ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C 25 Volume 37 of the European Communities 28 January 1994
English edition Information and Notices
Notice No Contents page
I Information
European Parliament
Written Questions with answer
94/C 25/01 No 1040/91 by Mr Philippe Douste-Blazy to the Commission Subject: Aid for tropical products from French overseas departments 1
94/C 25/02 No 550/92 by Mr Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission Subject: GATT negotiations on services provided by the legal professions 2
94/C 25/03 No 1350/92 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Reclassification of the Espierre canal 3
94/C 25/04 No 1728/92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Languages used by the Commission 3
94/C 25/05 No 1843/92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Incorporation of directives into national law 4
94/C 25/06 No 1991/92 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission Subject: Funding of infrastructure 4
94/C 25/07 No 2696/92 by Hiltrud Breyer, Paul Lannoye, Virginio Bettini and Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard to the Commission Subject: The Tacis programme 5
94/C 25/08 No 2771/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Extension of the Texaco plant in Achaia (Supplementary answer) 5
94/C 25/09 No 2810/92 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission Subject: EC and sport 6
Price: ECU 18 (Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page
94/C 25/10 No 2983/92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement the directives on public work and supply contracts 6
94/C 25/11 No 3006/92 by Mr Alex Smith to the Council Subject : Research Council 6
94/C 25/12 No 3033/92 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission Subject : Final-year student trainees 7
94/C 25/13 No 3511/92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : Restoration of sites in Attica where waste is buried for public health reasons 7
94/C 25/14 No 135/93 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission Subject : American exports of maize and sorghum to Spain 7
94/C 25/15 No 171/93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject : Overseas aid budget 8
94/C 25/16 No 175/93 by Mr Gerd Müller to the Commission Subject : Endeavours to harmonize vehicle taxes and road tolls in the Community 8
94/C 25/17 No 192/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : Environment disaster in the Shetland Islands 9
94/C 25/18 No 208/93 by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers to the Commission Subject : Nuclear power station at Kozloduy ( Bulgaria ) 9
94/C 25/19 No 228/93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Council Subject : Nuclear test ban 10
94/C 25/20 No 270/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : The petrified forest of Mytilini 10
94/C 25/21 No 298/93 by Mr Alman Metten to the Commission Subject: Reserves accumulated for civil service pensions and the criteria for admittance to EMU 11
94/C 25/22 No 360/93 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject : Nuclear proliferation in South Africa 12
94/C 25/23 No 460/93 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission Subject : Biodiversity and forestry 12
94/C 25/24 No 481/93 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : European Community information policy 13
94/C 25/25 No 659/93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject : Phare programme 13
94/C 25/26 No 740/93 by Mrs Barbara Schmidbauer to the Commission Subject : EC-recognized passes for the disabled and senior citizens 13
94/C 25/27 No 763/93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject : Windmill park in Curaçao 14 Notice No Contents (continued) - —' Page
94/C 25/28 No 777/93 by Mr Eisso Woltjer to the Commission Subject: Publication of explanatory memoranda 15
94/C 25/29 No 779/93 by Mr Bouke Beumer to the Commission Subject: Use of pension funds to purchase shares in the relevant company 15
94/C 25/30 No 781/93 by Mr Lode van Outrive to the Commission Subject: DAF redundancies — Eindhoven and Westerlo and the implications for the Belgian regions of northern Limburg and northern Campine 16
94/C 25/31 No 830/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Monetary system 17
94/C 25/32 No 891/93 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission Subject: Aid and contracts for Belgium in the nuclear sector 18
94/C 25/33 No 914/93 by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission Subject: Unlawful occupation of woodland in Greece 18
94/C 25/34 No 960/93 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission Subject: Community energy priorities for 1994—2000 in favour of the less-prosperous Member States . 18
94/C 25/35 No 963/93 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission Subject: Destruction of a site of environmental importance 19 94/C 25/36 No 975/93 by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez and Alonso Puerta to the Commission Subject: Construction of a rubbish dump in the municipal district of Alcaraz (Albacete — Spain ) 19
94/C 25/37 No 995/93 by Mr Bouke Beumer to the Commission Subject: Electricity supplies from Eastern Europe 20
94/C 25/38 No 1071/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Aid for Greek Ouzo and Italian Grappa 20
