGES )
for the Greek Eurural programme

Bearing in mind the need for the Greek Eurural programme
to provide essential services for the organization and
coordination of measures to develop the Greek countryside,
will the Commission support PASEGES ' offer to set up the
central coordinating body of the Greek Eurural programme,
and will it provide assistance for this purpose ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 1053 / 93 to 1055 / 93

given by Mr Steichen
on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the PASEGES and Eurural

initiative aimed at strengthening partnership and
information activities in agricultural and rural areas of
Greece .

However, as regards the problems of agricultural
information, the Commission must stress that the opening
of information and rural development centres in Greece is a
response to a need for information about Community
policies and programmes of interest to rural society in one
particular Member State .

One of these centres ( in Thessaloniki ) has been created at the
Agricultural and Industrial Institute, the other two ( in Egion
and Ioannina ) at agricultural cooperatives linked to
PASEGES .

The three Greek centres, like those set up in the other
Member States, are part of a Community network
established by the Commission which currently consists of
23 ^ information and rural development centres .

No C 350 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

As regards the suggestion that a central partnership
organization might be created, the Commission would recall
that Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2052 / 88 on the tasks of
the Structural Funds ( ] ) provides for close cooperation
between the Commission and the competent national
authorities in the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of
Community programmes . However, it is for the Member
States to designate the most appropriate partnership
organizations at national, regional, local or other level with
a view to establishing such cooperation with the
Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1065 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1080 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 10 May 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 26

Subject : Protection of software products

Unlawful copying of computer programmes is very big
business and the pirating of computer products has also hit
Europe . In view of this, will the Commission say whether
Community mechanisms will be introduced in the
immediate future to protect software products ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1993 ) (6 October 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 25

Subject : Development of rail services in the Peloponnese

In his answer to my Written Question No 2772 / 92 ( 1 ) on the
development of rail services in the Peloponnese, Mr Matutes
provides information on lines which will be opened in the
region on the basis of proposals drawn up by the Greek
Government . Will Mr Matutes name the new railway lines
to be constructed with the assistance of the Cohesion Fund,
apart from the Corinth — Patras line ?

(M OJ No C 106, 16 . 3 . 1993, p. 23 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 September 1993 )

The Cohesion Fund can provide financing for railway
projects, whether the construction of pew lines or the
upgrading of existing lines .

The selection of projects to be proposed for financing rests
with the authorities of the Member States concerned .

On 14 May 1991 the Council adopted Directive
91 / 250 / EEC (*) on the legal protection of computer

programs .

The Directive sets out to encourage the development of
computer programs and the computer industry in Europe
while protecting authors . It strengthens and standardizes
existing protection and, in that respect, constitutes an
important legal instrument in combating piracy . It is vital
that the creative capacity of firms is not diminished as a
result of non-authorized copying of their products .

The Directive protects software as literary works within the
meaning of the Berne Convention . Software can be
protected only if it is original . However, in order to extend
protection to the maximum number of software products,
the required degree of originality is limited . An original
program must be ' the author 's own intellectual creation '.

The Directive confers on the rightholder an exclusive right
to reproduce, translate, adapt and arrange the program . Any
form of distribution to the public is also restricted to the
rightholder ( Article 4 of the Directive ).

However, in order to maintain a reasonable balance
between the prerogatives of the author and the rights of the
software user, provision is made for exceptions to these
exclusive rights . The most significant one concerns
decompilation, i.e. the possibility, granted subject to strictly
defined conditions, of making a computer program
interoperable with other programs and of accessing the
information being sought by allowing all the components of
a computer system to be interconnected .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 13

Nevertheless, the information thus obtained may not be establishes the rules concerning detection of violations and
used to create software which is substantially similar in its enforcement of the Convention .
expression . The purpose or effect of Article 6 of the
Directive must not be such as to conflict with a normal

exploitation of the program or to prejudice the rightholder 's
legitimate interests . In addition, Article 7 strengthens the
author 's legal position by means of special protective
measures designed to ensure that persons who are closely or
indirectly involved in the pirating of computer programs are WRITTEN QUESTION No 1129 / 93
punished . Since matters of criminal law do not fall within by Mr Dieter Rogalla ( S )
the competence of the Community, the Directive leaves it to to the Commission of the European Communities
the Member States to take appropriate measures against

( 29 April 1993 )

persons committing any of the acts prohibited by
Article 7 . ( 93 / C 350 / 28 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1129 / 93

by Mr Dieter Rogalla ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 April 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 28 )

Transposition of the Directive, which was to be completed
by 1 January 1993, is still under way in the Member
States .

f 1 ) OJ No L 122, 17 . 5 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1084 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 10 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 27 )

Subject : The need to withdraw antiquated tankers

4 . What does the Commission intend to do — in the

run-up to economic and monetary union — in the European
Community institutions and official Member State
institutions, including courts of law, to improve
understanding and acceptance of the currencies of
neighbouring countries ?

Subject : Acceptance of the Member States ' currencies in

neighbouring countries

1 . What information does the Commission have

regarding the flexibility of national administrative
authorities, courts and other official bodies in accepting the
currency of neighbouring countries, converted at official
rates, as a means of payment ?

2 . Does the Commission share my view that
rapprochemcnt or mutual appreciation of the value of the
currency of neighbouring countries has not yet been
achieved in this area within the Community ?

3 . What is the position on the Commission 's premises in
Brussels ; is it possible to purchase everyday necessities here
with German or French currency ?

At least 3 600 cubic metres of oil and 270 tonnes of solid oil understanding and acceptance of the
residue and scale are dumped every year in Greek waters neighbouring countries ?
from small tankers alone . According to environmental
organizations, the worst ecological disasters are caused by
60 — 70 antiquated tankers, all between 28 and 43 years old .
Will the Commission call for the withdrawal of antiquated
tankers ? Answer given by Mr Christophersen

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

The information given by environmental organizations on
the alleged threat of operational pollution from antiquated
tankers has not been transmitted to the Commission .

Greece is a signatory party to Marpol 73 / 78 of which a copy
is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the

Secretariat of the European Parliament . It specifies that any
discharge in the Mediterranean sea ( defined as a Special
Area ) of oil and oily mixtures from any oil tanker ( regardless
of age or tonnage ) is prohibited . Furthermore, Article 6

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1993 )

1 . In order to facilitate the use of the ecu according to
Article 109 L(4 ) of the draft Treaty on European Union the
Commission undertook a study to identify the obstacles to
the use of the ecu . In December 1992, a report summarizing
the findings and drawing conclusions from the basic
research was published in the white paper ' Removing the
legal obstacles to the use of the ecu '. This study, which has
also been sent to thee European Parliament, confirmed that
national administrations, courts and similar authorities are
slow to accept calculations or payments other than in
national currency .

2 . The Commission agrees that there is not much
understanding for the value of the neighbouring currency
within the Community . However, the draft Treaty aims to
create a single currency, the ecu ( Article 3 A ) and not to

No C 350 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

develop the parallel uses of national currencies . The risk
could be a competing currency system . This option has been
rejected in the discussion and by the Treaty itself .

3 . It is only Belgian francs which can be used for payment
within the buildings of the Commission in Brussels, even if
prices in some restaurants are expressed in ecu .

4 . The Commission endeavours to support the
understanding and the acceptance of the ecu . It will be
supported in this task, during the second stage, by the EMI
which following Article 109 f of the draft Treaty will
' facilitate the use of the ecu and oversee its development,
including the smooth functioning of the ecu clearing
system '.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1178 / 93

by Mr Karl von Wogau ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 29 )

Subject : Approval of caravans in Italy

1 . Is the Commission aware that, by Article 61 ( 3 ) of the
new Traffic Regulations, as from 1 July 1993 the Italian
authorities have considerably reduced the maximum
permissible length of caravans ; i.e. between 6,5 metres and 8
metres, well below the maximum length of 12 metres laid
down in Directive 92 / 21 / EEC ( ] ).

2 . Does the Commission take the view that this practice
by the Italian authorities in the licensing of imported
caravans from other Member States is incompatible with the
EEC Treaty and Community rules on free movement of
goods ?

3 . The same situation applied two years ago, ( see my
Written Question No 747 / 91 ( 2 )) but the matter was not
pursued, in the hope of clarification in the new traffic
regulations adopted on 20 April 1992 .

4 . What will the Commission do, if it is of the opinion
that this is an obvious infringement against the free
movement of goods within the Community ?

Highway Code, which lays down a maximum permissible
length for caravans .

The Commission has examined that Article in the light of
Directive 92 / 21 / EEC of 31 March 1992 on the masses and

dimensions of motor vehicles of category Ml and in the light
of the EEC Treaty rules on free movement of goods . It
transpires that the Directive docs not apply to the case in
point since it covers only motor vehicles of category Ml, and
not trailers .

The provisions of Italian law governing the length of
caravans have already been examined by the Commission in
connection with Written Question No 747 / 91 referring to
circular No 181 / 89, which, by way of interpretation of Law
No 38 / 82 and the Decree of 14 October 1987, laid down the
permissible length for vehicles to be classified as ' trailers
specially used for living '. Examination of the circular was
suspended when Law No 38 / 82 and the Decree of

14 October 1987 were repealed by the Order of 30 April
1992 . Consequently, only the provisions of the new Italian
Highway Code are at present under examination by the
Commission .

The Commission has already drawn the attention of the
Italian authorities to the fact that Article 61 ( 3 ) of the Order
may create barriers to the free movement of trailers and
caravans originating in other Member States and not
complying with Italian rules . It will certainly take any steps
it deems appropriate to remove any unjustified barrier to
trade .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1185 / 93

by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 30 )

Subject : Proposed EC directive on furniture safety

Could the Commission inform me why the Furniture Safety
Directive is not part of the Commission 's Work Programme
for 1993 ?

movement of goods within the Community ? Furniture safety legislation exists in two Member States —

Ireland and the UK . Will these Member States be entitled to
í 1 ) OJ No L 129, 14 . 5 . 1992, p . 1 . protect their citizens from faulty products from other
Member States ?

( 2 ) OJ No C 286, 4 . 11 . 1991, p . 16 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

The Commission is indeed aware of Article 61 ( 3 ) of Italian
Order ( Decreto Legislativo ) No 285 of 30 April 1992 on the

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

Pending the first results of the necessary pre-normative
research undertaken on the post-ignition behaviour of

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 15

upholstered furniture and related articles, the Commission
has not yet decided its position on the necessity to include a
proposal for a directive on this subject in its legislative

programme .

In the absence of any Community legislation, it is for the
Member States to decide the level at which they intend to
protect the health and life of people taking into account the
requirements of the free movement of goods within the
Community .

That means that existing national legislation remains valid
until Community legislation comes into force .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1267 / 93

by Andrea Raggio and Luigi Cola j anni ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 31

Subject : The Italian Government 's attitude to Community

regional policy

The Italian Government intends to incorporate EEC
funding earmarked for the southern regions for the period

1994 to 1999 into the state budget . This was confirmed by
Minister Andreatta on 31 March 1993 when reporting to
the Senate committee responsible and in an interview given
to the leading daily newspaper II Sole-24 ore . The Minister
also spoke about the Community in disparaging terms,
saying that Community provisions on regional policy were
' extravagant '. He proposed that alliances be forged with
other governments with a view to ' renationalizing ' regional
policy which, in his view, should be confined to transferring
resources to the Member States .

Has the Commission been officially notified of this
position ?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to support
the full application in all the Community Member States,
including Italy, of the principles at stake in the reform of the
structural funds and the strict implementation of its
objectives ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( IS September 1993 )

The declarations mentioned by the Honourable Member
have not been communicated formally to the
Commission .

The revised Structural Funds regulations maintain the
original principles of the Reform . The Commission will
continue to give close attention to the proper application of
these principles by all concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1271 / 93

by Mr Karl von Wogau ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 32 )

Subject : Licensing of motor vehicles

1 . Even after 1 January 1993, the licensing in a Member
State of vehicles of a type already licensed in another
Member State remains subject to obstacles ; further technical
tests on such vehicles are required, leading to considerable
additional costs and delays .

2 . To cite one particular case, the manufacture of a
convertible based in South Baden is encountering great
difficulties in his attempts to export this model to the
neighbouring French region of Alsace . His convertible has
been licensed by the TUV enforcing authorities in the
Federal Republic, where 400 models are now in circulation .
The " French authority responsible for licensing, the Mines
Department, has insisted on extensive further tests, thus
adding considerably to the difficulty of licensing .

3 . Does the Commission agree that this is an
infringement of the right^to the free movement of goods ? If
so, what action does it intend to take ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to the fact that the deadline of 1 January 1993 has
not altered the requirement on individuals to register their
vehicles in their country of residence .

Prior to that date, the Commission took steps, through the
application of the EEC Treaty rules on the free movement of
goods, to ensure that vehicle type-approval and registration
procedures were not such as to create obstacles to imports of
vehicles from other Member States .

In addition, the Commission notice on procedures for the
type-approval and registration of vehicles previously
registered in another Member State (') stipulates that
Member States are required to carry out these different
operations at reasonable costs and within reasonable
periods of time .

No C 350 / 1 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12, 93

If the Honourable Member possesses any details of
administrative practices impeding the registration of
vehicles imported from other Member States, the
Commission would ask him to pass on those details to it for
examination . In particular, it would like to obtain any
information relating to the case of the manufacturer referred
to by the Honourable Member so that it can contact the
French authorities and assess the situation in the light of the
above rules .

H OJ No C 281, 4 . 11 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1275 / 93

by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 May 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 33

Subject : Need for a regulation on the administrative

procedure to be observed in Commission
activity

My Question No 3093 / 92 ( l ), to which I received a reply on

17 March 1993, stressed the need to draw up a regulation on
the administrative procedure to be observed in Commission
activity . Such a regulation should have the same sort of
content as national laws on administrative procedure, which
regulate the rights and duties of the governed with respect to
the administration . The existence of in-house guides is
something quite different ; it does not cover the need for legal
guarantees and general openness, which should be included
in a regulation .

Does the Commission envisage taking steps to draw up a
regulation on administrative procedure in the
Commission ?

f 1 ) OJ No C 145, 25 . 5 . 1993, p. 19 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 September 1993 )

On 1 7 February 1993 the Commission adopted its new rules
of procedure covering basic administrative procedures in the
institution ( ! ).

