ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C 269 Volume 35 of the European Communities 19 October 1992
English edition Information and Notices
Notice No Contents Page
I Information
European Parliament
Written Questions with answer
92/C 269/01 No 1678/90 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission Subject: Buildings policy of the Commission 1
92/C 269/02 No 171 1 /90 by Mr Wilfried Telkämper to the Commission Subject: Monitoring of discharges into the Rhine by the Stracel Company (Supplementary answer) 1
92/C 269/03 No 2925/90 by Mr Alain Marleix, Mr Patrick Lalor, Mr Yvon Briant, Mr Patrick Lane , Mr Gene Fitzgerald, Mr Louis Lauga, Mr François Guillaume, Mr François Musso and Mr Christian de la Malène to the Commission Subject: Problems in the air transport sector in Europe 2
92/C 269/04 No 399/91 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject: Probable reduction in support for Community agriculture and impact on food aid .... 3
92/C 269/05 No 2032/91 by Mr Jos6 Happart to the Commission Subject: 1992 draft budget 4
92/C 269/06 No 2071 /91 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission Subject: Financing of food checks at the Community's internal frontiers 4
92/C 269/07 No 2101 /91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject: Transporting hydrogen by sea 5
92/C 269/08 No 2199/91 by Mr Jacques Vernier to the Commission Subject: Future of the banana market 5
92/C 269/09 No 2226/91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission Subject: Blocked R + D programmes 6
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92/C 269/ 10 No 2248 /91 by Mr Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission Subject : Codification of Community legislation 6
92/C 269/ 11 No 2314/91 by Mr François-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission Subject : Distribution of humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq 7
92/C 269/ 12 No 2318 /91 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission Subject: Cabotage in road transport 7
92/C 269/ 13 No 2506/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Environmental consequences of the Kalymnos airport construction project 8
92/C 269/ 14 No 2516/91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject : Measures to combat dishonesty in respect of scientific works 8
92 /C 269/ 15 No 2551 /91 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Border crossing points between the EC and neighbouring countries 9
92/C 269/ 16 No 2626/91 by Mr Edward Newman to the Commission Subject: The United Nations World Summit for Children 9
92/C 269/ 17 No 2637/91 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission Subject : Creation of Business Innovation Centres in the countries of Eastern Europe 10
92/C 269/ 18 No 2679/91 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission Subject : Community measures to reduce unemployment amongst women 11
92/C 269/ 19 No 2816/91 by Mr Christos Papoutsis to the Commission Subject: Aid for redundant workers in Lavrio (Greece) 11
92/C 269/20 No 2838 /91 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission Subject : Chemical pollution of textiles which may cause genetic changes 12
92/C 269/21 No 2847/91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini , Mr Enrico Ferri, Mr Francesco Guidolin, Mr Antonio Iodice , Mr Jas Gawronski , Mr Gianfranco Fini and Mr Alberto Michelini to the Commission Subject : Order on the disposal of waste from packaging ('Toepfer Act') issued by the German Government on 12 June 1991 (FRG Official Gazette No 36 of 20 June 1991 ) 12
92/C 269/22 No 2905/91 by Mr Luigi Vertemati , Mr Andrea Bonetti , Mr Roberto Speciale , Mr Gerardo Gaibisso and Mr Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission Subject: Order on the disposal of waste from packaging (Toepfer Order issued by the German Government on 1 2 June 1 99 1 , FRG Official Gazette No 36 of 20 June 1 99 1 ) 13
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2847/91 and 2905/91 13
92/C 269/23 No 2863/91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission Subject: 'Pepper' report 13
92/C 269/24 No 2866/91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission Subject : Employee financial participation 14
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2863 /91 and 2866/91 14
92/C 269/25 No 2869/91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission Subject: European Economic Area Agreement 14 Notice No Contents (continued) Page
92/C 269/26 No 2885 /91 by Mr Madron Seligman to the Commission Subject: Discrimination against British pilots 14
92/C 269/27 No 2903/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Practical recognition of the contribution made by women in the Community to development 15
92/C 269/28 No 2922/91 by Mr Rolf Linkohr to the Commission Subject: EC-funded hospital in Ixtapalapa, Mexico 15
92 /C 269/29 No 2926/91 by Mr Ioannis Pesmazoglou to the Commission Subject: Siting in a European city of a monument symbolizing the struggle for freedom 16
92/C 269/30 No 2936/91 by Mrs Lissy Gröner and Mr Hans Peters to the Commission Subject: German post office's international transfer charges 16
92/C 269/31 No 2956/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Community funds for workers' training 17
92/C 269/32 No 2967/91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission Subject: Tobacco advertising 17
92/C 269/33 No 2975/91 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission Subject: Production and use of untreated milk and derived products 18
92/C 269/34 No 3034/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Development of the Petralona cave , Chalkidiki 18
92/C 269/35 No 3064/91 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject: Ozone-depleting chemicals 19
92/C 269/36 No 3066/91 by Mr Patrick Lane to the Commission Subject: Visas for US citizens in the EC and EC citizens in the US 19
92/C 269/37 No 3099/91 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission Subject: Inter-Atlantic high-speed train link 20
92/C 269/38 No 3100/91 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject: Construction of the Athens metro 20
92/C 269/39 No 3126/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Measures to combat plant pests 21
92/C 269/40 No 3150/91 by Mr Bouke Beumer to the Commission Subject: Supranational European stock exchange 21
92/C 269/41 No 3165/91 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject: Katerini bypass 21
92/C 269/42 No 3186/91 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission Subject: GATT contribution to sustainable trade 22
92/C 269/43 No 3193/91 by Mr Didier Anger to the Commission Subject: Problems of agriculture in wetland areas 23
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92 /C 269/44 No 3197/91 by Mr Francesco Speroni to the Commission Subject : Refusal by the Italian health authorities to issue a European Community sickness benefit form 24
92 /C 269/45 No 3205/91 by Mr Max Simeoni to the Commission Subject : Map of the Community's lesser-used languages 25
92/C 269/46 No 168 /92 by Mr Alexander Langer to the Commission Subject : Charter for minority language groups 25
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3205/91 and 168 /92 25
92 /C 269/47 No 3221 /91 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject: Agreement between EC and Austria concerning the Alps 25
92/C 269/48 No 3229/91 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject: Draft Commission recommendation on protection of dignity of men and women at work 25
92 /C 269/49 No 3233 /91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission Subject : Illegal immigration networks 26
92/C 269/ 50 No 5 /92 by Mr Artur da Cunha Oliveira to the Commission Subject : Structural Funds and Overseas Departments 27
92 /C 269/ 51 No 19/92 by Mr Alexander Falconer, Mr Ian White , Mr Peter Crampton , Mr Alex Smith , Mr Michael Elliott, Mrs Christine Oddy , Mr Edward Newman and Mr Arthur Newens to European Political Cooperation Subject : NATO summit in Rome (November 1991 ) 28
92/C 269/ 52 No 21 /92 by Mr Alexander Langer, Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete and Mrs Eva-Maria Quistorp to European Political Cooperation Subject : The development of a common foreign and security policy for the Community 29
92 /C 269/ 53 No 45/92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission Subject : Basic scientific research in semiconductor growth technologies 29
92/C 269/54 No 57/92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission Subject : Passive smoking 30
92/C 269/55 No 93 /92 by Mr Detlev Samland to the Commission Subject : Language requirements in tendering procedures 30
92/C 269/ 56 No 130 /92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject : Veterinary checks 31
92/C 269/ 57 No 173 /92 by Mr David Morris to the Commission Subject : Training and employment for ex-offenders 31
92 /C 269/ 58 No 186/92 by Mr George Patterson to the Commission Subject : Refunds of double VAT: eighth VAT Directive 32
92/C 269/ 59 No 188 /92 by Mr Ian White to the Commission Subject : Nickel and its compounds 32
92/C 269/60 No 204/92 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission Subject : Regularization of social provisions for Spanish fishermen affected by a ban on catching shellfish during the breeding season 33 Notice No Contents (continued) Pa8e
92/C 269/61 No 247/92 by Mrs María Izquierdo Rojo , Mr Fernando Morán López , Mr José Duarte Cendán , Mr José Vázquez Fouz , Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias , Mr Pedro Bofill Abeilhe, Mr Juan de la Cámara Martínez , Mr Eusebio Cano Pinto and Mr Enrique Sapena Granell to the Commission Subject : Prospects and possibilities of temporary migration 33
92/C 269/62 No 249/92 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Media work by the Commission 34
92 /C 269/63 No 253 /92 by Mr Felice Contu to the Commission Subject : Dumping of coal 34
92/C 269/64 No 273 /92 by Mr Alexander Langer to the Commission Subject: Anti-semitic remarks by President Tudjman of Croatia 35 92/C 269/65 No 275/92 by Mr Diego de los Santos López to the Commission Subject : Illegal quarries in Malaga 35
92/C 269/66 No 279/92 by Mr Leen van der Waal to the Commission Subject : Language use in the EC 36
92/C 269/67 No 286/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : The forest of Ainou 36
92 /C 269/68 No 296/92 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Belgian participation in the Matteus programme 37
92/C 269/69 No 362/92 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Enforcement of legal procedures and remedies for individuals subject to sex discrimination 37
92/C 269/70 No 364/92 by Mr Adrien Zeller to the Commission Subject: Social security arrangements for students originating in an EEC Member State and studying in another Member State 38
92 /C 269/71 No 399/92 by Mr Pol Marck to the Commission Subject : Quality control of potatoes after 1992 39
92/C 269/72 No 407/92 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject : The discriminatory effect of national military service 39
92/C 269/73 No 427/92 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission Subject : Radioactive waste 39
92 /C 269/74 No 433 /92 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission Subject: Leaks in Eastern European oil and gas pipelines 40
92/C 269/75 No 460/92 by Mr Klaus Wettig to the Commission Subject : Simplified procedure for establishing the customs value of certain perishable products (fresh fruit and vegetables) 41
92 /C 269/76 - No 486/92 by Mr Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission Subject: 'La Mancha' Integrated Development Operation — Tomelloso-Argamasilla road .... 42 92 /C 269/77 No 499/92 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to European Political Cooperation Subject : Assistance for border commissions set up by Zaire , Rwanda and Burundi 42
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92/C 269/78 No 519/92 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission Subject: Packaging law 43
92/C 269/79 No 524/92 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to European Political Cooperation Subject: Possibility of multiparty democracy in Uganda 43
92 /C 269/80 No 535/92 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject: Canadian rainforests 44
92/C 269/ 81 No 554/92 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Right of residence for students , pensioners and those not in paid employment 44
92/C 269/ 82 No 566/92 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission Subject : Duty-free import of diesel oil 44
92 /C 269/83 No 585/92 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Community directive on blood transfusions 45
92/C 269/ 84 No 588 /92 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Camerano Casasco waste tip in the Noci valley (province of Asti) 45
92/C 269/ 85 No 604/92 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject : Telephone card which can be used in all the Member States ' 45
92/C 269/86 No 625/92 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission Subject: Council directive concerning public health and animal health problems affecting the production and placing on the market of rabbit meat and farmed game meat 46
92/C 269/87 No 632/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Marine pollution off Elefsina , Agii Theodori and in the Thermaikos Gulf 46
92/C 269/ 88 No 637/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Construction of a natural gas plant at Revithousa 47
92/C 269/ 89 No 645/92 by Mr James Ford to the Commission Subject : Equal treatment of EC employees by pan-European employers 47
92/C 269/90 No 652/92 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission Subject : General system for the recognition of diplomas/degrees 48
92/C 269/91 No 685/92 by Mr Jesus Cabezón Alonso to the Commission Subject: Erasmus programme : level of grants and the cost of living 48
92/C 269/92 No 715/92 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject : Cartoon programme 48
92/C 269/93 No 725 /92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Water pollution in Thessaly 49
92 /C 269/94 No 729/92 by Mr Luigi Moretti to the Commission Subject : Violent incidents at the border between Albania and Greece 50
92/C 269/95 No 746/92 by Mr Christos Papoutsis to the Commission Subject : Second instalment of Community loan to Greece 50
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92/C 269/96 No 802/92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission Subject: Public procurement 51
92/C 269/97 No 803/92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission Subject : Public procurement 51
92/C 269/98 No 804/92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission Subject: Public procurement 51
92/C 269/99 No 805/92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission Subject: Public procurement 51
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 802/92 to 805/92 52
92/C 269/ 100 No 856/92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject: European cooperation for the 'Boliviamar' outlet to the Pacific Ocean 52
92/C 269/ 101 No 882/92 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission Subject: Personal allowances 53
92/C 269/ 102 No 953/92 by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser to the Commission Subject : Additional obstacles facing tour leaders in Italy 53
92/C 269/ 103 No 1005/92 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to European Political Cooperation Subject: Human rights violations in Togo 54
92/C 269/ 104 No 1020/92 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission Subject: Customs declarations on items posted between EC countries 54
92/C 269/ 105 No 1057/92 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission Subject : VAT on farmhouse cider 54
92/C 269/ 106 No 1583 /92 by Mr Filippos Pierros to European Political Cooperation Subject: Trials for sex crimes in Turkey 55
92/C 269/ 107 No 1584/92 by Mr Filippos Pierros to European Political Cooperation Subject : Restrictions on the rights of Greeks in Turkey to own property 55
92/C 269/ 108 No 1741 /92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation Subject: Clashes between students and the police in Seoul 56
92/C 269/ 109 No 1742/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Council Subject: The situation in Sri Lanka 56
92/C 269/ 110 No 1763/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Council Subject: The situation in Moldavia 57
92 /C 269/ 1 11 No 1764/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation Subject: The repression of the people of Thailand 57 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 1
I
(Information)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1678/90 3 . The Commission has some 30 meeting rooms with by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V) interpreters' booths in Brussels , mainly in the Breydel and Borschette Centre buildings . to the Commission of the European Communities (4 July 1990) 4 . On 1 January 1992 the cost of rents in Brussels came to ECU 74 549 665 ; this comes under title II of the budget (92 /C 269/01 ) (including indexation and tax deducted at source). Subject : Buildings policy of the Commission 5 . 7 and 8 . Leases are concluded after consulting the Advisory Committee on Procurement and Contracts 1 . How many buildings are rented by the Commission ? (including the Legal Service), the Committee on Health and Safety at Work and all the departments concerned , in 2 . How many offices do they contain ? particular the Security Office , the Health and Safety at Work Unit and the office of the Member of the 3 . How many meeting rooms with interpreters' booths Commission responsible . does each contain ? 6 . The building management department operates by 4 . What is the annual cost of each building ? dealing with landlords or their representatives directly or through the Regie beige des Batiments (Belgian Buildings 5 . What procedures are followed with a view to renting Authority). a building ? 6 . Through what agencies was each of the buildings currently used by the Commission rented ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1711 /90 7 . Were all the buildings rented after the opinion of the Committee on Safety and Health had been obtained ? by Mr Wilfried Telkamper (V) to the Commission of the European Communities 8 . If not, which buildings were rented without the prior (5 July 1990) opinion of the Committee on Safety and Health ? (92/C 269/02) Subject : Monitoring of discharges into the Rhine by the Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha Stracel Company on behalf of the Commission 1 . In its supplementary answer of 7 February 1990 to (18 March 1992) my Written Question No 519/ 89 ('), the Commission stated that effluent discharged into the Rhine by the 1 . At the end of January 1992 , the Commission was Stracel Company is 'unquestionably . . . toxic' and 'the occupying in Brussels in whole or in part 46 office block receiving ecosystem is thus highly disturbed' complexes (61 , if auxiliary premises of a social nature and (paragraph 5), but the 'reversibility of this disturbance parking lots are included). and its long-term effects has not yet been resolved'. What 'disturbances' of animal and plant life in the Rhine are 2 . The Commission does not manage its premises on known to have been caused by effluent from the Stracel the basis of the number of offices but in terms of units of Company ? In view of these 'disturbances', does the accommodation equivalent to the minimum unit of Commission consider the limit values laid down in the individual accommodation . The blocks referred to above relevant directive are appropriate ? Does the Commission contain some 16 000 units of accommodation . think that regulation and action in the case of such No C 269 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92 disruptions to the ecosystem become necessary only when In application of the preventive action principle , use the questions of reversibility and the long-term of these techniques should therefore be demanded consequences have been settled ? in the discharge authorizations . 2 . Directive 76 /464/EEC gives no details of the 2 . The Commission also said that it thought there were methods of ensuring compliance with the rules laid no grounds for restrictions , seeing that Stracel performs a down therein . Under these circumstances , the large number of daily analyses on its waste water . Do the decisive criterion for assessing the compatibility of French authorities not carry out their own measurements any monitoring system with the abovementioned of the discharges or test the data provided by the Directive is the system's capacity to ensure effective company ? Does the Commission think that a Member application of the Directive . State is satisfactorily carrying out its duties in keeping water clean , in accordance with the directive , if it leaves The French authorities monitor the measurements supervision of discharges to the party responsible ? taken by Stracel . Beyond that , the French regulations empower them to conduct on-the-spot 3 . The Rhine is also used as a reservoir for drinking inspections at any time . water . In the light of Directive 7 5 /440/EEC ( 2 ), to what extent is the Rhine's suitability as a source of drinking 3 . To the extent that the Rhine is used as a source of water compromised by Stracel's discharges ? What drinking water the standards set in additional purification processes are required to make the Directive 75 /440 /EEC apply at the points of Rhine a suitable source of drinking water despite Stracel's abstraction . Of the parameters mentioned by the discharges of, for instance , chlorinated hydrocarbons and Honourable Member only phenol is included in the dioxin , phenol and furan compounds ? scope of this Directive . It would be difficult to isolate the effects of an individual discharge on surface water quality . o OJ No C 93 , 11 . 4 . 1990 , p . 16 . O OJ No L 194 , 25 . 7 . 1975 , p . 34 . Furthermore , Member States are obliged by Article 19 of Directive 80 /778 /EEC (J) to take the necessary measures to ensure that the quality of water for human consumption complies with that Directive . Supplementary answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission (') OJ No C 49 , 25 . 2 . 1991 . (10 April 1992) ( 2 ) OJ No C 171 , 12.7 . 1990 . O OJ No L 229 , 20 . 8 . 1980 .
Further to its answer of 21 January 1991 ('), the Commission is now able to inform the Honourable Member of the results of its enquiries . 1.1 . Technically, it is difficult to distinguish the specific effects of discharges from Stracel on animal and WRITTEN QUESTION No 2925/90 plant life in the Rhine from those of all the other by Mr Alain Marleix, Mr Patrick Lalor, Mr Yvon Bnant, discharges upstream and downstream of Strasbourg Mr Patrick Lane, Mr Gene Fitzgerald, Mr Louis Lauga, (see the answer given by the Commission to point 4 Mr François Guillaume, Mr François Musso and of Written Question No 519/ 89 by the Honourable Mr Christian de la Malène ( RDE) Member) ( 2 ). to the Commission of the European Communities 1.2 . The Community has adopted a series of Directives (11 January 1991) laying down limit values and quality objectives for (92 /C 269/03) individual dangerous substances . However, the Council has yet to adopt any such Directive on dangerous substances discharged by the paper pulp Subject : Problems in the air transport sector in Europe industry , despite the Commission proposal submitted on this subject in 1975 . In the absence of At a time when millions of Europeans are preparing to set any specific Directive , discharge authorizations off on holiday and will be travelling by air, we are therefore have to be granted on the basis of the witnessing a serious deterioration in this form of programmes to reduce pollution of the aquatic transport throughout the Community , marked by : environment provided for by Article 7 of Directive 76/464/EEC , and of the quality objectives — systematic delays affecting many flights , laid down therein . — chaos at airports , 1.3 . No . Even without full scientific details , techniques are available today which can substantially reduce — an increasing number of technical incidents involving the discharges concerned . aircraft, 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 3
— a sharp deterioration in the public service in countries In order to ensure the permanent assessment and where airline companies enjoy a virtual monopoly . continuous optimization of available airport capacity, the Commission is initiating the development of a comprehensive methodology for the assessment of airport In the run-up to the completion of the single market in capacity and a standard method for the measurement and 1993 , what measures are planned to remedy this situation the assessment of available and potential capacity at as regards : Community airports . 1 . the rationalization and modernization of air traffic O COM(88) 577 final . control, O OJNoL373 , 31 . 12 . 1991 . 2 . encouraging state airlines to increase the size of their fleets and step up the recruitment and training of flying personnel , 3 . airport facilities , which in many Member States are inadequate to cope with the average annual increase of 10 % in European air traffic ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 399/91 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE) to the Commission of the European Communities (11 March 1 991) (92/C 269/04) Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1992) Subject: Probable reduction in support for Community agriculture and impact on food aid
1 . As regards issues relating to air traffic control , the The expected 30%-plus reduction in support for Commission sent to the Council in 1989 (') a number of Community agriculture, as provided for in the Uruguay proposals designed to solve some air traffic congestion Round of the GA'lT , will almost certainly , inter alia , have problems . These proposals have still not been adopted : an unpleasant side effect to which little discussion has their objective related chiefly to the need to institute been devoted . If this policy is successfully implemented , coordination of the competent departments in order to Community agricultural surpluses , particularly of simplify the use of airspace . 'strategic products', will be reduced resulting almost certainly in a reduction of food aid to the Third World which is based chiefly on these surpluses . In relation to modernization the Commission broadly supports the current strategy of the European Civil Aviation Conference, which Eurocontrol has been tasked Can the Commission state if it has considered this matter to implement . The objective of this strategy is , in and whether it has already examined other ways in which substance , to set up a harmonized and integrated the Community can continue to provide emergency food pan-European air traffic control network . These steps are aid should the need arise ? designed to cope with the forecast doubling of air traffic between now and 2005 .
2 . The European Investment Bank has part-financed Answer given by Mr Marin several purchases of aircraft by Community air carriers . on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1992) With respect to the personnel of air carriers , a Directive on mutual acceptance of pilots has been approved by the The food aid issue is dealt with in the 'Draft final act Council (2 ) and the Commission intends as soon as embodying the results of the Uruguay Round of possible to put forward proposals concerning mutual Multilateral Trade Negotiations' submitted to the Trade recognition and/or common standards of training for Negotiations Committee in December 1991 . This draft personnel in the air transport sector. stipulates in the 'Declaration on measures concerning the possible negative effects of the reform programme in net 3 . With regard to airport policy and especially airport food-importing countries', that the 'participants agree to capacity, the Commission in September 1991 completed a establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the study on airport capacity of the 24 most congested implementation of the results of the Uruguay Round on airports in the Community. The final evaluation of the trade in agriculture does not adversely effect the study shows that airport capacity is a major problem to be availability of food aid at a level which is sufficient to dealt with in the Community airport policy . This problem continue to provide assistance in meeting- the food needs is closely linked to environmental constraints affecting of developing countries , especially least developed and airport capacity and its development . net food-importing developing countries'. No C 269/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
Food aid is not normally dependent on stocks . Except in appropriations for internal policies proposed by the exceptional circumstances , supplies are purchased on Commission in its preliminary draft budget. European or developing country markets . It is therefore movements in prices rather than in the level of stocks that The Honourable Member could refer in this connection are critical for the amount of food which can be delivered to the speech made by Mr Schmidhuber to the House on from a limited budget. The quantities concerned are in 10 September 1991 ( ® ). any case marginal . In 1990, the Commission mobilized just over one million tonnes of cereals, for instance, which (') Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-408 (September compares with a European harvest of 1 7 1 million tonnes 1991 ). in that year. The cost of food products is only around 60% of the total cost of delivering food aid, with some 40 % going in transport and distribution .
