DIRECTORATE FOR THE PLANNING

OF PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS

ACTIVITIES

04/A-2005

Directorate-General for the Presidency

EN EN ABBREVIATIONS USED

Political Groups

PPE-DE Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats PSE Socialist Group in the ALDE Grop of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats forEurope Verts/ALE Group of the Greens / European Free Alliance GUE/NGL Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left IND/DEM Independence and Democracy Group UEN Union for Europe of the Nations Group NI Non-attached Members

Committees

AFET Committee on Foreign Affairs DEVE Committee ond Development INTA Committee on International Trade BUDG Committee on Budgets CONT Committee on Budgetary Control ECON Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs EMPL Committee on Employment and Social Affairs ENVI Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety ITRE Committee on Industry, Research and Energy IMCO Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection TRAN Committee on Transport and Tourism REGI Committee on Regional Development AGRI Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development PECH Committee on Fisheries CULT Committee on Culture and Education JURI Committee on Legal Affairs LIBE Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs AFCO Committee on Constitutional Affairs FEMM Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality PETI Committee on Petitions

http://www.europarl.ep.ec/bulletins (Intranet) http://www.europarl.eu.int/bulletins (Internet)

\\Epades\public\bulletin\Activités

Closed on : 04.04.2005

CONTENTS 3

PRESIDENCY

Main decisions of the College of Quaestors...... 6

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Appointments/resignations/end of Members' terms of office...... 8 List of Intergroups in the European Parliament ...... 9

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Written questions...... 15 Question Time (B6-0019/2005) ...... 39 Summary of Questions time - March 2005 ...... 41 Written declarations...... 42

COMMITTEES

Appointment of rapporteurs and draftsmen...... 46

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Commission documents...... 52

GENERAL INFORMATION

Council of the

Appointment of a Member of the Court of Auditors ...... 62

Common Foreign and Security Policy

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Azerbaijan ...... 63 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the final days of the election campaign in Moldova ...... 64 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan ...... 65 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the parliamentary elections in Tajikistan ...... 65 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Togo ...... 66 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the referendum for the adoption of a new constitution in Burundi ...... 67 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the parliamentary elections in Moldova on 6 March 2005 ...... 67

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4 CONTENTS

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on recent events in Bolivia ...... 68 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the recent developments in Serbia and Montenegro/Kosovo ...... 69 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the "Ezzan" amnesty law in Senegal ...... 69 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the adoption of the "anti-secession law" by the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of ...... 70 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning voluntary surrenders and transfers of indictees to the Hague ...... 71 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the situation in Liberia ...... 71 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the release of Ms Rebiya Kadeer ...... 72 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Council Common Position 2005/227/CFSP of 16 March 2005 renewing measures in support of the effective implementation of the mandate of the international Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) ...... 73 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the presidential pardon for political prisoners in Azerbaijan ...... 73 Declaration by the European Union on the situation in Kyrgyzstan ...... 74 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding the cases of Mr Marinich and Mr Bandazhevsky ...... 74

European Economic and Social Committee

Plenary Assembly of 9 and 10 February 2005 ...... 76 Plenary Assembly of 9 and 10 March 2005 ...... 92

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

This document is available at :

http://www.europarl.ep.ec/bulletins/postsession.htm (Intranet) http://www.europarl.eu.int/bulletins/postsession.htm (Internet)

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PRESIDENCY 5

PRESIDENCY

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6 PRESIDENCY

MAIN DECISIONS OF THE COLLEGE OF QUAESTORS

The Chairmen-in-Office of the College of Quaestors, have circulated the following communications to the Members of the European Parliament:

No 17/ 2005: Baby room in

Further information may be obtained from the Secretariat of the College of Quaestors in:

Strasbourg : Salvador de Madariaga (SDM) Building, 6/20 Tel. 74195

Brussels : Paul-Henri Spaak (PHS) Building, 8b/66 Tel. 43722

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MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 7

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

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8 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS/END OF MEMBERS' TERMS OF OFFICE

END OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF A MEMBER ELECTED IN PORTUGAL

At its sitting of 10 March 2005, pursuant to Rule 4(4) of its Rules of Procedure, Parliament noted that:

António COSTA, Vice-President, had been appointed a member of the Portuguese Government and established that his seat was vacant with effect from 12 March 2005.

______

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE ELECTION OF A PORTUGUESE MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The President of the European Parliament has received official notification of the election to the European Parliament of:

Joel HASSE FERREIRA

to replace António COSTA (PSE/PT), with effect from 12 March 2005.

Parliament will take note of his election at the sitting of 11 April 2005.

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MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 9

LIST OF INTERGROUPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT established in accordance with the rules adopted by the Conference of Presidents (Situation at 30.03.2005)

Name Date established Chairman Political Group Sponsors

FIELDSPORTS, FISHING AND 15/12/2004 EBNER Michl PPE/DE IND/DEM CONSERVATION UEN

WELFARE AND CONSERVATION OF 15/12/2004 CASACA Paulo PPE/DE PSE ANIMALS Verts/ALE

FAMILLE ET PROTECTION DE 16/12/2004 PANAYOTOPOULOS - PPE-DE L'ENFANCE CASSIOTOU Maria IND/DEM UEN BALTIC EUROPE 06/01/2005 BEAZLEY Christopher PPE/DE PSE ALDE FEDERALIST INTERGROUP FOR THE 06/01/2005 LEINEN Jo PPE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION PSE ALDE TRADITIONAL NATIONAL MINORITIES 06/01/2005 TABAJDI Csaba Sándor PPE/DE CONSTITUTIONAL REGIONS AND PSE REGIONAL LANGUAGES ALDE

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CINEMA, AUDIOVISUAL POLICY AND 07/01/2005 HIERONYMI Ruth PPE/DE PSE CULTURAL DIVERSITY GUE/NGL

FOURTH WORLD EUROPEAN 07/01/2005 ROURE Martine PPE/DE COMMITTEE PSE GUE/NGL CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE 12/01/2005 STEVENSON Struan PPE/DE DEVELOPMENT IN THE EUROPEAN PSE PARLIAMENT IND/DEM TOURISME 12/01/2005 SUDRE Margie PPE/DE ALDE PSE

DISABILITY INTERGROUP 20/01/2005 HOWITT Richard PPE/DE PSE ALDE GUE/NGL TRADE UNION COORDINATION GROUP 20/01/2005 HUGHES Stephen PPE/DE PSE GUE/NGL ANTI-RACISM AND DIVERSITY 28/01/2005 MORAES Claude PSE ALDE GUE/NGL

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MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 11

SME (SMALL AND MEDIUM 28/01/2005 KARAS Othmar PPE/DE ENTREPRENEURS) PSE IND/DEM LESBIAN AND GAY INTERGROUP 02/02/2005 CASHMAN Michael Verts/ALE ALDE PSE PRESS, COMMUNICATION AND 14/02/2005 CAVADA Jean-Marie PSE FREEDOM ALDE Verts/ALE TIBET INTERGROUP 14/02/2005 MANN Thomas PPE/DE Verts/ALE UEN CIEL ET ESPACE 09/03/2005 BUSQUIN Philippe PPE/DE PSE GUE/NGL GLOBALISATION INTERGROUP 30/03/2005 FORD Glyn PSE Verts/ALE GUE/NGL

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MEMBERS' ACTIVITIES 13

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 15

WRITTEN QUESTIONS Situation at 04.04.2005

Author Subject No Herbert Bösch Follow-up in the case surrounding the Commission E-0657/05 Representation in Vienna Herbert Bösch Recognition of qualifications E-0658/05 Herbert Bösch Recognition of driving licences E-0659/05 Konstantinos Hatzidakis Narcotics E-0660/05 Monica Frassoni Loss of competitiveness of Italian producers of active E-0661/05 ingredients of generic pharmaceutical products owing to different duration of Italian supplementary protection certificates and European SPCs Frederika Brepoels Organ donation at European level E-0662/05 Esko Seppänen Denmark's salmon quota E-0663/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Information on the draft Constitution P-0664/05 Satu Hassi Attacks on human rights defenders in Chechnya P-0665/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Cost and length of time involved in starting up a business E-0666/05 in Greece Dimitrios Papadimoulis Olympic Airlines E-0667/05 Georgios Papastamkos Cohesion policy 2007-2013 P-0668/05 María Salinas García Use of the Solidarity Fund to alleviate the effects of the P-0669/05 agricultural disaster caused by frost in Spain Avian influenza - Commission measures E-0670/05 Lissy Gröner Suspension of assistance for projects in EuroMed E-0671/05 countries Manolis Mavrommatis Safety standards for lifts in the EU E-0672/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Greek public service procedures for the recruitment of E-0673/05 scientific personnel Georgios Karatzaferis Greek public service procedures for the recruitment of E-0674/05 scientific personnel Georgios Karatzaferis Athens airport and the HOCHTIEF company E-0675/05 Cancelled question E-0676/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Revelations regarding Ministry of Finance report E-0677/05 concerning the third CSF

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Georgios Karatzaferis Destruction of documents relating to Athens Airport and E-0678/05 other co-funded projects inside the DG Regio building Marie-Line Reynaud Combating discrimination - recognition of the Roma E-0679/05 European directives with respect to the combating of E-0680/05 TSEs in sheep Saïd El Khadraoui Noise nuisance and night flights E-0681/05 Johan Van Hecke Multiannual financial framework for development finance P-0682/05 cooperation within the context of the Cotonou Agreement Elisabeth Schroedter Threat to a lake formed by the Havel in a nature E-0683/05 protection area as a consequence of the building of holiday homes (on piles) with assistance from the European Structural Funds Glenys Kinnock British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) E-0684/05 Christine De Veyrac European Youth Pact E-0685/05 Robert Goebbels SGP and estimates presented by the Italian Government P-0686/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis New US tariffs on canned peaches E-0687/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Nuclear power plants in E-0688/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Mental health of young people E-0689/05 Simon Busuttil Credit-card levy in Malta E-0690/05 André Laignel and Marie- Statement by Danuta Hübner on relocations E-0691/05 Noëlle Lienemann Christine De Veyrac Defence - Community preference E-0692/05 Robert Goebbels Draft directive on the banning of smoking in bars and E-0693/05 restaurants Giovanni Pittella and Nicola Italian Government funding for DTT decoders E-0694/05 Zingaretti Thomas Ulmer Services directive P-0695/05 Jim Higgins The treatment of asbestos waste P-0696/05 Hélène Goudin Financial support for airports P-0697/05 Antonio De Poli Regulation (EC) No 1576/89: definition of spirit drinks P-0698/05 and exclusive use of the designation 'grappa' Herbert Bösch Distribution of direct aid under the CAP E-0699/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Expenditure on private coaching schools ('frontistiria') in E-0700/05 Greece

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 17

Georgios Karatzaferis Eurostat and involvement of its staff in alleged scandal E-0701/05 Manolis Mavrommatis Preservation of the cultural heritage in the EU E-0702/05 WTO measures against states that refuse to ratify the E-0703/05 Kyoto Protocol Antonio De Poli Free Port of Trieste and the new European Customs Code E-0704/05 and Kartika Start of the period when further global warming can be E-0705/05 Liotard prevented only by means of more drastic measures than Kyoto and with a delay of 150 years Frank Vanhecke Human rights organisation in Turkey E-0706/05 Frank Vanhecke Admission by Turkey of the genocide against the E-0707/05 Armenians Frank Vanhecke Referendums on the European Constitution E-0708/05 Koenraad Dillen Relations between the EU and Cuba E-0709/05 Koenraad Dillen Fundamental rights agency E-0710/05 Wojciech Wierzejski Financing of campaigns concerning the EU Constitution P-0711/05 Michl Ebner Recognition of university degrees E-0712/05 Michl Ebner Prize competitions at European level E-0713/05 Michl Ebner Exchange programme for apprentices E-0714/05 Emma Bonino and Marco Approval by a section of the Italian Parliament of a E-0715/05 Pannella domestic legislation law 'on the coexistence of traditional and GMO crops' Marco Pannella and Emma Repression in Belarus after the 17 October 2004 E-0716/05 Bonino referendum Erik Meijer Subsidised growth of Charleroi airport: an alternative to E-0717/05 aircraft nuisance in Brussels, or artificial competition? Simon Busuttil -Med Youth III P-0718/05 Plucking of down from live geese in Hungary P-0719/05 Carmen Fraga Estévez Restrictions on the single market E-0720/05 Chris Davies Killing of migratory birds on Cyprus E-0721/05 Chris Davies City of Carlisle E-0722/05 Chris Davies Important Birds' Areas on Cyprus E-0723/05 Chris Davies Berlaymont - Use of illegal timber E-0724/05 Giovanni Pittella Quarries in the Caserta area of Campania E-0725/05

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18 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Paul van Buitenen and Erik Guarantees concerning the financing of Brussels- E-0726/05 Meijer Amsterdam HSL infrastructure Erik Meijer The unnecessary cutting off of electricity supplies and E-0727/05 drinking water to enclaves inhabited by Serbians in Kosovo, and the way to restore their connections Richard Falbr Article 92 of the draft Council Regulation laying down P-0728/05 general provisions on the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund Herbert Bösch Appointment of an OLAF interim director P-0729/05 Mairead McGuinness Taxation on biofuels P-0730/05 Neil Parish Export refunds on cattle bound for Lebanon P-0731/05 Christine De Veyrac Air transport - tax on aviation fuel P-0732/05 Hiltrud Breyer Gender mainstreaming in public support for sports E-0733/05 Panagiotis Beglitis Draft regulation establishing financial support and E-0734/05 proposal for a regulation to facilitate trade with the Turkish Cypriot community Manolis Mavrommatis Waste and environmental pollution E-0735/05 Herbert Bösch Appointment of an OLAF interim Director E-0736/05 Charles Tannock Detention of non-Muslims in E-0737/05 Jim Higgins Mobile telephone international roaming charges E-0738/05 Paul van Buitenen European Agency for Reconstruction E-0739/05 Tokia Saïfi International commerce - textiles E-0740/05 Antonio De Poli Disabled persons' right to mobility and the 'mini driving E-0741/05 licence' Antonio De Poli Disabled persons' right to mobility and the provisional E-0742/05 driving licence Antonio De Poli Free library lending and infringement proceedings against E-0743/05 Antonio De Poli Free library lending and infringement proceedings against E-0744/05 Italy Mario Borghezio Senegal's granting of a diplomatic passport to a pro- E-0745/05 terrorist imam Mario Borghezio Senegal's granting of a diplomatic passport to a pro- E-0746/05 terrorist imam Bart Staes State aid for TVO EPR nuclear power station in Finland E-0747/05

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 19

Albert Maat and Bastiaan No opportunity for Christians to vote in the elections in E-0748/05 Belder Iraq Willy Meyer Pleite Project to build a wind farm in the Comtat of the E-0749/05 Community of Valencia (Spain) Hiltrud Breyer Clarification of Mr Verheugen's answer to written E-0750/05 question P-3218/04 Françoise Grossetête Skin-care products - monopoly in Sweden E-0751/05 Kathalijne Buitenweg and UNODC official statement against harm reduction E-0752/05 Monica Frassoni Kathalijne Buitenweg and UNODC official statement against harm reduction E-0753/05 Monica Frassoni Paul van Buitenen Conflicts of interest E-0754/05 Paul van Buitenen Being everywhere at once E-0755/05 Brice Hortefeux Cardio-vascular diseases E-0756/05 Luca Romagnoli Possibility of monitoring the Banca d'Italia's civic E-0757/05 responsibility Luca Romagnoli Is the Banca d'Italia an unconstitutional secret society? E-0758/05 Cristiana Muscardini and Recovery and recycling of plastic waste E-0759/05 others Luca Romagnoli Casino in Campione d'Italia E-0760/05 Jörg Leichtfried Coordination of holidays at European level P-0761/05 Konstantinos Hatzidakis Greek 'feta' cheese E-0762/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Selection by interview of public servants in Greece E-0763/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Problems in the tomato processing sector E-0764/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Landfill site in the municipality of Dodoni in Greece E-0765/05 Paul van Buitenen Draft recommendation issued by the European E-0766/05 Ombudsman regarding Hans-Martin Tillack Glenys Kinnock EU imports from Burma E-0767/05 Francesco Speroni Commission Decision 2004/595/EC establishing a model E-0768/05 health certificate for the importation into the Community for trade of dogs, cats and ferrets Renato Brunetta Restrictions on transit via the Brenner motorway E-0769/05 Richard Seeber Distortion of competition and discrimination in P-0770/05 connection with European Union remote sensing checks