A manual of operational procedures regulating the
Commission 's activities exists already . The Commission
will not treat the next edition as an exclusively internal
document, as it did the preceding editions .

(M OJ No L 230, 11 . 9 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1276 / 93

by Mr Derek Prag ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 34 ) ...

Subject : The European Social Fund

Recalling the promise of transparency made by Mrs
Papandreou to the All-Party Disablement Group after the
European Social Fund had been reorganized along
geographical lines and the specific ' envelope ' for disabled
people had been abolished, would the Commission state, for
the years 1991 and 1992 :

1 . how many disabled people were helped by the European

Social Fund,

2 . how many of these were helped through special projects
for rehabilitation and vocational training of disabled
people, and how many through the inclusion of disabled
people in general vocational training projects available
to all,

3 . what was the total sum spent on rehabilitation and

training of disabled people, and

4 . what were the sums spent on rehabilitation and

vocational training of disabled people as a proportion of
total ESF disbursements in these years ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

In replying to the question the Commission uses figures
extracted from Member States ' operational programmes .
Figures relating to the ESF long-term unemployed and
young unemployed operational programmes ( objectives 3
and 4 ) were collected from the individual operational
programmes of the Member States in the course of an
evaluation carried out in November 1992, on behalf of the
Commission, on actions in favour of disabled people under
the European Social Fund . It should be noted that these
figures represent the proposals of the Member States as set
out in their operational programmes . The extent to which
these proposals have been acted upon will be the subject of
an ex-post evaluation .

The number of disabled people helped by the European
Social Fund in 1991 and 1992 under the objectives 3 and 4
was in excess of 100 000 . All benefited from European
Social Fund actions specifically directed towards disabled
people . Figures relating to the number of disabled persons
benefiting from other mainstream European Social Fund
vocational training actions are not available .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 17

The total contribution from the European Social Fund to
actions in the context of objectives 3 and 4 specifically
directed towards disabled people was ECU 447 million for
the two years in question . In the same period ESF support
for actions for disabled persons under the Community
initiative Horizon was about ECU 100 million . The figure
for the same period relating to the amount of European
Social funding benefiting disabled people under the general
vocational training actions is not available .

About 8,8 % of ESF budget under the objectives 3 and 4, and
about 60% of ESF contributions under the Community
initiative Horizon were spent on these actions . As a
proportion of total ESF budget however in the period 1991
and 1992 about 2% was allocated to actions in favour of
disabled people . This is due to the fact that considerable
amounts of ESF monies are allocated to regional
development and restructuring .

It has also to be noted that all the different Community
programmes for cooperation in the fields of education and
training ( such as Erasmus, Comett, Petra, Force etc . . . .),
pay special attention to the specific problems of disabled
people and other disadvantaged groups .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1281 / 93
by Mr Diego de los Santos López ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 May 1993 )

higher education diplomas awarded on completion of
professional education and training of at least three years '
duration ?

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

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

1 . It is for the competent national authorities, and not the
Commission, to decide whether or not the Spanish diploma
in question should permit holders to exercise the profession
of optician in Spain and to establish themselves there as
such .

2 . The Commission does not at present possess sufficient
information to permit it to answer the question as to
whether or not this diploma falls within the scope of Council
Directive 89 / 48 / EEC .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1290 / 93

by Mr Karl von Wogau ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 36 )

( 93 / C 350 / 35 )
Subject : Fine imposed on crossing the Italian border

Subject : Exercise of the profession of optician and right of

establishment of optical technicians

In Spain, those practising as opticians must hold a diploma
in optics . This qualification coexists with that of optical
technician, a qualification obtained after three years of
secondary level vocational training, which entitles the
holder to cut, assemble and fit spectacles and contact
lenses .

These two qualifications are in conflict, as the second does
not actually entitle holders to exercise the profession of
optician or establish themselves as such . The Spanish
government 's attitude is ambivalent .

Can the Commission clarify whether the qualification of
optical technician entitles the holder to practise as an
optician, including the right of establishment as an
optician ?

Does this qualification come within the sphere of
application of Council Directive 89 / 48 / EEC (*) of
21 December 1988, on the general system of recognition of

The Italian traffic police fined a German national Lit
500 000 at the Brenner Pass border crossing point, the
reason being that he had equipped his caravan with four
brake lights, as required in Germany . The lights had been
approved by the competent German authorities ( TUV ).

1 . Is this action on the part of the Italian traffic police
compatible with the rules on freedom of movement for
goods and persons ?

2 . Will the Commission take steps to ensure that the fine is
reimbursed if it was wrongfully exacted ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

The existing rules on signalling devices at Community level
govern only their construction : Directive 76 / 756 / EEC of
27 July 1976 relating to the installation of lighting and
light-signalling devices on motor vehicles and their
trailers (*), as last amended by Directive 91 / 663 / EEC of

No C 350 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

10 December 1992 ( 2 ); this Directive is at present optional
for the Member States ; it will become compulsory in

1996 .

The problem raised by the Honourable Member, however,
relates to road traffic, a matter governed by international
conventions .

In accordance with these conventions, the contracting
parties must allow vehicles complying with the rules in their
country of registration to circulate within their borders, as
long as the vehicles meet the standards laid down in the
conventions . The Commission would point out that Italy
has ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention, and signed but
not yet ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention .

Although this is a matter governed by international
conventions, the Commission is aware of the problems
arising for free movement ; it therefore intends to encourage
further discussion at the appropriate levels .

( ] ) OJ No L 262, 27 . 9 . 1976 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 366, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1295 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 37 )

Subject : The financial position of the Patras University

Regional Hospital

One of the best hospitals in Greece, the Patras University
Regional Hospital, has been placed in a difficult financial
position — instead of receiving direct funding, it has been
instructed to collect debts owing to it from various
insurance funds . Since it is not feasible to collect these debts

because of the financial state of the funds, the hospital will
soon be faced with some unpleasant choices such as whether
to cut down on lighting or on drugs and medical supplies .
Will the Commission look into this matter to ensure that the

Patras University Regional Hospital operates properly ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1314 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 June 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 38

Subject : Participation of Mongolia in programmes

Mongolia has undertaken to introduce a number of political
reforms and efforts began in 1990 to reorganize the
economy of the country . Does the Commission see any
scope for including this country in the Phare, Tacis and
Tempus programmes which have so far been applied to the
countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

Recent legislation has included Mongolia in the list of
beneficiary states ( Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2053 / 93 of
19 July 1993 concerning the provision of technical
assistance to economic reform and recovery in the
independent States of the former Soviet Union and
Mongolia ) (*).

( x ) OJ No L 187, 29 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1322 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 June 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 39

Subject : Measures to prevent the spread of tuberculosis

lighting or on drugs and medical supplies . A number of fatal outbreaks of tuberculosis have occurred
look into this matter to ensure that the in French prisons . Given that certain bacilli are resistant to
Regional Hospital operates properly ? the antibiotics currently in use, does the Commission

consider that funds should be allocated for all the

appropriate measures relating to prevention, diagnosis and
research into means of halting the spread of this fatal
epidemic ?
Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 1993 )

The rules governing the Structural Funds do not normally
provide for the financing of general operating costs such as
those referred to in the question .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Commission is well aware that there has been an

upsurge in the number of cases of tuberculosis in several

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 19

Member States of the Community in the past two or three
years, in spite of the fact that the number of cases of this
contagious disease had previously been falling steadily for
several decades . There are many reasons for this reversal of
the trend : infection with HIV which causes AIDS, the
marginalization of certain people, including drug addicts,
who do not benefit from the customary health services, a
relaxation of the policies of vaccination using BCG, the
presence of citizens of third countries in a poorer state of
health, the emergence of forms of tuberculosis which are
resistant to traditional antibiotic treatments, etc . Against
this background, it is not surprising that some people have
died from tuberculosis in prison .

Under the terms of the Treaties, the Commission does not
have the power to intervene in the Member States to force
them to take the necessary measures to prevent tuberculosis
from spreading, since it is an area for which the Member
States bear sole responsibility . However, the Commission is
not ignoring this important question of public health . Under
the ' Europe against AIDS ' programme and following the
recommendations of a group of experts which conducted a
study funded by the Commission, the Commission supports
all the measures submitted to it which are designed to deal
with this particular aspect of the problem of
tuberculosis .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1348 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

The placing on the market and use of asbestos is governed by
Council Directive 76 / 769 / EEC on the approximation of the
laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the
Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and
use of certain dangerous substances and preparations ( 1 ).

Asbestos fibres are the subject of the limitations provided by
point 6 of Annex I to this Directive which was last adapted
to technical progress by Commission Directive 91 / 659 / EEC
of 3 December 1991 ( 2 ). The existing provisions do not
provide for limitations on the use in bakeries of plates
containing asbestos unless these have a density of less than

1 g / cm 3.

The Commission is aware that a number of Member States

would like to extend the present partial ban on
asbestos-containing products to include other
asbestos-containing products . The matter has been under
discussion with Member States experts for the past 18
months .

í 1 ) OJ No L 262, 27 . 9 . 1976 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 363, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1363 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to European Political Cooperation

(4 June 1993 )

(4 June 1993 ) ( 93 / C 350 / 41
( 93 / C 350 / 40 )

Subject : The smuggling of nuclear materials and weapons

in Croatia

Subject : Use of asbestos tiles in Greek bakery ovens

The Greek Ministry for Health has repealed the health
regulations banning the use of asbestos tiles in bakery ovens .
The decision, published on 23 March 1993 in the Greek
Government Gazette, was taken by State Secretary N.
Anastopoulos, repealing regulation No 10276 banning the
use of asbestos tiles in bakery ovens from 27 December

1991 . The repeal of this regulation has provoked a response
from the Greek Consumers ' Union which is calling for a
review of the decision to achieve more effective protection of
public health .

Given that 12 000 asbestos tiled ovens are currently in use in
Greece, even though it is known that they may cause
mesothelioma and bronchial cancer, what steps will the
Commission take to protect the health of Greek
consumers ?

A Republican group in the US Congress led by Mr Bill
McCollum has drawn up a confidential report disclosing
that Croatia has become a centre for the smuggling of
nuclear materials in exchange for weapons and money . The
report states that the Croatian Government is involved in
such smuggling and that a German woman, Rita Draxler, is
acting as a go-between, using secret bank accounts in
Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries . The
report states that the main suppliers are the former ' socialist '
states and that the Middle East and South Africa are the

main customers . Lastly, the report stresses that, since
mid - 1992, the Zagreb authorities have facilitated the
storage and trafficking of chemical and biological

weapons .

Can the Ministers meeting in EPC confirm this report by the
US Congress and state what measures they intend to take to
combat such smuggling by the Croatian Government to

No C 350 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

ensure that there is no breach of the arms embargo in the
territory of the former Yugoslavia and, more importantly,
that Croatia ceases to be a centre for the smuggling of
nuclear materials and weapons ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The question raised by the Honourable Member can be
answered by referring to the answer to Written Question
No 1549 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith on disappearance of
radioactive material .

The Community and its Member States are concerned with
reports about the trafficking of illicit nuclear materials from
the former Soviet Union, and the illegal trade in this highly
sensitive area . Member States on whose territory such trade
is alleged to have occurred or whose nationals have been
involved investigate all such incidents . As such a problem is
of a European nature, the Council Atomic Questions Group
is, in addition to bilateral cooperation, presently discussing
a number of proposals forwarded by the Commission to
ensure coordinated action and follow-up to this kind of
event . Fortunately thus far, materials recovered in incidents
which have come to light have been of no proliferation
concern . But the Community and its Member States are not
complacent and will continue to treat this matter with the
seriousness it deserves .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1372 / 93

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 42 )

Subject : Community support for emigration to Latin

American countries

The President of the Republic of Argentina has stated that
there is room in Argentina for at least 100 million
inhabitants, compared with its current population of only
around 33 million, and has declared his intention to
promote the immigration of anyone wishing to go to
Argentina provided that they are in a position to travel to
that country and use their knowledge to work and make
some contribution, the only condition being that they
should bring with them sufficient capital of their own —
between $10 000 and $20 000 — to cover the minimum
cost of establishing their residence .

These statements have attracted the attention of a

considerable number of Community citizens who are
affected by the serious unemployment situation and for
whom — given the current instability on the labour market

in all the Member States — making the break to start a new
life in Latin America represents a promising solution to their
present difficulties .

Does the Commission consider that the Community services
should look into the variability of the European Community
giving a favourable response to proposals such as that made

by the Argentinian President and helping those Community
citizens who so desire to emigrate to Argentina — or to any
other Latin American country prepared to receive them —
by providing the necessary logistical support ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1704 / 93

by Mr Edward Newman ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 43 )

Subject : Emigration from Eastern Europe to Latin
America

In his address to the European Parliament on 12 February

1992, President Menem of Argentina made known his
country 's proposal to accept up to 300 000 immigrants
from the former Communist countries in Eastern and

Central Europe, on condition that financial assistance be
provided by the European Community . President Delors
expressed interest in giving a follow-up to the proposal . In
March 1993, thousands of Romanians responded to an
offer by the Argentinian government to accept immigrants
to till ' new lands '.

Is the Commission involved in any way in this migration
programme, and can it give full details, especially of
financial aid, if any ? Moreover, since the confiscation of
lands belonging to the native Indians by Latin American
Governments is still going on more than 500 years after the
invasion and conquest of the Americas, what guarantees has
the Commission received that the so-called ' new lands ' are

not, in fact, confiscated or stolen areas belonging to Indian
communities ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 1372 / 93 and 1704 / 93

given by Mr van den Broek
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the joint answer already given to Written Questions
Nos 457 / 92 from Mr Vertemati and 470 / 92 from Mr
Cabezon Alonso ( 1 ), and to oral question H 343 / 92 from Mr
Cano Pinto ( 2 ) on the same topic .

The Commission has received cooperation requests from
the authorities of Argentina and other Latin American

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 21

countries to open the way for a potential flow of emigration The European Union will continue to respond appropriately
from Central and Eastern Europe . to the urgent humanitarian requirements .

Contacts with the Argentinian authorities and information
which the Commission possesses show that such requests
have never included Community Member State nationals .