If surpluses in Europe and elsewhere are reduced or eliminated , in the long term prices may of course rise, but a price explosion is regarded as very unlikely. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2071 /91 It should be noted that the draft final act referred to by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE) above stipulates a reduction rate of 20% for domestic support and that the Community has indicated that the to the Commission of the European Communities text of the draft is not acceptable as it stands but needs to (26 September 1 991) be amended . (92/C 269/06)
Subject: Financing of food checks at the Community's internal frontiers
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2032/91 During 1990 the Commission intended to carry out a detailed investigation to ascertain how the harmonized by Mr José Happart (S) finance arrangements under Directive 86/73/EEC (') to the Commission of the European Communities were being applied in the individual Member States . (23 September 1 991) 1 . What were the results of this investigation ? (92/C 269/05) 2 . What arrangements are being planned , if checks at the Subject : 1992 draft budget Community's internal frontiers are to be scrapped from 1 January 1993 ? The Council of Ministers has recently approved the draft budget for 1992 proposed by the Commission . O OJ No L 32 , 5 . 2 . 1985 , p. 14 .
It appears from this draft that, in order to make appropriations available to fund external projects such as aid to the USSR, Albania , etc., these amounts will be deducted from budget lines really intended for the Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry implementation of general common policies . on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1992) Does the Commission believe this approach can be reconciled with the Member States' desire to press ahead with Community integration in the fields of the 1 . Before beginning its actual investigation into the environment, social policy, training, youth , etc., for which financing of health inspection the Commission has asked budgets had already been established ? all Member States to transmit their legislation transposing Decision 88 /408 /EEC ('). This is being scrutinized as it Does this decision not jeopardize the successful arrives and will serve as a base for investigating implementation of these priority objectives ? application of the decision .
2 . Council Directive 85/73/EEC set rules on financing of health inspection in Community establishments and on Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber importation from non-member countries of fresh meat on behalf of the Commission and poultrymeat. These harmonized rules state that fees (25 March 1992) are to be collected for such inspection . The Council subsequently adopted on 15 June 1988 Decision 88 /408 /EEC on the levels of the fees to be The Commission has frequently spoken out against the charged pursuant to Directive 85/73 /EEC for health reductions made by the Council in its draft budget to the inspection of fresh meat . 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 5
The Commission is now looking at the possibility of onto the ship , which can increase its draught by letting in referring to the Council a proposal to extend the water which allows the platforms to be loaded and principles laid down by Directive 8 5/73/EEC to all unloaded by towing. livestock products . Any proposal made will presuppose the discontinuing of inspection of foodstuffs at the The cost of the transport has been estimated at Community's internal frontiers . approximately 0,022 ECU/Kwh (2,8 ptas/Kwh) and the cost of the hydrogen has been put at 0,15 ECU/Kwh o OJ No L 94 , 22 . 7 . 1988 . ( 19,2 ptas/Kwh).
The EQHHPP does not plan to use catamarans .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2101 /91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities (26 September 1 991) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2199/91 (92 /C 269/07) by Mr Jacques Vernier (RDE) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Transporting hydrogen by sea (4 October 1991) (92/C 269/08) The JRC's Ispra base been carrying out important studies on the possibility of transporting hydrogen by sea. Subject: Future of the banana market In 1988 , a document on the current state of research was submitted to the seventh world conference on hydrogen held in Moscow in September of that year. Certain Member States, notably France, have organized their national banana market on the basis of rules which depart from common Community law, to promote the Can the Commission tell me what progress has been made sale of their own produce or that of the ACP States . since then, particularly with regard to transporting Praiseworthy though this aim may be, it has led , in the hydrogen by sea, to the costs thereof and to the use of case of France, to further costs for the ripeners and the catamarans for this purpose ? final consumer. This is the result of a policy of deliberate and systematic underestimation of demand in order to market bananas from overseas departements and the two ACP States Cameroon and Cote d'lvoire, which are often of poor quality, at the highest possible price, the import of Answer given by Mr Pandolfi bananas from all the other ACP States being prohibited . on behalf of the Commission Indeed, the banana consortium , which has a monopoly on (4 February 1992) imports from countries in the dollar zone , delays such imports as far as possible , even when the supply of the overseas departements and the ACP States appears The study of the production of energy from hydrogen inadequate . which also covers the transport of liquid hydrogen by sea and is being carried out within the framework of the Can the Commission : Euro-Quebec Hydro-Hydrogen Pilot Project (EQHHPP) has resulted in detailed definition of the 1 . confirm that this system will be recpnsidered in 1993 system . and detail the modifications needed (assessment of the systematic application of Article 115 of the EEC A series of additional studies and a demonstration Treaty, imposition of a 20% customs duty on all programme are now planned (town buses , aeroplane German imports, etc.); engines, liquid hydrogen containers, components for steel manufacture), for which ECU 8 million has been entered 2 . lay down transitional provisions for the entry into in the 1991 budget on Parliament's initiative . force of the new system, in order to avoid causing serious difficulties to the banana sector as a whole, With regard to the transport of liquid hydrogen by sea, a and provide adjustment aid for banana producers and vessel has been studied for transporting five cylindrical marketing channels in the Community and ACP containers (3 000 mJ of LHz each) with special insulation, States, which are currently insufficiently competitive mounted on platforms which can float. These are loaded in comparison with their Latin-American competitors ; No C 269/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
3 . call on the French Government to start taking the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2248/91 adjustment measures needed immediately (in by Mr Vincenzo Mattina (S) particular, limits on the application of Article 1 1 5) ? to the Commission of the European Communities (4 October 1991) (92/C 269/ 10) Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission (31 March 1992) Subject: Codification of Community legislation
With an eye to implementation of the single market with effect from 1 January 1993 , the Commission is working I should like to know if and when the Comrpission intends on 3 Community scheme designed to set up a unified to appoint a committee of jurists to codify Community banana market. legislation in order to put an end to the confusion engendered by overlapping directives , which mean that This would involve the adoption of a Community Community law is increasingly less comprehensible even mechanism to replace the national measures and import to Community staff ? arrangements currently in force in the various Member States in line with the objectives of Articles 39 et seq. of the Treaty and the Community's international obligations under the Lome Convention and the GATT .
Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission (16 March 1992)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2226/91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S) As the Commission has already stressed in its answers to to the Commission of the European Communities Questions Nos 1584/87 by Mr Rogalla ( l ) and 2821 / 87 by Mr Jackson (2 ), among others , it is convinced of the (4 October 1 991) need for clarity in the legal instruments which it publishes. (92 /C 269/09) On 1 April 1987 it decided to set a ceiling of 10 amendments for legislative consolidation of a legal instrument; the ceiling could be lower if the importance of Subject: Blocked R + D programmes the instrument and the volume of amendments made consolidation more urgent. Recently, with an eye to the What is holding up the five as-yet unapproved specific 1992 deadline, the Commission concluded a large-scale programmes within the Community framework programme by presenting several proposals for programme ? consolidated Directives on cosmetics , agricultural tractors , dangerous substances and preparations, units of measurement, recognition of medical qualifications, fertilisers and public works contracts . In the very near Answer given by Mr Pandolfi future , new proposals will be put before the Council on on behalf of the Commission fruit juices , detergents, the safety of machinery and public (24 June 1992) supply contracts .
On 29 April 1992 , by approving the specific programme Proposals for consolidated Directives on taxation and for measurement and testing, the Council adopted the last transport were put before the Council in 1990/91 . decision on the implementation of the 15 specific programmes under the third framework programme ( 1990—1994). In recent years , special attention has been paid to a number of agricultural sectors notably wine , oils and fats On the same date , it adopted the decisions concerning the and milk and milk products . dissemination and exploitation of the results of the specific research and technological development programmes and concerning the activities to be carried In addition to its work on legislative consolidation , the out by the Joint Research Centre . All the legislative Commission is planning — as far as its available measures needed to implement the third framework manpower permits — to undertake a new Publications programme are therefore now operational . Office project of " declaratory consolidation (consolidation without legal effect). This new approach will make it possible to supply a constant updating of Community law published in the Official Journal . The 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 7 system is scheduled to come into operation at the end additional information or assurances . During and after of 1992 . the implementation stage it always studies the reports and documentation supplied by those responsible and any O OJ No C 296, 21 . 11 . 1988 . comments by the local Commission delegation before O OJ No C 289 , 14 . 11 . 1988 . disbursing its contributions . In the case under consideration the Commission received assurances that the medicines and hospital equipment would go to civilian hospitals in need and the food and water purification equipment to the poorest sections of the population . It is waiting for the necessary reports WRITTEN QUESTION No 2314/91 before making the final payment . by Mr François-Xavier de Donnea (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities (21 October 1991) (92/C 269/ 11 ) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2318/91 by Mr Ben Visser (S) Subject: Distribution of humanitarian aid to the people of to the Commission of the European Communities Iraq (21 October 1991) 1 . Can the Commission confirm that on 27 March (92/C 269/ 12) 1991 it contributed ECU 400 000 towards the financing of a relief mission organized by the Belgian NGO , OXFAM , Subject: Cabotage in road transport to help victims of the Gulf War ? According to a report in the Information Bulletin of 9 2 . From which part of the budget did these funds August 1991 published by the Koninklijk Nederlands originate ? More specifically, is it correct that the ECU Vervoer (Royal Dutch Transport), it has emerged from 400 000 in question come from the outstanding balance of information given by the British customs authorities that appropriations released before the Gulf crisis ? Is this freedom of cabotage in the United Kingdom is limited to standard procedure ? a maximum of three months . This arises from a measure concerning cabotage operations whereby exemption from 3 . Did the Commission receive guarantees in advance turnover tax for the temporary import of lorries into the or subsequently that this relief would indeed help the UK is only granted for up to three months . This means in civilian hospitals most in need ? effect that freedom of cabotage cannot be exercised for longer than three consecutive months . 1 . Can the Commission comment on this British measure ? Answer given by Mr Marin 2 . Do any other Member States restrict the agreed on behalf of the Commission freedom of cabotage in a similar way ? (18 March 1992) 3 . Will the Commission take steps to ensure that freedom of cabotage is provided in the same way by all 1 . The Commission can confirm that on 27 March Member States ? 1991 it approved financing to a maximum of ECU 400 000 , to be distributed by the NGO Oxfam (Belgium), for Iraqi Victims of the Gulf War. Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission 2 . The Commission always endeavours to make the best ind most efficient use of the money at its disposal . In (28 April 1992) the specific case of emergency aid for those affected by the Gulf crisis and subsequently by the war, most of the The Commission's consultations with the Member States money came from budget heading B7-5000 (emergency and European trade federations have revealed no humanitarian aid) for 1990 , the year when the crisis arose . evidence of particular difficulties connected with road Once that money was exhausted , some commitments were cabotage . made against the same heading for 1991 . As far as Oxfam (Belgium) is concerned, the money did come from two The United Kingdom practice to which the Honourable years' budgets . This procedure is in accordance with the Member refers does raise the problem of taxation , as financial regulation and is indeed standard . though the vehicle had in fact been imported . 3 . Before approving grants for emergency aid, the At present there is no Community legislation governing Commission appraises the applications and may ask for the VAT-free temporary import of commercial vehicles . No C 269/ 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
The present national provisions will therefore continue to WRITTEN QUESTION No 2516/91 apply until 31 December. In practice, however, lorries by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE) seldom, if ever, perform cabotage operations in another Member State for anywhere near three months , never to the Commission of the European Communities mind longer . From 1 January next year, the concept of (8 November 1 991) imports and exports will cease to apply in (92/C 269/ 14) intra-Community relations . During the transitional period beginning on that day, VAT will no longer be payable on import but on purchase . It will not therefore Subject: Measures to combat dishonesty in respect of be possible to charge VAT on a vehicle simply because it scientific works happens to be on a Member State's territory for a certain period . Instances of dishonesty in respect of scientific works and Since the new transitional system will enter into force very publications constitute an insidious development which soon and road cabotage operations are by their very has recently become more pronounced . The need to nature temporary, the Commission is not planning to establish a 'track record', the desire for fame or more propose specific measures to harmonize Member States' straight forward financial motives result in pressure being practice in the matter. brought to bear on scientific reviews , leading to a dishonest presentation of results .
Recently the journal Science & Vie warned its readers of the deceitful substitution of one of the well known Que sais-je guides published by 'Presse Universitaires de France'. The publication concerned was a reputable guide WRITTEN QUESTION No 2506/91 to astrology, of which more that 40 000 copies had been by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) printed . On the death of the author, it was replaced under the same series number by the work of another author, to the Commission of the European Communities which does not appear to have been written with sufficient (8 November 1 991) scientific rigour. (92/C 269/ 13) Could the Commission establish a Community system to Subject: Environmental consequences of the Kalymnos combat this type of fraud which could detract from the airport construction project public credibility of scientific works ?
The site where work on Kalymnos airport began a number of years ago has now been turned into a quarry . As local inhabitants have pointed out, the contractor has turned the site into a quarry for gravel which is then being Answer given by Mr Pandolfi sold : this has very grave environmental consequences for on behalf of the Commission the nearest town (Argos), and no authorization has been (12 May 1992) given for this project which is quite illegal and is in violation of Directive 85/ 337/EEC ( 1 ). Will the Commission say whether it intends to make Despite its reference to fraud , this question does not representations to the Greek Government to put an end to appear to relate to an offence punishable by criminal law, this illegal activity and to ensure that Kalymnos airport is but rather to a matter of civil liability, in particular completed ? contractual liability, arising out of certain actions or omissions on the part of the editors or authors of 0) OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 , p. 40 . scientific publications of questionable or unsatisfactory quality.
The example given is significant, as it concerns the Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana replacement by an editor of one work by another, of on behalf of the Commission seemingly inferior quality, under the same number in a (13 April 1992) series of 'popular' publications .
The Commission was not aware of the situation to which We are not dealing, therefore , with the publication or the Honourable Member refers . reproduction of a work without the consent of the author, nor of the distortion of the work or misappropriation of It has now requested information from the Greek its contents , but with a business decision , albeit one which authorities . is open to criticism , taken by an editor in respect of a title of which he is the owner. He assumes not only the responsibility for this decision , but also the attendant liability vis-a-vis his readers and customers as well as the 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/9 successors in title of the deceased author, depending on 3 . Does the Commission agree that, as the Community the legal or contractual relationships in question . institution responsible for the Customs Union , it should ensure that more border crossing points are opened and It is not the Community's task to intervene in what action , if any , has the Commission taken in this relationships of this kind , which are the affair of the area ? parties concerned and have neither a transnational dimension nor any apparent implications for the freedom 4 . What border crossing points for road traffic have of movement of persons , services and goods within the recently been opened or are about to be opened on the internal market . Oder/Neisse rivers on the Community's eastern border ?
However, in the context of implementing the internal 5 . Will the opening of these additional border crossing market the Community is planning measures to points reduce the extremely long delays affecting imports harmonize action to deal with the pirating of works , and exports to and from Poland and the CSFR and , if so , particularly in the scientific field , which are protected by to what extent ? copyright, given that pirating puts the copyright holders and their successors in title at a disadvantage vis-a-vis those who are misappropriating their works .
In this context, in addition to the action already taken as Answer given by Mr Andriessen part of efforts to prevent pirating and counterfeiting , on behalf of the Commission further measures, such as Council Directive 91 /250/EEC (16 July 1992) of 14 May 1991 on the legal protection of computer programs , have been adopted or proposed following publication of the Green Paper on copyright . The Commission shares the view of the Honourable Member regarding the need to increase the number of Council Directive 84/450/EEC of 19 September 1984 customs posts between the Community and the countries relating to the approximation of the laws , regulations and of Central Europe , and specifically at border points administrative provisions of the Member States between Germany and Poland and Czechoslovakia . The concerning misleading advertising may also help eradicate setting-up of customs posts remains, however, within the certain abuses . It. should be backed up by the directive competence of the Member State concerned , in this case recently proposed by the Commission on comparative Germany. advertising ('). According to information received by the Commission , Finally, the penalties imposed for the wrongful Germany and Poland have agreed to open 10 new appropriation of results protected by industrial and customs posts and refurbish existing ones . Germany and intellectual property titles (patents , utility models , the Community are also engaged in a programme to train industrial designs , copyright, etc.) — assuming that is Polish customs officials in an effort to improve and speed what is meant by the expression 'dishonest presentation of up customs procedures . Germany and Czechoslovakia, results' — are a matter for national legislation . for their part, have agreed to improve crossings at customs posts in the context of their bilateral cooperation . o OJNoC 180 , 11.7 . 1991 . A study financed by the Commission recommends that certain improvements be made at border crossing points near the Polish and Czech borders with financing under the PHARE programme .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2551 /91 by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 November 1991) (92/C 269/ 15) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2626/91 by Mr Edward Newman (S) Subject: Border crossing points between the EC and to the Commission of the European Communities neighbouring countries (19 November 1991) 1 . Does the Commission agree that the number of (92 /C 269/ 16) border crossing points (on roads , waterways and railways) between the EC and neighbouring Central and Eastern European countries must be rapidly increased ? Subject : The United Nations World Summit for Children 2 . How many border crossing points exist for each The United Nations World Summit for Children was held mode of transport ? in October 1990 . What have the European Communities No C 269/ 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92 done to make progress towards the targets set by the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2637/91 Summit ? by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities The targets were to : (19 November 1 991) 1 . reduce the mortality rate among under-five-year-olds (92/C 269/ 17) by a third in every country;
2 . reduce maternal mortality rate by a half; Subject: Creation of Business Innovation Centres in the 3 . reduce malnutrition by a half; countries of Eastern Europe
4 . provide safe water and sanitation for all ; As part of the efforts by the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to modernize their economies , special 5 . provide basic education for all and 80 % of children to emphasis should be placed on the creation and complete primary education ; development of Business Innovation Centres . Such centres provide invaluable services , particularly to SMUs 6 . reduce adult illiteracy, especially among women , by at (carrying out economic studies , drawing up business least a half; plans, facilitating cooperation between undertakings , etc.). It has already been decided to set up three Business 7 . improve the protection of children from abuse , Innovation Centres in Hungary, Poland and exploitation and the effects of war . Czechoslovakia by 1992 . However, support for such institutions should be extended as soon as possible to the remaning Eastern European countries (Romania and Bulgaria). Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission What are the Commission's views on this matter and what (6 July 1992) steps does it intend to take ?
In the ACP countries as in the Mediterranean region , and Asia and Latin America, the Commission is developing, financing or supporting a very large number of projects in the field of education , health , nutrition , the protection of Answer given by Mr Andriessen refugees and victims of disasters and conflicts , on behalf of the Commission environmental improvement, etc.; or it makes a direct or (18 March 1992) indirect, but significant, contribution to the attainment of the objectives of the World Summit for Children . Within the framework of the SME programmes up with Action in the field of health and basic education is today Poland , Hungary and the CSFR, the following business (see the fourth Lome Convention in particular and the support and advisory centres have already opened : ALA regulations) given greater importance than in the past; this is reflected in a considerable increase in projects — In the Polish cities of Lodz, Wroclaw and Ptock, and funding . Business Support Centres have been set up in cooperation with the European Association of In the field of health, as in education , the aim of the Business Innovation Centres (EBN). Commission's action is to help the recipient countries to develop health and educational systems to fulfil the basic — In Hungary a Local Enterprise Agency has been set up requirements of their peoples . in each of six regions . Two BICs are also on the drawing-board . The emphasis is on support for reforms of policy at national level , on the strengthening of basic services , and — In the CSFR BICs have also been opened in Prague , development of primary health care and basic education . Brno and Bratislava with the cooperation of the EBN .
Projects and support which are approved (including those The Commission is planning to extend this type of relating to support for structural adjustment) are aimed at cooperation to SME in Romania and Bulgaria in bringing about a situation in which systems are organized particular . A feasibility study is already under way in to serve, on a priority basis, the most vulnerable groups , Bulgaria. particularly mothers , pregnant women , and children . 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 11
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2679/91 promote the integration of women in occupations in by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE) which they are largely underrepresented . to the Commission of the European Communities To consolidate these measures, on 18 December 1990 the (19 November 1 991) Commission also adopted the NOW initiative (') (92/C 269/ 18 ) designed to promote equal opportunites in the field of employment and vocational training by the implementation of transnational measures . Provision has Subject: Community measures to reduce unemployment also been made for complementary childcare measures to amongst women enable women with children to take part . The Commission's other specific measures relating to Figures issued by the Statistical Office of the European female unemployment include studies and research on the Community — Eurostat — indicate that unemployment position of women in the employment market and continues to be far higher amongst women than men in measures to promote the creation of businesses by women the Member States, at a rate of 11,2% (with the sole and the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst women . exception of the UK). o OJ No C 327 , 29 . 12 . 1990 . Given that the employment situation of women in the Community leaves much to be desired, as figures now confirm, does the Commission believe that special steps should be taken to create more jobs for women, thus increasing equality between the sexes and rectifying the chronic situation of high female unemployment in the EC ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2816/91 by Mr Christos Papoutsis (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (5 December 1 991) Answer given by Miss Papandreou (92/C 269/ 19) on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1992) Subject: Aid for redundant workers in Lavrio (Greece)
Lavrio has one of the highest unemployment rates in the The Commission recognizes the seriousness of the Community : out of a total of 3 500 workers , 2 080 have problem posed by the high level of unemployment among been made redundant. These workers and their families women in the Community and has already adopted are suffering great hardship and soup kitchens have been specific measures to help integrate women into the labour set up to provide them with daily meals . market . In view of the utter indifference shown by the New More specifically, the Commission measures are designed Democracy Government which , moreover, is solely to reduce the rate of female unemployment by promoting responsible for the redundancies , can the Commission employment and vocational training for women though state : the structural Funds and the establishment of conditions propitious to the employment of women (e.g. childcare , 1 . what steps it intends to take to alleviate the hardship positive measures in firms, etc.). suffered by redundant workers and the unemployed ? 2 . whether it intends to include unemployed workers of The equality clause introduced into the Community Lavrio Support Frameworks (CSFs) relating to Objectives 3 and 4 after the reform of the structural Funds has made it (a) in the poverty action programme , and possible to increase the numbers of women participating (b) in the Perifra programme , given that the in schemes cofinanced by the European Social Fund ; redunancies are the result of cutbacks in two women accounted for 42,1 % of the total number of defence industry companies ? participants in schemes organized in 1990 .
The rising levels of female unemployment have also prompted the Commission to emphasize the need to Answer given by Mr Millan develop specific measures . One of the priority areas for on behalf of the Commission action under the CSFs relating to Objectives 3 and 4 (7 April 1992) concerns the promotion of measures reserved for women, such as vocational training and integration measures for long-term unemployed women and women wishing to The Honourable Member should refer to the return to work after a long interruption and measures to Commission's replies to oral questions H- 1212 /91 by Mr No C 269/ 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
Alavanos (*) and H-87/92 by Mr Ephremidis (2) during If not, when will the results of the study be available ? question time at the European Parliament sessions in December 1991 and January 1992 respectively . O OJ No C 161 , 20 . 6 . 1991 , p. 7 .