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20 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Nicola Zingaretti Compliance with the directive on ceilings for polluting P-0771/05 substances Christoph Konrad Systematic disregard by the German Federal Government E-0772/05 of the Christoph Konrad Systematic disregard by the German Federal Government E-0773/05 of the Schengen Agreement Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0774/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0775/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0776/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0777/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0778/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0779/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0780/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0781/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0782/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0783/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0784/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0785/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0786/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0787/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0788/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0789/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0790/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0791/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0792/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0793/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0794/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0795/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0796/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0797/05 Nigel Farage Hospitality E-0798/05

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 21

Sophia in 't Veld World Intellectual Property Organisation E-0799/05 Eoin Ryan Competitiveness and state aid in the European film E-0800/05 industry Simon Busuttil Restriction on EU football players allowed to play in E-0801/05 Maltese league Frederika Brepoels Correct application of ISO-3166 E-0802/05 Erik Meijer Absence of cooperation over a period of more than ten E-0803/05 years by authorities in the Republic of Croatia in shedding light on cases of persons who disappeared during the war of secession Cristiana Muscardini For a free Lebanon P-0804/05 Alessandro Battilocchio Industrial restructuring at ABB Energy Automation - P-0805/05 Ariccia (Rome) site Jan Zahradil Legal implications of rejection of the Treaty establishing a E-0806/05 Constitution for Europe by one or more EU Member States Christa Prets Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment E-0807/05 between women and men in the access to and supply of goods and services - Art. 16, Reports Chris Davies Coca Cola E-0808/05 Jules Maaten Universal birth registration E-0809/05 Mario Borghezio Unacceptable exclusion of the Italian language from E-0810/05 Commissioners' press conferences Mario Borghezio Unacceptable exclusion of the Italian language from E-0811/05 Commissioners' press conferences Cristiana Muscardini The European social model E-0812/05 Amalia Sartori Protection of Italian grappa E-0813/05 Giovanni Pittella Disposal of solid urban waste in Vieste (Italy) E-0814/05 Luciana Sbarbati Chinese footwear imports E-0815/05 Erik Meijer and Kartika Global dimming: worldwide dimming of sunlight caused E-0816/05 Liotard by particles, leading to less cloud formation and to drought in large parts of the world Paul Rübig EASA charges E-0817/05 Paul Rübig EASA charges E-0818/05 Manolis Mavrommatis Suspension of press distribution by the Commission E-0819/05

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Georgios Karatzaferis Destruction of the natural environment on Corfu and the E-0820/05 Greek authorities' indifference Jim Higgins Traceability of GM ingredients in animal feedstuffs E-0821/05 Harlem Désir Restructuring of the company Alstom Power Boilers P-0822/05 Francesco Speroni Identifying beneficiaries of the 'entitlement to aid' under P-0823/05 Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 on agistment contracts Bogdan Klich Creation of administrative barriers by some Member P-0824/05 States to the setting up of firms and provision of services by operators from other Member States Ria Oomen-Ruijten and Karl Compulsory health insurance for German students E-0825/05 von Wogau residing in and studying in another Member State Karl von Wogau Repercussions of liability without fault for the medical E-0826/05 equipment sector Georgios Karatzaferis Skinia national park in Greece endangered E-0827/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Implementation by Greece of the third CSF E-0828/05 Christopher Heaton-Harris EU Budget E-0829/05 Christopher Heaton-Harris EU Budget E-0830/05 James Allister Budget underspend E-0831/05 James Allister EC Packaging Directive E-0832/05 James Allister Light Dues E-0833/05 Roger Helmer Funding for Constitution information E-0834/05 Mary McDonald Undergrounding E-0835/05 Antoine Duquesne Development of world oil and gas production E-0836/05 Luisa Morgantini, Giovanni Euro-Med Youth E-0837/05 Fava and Giusto Catania Francesco Speroni Identifying beneficiaries of the 'entitlement to aid' under E-0838/05 Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 on agistment contracts Cancelled question P-0839/05 Bart Staes Anti-dumping duty and imports of bicycles from China P-0840/05 Mogens Camre Consequences of Turkish military intervention in Iraq E-0841/05 Mogens Camre Suspension of accession negotiations with Turkey E-0842/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Waste disposal site in Vergina E-0843/05

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 23

Ashley Mote Estonia and the sugar problem E-0844/05 ECB decision to increase 500-euro banknotes E-0845/05 Lydia Schenardi REACH Directive E-0846/05 Lydia Schenardi REACH Directive E-0847/05 Antonio De Poli Elimination of Italian from the Commission's day-to-day E-0848/05 working languages Philip Claeys Arms embargo against China, repercussions for E-0849/05 cooperation with the Philip Claeys Arms embargo against China - conditions E-0850/05 Erik Meijer and Kartika Replacing the cutting off of the tails of domestic animals E-0851/05 Liotard running wild in Bosnia and Herzegovina by methods for curbing their breeding Bart Staes Stevioside E-0852/05 Bogdan Golik Buying BSE tests in Poland E-0853/05 Jonas Sjöstedt Relocation of manufacturing in Poland E-0854/05 Marilisa Establishment of European Network and Information E-0855/05 Xenogiannakopoulou and Security Agency (ENISA) in Iraklion (Crete) Stavros Arnaoutakis Georgios Karatzaferis Implementation of Directive 98/35/EC on the minimum E-0856/05 level of training of seafarers Jens-Peter Bonde Nitrite and nitrate in biodynamical meat E-0857/05 Bart Staes Support for nuclear power and for development of E-0858/05 renewable energy sources Structuring of business impact assessments and E-0859/05 guaranteeing their quality James Allister IRA money laundering P-0860/05 John Bowis Food labelling schemes P-0861/05 Esko Seppänen Levying by Finland of health insurance contributions from P-0862/05 pensioners Marilisa Measures to combat sexual tourism in the developing E-0863/05 Xenogiannakopoulou countries Catherine Stihler Response to the renewed outbreak of avian flu E-0864/05 Catherine Stihler Response to the renewed outbreak of avian flu E-0865/05 James Allister European music industry - EC Directive 2004/48/EC on E-0866/05 the enforcement of intellectual property rights

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24 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

James Allister Development of on-line music and digital distribution E-0867/05 James Allister Strategies to combat piracy E-0868/05 James Allister VAT rates on cultural products E-0869/05 Péter Olajos Monitoring of osteoporosis E-0870/05 Adriana Poli Bortone Competitive pharmaceutical market E-0871/05 Philip Claeys Amnesty for illegal immigrants - early warning system E-0872/05 David Martin EU mariners' employment in Australian and Canadian E-0873/05 waters Bart Staes Military operation in Zumsoj (Chechnya) E-0874/05 Bart Staes Military operation in Zumsoj (Chechnya) E-0875/05 Adriana Poli Bortone MEDA 2005 funding - organisations operating in the E-0876/05 Euro-Mediterranean area Antonio De Poli 1 January 2005: liberalisation of import quotas in the E-0877/05 textile sector - what guarantees for Italian and European products? Avril Doyle Needlestick injuries E-0878/05 Erik Meijer Stipulation of exemptions for the EU and its Member E-0879/05 States in connection with monitoring of compliance with European agreements concluded through the Council of Europe or OSCE Ilda Figueiredo Situation at the Tovartex company (Ovar, Portugal) E-0880/05 Hans-Peter Martin Privileges enjoyed by MEPs P-0881/05 Diana Wallis Council Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice P-0882/05 in cross-border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such disputes Daniel Varela Suanzes- Trade barriers in Chile P-0883/05 Carpegna Andreas Mölzer Impact on the EU of the issuing of visas by the German P-0884/05 Embassy in Kiev Daniel Varela Suanzes- Safety at sea - places of refuge E-0885/05 Carpegna Dimitrios Papadimoulis Hazardous chemicals in flavourings E-0886/05 Katerina Batzeli Measures to promote the market garden sector E-0887/05 Michl Ebner The Dolomites as world cultural heritage E-0888/05 Michl Ebner Solvent inks in screen and digital printing E-0889/05

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 25

Michl Ebner Controls on emission limit values in the new Member E-0890/05 States Michl Ebner Verification of emission limits E-0891/05 Katerina Batzeli Recognition of Community plant health certificates E-0892/05 Joseph Muscat Argentinian State Bonds E-0893/05 Joseph Muscat Argentinian State Bonds E-0894/05 Erik Meijer and Elly de Financing of voluntary return and housing of former E-0895/05 Groen-Kouwenhoven residents of rural areas whose jobs have ceased to exist and who have not met with success in the towns of Ewa Hedkvist Petersen Longer trucks to improve road safety and benefit the E-0896/05 environment Monica Frassoni Catarrhal fever (bluetongue) in sheep P-0897/05 Mathieu Grosch Introduction of digital tachographs E-0898/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Lifelong learning in Greece E-0899/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Safety of the Rio-Antirio bridge in Greece E-0900/05 Christopher Huhne Corporation tax regime in the Channel Islands E-0901/05 Marianne Thyssen Accreditation of journalists at the Commission E-0902/05 Carlos Carnero González Language arrangements adopted by the Commission in its P-0903/05 Press Room Stavros Lambrinidis Appointment of a new executive director of the European P-0904/05 Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Richard Seeber More research funds for rabies tests which produce faster E-0905/05 results Herbert Bösch Secondment of a former Eurostat Director in the interests E-0906/05 of the service Dirk Sterckx European initiatives to promote information about, E-0907/05 screening for and treatment of kidney failure Charles Tannock, Jana Al-Manar Hizbullah Television E-0908/05 Hybášková and Jas Gawronski Charles Tannock, Jana Al-Manar Hizbullah Television E-0909/05 Hybášková and Jas Gawronski Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission staff annual sickness leave E-0910/05

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26 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Mario Borghezio Protecting the independent channel NTDTV against E-0911/05 Chinese Government pressure Mario Borghezio Protecting the independent channel NTDTV against E-0912/05 Chinese Government pressure Cristiana Muscardini Protecting the Italian language E-0913/05 Cristiana Muscardini Protecting the Italian language E-0914/05 Cristiana Muscardini Working languages E-0915/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Psyttalia biological treatment plant P-0916/05 Satu Hassi Interpretation of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive P-0917/05 Christoph Konrad Compatibility of German PETcycle system with EU E-0918/05 directives Dimitrios Papadimoulis Infringements of Directive 92/43 on the conservation of E-0919/05 natural habitats Dimitrios Papadimoulis Infringement of directive on public access to E-0920/05 environmental information Thomas Wise Service contract (TV) E-0921/05 Mario Mauro Use of Italian in working meetings of the EU Institutions E-0922/05 Dirk Sterckx Report on the implementation of Directive 2003/39/EC E-0923/05 concerning the internal market in postal services Satu Hassi Minimum requirements to guarantee representation of E-0924/05 women and men on public bodies Thomas Ulmer Water shortage in Botswana P-0925/05 Frederika Brepoels Training grants in Wallonia: discrimination on grounds of P-0926/05 nationality Gerardo Galeote Quecedo Discriminatory use of official languages P-0927/05 Glyn Ford Death penalty case in Iran P-0928/05 Roberta Angelilli Suspension of the requirement to vaccinate against P-0929/05 bluetongue Ignasi Guardans Cambó Endometriosis E-0930/05 Mathieu Grosch Cabotage - Regulation (EEC) No 3118/93 E-0931/05 Graham Watson Disenfranchisement of EU citizens E-0932/05 Thierry Cornillet Child immunisation in the ACP countries E-0933/05 The position of Christians in Iraq P-0934/05

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 27

Markus Pieper European regional policy E-0935/05 Mary McDonald Childcare E-0936/05 Roberta Angelilli Financing for the production of materials for foodstuffs E-0937/05 Camiel Eurlings Registered Burmese migrants in Thailand affected by the E-0938/05 tsunami Giusto Catania Opening of Italy's first privatised prison for drug addicts, P-0939/05 run jointly with the 'Comunità di San Patrignano' Claude Moraes Practical results of the visit of the Prime Minister of P-0940/05 Pakistan Johan Van Hecke Protectionist imposition by of duty on alcoholic P-0941/05 beverages containing more than 35 g sugar Antolín Sánchez Presedo International adoption of Romanian children E-0942/05 Daniel Varela Suanzes- Aid to joint ventures in the fisheries sector E-0943/05 Carpegna Hiltrud Breyer Contravention of the EU framework directive on air E-0944/05 quality (96/62/EC) by the city of Kassel Manolis Mavrommatis Care for persons with multiple sclerosis E-0945/05 Claude Moraes EU drug action plan E-0946/05 Paul van Buitenen Recruitment of a head of unit for the Dublin Foundation E-0947/05 Antoine Duquesne Processes for modifying the germ line genetic identity of P-0948/05 human beings Antolín Sánchez Presedo Adequate sign-posting of entrances and exits to garages or E-0949/05 other similar parking facilities José García-Margallo y Ebro water transfer E-0950/05 Marfil Dimitrios Papadimoulis Programmes for persons with special needs in the second E-0951/05 CSF Glyn Ford North Korea and uranium enrichment E-0952/05 László Surján Utilisation of the Structural and Cohesion Funds in the 10 P-0953/05 new Member States to 31 December 2004 Toine Manders Ban on smoking in European catering establishments P-0954/05 Richard Ashworth REACH P-0955/05 Antolín Sánchez Presedo Crisis in the European shipbuilding sector E-0956/05 Antolín Sánchez Presedo and Proposal for a Council regulation on applying a scheme of E-0957/05 Javier Moreno Sánchez generalised tariff preferences

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28 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

David Hammerstein Mintz Impact of the 'Residencial Golf Fontanars' scheme on SCI E-0958/05 No 62 Salvador Garriga Polledo International Year of Microcredit E-0959/05 Salvador Garriga Polledo European cutlery unites against Asian imitations E-0960/05 Salvador Garriga Polledo Deductions for R&D investment E-0961/05 Hynek Fajmon Restriction of the free movement of goods following the E-0962/05 introduction of an electronic road toll in Germany Konstantinos Hatzidakis Violation of the rights of the Greek minority in Albania E-0963/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Cuts in Interreg III funding for Greece E-0964/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Equal treatment of people with disabilities in selection E-0965/05 procedures for civil servants in Greece Panagiotis Beglitis Right to freedom of expression in Turkey E-0966/05 Paul van Buitenen Trouble at the European Court of Auditors E-0967/05 Theresa Villiers EU funding for disability projects E-0968/05 Glyn Ford The Commission's invitation to Equatorial Guinea E-0969/05 Glyn Ford Travel in the EU E-0970/05 Alyn Smith EU renewable electricity directive E-0971/05 Brice Hortefeux Breach of motor vehicle exemption Regulation (EC) E-0972/05 No1400/2002 Bernard Poignant WTO dispute on the classification of cured poultry in the E-0973/05 nomenclature Brice Hortefeux Safeguard clauses in favour of the textile industry E-0974/05 Mario Borghezio Turkey: Christians accused E-0975/05 Willy Meyer Pleite Plans for a waste dump in Cervera, Castellón (Spain). E-0976/05 Bart Staes and Jillian Evans Waste incinerator Reggio Emilia E-0977/05 Glenys Kinnock Imprisonment of parliamentarians in Eritrea E-0978/05 Piia-Noora Kauppi Distortive effect of new standards in UK public E-0979/05 procurement of timber Alfredo Antoniozzi Improved coordination and attention regarding the E-0980/05 organisation of tourism in the Member States Roberta Angelilli Recognition of Asperger's syndrome as a disturbance E-0981/05 separate from autism