The Commission has noted this and has announced that it

may participate in a study on how such cooperation would
work and its implications . The Argentinian authorities
recently outlined the scope of the study, which could as a
result get under way soon .

As for the problem raised in Written Question No 1704 / 93,
the issue could certainly be included in the proposed
study .

I 1 ) OJ No C 345, 30 . 12 . 1992 .

( 2 ) Parliament debates, No 3-417, 8 April 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1416 / 93

by Mrs Winifred Ewing ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 45 )

Subject : European Social fund

Can the Commission confirm reports that part of the
European Social Fund budget may be diverted to finance the
retraining of workers in the car industries in the
Community ?

If these reports are true will the Commission state why it has
not established an industrial policy budget ( along the lines
of RECHAR ) for this action instead of diverting funding
away from badly needed Social Fund projects ?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1415 / 93

by Mrs Winifred Ewing ( ARC )
to European Political Cooperation

(9 June 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 44

Subject : Bosnian refugees

In the light of the increasingly tragic plight of refugees in
Bosnia will European Political Cooperation take action to
facilitate the reception by EC Member States of those
refugees who can and wish to seek refuge in another
country ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The comprehensive humanitarian strategy of the UNHCR
includes the principle to provide assistance to the victims of
the conflict in Bosnia-Hercegovina as close to the place of
origin as possible . The European Union, as the largest
donor, have considerably contributed to the
implementation of UNHCR 's strategy and continue their
humanitarian assistance to the distressed victims of the

conflict . The European Council in Birmingham decided to
speed up EC assistance and to immediately provide further
staff and resources in order to strengthen UNHCR 's
capacity .

EC Member States, in close cooperation with UNHCR and
ICRC, have contributed substantially to the humanitarian
effort by providing finance and material aid and by offering
place of temporary refuge for a very significant number of
refugees and ex-detainees from former Yugoslavia .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Commission can confirm that it is not its intention that

part of the ESF budget be diverted for retraining of workers
in the car industries of the Community .

The new objective 4 foreseen in the context of the

Commission 's proposal for the revision of the Structural
Funds regulations proposes actions involving the training
and retraining of workers affected by industrial change and
changes in production systems . The actions are not aimed at
companies themselves but would be undertaken within the
economy as a whole without preference being given a priori
to any specific industry or sector . Particular account will be
taken of the specific needs of workers in small or medium
sized enterprises .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1432 / 93

by Mr Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 46 )

Subject : EC information offices and the Maastricht
debate

Two of the features of the public debate during the
ratification of the Maastricht Treaty have been the lack of

No C 350 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

understanding concerning the power, role and functions of
the European institutions and the level of hostility towards
these institutions amongst a significant proportion of the
public in practically all European countries .

Two of the Community institutions, the Commission and
Parliament, maintain a network of information offices in the
Member States whose function is to inform and to generate
a favourable image of these institutions and of the
Community generally .

Would the Commission now agree that a fundamental
review of the information policies and structures of
Community institutions should be undertaken as a matter of
urgency and that such a review should involve a joint
examination of the Commission and Parliament 's activities

in this area by independent specialists in the information
and public relations sector ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1993 )

The Commission fully shares the concern of the Honourable
Member .

As the Council underlined in its Birmingham declaration,
the Community must be closer to its citizens . The
institutions and the Member States should combine their

efforts to this effect . The Commission adopted on 30 June

1993 a communication C ) on its new information and
communication policy, based on a number of internal and
external analyses . Following these guidelines a series of
proposals on specific matters will be put to the Commission
in the near future so that appropriate action can be taken
without delay . In the context of the up-dating and the
intensification of its information policy, the Commission
intends to strengthen also its relations with the medias and
counts on the support of the European Parliament as regards
the necessary budgetary decisions .

(!) SEC(93 ) 916 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1441 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Panepistimiou Streets in Athens, the Greek Ministry of the
environment and Town Planning and of Public Works has
approved the construction of a nine storey monstrosity .

The building will have no setbacks and will be at least three
storeys higher than any other building in Korais Street .
Clearly its presence will detract from the architectural merit
of the centre of Athens, with its university, Academy and
Library buildings and it will involve the destruction of three
historical buildings including one containing the famous
Atlantis bookshop .

Will the Commission call on the Greek authorities to review

their decision concerning the construction of a nine-storey
building in Korais Street ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 September 1993 )

The role of the Commission in protecting and safeguarding
the cultural heritage is defined, notably in the conclusions of
the Council of Ministers of 12 November 1992, on the
guidelines on the ' guidelines for Community cultural
action ', and in Article 128 of the Treaty on European Union
which is being ratified .

This role, which is to promote cooperation between
Member States and, where appropriate, to support and
supplement the action they take, acknowledges the
preponderant role played by Member States and the
subsidiary nature of Community action in this sphere .

The Commission is therefore unable to make

representations to the Greek authorities to ask them to
reconsider a decision granting a permit for the construction
of a nine storey building in Korai Street in Athens . Any
initiative in this area is exclusively a matter for the Greek
national and / or regional authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1462 / 93

by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE )
to European Political Cooperation

(9 June 1993 )

(9 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 48 )
( 93 / C 350 / 47 )

Subject : Building on Korais Street which should be subject

to a conservation order

Without awaiting a decision by the Council of State
concerning an appeal relating to the preservation of the
famous Ottoman building on the corner of Korai and

Subject : Serious dangers presented by nuclear arms
proliferation

On 12 March 1993 North Korea announced it was

withdrawing from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty
which it joined in 1985 .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 23

In view of ever-increasing instability of the situation in the
former Soviet Union, the acknowledged risks of hundreds if
not thousands of nuclear technicians from the former USSR
offering their expertise and services to certain other states
are putting mankind in serious danger .

The five traditional nuclear powers, all permanent members
of the UN Security Council, have now been joined by South
Africa, India, Israel and Pakistan, to which before the end of
the century will probably be added Brazil, Argentina,
Algeria, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, both Koreas and Taiwan,
with three new nuclear powers emerging after the break-up
of the former USSR .

The plant is being seriously endangered not only by the
proliferation of nations possessing nuclear weapons but also
by galloping population growth, a surge of religious
fanaticism and general impoverishment of the Third
World .

Does EPC not think that the Twelve should, as a matter of
priority, embark on a large-scale initiative with a view to
reducing in the medium term, the dangers of the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, without
waiting for implementation of the Maastricht Treaty ?

Does it not think it essential to make the many forms of aid
given to the countries of the former USSR clearly
conditional on an assurance of tighter control by these
countries over the final destinations of their nuclear
weapons — and above all components — and over
professional commitments entered into by their researchers
and scientists ?

Does EPC consider such a requirement appropriate and
necessarily to be taken into consideration in any new
international agreements concluded with any third
countries, particularly when they are signatories to the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States are well aware of the
threat posed to international relations by uncontrolled
proliferation of nuclear weapons .

The regular meetings of specialist EPC working parties on
non-proliferation and arms-exports issues are organized
around priorities set by both current events and the need for
longer-term consideration, thereby acting as a kind of
European political watchdog with regard to the
proliferation of dangerous weapons .

The Community and its Member States have constantly
voiced in public their concern at the reluctance of the
Democratic People 's Republic of Korea to apply in full the
safeguards agreement which it signed with the IAEA in

January 1992 . They have likewise made repeated
representations to the States of the former Soviet Union,
welcoming the accession to the NPT of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and
Uzbekistan . They are continuing to encourage
non-signatory States, in particular Ukraine and Kazakhstan,
to become members of the NPT at the earliest opportunity
and to apply the Lisbon Protocol .

Full ratification of the Maastricht Treaty will make possible
the implementation of genuine joint action, but the
Community and its Member States are already accustomed
to adopting a concerted approach in negotiations on the
reduction of nuclear arsenals or in joint representations such
as those made to North Korea or the CIS countries .

In addition, the Commission of the European Communities
is playing a substantial role in connection with the
programme of action for the development and
implementation of a proper system of safeguards, as
initiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1480 / 93

by Mr Marc Galle ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 49

Subject : Use of noise barriers as a source of electricity

I recently read in the newspapers that the relevant
authorities in the Netherlands are intending to introduce an
innovatory feature in a noise barrier to be built along a
motorway . The upper part of the barrier is to contain solar
cells, and the electricity generated from them is to be fed into
the grid . The power generated in this way will apparently be
sufficient to provide electricity for 30 homes .

Ought not the Community to support such an initiative, and
could not the technique be applied at Community level ?
There are enough kilometres of motorway in the
Community which have noise barriers . Railway lines could
also have potential in this connection .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The Commission is aware of three completed projects which
employ sound barriers along highways and railways for
mounting solar photovoltaic ( PV ) generators which are

No C 350 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

located in Europe but outside the Community . Details of the

100 kWp PV generators which have been installed along the
Bellinzona — Locarno railway line and along the Swiss
highway N1 3 at Chur and the 40 kWp plant which has been
installed along the A1 motorway in Austria, have been
presented and discussed at several major conferences and
meetings organized by the Commission . The results which
have been obtained from these projects to date are most
encouraging . More recently the Commission has learned of
a new project, led by Rijkswaterstraat in the Netherlands,
where 55 kWp of PV generator will be fully integrated in
sound barriers along approximately 550 m of the A27
motorway between Utrecht and Hilversum . This new
project is scheduled for completion in Spring 1993 .

There has been a substantial increase of interest in grid
connected PV generation in Europe during recent years, and
this has been reflected in the numbers of proposals for grid
connected PV systems which have been received by the
Commission since the start of the Thermie Programme in
1990.-The integration of PV modules into buildings or other
structures reduces the effective cost of PV power generation,
because some of the capital costs of the PV modules can be
offset against the costs of the conventional structural
elements which they replace .

Photovoltaic applications of this type are well suited for
inclusion in the Commission 's Thermie programme, which
to date has supported the installation of more than 3,3
MWp of the PV generators in 110 projects throughout the
Community . Until now, no proposals for grid connected PV
systems to be installed along highways or railways have been
submitted to the Commission 's Thermie programme, so an
eventual Dutch proposal would be the first of its kind . Such
projects would have the benefit of high visibility for
promoting power generation from renewable energies . The
last call for proposals for the current Thermie programme
has issued in July 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1522 / 93

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 50

Subject : Minimum tax damaging to self-employed workers

in Italy

Given that the minimum tax imposed by the Italian
Government to replace an individually calculated graduated
taxation system has already led to the closure of 150 000
commercial concerns and could seriously penalize certain
categories of self-employed workers such as taxi-drivers,
who because of the special nature of their work do not have

a steady, guaranteed income, does the Commission not
consider it should censure the fiscal policy of the Italian
Government which is damaging to small and medium-sized
concerns and goes against the principles laid down in this
regard in the Maastricht Treaty ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1993 )

Income tax is governed by national rules .

As it stands, Community legislation does not prevent
Member States from applying their own legislation relating
to personal income tax provided that it complies with the
fundamental principles and freedoms laid down by the EEC
Treaty .

Accordingly, the Commission takes the view that the Italian
authorities are free to lay down whatever arrangements they
deem necessary to determine the taxable income of

taxpayers .

The Commission is aware of Italian Law No 438 of

14 November 1982 providing for the introduction of a
minimum taxable income for the self-employed and, in its
opinion, that Law does not contain any elements that might
be in breach of the EEC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1535 / 93

by Mr Paul Staes ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 June 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 51

Subject : Public availability of information

According to a survey carried out by the British organization
Friends of the Earth ( autumn 1992 ), the Bayer company in
Germany discharges one thousand times more lead than the
American Bayer company, the amount of formaldehyde
discharged into the Tees by ICI Chemicals in Teesside

( United Kingdom ) is almost as much as that discharged by
the entire American chemical industry, and Dow Chemicals
in Terneuzen ( Netherlands ) discharges more benzene than
all 2 600 chemical industries in the United States

together .

1 . Can the Commission confirm this ?

2 . How can this discrepancy be explained ?

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 25

3 . Since 1986, United States citizens have been entitled to
information on substances discharged by companies
into the water, air or soil . As a result of this law, such
discharges have been swiftly reduced . When will the
Commission take steps to introduce a similar law at
European level ?

4 . Is it more reasonable to praise the environmental
statements by Clinton and Gore or to achieve genuine
improvements in EC policy, to bring it into line with that
of the United States ?

5 . Is it true that multinationals are attempting to
circumvent the strict legislation in the United States
concerning discharges by moving the polluting
production processes to branches in Europe and
elsewhere in the world, where they are not legally
obliged to publicize their pollutant activities ?

6 . Are the lamentable consequences for Europe an example
of ' fair ' competition within the single market ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The Commission can neither confirm the information about

discharges quoted by the Honourable Member nor explain
the discrepancies reported . It should be pointed out that
certain parameters ( the capacity and age of the plant, the
processes used and production characteristics ) need to be
known in order to make a proper interpretation of the
differences, and that it is impossible to conclude on the basis
of the small amount of raw data supplied whether US
environmental legislation is in general more stringent or
implemented more effectively than Community legislation
in this area .

As far as US regulations on the inventory of discharges of
toxic substances by industry are concerned, the Commission
noted with interest the provisions of the regulations in
question at the end of 1991 and is examining the possibility
of introducing a similar measure in the Community .
However, work to date on this subject with the other parties
concerned, including environmental protection
associations, the Member States and industry, suggests that
for Community purposes, particularly in terms of political
and administrative organization and existing national and
Community legislation, any such scheme will have to be
radically different from that adopted in the United States .
Moreover, alternatives to regulatory action can also be
considered .

In the absence of specific examples of the matters to which
they refer, the Commission is unable to reply to the last three
questions .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1540 / 93

by Mrs Marianne Thyssen ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 52 )

Subject : Setting up of an ' advisory committee on the social

economy '

Does the Commission consider that there is an insufficient

degree of consultation by its services ( DGs VI, XV and
XXIII and the Consumer Policy Service ) and that this is such
as to justify the creation of an advisory committee on the
social economy ?

Does not the Commission consider that attempts to
introduce the concept of social economy on a general basis
run counter to the principle of subsidiarity, given that it is
only recognized in one country and is rejected by part of the
sector concerned ( see parliamentary conference on
cooperatives, 4— 5 May 1993 ).