The appropriations assigned to Perifra under the 1991 budget have been fully committed , a part of them on promoting tourism in Greece . Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission The Perifra programme has been extended to 1992 , and will be assigned to supporting small projects in connection (14 February 1992) with a reduction in defense expenditure, on the one hand , and with the impact of new trade concessions to eastern The Commission has studied the technical aspects of the Europe, on the other . article to which the Honourable Member referred in Written Question No 2140/90 . It does not consider that Consequently, it will be for the Greek authorities , if they this press article merits a formal report but prefers to consider it suitable, to present the Commission with a restate Commission policy in this general field . project designed to create alternative jobs replacing those lost in the arms sector and eligible for financial aid from Perifra . Commission policy in respect of protection of consumers from dangerous substances and preparations is well established . Dangerous substances and dangerous The Community programme Poverty III , which began in preparations are classified, packaged and labelled in March 1990 , has already selected all its projects for the accordance respectively with Directive 67/548 /EEC as next five years . It is therefore no longer possible to bring amended and Directive 88 /379/EEC as amended . In the in other projects, since all of them have already been cases of particularly dangerous substances, and where this chosen for Greece . The Council has allowed only one procedure is judged to afford insufficient protection, the exception and that is the ex-GDR regions following Commission may in addition propose to limit the German unification . marketing and use of particularly dangerous substances, preparations and products by amending Annex I to (') European Parliament debates , No 3-412 (December 1991 ). Directive 76/769/EEC . ( 2 ) European Parliament debates , No 3-413 (January 1992).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2847/91 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2838/91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI), Mr Enrico Ferri (S), Mr Francesco Guidolin (PPE), Mr Antonio Iodice ( PPE), by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S) Mr Jas Gawronski (LDR), Mr Gianfranco Fini ( NI) and to the Commission of the European Communities Mr Alberto Michelini (PPE) (5 December 1 991) to the Commission of the European Communities (92/C 269/20) (5 December 1 991) (92/C 269/21 ) Subject: Chemical pollution of textiles which may cause genetic changes Subject: Order on the disposal of waste from packaging ('Toepfer Act') issued by the German In Question No 2140/90 (') I drew the Commission's Government on 12 June 1991 (FRG Official attention to the results of the Ames experiment given in Gazette No 36 of 20 June 1991 ) the 9/90 issue of the magazine Nature. In its answer the Commission undertook to carry out a study of the The Commission has now reached an advanced stage in technical aspects of the Ames experiment . drawing up a draft directive on packaging and packaging waste with the objective of harmonizing national Are the findings of that study now available ? legislation in this sector at Community level . The German Government has issued the above order, pursuant to the Act of 27 August 1986 on the disposal of refuse . Under If so, what were the results of the study and what action is Article 4 of this order, all undertakings importing goods the Commission considering in order to bring about a into Germany are required to return the packaging back reduction in the use of chemical substances or at least to to their respective countries , which could constitute an protect consumers through mandatory labelling ? obstacle to the freedom of movement of goods . Such 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 13 obstacles, based on technical standards and regulations , particular, will it consider whether the restrictions on are admissible only where necessary to meet urgent the freedom of movement are proportional to the requirements or where they are in the general interest . objectives being pursued and whether the same results could be obtained by alternative means involving less restrictions to trade ? Can the Commission say whether the Toepfer Order is in line with the Commission's proposal for a directive on 2 . Wil it take suitable measures if it emerges that the packaging and packaging waste and establish whether this Toepfer Order constitutes an infringement of Article order creates obstacles to the free movement of goods , 30 or a disruption of the single market ? thereby infringing Article 30 of the EC Treaty ? In particular, can it ascertain whether these restrictions on the freedom of movement of goods are proportionate with the objectives being pursued and whether these objectives could be achieved by alternative means Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2847/91 and involving less restrictions to trade ? Will it take the most 2905/91 appropriate action if it emerges that this order constitutes given by Mr Bangemann an infringement of Article 30 or a disruption of the single on behalf of the Commission market ? (22 May 1992)
The Commission's departments are currently examining the German Order referred to by the Honourable Members to establish whether it conforms to Community law and , in particular, Articles 30 to 36 (free movement of WRITTEN QUESTION No 2905/91 goods) and 85 to 86 (competition rules) of the EEC by Mr Luigi Vertemati (S), Mr Andrea Bonetti (PPE), Mr Treaty . Roberto Speciale (GUE), Mr Gerardo Gaibisso ( PPE) and Mr Vincenzo Mattina (S) This examination will also take account of the draft to the Commission of the European Communities proposal for a directive on packaging and packaging (9 December 1991) waste . (92/C 269/22) The said draft not yet having been finalized , the Commission is unable at this stage to make any definitive statement on the compatibility of the German Order with Subject: Order on the disposal of waste from packaging the final text . (Toepfer Order issued by the German Government on 12 June 1991 , FRG Official Should an infringement of Community law be confirmed , Gazette No 36 of 20 June 1991 ) the Commission would , in accordance with Article 169 of the EEC Treaty, initiate an infringement procedure in respect of the Member State's failure to fulfil obligations The Commission has now reached an advanced stage in arising under the Treaty . drawing up a draft directive on packaging and packaging waste with a view to harmonizing national legislation in this sector at Community level . In the meantime, the German Government has issued the above order pursuant to the Law of 27 August 1986 on the disposal of waste . Under Article 4 of this order, all undertakings importing goods into Germany are required to return the packaging to the respective countries of origin , which could WRITTEN QUESTION No 2863/91 constitute an obstacle to the free movement of goods . by Mr John Cushnahan (PPE) Such obstacles, based on technical rules and regulations, are admissible only where necessary to meet overriding to the Commission of the European Communities requirements or where they are in the general interest . (5 December 1 991) (92/C 269/23) 1 . Can the Commission say whether the Toepfer Order is in line with its proposal for a directive on packaging and packaging waste on which it has reached an Subject: 'Pepper' report advanced stage in drawing up ? Given the findings of the 'Pepper' report, is the 2 . Can it say whether the resulting restrictions on the Commission satisfied with the level of employee financial free movement of goods are greater than those which participation in the various Member States ? Will the would normally be expected of a trade regulation, disparities in these levels, identified in the report, present thereby infringing Article 30 of the EEC Treaty ? In difficulties for future Community legislation in this area ? No C 269/ 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2866/91 Economic Area Agreement should, in principle , be by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE) allocated to regional development activities in the Objective 1 regions which the existing Community to the Commission of the European Communities Support Frameworks and Community initiatives are (5 December 1 991) inadequate to assist ? (92/C 269/24)
Subject : Employee financial participation Answer given by Mr Andriessen When does the Commission intend to propose further on behalf of the Commission legislation in the area of employee financial participation (6 March 1992) to follow up the recent proposal for a Council recommendation on this matter ? What form will the forthcoming legislative proposals take ? The financial mechanism which it is envisaged that the EFTA countries would establish and finance as part of the EEA Agreement would provide financial assistance to the development and structural adjustment of Greece , the Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2863/91 and 2866/91 Island of Ireland , Portugal and the objective I regions of Spain . Priority would be given to projects which place given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission particular emphasis on the environment, transport, education and training . (7 April 1992) The EFTA Financial Mechanism would be managed quite As was clearly stated in the Explanatory Memorandum separately from the Commission's own Structural Funds accompanying the Commission's proposal for a Council on the basis of a mandate which the EFTA States would recommendation concerning the promotion of employee extend to the European Investment Bank . participation in profits and enterprise results (including equity participation) (COM(91 ) 259 final), the objective of the proposal is to encourage the widespread use of different forms of financial participation , either by means of profit-sharing , or through employee share-ownership or by a combination of both . The Recommendation acknowledges that there is a great variety in the schemes currently encountered in the Community which it is not WRITTEN QUESTION No 2885/91 seeking to reduce, it also states that the large differences by Mr Madron Seligman ( ED) between the Member States as regards their actual to the Commission of the European Communities experience with financial participation schemes make it very useful , in particular for the less experienced (5 December 1 991) countries , to spread adequate information about the (92/C 269/26) different schemes practised , their possibilities , effects , etc . Action at Community level will therefore mainly consist of encouraging the use of these financial participation Subject: Discrimination against British pilots schemes by means of supplying relevant information, promoting exchanges of experiences made with them and I tabled a question last January listed as Written Question other activities of a similar nature . The Commission has No 132/91 (') I still await a reply from the Commission . no intention of proposing future Community legislation in this area . I then complained that a British pilot had been offered a job by a French airline , but was not allowed to take it up, on account of pressure from the trade union .
I am now advised by another constituent that her son (made redundant on the collapse of Air Europe) cannot WRITTEN QUESTION No 2869/91 obtain work with Lufthansa because it is their policy not by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE) to employ British pilots . to the Commission of the European Communities (5 December 1 991) If the Single Market is to have any real meaning, discriminatory impediments to the employment of (92/C 269/25) workers from other Member States should be declared illegal . It would appear that the law, as it now stands , can Subject : European Economic Area Agreement be flouted with impunity . What does the Commission intend to do about it ? Would the Commission agree that the grant aid and loans which will become available under the European (') Bulletin 3 /C-91 and OJ No C 103 , 19 . 4 . 1991 . 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269 / 15
Answer given by Mr Van Miert economic development . However, it does not plan to on behalf of the Commission evaluate this contribution in the near future . (18 June 1992) In 1986 the Commission published a study on working Each Member State is responsible for ensuring that the women in Europe other than those in paid employment aircraft on its national-register are operated safely . This is (V/ l 514/ 86) which examines the situation of unpaid achieved through , amongst other things , the certification women participating in their husbands' professional of aircraft and pilots . activities . Furthermore , Article 7 of Council Directive 86/613/EEC of 11 December 1986 on the application of The Transport Ministers meeting in the Council adopted on 16 December 1991 a Directive (') on mutual the principle of equal treatment between men and women acceptance of personnel licences for the exercise of engaged in an activity, including agriculture , in a functions in civil aviation . This Directive makes provision self-employed capacity, and on the protection of for the recognition by the' Member States of pilots self-employed women during pregnancy and licences issued by other Member States on the basis of motherhood (') states that 'Member States shall either equivalence or experience , and should ensure full undertake to examine under what conditions recognition mobility for pilots in the Community . of the work of the spouses referred to may be encouraged and , in the light of such examination , consider any (') OJ No L 373 , 31 . 12 . 1991 . appropriate steps for encouraging such recognition.'
Article 6 of the Directive requires Member States to take the necessary measures to enable the spouses who are not protected under the self-employed worker's social WRITTEN QUESTION No 2903/91 security scheme to join a contributory social security by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) scheme voluntarily . to the Commission of the European Communities (9 December 1 991) Equal treatment for farmers and farmers' wives is one of (92/C 269/27) the subjects covered by Directive 79/7 /EEC of 19 December 1978 on the progressive implementation of the Subject: Practical recognition of the contribution made principle of equal treatment for men and women in by women in the Community to development matters of social security ( 2). However, to benefit from the Directive's provisions against discrimination on In order to help ensure that women are appreciated at grounds of sex , farmers' wives must prove that they form their true value the United Nations has unanimously part of the working population referred to in Article 2 of called for recognition of the paid and unpaid contribution the Directive . made by women to development at every level and in every sector . The obstacles preventing women from o OJ No L 359 , 19 . 12 . 1986 . participating fully in the development process were O OJ No L 6, 10 . 1 . 1979 . identified at the World Conference to review and appraise the achievements of the UN Decade for Women (slogan 'Equality, Development and Peace , Nairobi , 1985). A number of basic principles were adopted at this conference for the elimination of these obstacles .
Will the Commission recommend that all the Member States and the EC institutions take immediate steps on the basis of the relevant UN resolution (paragraph 120), towards assessing the contribution made by women in the Community, in particular child-bearing and domestic WRITTEN QUESTION No 2922/91 activities, and will it take steps to ensure that the scheme by Mr Rolf Linkohr (S) for early retirement for farmers also applies to women to the Commission of the European Communities involved in family holdings as a minimum measure of acknowledgement of their contribution towards running (9 December 1 991) of small undertakings in particular ? (92/C 269/28 )
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission Subject: EC-funded hospital in Ixtapalapa , Mexico (9 April 1992) The European Community is supporting a hospital in The Commission is aware of the importance of the unpaid Ixtapalapa , Mexico . Other hospitals (Quito , El Salvador) contribution which women in the Community make to are being planned . No C 269/ 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10.92
1 . What funds are being contributed by the Commission common political awareness and commitment to , freedom towards the cost of these hospitals ? and democracy . What measures has the Commission taken or will it take to ensure that this project is carried 2 . In Ixtapalapa , replacement parts are in short supply , in out ? particular special paper for scientific instruments , which cannot be obtained on the Mexican market .
What steps will the Commission take to ensure that these Answer given by Mr Dondelinger expensive instruments can operate effectively ? on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1992)
The Commission is aware of the proposal to build a Answer given by Mr Matutes monument to freedom in a European city referred to by on behalf of the Commission the Honourable Member . (17July 1992) The Commission cannot but encourage this type of The Commission has contributed ECU 6 240 000 for the initiative provided it is the genuine expression of the will of the citizens of Europe . construction and equipping of the hospital in Ixtapalapa . The total amount has now been transferred to the Nevertheless , the Commission feels that it should not be recipients of the aid . involved either in selecting the site or in financing the building of such a monument, unless Parliament were to The Commission has thus fulfilled its commitment to the decide to approve an appropriation specifically for this Mexican authorities to finance the building of the hospital purpose when the time comes . and the purchase and installation of the necessary medical facilities . The operation was approved following the For its part, the Commission will not fail to disseminate request made by the Mexican government the day after the idea by the appropriate means or to consider the the earthquake in September 1985 . To ensure maximum possibility of sponsoring the project in accordance with effectiveness , the Commission informed the beneficiaries the proper procedure . that it would, exceptionally, agree to the balance of Community finance being used to tackle the most pressing problems . The Mexican authorities were also informed of this exceptional maintenance contribution and reminded that the running of the hospital would be their responsibility . WRITTEN QUESTION No 2936/91 The ECU 12 000 000 in Community support for the by Mrs Lissy Groner and Mr Hans Peters ( S) Zacamil hospital in El Salvador covers the to the Commission of the European Communities implementation study, site preparation , building, and the supply and installation of hospital equipment , and also (9 December 1 991) technical assistance during the hospital's construction and (92/C 269/ 30) first year of operation . Subject : German post office's international transfer charges
As of 1 July 1991 , the German post office increased from DM 3 to DM 10 , that is to say by over 300 % , their fee for transferring money from a German giro account to a giro WRITTEN QUESTION No 2926/91 account in a neighbouring EC Member State . by Mr Ioannis Pesmazoglou ( PPE) 1 . How do the fees charged by the German post office to the Commission of the European Communities compare with those charged by postal authorities (9 December 1 991) elsewhere in Europe ? (92/C 269/29) 2 . Is the Commission aware of disproportionate increases in fees charged by public services in other Subject: Siting in a European city of a monument EC Member States ? symbolizing the struggle for freedom 3 . How can such charges be reconciled with the notion of 'A People's Europe' and the objective of 'freedom A number of eminent Europeans have proposed that a of movement' of capital and persons ? European city be selected as symbolizing the struggle for freedom and as the site for a monument representing this 4 . Is there Community legislation to ensure that ideal . This is an extremely worthwhile initiative since it European postal services treat their customers more underlines the links between the peoples of Europe , their fairly ? 19 . 10.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 17
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan companies, telephone those companies to ask if they agree on behalf of the Commission to take part in the programme , pointing out that if they (12 March 1992) really want their employees trained it will cost them in overtime and other expenses while it would be simpler to collect part of the funds and leave the rest to the agency . 1 . So far as the Commission is aware , there is no link Will the Commission say how it can prevent Community between the fees charged by the German Post Office and funds for training workers ending up in the hands of those by the European postal banking services to which agencies and private companies ? the Honourable Members refer . By 'European postal banking services' the Honourable Members would seem to mean cooperation between the postal authorities of the Member States in the field of financial services ; such Answer given by Miss Papandreou cooperation , however, takes place outside the on behalf of the Commission Community framework, principally in the context of the World Postal Union and the European Conference of (21 May 1992) Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT). In the process , of course , Member States must comply with the relevant Community legislation . The The sound management and utilization of grants for Commission sees the new price structure of German vocational training operations is one of the ESF's main postal banking as the result of the transformation of this concerns . section of the German Post Office into a virtually private operation , competing with private financial institutions This concern has been accentuated by the reform of the and setting its prices accordingly . structural Funds , under which the project concept has been replaced by the programme concept and 2 . A consequence of this structural change in the management has been transferred from Brussels to the undertaking is that prices are rising faster in previously Member States . subsidized areas than in others . The Commission has observed similar developments in the Netherlands . Apart from the increased frequency of inspections by the ESF and Financial Control , new measures have been 3 . The Commission expects the fees charged by taken in the context of technical assistance for Greece , undertakings , whether public or private , to reflect efforts and others are to follow . The main aim is to allocate more to complete the internal market; these fees must of course human resources to the inspectorate in the Ministry of comply with Community competition rules . The Labour and launch an audit programme to be carried out difficulties that still exist at present as regards by specialized firms . cross-border payments in general are the subject of a Commission initiative to improve the system of payments Furthermore, under the partnership arrangement, the within the Community . Commission is helping to improve selection criteria for training operations proposed by private-sector firms . 4 . So far, the only legal instrument is the Commission Similar criteria are being prepared for operations under recommendation of 14 February 1990 on the transparency regional programmes . of banking conditions relating to cross-border financial transactions ('), which enjoins transparency upon post The Commission recognizes that consultants can play a office financial institutions also . role in the process of improving the quality of the training on offer, but it is seeing to it that national authorities take o OJ No L 67 , 15 . 3 . 1990 , p. 39 . the necessary measures to prevent them from abusing their position .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2956/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2967/91 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE) (13 January 1992) to the Commission of the European Communities (92/C 269/ 31 ) (13 January 1992) (92/C 269/32) Subject: Community funds for workers' training Subject: Tobacco advertising According to a report in a reliable Greek weekly newspaper, agencies which have somehow managed to Does the Commission consider that the existing obtain Community funds for training workers in differences in legislation between the Member States will No C 269/ 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92 present difficulties for the implementation of Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry - Community-wide legislation in this area, as proposed by on behalf of the Commission the Commission ? (1 April 1992)
The Commission is aware of the commercial and cultural importance which attaches to cheeses made from Answer given by Mrs Papandreou untreated (raw) milk in several Member States . on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1992) In accordance with the White Paper on the single market, the Commission has sent a draft Regulation to the Council laying down health rules for the production and The Commission's proposal for a ban on the advertising marketing of milk and milk products . This proposal has for tobacco products is based on the need for been amended as a result of changes voted by Parliament . harmonization of national provisions in this area . The Commission's proposals have two main intentions : Indeed , the ways and means of circulating information in first of all , to encourage free circulation of milk products the 12 Member States are increasingly of a transfrontier in the single market by harmonizing the health rules nature . The differences in the regulation of the 12 governing the standards to be met by products placed on Member States create barriers for the circulation of the the market and , secondly, to ensure that products from a advertising media and products . These barriers are not particular region or made in a traditional way are not just potential , but real ones, particularly between Member excluded from the single market because of their special States of the same language . Thus, the elimination by characteristics . 1992 of all barriers to trade requires the harmonization of national provisions concerning the different advertising These two goals are reflected in the Commission's means . proposal as amended which, in setting detailed health rules for the production of milk and the manufacture of milk products , nevertheless permit some flexibility in the application of these rules to traditional products and cheeses with long maturing periods, as well as including health rules specially adapted to deal with products made from raw milk.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2975/91 Since the cheeses quoted as examples in the Honourable by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( LDR) Member's question fall within this latter class of product, to the Commission of the European Communities they will not be subject to restrictions as a consequence of the Commission's proposal . (13 January 1992) (92 /C 269/ 33)
Subject : Production and use of untreated milk and derived products WRITTEN QUESTION No 3034/91 The preparation of European rules on the production and by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) uses of untreated milk and derived products is causing to the Commission of the European Communities very great concern among farm cheese producers . (13 January 1992) As a result of applying the production rules and health (92/C 269/34) standards to be laid down in the prospective regulations , all French farm cheeses will inevitably disappear : Cantal , Subject: Development of the Petralona cave , Chalkidiki Reblochon , Munster, Saint-Nectaire , Pont-l'eveque, Saint-Marcellin , Chabichou and dozens of others . For nearly ten years not a penny has been spent on the development of one of the most important caves in the This will cause very great economic harm , but the world . This is the Petralona cave situated near the village disappearance of cheeses made from untreated milk must of that name on Chalkidiki , which was discovered by also be regarded as jeopardizing a gastronomic heritage complete accident in 1959 and since then has been the to which French consumers are very much attached . subject of archaeological and other investigations which have discovered , recorded and studied both the In view of the serious situation that would result from marvellous multicoloured stalactites and stalagmites , and applying such provisions , is the Commission prepared to a 700 000 year-old early human skull together with other do its utmost to maintain production and consumption of palaeozoic remains . Nevertheless the cave has not been farm cheeses as it is ? explored to its entire extent, much less developed . 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 19
How does the Commission intend to contribute to the chlorine-free extinguishants are available . However, there development of the Petralona cave which among other is no evidence to suggest that European chemical things is a birthplace of prehistoric man ? producers as a group are increasing their market share in developing countries by promoting unnecessary uses of halons .
Friends of the Earth are misinformed about the scale of Answer given by Mr Dondelinger on behalf of the Commission the Community halon exports to Non-Parties to the Montreal Protocol . In 1989 a total of 3 652 tonnes of (11 June 1992) halons were exported to Non-Parties , not 14 174 tonnes . Furthermore , one year later in 1990 , the total volume of The Commission is aware of the major value of the such exports dropped by almost a third (31 %) to 2 508 palaeo-anthropological discoveries made at the Petralona tonnes . This downturn applies to each type of halon , cave at Chalkidiki , which are part of Europe's and the including halon 1211 . world's cultural heritage . The statistical evidence suggests that halon producers for As part of its cultural activities , the Commission already the most part are acting responsibly and that a policy of made a financial contribution to research on the cooperation with industry is successfully influencing the discovering there by the Greek Anthropological Society in activities of companies operating abroad . There is no need 1990 and 1991 . to introduce additional measures to restrict halon exports to Non-Parties to the Montreal Protocol . After 31 December 1992 , the Protocol ban on export of Annex A substances (CFCs and halons) to Non-Parties will come into force and be implemented in the Community by amendments to existing legislation .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3064/91 by Mrs Anita Pollack (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (13 January 1992) (92 /C 269/35) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3066/91 by Mr Patrick Lane (RDE) Subject: Ozone-depleting chemicals to the Commission of the European Communities (13 January 1992) s 1 . Is the Commission aware of the report by Friends of (92/C 269/ 36) the Earth into the marketing of halon 1211 fire extinguishers by ICI to India, Chile , Pakistan and Argentina, thus clearly breaching the spirit of the Subject: Visas for US citizens in the EC and EC citizens Montreal Protocol ? in the US
2 . Is the Commission aware that apparently EC Is the Commission in a position to provide detailed countries exported 14 174 tonnes of halons to third world information on the number of US citizens seeking work in countries in 1989 ? the European Community on an annual basis and can the Commission further state how many visas have been 3 . Given that it would appear that European granted to EC citizens wishing to work in the United Governments have failed to control the activities of States in the last five years ? companies operating abroad , does the Commission agree that the 'voluntary' approach to industry is failing and EC legislation is urgently needed to stop unnecessary production , use and export of ozone-depleting chemicals ? Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission (25 March 1992) Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission The issue of visas or residence permits to persons seeking (25 March 1992) work in the Community is a matter which falls within the competence of the Member States . For this reason the Commission cannot provide the information requested by The Commission is aware of the report by Friends of the the Honourable Member . Nor can it say how many visas Earth and does not support the marketing of halon 1211 have been granted to Community citizens wishing to in hand-held fire extinguishers when proven bromine and work in the United States . No C 269/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
The Commission can, however, provide the following Council 12 days later. This line includes two key links : figures on US citizens legally established in the Member Lisbon — Porto — Madrid and Vitoria — Dax . States . For the first key link, involving an as yet undetermined route between Portugal and Spain , the Commission % of foreign % of US nationals provided ECU 800 000 from the infrastructure heading to US citizens ' population in resident in EEC Member States fund a study aimed primarily at dispelling the uncertainty surrounding the route .