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 29

Paulo Casaca Persecution of Iranian citizens for statements opposing the P-0982/05 regime Dimitrios Papadimoulis Operation of illegal quarries in Greece E-0983/05 Caroline Jackson SCTEE opinion on the study into the health and E-0984/05 environmental effects of TBT and other organotin compounds Jan Mulder and Willem Zero tolerance with regard to the presence of fragments of E-0985/05 Schuth bone in feed Paulo Casaca Harmful containers E-0986/05 María Salinas García Timetable for the reform of the COM in fruit and P-0987/05 vegetables Georgios Karatzaferis Pollution of the River Kifissos in Athens E-0988/05 Mario Borghezio The European School discriminates against Italian E-0989/05 speakers José Ribeiro e Castro Cuba - monthly meetings with the opposition E-0990/05 José Ribeiro e Castro Cuba - Ban on contacts with foreigners E-0991/05 Proinsias De Rossa Tax applied to LPG, natural gas and methane used as E-0992/05 motor fuel in Ireland Proinsias De Rossa Tax applied to unleaded petrol in Ireland E-0993/05 Proinsias De Rossa Tax applied to low-sulphur diesel fuel E-0994/05 Proinsias De Rossa Tax applied to the production of alumina in the Shannon E-0995/05 region Proinsias De Rossa Taxation on waste oils E-0996/05 Proinsias De Rossa Excise duty on fuel for local public transport in Ireland E-0997/05 Proinsias De Rossa Excise duties on fuel for motor vehicles used by people E-0998/05 with disabilities Proinsias De Rossa Taxation of private pleasure craft E-0999/05 Proinsias De Rossa Taxation of air navigation E-1000/05 Proinsias De Rossa Implementation of Directive 2003/96/EC E-1001/05 Proinsias De Rossa Commission support for an Aalborg+10 initiative by E-1002/05 towns and cities Proinsias De Rossa Dissemination of urban research results E-1003/05 Proinsias De Rossa Community framework for cooperation to promote E-1004/05 sustainable urban development

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30 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Proinsias De Rossa Assisting cities to set targets for urban environment issues E-1005/05 Proinsias De Rossa Guidelines for local authorities on biodiversity in urban E-1006/05 areas Proinsias De Rossa Community's role in local initiatives on waste E-1007/05 Proinsias De Rossa Assisting cities to adapt to climate change E-1008/05 Proinsias De Rossa EU guidelines on urban design issues E-1009/05 Proinsias De Rossa EU guidelines on 'high density, mixed use' spatial E-1010/05 planning Proinsias De Rossa EU training and education policies and sustainable urban E-1011/05 environment Proinsias De Rossa Sustainable construction E-1012/05 Proinsias De Rossa Sustainable urban transport indicators E-1013/05 Proinsias De Rossa Developing local authority guidelines on sustainable E-1014/05 urban management Proinsias De Rossa The urban environment thematic strategy E-1015/05 Proinsias De Rossa Recommendation to local authorities on sustainable water E-1016/05 management Proinsias De Rossa Impact on libraries of the Public Lending Rights Directive E-1017/05 Proinsias De Rossa Recognition of doctors' qualifications by Spain E-1018/05 Proinsias De Rossa Booking air tickets for travel in another country E-1019/05 Proinsias De Rossa 's proposals for a conversion E-1020/05 scheme under its sugar regime proposals Proinsias De Rossa Member States' responses to Commission sugar reform E-1021/05 proposals Proinsias De Rossa Controlling illegal movements of waste out of Ireland E-1022/05 Proinsias De Rossa Compliance with ILO Convention 182 on Child Labour E-1023/05 Proinsias De Rossa Information and consultation obligation of companies E-1024/05 under EC law Proinsias De Rossa Complaints against national authorities with regard to E-1025/05 compliance with Community information and consultation obligations on the restructuring of companies Proinsias De Rossa Au pair placements E-1026/05 Proinsias De Rossa Report on the implementation of the 1999 Landfill E-1027/05 Directive

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 31

Proinsias De Rossa Public lending rights E-1028/05 Proinsias De Rossa Proposal for the establishment of an international crisis- E-1029/05 management force Proinsias De Rossa Details of structural funds and investment in health and E-1030/05 healthcare Proinsias De Rossa Structural funds and investment in health and healthcare E-1031/05 Daniel Varela Suanzes- Galicia - an Objective 1 region P-1032/05 Carpegna Raül Romeva i Rueda Compliance with Parliament's requests concerning cluster E-1033/05 munitions Raül Romeva i Rueda Compliance with Parliament's requests concerning cluster E-1034/05 munitions Daniel Varela Suanzes- Equivalence of European university degrees E-1035/05 Carpegna Daniel Varela Suanzes- Maritime safety: obligation for vessels to carry black E-1036/05 Carpegna boxes Daniel Varela Suanzes- Network of European 'sea motorways' E-1037/05 Carpegna Daniel Varela Suanzes- Community funding for the outer harbour of A Coruña E-1038/05 Carpegna Ole Christensen Handling and labelling of cosmetic products E-1039/05 Giovanni Pittella Ceramic fibres: findings of research into long-term E-1040/05 carcinogenic effects Philip Claeys Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate against 'crusaders' E-1041/05 Philip Claeys Conviction of cartoonist in Turkey E-1042/05 Bart Staes Transposition of EIA directives by Flanders E-1043/05 Paulo Casaca Colonel Hamid Pourmand E-1044/05 Georgios Karatzaferis 'Primary shareholder' law and visit of high-level E-1045/05 government delegation to the Director-General for the internal market, Alexander Schaub Bart Staes Arms supplies to Tanzania E-1046/05 Bart Staes Arms supplies to Tanzania E-1047/05 Bart Staes Exclusive brewery contracts E-1048/05 Jacques Toubon Invitations to tender issued by Community institutions P-1049/05 Francesco Speroni Funding of terrorism P-1050/05

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32 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Maria Berger Transposition into Austrian national law of Directive E-1051/05 2002/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 December 2002 on insurance mediation Paul van Buitenen Anti-Christian activities of the Turkish Directorate of E-1052/05 Religious Affairs (DRA), which comes under the authority of the Prime Minister's Office Paul van Buitenen Conflicting information from the European Anti-Fraud E-1053/05 Office Paul van Buitenen Possible reasons for the different testimonies against the E-1054/05 journalist Hans-Martin Tillack Paul van Buitenen Questionable trustworthiness of OLAF in the Tillack case E-1055/05 Paul van Buitenen The role of the Commission in the Tillack case E-1056/05 José Ribeiro e Castro Cuba - Polish National Day E-1057/05 José Ribeiro e Castro Cuba - National Day E-1058/05 Richard Seeber Measures for improving air quality in the Inn valley P-1059/05 (Tyrol) Ulrich Stockmann Motorway building costs P-1060/05 Raül Romeva i Rueda Revision of Directive 94/45/EC E-1061/05 Mogens Camre Repercussions of Turkish police brutality E-1062/05 Mogens Camre Women's rights in Turkey E-1063/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Fraud against the Community budget E-1064/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Infringement of Directive 76/207/EEC on equal treatment E-1065/05 of women as regards employment Dimitrios Papadimoulis Ratio of dependent population to economically active E-1066/05 population Georgios Karatzaferis Complaints by Greek citizens against holiday home E-1067/05 cooperatives in Greece Georgios Karatzaferis 5% cut in 3rd CSF on Greek initiative E-1068/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Appointment of Turkish officials to Community E-1069/05 institutions Georgios Karatzaferis Transparent operation of Independent Administrative E-1070/05 Authorities (IAA) Graham Watson Member State compliance with ECJ rulings E-1071/05 Hélène Goudin Export subsidies for animal transport E-1072/05 Ashley Mote Aviation safety P-1073/05

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Gary Titley Sale of match tickets for the World Cup P-1074/05 Daniel Varela Suanzes- European rapid-reaction force E-1075/05 Carpegna Daniel Varela Suanzes- Subsidies to airlines E-1076/05 Carpegna Daniel Varela Suanzes- EU-WTO relations E-1077/05 Carpegna Daniel Varela Suanzes- The opening up of world markets E-1078/05 Carpegna Daniel Varela Suanzes- Commercial relations between the EU and China E-1079/05 Carpegna Maria Berger Animal health and protection - EU animal passport E-1080/05 Marco Pannella and Emma Reintroduction of the death penalty by Mahmoud Abbas, E-1081/05 Bonino President of the Palestinian National Authority Luisa Morgantini and others Failure by the French authorities to respect the E-1082/05 fundamental rights of a Union citizen Marie-Noëlle Lienemann Violence in Turkey against women P-1083/05 David Hammerstein Mintz Impact of the Formigal ski resort improvement and P-1084/05 enlargement project José Ribeiro e Castro Lower rate of VAT on nappies - the case of Portugal P-1085/05 Hiltrud Breyer Commission initiative to limit and/or reduce the presence E-1086/05 of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in the food chain Erik Meijer Duplicated separate customs controls on passenger traffic E-1087/05 at the border between Slovenia and adjacent EU Member States José García-Margallo y The furniture sector in Europe: the impact of REACH E-1088/05 Marfil José García-Margallo y The furniture sector in Europe: trade deficit and loss of E-1089/05 Marfil competitiveness José García-Margallo y The furniture sector in Europe: the internal market E-1090/05 Marfil José García-Margallo y Furniture sector in Europe - Commission programmes E-1091/05 Marfil Evangelia Tzampazi Teaching conditions in special education in Greece E-1092/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Environmental inspections in Greece E-1093/05 Christopher Huhne Non-governmental organisations E-1094/05

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34 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Christopher Huhne State aid E-1095/05 Simon Coveney Life coaching profession E-1096/05 Robert Goebbels Liberalisation of the gambling sector E-1097/05 Margrietus van den Berg Support for the army in Guatemala E-1098/05 Erik Meijer Stagnation in the financing of an international long- E-1099/05 distance high-speed rail network and an offer by to cofinance it Paul Rübig European City of Culture in 2009 P-1100/05 Lorenzo Cesa Reducing regulatory instruments on the European P-1101/05 telecommunications market Herbert Bösch Contributions by third states to the EU budget E-1102/05 Hiltrud Breyer and Marie- Limit values for radionuclide contamination of foodstuffs E-1103/05 Hélène Aubert Hélène Flautre Malta Government prohibits Maltese journalists from E-1104/05 access to detention centres Jim Higgins Structural funding application from Galway County E-1105/05 Council Christopher Huhne Child abduction in the EU E-1106/05 Christopher Huhne Ministry of Defence land sales E-1107/05 Robert Goebbels Situation regarding Euratom security inspections E-1108/05 Erik Meijer Concentration of rail services on urban networks and on E-1109/05 the busiest high-speed connections between major cities as a result of the disappearance of sources of funding José Ribeiro e Castro Angola - donors' conference E-1110/05 Bernard Poignant Harmonisation of toxicological data E-1111/05 Joachim Wuermeling Central and Eastern European countries joining the E-1112/05 Richard Howitt Disability in emergency relief delivery E-1113/05 Vittorio Agnoletto The television programme 'Punto e a capo' broadcast on P-1114/05 RAI 2 on 24 February 2005 Philip Claeys Police violence against a demonstration by women in P-1115/05 Turkey Michl Ebner Emergency call number in the new Member States E-1116/05 Joseph Muscat Access to journalists E-1117/05

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Joseph Muscat Access to journalists E-1118/05 Cristiana Muscardini Future of the European Schools E-1119/05 Philip Claeys Abolition of 'subversive' animal names in Turkey E-1120/05 Philip Claeys Police violence against a women's demonstration in E-1121/05 Turkey - Prime Minister Erdoğan's reaction David Hammerstein Mintz IT as a school subject in Spain E-1122/05 Mario Borghezio Invasion of the European market by Chinese textiles: what E-1123/05 initiatives will the EU take? Mario Borghezio Invasion of the European market by Chinese textiles: what E-1124/05 initiatives will the EU take? Koenraad Dillen Ban on Kurdish folksongs E-1125/05 Cancelled question P-1126/05 Konrad Szymański Reduced VAT on babies' nappies P-1127/05 Mario Mantovani Decommissioning of the JRC site at Ispra P-1128/05 Bart Staes Logging concession in a special conservation area P-1129/05 Hynek Fajmon EU staff salary and pension levels E-1130/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Social security organisations' solidarity account E-1131/05 Gay Mitchell Genocide and ethnic cleansing of the religious minorities E-1132/05 in Bangladesh Koenraad Dillen Plans for a core Europe E-1133/05 Bart Staes EU fishing vessels for South-East Asia E-1134/05 Bart Staes Obsolete pesticides E-1135/05 Koenraad Dillen Comments by the President of the European Parliament E-1136/05 on the European Constitution Hynek Fajmon Establishment of terms and conditions governing P-1137/05 applications for agricultural funding under the CAP Bernat Joan i Marí Suspected terrorists transported by the CIA via EU E-1138/05 airports Bernat Joan i Marí Project for a wind farm in the Region of Valencia E-1139/05 Hynek Fajmon Employment of Czech nationals in the EU institutions E-1140/05 Elisabeth Jeggle Road traffic, safety and emergency braking signal E-1141/05 Dimitrios Papadimoulis Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in goats E-1142/05 Philip Bradbourn Aviation security funding E-1143/05

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36 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Koenraad Dillen Human rights violations in Turkish Kurdistan E-1144/05 Bernat Joan i Marí Investigation into the killing of the journalist José Couso E-1145/05 Bernat Joan i Marí Investigation into the killing of the journalist José Couso E-1146/05 Mogens Camre Freedom of expression in Turkey E-1147/05 Paul van Buitenen OLAF: assessment of hearsay information E-1148/05 Paul van Buitenen MEPs as source of allegations and support for urge for E-1149/05 action by police Marie-Noëlle Lienemann Ban on the use of cadmium E-1150/05 Elspeth Attwooll Shelf edge and deepwater fixed net fisheries in waters P-1151/05 around the British Isles Sérgio Marques Exclusion of the outermost regions from former Objective P-1152/05 1 (future 'convergence' objective) Jorgo Chatzimarkakis Planned changes within institutional procurement, assault P-1153/05 on national languages and undermining of transparency Jan Andersson Potential of Swedish snuff as a means of giving up P-1154/05 smoking María Herranz García Commission or Member State competence E-1155/05 Ilda Figueiredo Funding of Santa Maria da Feira water and sanitation E-1156/05 concession Ilda Figueiredo Aid for wine E-1157/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Opinion of the Court of Auditors concerning projects E-1158/05 receiving co-funding in Greece Georgios Karatzaferis Projected waste disposal site in the Grammatikon area of E-1159/05 Attiki Georgios Karatzaferis Sluggish take-up rate of Community appropriations in E-1160/05 Greece Georgios Karatzaferis Destruction of the Pikermi archaeological site in Attiki E-1161/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Local authority decisions in Greece E-1162/05 Chris Davies Protection of animals in circuses E-1163/05 Chris Davies Fishing bycatch in E-1164/05 Chris Davies Human rights in Cuba E-1165/05 Chris Davies Use of properties in Menorca E-1166/05 Ilda Figueiredo Support for people suffering from arthritis E-1167/05

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Joan Calabuig Rull Moroccan imports of European ceramic products P-1168/05 Ian Hudghton Rights of carers P-1169/05 Daniel Hannan Euronews P-1170/05 Daniel Varela Suanzes- Oporto-Vigo rail link E-1171/05 Carpegna Georgios Karatzaferis Closing of bilingual Greek schools in Germany E-1172/05 Koenraad Dillen UN Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of E-1173/05 Terrorism Frank Vanhecke Civilian control of intelligence services in Turkey E-1174/05 Frank Vanhecke Plans for a 'core Europe' and equality of the EU Member E-1175/05 States Frank Vanhecke Population growth in Turkey and breakdown by ethnic E-1176/05 groups and regions Hélène Goudin Country of origin principle in directive on services E-1177/05 Hélène Goudin Directive on services E-1178/05 José García-Margallo y Regions losing their Objective 1 status as a natural effect P-1179/05 Marfil in the 2007-2013 financial period and State aid Willy Meyer Pleite Gibraltar's tax system P-1180/05 Mairead McGuinness Review of the method of testing for bovine spicule in P-1181/05 animal feed Marta Vincenzi Corporate social responsibility P-1182/05 Antonis Samaras Implementation in Member States of Directive 98/6/EC P-1183/05 on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of products offered to consumers Marie Isler Béguin Blue tongue disease and bull-breeding ranches P-1184/05 Michael Cramer Monitoring of local transport contracts by the EU E-1185/05 Hiltrud Breyer Monitoring the use of pesticides E-1186/05 Hiltrud Breyer National Marine Park of Zakynthos E-1187/05 Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler Safety devices for dogs in cars E-1188/05 Georgios Karatzaferis Preliminary infringement procedure against Greece as a E-1189/05 result of 'basic shareholder' law Chris Davies REACH, the environment and health E-1190/05 Jim Higgins The Connemara pony breed standard E-1191/05