Can the Commission say what the political objectives,
working methods and composition of this advisory
committee would be if it were set up ? Is it true that
consideration is being given to including organizations
concerned with civil rights and commercial law ?

Is it true that the Commission is encouraging the ' social
economy ' concept, not only in political terms ( in its annual
programme ) but also by providing financial support to
various initiatives ?

Can the Commission say what specific activities it has
funded to date ( 1991-1992-1993 ) and what was the level of
the funding ?

Can the Commission spare the appropriations necessary for
the creation of the above committee at a time when

insufficient funds are available to implement the proposed
multiannual programmes in the business sector ( with
particular regard to SMUs, the economic and social
significance of which are now generally recognized )?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1993 )

1 . The Commission has always been concerned to
consult as widely as possible among European bodies

No C 350 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

representing cooperatives, mutual bodies and associations
before proposing measures or legislation . Sometimes the
Commission has even proposed regulations only after being
urged to do so by Parliament and after having obtained the
prior opinion of the ESC . The proposal to set up an advisory
committee on the social economy emanated not from the
Commission, but from the bodies representing
cooperatives, mutual bodies and associations at the third
Social Economy Conference organized by the Portuguese
Presidency in Lisbon in 1992 . It is expected that proposals
will be made by the organizers of the fourth Social Economy
Conference planned for 9 and 10 November 1993 in
Brussels . The Commission considers that it has a duty to
examine all proposals for improving consultation with the
sectors concerned, provided that they involve no additional
funding .

— liaising with all European consultation and liaison

organizations which represent cooperatives, mutual
bodies and associations as a whole or by sector .

(') The Vayssade report on a statute for a European cooperative

society and other undertakings in the mutual sector in general
( Doc . A3-0312 / 90 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1559 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 June 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 53
2 . Generally speaking, the Commission is not expected
to — and does not set out to — be involved in the
dissemination of concepts of whatever kind . The activities Subject : Transportation of
of the Commission are designed to ensure that cooperatives,
mutual bodies and associations are fully included in the

What information has the

environment established by the provisions for the

plans by the UK Atomic Energy

completion of the Single Market without any positive or fuel pins from Frankfurt to the
negative discrimination in comparison to the treatment at Dounreay in Scotland ?
given to corporate enterprises .

Subject : Transportation of plutonium

What information has the Commission received regarding
plans by the UK Atomic Energy Authority to fly plutonium
fuel pins from Frankfurt to the nuclear power establishment
at Dounreay in Scotland ?

In its communication of 18 December 1989, the
Commission stated that the objective of its action was '[ to
identify ] the prospects opening up for enterprises in the

" economie sociale " sector in the Europe of 1992 ' and to
'[ adumbrate ] the framework for Community action to
ensure that enterprises in this sector enjoy access to the
frontier-free market on the same footing as other
enterprises '. Parliament subsequently stressed the need for
' allowing these companies to retain their individuality and
their competitiveness in a frontier-free market ' ( 1 ).

3 . The Commission 's activities between 1990 and 1992

concerning cooperatives, mutual bodies and associations
focused on the following areas :

— the coherence of Community policies through an

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1993 )

Although it is intended that some shipments of fuel pins
containing plutonium will take place from Germany to
Dounreay, no decision has yet been taken on the mode of
transport . Air and sea transport are both under
discussion .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1572 / 93

analysis of their effect on the activities of cooperatives, to the Commission of the
mutual bodies and associations ( for example : internal
market, regional policy, employment, training, SMEs, ( 17 June 1993 )
transport, fiscal policy, external relations, etc .); ( 93 /C 350 / 54 )

( 17 June 1993 )

— the promotion of measures for the environment of

European strategies by cooperatives, mutual bodies and
associations in the Community in the context of the
Single Market ;

— to this end, an analysis of the position of cooperatives,

mutual bodies and associations as a whole and by

sector ;

Subject : School nurses

Does the Commission know whether school nurses in each

Member State are part of a national school health service or
whether the system varies from one local authority to
another ?

Is there any information about the level of specialist training
for school nurses required in each country ?

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 27

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

The conditions for the exercise of the profession of school
nurse fall within the national competence of Member States .
The Commission does not have precise information
concerning the circumstances in which Member States
regulate the activity of school nurse .

If the activity of school nurse is carried out by nurses
responsible for general care then Directive 77 / 45 3 / EEC (')
on the coordination of training applies . All training of
nurses responsible for general care must meet the minimum
requirements set out in this Directive .

If, on the other hand, in a host Member State specialist
training is required for a school nurse, then a migrant
wishing to exercise the profession in that Member State may
be covered by one of the Directives setting up the general
systems for the mutual recognition of professional
education and training ( Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ( 2 ) and
92 / 51 / EEC ( 3 )).

As these Directives rely on the principle of mutual
acceptance of comparable qualifications without prior
harmonization of training, this matter falls within the scope
of national competence .

The Commission does not have information in all national

training systems .

National coordinators are appointed in each Member State
who can be consulted for further specific information for
those professions falling within the scope of the General
Systems Directive .

0 ) OJ No L 176, 15 . 7 . 1977 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1582 / 93

by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 55 )

Subject : Support for the European Anti-Racist Network

In its resolution on the resurgence of racism and xenophobia
in Europe and the danger of right-wing extremist violence

( A3-0127 / 93 ), the European Parliament calls on the
Commission to inter alia encourage and promote the work
of NGOs campaigning against racism, and to ' promote the
coordination of, and the pooling of experience gained from,
initiatives in the Community directed against racism and
anti-Semitism and in favour of the equal treatment of male
and female immigrants '.

Several months ago, 36 organizations set up an Anti-Racist
Network for Equality in Europe .

To what extent could this European network, which is
sorely in need of funds, benefit from immediate aid from the
Commission ? Which departments would be responsible for
providing adequate aid for the development of the European
Anti-Racist Network and its work ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1993 )

The fight against racism and xenophobia is of prime concern
to the Community and its Member States .

Several actions have been taken at the Community level . In
particular, two budget lines allow support to organizations
acting in favour of solidarity and the fight against racism
and xenophobia . Budget line A-3030, under the
management of the Directorate-General for External
Political Relations, allows the granting of aid to
organizations pursuing humanitarian aims and promoting
human rights . The fight against racism and xenophobia is
one of the priority themes within this budget line .

Financial support through this budget line is however no
longer possible for 1 993 . A very large increase in the number
of applications exceeds the available funds . Of course,
organizations concerned may apply for funding at the
beginning of next year, following approval of the budget by
the Parliament .

Budget line B3-4110 focused on the promotion of social
integration of migrants and may also be used to support
projects combating racism . Indeed ECU 500 000 of the

1993 budget must be spent in collaboration with the
European Trade Union Congress in fighting xenophobia .
Some 15 anti-racism projects in seven countries are
currently financed under this budget line whereas many
other migrant integration projects include an anti-racism
dimension as well .

Any application for funding of the ' Reseau antiraciste pour
l'Egalite en Europe ' mentioned by the Honourable Member
would be examined in the light of the existing budget lines
criteria .

No C 350 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1583 / 93

by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 56 )

Subject : Vocational training for the unemployed

Vocational training has figured in the list of Community
policies for a long time ( Article 128 of the Treaty of Rome ),
and the Maastricht Treaty considerably strengthens this
area . The alarming increase in unemployment in the
Community should mobilize swift action at all levels to solve
the problem .

Having regard to Objectives 3 and 4 of the Social Fund,
what are the Commission 's programmes or guidelines
specifically with regard to vocational training for the
unemployed, and in particular for young people and women
seeking work ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

In order to underline the importance of different
Community programmes for cooperation on education and
training and discuss their future, the Commission adopted
on 5 May 1993 a working paper on Guidelines for
Community actions in these fields .

The operation of the European Social Fund is governed by
Article 123 of the EEC Treaty . On 24 February and
24 March 1993 respectively, the Commission adopted
proposals for amendments to the coordination and
framework regulations for the structural funds and to the
ESF regulation . The persistence and worsening of
unemployment mean that ESF effort on behalf of the
unemployed must remain a priority . This is reflected in the
Commission 's proposals for amendments, notably those to
Article 1 of the ESF regulation . Here Objective 3 of
Community structural policy is reshaped and its scope
enlarged in order more effectively to deal with the principal
features of unemployment and exclusion from the labour
market — long term unemployment, the occupational
integration of young people, exclusion from the labour
market, and equal opportunities for women and men in
employment . Vocational training will remain one of the
principal elements of ESF attention .

As regards the unemployed, the amendment aims to ensure
that ESF support reaches not just those who have been out
of work for long periods but also those at clear risk of
joining the ranks of the longterm unemployed ( older

workers, the disabled etc .). The scope of the ESF is also
enlarged to cover those excluded from the labour market
but not necessarily registered as unemployed . With respect
to young people the amendment is designed to ensure that
ESF support for vocational training is available in a more
flexible and relevant way . On equal opportunities, the
Commission 's proposed amendment sets out a more active
approach to equal opportunities and seeks to intensify the
overall impact of ESF intervention by offering women
specific back-up services such as child care .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1595 / 93

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 18 June 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 57

Subject : Mismanagement of Phare and Tacis

programmes

The European Commission has reportedly mismanaged
important aspects of its Phare and Tacis technical aid
programmes . The management troubles, which are reflected
by an insensitivity to the wishes of aid recipients, late
payments and redundant work by consultants, are
reportedly rooted in a inflexible and understaffed
bureaucracy .

Is the Council aware of such problems, and, if so, what is it
doing to resolve them ?

Answer

( 22 November 1993 )

While it is true that initially there were difficulties with the
management of the Phare and Tacis programmes which led
to some inconsistencies and malfunctioning, the Council
considers however that, overall, a positive assessment can be
made . In the light of experience it has adopted new rules to
be applied in the future .

In the context of the new guidelines for the Phare
programme which were approved in November 1992 and
the new text of the Tacis Regulation which was adopted in
July 1993, the Council has taken account inter alia of the

points raised by the Honourable Member and has
endeavoured to ensure that Community technical aid is
better adapted to the changing needs of recipient States in

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 29

the context of multiannual programming and on the basis of
the principles of decentralization, coordination and

transparency .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1598 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1612 / 93

by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 59 )

Subject : European Youth Parliament

Piermont ( ARC ) Could the Commission give figures for the amount of

funding they are providing to the European Youth

of the European Communities Parliament for 1992 and 1993 ? What percentage of this

( 18 June 1993 ) money is used for administrative matters and how much is

( 93 / C 350 / 58 ) used to provide grants to individual children to assist them
in attending the Youth Parliament ?

by Mrs Dorothee Piermont ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 June 1993 )

Subject : Subsidies for NGOs promoting human rights —

Budget Item A3-3030

1 . What measures and projects did the Commission
support in 1990, 1991, and 1992 under budget Item
A3-3030, ' Subsidies for certain activities of
non-governmental organizations pursuing humanitarian
aims and promoting human rights '? Could it provide a
complete list, specifying the amounts granted for each
project ?

2 . Are the appropriations allocated in accordance with
official criteria ? What specific information is requested on
the application forms and provided in the explanatory
notes ? What persons and organizations are entitled to
obtain forms ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

The Commission made a grant of ECU 50 000 to the
European Youth Parliament in 1992, and will grant the
same amount in 1993 .

The grant from the Commission represented around 7,5 %
of the total planned budget of the European Youth
Parliament in 1992, and around 15,5% in 1993 . It is
understood that the grant for 1992 was used 100% on
accommodation, food and travel for the participating
students, and it is assumed that the same will apply in 1993 .
According to the audited accounts for 1992, administration
costs amounted to 10,9% and organizational costs to

1*4,5 % respectively of the total budget .
Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

1 . The Commission grants financial aid to
non-governmental organizations pursuing humanitarian
aims and defending human rights, particularly those
involved in providing information on the danger of racism
and xenophobia in accordance with the declaration adopted
by Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 1 1 June

1986 .

A list of the bodies receiving subsidies under Article A-3030
is officially sent to Parliament at the end of each financial

year .

2 . Subsidies are awarded using criteria which correspond
to the objectives set out by Parliament in its remarks in the
budget . Application forms for such subsidies are available to
NGOs on request .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1647 / 93

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )

to European Political Cooperation

( 28 June 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 60 )

Subject : Nuclear non-proliferation policy

What discussions have taken place in EPC about the
implications for nuclear non-proliferation policy on the
Community and attendant export controls of the
production of military-grade plutonium by North Korea in
a magnox reactor copied from United Kingdom military
production reactors ; and of North Korea 's withdrawal from
the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ?

No C 350 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

There have been frequent discussions in EPC about the
policies of the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea . The
Community and its Member States have repeatedly made
clear their concern at the DPRK 's continued refusal to

affirm its commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty
permanently, and at the DPRK 's failure to comply with its
safeguards agreement, and have supported resolutions at
the IAEA Board of Governors and in the Security Council
which have condemned these actions .

On 16 June 1993, the Community and its Member States
took note with satisfaction of the unilateral decision of the

DPRK to suspend the effectuation of its withdrawal from
the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons .

The Community and its Member States hope that the DPRK
will very soon take all steps required to meet its safeguards
obligations and reaffirm its commitment to the
Non-Proliferation Treaty .

As they stand firm behind their position as mentioned
above, the Community and its Member States remain
actively seized of this important and urgent matter and will
take it up at the 37th regular session of the General
Conference of the IAEA ( 27 September — 1 October 1993 ).
They will also continue consultations in the working group
on Nuclear Non-Proliferation on a regular basis .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1689 / 93

by Mrs Anna Hermans ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

1 . The Commission both supports and supplements the
efforts of the Member States to promote vocational training,
while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member
States for the content and organization of such courses . The
Force decision ( 90 / 267 / EEC ) specifies that the Commission,
in implementing transnational continuous training
measures, shall ' take account of the differing needs and
situations existing in the Member States '. In this context the
Commission, in close cooperation with Eurostat, the
Member States and the two sides of industry, is developing a
global information system which includes the publication of
reports on trends in national systems and the establishment
of statistically comparable concepts, methods and data .