11 489 3,15 Belgium 1,33 The second has been discussed by Commission experts Denmark 4 126 2,74 1,13 with the regional authorities of Aquitaine and the Basque Germany 85 707 1,78 23,53 authorities, which together backed a prefeasibility study Greece 23 027 13,27 6,32 of the Dax—Vitoria key link . Spain 16 092 3,94 4,41 France 17 740 0,48 4,87 In general , the Commission attaches equal importance to Ireland 2 000 2,52 0,54 all fifteen key links in the European high-speed rail network and is striving for the completion of each and Italy 58 138 7,44 15,98 every one of them . It does not think in terms of Luxembourg 1 367 1,16 0,37 competition between links , although the network's Netherlands 10 554 1,64 2,89 development, which is not necessarily uniform Portugal 6 935 6,41 1,90 throughout Europe , may result in different dates of United completion and entry into service . Kingdom 127 000 6,70 34,87
Total EEC 364 175 — —
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3100/91 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3099/91 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR) (24 January 1992) to the Commission of the European Communities (92/C 269/38 ) (13 January 1992) (92/C 269/37) Subject : Construction of the Athens metro
Subject: Inter-Atlantic high-speed train link The Commission has decided to increase substantially Community funding for the construction of the Athens metro . The work was supposed to have begun on 15 What is the Commission's assessment of its project for an November 1991 . However, work was unable to begin on Atlantic high-speed train line linking Poitiers , Bordeaux schedule and this was the fault of the Greek Government . and Valladolid ? Members of the Greek Parliament have complained that the state is having to pay Drs 27 million a day under its This link is of vital importance for the development of the contract with the metro construction group . Can the Atlantic regions of southern Europe . Can the Commission state whether these payments are covered by Commission confirm that it attaches equal importance to Community funding and for how long ? the projects for inter-Atlantic and inter-Mediterranean rail links ?
Answer given by Mr Millan on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Van Miert (9 April 1992) on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1992) According to the information available to the Commission , the contract concerning the construction of the Athens metro states that if work does not begin until The Lisbon — Porto — Madrid —Valladolid —Vitoria after 18 October 1991 , the agreed price will be adjusted — Dax — Bordeaux— Paris line is part of the masterplan (0,4 % per month) in order to take into account currency for a European high-speed rail network adopted by the depreciation during the period from 18 October 1991 to Commission on 5 December 1990 and endorsed by the the starting date of the six-year contract period . No C 269/21 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities
This price adjustment, to which the Honourable Member from the EC Member States , which would have paved the may be referring, does not of course constitute a penalty way for a supranational 'thirteenth' European stock or an increase in the cost of the project in constant price exchange — has not been set up, owing to a veto by the terms . British and German stock exchange authorities ? Community assistance corresponds to a percentage of the 2 . Will the Commission take further steps to facilitate cost of the project in constant price terms . the setting up of a supranational Eurolist — as part of Euroquote or independently — with joint Europe-wide quotation, clearing and settlement for the 150 largest European undertakings, or does it share the opinion of some stock exchange administrators that the advantages WRITTEN QUESTION No 3126/91 of European cooperation are outweighed by the advantages of Europe-wide competition on a national by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) basis ? to the Commission of the European Communities (24 January 1992) (92/C 269/39) Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission Subject: Measures to combat plant pests (9 April 1992)
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has 1 . The Commission is in close and constant contact drawn up a convention with a view to achieving with the Federation of Stock Exchanges in the EEC, and international cooperation among the Member States in followed the discussions on the Euroquote project with order to control pests affecting plants and plant products great interest. The Commission considers it a matter for and prevent them spreading, particularly across borders . regret that it has not been possible to reach agreement in What view does the Commission take of this convention the Federation either on the Euroquote system or on and to what extent can it be adopted at Community level ? proposals for a European wholesale market, as these ideas could have contributed to the creation of a single securities market for the Community . It is, however, a Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry matter for the members of the Federation themselves to on behalf of the Commission decide upon such proposals, taking into account the (23 April 1992) economic and commercial costs and benefits involved . 2 . The Commission understands that the Federation of The Commission is aware of the existence of the 'International Plant Protection Convention'. The Stock Exchanges in the EEC is now considering an alternative project, the European list or 'Eurolist', which Commission fully supports the purpose of the if implemented would enable the leading European Convention, namely securing common and effective companies to have their securities listed automatically on action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of several or all of the Community's stock exchanges . The plants and plant products and to promote measures for Commission is prepared to consider sympathetically their control . suggesting appropriate amendments to the existing stock As the European Economic Community has recently been exchange directives to facilitate implementation of the admitted to membership of the FAO, and taking into project. In the Commission's view, the Eurolist project is account the increasing Community competence in the an example both of increased competition and increased field of plant health, in particular with a view to the cooperation between European stock exchanges . internal market, the Commission is at present considering Europe-wide trading in the shares of the Eurolisted the steps necessary for the Community adhering, in the companies should become more widespread , and near future , to the said Convention . investors should thereby benefit by having deeper and more liquid markets opened up to them .
WRITTENQUESTION No 3150/91 by Mr Bouke Beumer (PPE) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3165/91 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Alexandras Alavanos (CG) to the Commission of the European Communities (24 January 1992) (92/C 269/40) (24 January 1992) (92/C 269/41 ) Subject: Supranational European stock exchange Subject: Katerini bypass 1 . Is the Commission aware that Euroquote — which was to have been a central point for the dissemination of By Decree No 2510 of 5 December 1988 the Ministry of stock market prices and information about companies the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works No C 269/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10.92 adopted preliminary plans for the widening of the main impact assessment if their effects on the environment are Athens-Thessaloniki road which make no provision for a likely to be significant . bypass around Katerini , capital of the prefecture of Pieria , with a population of 50 000 . However, the Urban Planning Act as it relates to Katerini (Official Gazette Since Greece has failed to transpose this Annex properly it No 1089 D of 12 November 1986) and after obtaining the has been sent a letter of formal notice in accordance with town council's opinion, provides for the construction of a Article 169 of the EEC Treaty . bypass . In addition , on 23 November 1987 the Pieria Prefecture Council unanimously decided that the section The Commission therefore intends to deal with this case of the road crossing Katerini should be bypassed . along with the other Article 169 cases involving Greece .
The Katerini section is being financed under the IMPs With regard to Community funding, the road project and work on the main Iliki-Katerini road will commence referred to by the Honourable Member is not being in 1992 under the Community Support Framework . From funded from the structural Funds . the point of view of urban planning and traffic flow it is unacceptable for the main road to cross the city, since it would not only undermine the project but also defeat the objectives of the existing Katerini urban development programme . In addition, before any solution is adopted , an environmental impact assessment must be carried out.
1 . What measures will the Commission take to ensure that the funded project is carried out efficiently and in WRITTEN QUESTION No 3186/91 such a way as to dovetail with the urban planning , by Mrs Maartje van Putten (S) communications and environmental requirements in the Katerini region ? to the Commission of the European Communities (24 January 1992) 2 . What steps will it take to ensure that work on the (92/C 269/42) project is not continued until the most effective means to this end have been chosen . Subject: GATT contribution to sustainable trade 3 . What steps will it take to implement Council Directives 85 / 337/EEC (') and 84/ 360/EEC ( 2 ) in 1 . Is the Commission aware of the decision by the respect of Katerini , with regard to both the International Trade Panel (GATT) in the dispute between environmental impact assessment and the necessary Mexico and the United States concerning imports into the consultations , in view of the position adopted by the town and prefecture councils concerning the city USA of tuna caught by Mexican fishermen ? bypass and the Community guidelines set out in the resolution of the European Parliament of 11 2 . The Panel takes the view that complaints against September 1991 on transport and the environment foreign undertakings based on environmental (A3-0216/91 ) and its Green Paper on the Urban considerations do not constitute grounds for blocking Environment (CQM(90) 218 fin , 24 July 1990)? imports and that trade can only by regulated on the basis of environmental agreements embodied in international O OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 , p . 40 . conventions . O OJ No L 188 , 16 . 7 . 1984 , p . 20 . Does the Commission share the fear that, as a result of this decision, moves to achieve 'sustainable trade' can only progress at the speed adopted by the slowest country concerned ?
Answer given by Mr Van Miert 3 . Can the Commission report on the current situation on behalf of the Commission and future plans concerning the GATT Working Group (3 July 1992) on Trade and the Environment, the possibility of discussing the relationship between environment and trade in the Uruguay Round and the GATT contribution to the UNCED Conference in June 1992 ? Road construction projects , such as the Athens —Thessaloniki project referred to by the 4 . What steps has the Commission taken or planned to Honourable Member, appear in Annex II to Directive determine its position on the relationship between the 85 / 337/EEC and must therefore be made subject to an environment and trade ? No C 269/ 23 19 . 10.92 Official Journal of the European Communities
Answer given by Mr Andriessen Group are still preliminary, although particular attention on behalf of the Commission has been given to the question of the relationship between the trade provisions of multilateral Environment (21 May 1992) Conventions and the GATT. In this context, the Community has underlined that the GATT should in no way be seen as an obstacle to the implementation of 1 and 2 . The Commission is fully aware of the findings multilateral solutions to global environmental challenges . of the GATT Panel requested by Mexico on the United The Working Group has not discussed the question of a States' embargo on the importation of certain tuna GATT contribution to UNCED . At the last meeting of products . The Panel ruling states that both the direct the GATT Council it was agreed that a report on Trade embargo , which applies to certain tuna species captured and the Environment prepared by the GATT Secretariat outside US jurisdiction when the incidental rate of could be sent to UNCED under the responsibility of the dolphin mortality exceeds that of the US fleet, and the GATT Director-General . indirect embargo , which applies to countries importing certain tuna products , unless they apply an embargo 4 . The Commission has promoted intensive internal vis-a-vis the countries targeted by the US measures , are discussions on the relationship between trade and contrary to GATT rules . environmental policies both among its services and with the Member States . Particular care has been given to ensure that the point of view of both trade and The basic reasoning of the Panel is that unilateral import environmental experts is fully reflected . As a result, the restrictions of an extra-jurisdictional nature are in Community has played a leading role in discussions in the contradiction with the multilateral trading system , as OECD and in the GATT, as well as in other public fora . established by the GATT. This finding of the Panel in no way affects the right of countries to introduce measures to ensure a high standard of domestic environmental protection . Indeed , it is confirmed that import restrictions necessary for the enforcement of domestic environmental requirements are compatible with GATT rules . The problem with the US legislation relates to the extra-jurisdictional and unilateral nature of the embargo .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3193/91 The Panel also suggests that, in the case of global environmental challenges which go beyond the by Mr Didier Anger (V) jurisdiction of any indiviudual country, solutions based to the Commission of the European Communities on multilateral cooperation should not give rise to (24 January 1992) difficulties in the GATT . Moreover, the Panel indicates that GATT members may wish to address collectively (92/C 269/43) means of better integrating the global environmental dimension in the GATT. Subject: Problems of agriculture in wetland areas The Commission, with the support of the Member States , therefore believes that the Panel report is in no way While the quota system has made life difficult for all dairy inimical to the objective of environmental protection and farmers in the European Community, those in should be rapidly adopted . At the same time , there is a less-favoured areas such as mountains , wetlands , etc . have need to promote discussions in the GATT to explore been particularly hard hit, since intensification is means of ensuring that no contradiction arises between impossible or harmful to the environment . the promotion of sustainable development and an open multilateral trading system . In this respect , the Commission considers that experience has shown that In wetland areas in particular, even if agriculture is still multilateral cooperation is the most effective and possible, the water quality suffers as a result of the appropriate means to tackle global environmental excessive use of fertilizers , pesticides and weedkillers . challenges . The Commission is committed to the full implementation of existing environmental conventions However, the abandonment of rural areas is not the right and to promote the negotiation of multilateral solution from the point of view of nature and landscape conventions on other urgent global environmental issues . conservation .
3 . The Commission attaches particular importance to What steps are proposed to help Community wetland the recent decision to revive the GATT Working Group farmers to continue to pursue their livelihoods ? on Trade and the Environment. In this framework, the Commission is fully committed to seek solutions for a better integration between environmental policies and the Has effective aid for the extensification of fodder crops multilateral trading system . Discussions in the Working and the protection of water quality been envisaged ? No C 269/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry Masneri with an El 12 form , which means that she has had on behalf of the Commission to meet the cost of a corneal transplant carried out in a (2 April 1992) hospital in Lyons .
The Commission is aware of the special problems of The form was refused on the grounds that the operation wetland areas and conservation of their ecology . could have been carried out in Italy. However, the Italian health authorities had already delayed the operation indefinitely, although it was urgently necessary . The measure to encourage the introduction or maintenance of production methods compatible with the environment introduced under Title VII of Regulation Is such a procedure in conformity with Community law (EEC) No 2328 /91 on improving the efficiency of and will the Commission take steps to ensure that all agricultural structures (') will help to solve this problem at Community citizens have effective access to health least in part . That Title provides for the granting of facilities within the Community ? premiums to farmers who undertake, under a specific programme for given areas and over at least five years , to introduce or maintain agricultural production practices compatible with the requirements of protecting the environment and natural resources or with the requirements of maintaining the landscape and the Answer given by Mrs Papandreou countryside . Under that Title a series of national on behalf of the Commission programmes has been drawn up for a number of wetlands in certain Member States such as Germany, the United (8 April 1992) Kingdom, the Netherlands and France (in particular with regard to the 'marais poitevin'). The Community's social security rules (Council Depending on the specifications , these programmes Regulations (EEC) No 1408 /71 and (EEC) No 574/72) provide for aid for extensification and the reduction of lay down that, where a Community national or fertilizers and the maintenance of fodder crops as well as assimilated person needs to travel from the Member State meadowlands . to whose legislation he is subject (i.e. the 'competent' State) to another Member State for the purpose of The Member States are responsible for proposing action receiving the treatment appropriate to his condition , the programmes and allocating funds to them as well as fixing 'competent' Member State may assume the cost of such the amounts of premiums . However, the Community rate treatment . of part-financing (25 % with a celling of ECU 150,4) may place a limit not only on the submission of such This is conditional on the issue by the 'competent' programmes by the Member States but also on their value institution (health insurance fund, USL, AOK, etc.) of an as an incentive to and on acceptance by farmers . authorization to obtain treatment in another Member State (form El 12). The individual concerned is obliged to The environmental scheme designed to accompany the present the El 12 to the institution of the place where he is reform of the CAP allows for programmes throughout to be treated . the territory of the Member States and for more ample financing . The 'competent' institution has very extensive powers of o OJ No L 218 , 6 . 8 . 1991 . discretion as regards the issue of an El 12 authorization . More precisely, the competent institution is obliged to issue the authorization only where the treatment needed by the individual concerned is provided for by the legislation of the competent Member State but, in the light of the individual's state of health and the probable progression of the disease , cannot be provided within the WRITTEN QUESTION No 3197/91 normal time scale (see Article 22 of Regulation (EEC) by Mr Francesco Speroni (ARC) No 1408 / 71 ). to the Commission of the European Communities (24 January 1992) It is clear that, since refusal to issue such an authorization is a formal decision by the institution, it must first be the (92/C 269/44) subject of an appeal to the national courts in accordance with the procedures and deadlines set by the legislation Subject : Refusal by the Italian health authorities to issue a applied by the institution before any other legal European Community sickness benefit form proceedings can be instituted .
The Gardone Val Tompia Social and Health Unit (USSL No 38) has refused to issue the wife of Mr Emilio 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/25
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3205/91 WRITTEN QUESTION No 3221 /91 by Mr Max Simeoni (ARC) by Mr Alexandras Alavanos (CG) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (28 January 1992) (28 January 1992) (92/C 269/45) (92/C 269/47)
Subject: Agreement between EC and Austria concerning Subject: Map of the Community's lesser-used languages the Alps
The publication of an official map of the Community's On 3 December 1991 the Alpine transit agreements lesser-used languages is keenly awaited in many countries between the European Community , Switzerland and and regions . With a map of this type in mind , the Austria were ratified in Brussels . The agreement with European Bureau for Lesser-used Languages presented Austria provides for an agreement between Greece and the Commission with a plan , which it has had to revise Austria . Can the Commission indicate what provisions are several times at the Commission's request . Community envisaged under this agreement ? appropriations have already been set aside in respect of this map . Answer given by Mr Van Miert Could the Commission explain the reasons for the delay on behalf of the Commission in publishing the above map ? When will it be available to the public ? (9 July 1992)
Article 16 of the transit agreement between the European Economic Community and Austria , signed on 2 May 1992 , provides that the quotas of authorizations set by WRITTEN QUESTION No 168/92 bilateral agreements are to be retained , as reciprocal by Mr Alexander Langer (V) rights of market access, without prejudice to other provisions adopted by common consent . to the Commission of the European Communities (10 February 1 992) Some Member States , including Greece, have (92/C 269/46) renegotiated their bilateral agreements with Austria in order to settle the matter of reciprocal rights of market access . Austria has allocated Greece 60 500 transit Subject: Charter for minority language groups journeys . This figure is an integral part of the 'Eco point' system and will also apply on the date of entry into force of that system . A further 2 000 authorizations can also be Why has the Charter for minority language groups within obtained by Greece as a combined-transport bonus . the European Community not yet been published ? What steps will the Commission take to ensure that it is The transit agreement also provides for a Transit published as soon as possible ? Committee to be set up . Once the agreement has entered into force , the Committee is to produce a review of reciprocal rights of market access agreed as of 2 1 October 1991 .
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3205/91 and 168/92 given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (18 May 1992) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3229/91 by Mrs Christine Oddy (S) to the Commission of the European Communities The European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages , an independent body, has drawn up a draft map of the (28 January 1992) Community's lesser-used languages . (92/C 269/48)
The Commission provided part of the funding of the Subject: Draft Commission recommendation on preparatory work for this project . The project has proved protection of dignity of men and women at work so complex that further work is still required . Since Parliament considered the draft proposal a constituent has brought to my attention the case of a woman who continued to be harassed after the harasser No C 269/ 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92 resigned from work . What steps will the Commission take Answer given by Mrs Papandreou to ensure that women continue to be protected after the on behalf of the Commission harasser has left employment ? (10 April 1992)
The Commission has always taken the view that the only Answer given by Mrs Papandreou effective way to combat illegal immigration and illegal on behalf of the Commission employment is through cooperation between States and (7 April 1992) by tackling all aspects of these matters rather than by merely taking action against networks that promote illegal immigration . The Commission adopted its recommendation on the protection of the dignity of women and men at work and As long ago as 1974 , the Commission produced its Action the accompanying Code of Practice on measures to Programme to assist Migrant Workers and their combat sexual harassment on 27 November 1991 . The Families (*), in which it not only stressed the need to purpose of the recommendation is to promote awareness intensify the fight against illegal migration and and to encourage the Member States to promote employment through action in the field of detection , awareness that unwanted conduct of a sexual nature or prevention and enforcement but also highlighted the other conduct based on sex affecting the dignity of extent to which illegal migrant workers are at the mercy of women and men at work is unacceptable and that it may , all forms of exploitation and intimidation . in certain circumstances , contravene the principle of equal treatment within the meaning of Articles 3 , 4 and 5 of the Equal Treatment Directive 76/207/EEC ('). In its resolution of 9 February 1976 (2 ) on the Commission's action programme , the Council The recommendation also aims to encourage the emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation implementation , in all organizations , of the practical between Member States in the campaign against illegal measures contained in the Code of Practice . This Code immigration of workers who are nationals of third seeks to provide guidance to employers, trade unions and countries and of ensuring that appropriate sanctions are employees on means of ensuring that sexual harassment laid down to repress trafficking and abuse linked with does not occur in the workplace and , if it does occur, to illegal immigration and that the obligations of employers ensure that adequate procedures are available to deal with are fulfilled and the rights of workers relating to the work the problem and prevent its recurrence in the workplace . they have carried out safeguarded without prejudice to other consequences of the unlawful nature of their The focus of these initiatives is on dealing with sexual residence and employment . harassment at work . The Equal Treatment Directive governs the field of employment and , for this reason , the The Commission , for its part, submitted a proposal for a Commission's practical advice is concentrated in this area . Directive (3 ), which was not adopted by the Council . The The Commission has no authority to extend its field of Commission, however, still considered the substance of competence on this issue to the situation described an its proposals valid and incorporated them in its ex-employee continuing to harass an employee . It is to be 'Guidelines for a Community policy on migration' in trusted , however, that employers and indeed trade unions 1985 ( 4 ) and its 'Communication on immigration' of 1 1 could assist the individual concerned with access to a October 1991 ( 5 ). remedy under appropriate national provisions .
(') OJ No L 39 , 14.2 . 1976 . In the recent work programme on migration policy adopted by the Ministers for Immigration meeting in The Hague on 3 December 1991 and endorsed by the Maastricht European Council , 'a common approach to the matter of illegal immigration' appears as one of the priorities for intergovernmental cooperation, which, as far as possible , should be tackled before the Treaty on Political Union comes into force . WRITTEN QUESTION No 3233/91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( S) The Commission will not fail to contribute to this work. to the Commission of the European Communities (28 January 1992) O COM(74) 2250 final . (92/C 269/49) O OJNoC 34 , 14.2 . 1976 . O OJ No C 97 , 22 . 4 . 1978 . O COM(85) 48 final . Subject: Illegal immigration networks O SEC(91 ) 1855 final .
What, in the Commission's view , is the best way of combating illegal immigration networks in the EC ? 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/27
WRITTEN QUESTION No 5/92 (b) by overseas department, by Mr Artur da Cunha Oliveira (S) (c) by project ? to the Commission of the European Communities 2 . What funds have been earmarked for the immediate (4 February 1992) future : (92/C 269/50) (a) by year, (b) by overseas department, Subject: Structural Funds and Overseas Departments (c) by project ?