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Jim Higgins Grant aid in respect of research for agricultural purposes E-1192/05 Cristiana Muscardini Reform of the COM in sugar E-1193/05 Bart Staes Designation of renewable fuels produced from organically E-1194/05 grown crops Angelika Beer Medium Extended Air Defence System (MEADS), urgent P-1195/05 decision expected in Germany Kathy Sinnott The O'Hara family's human rights? P-1196/05 Avril Doyle Report of the German Federal Institute for Risk P-1197/05 Assessment (BFR) Daniel Varela Suanzes- EU citizens held in E-1198/05 Carpegna Daniel Varela Suanzes- European citizens held in Australia E-1199/05 Carpegna Michael Gahler Languages used in the call for proposals on strengthening E-1200/05 civil society in the 10 new Member States

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MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 39

QUESTION TIME (B6-0019/05) on 8 and 9 March 2005

26 Questions (Rule 109)

QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL

Author Subject No

QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL

Bernd POSSELT Kosovo H-0107/05

Dimitrios US foreign policy and Syria H-0118/05 PAPADIMOULIS

Agustín DÍAZ DE MERA Process of regularisation of immigrants in Spain H-0120/05 GARCÍA CONSUEGRA

Giorgos The Single European Sky and Kosovo H-0125/05 DIMITRAKOPOULOS

Claude MORAES Justice and Home Affairs report on football hooliganism H-0126/05

Johan VAN HECKE Human rights violations in Uganda H-0131/05

Rodi KRATSA- Visit by President Bush and transatlantic relations H-0136/05 TSAGAROPOULOU

Bart STAES Cooperation within the budgetary authority regarding the H-0138/05 allocation of the USD 1.2 billion resulting from the agreement between the European Commission and Philip Morris

Bill NEWTON DUNN Fighting organised crime H-0139/05

Hans-Peter MARTIN Conduct of meetings H-0143/05

James ALLISTER Special EU Programmes Body H-0145/05

Antonios TRAKATELLIS Civil protection and cooperation as part of Euro- H-0149/05 Mediterranean partnership arrangements

Ryszard CZARNECKI Further enlargement H-0156/05

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40 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

QUESTIONS TO THE COMMISSION

Bill NEWTON DUNN The Union's Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals H-0140/05

Paul RÜBIG Aviation security H-0135/05

Inés AYALA SENDER Closure of the Spanish-French border to large vehicles at the H-0142/05 Somport tunnel

QUESTIONS TO DESIGNATED COMMISSIONERS

Mr MANDELSON

David MARTIN Counterfeit products and trade with and China H-0124/05

Claude MORAES Trade concessions to help developing countries H-0127/05

Josu ORTUONDO Disadvantages for European manufacturers of pliers from H-0128/05 LARREA excessive import duty rates in the USA

Georgios Threatened increase of US duties on processed peaches from H-0132/05 PAPASTAMKOS Europe

Jan ANDERSSON Impact of EU agricultural policy on world trade H-0134/05

Mr KALLAS

Mihael BREJC Administrative reform of the European institutions H-0112/05

Paul van BUITENEN The role of the Court of Auditors as the 'financial conscience H-0160/05 of Europe'

Mr PIEBALGS

Bernd POSSELT Energy dependence on Russia H-0108/05

Justas PALECKIS Linking of energy systems in western and eastern Europe H-0154/05

Ryszard CZARNECKI Harmonisation of energy laws H-0157/05

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SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS TIME MARCH 2005

No. of No. of Questions Supplementary Lapsed Questions Questions Representatives Institution questions questions with questions questions withdrawn already on of the other tabled taken written (author by the the agenda Institutions answer absent) author

Council 15 13 0 8 1 1 0 Mr. SCHMIT

Commission 40 13 23 8 0 0 4 Mr. FRATTINI Mr. BARROT Mr. KOVÁCS Mr. PIEBALGS

Total 55 26 23 16 1 1 4

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42 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

WRITTEN DECLARATIONS1

No. EP No. Author Subject Tabled Closed on : Signatures

01/2004 354.092 Claude Moraes, Neena Gill, Jo Leinen, On the European Parliament response to the Asian 10.01.2005 10.04.2005 108 Hartmut Nassauer and Jan Mulder tsunami disaster

02/2005 354.118 Marie-Noëlle LIENEMANN, Glyn On the tsunami and the introduction of an international 26.01.2005 26.04.2005 24 FORD, Caroline LUCAS, Vittorio tax AGNOLETTO and Harlem DESIR

03/2005 354.119 Maciej GIERTYCH, Godfrey On 60th anniversary of the liberation of Warsaw 26.01.2005 26.04.2005 30 BLOOM and Patrick LOUIS

04/2005 354.150 Graham WATSON On Singapore 26.01.2005 26.04.2005 22

1 Situation as at 10.03.2005

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05/2005 354.952 Caroline LUCAS, Claude MORAES, On religious rights and freedoms in France and 21.02.2005 21.05.2005 43 Sarah LUDFORD, Philip BUSHILL- throughout the European Union MATTHEWS and Alain LIPIETZ

06/2005 354.953 Cristiana MUSCARDINI On the condemnation of paedophilia 21.02.2005 21.05.2005 76

07/2005 354.954 Marie Anne ISLER BEGUIN and On the automatic legitimacy of the EU candidacy of 21.02.2005 21.05.2005 25 Milan HORÁČEK the EU’s European ‘New Neighbours’

08/2005 354.955 Marie Anne ISLER BEGUIN On the establishment of a 21.02.2005 21.05.2005 19 Environmental Organisation

09/2005 354.957 Robert EVANS and Neena GILL On recognising the significance of the swastika as a 21.02.2005 21.05.2005 15 religious symbol of peace

10/2005 355.158 Andreas MÖLZER On a European day of remembrance for the civilian 21.02.2005 21.05.2005 11 victims of the bombing in Europe which reached its peak 60 years ago

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11/2005 356.620 Glyn FORD Oon the disavowal of Jean-Marie Le Pen's statement 07.03.2005 07.06.2005 18 that the Nazi occupation of France 'was not particularly inhumane'

12/2005 356.621 Maciej Marian GIERTYCH, Johannes On the appeal to the United Nations for an 07.03.2005 07.06.2005 20 BLOKLAND, Kathy SINNOTT and international treaty on a total ban on abortion and Patrick LOUIS euthanasia

13/2005 356.622 Diana WALLIS, John BOWIS, Dr. On endometriosis 09.03.2005 09.06.2005 40 Charles TANNOCK, Catherine STIHLER, Jean LAMBERT

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COMMITTEES

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46 COMMITTEES

APPOINTMENT OF RAPPORTEURS AND DRAFTSMEN (Referral: R = Responsible / O = Opinion)

Name Subject Committee Date Proc.

Guardans Cambó This title is not currently AFCO (O) 20/01/2005 2005/2007(INI) Ignasi (ALDE) available in all languages. Promotion et protection des droits fondamentaux

Brok Elmar (EPP- Framework Agreement AFET (R) 18/01/2005 2004/0276(AVC) ED) between the European Community and Albania on participation in Community programmes

Brok Elmar (EPP- Framework Agreement AFET (R) 18/01/2005 2004/0277(AVC) ED) between the European Community and Bosnia and Herzegovina on participation in Community programmes

Brok Elmar (EPP- Framework Agreement AFET (R) 18/01/2005 2004/0278(AVC) ED) between the European Community and Croatia on participation in Community programmes

Brok Elmar (EPP- Framework Agreement AFET (R) 18/01/2005 2004/0279(AVC) ED) between the European Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on participation in Community programmes

Brok Elmar (EPP- Framework Agreement AFET (R) 18/01/2005 2004/0280(AVC) ED) between the European Community and Serbia and Montenegro on participation in Community programmes

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Name Subject Committee Date Proc.

Moscovici Pierre Romania's application to AFET (R) 18/01/2005 2005/2028(INI) (PSE) become a member of the European Union Van Orden Geoffrey Bulgaria's application to AFET (R) 18/01/2005 2005/2029(INI) (EPP-ED) become a member of the European Union Maat Albert Jan Bulgaria's application to AGRI (O) 20/01/2005 2005/2029(INI) (EPP-ED) become a member of the European Union Maat Albert Jan Romania's application to AGRI (O) 20/01/2005 2005/2028(INI) (EPP-ED) become a member of the European Union Böge Reimer (EPP- A financing instrument for BUDG (O) 31/01/2005 2004/0220(COD) ED) development cooperation and economic cooperation

Haug Jutta D. (PSE) Basic salaries and allowances BUDG (O) 02/03/2005 2005/0803(CNS) applicable to staff

Itälä Ville (EPP-ED) Instrument for Pre-Accession BUDG (O) 21/02/2005 2004/0222(CNS) Assistance (IPA)

Pittella Giovanni Regulation (EC) No 382/2001: BUDG (O) 31/01/2005 2004/0288(CNS) (PSE) expiry date and certain provisions relating to execution of the budget

Samaras Antonis Stability instrument BUDG (O) 21/02/2005 2004/0223(CNS) (EPP-ED)

Ayala Sender Inés 2003 discharge - agencies CONT (R) 26/07/2004 2004/2050(DEC) (PSE) Ayala Sender Inés (PSE) Schlyter Carl (Verts/ALE)

Portas Miguel Protection of minorities and CULT (O) 01/02/2005 2005/2008(INI) (GUE/NGL) anti-discrimination policies in an enlarged Europe

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48 COMMITTEES

Name Subject Committee Date Proc.

Cocilovo Luigi Social security schemes EMPL (R) 31/01/2005 2004/0284(COD) (ALDE) applicable to employed persons and members of their families moving within the Community

Maaten Jules Pollution and public health: ENVI (R) 18/01/2005 2002/0254(COD) (ALDE) quality of bathing water (repeal of Directive 76/160/EEC)

Haug Jutta D. (PSE) 2003 discharge: EC general ENVI (O) 27/07/2004 2004/2040(DEC) budget - Section III, Commission

Zappalà Stefano Recognition of professional IMCO (R) 26/10/2004 2002/0061(COD) (EPP-ED) qualifications

Martin David (PSE) Regulation (EC) No 382/2001: INTA (R) 03/02/2005 2004/0288(CNS) expiry date and certain provisions relating to execution of the budget

Karim Sajjad The exploitation of children in INTA (O) 17/01/2005 2005/2004(INI) (ALDE) developing countries, with a special focus on child labour

Harms Rebecca Implementation of Protocol No ITRE (R) 15/03/2005 2004/0221(CNS) (Verts/ALE) 9 on the Bohunice V1 nuclear power plant in Slovakia

Chatzimarkakis Services in the internal market ITRE (O) 31/08/2004 2004/0001(COD) Jorgo (ALDE)

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Name Subject Committee Date Proc.

Purvis John (EPP- Rules on nominal quantities for ITRE (O) 27/01/2005 2004/0248(COD) ED) pre-packed products

Coelho Carlos Schengen Information System LIBE (R) 19/01/2005 2003/0198(COD) (EPP-ED) (SIS): access for vehicle registration services (amendment of the Convention)

Moraes Claude Basic salaries and allowances LIBE (R) 21/02/2005 2005/0803(CNS) (PSE) applicable to Europol staff

Cashman Michael Confiscation of automobiles by PETI (R) 18/01/2005 2005/2005(INI) (PSE) the Greek Authorities

Guerreiro Pedro Textiles and clothing after 2005 REGI (O) 14/03/2005 2004/2265(INI) (GUE/NGL)

Harangozó Gábor Instrument for Pre-Accession REGI (O) 19/01/2005 2004/0222(CNS) (PSE) Assistance (IPA)

van Nistelrooij European Neighbourhood and REGI (O) 14/03/2005 2004/0219(COD) Lambert (EPP-ED) Partnership Instrument

Costa Paolo Safety belts and restraint TRAN (R) 26/01/2005 2003/0130(COD) (ALDE) systems of motor vehicles

Costa Paolo Anchorages for safety belts TRAN (R) 26/01/2005 2003/0136(COD) (ALDE)

Koch Dieter- Seats and head restraints in TRAN (R) 26/01/2005 2003/0128(COD) Lebrecht (EPP-ED) motor vehicles

______

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OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

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52 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

COMMISSION DOCUMENTS

Reports and Communications

Subject Referral Doc.

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the PECH COM(2003)0573 European Parliament: Development of a Community Action Plan for the management of European Eel

Proposal for a Council decision amending Directive ENVI COM(2004)0606 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ITRE for the purposes of establishing the maximum concentration values for certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment

Communication from the Commission to the Council and to ENVI COM(2004)0681 the European Parliament on Commission Decisions of 20 ITRE October 2004 concerning national allocation plans for the allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances of , Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the Slovak Republic in accordance with Directive 2003/87/EC

Communication from the Commission to the Council: The ECON COM(2004)0813 situation of Germany and France in relation to their obligations under the excessive deficit procedure following the judgment of the Court of Justice

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the IMCO COM(2004)0841 European Parliament, the European Economic and Social ITRE Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Action plan for the implementation of the legal framework for electronic public procurement

Report from the Commission: Annual Report on the ITRE COM(2004)0863 implementation of the gas and electricity internal market

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Subject Referral Doc.

White paper on exchanges of information on convictions and LIBE COM(2005)0010 the effect of such convictions in the European Union JURI

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the IMCO COM(2005)0011 European Parliament, the European Economic and Social ECON Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Second EMPL Implementation Report of the Internal Market Strategy 2003- ITRE 2006 JURI

Strategic objectives 2005-2009: Europe 2010: A Partnership ALL COM(2005)0012 for European Renewal - Prosperity, Solidarity and Security - COMMITTIES Communication from the President in agreement with Vice- President Wallström

Communication from the Commission to the Council: Draft EMPL COM(2005)0013 Joint Employment Report 2004/2005 ECON ITRE FEMM

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the EMPL COM(2005)0014 European Parliament, the European Economic and Social FEMM Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Draft joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion

Commission work programme for 2005: Communication ALL COM(2005)0015 from the President in agreement with Vice-President COMMITTIES Wallström Communication from the Commission: Report on the ENVI COM(2005)0016 implementation of the Environmental Technologies Action ITRE Plan in 2004 Communication from the Commission to the Council and the ENVI COM(2005)0017 European Parliament: 2004 Environment Policy Review EMPL ITRE

Communication to the Spring : Working EMPL COM(2005)0024 together for growth and jobs - A new start for the Lisbon BUDG Strategy; Communication from President Barroso in ECON agreement with Vice-President Verheugen ENVI ITRE IMCO TRAN REGI CULT FEMM

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54 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Subject Referral Doc.

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European CULT COM(2005)0026 Parliament, the European Court of Auditors, the Economic AFET and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Tempus Report 2002 and 2003

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the ITRE COM(2005)0030 European Parliament: Report on the implementation of the ECON European Charter for Small Enterprises EMPL

Proposal for a Council directive on the agreement between EMPL COM(2005)0032 the Community of European Railways (CER) and the TRAN European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) on certain aspects of the working conditions of mobile workers assigned to interoperable cross-border services

Communication from the Commission on the Social Agenda EMPL COM(2005)0033 ECON ITRE REGI FEMM

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and LIBE COM(2005)0034 the Council on the implementation of the framework JURI programme for judicial cooperation in civil matters (2002- 2006)

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the ENVI COM(2005)0037 European Parliament: The 2005 Review of the EU ECON Sustainable Development Strategy: Initial Stocktaking and EMPL Future Orientations ITRE

Proposal for a Council directive amending Annex IV to AGRI COM(2005)0038 Directive 2000/29/EC on protective measures against the ENVI introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European FEMM COM(2005)0044 Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on equality between women and men, 2005

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Subject Referral Doc.

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and AGRI COM(2005)0050 the Council on the operation of the common organisation of DEVE the market in bananas

Commission Opinion of 22 February 2005 on the AFET COM(2005)0055 applications for accession to the European Union by the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania

Report from the Commission: 2003 Report on Phare and the AFET COM(2005)0064 pre-accession instruments for Cyprus, Malta and Turkey INTA

Green paper: Succession and wills JURI COM(2005)0065 LIBE

Report from the Commission: Quality of petrol and diesel ENVI COM(2005)0069 fuel used for road transport in the European Union - Second TRAN annual report (Reporting year 2003)

This title is not currently available in all languages. AGRI COM(2005)0074 Communication de la Commission au Conseil relative à la gestion des risques et des crises dans le secteur agricole

This title is not currently available in all languages. BUDG COM(2005)0075 Communication de la Commission au Conseil et au ECON Parlement européen : Initiative européenne pour la croissance TRAN - Rapport de faisabilité sur un instrument de garantie de prêt UE pour des projets de RTE dans le domaine des transports

This title is not currently available in all languages. Rapport ALL SEC(2004)1000 de la Commission - Rapport général 2004 Final COMMITTIES

Commission staff working document: Complementary CONT SEC(2004)1370 evaluation of the activities of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) - Article 15 of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 and Council Regulation (EURATOM) No 1074/1999

Commission staff working paper: Report on a multiannual ITRE SEC(2004)1460 programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship and in ECON particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) EMPL (2001-2005)(pursuant to Article 5(1) of Council Decision 2000/819/EC of 20.12.2000)

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56 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Subject Referral Doc.