2 . The Commission has always maintained that the
development of partnerships between public and private
bodies and between sectors of education, training
organizations and undertakings is one of the best way of
improving the quality of vocational training . The European
Council in Copenhagen welcomed President Delors '
medium-term European plan for economic revival on
entering the 21st Century which recommends, among the
eight priorities, adaptation of educational systems to
include, for example, the right of the individual to benefit
from training throughout his / her life .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 752 / 93

by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )

to the Council of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 ) (2 July 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 61 93 / C 350 / 62

Subject : Advanced vocational training

On several occasions, Parliament has put forward a number
of proposals for a reorientation of current vocational
training policy .

1 . What studies and other initiatives are being planned by

the Commission with a view to obtaining a clearer
picture of the scope of the various initiatives and the
needs which must be met in respect of advanced
vocational training ?

2 . Does the Commission consider it possible to consult the
educational sector more closely in respect of this policy

( given that advanced vocational training relates not only
to retraining and in-service training in companies but
also ' full-time ' training courses after the age of
compulsory schooling ?

Subject : Redevelopment programme for deprived areas

At the last meeting of the Community 's Council of Ministers
for Housing, the Greek State Secretary for the Environment,
Regional Planning and Public Works, Christos Katsiyannis,
submitted a programme for the redevelopment of nine
deprived areas in Greece . These areas are :

1 . Nea Philadelphia ( refugee area ),

2 . Tavros ( refugee dwellings ),

3 . Kaisariani ( apartment block programme ),

4 . Aitolo-Akarnania ( transferring the community of
Panagoulas to Mytika ),

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 31

5 . Prefecture of Pella ( villages of Skarta and Aghios
Athanasios ),

6 . Komotini ( housing estate ),

7 . Xanthi ( housing estate ),

8 . Kos ( redevelopment of Katerini ),

9 . Heraklion, Crete ( the area of Patelles ).

In at least one of these cases ( the communities at Mytika and
Panagoulas in Aitolo-Akarnania ) the process of transferring
families has begun without a redevelopment programme
and this has already created serious problems .

In view of this, what is the Council 's view of the present
condition of the nine deprived areas in Greece ? Will it
approve the redevelopment programme submitted by the
Greek government as a matter of urgency and what
measures will be taken within what time-frame to
implement the programme without creating social and
urban planning problems ?

Answer

( 22 November 1993 )

The Council has no part to play in the area mentioned by the
Honourable Member . Implementation of the Community 's
structural action to assist disadvantaged regions fall within
the Commission 's sphere of responsibility in accordance
with Article 18 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2052 / 88 of 24 June

1988 and within the area of responsibility of the Greek State
for matters which concern it .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 801 / 93

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( PSE )
to European Political Cooperation

( 12 July 1993 )

( 93 / C . 350 / 63 )

Subject : Rape of women in former Yugoslavia

The delegation constituted by the European Council
meeting in Edinburgh in December 1992 has now visited
Bosnia-Hercegovina and has produced a preliminary

report .

What steps does EPC intend to take to put into effect the
recommendations set out in the report, in particular :

— the need to provide health care and counselling for the

victims and their families ;

— the provision of financial assistance to the various bodies

working with the victims ;

— the need to expedite visa procedures for Bosnian

refugees, especially those who have suffered rape ?

What steps does the EPC intend to take in response to the

increasing calls for systematic rape to be recognized
internationally as a war crime ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States in their declaration
on 1 February, welcomed the report submitted by the
Warburton Mission in its findings during visits on
20 — 24 December 1992 and 19 — 26 January 1993 to the
territory of the former Yugoslavia . The report confirmed
that rapes were widespread and part of a recognizable and
deliberate pattern of abuse, usually perpetrated with the
conscious intention of demoralizing and territoriz:ing
communities . The great majority of the many thousands of
victims have been Muslims .

The European Community and its Member States are
appalled by these crimes and the inhumanity which marks
the present conflict . In the declaration of 1 February they
declared their intention to implement the recommendations
in the report on assistance to the Bosnian Muslim women
victims of rape and other atrocities .

Accordingly, an amount of approximately ECU 1,8 million
has been allocated from the Community budget for projects
in the framework of the Warburton report . Member States
have also contributed, individually and in the form of
co-financing with the Community, to rehabilitation
projects .

The Community and its Member States will continue to
meet within their possibilities urgent humanitarian needs of
refugees by inter alia extending protection on a temporary
basis to certain vulnerable categories of the population of
the former Yugoslavia .

As to the call for recognizing systematic rape as a war crime
it should be noted that abuse and humiliating treatment of
individuals is already considered a war crime in the terms of
the Geneva Conventions of 1949 . In this regard, the
Community and its Member States attach great importance
to the quick establishment of the ad hoc international
tribunal for former Yugoslavia, which can prosecute such

cases .

No C 350 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1830 / 93
by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 July 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 64

Subject : EIB global loans to support SMEs

In its reply to my Written Question No 2351 / 92 (') on the
EIB 's contribution to Community policy to assist SMEs, the
Commission mentioned the existence of a detailed annual

report on the use of global loans in support of Community
policies .

Would the Commission provide details of the publications
which list the projects, the SMEs and the amounts
granted .

f 1 ) OJ No C 106, 16 . 4 . 1993, p. 4 .

being used to arm the Turkish Cypriots principally, and
Islamic forces in the Middle East and possibly Africa .

Will EPC take steps to break up the arms trafficking from
the Chechen region to and from Cyprus and, if so, what
action will it take ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The matter raised by the Honourable Member has not been
discussed in the framework of European Political
Cooperation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1888 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Christophersen ( 15 July 1993 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 93 / C 350 / 66 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1993 )

The last paragraph of the answer to the Honourable
Member 's Written Question No 2351 / 92 reads : ' The

( European Investment ) Bank 's annual report gives detailed
information on the use of global loans in support of
Community policies and a copy is sent to all Honourable
Members '. The 1992 annual report was published on 7 June

1993, the date on which it was approved by the EIB Board of
Governors, and sent to all Members of Parliament shortly
afterwards . Information on the use of global loans in 1992
and for the period 1988 — 92 can be found on
pages 104 — 109 ; pages 26, 36 and 37 also contain
information on global loans .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 848 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to European Political Cooperation

( 15 July 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 65 )

Subject : Stockpiling of weapons smuggled into occupied

Cyprus

According to the newspaper Pondiki of 8 April 1993, large
quantities of weapons from the former USSR, in particular
from the autonomous Muslim Chechen area, whose leaders
maintain very good relations with the Denktash regime, are
being stockpiled in occupied Cyprus . These weapons are

Subject : Bronchial asthma in Greece

Mr A. Rasidakis, Professor of Pulmonology at Athens
University, recently announced that cases of bronchial
asthma, in any event in Greece, have doubled over the last
two years, especially amoung young children . He also points
out that asthma is not correctly treated in most countries
either because of ignorance or negligence, frequently on the
part of doctors . Mr Rasidakis points out that the latest
research shows that it is chronic inflammation and should

be treated accordingly .

What possibility is there for the Community to help the
national authorities in dealing with this problem ? Can the
Commission provide relevant information on this
matter ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

The Commission is aware of increases in the incidence of

asthma in a number of Member States and is in touch with
some European organizations concerned with the disease .
There is no specific Community asthma programme but
within the general scope of health protection the
Commission is willing to consider for assistance asthma
prevention projects which involve several Member States
and can demonstrate a clear added-value at Community
level .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 33

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1953 / 93

by Mr James Ford ( PSE )
to European Political Cooperation

( 19 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 67

Is it not for instance regrettable that the North American
forces sent to Somalia were removed from UN control and

that air exclusion zones were imposed on Iraq without UN
authorization ?

Subject : Slaughter of seals in Namibia Answer
( 30 November 1993 )

A report from the International Fund for Animal Welfare
shows that in 1992 20 000 seal pups were clubbed to death
in Namibia .

In the light of the European Community ban on the
importation of products made from seal skins, has the issue
of this cull been raised with the Namibian authorities ?

If not, will EPC please undertake to address this issue in the
course of their dialogue with the Namibian Government ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The question raised by the Honourable Member has not

been discussed in European Political Cooperation . The ban
on the importation of products made from seal skins, to
which the Honourable Member refers, is a matter of
Community competence .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 967 / 93

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( PSE )

to European Political Cooperation

In its statement of 30 June 1992 the European Union
approved the publication of the report by the
Secretary-General of the United Nations entitled ' An
Agenda for Peace '. That report contains proposals which
meet the concerns of the Honourable Member, in so far as
they cover inter alia numerous aspects of the question of
peace-keeping operations .

Amongst those proposals, attention should be drawn to the
one for the Member States of the UN to make military
contingents available on stand-by . Initially, the Member
States of the European Union replied individually to the
Secretary-General 's proposals .

Another proposal concerns strengthening the services of the
Secretariat responsible for managing peace-keeping
operations . The Member States of the European Union
support this restructuring and take part in it, for example
through the temporary secondment of military personnel .

All these proposals will be examined again during the 48th
session of the United Nations General Assembly .

It should also be noted that Western European Union has
already taken an active part in implementing UN
Resolutions and should strengthen its capacity for action in
this regard in the future .

( 19 July 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1969 / 93
93 / C 350 / 68
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

Subject : Need to activate the Military Staff Committee set ( 19 July 1993 )

up under Articles 26, 46 and 47 of the UN ' ( 93 / C 350 / 69
Charter

So far the Military Staff Committee set up under Articles 26,
46 and 47 of the UN Charter has been an empty shell .

Considering that it is not a good thing to entrust the role of
world 's policeman to a single major power, what is EPC 's
reaction to the calls made by Mr Boutros-Ghali, UN
Secretary-General, and several governments for an armed
branch to be set up under the Military Staff Committee ?

Subject : Community aid for NGOs in Chile

Further to my Written Question No 2797 / 92 Q ), what
exactly were the organizations, institutions and studies
which were subsidized or received funds, and for what
projects ?

(') OJ No C 141, 19 . 5 . 1993, p. 46 .

No C 350 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1993 )

In view of the length of its answer, which includes a number
of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the
Honourable Member and Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 990 / 93

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to European Political Cooperation

( 19 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 70 )

Subject : Sanctions against Croatia

An end to the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina will require a
willingness to compromise by all three warring parties,
including the Croats . In view of Croatia 's recent assaults
against Muslims in central Bosnia, its ambitious
rearmament programme, and the hope of many of its leaders
for a Greater Croatia, does EPC not believe sanctions
against Croatia are warranted ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The European Community and its Member States never
ruled out further sanctions or restrictive measures if actions

from parties involved in the conflict in former Yugoslavia so
warranted . They specifically insisted that all parties protect
the lives and safety of relief personnel and let relief convoys
pass unimpeded . In this context, the Community and its
Member States continue to monitor closely all relevant
developments within and outside of Bosnia .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2016 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 71 )

Subject : Non-proliferation arrangements

What specific proposals have been put forward by the
Commission in furtherance of its framework plans set out at
paragraph 244 of its legislative programme for 1993 (*) to

amend Regulation ( Euratom ), 3227 / 76 ( 2 ) in order to
strengthen international safeguards and non-proliferation
arrangements ; and what assistance and response from
Member States have been received in promoting
non-proliferation through this amendment ?

( 1 ) COM(93 ) 143 final .

( 2 ) OJ No L 363, 31 . 12 . 1976, p. 1 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

The Community and its Member States have already
informed the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA )
of the supplementary information that will be forwarded
regularly to the IAEA as a result of the amendment of
Regulation ( Euratom ) No 3227 / 76 and in order to
demonstrate their commitment to strengthening the
international safeguards and non-proliferation regime .

The Community and its Member States take every
appropriate opportunity to urge other Member States of the
IAEA, who have not yet done so, to forward also to the
IAEA such supplementary information .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2022 / 93

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to European Political Cooperation

( 23 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 72 )

Subject : Politically motivated murders in Turkey

According to evidence submitted by Amnesty International
and Helsinki Watch to the Conference on Security and
Cooperation in Europe in April 1993, the number of
politically motivated murders and ' disappearances ' in
Turkey has not only failed to diminish, but it has increased
alarmingly, particularly in 1992 and the first few months of

1993 . At the same time, according to the annual report by
the Committee to protect Journalists which has its
headquarters in the USA, 1 1 journalists were murdered in

1992 in Turkey, while this year the number of murder
victims employed by the press has reached 14 .

Will EPC bring pressure to bear on Turkey finally to put and
end to this unacceptable situation ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Honourable Member will be aware that the relationship
of the Community and its Member States with Turkey is

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 35

conducted through a regular dialogue bearing in mind our
common attachment to democracy, respect for human
rights and international law . Hence, the Turkish authorities
are well aware of the importance which the Community and
its Member States attach to the rule of law, the full respect of
human rights and the commitments to which Turkey has
subscribed in CSCE, Council of Europe and UN
conventions . On the occasion of the 15 September troika
meeting with Turkey at the level of Political Directors, the
Human Rights situation in Turkey has been addressed .

international meetings — such as those held by the United
Nations in Vienna — dealing with drug prevention .

It has also maintained close contacts with third countries for
mutual exchanges of information on action taken on drug
prevention .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2118 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PPE )
to European Political Cooperation

( 26 July 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2032 / 93
( 93 / C 350 / 74 )

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 23 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 73 )

Subject : Campaign against drug abuse — activities of the

European Committee for the Campaign against
Drug Abuse

With regard to the campaign against drug abuse, will the
Council provide information on the most recent activities
undertaken by the European Committee for the Campaign
against Drug Abuse ( CELAD ) set up by the European
Council at the Strasbourg Summit in 1989 ?

Answer

( 26 November 1993 )

Although CELAD is an intergovernmental body for which it
has no direct responsibility, the Council is able to give the
Honourable Member information on its most recent

activities . It should be pointed out, however, that in view of
the new structures provided for in the Treaty on European
Union, CELAD as such ceased to exist with the entry into
force of that Treaty .

From 16 to 22 November 1992 CELAD coordinated the

organization of a European Drug Prevention Week . With
the active cooperation of the Commission over 200 events
geared to education and prevention for young people were
held in the Member States . Drawing positive lessons from
this experiment, the Health Council has decided to hold a
second such week in the second half of 1994 .