Having been appointed by the Committee on Regional Policy and Regional Planning to draw up and table in February a report on the implementation of the Poseidom Answer given by Mr Christophersen programme in the French Overseas Departments , I on behalf of the Commission request the following information : (20 May 1992)
1 . What structural funds have always been allocated to Programmes benefiting the OD co-financed the Overseas Departments : (a) by year, By the ERDF
Star and Valoren programmes (adopted in 1987 ) for period 1989 — 1991
(ECU million)
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Total
Guadaloupe 0,46 0,77 3,39 — — 4,62
French Guiana 0,08 0,34 2,44 — — 2,86
Martinique 0,32 2,66 2,24 — — 5,22
Reunion 0,30 2,60 5,88 — — 8,78
Programmes adopted since 1989 for period 1990 — 1993 (ECU 1991 )
(ECU million)
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Total
Guadaloupe — 9,81 16,45 24,99 27,90 78,75
French Guiana — 3,88 12,83 11,88 4,72 33,31
Martinique — 14,75 25,45 24,93 13,33 78,46
Reunion — 21,18 20,58 48,34 44,08 134,18
Regis, Envireg and Stride programmes adopted in 1991 for the period 1991 — 1993 ( ECU 1991 )
(ECU million)
I 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Total
Guadaloupe — — 2,42 7,09 6,36 15,87
French Guiana — — 2,19 4,44 2,87 9,50
Martinique — — 3,50 16,00 3,82 13,32
Reunion — 3,95 12,50 9,15 25,35 No C 269/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
The above figures correspond to the schedules set when included , with financing out of the overall allocation the programmes were adopted . These schedules take the stipulated in the CSF for each region . form of commitments by annual tranche and payments that, except for the first tranche, depend on the state of Non-CSF appropriations have however been entered advance of the programme on the ground and on the in the 1992 budget for specific structural action for expenditure incurred . bananas and for the sugar cane/sugar/rum sector. It is for France to propose to the Commission measures for these sectors for an amount of roughly ECU 14 An amount of ECU 7 million was also assigned at the million . beginning of 1992 for the purposes of the Prisma, Telematique and Leader initiatives . 2 . The budgetary framework for 1993 has not yet been adopted but the Commission's proposals for the outermost regions (doubling of the structural By the ESF appropriations) indicate that appropriations will be requested for . 1993 that will prevent any break in (ECU million) continuity between 1992 and 1994, when the new CSFs begin to operate . \ Reunion Guiana Guadaloupe Martinica
1990 Obj . 1 19,5 1,7 4,0 8,3 Obj . 3 and 4 7,5 1,1 8,4 3,7
Total 27,0 2,8 12,4 12,0 WRITTEN QUESTION No 19/92 1991 \ by Mr Alexander Falconer, Mr Ian White, Mr Peter Obj . 1 21,6 3,7 4,9 7,0 Crampton, Mr Alex Smith, Mr Michael Elliott, Mrs Christine Oddy, Mr Edward Newman and Mr Arthur Obj . 3 and 4 9,0 1,7 9,8 5,2 Newens (S) Total 30,6 5,4 14,7 12,2 to European Political Cooperation (4 February 1992) 1992 (92/C 269/51 ) Obj . 1 20,0 3,5 4,8 10,0 Obj . 3 and 4 12,6 1,7 10,0 5,3
Total 32,6 5,2 14,8 15,3 Subject: NATO summit in Rome (November 1991 )
1993 Will EPC advise if it has reached a conclusion on the Obj . 1 20,5 3,8 4,8 10,0 future role of NATO ? Obj . 3 and 4 13,0 1,7 10,1 5,6 Will EPC agree that the establishing of an EEC armed Total 33,5 5,5 14,9 15,6 force could be considered as a threat by emerging Eastern European countries who have collectively agreed to dismantle the Warsaw Pact ? The ESF does not contribute to Poseidom except incidentally in pursuit of Objectives 1 , 3 and 4 . Will EPC agree that the changes taking place in Europe require a diminishing role for NATO and an extension of the role of the United Nations ?
By the EAGGF
1 . The programme of options specific to the remote and Answer insular nature of the French overseas departments was decided on by the Council on 22 December 1989 . (7 September 1992)
Under the Decision a framework Regulation for agricultural products was adopted by the Council on The questions tabled by the Honourable Members do not 16 December 1991 . Most of the financing comes from fall within EPC competence . the EAGGF Guarantee Section ; only derogations from the structural measures (Objective f>a) geared to the specific situation of these regions have been 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/29
WRITTEN QUESTION No 21 /92 The European Community has concluded Association by Mr Alexander Langer, Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete Agreements with Poland , Hungary and Czechoslovakia , and is presently negotiating similar agreements with and Mrs Eva-Maria Quistorp (V) Bulgaria and Romania . These agreements provide for to European Political Cooperation cooperation in over 26 areas of political and economic (4 February 1992) activity . (92/C 269/ 52) The European Community has also provided substantial assistance to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe Subject: The development of a common foreign and to help in the creation of non-governmental organizations security policy for the Community of all kinds . These 'civil society' programmes , funded from the Community's PHARE technical assistance Events such as the Gulf War, the crisis in Yugoslavia and programmes seek to extend the process of the massive influx of refugees fleeing from poverty have democratization by furthering the aims of political exposed the European Community's woeful state of pluralism . unpreparedness as it struggles to formulate a common independent foreign and security policy .
With reference to the Intergovernmental Conferences in progress : 1 . What conclusions will be drawn from the events WRITTEN QUESTION No 45/92 referred to above ? by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S) 2 . Are possible instruments being considered for to the Commission of the European Communities preventive and peacemaking action by the Community (4 February 1992) in crisis areas by non-military means such as civilian peace corps , observers , the mass media (European (92/C 269/ 53) radio and television) and cultural and educational institutions , etc.? Subject: Basic scientific research in semiconductor growth technologies 3 . Are instruments being devised to coordinate cooperation , including non-governmental What basic scientific research is being sponsored to organizations , with the countries of Central and develop semiconductor growth technologies for Eastern Europe in order to contribute to sustainable development in those countries and , through suitable application in partnership arrangements , prevent the chaotic exodus 1 . solar energy cells and of masses of desperate people ? 2 . improvements in telecommunications technologies ?
What programmes sponsored by the EC are involved in Answer such work ? What resources are earmarked for such projects ? For what period does the EC expect such work ( 7 September 1 992) to be sponsored in future ?
The Honourable Members are kindly requested to revert to Title V of the Maastricht Treaty as well as to the report on the likely development of CFSP approved by the Answer given by Mr Pandolfi Lisbon European Council . on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1992) As regards possible instruments for preventive and peacemaking action in crisis areas by non-military means , the Honourable Members will certainly be aware of the Basic scientific research sponsored by the Commission in important contribution made by Member States of the the field of semiconductor growth technologies for Community to international peacekeeping operations , applications in photovoltaic solar cells is being done namely in the UN and CSCE frameworks and in under the Joule programme . particular of the leading role they have assumed in this field in the former Yugoslavia . The promotion of peace The technologies utilized for crystalline silicon , are and dialogue between peoples is a key element in the casting and optical thermal processing . For thin films they cooperation between the Community and its Member include chemical vapor deposition , glow discharge , ion States and third countries . beam cluster, epitaxy, sputtering and co-evaporation .
The UN Secretary General published a report on In the former Joule programme 1989 — 1992 , ECU Preventive Diplomacy, Peace-making and Peace-keeping 6 million have been allocated to this field . Considering the in June 1992 which is under consideration . budget for the current Joule II programme 1991 — 1994 , No C 269/ 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
on a pro-rata basis , we can expect the resources available respiratory diseases amongst babies . It can also cause for this research to be of the order of ECU 7 million . chronic hearing problems in children . The link between inhaling the smoke of others and serious cardio-vascular The CEC intends to remain active in this area of R&D . problems has been demonstrated . Furthermore, passive smoking can aggravate existing conditions such as Basic research in semiconductor growth for future asthma . Even if the dangers of passive smoking are less applications in micro-electronics and opto-electronics is serious than those of active smoking, this type of supported in a number of Esprit basic . research actions . pollution nonetheless remains the greatest caused by man The work encompasses controlled growth by molecular in his environment. beam spitaxy (MBE) and its derivatives — atomic layer epitaxy (ALE), metal-organic molecular beam epitaxy Owing to their short life-span , it is at present impossible (MOMBE) — of compound semiconductors of the group to gauge the effects of passive smoking on animals and III —V (Actions 3042 , 3043 , 3086 , 3133), growth by solid arrive at conclusions as to any carcinogenic result. phase epitaxy (SPE) and by chemical phase epitaxy (CBE) of semiconducting silicides ( 3026), as well as growth by MBE of silicon/germanium superlattices (3174). In (') Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research addition , two actions focus on complementary issues of in Campaign . situ monitoring of the growth steps at the atomic level (3109 and 3177).
The total amount earmarked for the above activities is about ECU 7.5 million .
In the third framework programme the level of support will increase to about ECU 10 million . WRITTEN QUESTION No 93/92 by Mr Detlev Samland (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (6 February 1992) (92 /C 269/ 55) WRITTEN QUESTION No 57/92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin (V) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Language requirements in tendering procedures (6 February 1992) The Commission (DG V) has invited tenders from (92/C 269/54) external organizations for work involving close cooperation with an interdepartmental group from the Subject : Passive smoking Commission (No 91 /C 262 /05). The Commission specifies that applications may be made in any of the The risks of 'passive smoking' to which those living with official languages . At the same time , however it states that or working in the company of a smoker appear to be 'due to Commission's inter-services group requirements , relatively well documented . There are nevertheless working languages will be French and English.' conflicting opinions . Can the Commission state briefly where matters now This constitutes discrimination against the other official stand ? languages . What steps will the Commission take to end such discrimination and to correct the irregular invitation Does the Commission have the results of any studies to tender, which expired on 25 November 1991 ? showing whether passive smoking can affect pets such as cats and dogs living with a smoker ?
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1992) (8 April 1992)
A report recently published in the United Kingdom (') Unfortunately there was a technical error in point 6(c) of and endorsed by over 40 scientific organizations has invitation to tender No 91 /C262/05 referring to provided some interesting data concerning the matter of languages . The working languages needed for the passive smoking . Commission's interdepartmental group will be English , French and German ; interpretation will be provided for It emerges from the report that passive smoking is a cause other Community languages if this should prove of cancer amongst non-smokers and of serious necessary. 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 31
The use of certain working languages for the needs of the detailed arrangements for veterinary checks on products interdepartmental group is an internal arrangement from third countries brought into the Community. justified by the complexity of the project, which covers all the regions under Objective 1 . However, the individual The Commission is accordingly preparing a list of plant studies will be produced in the languages of these regions . products that, on account of their subsequent destination , risk spreading infectious animal diseases (Articles 2 (2) This technical error in no way reduced interest on the part and 18). of potential tenderers from all the Member States . A large number of requests for information were received and the Community dossier which was sent out was available in all At the present stage the Commission cannot provide a the official Community languages . An information day definitive list of these products . When the list is ready it was also organized for tenderers by Commission staff on will be the subject of a draft Decision submitted for 31 October 1991 ; no special requests were made approval by the Standing Veterinary Committee . concerning languages . Finally, several of the tenders received were written in official languages other than The procedure will be the same for the list of border French and English . inspection posts . All Member States have proposed lists and the Commission , in conjunction with the responsible national authorities , is verifying their conformity with the Community standards laid down in Article 9 and Annex II to Directive 90/675/EEC so that a Community list can be drawn up . At the moment therefore the Commission is not in a position to provide a definitive list . WRITTEN QUESTION No 130/92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) Fresh fish for release to the market within the Community to the Commission of the European Communities that has been caught by a vessel flying the flag of a (7 February 1992) Member State, whether taken in Community waters or (92/C 269/ 56) not, is treated as a Community product and subject to the veterinary inspection requirements . applicable in intra-Community trade . Subject : Veterinary checks
On 10 December 1991 the Council adopted Directive 90/675/EEC (') on products from third countries .
Article 2 (2) (a) (in conjunction with Article 18) requires the Commission to draw up a list of plant products , species of fish and animal products other than those referred to in the Directive which are also to be covered WRITTEN QUESTION No 173/92 by the Directive . by Mr David Morris (S) to the Commission of the European Communities Can the Commission say whether that list has already (10 February 1 992) been drawn up and what products are contained in it ? (92/C 269/ 57) Can the Commission also say what countries comply with the procedure laid down in Article 9 ? Can the Commission also list the recognized inspection posts , Subject: Training and employment for ex-offenders together with the criteria used for this ? Some 10% of the population of the EC have received Is it true that fish landed in the European Community criminal convictions, whilst unemployment rates for from a European Community vessel , but caught outside ex-offenders are five times higher than for the rest of the European Community waters , are not covered by this population . It is known that rates of recidivism are higher Directive ? among ex-offenders who cannot find work, but that these people face particular problems such as 'institution O OJ No L 373 , 31 . 12 . 1990 , p. 1 . alization' and employer prejudice when seeking employment . They therefore often require special job preparation , training, counselling and advice .
Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry However, this group is not recognized for priority under on behalf of the Commission current European Social Fund criteria . (13 May 1992) Does the Commission intend to introduce a new budget Under Council Directive 90/675 /EEC , referred to by the line for the creation of employment and training Honourable Member, the Commission is to draw up the opportunities for ex-offenders in the Community ? No C 269/ 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou disposes in most cases of more than the minimum of six on behalf of the Commission months for the submission of the application . As , (22 April 1992) according to the information available , there are in general no problems with regard to this time limit, the Commission considers this period to be sufficiently long Some Member States have already introduced specific to enable the claimant to submit his application in due measures to promote training and employment for young time . ex-offenders as part of the CSFs covered by Objectives 3 and 4 . Some of these programmes commence even before offenders are released in order to increase their chances of reintegration .
The Commission also notes that the operational WRITTEN QUESTION No 188/92 programmes implemented by some Member States under by Mr Ian White (S) the Community's 'Horizon' scheme ('Disadvantaged' to the Commission of the European Communities section), include measures to promote the employment (10 February 1 992) and training of ex-offenders . (92/C 269/ 59) One of the projects covered by the Community's 'Poverty 3' programme involves innovative measures to Subject : Nickel and its compounds promote the economic and social integration of ex-offenders , probationers , etc . belonging to the most Could the Commissioner publish the results of research disadvantaged sections of the population . undertaken by EEC specialists into nickel and its compounds when in finely divided and inhalable form ?
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1992) WRITTEN QUESTION No 186/92 by Mr George Patterson (ED) In 1990, the Commission published in a monograph (') an to the Commission of the European Communities evaluation of the results of current research on nickel (1 0 February 1 992) itself and 10 compounds of nickel . (92/C 269/58) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also carried out an evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans of nickel and welding . The results have been Subject: Refunds of double VAT : eighth VAT Directive published in the IARC monograph ( 2). Article 7 of the eighth VAT Directive sets a time limit of On the basis of the latest available scientific information , six months for submitting claims for reimbursement of nickel and nickel compounds were dealt with in the 15th VAT paid on transactions in another Member State . As a adaptation to technical progress of Directive direct result of such a time limit, there are now cases 67 / 548 /EEC on classification, packaging and labelling of where traders are unable to claim such reimbursement, dangerous substances . The Commission stated in an thus incurring double taxation . associated Declaration that the classification of nickel metal and compounds will be re-evaluated in due course Though a six-month time limit is of administrative in the light of the most recent scientific information . convenience to Member States' authorities , the double taxation is clearly contrary to the principle of Value Nickel compounds classified as carcinogens are Added Tax . Will the Commission therefore propose a automatically included in the Directive 90/394/EEC on revision of the eighth VAT Directive to extend the limit ? the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work . Work involving exposure to dust, fumes and sprays produced during the roasting and electro-refining of cupro-nickel mattes is also specifically mentioned in the list of substances , Answer given by Mrs Scrivener preparations and processes covered by the provisions of on behalf of the Commission this Directive . (9 April 1992) (') The Toxicology of Chemicals , Carcinogenicity, Volume II EUR 12481 . The extreme date for the submission of the application for ( 2 ) IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks refund of VAT under the eighth Directive is 30 June of to Humans , Volume 49 , Lyons 1990 . the year following the calendar year in which the tax became chargeable . Thus , in practice , the claimant 19 . 10.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 33
WRITTEN QUESTION No 204/92 WRITTEN QUESTION No 247/92 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE) by Mrs María Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Fernando Morán López, to the Commission of the European Communities Mr José Duarte Cendán, Mr José Vázquez Fouz, Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias, Mr Pedro Bofill Abeilhe, Mr Juan (13 February 1992) de la Cámara Martínez, Mr Eusebio Cano Pinto and (92/C 269/60) Mr Enrique Sapena Granell ( S ) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject : Regularization of social provisions for Spanish (13 February 1992) fishermen affected by a ban on catching shellfish (92/C 269/61 ) during the breeding season
For the first time in their careers , fishermen in various Subject : Prospects and possibilities of temporary parts of Spain have been required , with effect from migration September of last year, to observe a ban on catching shellfish , during the breeding season , because of Certain waves of migration have been successfully overfishing in the areas in which shellfish are found , and transformed into temporary migrations in certain to remain unemployed on dry land . Member States .
Although the official financial compensation granted to This has shown that temporary migrations can be less alleviate the adverse effects of their enforced inactivity productive of conflict and trauma , and , moreover, that has to some extent achieved its aim , the fact that such current developments in transport, social services and provisions are only temporary does nothing to reassure communications can be used to encourage such migration the fishermen in question , who are aware that the fishing patterns . ban will be repeated in years to come . Can the Commission study the possibilities offered by As a result, the fishermen have called for the crew specific types of temporary migration , in view of the members of vessels under 10 tonnes to be included in the current migration problem in Europe ? general social security scheme , which would entitle them to claim unemployment benefit whilst the fishing ban is in force . Answer given by Mrs Papandreou Can the Commission say whether the relevant on behalf of the Commission Community provisions make it possible for the Spanish fishermen to claim unemployment benefit whilst the (23 April 1992) fishing ban is in force, with a view to regularizing their situation in seasons to come and establishing permanently In its communication to the Council and the European the temporary provisions made this year ? Parliament of 11 October 1991 (') the Commission refers to the practice current in some Member States of concluding temporary employment contracts with nationals of non-member countries States and points to Answer given by Mr Marin the principles set out in an ILO recommendation ( 2 ) as an on behalf of the Commission appropriate precedent . (14 May 1992) The most common type of contract is for seasonal work , particularly in agriculture , the hotel and catering sector, The Commission would remind the Honourable Member and the building trade . The Commission has also that unemployment benefit schemes are not under its observed an increase in frontier employment contracts , responsibility but that of the Member States . some of which are of a temporary nature .
As a result, the legal and financial instruments available The Commission would draw the attention of the under the common fisheries policy do not allow for the Honourable Members to the fact that the association maintenance of fishermen's wages and related social agreements which the Community and the Member States charges . have just signed with Poland , Hungary and Czechoslovakia stipulate that the provisions for access to Shipowners and wage-earning fishermen must therefore employment which the nationals of those three countries themselves find , by way of employment contracts and in currently enjoy under bilateral agreements with the talks with their national authorities , any suitable Member States should be safeguarded and , if possible , adaptations to current compensation schemes to cope improved . Most of these bilateral agreements relate to with the present situation . temporary migration . The Commission monitors the trend in temporary migration and makes sure that the subject is placed on the No C 269/ 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10.92
agenda for discussion by the relevant committees as well (25.10), Al Ahram (8.11 ), Handelsblatt (an article for an as under the consultation procedure set up by its Decision end-of-the-year issue), The Independent (27 . 12) and , since of 8 June 1982 O the beginning ofJanuary, the Los Angeles Times ( 17.1 ) and the Guardian ( 12.3). In other words , the situation is not as O SEC(91 ) 1855 final . the Honourable Member describes it . ( 2 ) 1949 , No 86 , revised . O OJ No L 183 , 14 . 7 . 1988 . It is another story, admittedly, as far as radio and television appearances are concerned , where language is a weightier factor . Mr Delors took part in three major French broadcasts during this period . This in no way prevents him from giving short interviews on foreign television news broadcasts and his latest television interview was on Denmark's second channel in WRITTEN QUESTION No 249/92 connection with the referendum on the ratification of the by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S) Maastricht agreements . to the Commission of the European Communities All of this shows that the Commission shares the view that (13 February 1992) European information activities should be carried out in (92/C 269/62) all Member States , even though the part played by national governments in explaining Community policies continues to be important . All Members of the Subject: Media work by the Commission Commission share this viewpoint and endeavour to do their best in this field . 1 . Is it true , as the media claim, that the President of the Commission , Mr Jacques Delors is involved in about 10 times more television appearances , newspaper interviews and similar direct media work in France than in all the other Community Member States put together ?
2 . What is the actual proportion of media appearances WRITTEN QUESTION No 253/92 made by the President and the other Members of the by Mr Felice Contu ( PPE) Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (a) in their Member State or origin (24 February 1992) (92 /C 269/63) (b) in the other Member States ?