Commission staff working document - Annex to the Proposal LIBE SEC(2004)1628 for a Regulation to the European Parliament and to the Council concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short stay- visas - Extended impact assessment

Commission staff working document : Annex to the IMCO SEC(2004)1639 Communication from the Commission to the Council, the ITRE European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions "Action plan for the implementation of the legal framework for electronic public procurement" Extended Impact Assessment

Commission staff working document : Annex to the Report ENVI SEC(2004)1713 in support of the review of Council Directive 1999/30/EC relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air, with consideration of Council Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality assessment and management

Commission staff working document : Annex to the report PECH SEC(2004)1718 from the commission on the monitoring of the member states' implementation of the 2000 - 2002

Commission staff working document : Annex to the AGRI SEC(2004)1719 SAPARD annual report - Year 2003 AFET

Commission staff working document : Technical Annexes to ITRE SEC(2004)1720 the Report from the Commission on the Implementation of the Gas and Electricity Internal Market

Commission staff working document : Annex to the Fifth ECON SEC(2004)1721 report under article 12 of Regulation (EEC, Euratom) N° 1553/89 on VAT collection and control procedures

Commission staff working document : Annex to the Report AFCO SEC(2004)1722 from the Commission on the working of committees during 2003

Commission staff working paper : Annex to the Report from LIBE SEC(2004)1725 the Commission on national measures taken to comply with the Council Framework Decision of 13 June 2002 on Joint Investigation Teams

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OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 57

Subject Referral Doc.

Commission staff working document : Industrial Relations in EMPL SEC(2005)0008 Europe 2004 ECON ITRE FEMM

Commission staff working paper on the implementation of ENVI SEC(2005)0025 national residue monitoring plans in the Member States in 2003

Commission staff Working Document - Annex to the Report ENVI SEC(2005)0045 on the Statistics on the Number of Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes in the Member States of the European Union in the year 2002

Commission staff working paper : Action Plan on AGRI SEC(2005)0061 accompanying measures for Sugar Protocol countries DEVE affected by the reform of the EU sugar regime INTA

Commission staff working paper : Annex to the white paper LIBE SEC(2005)0063 on exchanges of information on convictions and the effect of JURI such convictions in the European Union

Commission staff working paper : Annex to the Draft Joint EMPL SEC(2005)0069 Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion FEMM

Commission staff working paper : Annex to the Second ECON SEC(2005)0091 Implementation Report on the 2003-2005 Broad Economic EMPL Policy Guidelines - Part II Country notes-

Draft decision of the EC-Switzerland Joint Committee AGRI SEC(2005)0096 replacing Tables III and IV (b) of Protocol No 2 - Draft common position of the Community

Commission staff working paper : Annex to the ENVI SEC(2005)0097 Communication from the Commission to the Council and the EMPL European Parliament on the 2004 environmental Policy ITRE Review EU Environmental Policy in 2004: developments, new evidence and outlook for 2005

Commission staff working paper : Annex to the Report from ENVI SEC(2005)0100 the Commission on the implementation of the Environmental ITRE Technologies Action Plan in 2004

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Subject Referral Doc.

Commission staff working document in support of the report ECON SEC(2005)0160 from the Commission to the Spring European Council, 22-23 EMPL March 2005, on the Lisbon Strategy of economic, social and ENVI environmental renewal ITRE

Commission staff working paper : Report on the ITRE SEC(2005)0167 implementation of the European Charter for Small ECON Enterprises in the Member States of the European Union EMPL

Commission staff working document : Report on the ITRE SEC(2005)0168 implementation of the european charter for small enterprises ECON in the candidate countries EMPL

Commission staff working document : Report on the ITRE SEC(2005)0169 implementation of the european charter for small enterprises ECON in Moldova and the countries in the western balkans EMPL

Commission staff working paper : The activities of the ITRE SEC(2005)0170 European Union for small and medium-sized enterprises ECON (SMEs) SME Envoy Report EMPL

This title is not currently available in all languages. EMPL SEC(2005)0177 Document de travail des services de la Commission : Annexe ECON à la Communication de la Commission sur L'agenda social - ITRE Analyse d'impact approfondie REGI FEMM

Commission staff working paper : Annexes 1 to 5 of the ENVI SEC(2005)0179 Report from the Commission "Catching Up With The ITRE Community's Kyoto Target" (COM(2004)818 final, adopted on 20.12.2004)

Commission staff working paper : Annex to the ENVI SEC(2005)0180 Communication "Winning the battle against global climate DEVE change" - Background paper ITRE

Commission staff working document "eInclusion revisited : ITRE SEC(2005)0206 The Local Dimension of the Information Society" EMPL REGI CULT

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Subject Referral Doc.

Commission opinion on the request to amend the Statute of JURI SEC(2005)0207 the Court of Justice, presented by the Court of Justice in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 245 of the EC Treaty, to lay down the conditions and limits for review by the Court of Justice of decisions delivered by the Court of First Instance under Article 225(2) and (3) of the EC Treaty

Commission staff working document : Annex to the LIBE SEC(2005)0216 Communication from the Commission to the European ENVI Parliament and the Council on a EU Drugs Action Plan (2005-2008) - Impact assessment

Commission staff working document : Annex to the 2005 ENVI SEC(2005)0225 Review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy : ECON Stocktaking of Progress EMPL ITRE

Commission staff working paper : Report on social inclusion EMPL SEC(2005)0256 2004. An analysis of the National Action Plans on Social REGI Inclusion (2004-2006) submitted by the 10 new Member CULT States LIBE FEMM

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GENERAL INFORMATION

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COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Appointment of Members of the Court of Justice

On 9 March 2005 the President of the Council of the European Union informed the President of the European Parliament of the Council’s decision to make the following appointments to the committee provided for in Article 3(3) of Annex I to the Statute of the Court of Justice, for a period of four years from 10 November 2004:

Mr Leif SEVÓN, Chairman Sir Christopher BELLAMY Mr Yves GALMOT Mr Peter GRILC Mrs Gabriele KUCSKO-STADLMAYER Mr Guiseppe TESAURO Mr Miroslaw WYRZYKOWSKI

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COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

12/2005/rev.

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Azerbaijan Brussels, 7 March 2005

The European Union wishes to express its concern following the conclusions of the OSCE report on trial monitoring in Azerbaijan, which was published on 4 February 2005. The report shows that in some important respects trials fell well short of Azerbaijan's existing legal requirements and its international commitments on human rights and rule of law.

Of particular concern are the extensive, credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, the absence of adequate legal action or remedies in the face of these serious allegations and the acceptance by the courts of evidence said to have been obtained by torture and coercion.

The European Union calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to undertake a wide-ranging and independent inquiry into the allegations of torture and ill-treatment as soon as possible. It also calls for publication of the results of the investigation into the excessive use of force by the security forces during the post-election disturbances on 16 October 2003.

The European Union endorses the opinion set out in the OSCE report that persons who have been convicted or sentenced in trials which were not conducted properly should have their convictions cancelled or commuted and should be retried or released from custody.

The European Union is pleased that the Azerbaijani authorities are willing to continue their cooperation with the OSCE and urges them to follow the recommendations contained in the OSCE report on trial monitoring. The European Union is ready to assist Azerbaijan in implementing its legislation on the workings of the judicial system and its international commitments on human rights.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries and Norway, members of the , align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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17/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the final days of the election campaign in Moldova Brussels, 3 March 2005

The European Union recalls its Declaration of 9 February 2005 and stresses the importance of the Moldovan authorities' commitment to shared values for the development of relations between Moldova and the European Union.

The EU welcomes the signing of the action plan at the close of the EU-Moldova Cooperation Council on 22 February 2005, which testifies to the EU's desire to strengthen its relations with Moldova and help it progress along the path to political and economic reforms.

The Cooperation Council on 22 February stressed in particular how important it was for the parliamentary elections on 6 March 2005 to be held in free and fair conditions, a commitment which forms an integral part of the action plan.

In this context, the EU welcomes the timely invitation extended by Moldova to the ODIHR/OSCE. The EU supports the ODIHR/OSCE Election Observation Mission and calls on the OSCE Member States to send short-term observers on this mission. The EU also draws the attention of the Moldovan authorities to the interim reports published by the ODIHR/OSCE Observation Mission.

The EU regrets that coverage of the campaign, especially by the State-owned media serving the entire national territory, remains unfair at this stage and does not offer all the necessary guarantees of impartiality. It also notes the allegations of intimidation and abuse of power by the police and local administration made by several opposition political parties. It notes with interest the intention of the Moldovan authorities to take steps to remedy this situation and hopes to see these changes in place by the final days of the campaign. The EU reiterates its appeal to the Moldovan authorities to ensure that the candidates of all parties are able to conduct their campaigns in an atmosphere free of any harassment and intimidation.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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18/2005 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan Brussels, 4 March 2005

The European Union notes the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR election observer mission concerning the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan on 27 February 2005. The EU welcomes the Kyrgyz authorities' smooth cooperation with the mission and the extensive involvement of Kyrgyz civil society in the electoral process. Some Member States sent observers to take part in that mission.

The EU recognises that the elections were more competitive than the last ones held and that electors were offered a real choice among contesting candidates in many constituencies. The EU appreciates the introduction of transparency measures, which in particular helped considerably improve the election procedure, the counting of votes and the publication of results.

However, the EU regrets to see that the elections fell short of OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections in a number of important areas and in particular that the competitive dynamic was undermined by widespread vote buying, deregistration of candidates and a low level of confidence in electoral and judicial institutions on the part of candidates and electors.

The EU is also concerned at failure to respect freedom of the press and at pressure brought to bear on independent media in Kyrgyzstan, which increased during the election campaign. Respect for democratic values cannot be ensured without freedom of expression.

The EU calls on the government of Kyrgyzstan to continue with democratic reform and to heed the concerns expressed, for the second round of parliamentary elections and for future elections. The EU reiterates its willingness to work with Kyrgyzstan in promoting and putting into practice OSCE values and principles, on a basis of mutual trust.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

19/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the parliamentary elections in Tajikistan Brussels, 4 March 2005

The European Union notes the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR election observer mission concerning the parliamentary elections in Tajikistan on 27 February 2005. Some Member States sent observers to take part in that mission. The European Union welcomes the peaceful way in which the elections were held.

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66 GENERAL INFORMATION

The EU endorses the OSCE/ODIHR mission's preliminary conclusions that the elections failed to meet many key OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections. A number of significant breaches of electoral legislation were observed, particularly in proxy voting as well as personation and failure to produce identity papers when signing election documents. Observers were obstructed in their work and procedural irregularities were found in the counting of votes.

In the run-up to the elections, too, the EU could see that the composition of district electoral commissions was politically unbalanced and that a number of non-government candidates were removed from election lists. The EU also noticed difficulties in gaining access to public media for non-government parties and restrictions imposed on the independent press, which adversely affected political parties' ability to campaign and the information available to Tajik voters on the options before them in the elections.

The EU calls on the government of Tajikistan to continue with democratic reform and is ready to assist the Tajik authorities in meeting the international standards to which the country aspires. The EU reiterates its willingness to work with Tajikistan in promoting and putting into practice OSCE values and principles, on a basis of mutual trust.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

20/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Togo Brussels, 4 March 2005

The European Union welcomes the resignation of Mr Faure Gnassingbé on 25 February 2005, as part of a return to constitutional order. This move should pave the way for free and transparent presidential elections, to which the EU stands ready to lend its assistance.

In this context, the European Union continues to support efforts made by ECOWAS and the African Union aimed at ensuring a successful transition and facilitating the holding of free and transparent elections. The EU insists that human rights and civil liberties be respected and security guaranteed for everyone.

The European Union also insists that the undertakings made by the government of Togo in the framework of the consultations held under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement be honoured, in particular the holding of a national political dialogue enabling the setting up of an electoral framework acceptable to all parties for holding presidential and parliamentary elections.

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The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

21/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the referendum for the adoption of a new constitution in Burundi Brussels, 4 March 2005

The European Union welcomes the successful holding of the referendum for the adoption of a new constitution organised in Burundi on Monday 28 February 2005, as well as the high turnout.

Adoption of the new Burundian constitution is a crucial step on the road to restoring peace and stability in Burundi and throughout the entire Great Lakes region.

The European Union encourages Burundi to complete as swiftly as possible the remaining stages in the implementation of the electoral process provided for in the peace agreements. The European Union urges all political forces to take part in this process, and to accept unreservedly this expression of the will of the people.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

______

22/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the parliamentary elections in Moldova on 6 March 2005 Brussels, 9 March 2005

The European Union takes note of the preliminary conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) concerning the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova on 6 March 2005, stipulating that they complied in general with the undertakings given to the OSCE and the Council of Europe and with other international standards. The European Union welcomes the fact that the main features of the elections were a more competitive and pluralist party system, respect by the Central Electoral Commission for the legal provisions, a greater diversity of the written press and increased involvement by civil society in the electoral process.

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The European Union regrets however that the elections did not succeed in meeting certain fundamental obligations required for the implementation of a competitive electoral process, in particular impartial campaigning conditions and fair access to the media. The European Union is concerned by the obstacles placed in the way of parties' activities during the election campaign, by cases of harassment of candidates and opposition media, pressure exerted on public sector employees and cases of abuse of public funds.

The European Union calls on the Moldovan authorities to remedy the shortcomings identified by the IEOM and confirmed by the final report of the ODIHR/OSCE.

The European Union is prepared to cooperate with the elected parties in supporting Moldova and is determined to give its support, under the European Neighbourhood Policy, to the firm establishment of democracy and to modernisation in Moldova.

The European Union calls on the Moldovan political forces to continue working together to pursue the process of democratisation and of the political and economic development of Moldova, including the resolution of the Transdniestrian conflict within the context of Moldova's territorial integrity.

"The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia *, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration."

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process. ______

23/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on recent events in Bolivia Brussels, 10 March 2005

The European Union is pleased to see the unanimous support of the Bolivian Congress for President Carlos Mesa and welcomes the fact that constitutional order has been maintained.

The European Union appreciates the majority support of Congress for the programme of joint commitments with the Presidency of the Republic and hopes that that programme can take firm shape in a future constituent assembly.

The European Union welcomes the Government's and Congress's joint intention of establishing a dialogue to promote economic development and to reach an agreement which will guarantee domestic stability. In this connection, the European Union calls on all the political players and on civil society to contribute to constructive, lasting solutions to the challenges facing Bolivia.

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The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

24/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the recent developments in Serbia and Montenegro/Kosovo Brussels, 10 March 2005

The EU has noted the indictment issued by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) against Mr Haradinaj and welcomes his decision to resign as Prime Minister of Kosovo and go voluntarily to The Hague.

Full and unreserved cooperation with the ICTY remains an essential requirement for further movement of the Western Balkans towards the EU.

The EU calls on everyone in Kosovo and elsewhere in the region not to exploit this indictment for their own ends. All violence is unacceptable and will delay the political process under way.

The EU calls on Kosovo's political forces to act as swiftly as possible to form a new government that is able and determined to continue the effective implementation of the standards laid down by the United Nations.

The EU remains committed to continuing the political process which should, in mid-2005, lead to the full evaluation of the progress achieved. Movement towards a process to determine the future status of Kosovo in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 will depend on the positive outcome of that evaluation.

The EU repeats that Kosovo will not return to the pre-1999 situation.

______

25/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the "Ezzan" amnesty law in Senegal Brussels, 11 March 2005

On 17 February 2005, in the framework of the Union's regular political dialogue with Senegal under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, the European Union troika in Senegal made a démarche at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal concerning the "Ezzan" amnesty law which had been adopted on 7 January 2005 by the National Assembly.

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The troika referred amongst other matters to the Constitutional Council's decision on the unconstitutionality of Article 2 and on its incapacity to judge whether the law complied with the stipulations of an international treaty or agreement.