In addition, CELAD has regularly sought to coordinate the
position which the Twelve are to defend at various

Subject : Unita attack on train

On 27 May at least 355 people died in the Unita attack on a
passenger train in southern Angola . As this organization,
which is defiantly ignoring the outcome of last year 's
elections, although they were recognized by the
international community, is basically controlled by Zaire,
which recently, moreover, moved six divisions up to the
frontier with Cabinda, does European Political Cooperation
intend to undertake a new initiative to bring peace to this
region ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States are following
developments in the situation in Angola very closely . They
fully support the efforts made under the auspices of the
United Nations and have appealed to all the parties, in
particular UNITA, to respect the peace agreement, the
outcome of the elections held in September 1992, the UN
Security Council Resolutions and the Abidjan agreement .

The Community and its Member States would point out
that one Member State is a member of the troika of ' Acordos

de Paz ' observers . The European Council in Copenhagen
moreover expressed its full support for Security Council
Resolution 834 of June 1993 which condemned UNITA 's
actions and called upon it to accept the United Nations
humanitarian aid plan . They supported the latest attempt by
the special representative of the United Nations
Secretary-General to achieve a cease-fire and will implement
the sanctions against UNITA provided for in Security
Council Resolution 864 .

No C 350 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2119 / 93

by Mr Juan Ramirez Heredia ( PSE )

to European Political Cooperation

( 26 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 75 )

Subject : Reactions of the Trevi Group in Copenhagen and

Kolding to racist violence

At the meeting of the Trevi Group in Copenhagen and
Kolding, the Ministers of Justice and the Interior expressed
their horror and revulsion at the violence directed against
immigrants and asylum-seekers in various Member States,
decided to conduct an inquiry into racism and xenophobia
in the EC and acknowledged the need for a common policy
regulating flows of immigrants .

Have the Ministers meeting in EPC considered including
measures in that overall policy to encourage the integration
and defence of human rights ?

What specific steps do they intend to take against the
perpetrators of racist and xenophobic acts of violence ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

At the Copenhagen Summit on 21 and 22 June 1993 the
European Council strongly condemned recent attacks on
immigrants and refugees in the Member States . It reiterated
its strong resolve to fight by all available means intolerance
and racism in all its forms and stressed that such intolerance

and racism is unacceptable in our present day societies .

The European Council confirmed the commitment to
protect everybody, including immigrants and refugees,
against violations of fundamental rights and freedoms as
embodied in the national laws of the Member States and the

international instruments on human rights, notably the
United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms

of Racial Discrimination .

The European Council decided to intensify efforts to
identify and root out the causes of racism and xenophobia .
It also pledged that the Member States would do their
utmost to protect immigrants, refugees and others against
expressions and manifestations of racism and
intolerance .

The Commission on Human Rights decided in March 1993
to appoint a special rapporteur to look into contemporary
forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and
the intolerance which goes with them .

One outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights
held in Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993, in which the
European Community and its Member States took an active
part, was an urgent plea to all Governments to prepare
vigorous policies to prevent and combat all forms and
manifestations of racism, xenophobia and intolerance, if
necessary, by adopting appropriate laws laying down
punitive sanctions and creating national institutions to
combat those phenomena .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2157 / 93

by Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage ( PSE )

to European Political Cooperation

( 26 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 76 )

Subject : Reintroduction of the death penalty in Peru

The Peruvian Constitutional Congress has decided that the
death penalty will be reintroduced in the new
constitution .

The Andean Pact agreement, to which Peru is a signatory,
contains a clause invoking democratic conditionality .

Does European Political Cooperation consider the decision
of the Peruvian Constitutional Congress to be compatible
with this condition concerning the protection of human
rights ?

If it considers it incompatible, does European Political
Cooperation intend to take the necessary steps to exclude
Peru from the benefits of the third-generation agreement,
the Generalized System of Preferences and all development
aid other than strictly humanitarian assistance ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

1 . On 27 August the Peruvian Constitutional Congress
adopted the text of a new Constitution which will be
submitted as a whole to a referendum of the people on
31 October . In Article in the new Constitution states that the

death penalty may only be applied for the crime of treason
against one 's country and terrorism in accordance with
national laws and the international treaties to which Peru is

party . Before it can apply this Article — assuming that the
new Constitution is approved by the referendum — the
Peruvian Government will have to obtain parliamentary
approval to denounce the San Jose Convention on Human
Rights and give one year 's notice of such denunciation to the
Secretary-General of the OAS . Only then will it be possible
to apply the death penalty to persons on whom sentence is
passed in future .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 37

2 . This issue has been discussed in detail within

European Political Cooperation . The Member States which
so wished have had an opportunity to state both to the
Constitutional Congress and to the authorities that this
measure might have a negative effect on Peru 's image in the
outside world .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 194 / 93

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )

to European Political Cooperation

( 29 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 77 )

Subject : The Middle Eastern peace process

In its answer to the author 's earlier oral question

( No H-01 41 / 93 ) ( 1 ), the Commission gave the impression,
especially in the fourth paragraph, that the Community was
maintaining a neutral stance towards the conflict between
the Palestinians and Israel in the occupied territories .

Can the Commission state whether it is still aware of the

Geneva Conventions and of the numerous resolutions of

both the UN and the European Parliament, as well as its own
declarations on the matter ? Can it also state its position on
who is actually occupying these territories, and in what
manner, and whether the Jewish settlements on the West
Bank and in East Jerusalem are legal ?

The Community and its Member States have repeatedly
stressed the importance of assuring respect for human rights
and of implementing confidence-building measures as a
means of increasing the level of trust between the parties and
taking the negotiations forward . In this regard they have
called for a halt to the building and expansion of Israeli
settlements in the Occupied Territories, including East
Jerusalem, which are illegal under international law, and for

full application of the provisions of the 4th Geneva
Convention .

The Community and its Member States welcomed the latest
historic agreement, reached on 13 September 1993, and
have paid tribute to the vision and courage of the Israeli and
Palestinian leaders who made this possible .

The European Community and its Member States will
pursue their efforts and reiterate their commitment to a
comprehensive peace . They hope that progress will be
accomplished in other bilateral negotiations and in the
multilateral talks on future cooperation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2209 / 93

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( PSE )
to European Political Cooperation

( 29 July 1993 )
( ! ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-430 ( April 1993 ).

( 93 / C 350 / 78 )

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States believe that it is vital
for the EC to continue to play a balanced and constructive
role in the peace process . Otherwise it would fail to win the
confidence on any of the parties to the dispute . This does not
mean ignoring violations of UN resolutions or Conventions
where they occur . The EC has spoken out against such
violations at the very highest levels .

The Community and its Member States have often stated
that it is for the parties themselves to the Arab-Israeli dispute
to establish the terms of a settlement, which, to be effective,
must be freely negotiated and agreed among them .
Nevertheless they have also reiterated time and again their
belief that for an agreement to prove just, lasting and
comprehensive it should be based on UN Security Council
Resolutions 242 and 338, which enshrine the principle of
land for peace . It should provide for the security of all States
in the region, including Israel, within recognized and
guaranteed borders, and for the Palestinian people to
exercise their right to self-determination .

Subject : The need to outlaw the practice of excision or

infibulation of persons of the female sex within the
territory of the Community

The practice of excision or infibulation of women or girls
exists in certain countries . Although it is unknown in our
culture, there is a risk of it occurring in the Community as a
result of the movement of populations .

The UK decided to react in 1985, adopting the Prohibition
of Female Circumcision Act, which at least exists, despite
serious inadequacies . All the Member States have, unless the
present author is mistaken, adopted the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child of 20 November 1989 . Belgium has
ratified this convention, by the law of 20 November 1989
and by decrees of its component communities . Article 2 ( 3 )
of the convention stipulates that ' States Parties shall take all
effective and appropriate measures with a view to abolishing
traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children '.

The European Parliament, in its proposals on ' 1993 : the
new treaties ', has affirmed that ' human dignity is inviolable '

No C 350 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

( p. 79 ). TheTrevi Group may, once ratification of the Treaty
of Maastricht is complete, extend its field of operation .
Certain authoritative figures in Africa itself, such as Mr Awa
Thain, in ' La parole aux negresses ' (' Black women speak '),
have denounced the practices concerned, whose
continuation — despite the inadequately enforced bans
existing in some countries — is an increasing source of
embarrassment to many of the participants in the Joint
Assembly of the Lome Convention . In Belgium, traditional
mutilations are prohibited under Article 398 of the Criminal
Code, which outlaws the infliction of bodily harm .

Is it not, despite all the above, vital to add to the criminal
legislation of all the Member States a specific provision
outlawing the practices concerned — even when, on the
pretext of preventing infection, they are carried out,
extraordinarily, in a hospital environment — and providing
for more severe penalties where the victim is a minor ?

Is it not thus essential to adapt the relevant legislation of the
Member States so as specifically to condemn excision and
infibulation and all violations of the physical integrity of the
victims, to raise the consciousness of health professionals in
the context of a policy of prevention, and to promote and
ensure moral and financial participation in information
campaigns, especially in the partner states of the Fourth
Lome Convention, under Article 4 of the Convention
itself ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The practices to which the Honourable Member is referring
are being discussed in detail within the United Nations .

The Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and

Protection of Minorities has designated a special
Rapporteur who has been instructed to submit to it a plan of
action for the abolition of traditional practices harmful to
the health of women and children .

In the Action Programme which was adopted at the close of
the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in
June 1993, the Conference emphasized how much work

needed to be done to overcome the contradiction which may
exist between the rights of women and the harmful effects of
certain traditional or customary practices, cultural
prejudices and religious extremism . The World Conference
also urged States to combat violence against women .

At its 48th session the United Nations General Assembly
will consider, with a view to adopting it, a draft Declaration
on the abolition of violence against women . In the
Declaration, violence against women encompasses inter alia
genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to

women .

The large number of States which have ratified the United
Nations Convention on the Right of the Child have
committed themselves to taking the necessary measures to
ensure that the provisions of the Convention are
implemented on a national level . An international
monitoring mechanism in this sphere has been established
through the creation of the Committee on the Rights of the
Child which ensures that all the commitments entered into
by States are honoured and implemented .

The questions raised by the Honourable Member have not
been discussed in the context of Political Cooperation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2226 / 93

by Mr Antonio Capucho ( LDR ) and

Mr Jan Bertens ( LDR )

to European Political Cooperation

( 30 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 79

Subject : Middle East peace negotations

In view of the need to make rapid progress with the peace
negotiations in the Middle East so as to prevent total
disillusionment among the Palestinian population with the
peace process, can EPC give the assurance that it is using its
influence to the maximum to ensure that all the parties to the
negotiations appreciate the importance the EC and its
Member States attach to the fulfilment of Resolutions 242
and 338 of the Security Council ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States have repeatedly
stated that it is for the parties themselves to the Arab-Israeli
dispute to establish the terms of a settlement, which, to be
effective, must be freely negotiated and agreed among them .
Nevertheless they have also reiterated their belief that for an
agreement to prove just, lasting and comprehensive it should
be based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338,
which enshrine the principle of land for peace . It should
provide for the security of all States in the region, including
Israel, within recognized and guaranteed borders, and for
the Palestinian people to exercise their right to
self-determination .

The Community and its Member States welcomed the
historic agreement reached on 13 September 1993 and have
paid tribute to the vision and courage of the Israeli and
Palestinian leaders who made this possible .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 39

The Community is firmly committed to support the process,

firstly, by providing immediate aid of ECU 20 million as
short term aid, secondly by substantially boosting financial
assistance on medium term, and thirdly by increasing
political and economic cooperation with all the states of the
region involved in the success of this breakthrough .

The Community and its Member States reiterate their hope
that progress will be accomplished in other bilateral
negotiations and in the multilateral talks on future
cooperation .

( ECU 20 million ) and the Member States of the Community
which are members of the G7 .

Since European Political Cooperation has no competence in
the matter of technical questions on inspection and the
nuclcar arsenal of the CIS, and has no relevant official
sources on these questions, it is unable to reply to them .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2261 / 93

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to European Political Cooperation

(1 September 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2235 / 93
( 93 / C 350 / 81 )

by Mr David Morris ( PSE )

to European Political Cooperation

( 30 July 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 80

Subject : Nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union

Nuclear safety is a focal sector for cooperation in the
technical assistance that the EC is providing to the
Commonwealth of Independent States and Georgia ( the
former Soviet Union ).

Can EPC now report on the condition of the nuclear
weapons arsenal in those countries, with particular
reference to the frequency of scientific inspection, the
number of warheads that cannot be accounted for and the

market in technical information about the component parts
of nuclear weapons ?

Subject : Release by Iran of an Israeli prisoner

Since 1986 Ron Arad, an Israeli pilot, has been held as a
prisoner of war initially by the Shiite organization, Amal,
then by Dirani, a pro-Iranian organization which broke
away from Amal, and finally by Iran itself . Despite all the
efforts both by the State of Israel and the UN
Secretary-General 's special envoy, Giandomenico Picco, it
has been impossible to secure his release . In view also of the
recent resolution adopted by the European Parliament ( l )
calling for the immediate release of Ron Arad, will the
Foreign Ministers meeting in EPC say what specific
measures they intend to take to secure his release ?

(!) Minutes of sittings ( verbatim report 13 II ) of 27 May 1993,

p. 5 .

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )
Representations to the Iranian authorities about Ron Arad
have not been made within the EPC framework . The

European Community and its Member States are unaware

The nuclear safety of military nuclear installations does not of his current whereabouts, but they support the efforts of
fall within the competence of European Political the UN and of Israel to obtain his release .
Cooperation .

Nuclear assistance to Central and Eastern European
countries and the countries of the former Soviet Union takes

the form of projects coordinated by the European
Community in the framework of its Phare and Tacis
programmes . These programmes are, in their turn, part of
the nuclear safety activities of the G24 . In addition, the G7
has decided to establish a multilateral fund for nuclear safety
in the above countries . This fund, managed by the EBRD,
will receive contributions from the European Community

The Community and its Member States have repeatedly
called on Iran to respect the various international human
rights instruments and convenants . They maintain a ' critical
dialogue ' with the Iranian government in which they frankly
reflect EC concerns about Iranian behaviour in a number of

areas, including human rights . They will continue to raise
violations of those rights where they occur .