3 . Does the Commission agree that a newspaper, radio Subject: Dumping of coal or television interview by a Member of the Commission , including its President, in a Member State other than his In view of the growing imports of coal into the country of political or professional origin has a far greater Community and the threat they represent for the effect than in his country of origin ? Community coal industry, can the Commission say what steps it is taking to : 4 . What steps will the Commission take to exploit to 1 . assess the ratio between production costs and market the maximum the effect referred to in point 3 in this , the prices , last year before the completion of the internal market, and in general ? 2 . determine the relative transport costs, compared with other merchandise , 3 . compare the health and safety rules in the exporting countries with those in force in Community coal Answer given by Mr Delors mines , on behalf of the Commission (27 April 1992) 4 . study the long-term implications of these imports for energy security ? As the Honourable Member may well imagine, the President of the Commission is much sought after by the press . He rarely gives more than one interview a month , Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha and tries to be even-handed in granting them . To be on behalf of the Commission specific, Mr Delors gave three interviews to French (19 May 1992) newspapers in connection with Maastrict . In the same period he was also interviewed by the New York Times ( 10.11 ), El Pais (29.9), Der Spiegel ( 14.10) — an interview The Honourable Member's first three questions refer to carried by the Italian daily Gente and two Spanish papers work which the Commission could only carry out in detail (El Independiente and Tribuna) — La Libre Belgique as part of anit-dumping investigations . It is important to 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 35
state that the Commission can only carry out such Answer given by Mr Matutes investigations if it has received an adequately documented on behalf of the Commission complaint from the Community industry concerned . (13 July 1992) Furthermore , it is not able to comment on a complaint until it has been decided to start investigations . This approach is in keeping with the GATT recommendation The Commission has not had the opportunity to study the on the transparency of anti-dumping procedures . book by Mr Tudjman published in Zagreb in 1990 . Its attention has been drawn, however, by the Croatian The Commission obviously takes account of the Ministry of Information , to an open letter from President long-term implications of the increase of imports on the Tudjman to the members of the United States Congress in security of Community energy supply in its general which he defends himself against allegations of having thinking on the subject . It also recently pointed out, in its made anti-semitic remarks . report on the implementation of Decision No 2064/86/ECSC ('), which lays down rules for the At all events , any such remarks would certainly be granting of State aid to the coal industry, that it was condemned by the Commission, should they have been considering proposing to the Council , as part of new aid made by the most senior figure in a country seeking close arrangements , a mechanism authorizing , where links with the Community, as these can only be based on appropriate, the granting of a security premium for the adherence to fundamental democratic values , to which production of Community coal . anti-semitism runs counter .
o OJNoL 177 , 1.7 . 1986 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 275/92 by Mr Diego de los Santos López (ARC) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 273/92 (24 February 1992) by Mr Alexander Langer (V) (92/C 269/65) to the Commission of the European Communities (24 February 1 992) Subject: Illegal quarries in Malaga (92 /C 269/64) There are about 10 illegal mining and quarrying Subject : Anti-semitic remarks by President Tudjman of businesses in the province of Malaga in the municipalities Croatia of Casabermeja, Almogia, Cartama , Ojen, Antequera and Malaga which extract materials used for construction and public works . The businesses have not been properly According to press reports , a book entitled 'Bespuca licensed and are contravening environmental legislation . Povijesne Zbiljnosti' (The truth of history confounded) In addition , they are competing unfairly with those was published in Zagreb (Croatia) in 1990 , the author of undertakings which operate legally and comply with the which is supposedly Franjo Tudjman , President of the law . Republic of Croatia . The book reportedly contains very serious and incredible claims concerning the Holocaust Will the Commission request information from the perpetrated against the Jews by the Nazis (understating Spanish authorities , in particular the Government of their responsibility for the Holocaust, and the scale Andalusia, as to why these illegal quarries are allowed to thereof), all but denies Croatian involvement in the operate , since they are causing severe damage to the extermination process and shifts the blame onto the environment and infringing Council Directive victims . 85 /337/EEC (') of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the Although the book has apparently been taken off the environment ? market, the fact remains that the president of a newly independent state whose existence is so contingent on o OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 , p . 40 . European Community recognition is drawing attention to himself through views and attitudes which , without a shadow of a doubt, are highly dangerous in the 'new Europe' that is taking shape in so laborious a fashion . Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission How does the Commission view this situation , and what (5 May 1992) steps does it propose to take to point out to the Croatian President and Government that there is little likelihood of the European Community placing its trust in anyone who The Commission was unaware of the existence of these i distinguishes himself by such remarks ? quarries in the province of Malaga . No C 269/ 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10.92
This type of activity is covered by Annex II to Directive — proposals for legislative acts which the Commission 85/ 337/EEC . An assessment must therefore be carried forwards to the Council and Parliament must be out if the environmental impact is expected to be presented to the Commission for adoption in all significant. official languages .
Since the Spanish legislation in force does not meet this Commission members are free to choose their own requirement, a letter of formal notice has been sent to the working language . Spanish authorities . The Commission has issued instructions that citizens are to be addressed in their own language . However, without more detailed information on the matter, the Commission is not in a position to judge It is not true that the Commission has decided to confine whether or not Spain has failed to comply with the itself mainly to the use of English and French . abovementioned Directive . 2 and 3 . Not applicable .
4 . Yes .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 279/92 by Mr Leen van der Waal (NI) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 286/92 (24 February 1992) by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) (92/C 269/66) to the Commission of the European Communities (24 February 1992) (92/C 269/67) Subject : Language use in the EC
According to press reports , the German Chancellor has Subject : The forest of Ainou asked the President of the Commission that the German Kephallonia is the home of one of Greece's small number language be put on an equal footing with French and of forests , namely the national forest of Ainou and English in the European Community . Rodiou where wild horses live and the famous fir tree 1 . Can the Commission state the reasons why it decided thrives . How does the Commission intend to provide to restrict itself primarily to French and English ? assistance for the creation of a research centre devoted to this forest as requested by local organizations in the area ? 2 . In view of its answer to point 1 , does the Commission consider it reasonable to meet the German request ? 3 . If not, is this partly because the addition of another Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana major language to French and English would create a on behalf of the Commission clear discrimination between majority and minority (9 June 1992) languages ? 4 . Is not true that any language restriction is an The area in question is not covered by Directive infringement of Regulation No 1 of 1958 , which 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds ('), which stipulates that all official languages are equal ? is at present the only legal basis for action by the Community concerning the conservation of biotopes .
However, if the Greek authorities submit to the Commission an application for part-financing , the Answer given by Mr Delors Commission will examine whether funds could be on behalf of the Commission provided unter the ACNAT Regulation ( 2 ) or the (29 June 1992) proposed LIFE Regulation . The legal basis for the Community's research activities is 1 . Under Council Regulation No 1 and the the Single European Act (Articles 130f— q), which calls Commission's own rules governing'the languages of legal for the elaboration of framework programmes , to be instruments : implemented by means of specific programmes .
— the Commission can approve the texts of its legislative Under the current Third Framework Programme, two acts only when all authentic language versions have specific programmes are of particular interest to forests been presented ; and forestry, i.e. the specific programme 'Environment' No C 269/ 37 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities and the specific programme 'Agriculture and — Seminars agro-industry, including fisheries'. The Matthaeus seminars are intended to offer a permanent forum in which Community customs However, these programmes aim to solve Community officials can pool their experience . The seminars may problems and require the participation of more than one produce suggestions for the improvement of the Member State . legislation in force or the harmonization of the working methods of all administrations . o OJ No L 103 , 25 . 4 . 1979 . O OJNoL370 , 31 . 12 . 1991 . They involve both the staff of customs training schools and the officials responsible for applying Community law , and in particular combating fraud . Last year the Commission organized 10 seminars in conjunction with the Member States . The average length of the seminars was three days . The Belgian WRITTEN QUESTION No 296/92 customs administration took part in the seminars . by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S) — Common training programmes to the Commission of the European Communities Since they offer customs officials identical training , (24 February 1992) the common training programmes set up under (92/C 269/68 ) Matthaeus are a good way of ensuring that Community law is applied consistently at its external frontiers . Subject: Belgian participation in the Matthaus programme Last year, the Commission , in close cooperation with the Member States, drew up a common vocational Would the Commission give details of the activities training programme for officials entering the customs carried out under the Matthaus programme during 1991 service . This cooperation was born of a seminar held in which members of the the Belgian customs authorities in Maastricht last June , in which three Belgian took part, with a brief definition of the purpose and officials took part. duration of each activity (and/or dates on which it took place) and the number of Belgian officials who took part, — Language training together with their grade ? The Council Decision of 20 June last year left this aspect of Matthaeus to the Member States . The Belgian customs administration has provided training in seven Community languages for 44 officials, all of Answer given by Mrs Scrivener whom have either already taken part or are likely to on behalf of the Commission take part in exchanges . (9 April 1992) The Commission would point out to the Honourable Member that pursuant to Article 10 of the Decision of 20 Belgian customs staff have taken part in every Matthaeus June, it will very soon be submitting to Parliament and the operation so far. Council a detailed report on the achievements of the Matthaeus programme last year . These have comprised : — Exchanges These involve the exchange between customs administrations of officials with comparable career profiles . The average duration of such exchanges is one month . During their stays , officials must have the WRITTEN QUESTION No 362/92 opportunity to perform the tasks of counterparts in the host country . by Mrs Anita Pollack (S) to the Commission of the European Communities Last year 33 Belgian customs officials took part in (27 February 1992) Matthaeus exchanges : (92 /C 269/69) — three were senior managers, — 14 were in training or management, Subject: Enforcement of legal procedures and remedies — 16 were engaged in purely operational work . for individuals subject to sex discrimination Belgian officials have taken part in exchanges with customs officials of all Member States but Can the Commission confirm that it is currently funding a Luxembourg . research project on the above ; will it include research on No C 269/ 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92 ease of access to legal procedures ; who is undertaking the citizens ? Do similar anomalies exist in other Member research ; when will it be available ; will it be forwarded to States ? What action does the Commission intend to take the Women's Rights Committee of the European to achieve a fairer harmonization of social security Parliament ? arrangements, since this is vital if the free movement of persons , especially students , is to be more than an abstract principle ?
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (22 April 1992) Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission The Commission confirms that a research project on the enforcement of legal procedures and remedies for (13 May 1992) individuals subject to sex discrimination is being funded . The title of the study is 'Sex equality litigation in the Member States of the European Community'. The main Italian law requires Italian nationals residing on national objective of the study is to consider the extent to which territory to be insured against sickness by the Servizio national litigation processes in discrimination law meet sanitario nazionale (National Health Service). There is a the broadening obligations of Community law in relation to remedies . compulsory contribution calculated on the basis of individual earnings . The research is being undertaken by a team of researchers from the United Kingdom and the final report will be Nationals of other Member States working in Italy are ready by the end of the year. insured in the same way.
As soon as this final report is available , the Commission will forward some copies to the members of the Women's Nationals of other Member States residing in Italy who Rights Committee of the European Parliament. are not working or are not covered by an international ' convention may join the national scheme on condition that they pay a contribution fixed by Italian law . For university students this contribution is reduced by 50% .
All members of the national scheme are entitled to the same benefits in kind (surgery visits and home calls , medicines , nursing , tests , hospitalization, etc.); there is no WRITTEN QUESTION No 364/92 exception or reduction for any category of insured by Mr Adrien Zeller (PPE) person . to the Commission of the European Communities (27 February 1992) The Commission is unaware of any systematic (92/C 269/70) discrimination in the application of the above Italian provisions in combination with Community law. The same applies to the equivalent provisions of the other Subject: Social security arrangements for students Member States . originating in an EEC Member State and studying in another Member State The Commission obviously examines each controversial The recent case of a French student pursuing a course in case brought to its attention , duly documented . medicine in Italy has raised an important social security problem . Since he was studying outside France and thus Regulations (EEC) No 1408 /71 and (EEC) No 574/72 not paying contributions to the French social security ensure the coordination of national social security scheme , he was considered to fall under the private schemes applicable to employed persons, to scheme for foreigners, in accordance with the Italian self-employed persons and to members of their families social security legislation . Under this scheme , only significant expenses in respect of health — such as moving within the Community. hospitalization — are met by the authorities ; routine medical expenses must be paid for entirely out of the Consequently, students — who are neither employed nor student's pocket. self-employed — are not covered by these Regulations . However, the Commission recently put before the Can the Commission confirm the existence of this Council a proposal for a Regulation designed to extend discrimination between Italian citizens and other EEC the above coordination to all insured persons , including No C 269/39 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities students ('). If the Council adopts this proposal , students WRITTEN QUESTION No 407/92 studying in a Member State other than the Member State by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S) in which they are insured will be entitled to the benefits in to the Commission of the European Communities kind provided by the Member State in which they are studying . (2 March 1992) (92/C 269/72) O OJ No C 46 , 20 . 2 . 1992 . Subject : The discriminatory effect of national military service Are attempts to standardize the terms of competition between job-seekers of different nationalities not vitiated by the different military service requirements to which WRITTEN QUESTION No 399/92 they are subject ? by Mr Pol Marck ( PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities (27 February 1 992) Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (92/C 269/71 ) (21 April 1992) Subject: Quality control of potatoes after 1992 The variety of military service requirements applicable in the Member States can only be called into question under From 1993 onwards a Member State must accept potatoes Community law if it results in an infringement of the emanating from another Member State if they satisfy the principle of equal treatment between workers of the host latter's requirements . Bearing in mind that there are no country and workers who are nationals of other Member European quality standards and that chaos will ensue if States . For example , the Court has already ruled that the each Member State retains its own standards , what form principle of equal treatment, as enshrined more will quality control take ? particularly in Article 48 (2) of the EEC Treaty and Article 7 ( 1 ) of Regulation (EEC) No 1612 /68 , implies that a worker who is a national of a Member State and who has had to interrupt his employment with an Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry undertaking in another Member State in order to fulfil his on behalf of the Commission military service obligations is entitled to have the period (11 June 1992) of his military service taken into account in the calculation of his seniority in that undertaking to the extent to which the periods of military service in the country of At present, no common organization on the market in employment are also taken into account for the benefit of potatoes exists . In the context of the completion of the national workers (Case 15 /69 — Ugiola [ 1969] ECR 363). internal market, this could possibly create difficulties since different national legislation applies , particularly in Conversely, the fact that the rules applied in one Member relation to quality . State are stricter than those applied in other Member States does not constitute a breach of the principle of Therefore , the Commission intends to propose to the non-discrimination as long as the provisions in question, Council a common market organization on potatoes . One assuming they are otherwise compatible with Community major feature of such a regime will be the adoption of law, are applied equally to every person under the common quality standards . These standards will replace jurisdiction of that State (Case 223/ 86 Pesca Valentia national ones , where they exist, and allow for a free [ 19881 ECR 83). exchange of commodities within the Community. Common quality requirements already exist for seed potatoes based on Directive 66/403/EEC ( l ). Given the advanced harmonization in this field , checks at the WRITTEN QUESTION No 427/92 internal borders with regard to seed potatoes have been abolished . by Mr Alex Smith (S) to the Commission of the European Communities Phytosanitary aspects of potato trade are dealt with in a (2 March 1992) broader context based on Directive 77/93 /EEC ( 2 ). (92 /C 269/73) Further harmonization in this field is being discussed at the moment . Subject: Radioactive waste O OJ No 125 , 11.7 . 1966 . Pursuant to the Environment Commissioner's reply to O OJNoL26 , 31 . 1 . 1977 . Written Question No 954/91 (') by Mr Llewellyn Smith , the member for South East Wales, will the Commission state : No C 269/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
1 . whether any significant changes have taken place in As regards point 2 of the question , the figure of 5 % , the amounts and proportions of: quoted from the document SEC(89) 801 final , refers to the breakdown of shipment according to the various uses — radioactive waste of the materials transported . — spent nuclear fuel — fresh unirradiated nuclear fuel As regards point 3 of the question , at the end of December 1990 about 124 000 tonnes of depleted — natural uranium uranium were under Euratom safeguards in the Community. The majority of this material was distributed — enriched uranium and in storage installations (about 64%) and in enrichment — medical isotopes plants (about 31 %). The Honourable Member may obtain comprehensive information about the stocks of nuclear that have been material in the European Community and its distribution per installation type and element category in tables II . 2 (a) transported into the Community and II . 3 of the 'Report on the operation of Euratom safeguards' issued by the Commission ( 3 ). (b) transported permanently between Member States and O COM(84) 233 final and SEC(89) 801 final. (c) transported temporarily between Member States O OJ No L 35 , 12.2 . 1992 . O SEC(92) 80 final . since completion of the second report on the transport of radioactive materials in the European Community (SEC(89) 801 final) to which reference is made :
2 . whether the 5 % to which reference is made refers to volume , weight or frequency of transport :
3 . what amounts of depleted uranium are stored in the WRITTEN QUESTION No 433/92 Community; at what sites ; and under what safeguards arrangements ? by Mr Herman Verbeek (V) to the Commission of the European Communities O OJ No C 2 , 6 . 1 . 1992 , p. 11 . (2 March 1992) (92/C 269/74)
Subject : Leaks in Eastern European oil and gas pipelines Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission In its answer to my Question No 2650/90 (*) on leaks in (24 June 1992) gas pipelines in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union the Commission said it would 'be giving due consideration to this problem', principally to reduce emissions of methane The Special Permanent Working Party for the transport gas caused by leaks . It is now clear from information of radioactive substances set up by the Commission in released by the Soviet Government that in 1990 alone 1982 is presently preparing its third report on the 80 — 110 million barrels of oil (the equivalent of 300 — 400 transport of radioactive materials in the European times the loss from the Exxon Valdez) were lost through Community . The Commission will transmit it to the other leaks in Siberian oil pipelines . Community institutions concerned as it did for the two previous reports ('). Furthermore , Council Directive 1 . In what way do the Commission's aid programmes for 92/ 3 /Euratom on the supervision and control of Eastern Europe reflect the 'due consideration' for shipments of radioactive waste between Member States modernizing and repairing natural gas and oil and into and out of the Community ( 2 ) imposes on pipelines in Eastern Europe ? Approximately how Member States , for the first time on 31 January 1994 , the many kilometres of old pipeline were replaced in obligation to forward to the Commission reports on the 1991 ? implementation of the Directive and on the situation with regard to shipments within their respective territories . On 2 . Does the European Energy Charter give any the basis of these reports , the Commission shall prepare consideration to this problem ? For example , will any summary reports for the European Parliament, the money be invested in modernizing oil and gas Council and the Economic and Social Committee . distribution lines and will one of the forthcoming protocols be concerned with repairs to , and the safety As regards point 1 of the question, the Commission does of, such lines ? not collect statistics which would allow it to draw up the information requested . O OJNoC 115 , 29 . 4 . 1991 , p. 19 . 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/41
Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha 2 . Finally , regarding the Energy Charter and on behalf of the Commission associated protocols , we believe that, given an appropriate (13 July 1992) investment climate, the future participation of foreign companies in the CIS hydrocarbons sector will certainly assist in improving the safety and operational conditions of hydrocarbons production and transportation . 1 . In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC/Euratom) No 2157/91 of July 1991 ( 1 ), the (') OJ No L 201 , 24 . 7 . 1991 . Commission developed the Technical Assistance Programme to the CIS and the Sectoral Programme for Energy was signed in December 1991 .
The disintegration of the former Soviet Union has caused some complications and delays , the main obstacle being WRITTEN QUESTION No 460/92 the need to (re)establish reliable interlocutors on the recipient side . In the course of a technical mission carried by Mr Klaus Wettig (S) out at the end of February 1992 it was ascertained that the to the Commission of the European Communities aging hydrocarbons pipeline network was suffering from (9 March 1992) corrosion and the old compressors required modernization . The need for upgrading the (92/C 269/75) transportation control systems was also identified as a means to better ascertain the product flows , establish Subject: Simplified procedure for establishing the inflow-outflow balances and assist in the control of daily customs value of certain perishable products operations . (fresh fruit and vegetables)
Gazprom, which is engaged in an ambitious programme It is reported that the Commission intends in the near of pipeline inspection covering 2000 km of pipeline future to discontinue the simplified system which has ranging from 300 to 1400 mm diameter up to 1995 , been used for many years to establish the customs value of endorsed the following projects on this issue as recipient fresh fruit and vegetables and that a proposal has been organization : made to abolish its legal basis (Article 16a of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3193/ 80 (') amending Regulation (EEC) No 1224/80 ( 2 ). — Diagnostic evaluation of selected pipeline sections in the Russian network and development of maintenance and operational procedures to improve capacity and It appears that the simplified procedure for fruit and reduce losses . vegetables is to be replaced by the standard customs procedure or a simplified procedure under Council Directive 90/ 504/EEC (J), requiring the computerization — Examination of compressor stations in selected of the undertakings and national administrations corridors of the CIS grid . concerned .
— Technical assistance to improve the control systems Under this procedure , all small and medium-sized fruit for gas production and transmission . and vegetable importers would either be unable to continue importing or would find themselves faced with — Review of design and maintenance standards for gas considerably more difficult customs declaration equipment and pipelines , specifying recommendations procedures . In addition , only some of the Member States for materials and inspection to bring them up to have computerized their administrations , while others do Western levels . not have the necessary resources . In view of the considerable problems facing this sector (small and medium-sized undertakings would lose their livelihood) In addition to the above, a Task-force of Western experts and the enormous additional workload for Member has been set up to identify the problems encountered in States and importers arising from the standard customs the Tyumen area, now producing about 70% of the total procedures : * crude oil of the CIS, which has been selected as a pilot project under the Community programme . 1 . Is the Commission's decision to discontinue the simplified customs valuation procedure for fruit and vegetables based on detailed consideration of its In addition to the actions envisaged in the Technical advantages and drawbacks ? Assistance Programme which respond to a medium-term strategy, the Commission as well as Member States 2 . Have the Member States been sufficiently informed participate in the Energy Working Group of the and consulted ? Conference on Assistance to the new Independent States . This Group has identified a number of short-term needs , 3 . Will this not lead to more stringent import formalities some of them also addressing the present condition of the as of 1 January 1993 , which could be construed as a pipeline network . further barrier to trade imposed by the Community on No C 269/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10.92
third countries , coinciding with the completion of the Answer given by Mr Millan internal market ? on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1992) (*) OJ No L 333 , 11 . 12 . 1980 , p . 1 . O OJ No L 134 , 31.5 . 1980 , p . 1 . O OJ No L 281 , 12 . 10 . 1990 , p . 28 . The Commission adopted the 'La Mancha' Integrated Operational Programme (IOP) on 31 January 1990 . This programme includes some projects , such as the Tomelloso-Argamasilla relief road , in outline only since , in accordance with the structural Fund rules , only large Answer given by Ms Scrivener projects (that is to say, those whose total cost exceeds on behalf of the Commission ECU 15 million) must be described in detail in the OPs . (9 July 1992) As regards the project referred to by the Honourable Member, the Commission has heard nothing to suggest The Commission's right of initiative means that it can that it has been abandoned . On the contrary, the make proposals for Regulations or proposals for information available indicates that it will be amendments to existing Regulations . A decision to make implemented , even it there may be some delays . such a proposal is taken only after detailed study of the resultant advantages and drawbacks . So far the Commission has not adopted any proposal on the matter raised by the Honourable Member.
In answer to the question of the Honourable Member, the WRITTEN QUESTION No 499/92 matter is currently under consideration and all aspects of by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S) the problem , including the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member, will be taken into account . to European Political Cooperation (9 March 1992) (92/C 269/77)
Subject: Assistance for border commissions set up by Zaire , Rwanda and Burundi
WRITTEN QUESTION No 486/92 Is EPC providing aid , or will it provide aid , for the new by Mr Miguel Arias Cañete ( PPE) commissions set up by the Presidents of Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi to solve the serious border problems between to. the Commission of the European Communities these countries ? (9 March 1992) (92/C 269/76) Answer Subject: 'La Mancha' Integrated Development Operation (7 September 1 992) — Tomelloso-Argamasilla road The Community and its Member States have not received In December 1989 the Commission adopted the 'La any specific request from the authorities of the three Mancha' Integrated Development Operation (IDO), to countries concerned regarding possible help to the joint be funded from ERDF appropriations for Spain . This commissions created in Mbandaka . operation included the Tomelloso-Argamasilla relief road project, the cost of which was put at Pta 154 million for The Community and its Member States have repeatedly 1991 , Pta 300 million for 1992 and Pta 200 million for stated their serious concern at the conflicts to which the 1993 . To date , no work has been carried out on this relief Honourable Member refers . They have consistently road and ifto appropriations have been earmarked from supported mediation efforts aimed at solving existing the Spanish Government's budget for 1992 for the differences by peaceful means . They believe that any cofunding of this project. solution to the border conflicts between Zaire , Rwanda and Burundi lies first and foremost in the resolve of these Does this mean that the Spanish Government has countries to overcome them . modified the content of the IDO to exclude the Tomelloso-Argamasilla relief road and replace it with The Community and its Member States are following the another project ? developments mentioned by the Honourable Member very closely , which they hope will prove to be an If not, what steps will the Commission take to ensure that important step forward . the projects initially contained in the 'La Mancha' IDO are carried out ? 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/43
WRITTEN QUESTION No 519/92 barriers to trade . It is therefore establishing a draft by Mr Ben Visser (S) proposal for a Directive on packaging and packaging waste which shall , on the one hand , ensure a high level of to the Commission of the European Communities protection of the environment and, on the other, provide (16 March 1992) the necessary degree of harmonization of national (92 /C 269/78) policies .