The European Union troika then reaffirmed its commitment to the unconditional respect to the principles of the rule of law and human rights, to which Senegal had also shown that it attached importance by ratifying various international treaties, and reiterated the European Union's position that no impunity should be permitted in respect of any criminal act, whatever its motivation.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

______

26/2005/rev.2

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the adoption of the "anti-secession law" by the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China Brussels, 18 March 2005

The European Union has taken note of the adoption of an "anti-secession law" by the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China.

In this context, the European Union wishes to recall the constant principles guiding its policy, i.e. its attachment to "One China" and to the peaceful resolution of disputes, which is the only means of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Straits, and its opposition to any use of force.

The European Union asks all parties to avoid any unilateral action which might rekindle tensions. It would be concerned if this adoption of legislation referring to the use of non-peaceful means were to invalidate the recent signs of reconciliation between the two shores. The European Union encourages them to develop initiatives which contribute to dialogue and to mutual understanding in the spirit of the agreement on the direct air links established at the time of the Chinese New Year.

The European Union considers that relations between the two shores must be based on constructive dialogue and the pursuit of concrete progress, and reiterates its conviction that this is the only approach likely to benefit both parties and to lead to a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question.

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The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

27/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning voluntary surrenders and transfers of indictees to the Hague Brussels, 16 March 2005

The European Union reiterates that the progress made towards by each of the Western Balkans countries depends on its efforts to fulfil all of the Copenhagen criteria and the stabilisation and association process requirements, including full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Recalling its declaration of 10 March 2005, the European Union welcomes the increasing number of voluntary surrenders and transfers of indictees from Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo, and from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the ICTY in The Hague. Continuation of that trend should lead to that all indictees continuing to evade international justice are in the end brought before the tribunal.

The EU repeats that governments in the region bear a key responsibility in this process. Full cooperation with the ICTY by the Western Balkans countries continues to be an essential requirement for their further progress towards the European Union, to which the EU remains committed.

______

28/2005/rev.2 (en)

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the situation in Liberia Brussels, 21 March 2005

The European Union is closely watching the situation in Liberia, which is at a particularly crucial point in its transition process.

The long years of civil war, systematic looting of resources and atrocities against the population have left significant scars and had a considerable impact on the stability of the whole Mano river region. Now that peace has returned, reconstruction of the country has begun and demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration programmes are being implemented, every effort must be made, above all by the Liberian authorities, to enable the country to regain the political, economic and social stability necessary for its development, thus enabling those who are still displaced to return home. In this context, the European Union would point out that no form of impunity can be allowed and those responsible for criminal acts of any kind

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must be brought to justice, to answer for their actions. Stability is also essential for the welfare of the region's people and for their economic future, to enable them to emerge from the vicious circle of poverty.

The holding of elections on 11 October 2005 will mark a turning point. Given the organisational and logistical problems still to be overcome, the European Union calls on all political forces and on the Liberian transitional authorities as a whole to cooperate with one another in order to ensure strict compliance with the timetable and framework for the conduct of those elections.

Together with its international partners, in particular the United Nations, the United Nations Mission in Liberia, the United States of America, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, the European Union is committed to making a considerable effort to this end. At its meeting on 21 March 2005 the International Contact Group for the Mano River Basin will consider many development challenges still faced by Liberia, including the need to complete the country's disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) process.

The European Union also calls on the Liberian authorities to shoulder their responsibilities and to ensure that all of the country's resources are put into its reconstruction and into building its economic future.

The European Union expresses very grave concern about the commitment of Liberia's transitional authorities and political forces to overcoming some of the main unresolved problems, in particular the corruption brought to light by recent reports and evaluations. Some recent information, verifiable on the ground, has shown a significant level of corruption, largely going unpunished. Such corruption damages both the image of the country and the ongoing democratic process and could jeopardise the conduct and international recognition of the elections.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

29/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the release of Ms Rebiya Kadeer Brussels, 23 March 2005

The European Union welcomes the Chinese authorities' early release, on 17 March, of Ms Rebiya Kadeer, sentenced in 2000 to eight years' imprisonment. The European Union had worked intensively over several years in the framework of the EU-China dialogue on human rights to secure her release.

The EU nevertheless restates its concern at the human rights situation in Xinjiang, especially with regard to respect for religious and cultural rights. In addition, the European Union reiterates its desire to see further prisoners released in the near future.

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The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

______

30/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Council Common Position 2005/227/CFSP of 16 March 2005 renewing measures in support of the effective implementation of the mandate of the international Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Brussels, 22 March 2005

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Council Common Position 2005/227/CFSP of 16 March renewing measures in support of the effective implementation of the mandate of the international Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

31/2005

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the presidential pardon for political prisoners in Azerbaijan Brussels, 30 March 2005

The European Union welcomes the decree signed on 20 March 2005 by President Aliev of Azerbaijan pardoning 115 prisoners, 53 of whom were designated "political prisoners" by Council of Europe experts. The European Union welcomes the fact that the political leaders imprisoned following the events of October 2003 have been freed.

Azerbaijan has thus taken a further step towards meeting its obligations to the Council of Europe.

However, the EU remains concerned about the situation of those political prisoners still in custody, and calls on the Azeri government to release them without delay and to fulfil its undertakings to the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

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"The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration."

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

32/2005

Declaration by the European Union on the situation in Kyrgyzstan Brussels, 30 March 2005

The European Union is closely following developments in the situation in Kyrgyzstan in close contact with the OSCE. The European Union has taken note of the resignation of the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Tanayev and of his government.

It urgently appeals to the newly-appointed leaders to restore public order as soon as possible, to start a dialogue with all political forces involved and to implement a policy of national reconciliation, in the long- term interests of stability and prosperity in Kyrgyzstan. The European Union takes note of the Kyrgyz parliament's decision to organise presidential elections within the next three months and parliamentary elections within six months.

The European Union urges the new Kyrgyz leaders to act with full respect for democratic values and human rights. The European Union calls on the new leaders to take all necessary measures to guarantee security and stability in the country. The European Union is willing to cooperate with them in this context and to support the OSCE's efforts to achieve this goal.

"The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia *, the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration."

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

33/2005 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding the cases of Mr Marinich and Mr Bandazhevsky Brussels, 4 April 2005

The European Union is closely following the case of Mr Mikhail Marinich. It notes with concern the deterioration in Mr Marinich's health and calls on the Belarus authorities to ensure that he is given the medical examinations and treatment required for his convalescence.

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The European Union welcomes the cooperation of the prison authorities and of the Sentencing Commission in organising the visit of the local EU Presidency delegation to Mr Marinich. However, the European Union, recalling its previous declaration of 12 January 2005, remains convinced that there were political reasons for the trial of Mr Marinich, who was prosecuted following a dubious accusation and given a sentence which was in any event disproportionate.

The European Union calls on the Belarusian authorities to reconsider their decision and to release Mr Marinich.

The European Union is also closely following the cases of other Belarusian citizens held in the country, in particular that of Professor Bandazhevsky, whose release it continues to request. It calls on the Belarusian authorities to take the necessary steps for Professor Bandazhevsky to have access to all the care that the state of his health requires.

The European Union calls on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that the rights of the defence are properly respected throughout all the judicial investigations, in compliance with the undertakings they have given.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia *, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF 9 AND 10 FEBRUARY 2005

SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ADOPTED

Full text versions of EESC opinions are available in the official languages on the Committee's web site at the following address:

http://www.esc.eu.int (Documents)

The assembly was attended by Mr François Biltgen, Luxembourg Minister of Labour and Employment, who presented the Luxembourg Presidency’s programme and Mr José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, who presented the Commission’s programme.

1. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

• Employment policy: the role of the EESC following the enlargement of the EU and from the point of view of the Lisbon Process − Rapporteur: Mr Greif (Employees – AT)

− Reference: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 135/2005

− Key points:

The Lisbon strategy did not, however, merely raise the prospect of "more jobs" but also introduced the notion that performance and competitiveness were to be achieved above all by fostering innovation and improving the quality of employment. Investment in human resources, research, technology and innovation was therefore given the same priority as labour market and structural policies.

Despite some initial successes, Europe is still far from reaching its ambitious targets.

The Lisbon objectives were devised on the presumption of 3% annual average growth in real GDP. Instead of the expected upswing, however, the economic environment has deteriorated rapidly since 2000.

The slowdown in growth of the past few years was due mainly to macroeconomic factors, and less so to structural ones. The Committee has therefore repeatedly urged that this fact be reflected in the recommendations of the European broad economic policy guidelines.

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To retain the target of creating more and better jobs at the present juncture, the most important thing is to boost the economy and promote sensible structural reforms. That is the only way to raise the impact and acceptance of reforms. Macropolicy and structural reforms must be mutually supportive, not mutually exclusive.

More account should also be taken of the Commission’s reform proposals steering the Stability and Growth Pact more towards growth, and also the removal of strategic investments (primarily R&D, education) from the deficit calculation.

There must be a noticeable revival of the demand components, intelligent planning of structural reforms.

Priority should also be given to promoting employability, overcoming skills deficits and integrating disadvantaged groups in the labour market rather than calling for wage moderation, the dismantling of industrial-law standards, developing atypical employment relations and cutting back on social services.

The EESC is prepared, in the context of European employment policy, to offer its specialised knowledge and its contribution to full understanding of the Lisbon Strategy and its necessary communication to the public.

− Contact: Mr Alan Hick (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 93 02 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning − Rapporteur: Mr Koryfidis (Employees – EL)

− References: COM(2004) 474 final – 2004/0153 (COD) – CESE 139/2005

− Key points:

Addressing the Commission proposal constructively will certainly be a complex process. It will demand general and expert knowledge of the objectives, measures and difficulties encountered in the development of European education policy. It will also depend on the possibility of tying educational choices tightly in with the Union's major objectives for the 21st century and more specifically with the major objectives of the current decade. Lastly, this will require a far-sighted approach, to ensure that the choices taken now for the future are the right ones.

The EESC has a clear position regarding the relative importance of the Union's current central objectives, and has formulated an approach regarding how to tie life-long learning into these objectives. Its ideas were set out in its recent exploratory opinion on "training and productivity" requested by the Dutch presidency. Thus the EESC's approach to the Commission proposal is based to a large extent on the above-mentioned ideas and positions.

The EESC's approach is also determined by its experience of the results of the Union's policies and programmes to date in the fields of culture and education, vocational training, youth and sport.

The overall picture is generally positive, with a few reservations. The Committee regards the programmes as:

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• high-quality and effective channels of communication between Union bodies, and more specifically the Commission, and the European public;

• a basis for developing within the Union effective mobility of people and mobility of ideas and best practice;

• a basis for action that promises a high level of European value added, both now and in the future.

It is worth pointing out that the Union’s educational programmes to date are among the very few Community actions addressed directly to its citizens. The new programme should therefore aim to promote democracy based on participation and active citizenship, and to promote employment and a versatile labour market. The new programme should also contribute towards personal and occupational fulfilment for Europe’s citizens, through the creation of opportunities to broaden and make use of their potential. It is important, from the point of view of the Union and its links with its citizens, for a comprehensive programme to be built up targeting different age groups, individual citizens, the workplace, SMEs and the social partners.

– Contact: Ms Stefania Barbesta (Tel.: 0032 2 546 95 10 – e-mail: [email protected])

2. GENDER EQUALITY

• Beijing + 10 Review of progress achieved in the field of gender equality in Europe and in developing countries − Rapporteur: Ms Florio (Employees – IT)

− Reference: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 128/2005

− Key points:

The commitment of the United Nations has been crucial in putting the problem of gender equality on the international agenda. The 49th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), to be held from 28 February to 11 March 2005, will be concerned with reviewing the application of the Platform for Action and the Beijing Declaration, which were approved at the 4th World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995). In view of the Committee's experience gained through ongoing monitoring of issues relevant to gender equality, it would be useful for it to be represented on the European Commission delegation at the 49th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Although the United Nations system has established an important legal framework for achieving gender equality, the practical application of principles within countries, and their trade and development policies, sometimes fall short of intentions on paper.

The issue of gender equality in the European Union was further codified with the Amsterdam Treaty, in which a "two-pronged approach" was adopted that combined gender mainstreaming in all Community policies with the introduction of specific measures to improve the position of women. However,

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measures to improve the quality of work and career prospects, encourage women entrepreneurs, narrow the wage gap and promote women's position in the new technology sector are only patchy. As regards the work/life balance some projects exist to improve childcare structures, but very few explicitly in relation to caring for elderly people or family dependants.

As far as trade and development policies are concerned, it is necessary to build on the policy of involving society in general and the role of women in particular; women's interest groups must be fully involved in framing development policies and drawing up national strategy documents in the countries concerned; it is also particularly important to increase specific funding for women, so as to boost their economic and social position. The effects of trade agreements and development policies must be monitored, including at microeconomic level, by providing for specific analyses of their impact on the living conditions of the weakest social sectors, and taking gender differences into account.

Unfortunately, although Community policies to support women have been stepped up, there is still a need for positive action and a supreme effort by the Member States to ensure that objectives are actually achieved, as they hold the chief responsibility for implementing these policies.

− Contact: Ms Maarit Laurila (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 39 – e-mail: [email protected])

3. INTERNAL MARKET - SERVICES

• Services in the Internal Market − Rapporteur: Mr Metzler (Various Interests – DE) − Co-rapporteur: Mr Ehnmark (Employees – SE)

− References: COM(2004) 2 final – 2004/001 COD – CESE 137/2005

− Key points:

The Committee welcomes the goal, set out in the proposed draft directive, to turn the internal market into a reality and to take a further step forward for the Lisbon Strategy. Moreover, the Committee believes that the changes and specifications recommended here should be incorporated into the opinion so that this target is really achieved.

Harmonisation of specific services over a two-stage transition period: the Committee therefore believes the blanket application of the country-of-origin principle in the cross-border provision of services is premature. As a general recommendation, the Committee suggests reviewing the feasibility of applying this principle to various sectors.

Issues connected with the social dimension: the draft directive should not lead to any watering down of existing social protection, wage, and safety standards in the workplace, particularly those laid down in the Directive on the posting of workers.

Scope and rules on conflicts of laws: the scope, derogations and the rules on conflict of laws in the application of the country-of-origin principle to cross-border service provision must be set out more

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clearly and sharper distinctions must be drawn between them. All services of general interest must be excluded from the scope of the services directive, pending a community framework.

Central register on cross-border activities: in the Committee’s view, consideration should be given to whether setting up a central EU-wide register to record requirements and infringements noted in the course of supervision could be an effective and useful means of fulfilling the requirements set out in the draft directive for the monitoring of specific service providers, such as members of the liberal professions.

Improvements in empirical record keeping.

Quality assurance and transparency in pricing: Consumer protection should be upheld.

− Contact: Ms Aleksandra Klenke (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 99 – e-mail: [email protected])

• White Paper/Services of general interest − Rapporteur: Mr Hencks (Employees – LU) − Co-rapporteur: Mr Hernández Bataller (Various Interests – ES)

− References: COM(2004) 374 final – CESE 121/2005

− Key points:

Services of general interest are not only central to economic competitiveness but also a key element in the social and environmental fields. They are a major asset in the three-pronged approach of the Lisbon Strategy (economic, social and environmental aspects) and are vital to making the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society.

The EESC welcomes the publication of the White Paper. It welcomes in particular the fact that the White Paper sets out a precise timetable of proposals and measures outlined in the text which the European Commission intends to take in order to apply these principles and orientations over the coming years.

It supports the principles and new orientations that the Commission proposes for reinforcing the existence of services of general interest. It regrets, however, that its repeated requests in recent years for a framework directive or a framework law to guarantee the existence of SGI, the Member States’ freedom to define, organise and choose management methods for SGI, the long-term financing and performance evaluation of SGI, consumers' rights etc. have not yet been taken up, even if the Commission has undertaken to produce a report on this matter by the end of 2005.

The rights of citizens to benefit from services of general interest that are accessible, affordable and efficient must be safeguarded and affirmed in the name of solidarity and economic and social cohesion, which are recognised as basic principles of the Treaty.

Consequently, there is a need to establish a body of universal principles for different services that are delivered in different ways from one Member State to another, while fully respecting the principle of subsidiarity.