No C 350 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2342 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Council of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 82

Subject : Commission proposal for a directive on data

protection

Can the Council say when it expects to adopt the
Commission 's proposal for a directive on data protection ( ] )
which was submitted to it on 15 October 1992 ?

(») COM 92 / 422 final .

Answer

( 22 November 1993 )

The Council 's bodies are making every possible effort to
arrive at a common position on this highly complex
proposal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2378 / 93

by Mr Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to European Political Cooperation

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 83 )

Subject : Export of land mines

Has EPC taken any action in response to the call by the
European Parliament in December 1992 for all Member
States to impose a five-year moratorium on the export of
land mines ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

Under the circumstances, the Community and its Member
States intend to make an active contribution to the

deliberations of the 48th session of the United Nations

General Assembly, in particular as regards the preparatory
work for a conference to examine the Convention on

Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain

Conventional Weapons .

The Community and its Member States will be looking into
the modifications to be made to the Convention and, in
particular, its second Protocol which makes provision for
' prohibitions of or restrictions on the use of mines, booby
traps and other devices '.

In the same context, the Community and its Member States
are preparing a draft Resolution on assistance in mine
disposal which is to be the subject of a Community initiative
at the next United Nations General Assembly .

Attention should also be drawn to the fact that the

Community and its Member States are contributing to
several major programmes in the field of assistance in mine
disposal, in particular in Asia ( Cambodia ) and Central
America ( Nicaragua ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2389 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to European Political Cooperation

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 84 )

Subject : Violation by Greek companies ( Evroil Abee and

Mamidol-Jetoil ) of the UN embargo on Bosnia

Allegations have been made in the Greek Parliament by MPs
Mr D. Vrettos, Mr D. Georgakopoulos, Mr P. Poundidis
and Mr V. Yeranidis that the Greek companies Evroil Abee
and Mamidol-Jetoil jiave violated the UN embargo on
Yugoslavia by supplying oil to Bosnia . Will EPC investigate
to clarify this matter ?

Answer

The problem of limiting and banning mines has been
discussed at meetings of the relevant EPC working ( 30 November 1993 )
parties .

The Member States of the Community have all signed the

Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of

Certain Conventional Weapons and those Member States
which have not yet ratified the Convention are examining
the question of ratification as a matter of urgency .

The European Community and its Member States attach the
greatest importance to the strict application of the sanctions
imposed on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( Serbia and
Montenegro ) and have set aside considerable resources for
that purpose .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 41

They have given their full backing to Resolution 787 of the
United Nations Security Council, which stepped up
sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( Serbia
and Montenegro ) while making it possible to apply them,
and to Resolution 820, which imposed further sanctions on
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( Serbia and
Montenegro ) and in respect of Serb-controlled zones in
Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina . The Community and
its Member States are committed to ensuring that this
Resolution is implemented comprehensively .

It is, however, for national authorities to see to it that the
embargo is enforced where this directly concerns them .

The Copenhagen European Council also stressed that ' the
Single Market cannot be brought about without the full
implementation of free movement of persons as well as of
goods, services and capital, in accordance with Article 8A of
the Treaty . This requires measures in particular with regard
to cooperation aimed at combating crime and drug
trafficking and ensuring effective control of the external
borders .'

The obstacles to which the Honourable Member refers

should therefore be seen in this context . It should also be

noted that practical arrangements at border posts will also
be dealt with in the context of Articles K1 and K3 of the

Treaty on European Union upon its entry into force .

With regard to the free movement of goods, all
administrative barriers were effectively removed on
1 January 1993 . The physical obstructions referred to in the
question do not constitute barriers within the meaning of
the Commission 's White Paper on the achievement of the
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2456 / 93 single market and indeed the Commission has forwarded no

by Mr Claude Desama ( PSE ) proposals for action in this area to the Council .

to the Council of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 85

Subject : Continuing obstructions at the Community 's
internal land frontier

Since 1 January 1993, when the single market came into
being, checks have no longer been carried out on persons
and goods at the Community 's internal land frontiers .
However, numerous obstructions, for example series of
bends, bottlenecks, very low speed limits, diversions for
heavy goods vehicles, and so forth, which constitute real
dangers to road traffic, remain in place at the points where
customs inspections used to be carried out .

Do these obstructions not interfere with free movement of

persons and goods within the Community ?

If so, what steps will the Council take to remove them ?

Answer

( 22 November 1993 )

The European Council in Copenhagen noted that ' the single
market has been a legal reality since 1 January 1993 ; it is
essential that it should also become a smoothly running
practical reality, improving the competitiveness of the
European economy and yielding maximum economic and
social benefit for the citizen . To that end, the European
Council called on all concerned, and in particular the
Commission and the competent authorities of the Member
States, to work together to ensure that the single market is
administered efficiently with as little red-tape as
possible .'

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2481 / 93

by Mr Luigi Vertemati ( PSE )
to European Political Cooperation

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 86

Subject : Growth of terrorism

The resurgence of terrorism in various parts of Europe

( Spain, Italy, Germany ) and in the world ( Turkey, Egypt,
United States, etc .) is claiming a heavy toll of victims and
correspondingly fuelling tension in the countries
concerned .

Does information exist about the re-emergence of terrorist
groups such as the Red Brigades, the Red Army Fraction,
and other, non-European, groups ?

Are there European bodies capable of coordinating the
operations undertaken by individual countries ?

Will steps be taken to combat the criminal destabilization

being fomented by terrorist groups ? If so, what specific
action is envisaged ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Community
and its Member States have reaffirmed their unstinting
support for Resolution 46 / 5 1 of the United Nations General
Assembly of 9 December 1991, in which the General

No C 350 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

Assembly unequivocally condemns, as criminal and
unjustifiable all acts, methods and practices of terrorism,
wherever and by whomever committed and regardless of
their motivation .

In this connection, the Community and its Member States
are examining situations involving terrorism most
attentively within bodies set up for that purpose, with
particular regard to the protection of their citizens .

Several cooperation bodies have been set up for the purpose
of coordinating initiatives by the various States .

First of all, in the sphere of judicial and police cooperation, I
would invite the Honourable Member to address his

questions about this major area of cooperation, concerning
which the Trevi Group is the best known body, to our
colleagues responsible for justice and home affairs .

Next, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Member
States, meeting in political cooperation, decided in 1986 to
set up a standing EPC Working Party to examine the
political and legal aspects of international terrorism . This
Working Party meets whenever necessary for the purpose of
recommending common positions to be adopted in respect
of specific instances of terrorism for coordinating the
position of the Community and its Member States in
international bodies such as the United Nations, the Council
of Europe and the CSCE and for dealing with cooperation
by the Community and its Member States with third
countries with regard to terrorism . It undertakes liaison and
information exchange with the Trevi Group .

With regard to the steps to be taken to counter the actions of
terrorist groups, I would invite the Honourable Member to
refer to all the public declarations by the Community and its
Member States in which they have condemned the use of
terrorism, as well as to the decisions of the Trevi Group .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2506 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to European Political Cooperation

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 87 )

Subject : Radiation from missiles used to attack Iraq

Missiles emitting radiation were used in the recent attack by
the USA on Iraq and throughout the duration of the Gulf
war . In view of this, will the EPC show support for measures

to :

1 . Prevent further contamination from the remains of the

missiles in the areas affected ?

2 . Prohibit ( or at least restrict ) in the immediate future the
production and use of such weapons producing
radiation ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The question raised in point 1 by the Honourable Member
refers to the fact that depleted uranium anti-tank
ammunition was used during the Gulf War . Depleted
uranium seems to have been selected on account of its

hardness which enables it to pierce practically all types of
armour-plating and not on account of its possible
radioactivity . Such radioactivity has always been presented
as being negligible and therefore harmless to humans .

Although this question was not actually discussed within
European Political Cooperation, there is no indication that
areas have been contamined by radiation . Combat was
moreover practically confined to desert areas .

With regard to the American attack on Iraq, I would refer to
the replies to Oral Questions Nos H-0779 / 93 and
H-0787 / 93 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2539 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 88 )

Subject : Failure by Greece to comply with internal market

rules on movement of Community goods

Neither the central nor regional departments of the Greek
Ministry of Finance are complying with internal market
rules and operating without customs procedures on
accordance with Article 8a of the EEC Treaty and provisions
laid down by the Council and the Commission concerning
the movement of goods within the Community .

In specific terms, the Association of International Hauliers
of Greece allege that the Greek Ministry of Finance is not
complying with Council Regulations ( EEC ) No 2726 / 90 (*)
and ( EEC ) No 1214 / 92 ( 2 ) or the provisions of Directive
77 / 388 / EEC ( 3 ) ( 6th Directive as amended and
supplemented by Directive 91 / 680 / EEC ( 4 ) or Directive
92 / 111 / EEC ( 5 ) on VAT or Directive 92 / 12 / EEC ( 6 ) on
products subject to excise duty .

The Association of International Hauliers of Greece has

appealed to the Directorate-General for Customs and Excise

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 43

( reference No P / 93 / 4463 ) but has yet to receive a reply . In
view of this, will the Commission ensure that the relevant
Greek provisions and circulars are brought into line with the
abovementioned Community rules ?

i 1 ) OJ [No] [ L] 262, 26 . 9 . 1990, p. 1 .

! 2 ) OJ [No] [ L] 132, 16 . 5 . 1992, p. 1 .

: 3 ) OJ [No] [ L] 145, 13 . 6 . 1977, p. 1 .

I 4 ) OJ [No] [ L] 376, 31 . 12 . 1991, p. 1 .

: 5 ) OJ [No] [ L] 384, 30 . 12 . 1992, p. 47 .

: 6 ) OJ [No] [ L] 76, 23 . 3 . 1992, p. 1 .

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the problems referred to by the
Honourable Member, in particular as regards the passage of
Community goods through Greek ports designated as free
zones . It has already raised this matter with the Greek
authorities .

The Association of International Hauliers of Greece was

notified of this on 26 July 1993 .

The Commission is working with the Greek authorities to
find a solution to the current problems in the various forums
for consultation available .

However, if the current situation were to persist, the
Commission would use all the means at its disposal under
the Treaty to ensure that the internal market becomes a
reality in Greece .

The Council is aware of the importance and urgency of
rapid adoption of those principles .

The proposal for a Directive referred to by the Honourable
Member is one of the priorities of the current Presidency,
which has already held several technical meetings of the
specialized Working Party in order for examination of the
dossier to be completed as soon as possible and to enable the
text to be adopted before the end of the year .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655 / 93

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to European Political Cooperation

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 90

Subject : European mediator for Somalia

Given that the UN mission to Somalia is developing from a
humanitarian operation into what looks increasingly like an
armed intervention without the support of local
communities, partly because it is based on unclear political
motives which may well lead to a further tragedy ;

given that the armed forces of Community countries are
involved in this mission and that the Community as such
must assume the responsibilities which a genuine
peace-seeking political role entails ;

does European Political Cooperation not consider it
necessary to send a European mediator responsible for
reducing tension between the various Somalian factions, as
well as between them and the international institutions
WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 75 / 93
involved in the Somalian question ?

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Council of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 89 )

Subject : Uniform principles for the assessment of plant

protection products

When does the Council intend to adopt the Commission 's
proposal on uniform principles for the assessment of plant
protection products ?

Answer

( 22 November 1993 )

Council Directive 91 / 414 / EEC established the Community
framework for the assessment of plant protection products .
Following on from that, the Council still has to adopt
uniform principles to facilitate implementation of that
Directive .

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States share the concern of
the Honourable Member that a durable political solution
should be actively pursued in Somalia . They have
communicated this concern to the Secretary General of the
United Nations, who for his part is committed to bring
forward the political and humanitarian goals of the United
Nations operations in Somalia . They understand that some
of these goals are gradually being attained in most of the
regions of Somalia, and that the situation in south
Mogadiscio should not be construed as being prevalent in
the rest of the country . The Community and its Member
States fully and actively support the efforts of the United
Nations to bring peace to Somalia . They have not
considered to send a European mediator at present .

No C 350 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2691 / 93

by Mr James Ford ( PSE )
to European Political Cooperation

( 3 September 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 91

Subject : Violation of human rights of the Baha'i
community in Iran

Has EPC made representations to the Government of Iran
with regard to the codifying and systematizing of various
types of repressive actions against Baha'is in Iran contained
in the document issued by the Supreme Revolutionary
Cultural Council of the Iranian Government on 25 February

1991, and in respect of the growing body of evidence of the
confiscation of Baha'i properties in Yazd, Saysan and
Ilkhchi ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The then Presidency made representations to the Iranian
authorities both in Tehran and Geneva in June and October

1992 about the situation of the Baha'is in Iran . They raised
the reportedly unfair trials of two Baha'is sentenced to death
for spying and report about the confiscation of houses and
properties belonging to Baha'is in Yazd, Isfahan and
Tehran . Following the representations the trials of the two
Baha'is were reviewed and the death sentences

commuted .

The Community and its Member States have recently raised
concerns about reports of the desecration of a Baha'i
cemetery in Tehran .

The Community and its Member States will continue to
follow the situation closely and to draw to the attention of
the Iranian authorities violations of human rights .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2746 / 93

by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )
to European Political Cooperation

( 16 September 1993 )

93 / C 350 / 92

Subject : Release of the leader of the Albanian Socialist

Party

Mr F. Nano, the leader of the Albanian Socialist Party which
won 54 % of the votes in the recent local elections, has been
imprisoned by the Berisna regime . There are a number of

factors that suggest that this prosecution is
politically-motivated .

— the public prosecutors of Tirana, A. Dotsi and S.

Kokonas have refused to undertake the criminal

prosecution and have resigned ;

— although Mr Nano is accused of misappropriating $8

million of foreign aid, according to his wife who has
protested about this issue to international bodies his
family consisting of eight persons lives in a rented,
four-roomed flat in Tirana ;

— Mr Nano 's imprisonment comes at a time when the

Greek minority is being persecuted, the president of the
National Unity Party, Mr Bequiri, has been sentenced to
a six-month term of imprisonment and demonstrators
have been arrested en mass .

In view of the above will the EPC say : .