3 . Due to the Agreement between the European Subject : Packaging law Community and the EFTA countries laying down a procedure for the exchange of information in the field of technical regulations ('), the Commission is already in Following the introduction of the packaging law in principle able to take account of the developments in the Germany which was the subject of Written Question EFTA countries in the area of packaging law . Moreover, a No 2494/91 ('), France is also planning to take measures common approach will be guaranteed once the Agreement in this area involving the introduction of a compulsory between the European Community and the EFTA levy for the recycling/reprocessing of waste from countries on the European Economic Area is concluded , packaging. Unlike the German law, these arrangements as the Community aquis such as EC legislation will be would not apply to transport packaging . Other Member incorporated into this agreement, except for areas where States are also expected to take measures in this area . The an explicit exception is stipulated . same applies to third countries , in particular Austria , which is drawing up a packaging regulation to enter into force on 1 July 1992 . (') Council Decision 90/518 /EEC ; OJ No L 291 , 23 . 10 . 1990 .
1 . What view does the Commission take of the fact that different rules and regulations on packaging are being introduced in the various Member States ?
2 . Does the Commission consider that the free movement of goods within the internal market requires uniform rules concerning the obligation to return packaging, contributions to the costs of recycling and other relevant aspects of packaging and WRITTEN QUESTION No 524/92 transport packaging ? If so , what steps will the by Mr Gerardo Fernàndez-Albor ( PPE) Commission take ? to European Political Cooperation (16 March 1992) 3 . Will the Commission take account of developments in the EFTA countries in this area and attempt to ensure (92/C 269/79) that uniform rules are introduced ?
o OJ No C 202 , 10 . 8 . 1992 , p. 19 . Subject: Possibility of multiparty democracy in Uganda
The statement by the President of Uganda , Yoweri Museveni that 'if the people wants political parties it will have them' arouses hopes that this African country, after Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana 20 years of dictatorship and civil war, is on the threshold on behalf of the Commission of a multiparty democratic political future . (24 June 1992) However, his observation that democracy and elections are able to exist without political parties is evidence of a 1 . The Commission considers packaging waste to be a dubious attitude, which indicates that firmer action complex problem , the seriousness of which has prompted should be taken in certain areas to ensure that there will several Member States to develop different policies in this be a genuinely democratic government unequivocally field , either by a regulatory approach or by voluntary based on a multiparty system . agreements . Whilst recognizing the necessity to reduce the amount and impact of packaging waste , the Commission is fo the opinion that different national Do the Ministers consider that support and development measures risk creating obstacles to the free movement of aid for Uganda should be accompanied by unequivocal goods . calls for a multiparty democratic system in that country and that they should use their political influence to ensure Uganda's future respect for fundamental rights and 2 . The Commission believes that a common approach freedoms , which can only be guaranteed in a democracy in this field is preferable in order to avoid any possible based on a multiparty system ? No C 269/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
Answer 2 . Was this right granted on condition that those (7 September 1 992) concerned should have sickness insurance and not be dependent on welfare benefits ? The Community and its Member States share the view 3 . Is it correct that these arrangements were scheduled expressed by the Honourable Member about the need for to enter into force at the end of 1991 and , if so , have they genuine democracy and respect for fundamental rights in fact done so ? and freedoms in Uganda . They have adopted this position constantly in their contacts with the Ugandan authorities , most recently at the Consultative Group meeting in May. Answer given by Mr Bangemann They will continue to encourage the political reform on behalf of the Commission process in Uganda , and hope that the recommendations of the Constitutional Commission , to be considered by a (25 June 1992) Constituent Assembly probably next year, will lead to elections within a permanent, fully accountable , and 1 . On 28 June 1990 the Council adopted Directive pluralistic political structure . 90/ 364/EEC on the right of residence , Directive 90/ 365/EEC on the right of residence for employees and self-employed persons who have ceased their occupational activity, and Directive 90/366/EEC on the right of residence for students ('). These three Directives extend the right of residence to persons who had not WRITTEN QUESTION No 535/92 previously enjoyed it . by Mrs Anita Pollack (S) 2 . They establish the principle that beneficiaries must to the Commission of the European Communities not become a burden on the host Member States during (16 March 1992) their period of residence and so make the right of (92 /C 269/ 80) residence conditional on compliance with certain conditions relating to resources and sickness insurance . Subject: Canadian rainforests 3 . Member States have to take the necessary steps to comply with these Directives by 30 June 1992 . Does the Commission know whether any timber or paper pulp from Canadian rainforests is imported into the o OJ No L 180 , 13 . 7 . 1990 . European Community; if so , to which country and in what quantities ?
Answer given by Mr Andriessen WRITTEN QUESTION No 566/92 on behalf of the Commission by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek ( LDR) (10 July 1992) to the Commission of the European Communities (19 March 1992) The Community imports significant quantities of timber and paper pulp from Canada . A certain numer of (92/C 269/ 82) Canadian forests are temperate rain forests . However, the statistics for imports into the Community of timber and Subject : Duty-free import of diesel oil paper pulp do not distinguish by type the forest of origin . Does the Commission consider that the restrictions applied by certain Community Member States to the free import of diesel oil contained in the fuel tanks of heavy goods vehicles is justifiable , given the moves being made towards the completion of the internal market and WRITTEN QUESTION No 554/92 harmonization of excise duty on diesel ? by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mrs Scrivener (19 March 1992) on behalf of the Commission (92/C 269/ 81 ) (3 June 1992)
Subject: Right of residence for students , pensioners and The Council has recently adopted Directive those not in paid employment 92/ 12 /EEC O on the general arrangements for products subject to excise duty and on the holding, movement and 1 . Is it true that the 12 Member States have monitoring of such products . unanimously adopted a Commission proposal guaranteeing students , pensioners and those not in paid Among the measures covered, it is provided that Directive employment, who are Community nationals the right of 68 /297/EEC ( 2 ) will cease to apply from 31 December residence throughout the European Community ? 1992 . With effect from this date , all quantitative 19 . 10.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/45 restrictions on fuel in the normal tanks of heavy goods waste tip at Camerano Casasco in the Noci valley vehicles moving between Member States will end . (province of Asti)? o OJ No L 76 , 23 . 3 . 1992 . Given the sandy nature of the terrain and the close O OJNoL 175 23 . 7 . 1968 . proximity of the projected dump with the ground water supplying the local mains , there would be a high risk of contamination , as the local health authorities and the relevant regional committees have rightly pointed out .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 585/92 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI) Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (17 June 1992) (19 March 1992) (92/C 269/ 83) In order that it may assess this matter with a full knowledge of the facts , the Commission would be Subject: Community directive on blood transfusions grateful if the Honourable Member could provide it with the following information : Does the Commission intend to draw up a directive laying down specific health standards for blood transfusions , — the nature of the waste ; introducing compulsory screening for hepatitis C and AIDS antibodies , since certain countries , including Italy, — a description of the tip and its location ; import large quantities of plasma in order to meet their — the location of the groundwater catchment area for requirements ? the mains in question ; — documents relating to the administrative proceedings currently under way, including documents produced Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission by the bodies referred to in the question ; (18 May 1992) — copies of any documents submitted to the legal authority.
The Commission is fully aware of the importance of The Commission believes that on the basis of this ensuring the safety of blood transfusions throughout the additional information it will be able to approach the Community . Italian authorities . Council Directive 89/381 /EEC of 14 June 1989 (*) already Jays down a set of rules to that effect for medicinal products derived from blood . Regarding blood self-sufficiency and voluntary donations , a draft report has been prepared for the WRITTEN QUESTION No 604/92 Council of Europe and the Commission assessing the by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S ) situation in the Community . It is expected that this report will be finalized in the near future . to the Commission of the European Communities (23 March 1992) 0 ) OJNoL 181,28 . 6 . 1989 . (92/C 269/ 85)
Subject: Telephone card which can be used in all the Member States
WRITTEN QUESTION No 588/92 Has the Commission taken any steps to encourage the creation of a single telephone card which can be used in all by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI) the Member States or is it planning such measures ? to the Commission of the European Communities (19 March 1992) (92/C 269/ 84) Answer given by Mr Pandolfi on behalf of the Commission Subject: Camerano Casasco waste tip in the Noci valley (24 June 1992) (province of Asti) Will the Commission take urgent measures to ensure The problem of using telephone cards and the difficulties compliance with the recommendations of the relevant encountered by people called upon to travel a lot has technical and health authorities opposing the location of a already been brought before the Commission . No C 269/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
At the beginning of 1990 the Commission asked the farmed game meat . It has been decided to debate European Standardization Authorities , and in particular separately the parts of the Commission proposal dealing the CEN and the ETSI, to establish the requisite with wild game separately, as this product presents standards to ensure an adequate level of use of telephone different health problems . cards throughout the Community . 2 . The Commission has accepted the splitting of the Work is in progress and the Commission hopes to obtain proposal , on the understanding that the proposed rules proposals before the end of 1992 to permit telephone for wild game will be approved by the Council in a short cards to be gradually employed without difficulty time . The discussion is based on the Commission proposal throughout the Community . for the rules for wild game contained in COM(89) 496 final and COM(90) 555 final, which includes modifications made at the request of the Parliament. The Commission reserves, at this stage , its position on the parts of the Council draft that differ from its original proposal .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 625/92 3 . The date of approval of the rules for wild game by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE) depends on the time necessary to arrive at an agreement to the Commission of the European Communities on the Commission proposal. Considering the work done (23 March 1992) recently, it is likely that the proposal will be adopted in the month of May 1992 . (92 /C 269/86) o OJNoC 327 , 30 . 12 . 1989 . Subject : Council directive concerning public health and O OJNoC 311 , 12 . 12 . 1990 . animal health problems affecting the production and placing on the market of rabbit meat and farmed game meat The original Commission proposal for a regulation was completely changed during negotiations in the Council . The original regulation became a directive from which the WRITTEN QUESTION No 632/92 whole subject of wild game was removed . by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) to the Commission of the European Communities It is reported that the Council's working parties have a (23 March 1992) new text on this matter which was not covered by Directive 9 1 /495 /EEC ('). (92/C 269/ 87) 1 . Can the Commission confirm this ? Subject: Marine pollution off Elefsina, Agii Theodori 2 . Does the Commission agree with the text drawn up by and in the Thermaikos Gulf the Council which was not resubmitted to the Parliament (on account of the Court's judgement on A sensation has been caused in Greece by the publication the legal basis under Article 43)? of the results of a recent investigation by the Greek 'Greenpeace' office , revealing the presence of toxic waste 3 . When does the Commission expect a decision to be deposits on the seabed off Elefsina and Agii Theodori and taken on this subject ? in the Thermaikos Gulf. It is no exaggeration to say that all the Greek newspapers , radio and television stations are o OJ No L 268 , 24 . 9 . 1991 , p. 41 . covering the story and drawing public attention to the dangers of seabed pollution . In view of the extent of the pollution in these three areas, does the Commission consider that it should take urgent steps to monitor Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry compliance with existing legislation and implement on behalf of the Commission environmental measures to remedy the situation ? (2 June 1992)
1 . The Council decided on 27 November 1990 to adopt a part of the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) Answer given by Mr Van Miert concerning game meat and rabbit meat (COM(89) 496 on behalf of the Commission final) (*) as amended by COM(90) 555 final ( 2 ) adopting (22 July 1992) the rules concerning rabbit meat and farmed game meat. Those rules are laid down in Council Directive 91 /495/EEC of 27 November 1990 concerning public The Commission does not possess any information about health and animal health problems affecting the toxic waste disposal in the three sea areas of Elefsina , Agii production and placing on the market of rabbit meat and Theodori and the Thermaikos Gulf. 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/47
As the type and features of the waste which may have been Member States must inspect the security of the plant with disposed of are not known , Directive 76/464/EEC on the regard to the risk of earthquakes and , where necessary, disposal of dangerous substances into the aquatic take additional measures for protection in the event of an environment (') is one of the Directives which may in earthquake . principle apply. In the course of their normal monitoring of the natural In accordance with Directive 76/464/EEC and the gas project in Greece , which is assisted by the directives adopted subsequent to it, the competent Greek Community's structural Funds , the Commission services authorities are required to obtain prior authorization for have been made aware by the Greek authorities of the the disposal of any dangerous substances in List I existence of a geological fault on site in the island of (Article 3) and/or List II (Article 7 (2)). Revithousa . The presence of this fault was in fact identified in advance of the works by seismological These authorizations must conform to the conditions laid analysis . down in the specific Community Directives for List I substances and the national programme for reducing It is the responsibility of the Member States to ensure List II substances . adequate safety precautions for the installation in question , which indeed are a prerequisite for its The Commission will ask the national authorities subsequent operation . The Commission will continue to concerned for information about this matter . monitor the situation . o OTNoL 129 , 18.5 . 1976 . O OJNoL230 , 5 . 8 . 1982 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 645/92 WRITTEN QUESTION No 637/92 by Mr James Ford (S) by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (23 March 1992) (23 March 1992) (92/C 269/ 89) (92/C 269/ 88) Subject: Equal treatment of EC employees by Subject: Construction of a natural gas plant at Revithousa pan-European employers The company constructing a natural gas plant on Will the Commission comment on the situation of a Revithousa has recently informed the public Gas constituent of mine , employed in the UK by a Belgian Corporation that there are underground tectonic fissures company, who upon redundancy appears to be on the island . In view of this situation , which places the experiencing discrimination compared with his Belgian plant at greater risk, the Elefsina planning office has colleagues . issued instructions that all construction work on the island is to be stopped until further notice . Given these developments , will the Commission recommend that the Greek Government take additional measures to protect Answer given by Mrs Papandreou the natural gas plant on Revithousa in the event of an on behalf of the Commission earthquake ? (3 July 1992)
The information provided by the Honourable Member Answer given by Mr Millan does not seem to the Commission to warrant a conclusion on behalf of the Commission that this case falls to be treated under Community law. (16 June 1992) The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that the principle of The Commission would remind the Honourable Member non-discrimination expressly enshrined in Article 48 of that Council Directive 82/501 /EEC on the major the Treaty does not apply to a situation which is strictly accident hazards of certain industrial activities (') requires internal to a Member State . operators of new high-risk installations to notify the competent national authorities of sources of danger It is for the person concerned to prove to the competent arising from the location of the site . In addition, Member courts that he is the victim of the discrimination where he States must ensure that the operators of such installations believes that to be the case . But he would be well advised take the most appropriate measures to prevent major to ask his employer beforehand about the possibly quite accidents and provide for the means necessary to legitimate legal grounds for the difference in treatment. minimize the consequences of any such accidents . In the particular case of a site for the storage of natural gas, the No C 269/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
WRITTEN QUESTION No 652/92 As far as the Commission is aware , in most, if not in all by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE) Member States, the candidate can sit the aptitude test twice or even three times . to the Commission of the European Communities (26 March 1992) Article 8 of the directive requires that recourse shall be (92 /C 269/90) available against a negative decision or a non-decision of the competent authority before a court or tribunal in accordance with the provisions of national law . Subject: General system for the recognition of diplomas/degrees
Could the Commission inform me how many Member States have fully implemented the general system for the recognition of diplomas/degrees (Directive WRITTEN QUESTION No 685/92 89/48 /EEC) (') and will the Commission be instigating by Mr Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( S) proceedings shortly against those Member States which have failed in this matter ? to the Commission of the European Communities (26 March 1992) In relation to the General System , what is the (92/C 269/91 ) Commission's opinion regarding the level of fees established by Member States for the compulsory aptitude test ? Is there a procedure whereby a candidate can sit Subject: Erasmus programme : level of grants and the cost these tests a second time and is there an appeals procedure of living established to assist candidates who feel they have been unfairly treated ? One of the most serious problems facing the holders of ' Erasmus grants is the high price of accommodation . o OJ No L 19 , 24 . 1 . 1989 p. 16 . Does the Commission not consider that Erasmus grants should be adjusted to take account of living costs in the Member State in which the student resides ?
Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (27July 1992) Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1992) To date , Ireland , the United Kingdom , Denmark, Portugal , Italy and Spain have communicated to the Commission the texts of the general laws regarding the The amount of the Erasmus student grant is fixed by the implementation of the directive . Some of these texts have National Grant Awarding Authority in each Member to be followed by other measures of implementation . State within parameters laid down by the Commission and taking into account the complementarity of EC funding France and Germany have chosen a sectoral approach : in to national grant structures . The main components of the these countries the directive is or will be implemented in grant are travel costs , expenses for linguistic preparation , relation to individual professions or by professional extra expenses arising from higher cost of living in the sector. Both countries have already notified the host country and additional expenses related to the Commission most of the measures necessary to comply change in the individual material circumstances of with the directive . students during their stay abroad , notably higher costs for accommodation . So far, only Greece, Belgium , the Netherlands (except for patent agents) and Luxembourg (except for paramedicals) have not notified the Commission of their national measures of implementation .
The Commission has introduced infringement WRITTEN QUESTION No 715/92 proceedings against those Member States who have not by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S ) communicated in whole or in part their national measures to the Commission of the European Communities of implementation . (6 April 1992) As far as the Commission knows some Member States will (92/C 269/92) ask for fees for the aptitude test. Fees are as such not contrary to the spirit of the directive so long as they Subject: Cartoon programme correspond to the administrative cost for the aptitude test . Of course , the fees cannot be so high as to amount to a What were the results of the Cartoon programme and barrier to free movement. what were the priorities in its implementation ? 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/49
Answer given by Mr Dondelinger technologies and scenarios held in seven different on behalf of the Commission countries . 70% of the participants found employment in (25 May 1992) the studios where they were trained .
Cartoon , also known as the European Association of Animation Film , is an initiative of the Media programme and , like the other activities launched under that programme , became operational in January 1991 .
The main purpose of Cartoon is to set up cross-frontier networks of animation studios, which , by regrouping their technical resources and artistic knowhow, are able to increase their productivity and competitiveness in such a WRITTEN QUESTION No 725/92 way as to meet television broadcasters' needs for by Mr Alexandras Alavanos (CG) animated programmes . to the Commission of the European Communities (6 April 1992) In 1991 , Cartoon provided support — contributions (92/C 269/93) towards the additional costs of coordination and harmonization of working methods — for six grouping operations involving 22 studios . The studios grouped together will develop 84 projects over the next three to five years with an estimated production budget of ECU 86 Subject : Water pollution inThessaly million . By the end of 1992, these grouping operations should affect a total of 30 studios . To enable studios to work together, Cartoon has contributed to the design and In the Asmakios-Karla area of Thessaly effluent from publication of a Technical Handbook on the production factories into the drainage and irrigation channels of of animated cartoons accompanied by a glossary of Asmaki and Gousbasanioti has reached unacceptable technical animation terms in the nine Community levels , emitting a foul odour and causing poisoning, languages . headaches , vomiting and skin complaints . In addition , the disruption of the oxygen balance has killed off large numbers of fish . The water in the irrigation channels is The industrialization of production techniques unsuitable for irrigation . The pollution is affecting all necessarily involves the computerization of production water resources and threatening all of Eastern Thessaly operations . In order to create European software systems and the prefecture of Magnisia . More generally, it has — with the aim of attracting back to Europe some of the disrupted the ecosystem and the level of trace elements manufacturing processes which , owing to lower costs , are and toxic substances has not been measured . It would currently carried out in South-East Asia — Cartoon , in appear that the following directives are being infringed : collaboration with the Media Investment Club for new Directive 74/464/EEC ( ! ) and Directive 86/280/EEC ( 2 ) technologies has issued an invitation to European on limit values and quality objectives for discharges of companies to tender for the design and operation of such certain dangerous substances , Directive 78 /659/EEC (3 ) software under the title 'Computer Cartoon'. on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life , Directive The revival of the European studios is being promoted by 79/869/EEC (4) and Directive 80/778 /EEC ( 5 ) on the means of repayable loans for the development of quality of drinking water, Directive 80/68 /EEC (6) on the production projects : some 70 projects have already protection of groundwater and Directive 85/ 337/EEC ( 7 ) received aid . on environmental impact assessments . The problem of water pollution in Eastern Thessaly is linked with the demands of the local inhabitants for Lake Karla to be Every year, Cartoon organizes the Cartoon Forum, cleaned up which have met with a favourable reception in which , for five days , brings together producers, view of the positive impact on the environment which this broadcasters , studios and publishers to discuss specific would have . The unfortunate drying-out of the lake has projects (submitted beforehand to the television stations). had an unfavourable impact on the local ecosystem and In 1991 , 300 representatives of these professions attended microclimate . the forum in Saint-Malo (France), where 70 projects were presented . At the end of the meeting , 140 hours of programmes entailing a budget of ECU 40 million were 1 . Will the Commission finance a study into sources of assured of reaching a production stage and the pollution, the level of their accumulation and the negotiations were well under way as regards many other seasonal nature of water pollution in this area ? projects . 2 . What steps will it take to implement Community In 1991 , Cartoon contributed to the training of 225 directives on water pollution in this area caused by professionals by means of 16 training courses in factories and clean up accumulated pollutant sediment animation , preparation , tracing and colouring, new in water channels ? No C 269/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
3 . Has it consulted the Greek Government on the Should reports of such intolerance towards Greek citizens possibility of joint action to clean up Lake Karla ? of the Community be confirmed, what measures does the Commission intend to adopt with regard to Albania in the ') OJ No L 129 , 18 . 5 . 1976 , p . 23 . light of the EEC/Albania economic cooperation 2 ) OJ No L 181 , 4 . 7 . 1986 , p . 16 . agreement which is shortly to be approved ? 3 ) OJNoL222 , 14 . 8 . 1978 , p . 1 . 4 ) OJ No L 271 , 29 . 10 . 1979 , p . 44 s ) OJ No L 229, 30 . 8 . 1980 , p . 1 1 . ') OJ No L 20 , 26 . 1 . 1980 , p . 43 . Answer given by Mr Andriessen 7 ) OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 , p . 40 . on behalf of the Commission (11 June 1992)
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana The Commission regrets the breakdown of law and order on behalf of the Commission in Albania which has led to incidents of violence against (24 June 1992) Albanian citizens members of the Greek minority in the southern parts of the country. It recalls that a statement of concern over such incidents was issued by the Community The Commission has no information on the situation and Member States in the framework of European described in the region of Asmaki and Karla regarding Political Cooperation on 17 February. The Commission industrial activities, discharges and consequently the has also received reports of violent incidents, including dangerous substances in question . Under Directive attacks on Greek citizens , involving Albanian nationals 76/464/EEC (discharge of dangerous substances into the who have crossed the frontier illegally into northern aquatic environment) it is for the respective authorities of Greece . the Member States to take measures both to eliminate pollution caused by the dangerous substances contained Amendments to the electoral law were voted by the in list I of the Annex to the Directive and to reduce Albanian Parliament before its dissolution which had the pollution caused by the substances in list II of the Annex effect of depriving the Greek minority social organization (Article 2 of the Directive). OMONIA of the right to submit candidates for the elections which took place on 22 and 29 March . However, The Greek authorities should subject all discharges of OMONIA was able before the elections to set up a dangerous substances in list I (Article 3) and/or list II political party, the Union for Human Rights , which (Article 7 (2)) to prior authorization in line with the obtained two seats in the election . conditions laid down in the specific Community Directives on substances within list I (including Directive The Commission welcomes the fact that most observers, 86/280/EEC) and on national programmes to reduce including those from the European Parliament, found substances within list II (Article 7(1 ) and (3)). that the elections were in general conducted fairly. It notes the formation of a new government by the The Commission will ask the Greek authorities for Democratic Party which won 92 seats out of 140 . information on this case of water pollution in Thessaly. Considering the results of the election and the change of government, the Commission has signed the new agreement with Albania on trade and commercial and economic cooperation on 11 May 1992 .