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− Contact: Mr Raffaele Del Fiore (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 94 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Rail Package − Rapporteur: Mr Chagas (Employees – PT)

− References: COM(2004) 139 final – 2004/0047 COD – CESE 130/2005 COM(2004) 142 final – 2004/0048 COD – CESE 131/2005 COM(2004) 143 final – 2004/0049 COD – CESE 119/2005 COM(2004) 144 final – 2004/0050 COD – CESE 120/2005

− Key points:

The EESC believes that any decision on the deregulation of international passenger services should be based on extensive and clear knowledge regarding the overall effects of this measure on rail- passenger transport and the impact of the measures already decided within the 1st and 2nd Railway Package.

Therefore it was felt that the Commission should have an in-depth analysis carried out on the advantages and disadvantages of liberalisation before proposing it. This analysis is particularly required in the areas of regional transport and rail transport as services of general interest, quality of service offered to customers, employment and working conditions, in particular for the rail companies in the new Member States.

The EESC calls on the Commission to present the report on the implementation of market opening for rail freight services, as required by Directive 91/440/EEC (as amended by Directive 2004/51/EC).

With regard to the draft directive on the certification of train crews operating locomotives and trains, the Committee regrets that this social measure is being presented as the final link in a chain of European legislative provisions for liberalising the rail-freight sector and asks the Commission to reduce the significant time lapse between the complete opening-up of the market in rail freight and the deadlines for the introduction of certification.

In addition, the EESC welcomed the agreement of European social partners on “certain aspects of the working conditions of train crews engaged in cross-border services” called on the Commission to present this agreement to the Council for adoption.

As for the rights and obligations of international rail passengers, the EESC feels that the provisions that apply to the railway sector must not be stricter than those for air travel and considers that the regulations need to be improved in regard to individual provisions for liability for consequential damages, the setting of upper limits for liability, and to exclusions in the event of train cancellations.

In principle, the EESC welcomes the measures to improve the quality of rail freight transport, while stressing that:

− positive incentives would be preferable to strict compensation arrangements, leading to attempts to circumvent the rules and spawning a complicated refund system;

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− measures to improve the quality of rail freight transport must not discriminate against other modes of transport.

The EESC also asks the Commission to examine the impact of the measures on undertakings and infrastructure managers in the new Member States.

− Contact: Mr Luís Lobo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Deployment and commercial operation/GALILEO − Rapporteur: Mr Ranocchiari (Employers – IT)

− References: COM(2004) 477 final – 2004/0156 (COD) – CESE 123/2005

− Contact: Mr Raffaele Del Fiore (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 94 – e-mail: [email protected])

4. COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION POLICIES

• XXXIIIrd competition policy report − Rapporteur: Mr Chiriaco (Employees – IT)

− References: COM(2004) 658 final – CESE 118/2005

− Key points:

The EESC emphasises the need to strengthen industrial competition and encourage research, development and innovation in all sectors.

The Committee is in favour of a more functional relationship between competition policy and consumer protection policies.

The reform process designed to streamline and simplify procedures for the control of state aid has made major progress, following the course set by the Stockholm European Council towards reducing the level of state aid and redirecting it towards horizontal objectives of Community interest, including the cohesion objectives.

The EESC would stress the need to adopt a clear legal text on services of general interest.

It is now generally accepted that suppliers of professional services must also respect competition rules.

The EESC urges the Commission to stand by its commitment to publish a new report on "progress in eliminating restrictive and unjustified rules" in 2005.

The process of the gradual convergence between telecommunications, IT, radio, television and publishing makes it difficult to pinpoint the structures of the various markets. The danger of failing to

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properly understand this process is that the competition rules will be diminished and the principle of pluralism weakened.

− Contact: Ms Aleksandra Klenke (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 99 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Consumer policy post-enlargement − Rapporteur: Mr Pegado Liz (Various Interests – PT)

− Reference: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 141/2005

− Key points:

Now that the EU has ten new Member States – for whom consumer protection is a relatively new issue - consumer policy as a whole must be rethought so as to bring it into line with the new reality of a market of around 500 million consumers.

The EESC defines the immediate priorities for consumer policy in its opinion.

The EESC considers that – without losing sight of the need to maintain a balance between the interests in question – new legislative initiatives should gradually be introduced, in areas that the opinion identified in detail.

The EESC also believes that existing Community legislation must be reviewed and harmonised to bring it into line with the new enlarged single market, with particular emphasis on the areas listed in the opinion.

The EESC recalls its proposal to set up a European Research Institute for Consumer Protection as a provider of the knowledge-basis for consumer policy.

The EESC recommends that the Commission take account of the proposals and suggestions put forward in this opinion when defining the new consumer policy guidelines and periodically to issue reports on the situation of consumption and consumers in Europe.

− Contact: Mr João Pereira dos Santos (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 45 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Audiovisual services/protection of minors and human dignity − Rapporteur: Mr Pegado Liz (Various Interests – PT)

− References: COM(2004) 341 final – 2004/0117 (COD) – CESE 134/2005

− Contact: Mr Raffaele Del Fiore (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 94 – e-mail: [email protected])

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5. SINGLE MARKET - HARMONISATION OF COMMUNITY LEGISLATION

• Current state of co-regulation and self-regulation in the Single Market − Rapporteur: Mr Vever (Employers - FR)

− References: Information report – CESE 1182/2004 fin

− Key points:

The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission undertook to recognise and provide a framework for co-regulation and self-regulation which can usefully complement legislation. The interinstitutional agreement adopted on 16 December 20031 organises this complementarity by means of structural and monitoring provisions.

Potential and limitations

Co-regulation and self-regulation offer several potential advantages by simplifying the rules of the single market, freeing up legal channels, helping to speed up adaptation to change, developing a sense of shared responsibility among players in the economy and in civil society, and thus strengthening the foundations of European integration.

But limits exist, which lie primarily in the conditions under which the rules are implemented and the sanctions that may apply if they are breached. Other questions may also be raised that require checks, such as compatibility with existing regulations or effects on competition.

Little is known about the real situation of co-regulation and self-regulation within the single market. The information report and the recent hearings organised by the EESC Single Market Observatory aim primarily to improve our understanding and raise awareness of the current state of co-regulation and self- regulation and to facilitate the dissemination of best practice.

− Contact: Mr Jean-Pierre Faure (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 96 15 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Clearing and settlement − Rapporteur: Mr Burani (Employers – IT)

− References: COM(2004) 312 final – CESE 138/2005

− Key points:

The creation of an integrated and efficient European capital market is one of the most important and ambitious economic projects currently under way in the European Union.

1 OJ C 321, 31.12.2003.

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Purely domestic clearing and settlement activities in the EU are relatively cost effective and safe, but cross-border arrangements are complex and fragmented, resulting in much higher costs, risks and inefficiencies.

The Committee has looked at the Commission document with considerable interest, and has analysed it above all from the point of view of the social partners it represents: it agrees with the approach and the guidelines.

However, the Committee thinks that the markets have up until now shown that the existing rules are adequate to enable them to deal with emergencies, and the authorities have kept even the most difficult situations under control.

The Committee believes that the decisions cannot be taken by the competition authorities alone: the binding opinion of the supervisory authorities should be a rule that – although it is not applied always and everywhere – should apply from now on. The desire to open up markets and comply with rules on competition must not ignore the safety of the markets themselves. This aspect can only be assessed by those who are responsible for it.

− Contact: Mr João Pereira dos Santos (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 45 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Order for payment − Rapporteur: Mr Pegado Liz (Various Interests – PT)

− References : COM(2004) 173 final – 2004/0055 COD – CESE 133/2005

− Key points:

The EESC welcomes the draft regulation, which has incorporated most of its comments regarding the Green Paper.

The EESC urges the Commission to consider the possibility of extending this proposal for a regulation to cover the European Economic Area.

The Commission considers that it will be possible for the European order for payment procedure to co- exist alongside other identical procedures serving the same purpose and contained in Member States' national legislation. The EESC, however, believes that there should only be one order for payment procedure, namely the procedure laid down and regulated by the proposal under consideration.

The Committee opinion also contains a detailed analysis of the articles of the proposed regulation.

− Contact: Ms Aleksandra Klenke (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 99 – e-mail: [email protected])

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6. COHESION POLICY

• Regions suffering from permanent natural and structural handicaps − Rapporteur: Mr Barros Vale (Employers – PT)

− Reference: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 140/2005

− Key points:

Taking into account issues concerning transport, telecommunications, infrastructure, access to public services, the environment, employment, and opportunities arising above all from tourism, the Committee argues that an effective policy targeting regions suffering permanent handicaps should feature the three principles of permanence, positive discrimination, and proportionality, and should set out a series of social, economic and environmental goals.

The policy should therefore consist of a set of measures designed to minimise the vulnerability of these regions and to help create a real "equality of opportunities" between them and the rest of the Union. As this policy constitutes a response to objective natural constraints, it is legitimate that it be graduated according to the intensity of these constraints. For the same reason, it should supplement, rather than replace, the measures traditionally implemented as part of the economic and social cohesion policy.

− Contact: Mr Roberto Pietrasanta (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 93 13 – e-mail: [email protected])

7. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• Financing Natura 2000 − Rapporteur: Mr Ribbe (Various Interests – DE)

− References: COM(2004) 431 final – CESE 136/2005

− Key points:

The EESC points out that the EU's various man-made and natural landscapes also represent a remarkable natural heritage which should be preserved. Nature conservation is, however, not just an end in itself. Nature plays a vital role in our lives and in the economy and represents, not least, an important resource for economic activities.

The EESC understands the reasons for choosing the financing option in question, namely in order to develop and make appropriate use of existing aid instruments. Organising and making use of the existing Funds in a way which is more in tune with the needs of nature conservation will provide the responsible bodies in the Member States with scope for flexible action. In this context, however, steps must be taken to ensure that, in future, there are no more re-occurrences of the scenario whereby projects which have a detrimental effect on nature conservation benefit from co-financing by the EU, with the EU stepping in again at a later stage to pick up the bill for the resultant damage to nature and the environment.

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The discussion on the financing of Natura 2000 sites has to take place against the background of the expected wrangling over the size of the overall EU budget and the allocation of resources between regions and the various political areas of responsibility. Nature conservation cannot be subordinated to other tasks when funding is being provided by Member States. Nature conservation in Europe is a task for society as a whole and a vital political requirement for which financing has to be found.

As an inescapable responsibility under Natura 2000 (e.g. compensatory payments or the provision of incentives to landowners or users of land), funding clearly has to be earmarked. Otherwise, the EESC would be unable to support the principle of incorporating the financing of Natura 2000 into the existing funds, and would have to come out in favour of introducing separate financing arrangements, echoing the views of many of the stakeholders involved in the preliminary stages of the Natura 2000 programme.

− Contact: Mr Johannes Kind (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 91 11 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Exceptional market support measures − Rapporteur: Mr Nielsen (Various Interests – DK)

− References: COM(2004) 712 final – 2004/0254 CNS – CESE 127/2005

− Contact: Ms Annika Korzinek (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 80 65 – e-mail: [email protected])

• REACH – Legislation on chemical products − Rapporteur: Mr Sears (Employers – UK) − Co-rapporteur: Mr Hosman (Representative – NL)

− References : Information report - COM(2003) 644 final – 2003/0256-0257 COD – CESE 242/2004 fin rev.

− Key points:

This information report considers the implications for competitiveness and industrial change for the sectors that both supply to, and compete with, the chemical industry.

On a general note, one of the weaknesses of the REACH proposal is to be found in its lack of clarity and poor definition. The proposal relies heavily on the definitions of "substance" and "preparation" developed in the mid-1960s; “chemical”, while used widely in the document, is not defined at all.

The proposal is overly complex in ordering and construction and the problems of scope and definition are compounded by the fact that the proposal, while based on the chemical industry, does not represent the physical realities of present or future planned practices in all the sectors that will be affected by its introduction.

The impact of the proposal will be felt most severely by SMEs, as the report analyses in detail. In particular, disproportionate costs and minimal anticipated return for either employees or consumers will

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ensure that European SMEs will lose critical competitiveness advantages over their manufacturing counterparts from outside the EU.

The proposal claims to be driven by a desire to ensure the protection of workers, consumers and the environment. The environmental impacts of waste disposal and emissions, properly covered by a range of general and sector-specific existing EU legislation, are largely excluded from the proposal and therefore cannot count towards the intended benefits.

As a general point, affecting all sectors, care should be taken that the ongoing consideration of the REACH proposal does not lead to an unacceptable loss of momentum on the testing of true priority substances. Enforcement of existing legislation is as important as creating new initiatives that will compete for the same resources.

It seems essential that the impact studies now deemed necessary recognise the realities of the economic sectors considered. They should follow, in a transparent and acceptable manner, the appropriate methodologies as set out, for instance, by organisations such as the OECD.

If agreement can be reached on the objectives and scope of REACH and on the methodologies to be followed for assessing both costs and benefits, then it will be possible to have confidence that the best approach has been adopted, with the greatest benefits to all those concerned. This is not the case at present. At best, direct and indirect costs are matched by potential but poorly defined benefits elsewhere.

− Contact: Mr Jakob Andersen (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 58 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Flood risk − Rapporteur: Ms Sánchez Miguel (Employees – ES)

− References: COM(2004) 472 final – CESE 125/2005

− Contact: Ms Annika Korzinek (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 80 65 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Geothermal energy − Rapporteur: Mr Wolf (Various Interests – DE)

− Reference: Own-initiative opinion – EESC 122/2005

− Contact: Mr Siegfried Jantscher (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 82 87 - e-mail: [email protected])

• INSPIRE − Rapporteur: Mr Retureau (Employees – FR)

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− References: COM(2004) 516 final – 2004/0175 COD – CESE 124/2005

− Contact: Mr Johannes Kind (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 91 11 – e-mail: [email protected])

8. COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

• CAP financing − Rapporteur: Mr Kienle (Employers – DE)

− References: COM(2004) 489 final – 2004/0164 CNS – CESE 126/2005

− Key points:

The EESC acknowledges that the Commission's proposal contains a range of genuinely innovative approaches for better and simpler budgetary operations. The EESC believes that creating two funds with a clear division of tasks is the right way of achieving this objective. However, the EESC is of the view that:

• simplification must have a perceptible impact at all levels, benefiting the EU, Member States and final beneficiaries; • urgent steps should be taken to ensure that support for final beneficiaries is prompt and as straightforward as possible; • although the goal of simplification is being adequately achieved from the Commission’s perspective, the same cannot be said for Member States.

The EESC laments the fact that, because of differing procedures for payment and committing funds, paying agencies still have to run two separate financial management systems. The EESC believes that it is essential that these two systems be as streamlined as possible. In view of this, further changes are needed, not least to the regulation on support for rural development.

In principle, the EESC welcomes the fact that the rules on the recovery of funds, do not place liability for disbursed support on the EU alone, but also on the Member States. In view of objections by many Member States to greater shared responsibility, the EESC will be observing very closely whether these Member States lose interest in the programmes, at the expense of potential final beneficiaries.

The EESC is concerned that increased technical support will divert resources from the actual purpose of the funds, which is to support agriculture and rural development. According to the Committee, this kind of indirect support should be kept within tight limits, and should only be permitted when strictly necessary. In this context, the EESC is particularly critical of Community support for administrative and monitoring capacity building in Member States, which is undeniably the responsibility of Member States themselves. The EESC feels that a report should be issued by the Commission in these cases, to ensure strict monitoring of such support.

− Contact: Ms Eleonora di Nicolantonio (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 94 54 – e-mail: [email protected])

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9. EXTERNAL TRADE

• Proposal for a Council Regulation applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences (GSP) − Rapporteur: Mr Pezzini (Employers – IT)

− References: COM(2004) 699 final – 2004/0242 CNS – CESE 132/2005

− Key points:

On 20 October 2004, the European Commission adopted a proposal setting out the details of the EU system of trade preferences (Generalised System of Preferences – GSP) for the period 2006-2008. This proposal builds on the guidelines issued by the Commission in July 2004. The Commission proposes to improve the current system in a number of areas: simplification (cutting back from five to three separate arrangements); expanding the product coverage; focusing the benefits on those developing countries most in need; and setting up an additional GSP benefits scheme ("GSP+") to encourage sustainable development.

The EESC has advocated that the existing system should be simplified and rendered more transparent and that the opportunity should be taken to harmonise, unify and streamline all the GSP rules and procedures. It considers that the proposed scheme would be a material improvement in this respect and to this extent it endorses the Commission’s proposals.

The EESC approves the fact that the number of beneficiary countries would be reduced but fears that the reduction might not be of sufficient proportions.