1 . whether it has asked the Albanian Government to

explain why the leader of the main opposition party has
been arrested ;

2 . whether it intends to call for the immediate release of Mr

Nano until the courts issue a judgement on the charges
brought against him ?

3 . whether it intends to warn the Albanian authorities that

the Community will implement the conditions for
democratic principles and will suspend the economic
agreements concluded with Albanian, if the President
and the Government continue to push the country
towards a dictatorship ?

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States share the concern
expressed by the Honourable Member over the latest
developments in Albania . 

The Albanian authorities are well aware of the importance
the Community and its Member States attach to the
scrupulous respect for human rights and the rule of law . The
Community and its Member States have repeatedly
reminded the Albanian government of its solemn
commitment to abide strictly with all relevant CSCE
provisions .

Furthermore, the respect for the democratic principles and
the human rights constitute an essential element for the
Cooperation and Economic Agreement that has been signed
between the EC and Albania on 1 December 1992 . They
form also the basis for the structural relationship that has
been set up between Albania and the Council of Europe .

As regards the specific case raised by the Honourable
Member, the Community and its Member States have
currently initiated a thorough examination of the
circumstances which led to the arrest of the opposition
leader . In the light of the outcome of this examination the

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 45

Community and its Member States will consider applied in a non-discriminatory fashion throughout the
appropriate measures to be taken consequently . territory of the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2795 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2755 / 93
by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

by Mr Winifred Ewing ( ARC )
to European Political Cooperation

to the Council of the European Communities (4 October 1993 )

( 16 September 1993 ) ( 93 / C 350 / 94 )

( 93 / C 350 / 93 )

Subject : Israeli prisoner of war Ron Arad

Subject : Directive on dual-use products

As I understand it, this directive is held up in the Council
because the Member States are unable to agree on two
annexes : the list of products and the list of countries of
destination said to be ' at risk '.

1 . Is this interpretation correct ?

2 . What consequences has the failure to adopt this

Directive for the movement of products of this kind
within the Community and for their export ?

3 . What steps does the Council intend to take to remedy

this situation and how long does it think it will take to do
this ?

Answer

( 26 November 1993 )

The Council can assure the Honourable Member that work

on Community rules for controlling exports of dual-use
goods and technologies is making good progress . Since this
is an extremely complex area having numerous
implications, finalization of such rules inevitably involves
some delays . At its meeting on 4 October 1993, the Council
addressed certain key issues regarding export controls on
dual-use goods on a common list, export controls on goods
not included on the common list ( catch-all clause ) and the
duration of the transitional arrangements for
intra-Community trade .

The Council is aware of the importance and urgency of this
matter, particularly with a view to completion of the
Internal Market . Pending adoption of the legal texts being
prepared, trade in dual-use goods and technologies
continues to be subject to existing national legislation .
However, as from 1 January 1993 — in accordance with the
statement adopted by the Council on 21 December 1992,
and made public — intra-Community trade in the goods in
question shall no longer be subject to internal frontier
controls within the Community, but solely to controls

Will the Foreign Ministers give their full support to the
campaign for the release of Israeli Air Force Captain Ron
Arad who has been held captive by Hizbollah since 1986 ?
His family has not heard from him since 1987 as he is not
allowed visits from the Red Cross, contrary to International
Law .

Answer

( 30 November 1993 )

The European Union makes the observance, safeguarding
and promoting of human rights a cornerstone of its common
foreign and security policy .

The case of Ron Arad is shortly to be discussed in the course
of its activities . For the moment, the Honourable Member
may refer to the reply to Written Question E-2261 / 93 put by
Mr F. Pierros ( 1 ).

The European Union is anxious to see the release of all those
unlawful held prisoner in the region .

(*) See page 39 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2841 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Council of the European Communities

(4 October 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 95 )

Subject : Integration of environmental concerns in urban

planning

What progress has been made by the Urban Environment
Expert Group established by the Council in 1991 to advise
on integration of environmental concerns in urban policy
planning ?

No C 350 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

Answer

( 22 November 1993 )

On 28 January 1991 the Council adopted a resolution on
the Green Paper on the urban environment, in which it
invited the Commission, in the light of the suggested lines of
action set out in the Green Paper, to establish a group of
independent experts and national representatives to
consider, from an analysis of the existing situation
throughout the Community, how future town and land-use
planning strategies could incorporate environmental
objectives and, more generally, advise the Commission on
the ways in which the urban environment could be further
developed within Community environment policy .

The Council invited the Commission to consider, within the
context of the European Council declaration on the
environment ( Dublin, 25 and 26 June 1990 ), how the
Community could, through funding, further contribute to
the improvement of the urban environment .

The Council also welcomed the Commission 's intention to

consult widely within the Community on the ideas and
proposals in the Green Paper .

The Council is awaiting the submission by the Commission
of the conclusion of that consultation, and any proposals it
intends to make .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2997 / 93

by Mr James Elles ( PPE ), Mr Otto Habsburg ( PPE ),

Mr Fernand Herman ( PPE )
and Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten ( PPE )

to the Council of the European Communities

( 25 October 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 96 )

Subject : Relations between the EC, Eastern Europe and the

CIS

Events have moved rapidly in the past few months, with
respect to relations between the European Community and
countries in Eastern Europe and the CIS . Decisions are being
taken by EC authorities which appear to react to events
rather than be part of a broad well thought-out strategy .

Will the Council indicate :

1 . Which countries will be eligible for negotiating an

association agreement with the EC ? Does this include
the Baltic States ?

2 . Does the fact of having negotiated an association
agreement with the EC give a third country an implicit
right to expect EC membership in the longer term ?

3 . How far does the EC plan to negotiate the four freedoms

of the Single Market with Russia and the other republics
which are currently members of the CIS ?

4 . Whether it is now possible to set down where the

Eastern frontier of the European Community will finally
be ?

Answer

( 26 November 1993 )

1 . Since the collapse of communism, the Community 's
policy towards Eastern Europe has been part of a very clear
general view of a new architecture of the European
continent .

This policy has been regularly defined and clarified by the
European Council itself, most recently by the European
Council in Copenhagen, which approved very important
conclusions on this subject .

2 . The Council would point out first of all that, with
regard to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the
Community 's policy consists of concluding ' first generation '
cooperation agreements as a first step ; these will pave the
way for the later conclusion of a European association
agreement with the country concerned . The latter
agreements, which establish a much closer and exacting
relationship, between the Community and its partners,
imply that progress towards political and economic reform
in such as to enable this path to be taken .

At this stage European association agreements have been
signed with Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech
Republic and Slovakia .

As yet, only first-generation agreements have been
concluded with Albania, the Baltic States and Slovenia { this
last agreement goes further in that it provides for duty-free
imports ).

As regards the Baltic States, the Copenhagen European
Council, in order to strengthen trading and commercial
links, invited the Commission to submit proposals for
transforming the existing agreements into free-trade
agreements, the objective remaining that of concluding a
European Association agreement with those countries at the
appropriate time .

3 . The Copenhagen European Council confirmed that all
the countries of Central and Eastern Europe linked to the
Community by a European association agreement will be
able, if they so wish, to become members of the European
Union .

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 47

Accession will take place when the associated Member State
is able to meet the obligations deriving therefrom, by
fulfilling the economic and political conditions required .

For an applicant country to accede, it must have stable
institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human
rights, respect for minorities and their protection, the
existence of a viable market economy and the capacity to
face competition pressure and market forces within the
Union . Membership presupposes the candidate 's ability to
take on the obligations of membership including adherence
to the aims of political, economic and monetary union .

At the same time, the Union 's capacity to absorb new
members, while maintaining the momentum of European
integration, is also an important consideration in the general
interest of both the Union and the candidate countries .

The European Council moreover agreed that future
cooperation with the associated countries would be geared
to the objective of membership . In this context it adopted a
series of measures of which details are given in the
conclusion of the European Council, the main aspects of
which are :

— establishment of a structured relationship with the

Institutions of the Union within the framework of a

reinforced multilateral dialogue and consultation on
matters of common interest ;

— adoption of a series of measures to increase our partners '

access to Community markets ;

— continuation of considerable financial support, in

particular within the framework of the Phare
programme, part of the funds for which may be used to
develop trans-European network projects ;

— provision of technical assistance to make it easier for our

partners to ensure approximation of their laws to
Community legislation, in particular in the field of rules
on competition and protection of workers, the
environment and consumers .

4 . With regard to the independent States which have
emerged from the former Soviet Union, Community policy
does not have the same perspectives as that described for the
countries of Central and Eastern Europe .

It aims at giving the Community 's full support to the process
of political and economic reform which has been initiated in
the new independent States in order to facilitate the
transition from totalitarianism to democracy, the transition

to a market economy and free enterprise and those States '
full integration into the global economic system .

Community support, which is provided in cooperation with
the other industrialized partners, is expressed at
Community level by the far-ranging Tacis technical
assistance programme, which has just been reformed, as
well as by bilateral technical assistance programmes .

A reminder is given moreover of the generous humanitarian
assistance which has been the rapid and flexible response by
the Community and its Member States in particular to the
increasingly disturbing shortfalls in the supply of foodstuffs
and medicinal products over the last few years .

5 . In order to put contractual links with the new
independent States on a new, broad basis, the Community
aims to conclude partnership and cooperation agreements
which should establish close cooperation with those States,
depending on each State 's characteristics, in the political,
economic, scientific and technical spheres . A initial
negotiating stage should enable partnership and
cooperation agreements to be concluded with Russia,
Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan .

These are non-preferential agreements which do not aim at
extending to the new independent States the four freedoms
governing the Single Market . The conclusion of partnership
and cooperation agreements, unlike agreements concluded
with Central and Eastern European States, does not seek to
integrate the new independent States into the Community
but to integrate those States ' economies into the global

economy .

6 . With regard to the Agreement being negotiated with
Russia, the Council has decided that it would contain a
future developments clause which would enable the
Agreement to be adapted so as to establish a free-trade area
when circumstances permit and in particular when Russia is
in a position to meet GATT obligations .

The Copenhagen European Council expressed the wish that
the partnership Agreement with Russia could be rapidly
concluded, in the context of creating a contractual
relationship between the Community and that country
which reflects the political and economic role which Russia
plays on the international scene .

The Copenhagen European Council also agreed to suggest
to our Russian partner that regular summit meetings be held
between the President of the European Council, the
President of the Commission and the Russian President, like
the meetings held with our American, Japanese and
Canadian partners .

No C 350 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 29 . 12 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 170 / 93

by Mr Bouke Beumer ( PPE )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 19 November 1993 )

( 93 / C 350 / 97 )

Subject : Commission 's strategic programme on reinforcing

the effectiveness of the Internal Market

1 . Nine months after the completion of the programme
contained in the White Paper on the internal market, how
does the Council evaluate the current functioning of the
internal market, and, in particular :

( a ) the delays in the transposition of Community rules in

the different Member States, and whether they have
been correctly transposed,

( b ) the delays in the process of standardization, and how

this process could be improved,

( c ) the necessity of facilitating access by consumers and
economic operators to legal recourse in the case of
abuses of the internal market ( ensuring the application
of Community laws, imposing sanctions / fines etc .),

( d ) the need to ensure greater transparency and
information concerning the rules, objectives, economic
and social impact and possible defects of the internal
market,

( e ) the advantages and limitations of the principle of
mutual recognition of national laws for the internal
market,

( f ) the reinforcement of coordination and cooperation
between national administrations,

( g ) the ways in which the creation of new technical barriers
can be avoided,

( h ) the methods envisaged by the Commission for ensuring

continued monitoring of the implementation of the
proposed strategic programme on the internal
market ?

2 . By when does the Council envisage the adoption of the
proposed strategic programme on the internal market ?

Answer

( 23 November 1993 )

The Council did not wait until the deadline set in the White

Paper on the completion of the internal market to start
assessing the various points covered in the question from the
Economic and Monetary Committee of the European
Parliament .

As early as May 1992, the Council had held an informal
discussion on post-1992, at the close of which it had invited
the Commission to establish a framework for permanent
collaboration between the Commission and the Member

States in order to ensure the management of the area
without internal frontiers and enable Member States to

monitor the functioning of the internal market .

Successive discussions led to the adoption last December of
a Council resolution on making the Single Market work . In
that resolution (*) the Council addressed a number of
requests to both the Commission and the Member States . It
asked in particular that the Commission regularly informs
the Council on the way in which Member States were
implementing the provisions necessary for the completion of
the internal market, a task which the Commission has since
been carrying out . Its reports have helped to speed up
considerably the process of transposing Community rules
into national law .

With regard to assessment of that transposition exercise, it
is, of course, first and foremost the task of the Commission
as guardian of the treaties .

Regarding standardization, the Council, in its resolution of
December 1992, invited the Member States and the
Commission to help accelerate the formulation of European
standards and to encourage mutual recognition agreements
between private testing laboratories and certification bodies
in the Community in order to continue efforts to eliminate
barriers to the free movement of goods .

As regards the consumers and economic operators, but also
all citizens, the Council, in a resolution adopted on 8 June

1993 on the quality of drafting of Community legislation,
invited the Member States and the Commission to

endeavour to make existing and future Community
legislation clearer and more consistent, and thus more
accessible, in particular through consolidation of the texts .
It also expressed the wish that information concerning the
transposition of Community legislation, its implementation
and the channels of appeal should be widely circulated .

The Council itself undertook to give priority to examining
appropriate initiatives which the Commission might decide
to take to ensure harmonious operation of the single
market .

At its meeting on 5 April 1993 the Council, during an open
televised debate on post-1992, considered the issues of :

— improving the rights of operators and consumers,

stressing in particular the role which the single market
would have to play in promoting small and
medium-sized undertakings ;

— transparency ;

— information and communication ;

29 . 12 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 350 / 49

— administrative cooperation .

Subsequently, the Commission referred to the Council in
June 1993 a communication which it also forwarded to the

The Council has held a policy debate on this working
document, with a view to providing the Commission with a
certain amount of background information aimed at
helping it to draw up the stategic programme proper ; this
will be the subject of a further communication .

of European the internal Parliament market, entitled '. Annexed ' Reinforcing to that communication the effectiveness will be the subject of a

was a Commission working document entitled ' Towards a
strategic programme for the internal market '. i 1 ) OJ No C 334, 18 . 12 . 1992 .

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