The Commission will continue to follow the situation closely and will not hesitate to draw to the attention of the WRITTEN QUESTION No 729/92 Albanian authorities any development that gives cause for by Mr Luigi Moretti (ARC) concern . to the Commission of the European Communities (6 April 1992) (92 /C 269/94)
Subject: Violent incidents at the border between Albania WRITTEN QUESTION No 746/92 and Greece by Mr Christos Papoutsis (S) to the Commission of the European Communities Violent attacks were recently carried out against the (6 April 1992) Greek minority in the Sarande region of Albania where a quarter of the population is of Greek origin . (92/C 269/95)
It has also been reported that the political party Subject: Second instalment of Community loan to Greece representing the Greek minority, which still has five representatives in the Albanian national parliament, has In February 1991 the Community authorized a loan of been barred from taking part in the forthcoming ECU 2,2 billion to Greece payable in three instalments , elections . the first of which was paid immediately . 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 51
Payment of the second and third instalments (scheduled WRITTEN QUESTION No 802/92 for February 1992 and February 1993 respectively) by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S) depends upon the achievement of the objectives set out in the programme for stabilizing the Greek economy (set out to the Commission of the European Communities in detail in the loan conditions). (14 April 1992) (92/C 269/96) 1 . Has the Greek economy to date fulfilled the conditions for payment of the remaining instalments ? Subject: Public procurement
2 . Has a report been drawn up or will it be drawn up in Under the rules relating to public procurement policy, the near future ? could the Commission explain how it can prove whether or not it has received advertisements it published in the 3 . Have the * Greek authorities been informed of the OfficialJournal ofthe European Communities? Commission's decisions concerning the period covered by the second instalment ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 803/92 4 . If the conditions for payment of the second loan instalment have not been fulfilled, will the Council of by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S) Economics and Finance Ministers be informed ? to the Commission of the European Communities (14 April 1992) (92/C 269/97)
Subject: Public procurement
Answer given by Mr Christophersen Under the rules relating to public procurement policy, can on behalf of the Commission the Commission advise how local authorities in Member (21 May 1992) States can prove they have sent advertisements for publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities?
In the annual economic report 1991-92 (*) the Commission expressed the view that the implementation of the adjustment and reform programme in 1991 was WRITTEN QUESTION No 804/92 inadequate and that Greece was out of line with the main by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S) targets of the programme . to the Commission of the European Communities (14 April 1992) Under the multilateral surveillance procedure , the Ecofin (92/C 269/98 ) Council discusses developments in the economies of the Member States . Furthermore , in accordance with the Subject: Public procurement Council Decision on the Community loan to Greece ( 2), the Commission, in collaboration with the Monetary What is Commission procedure for dealing with Committee , undertakes regular reviews of developments advertisements under public procurement rules ? in the Greek economy and of the implementation of the programme .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 805/92 The loan decision does not impose a deadline for the disbursement of the second instalment; Article 2 provides by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S) that the second instalment shall not be disbursed before 1 to the Commission of the European Communities February 1992 . Up to the present, the second instalment (14 April 1992) has not been disbursed . In accordance with the loan decision, the Council would be consulted in the event of a (92/C 269/99) further disbursement of the loan . Subject: Public procurement (') European Economy, No 50 , December 1991 . O OJN0L66 , 13 . 3 . 1991 . Would the Commission accept that an easy answer to the problem of proof as to whether or not advertisements were sent by local authorities in Member States is for the Commission to follow the lead of all other organizations and merely acknowledge receipt of the content of letters ? No C 269/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
Indeed is not the existing Commission procedure to send that the contracting authorities must be able to supply an acknowledgement of receipt and a copy of the proof of the date of dispatch of contract notices to the advertisement as it appears in the OEJ to the originator of Office for Official Publications of . the European the advert ? Communities . They do not lay down in any further detail the means of supplying such proof; this is left to the discretion of Member States which must make the If this is the case can the Commission prove that an necessary arrangements for proving dispatch of such acknowledgement and a copy of the advertisement were notices having regard to the postal and administrative sent to Torfaen Borough Council regarding the Big Pit facilities of their countries . Scheme ? If not, are we not saying there is one rule for the Commission and another for the local authorities ? (') Council Directive 71 /305 /EEC of 26 July 1971 concerning the coordination of procedure for the award of public works contracts (OJ No L 185 , 16 . 8 . 1971 ) as amended by Council Directive 89/440/EEC of 18 July 1989 (OJ No L 210 , 21 . 7 . 1989). Council Directive 77/62/EEC of 21 December 1976 coordinating procedures for the award of public supply Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 802/92 to 805/92 contracts (OJ No L 13 , 15 . 1 . 1977) as amended by Council given by Mr Bangemann Directive 80/767/EEC of 22 July 1980 adapting and on behalf of the Commission supplementing in respect of certain contracting authorities (2 June 1992) Directive 77/62/EEC (OJ No L 215 of 18 August 1980) and by Council Directive 88 /295 /EEC of 22 March 1988 amending Directive 77/62/EEC relating to the coordination of procedures on the award of public contracts and repealing Any notice sent to the Office for Official Publications of certain provisions of Directive 80/767/EEC (OJ No L 127 , 20.5.1988). the European Communities in Luxembourg is checked in Council Directive 90/531 /EEC of 17 September 1990 on the at reception by the competent service . It is inserted in a procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, proper file and a label is generated automatically by the energy, transport and telecommunications sectors (OJ No computer system that makes the publication possible L 297 , 29 . 10 . 1990). within the appropriate time limits . This system sets a dynamic planning for the necessary work steps for the publication and allows for a coordination and control of events eliminating the risk of a lost document . If other contacts or written exchange of letters pertinent to the same document take place , they are inserted in the abovementioned file that is archived for further reference in case of disputes . WRITTEN QUESTION No 856/92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) The archive version of the TED Database also provides to the Commission of the European Communities for the possibility of finding any document published (14 April 1992) since 1986 . (92/C 269/ 100)
In any case , if the document is published it must have been Subject: European cooperation for the 'Boliviamar' outlet received . The publication is considered to be the proof of to the Pacific Ocean reception , since the publication delays are so short that, if a written confirmation of receipt existed, it would reach the contracting authority at nearly the same time as the The agreement between Peru and Bolivia by which complimentary copy of the appropriate edition of the President Fujimori has granted Bolivia access to the Official Journal that is always sent . Pacific brings to an end a conflict which had been simmering since the last century. The statement by President Paz Zamora ('Bolivia has recovered the sea') The Community Directives on public procurement (') do sums up a national aspiration which has now been not provide for the procedure advocated by the satisfied . Honourable Member, and such a procedure would be redundant and costly to operate since a complimentary The agreement involves the cession by Peru for fifty years copy of the edition where a notice is published is always of a free zone of 163 hectares at the port of Ilo and the sent to the address given under point 1 of the notice, the cession for ninety years of a strip of territory five address of the awarding authority. kilometres wide . This strip will bear the emotive name 'Boliviamar'. for its part, Bolivia has undertaken to build a rail link 462 kilometres long between its capital La Paz The rules apply to any entity that has a notice published and the port of Ilo . under the Community Directives for public procurement . An agreement of this kind and the costly infrastructure it The Directives relating to public procurement provide will entail offer great scope for European cooperation, 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/ 53 which could make a decisive contribution to achieving the will be liable to duty in the second Member State where goals that the two countries have set themselves . What the goods are re-sold . For this reason, Member States will steps is the Commission taking or planning to take in this need to distinguish between genuine personal purchases connection ? and commercial traffic . To do this , they will be required to take account of a number of factors including the quantity of goods being carried , and it is in this context that Member States have agreed upon indicative limits . Answer given by Mr Matutes on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1992)
The Commission has followed with considerable interest WRITTEN QUESTION No 953/92 the recent move by Presidents Fujimori and Paz Zamora to establish a Bolivian free zone at the Peruvian port of by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser (PPE) Ilo , but its intentions have yet to be given substance to the Commission of the European Communities through specific cooperation measures . (15 April 1992) (92/C 269/ 102) In view of the event's importance, the Commission is ready to study with the Bolivian and Peruvian authorities how best to use the available cooperation instruments in Subject : Additional obstacles facing tour leaders in Italy support of this initiative , which is crucial to both the Bolivian economy and regional integration . The Italian union of tour leaders and guides in Rome and the provinces (Federagit) has warned that foreign tour leaders in Rome and the surrounding area will continue to be prosecuted by the police for infringing Italian law, despite the judgment by the European Court of Justice of freedom of tour leaders to exercise their profession . The union claims that the definition used by the Court of WRITTEN QUESTION No 882/92 Justice (guides accompanying a group from another by Mr Peter Crampton (S) Member State) means a courier with solely administrative tasks . to the Commission of the European Communities (14 April 1992) In order to prevent the prosecution of foreign tour leaders (92/C 269/ 101 ) by the police in Italy, which has caused great controversy in the past, can the Commission explain to the Italian authorities , and in particular the Federagit union , that: Subject: Personal allowances 1 . cross-border liberalization of services in the European Community finance ministers have agreed upon minimum Community is an aspect of the internal market, indicative limits on goods that carry excise duty . Can the European Commission say that any limit is legal in a 2 . foreign tour leaders should not be prevented from or barrier-free Europe ? penalized for giving cultural , geographical and historical information provided this does not take place in closed premises such as churches and museums ?
Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission (2 June 1992) Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission After 1 January 1993 there will be no limit whatsoever on (24 June 1992) the amounts which a private traveller will be permitted to purchase, tax and excise duty paid , in another Member The Commission would point out that the Court of State provided that the goods are for his own personal use Justice in its judgment of 26 February 1991 (Case and are transported by the purchaser himself . In these C- 180/ 89) held that: circumstances , the traveller will simply pay VAT and excise duty in the country of purchase and incur no 'The Italian Republic has failed to fulfil its obligations further liability when returning with the goods to his own under Article 59 of the EEC Treaty by requiring country . persons who provide services as a tourist guide accompanying a group of tourists from another On the other hand , goods bought duty-paid in one Member State , when the services consist in guiding Member State and sold again in another Member State tourists in places other than museums and historical E ;
No C 269 /54 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92
monuments which may be visited only with a WRITTEN QUESTION No 1020/92 specialized professional guide , to hold a licence which by Mr Peter Crampton (S) is dependent on the possession of a specific qualification generally awarded on the passing of an to the Commission of the European Communities examination .' (27 April 1992) (92 /C 269/ 104) The Commission understands that the exception for museums and historical monuments which may be visited only with a specialized professional guide applies to Subject : Customs declarations on items posted between museums and historical monuments which are open to the EC countries public only if the visit is conducted by a professional guide with specific qualifications concerning the museum or In recent correspondence with the United Kingdom monument in question . Royal Mail I was told that 'From 1 January 1993 it is probable that all postal packets travelling between The Honourable Member could advise guides who are countries within the EC will no longer require a nationals of other Member States accompanying a group declaration of the contents'. of tourists from another Member State and who encounter difficulties in Italy to make direct contact with Can the Commission clarify the position on this matter ? the authorities responsible , i.e. the Italian Ministry for the Will such postal packets require a customs declaration or Interior. not ?
Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION No 1005/92 (2 June 1992) by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S) to European Political Cooperation Under legislation currently in force , which is based on the (27 April 1992) Universal Postal Convention , international postal (92 /C 269/ 103) packages must be accompanied by a document (either a label or a separate form) stating the contents to enable the postal authorities in the country of destination to handle Subject : Human rights violations in Togo the customs formalities themselves .
Can the Ministers meeting in European Political With the single market , of course , the elimination of all Cooperation inquire into the state of the investigations customs formalities and controls on packages posted from into serious violations of human rights , extrajudicial one Community country to another will render the use of executions , arbitrary detentions, ill-treatment, etc . which such documents pointless . were requested last year by the Togo National Conference and about which no information appears to After 1 January 1993 mail will be distributed within the be available ? Community on the same terms as currently apply to its distribution in one Member State , so that customs declarations will no longer be required .
Answer (7 September 1 992)
The Community and its Member States are following closely the democratization process in Togo . They fully WRITTEN QUESTION No 1057/92 share the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member, concerns that were expressed to the Togolese authorities by Lord O'Hagan ( ED) during recent visits to Togo by a delegation from the Paris to the Commission of the European Communities based Federation for Human Rights and by an (30 April 1992) international Parliamentary delegation led by British MP Donald Anderson . The authorities in Lome are in no (92/C 269/ 105) doubt of the importance the Community and its Member States attach to respect for human rights and the rule of Subject : VAT on farmhouse cider law in their dealings with third countries . Traditionally in the United Kingdom , a certain amount of cider produced by farmers for their own consumption has 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/55 been exempt from VAT . Can the Commission confirm The Community and its Member States will continue to that this exemption will be carried forward at European monitor the situation closely in the light of the Turkish level ? Government's commitment to improve the human rights situation in the country.
Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1992) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1584/92 As far as the Commission is aware , there is no specific by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE) exemption from VAT in the United Kingdom for cider to European Political Cooperation produced by farmers for their own consumption . (16 June 1992) (92 /C 269/ 107) The Commission has no plans to propose any change to this situation . Subject : Restrictions on the rights of Greeks in Turkey to own property
In addition to the secret decree-laws issued by the Turkish National Security Council (No 6 / 3801 / 1964 and 6 / 3706/ 1964) limiting the rights of Greeks in Turkey to WRITTEN QUESTION No 1583/92 own property which were abolished in 1988 , there is firm by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE) evidence to indicate that three other decrees (Nos 6/2887/ 31.3.64 , 7 /9421 / 10.2.75 and to European Political Cooperation 7 / 10381 /4.8.75) limiting the rights of Greek residents of (16 June 1992 ) the island of Imroz to own property together with their (92/C 269/ 106) educational and cultural rights , still apply . This runs counter to international law in respect of the protection of human rights , Turkey's formal undertakings and the Subject : Trials for sex crimes in Turkey principles of law in the Community , of which Turkey is an associate member . According to a recent edition of the reputable Turkish newspaper, Cumhuriyet (8 March 1992), 15 835 women What measures will European Political Cooperation take and under-age girls were raped last year in Turkey . with a view to the abolition of the above decrees , which According to the Ministry of Justice , trials for sex crimes constitute discrimination against the Greek residents of against children may last for as long as nine years . This is Imroz ? an infringement of international laws on the protection of human rights and generally runs counter to the proper administration of justice . What measures will European Political Cooperation take to remedy this unacceptable Answer situation ? (7 September 1992)
The Community and its Member States are aware of the Answer situation of the Greek minority communities on the island ( 7 September 1 992) of Imroz . The issue has been the subject pf discussion in the House on numerous previous occasions .
The Turkish authorities are well aware of the importance The Turkish authorities are well aware of the importance which the Community and its Member States attach to the which the Community and its Member States attach to the rule of law and the commitments to which Turkey has rule of law and to strict respect for the undertakings to subscribed in CSCE documents including the rights of which Turkey has subscribed by her adherence to the persons belonging to National Minorities , as set out in the Lausanne Treaty , especially Article 14 , and to the Charter of Paris , the Documents of the Moscow and commitments to which Turkey has subscribed in CSCE Copenhagen meetings of the Conference on the Human documents including the rights of persons belonging to Dimension of the CSCE , and the report of the Geneva National Minorities , as set out in the Charter of Paris , the meeting of Experts . The Declaration on Human Rights Documents of the Moscow and Copenhagen meetings of adopted by the Luxembourg European Council stated the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE, categorically that 'respecting , promoting and and the report of the Geneva meeting of Experts . The safeguarding human rights is an essential part of Declaration on Human Rights adopted by the international relations as well as of relations between the Luxembourg European Council in 1991 stated Community and its Member States and other countries'. categorically that 'respecting , promoting and No C 269/ 56 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92 safeguarding human rights is an essential part of subsequently submitted its first human rights report in international relations as well as of relations between the July 1991 . This was considered by the Human Rights Community and its Member States and other countries'. Committee , the Treaty monitoring body of the ICCPR, at their last meeting in July. Their findings have not yet been The Community and its Member States will continue to made public . monitor the situation closely in the light of the Turkish Government's commitment to improve the human rights situation in the country .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1742/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI ) to the Council of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1741 /92 (1 July 1992) by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI) (92/C 269/ 109) to European Political Cooperation (1 July 1992) Subject : The situation in Sri Lanka (92/C 269/ 108 ) During the last four days of May at least 110 persons were Subject : Clashes between students and the police in Seoul killed during clashes between government forces and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka . According to international press reports , a high-ranking officer stated that 58 There have been fresh clashes between thousands of guerillas and 1 1 soldiers were killed in clashes in the students and the Korean police in the centre of Seoul , Jaffua Peninsula and in the Mullaittivu jungles . Does the sparked off by police attempts to disperse a student Council of EC Foreign Ministers intend to call for a full demonstration calling for the resignation of the and reliable investigation by impartial and independent totalitarian government of President Roh-Tae-Woo , a experts into the situation obtaining in Sri Lanka ? Does it timetable for democratic reforms and the reinstatement of not agree that tough measures must be taken against those some 1 500 teachers dismissed for trade union activities . responsible for the recent killings and human rights Do the Ministers meeting in European Political violations ? Finally , does it intend to help deal with the Cooperation intend to respond to this unacceptable terrible famine ravaging the population of Sri Lanka ? behaviour by the police authorities which is preventing democratization and freedom of expression in Korea , and if so , what measures to they intend to take ?
Answer ( ) (7 September 1992) Answer ( 7 September 1 992) The Community and its Member States have no plans to call for such an investigation .
The Community and its Member States follow closely the The Sri Lanka authorities are well aware of the human rights situation in the Republic of Korea . They importance which the Community and its Member States will continue to encourage the Korean Government to attach to scrupulous respect for human rights as set out in pursue a policy aimed at maintaining progress towards the Declaration on Human Rights adopted by the democratic reform and increased respect for human Luxembourg European Council in June 1991 and the rights , including the freedom of expression . Resolution adopted by the Development Council on Human Rights , Democracy and Development on 28 The Korean authorities are well aware of the importance November 1991 . which the Community and its Member States attach to scrupulous respect for human rights as set out in the The Community and its Member States remain concerned Declaration on Human Rights adopted by the about continuing reports of human rights abuses in Sri Luxembourg European Council in June 1991 and the Lanka and have repeatedly urged the Sri Lankan Resolution adopted by the Development Council and the government to ensure that such violations are halted . Member States meeting in Council on Human Rights , They have condemned the continued atrocities and Democracy and Development on 28 November 1991 . abuses committed by the Tamil Tigers and other terrorist groups and have expressed grave concern about human In 1990 the Republic of Korea signed the International rights violations committed by the Sri Lankan Security Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Forces . 19 . 10 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 269/57
The Community and its Member States are of the opinion — underlined support for the quadrilateral efforts of that a lasting solution to the conflict in the north and east Moldova , Russia , Ukraine and Romania to reach a of Sri Lanka can only be found through peaceful peaceful solution, negotiations . They have therefore called upon the government of Sri Lanka , all political parties and the — welcomed the latest progress, Tamil Tigers to make every effort to initiate new negotiations to this end . — noted the involvement of the CSCE and UN , and stressed that observance of CSCE principles must The Community and its Member States have not received form the basis for a settlement, reports of famine in Sri Lanka . — urged that military units and weapons should be kept The Community and its Member States will continue to under disciplined control , and that no further monitor developments in Sri Lanka in the field of human weapons should be supplied to the combatants . rights and to express their concern in this respect to the Sri Lankan authorities . The Community and its Member States hope that negotiations between the parties concerned will bring an (') This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers early end to the bloodshed and lead to a peaceful and meeting in Political Cooperation , within whose province the lasting solution . questions came . ( l ) This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers meeting in Political Cooperation , within whose province the questions came .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1763/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI) to the Council of the European Communities (2 July 1992) (92 /C 269/ 110) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1764/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI) Subject : The situation in Moldavia to European Political Cooperation The Russians of Moldavia have declared the (2 July 1992) independence of — as they themselves call it — the (92/C 269/ 111 ) Democratic Republic of Dneister and are not frightened by the threats of the Moldavian authorities . However, according to recent reports by ITAP-TASS , the Subject: The repression of the people of Thailand Moldavian Defence Minister, General Ion Kostatsa , has called on officers , soldiers and citizens to take part in a Sixty one years after its first military coup which brought general mobilization . Given that the announcement by an end to absolute monarchy, Thailand has still not Moldavia's Defence Minister comes in the wake of the completely established a democratic system . This is further cancellation of the meeting of the Foreign and confirmed by the fact that the majority of 'non-military' Defence Ministers of Moldavia, Russia, Romania and the prime ministers started out as members of the armed Ukraine — which was due to be held on 29 May in forces . Nevertheless , at the start of 1991 it appeared that it Kisinaou — does the Council intend to take any steps to was on the right road towards democracy. Unfortunately , preempt any possible unpleasant developments in the today the army gives the impression that it is not prepared region and , above all , the possibility of the outbreak of to return to its place in the barracks . Does EPC intend to war in Moldavia ? make it clear that the EC defends human rights and promotes democratization and freedom of expression for the people of Thailand ? Answer ( ) ( 7 September 1 992)
Events have moved on since Mr Kostopoulos' question Answer was tabled . The Community and its Member States are ( 7 September 1 992) encouraged by the agreement signed on 21 July by the Presidents of Russia and Moldova which draws up measures to end the conflict and help achieve a peaceful In their statement of 20 May 1992 the Community and its solution . Member States expressed great concern over the tragic events in Thailand in May 1992 and condemned the use of In July, the Presidency, on behalf of the Community and force by the military forces against unarmed civilians . its Member States , made demarches to the Governments They urged the Thai military authorities to refrain from of Moldova , Russia , Ukraine and Romania which : further violence and called for a peaceful and democratic No C 269/58 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 10 . 92 solution to the problems in Thailand as well as the full attach to scrupulous respect for human rights as set out in respect for human rights . the Declaration on Human Rights adopted by the Luxembourg European Council in June 1991 and the The Community and its Member States welcomed in their Resolution adopted by the Development Council on statement of 9 June 1992 the positive political Human Rights , Democracy and Development on 28 developments which had then taken place , namely the Novemberl991 . scheduled constitutional amendments . The Community and its Member States , nevertheless , remained concerned The Community and its Member States welcome the that a number of civilian demonstrators were still appointment of an interim civilian government under unaccounted for and urged the Thai authorities to take Prime Minister Anand and look forward to the elections the appropriate steps to restore the confidence of the Thai of 13 September. They hope that these will open the way people in their government . for the development of closer and stronger links with a democratic Thailand which will show full respect for The Thai authorities are therefore well aware of the human rights and will contribute positively to peace and importance which the Community and its Member States stability in the region .