The EESC considers that the new SIA for promoting sustainable development will have hardly any more impact on the behaviour of beneficiary nations than those which it replaces.

The EESC is concerned that the issue of fraud in the existing system does not appear to have been effectively addressed and considers that more could have been done in this respect.

The EESC is disappointed that detailed impact assessments on these proposals have not been published or apparently, in some cases, conducted.

− Contact: Ms Susanna Baizou (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 45 – e-mail: [email protected])

10. DEFENCE

• Procurement and defence − Rapporteur: Mr Wilkinson (Employers – UK)

− References: COM(2004) 608 final – CESE 129/2005

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− Key points:

The Committee's conclusions may be summarised as follows:

− Defence equipment is only one requirement for a viable "defence performance". For industry to play its part fully it will need clear guidance, harmonised requirements and continuity. It must also have primary responsibility for necessary restructuring. Industry also needs to avoid over-burdensome regulatory procedures.

− It must be made very clear what parts of the defence-equipment procurement process will be covered by the rules agreed.

− Article 296 of the Treaty will continue to be required. To ensure progress in avoiding its too frequent use, the Commission needs to establish a benchmark though examining current performance. It is not practicable to maintain any list of equipments and procedures to which Article 296 can be applied.

− As a first step the Commission should produce as soon as possible an "interpretative communication" on Article 296. Only after experience has been gained with this communication will it be possible to decide whether a legal instrument is also required.

− "Dual use" equipment is increasingly common and this trend is welcome, not least because of the potential for civil use of RTD which applies to military equipment.

− The important role foreseen for the European Defence Agency (EDA) is welcome; it will need to be clear what part all the agencies now involved are to play.

− Contact: Mr Nemesio Martinez (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 95 01 – e-mail: [email protected])

______

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PLENARY ASSEMBLY ON 9 AND 10 MARCH 2005 SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ADOPTED

Full text versions of EESC opinions are available in the official languages on the Committee's web site at the following address:

http://www.esc.eu.int (Documents)

The plenary assembly was attended by Ms Mariann Fischer Boel, member of the European Commission, in connection with the adoption of the opinion on Support for rural development by the EAFRD.

1. THE LISBON STRATEGY – ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Multiannual programme for SMEs – Rapporteur: Mr Pezzini (Employers – IT)

– References: COM(2004) 781 final – 2004/0272 COD – CESE 245/2005

– Key points:

The EESC believes that it is appropriate for DG Enterprise to begin as soon as possible a series of meetings in the new Member States with representatives of SME organisations from all Member States, with the aim of discussing best practice and focusing on the specific difficulties of the new Member States. This would make it possible to highlight the issues that need to be taken forward under the new framework programme.

The EESC believes that a fourth European conference on micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises could be held during 2006.

The EESC aims to achieve high-quality, practical development policies; it is necessary both to step up the debate among and with those whose lives are directly affected by enterprise issues (employers and workers), and to acknowledge that the problems of micro- and small enterprises are different from those of large enterprises, or, where this is not so, that they have different characteristics. It therefore calls on the Commission to submit a report on this issue to the EESC and the European Parliament.

– Contact : Mr João Pereira dos Santos (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 45 – e-mail : [email protected])

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• Cooperatives – Rapporteur: Mr Hoffelt (Various Interests – BE)

– References: COM(2004) 18 final – CESE 243/2005

– Key points:

The EESC supports, in particular, the priority attached to the promotion of cooperative entrepreneurship.

Whilst expressing its support for the thrust of the Commission's Communication, the EESC takes the view that some of the actions should have been defined in more concrete terms and have been based on a predefined timetable. The EESC thus recommends the introduction, as soon as possible, of a monitoring process in respect of the proposed actions, rather than awaiting publication after 2008 of the assessments of these actions, as proposed by the Commission.

– Contact: Ms Aleksandra Klenke (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 99 – e-mail : [email protected])

2. THE LISBON STRATEGY - THE ROLE OF THE EIB

• The Role of the EIB in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) − Rapporteur: Mr Levaux (Employers – FR)

− References: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 255/2005

− Key points:

This opinion draws heavily on a background paper prepared by the EIB for the EESC in July 2004 (The EIB’s role in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), , July 2004. This document was prepared for the EESC study group and can be requested by email from the EESC secretariat: [email protected]).

PPPs offer the opportunity to capture private sector efficiencies and introduce appropriate risk-sharing mechanisms between the public and private sector.

The EIB requires that all PPP projects supported by it are financially robust, economically and technically viable, meet the Bank's environmental requirements and are competitively tendered in accordance with EU procurement rules. Wherever possible, EIB becomes involved in projects at an early stage.

The EIB’s overall experience is that the performance of the projects it has financed has been good. The "EIB has brought significant added value to the PPPs it has financed.

− Contact: Mr Gilbert Marchlewitz (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 93 58 – e-mail: [email protected])

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• Credit institutions

– Rapporteur: Mr Ravoet (Employers – BE)

– References: COM(2004) 486 final – 2004/0155 + 0159 COD – CESE 244/2005

– Key points:

The quality of the draft legislation reflects the unprecedented level of consultation, including participation in the Basel Committee’s impact studies, carried out by the Commission during the process of converting the Basel rules into the EU law. The EESC commends this development and urges the co-legislators to continue to incorporate the views of market participants in the EU legislative process.

The Committee feels that the emphasis now should be on agreement of a flexible Directive that is consistent with the Basel framework and encourages convergent application across the EU.

It is important that the Directive is agreed relatively quickly. Delayed implementation would put the European banking industry at a competitive disadvantage in the global market. This would not be in the interests of Europe’s depositors and borrowers.

The Committee believes that the implementation dates of the Directive should be 1 January 2007, rather than 31 December 2006, for the Standardised Approach and 1 January 2008, rather than 31 December 2007, for the Advanced Approaches. The requirement to implement the Directive on 31 December would result in burdensome reporting requirements.

• Contact: Ms Aleksandra Klenke (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 99 – e-mail: [email protected])

3. COHESION POLICY

• The new Member States and the BEPGs – Rapporteur: Mr Koulumies (Employers – FI)

− References: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 256/2005

− Key points:

The economic convergence of the new Member States and the EU-15 has made relatively good progress and the trend is set to continue, although uncertainties surround the future. Under the most likely scenario, the relative advantage of the new Member States vis-à-vis the EU-15 in terms of wages and prices will diminish, but this will take time because of a low starting level.

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All the Member States must continue to work for the completion of the internal market, more effective implementation of the Lisbon reforms and improved economic governance. Without these reforms, there is a risk of a decline in economic growth and well-being throughout the EU.

− Contact: Mr Gilbert Marchlewitz (Tel. : 00 32 2 546 93 58 – e-mail : [email protected])

4. RURAL DEVELOPMENT

• Rural Development/EAFRD – Rapporteur: Mr Bros (Various Interests – FR)

– References: COM(2004) 490 final – 2004/0161 (COD) – CESE 251/2005

– Key points:

The Commission’s legislative proposal regarding support for rural development is largely in line with the Salzburg conclusions. The Committee has given much attention to this subject and would like to thank the Commission for the level of dialogue that it maintained with its members. The EESC wishes to stress that:

− The EAFRD cannot, by itself, provide a solution to all the problems of rural development.

− A tie-in with the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund should be examined further.

− To ensure the economic and social sustainability of rural areas, it is necessary to take into account the contribution of the CAP’s two pillars to the maintenance and creation of employment in all the EU's regions, particularly through the development of competitive agricultural or non-agricultural activity, based on innovation.

It is for this reason that the Committee asks the Commission and the Council to include the new directions of the CAP in the mid-term assessment of the Lisbon strategy.

The budgetary issue remains at the heart of the questions raised. The Committee believes the Commission’s budgetary proposals to be modest and stable (1.24% of GNI). It is this that has led the Committee to take a critical view of the complete integration of NATURA 2000 into the EAFRD, as this would account for almost one half of the EAFRD budget envelope. At the same time, the tripling of the budget envelope for the LEADER approach is rather surprising given the developments in national contributions. The Committee also points out that the Commission's financial proposal represents a minimum basis for discussion, without which the future rural development policy could not form an effective part of the sustainable development strategy or of the Lisbon strategy. The Committee would also like to propose several changes as regards the policy guidelines arising from the Salzburg conference, such as the maintenance of the link between the 1st and 2nd pillars of the CAP, the principle of subsidiarity in planning measures, and greater simplification of procedures for the final beneficiary.

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The Committee hopes that it will be closely involved in the decision-making process in the future and during the implementation of this policy in order to give its opinion on the Community's strategic plan and ensure that organised civil society is properly consulted on the development of rural development programmes.

– Contact: Ms Eleonora di Nicolantonio (Tel: 00 32 2 546 94 54 – e-mail: [email protected])

5. SOCIAL POLICY AND YOUTH

• European Social Fund – Rapporteur: Ms Engelen-Kefer (Employees – DE)

– References: COM(2004) 493 final – 2004/0165 COD – CESE 250/2005

– Key points:

• The EESC supports the European Commission’s proposal to concentrate funding in regions with the weakest economies, benefiting new Member States in particular; the proposed increase in the budget seems appropriate, given that these resources will now have to be shared by 25 Member States.

• The EESC feels that the redefined objectives are appropriate; restructuring of objectives should be beneficial if programming activities are similarly integrated, and regional priorities should be set for ESF employment policy measures, depending on the structure of unemployment.

• Integrating disadvantaged groups should be a priority, using measures to support social assistance, training and work organisation, and the ESF should support measures to help reform education and training systems, particularly with a view to the needs of a knowledge-based society and improvement of their labour market relevance; the EESC welcomes the intention of the Commission to fully integrate the Community Initiative EQUAL into the ESF.

• The EESC doubts whether annual implementation reports, both on the national strategic frame of reference and on each operational programme, are helpful, and recommends instead that national action plans on implementation of the EU employment guidelines are linked to programming requirements for ESF measures to simplify programming.

• The EESC is pleased to note that structural support will continue to be based on the principles of concentration, programme planning, additionality and partnership, but would like there to be greater emphasis on the special role of the social partners in ESF employment measures, and on the need for their involvement at both central and regional levels.

• The Committee is pleased to see that also non-governmental organisations are given access to the financial support and that the Member States and managing authorities for each operational programme should consult non-governmental organisations as appropriate when planning, implementing and monitoring ESF aid.

– Contact: Mr Torben Bach Nielsen (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 96 19 – e-mail: [email protected])

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• Youth in action programme 2007-2013 − Rapporteur: Mr Rodriguez Garcia Caro (Employers - ES)

− References: COM(2004) 471 final – 2004/0152 COD – CESE 253/2005

− Key points:

The Committee is encouraged to note that the text of the proposal includes recommendations expressed in its own-initiative Opinion on the White paper: youth policy. As an integral part of European civil society, the Committee acts as a channel of communication between civil society and the European institutions, bringing its experience and knowledge to bear on all actions benefiting EU citizens.

The Committee wishes to highlight one of the recommendations made in the proposal resulting from the interim evaluation of the YOUTH programme. Specifically, the Committee strongly agrees that the new programme, aimed at all youth sectors, should focus particularly on young people with fewer opportunities, in the widest sense of the word. In this context it is also very important to ensure that resources are distributed equally between young women and young men.

The extension of the age range of participants, by reducing the lower age limit to 13 and increasing the upper limit to 30, is a noteworthy achievement that is in line with previous recommendations of this Committee. This means opening up the programme to a large section of the population, with 75 million potential participants. The Committee considers that a study should be drawn up to give a clearer pricture of this age group (unprecedented in history not only in its diversity, but also in its unity) and thereby underpin the youth programme in the European Union, especially if the latter wishes to follow the recommendations of the High-Level Group on “the future of social policy”, which seek to change the generational pact.

However, the Committee reiterates its suggestion to extend the age for participating in exchange initiatives to 11: although this age group can be considered as pre-adolescent, there is no doubt that learning and the transmission of values are absorbed in specific ways when they take place at an earlier age. This participation should always take place as part of a properly organised scheme and never on an individual basis.

The Committee welcomes the new initiative launched by the Heads of State and Government of France, Germany, Spain and Sweden to sign a Pact for European Youth as part of the Lisbon Strategy, in order to develop new ways of involving young people in politics.

− Contact: Ms Stefania Barbesta (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 95 10 – e-mail: [email protected])

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6. THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL MODEL – AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD

• The social dimension of globalisation – the EU’s policy contribution on extending the benefits to all – Rapporteurs: Mr Etty (Employees – NL) Ms Hornung-Draus (Employers– DE)

– References: COM(2004) 383 final – CESE 252/2005

– Key points:

The EESC underlines the importance of a values-based approach to globalisation in terms of those concepts that constitute the essence of a social market economy. Such aspects are individual responsibility, respect for the rule of law, respect for the individual and property, transparency, integrity, human dignity, equality and freedom, fundamental trade union and workers rights, sound industrial relations and a high level of social protection. These underpin the key elements of the EU approach to globalisation:

• solid institutional structures, • effective public services and services of general interest, • strong social and civil dialogue, • investment in human capital, and • quality of employment.

The EESC can actively engage in and pursue a policy which can convince governments of the necessity of these elements. If the EU wants to play that role effectively, however, the Commission as well as the Member States will have to look carefully at their own policy coherence in relevant areas.

The Committee notes with interest the Commission's intention to set up new joint mechanisms in bilateral agreements to discuss and monitor relevant aspects for the social dimension of globalisation. Instruments like this can effectively demonstrate the responsible role of free and independent social partners as well as other relevant civil society organisations.

The EESC believes that the success of the Lisbon Strategy is key for the success of a specific EU-policy contribution to the social dimension of globalisation.

− Contact: Ms Beatriz Porres de Mateo (Tel: 00 32 2 546 91 31 – e-mail: [email protected])

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7. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

• Financial aid/TEN - T.E. – Rapporteur: Mr Ranocchiari (Employers – IT)

– References: COM(2004) 475 final – 2004/0154 COD – CESE 257/2005

– Key points:

The EESC welcomes the proposal, which essentially incorporates recommendations that the EESC has consistently reiterated in its previous opinions. The EESC calls for a strict and rigorous policy vis-à-vis the Member States (including penalties, even including a recall of funds), in order to ensure that commitments are fulfilled. Nevertheless, the EESC fears that despite the proposed increases the resources available will not always be sufficient to stimulate investment and render the commitments undertaken irreversible. For this reason, it believes that a suggestion put forward in one of its previous opinions to create a European fund for transport infrastructure remains worthy of consideration. It would be funded by a reasonable levy on European fuel consumption in the EU-25 without incurring a corresponding increase in excise tax. A second possibility would be to restrict this proposal to those Member States involved in the TEN-T projects. The EESC also suggests bringing forward the new Regulation’s entry into force to the earliest possible date so that work can begin immediately. The Committee welcomes the Commission’s proposal to adopt comitology rather than co-decision procedures, to define the application of the rules that will govern the allocation of aid. However, the tasks of the executive agency for the trans-European transport network still need to be clarified.

− Contact: Mr Luís Lobo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Financial assistance/Marco Polo II – Rapporteur: Mr Levaux (Employers – FR)

– References: COM(2004) 478 final – 2004/0157 COD – CESE 247/2005

– Contact: Mr Luís Lobo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Air traffic controller licence – Rapporteur: Mr McDonogh (Employers – IE)

– References: COM(2004) 473 final – 2004/0146 COD – CESE 246/2005

– Contact: Mr Luís Lobo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

Bulletin 11.04.2005 - EN - PE 356.655

100 GENERAL INFORMATION

8. AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

• TSE amendments – Rapporteur: Mr Chiriaco (Employees – IT)

– References: COM(2004) 775 final – 2004/0270 COD – CESE 249/2005

− Contact: Ms Annika Korzinek (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 80 65 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Quota system for potato starch – Rapporteur: Mr Konstantinidis (Various Interests – CY)

– References: COM(2004) 772 final – 2004/0269 CNS – CESE 248/2005

– Contact: Ms Eleonora di Nicolantonio (tel: 00 32 2 546 94 54 – e-mail: [email protected])

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ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 101

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Summary of resolutions and decisions adopted, subjects discussed in plenary and action taken

This document is available at :

http://www.europarl.ep.ec/bulletins/postsession.htm (Intranet) http://www.europarl.eu.int/bulletins/postsession.htm (Internet)

Section produced by the Directorate-General for Committees and Delegations

Bulletin 11.04.2005 - EN - PE 356.655

New .eu Domain

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