94/C 25/39 No 1074/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Fundamental principles for professional authors 21 t 94/C 25/40 No 1078/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: 'Soft* tourism programmes . . 21
94/C 25/41 No 1168/93 by Mr David Bowe to the Commission Subject: Port subsidies 22
94/C 25/42 No 1174/93 by Mr John Bird to the Commission Subject: Draft Directive oil parental leave 22
94/C 25/43 No 1189/93 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission Subject: Poaching of turtle doves in south-western France < 22
94/C 25/44 No 1692/93 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission Subject: Illegal hunting of turtledoves in France in May 1993 — Action taken by the Commission 23
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1189/93 and 1692/93 23
( Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page
94/C 25/45 No 1200/93 by Mr Gerd Müller to the Commission Subject : Production and marketing of violent videos and computer games in the Community 23
94/C 25/46 No 1205/93 by Mr Neil Blaney to the Commission Subject : Discrimination by employers 23
94/C 25/47 " No 1209/93 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission Subject: Amendment of the directive on maximum dimensions of heavy goods vehicles 24
94/C 25/48 No 1232/93 by Mr Detlev Samland to the Commission Subject : Involvement of private organizations in Commission training courses 24
94/C 25/49 No 1238/93 by Mr Gerard Deprez to the Commission Subject : Proposal for a directive on parental leave and leave for family reasons 25
94/C 25/50 No 1259/93 by Mr Diego de los Santos López to the Commission Subject : Programmes shown on television which are unsuitable for minors 25
94/C 25/51 No 1269/93 by Mr Maxime Verhagen to the Commission Subject : Interpretation by the Court of Justice of Article 8 A of the Single European Act .... 26
94/C 25/52 No 1284/93 by Mr Bartho Pronk to the Commission Subject: Health and safety directives 26
94/C 25/53 No 1300/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: State of the road in Thesprotia 28
94/C 25/54 No 1302/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : Greek exports of canned peaches 28
94/C 25/55 No 1303/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : Production quotas in respect of the tomato industry 29
94/C 25/56 No 1308/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Advertising in European markets 29
94/C 25/57 E-1318/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : Rules on pornography 29
94/C 25/58 No 1335/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : The introduction of more detailed Community directives on environmental protection 30
94/C 25/59 No 1336/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Protection of major water reserves from excessive use of fertilizers 30
94/C 25/60 No 1341/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: The Ftelia wetland, Mykonos 31
94/C 25/61 No 1342/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Legislation drafted by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment 31
94/C 25/62 No 1353/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Products of child and prison labour 32 Notice No Contents (continued ) Page
94/C 25/63 No 1389/93 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission Subject: ISTC ( International Science and Technology Centre ) 32
. ? 94/C 25/64 No 1419/93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission Subject: Radiological protection 33
94/C 25/65 No 1428/93 by Mr Klaus Riskær Pedersen to the Commission Subject: German shipyards 33
94/C 25/66 No 1434/93 by Mr Dimitrios Pagoropoulos and Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject: Fatal accident at the Petrola Hellas plant at Elefsina and failure to apply, and monitor ~ "compliance with, Community law 34
94/C 25/67 No 1454/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission - Subject: Living conditions of animals in Athens Zoo 35
94/C 25/68 No 1463/93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Import duties on printed circuits and semiconductors 35
94/C 25/69 No 1470/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject: Protection of technology creativity 35
94/C 25/70 No 1479/93 by Mr Marc Galle to the Commission Subject: Enabling the blind and partially sighted to read 36
94/C 25/71 No 1482/93 by Mrs Marie Isler Beguin to the Commission Subject: Status of the professions of PE and sports instructor 37
94/C 25/72 No 1492/93 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject: Protection and upgrading of the historic site of Makronisos 37
94/C 25/73 No 1512/93 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject: Situation of the fur industry in Greece — 38
94/C 25/74 No 1514/93 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject: Establishment of a new cheese factory in Thrace 38
94/C 25/75 No 1524/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Vehicle impact experiments using animals 39
94/C 25/76 No 1530/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Rice project 39
94/C 25/77 No 1532/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Social activities at the Joint Research Centre at Ispra 40
94/C 25/78 No 1533/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Dioxin at Seveso 40
( Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued ) page
94/C 25/79 No 1549/93 by Mr Alex Smith to European Political Cooperation Subject: Disappearance of radioactive material 41
94/C 25/80 No 1558/93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission Subject: Transportation of plutonium : 41
94/C 25/81 No 1574/93 by Mr Michael Welsh to the Commission Subject: State aids to the Belgian textile industry 42
94/C 25/82 No 1581/93 by Alonso Puerta and Laura Gonzalez Alvarez to the Commission Subject: Directive 90/313/EEC 43
94/C 25/83 No 1586/93 by .Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Insertion of a social clause in the System of Generalized Preferences 43
94/C 25/84 No 1587/93 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Humanitarian aid: introduction of a line in the Community budget for 'rehabilitation' programmes 43
94/C 25/85 No 1621/93 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission Subject: General arrangements for the recognition of higher education qualifications — French Doctor of Laws 44
94/C 25/86 No 1651/93 by Mr Christos Papoutsis to the Commission Subject: Community emergency humanitarian aid channelled through non-governmental organizations . 44
94/C 25/87 No 1660/93 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission Subject: Expenditure by the ACP-EEC Cultural Cooperation Foundation 45
94/C 25/88 No 1683/93 by Mr Jose Apolinario to the Commission Subject: Setubal-Alentejo-Algarve motorway 46
94/C 25/89 No 1690/93 by Mr Jan Bertens to the Commission Subject: Special projects in Turkey . . 47
94/C 25/90 No 1710/93 by Mr Karel De Gucht to the Commission Subject: Italian Government aid . measures 47
94/C 25/91 No 1711/93 by Mr Karel De Gucht to the Commission Subject: French Government aid measures 47
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1710/93 and 1711/93 48
94/C 25/92 No 1721/93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission Subject: Price of compact disc recordings 48
94/C 25/93 No 1729/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject: Official approval of language courses abroad 48
94/C 25/94 No 1733/93 by Mr Paul Howell to the Commission Subject: Spanish shipping restrictions 49
94/C 25/95 No 1738/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Application of special VAT scheme for farmers 49 Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page
94/C 25/96 E-2204/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission , Subject: Penalization of Italian agriculture 49
Joint answer to Written Questions No 1738/93 and E-2204/93 49
94/C 25/97 No 1746/93 by Mr Andre Sainjon to the Commission Subject: Import treatment of newsprint in the European Community 50
94/C 25/98 E-1777/93 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission Subject: Position of the Commission towards the new constitution of Andorra 50
94/C 25/99 E-l 778/93 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission Subject: Community campaign to promote the adoption of children from the Third World ... 51
94/C 25/100 E-1782/93 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: European capital yields tax 51
94/C 25/101 E-1799/93 by Leo Tindemans, Alberto Michelini, Sir Christopher Prout, Pierre Bernard-Reymond and Friedrich Merz to the Commission Subject: Malta's application to join the EC 52
94/C 25/102 E-l 83 1/93 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission Subject: Seventh protocol on beef and veal in Lomé IV 52
94/C 25/103 E-1835/93 by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission Subject: Strike ban on GSEE ( Greek General Confederation of Labour ) 53
94/C 25/104 E-1873/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Accidents in the home 53
94/C 25/105 E-1881/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Western Sahara 54
94/C 25/106 E-l 893/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Cohesion Fund aid programmes for Greece 54
94/C 25/107 E-1895/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Discrimination in employment contracts and in workers' rights in general 54
94/C 25/108 E-1912/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Programmes to combat poverty among women 55
94/C 25/109 E-l943/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation Subject: Refugees in Africa 55
94/C 25/110 E-1955/93 by Mr Henry Chabert to the Commission Subject: Uruguay Round negotiations and audiovisual sector 56
( Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued ) pa*
94/C 25/111 E-1964/93 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Council Subject: Community attitude towards the dictatorship in Haiti 57
94/C 25/112 E-1973/93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Conference on 'social exclusion' in Copenhagen 57
94/C 25/113 E-l 977/93 by Mrs Astrid Lulling to the Commission Subject: Appointment of a new Consumers' Consultative Committee 58
94/C 25/114 E-2021/93 by Mr Filippos Pierros to European Political Cooperation Subject: Torture in Turkish prisons 58
94/C 25/115 E-2033/93 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission Subject: Negotiations on the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the European Communities ." 59
94/C 25/116 E-2045/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini, Giuseppe Rauti, Pietro Mitolo, Antonio Mazzone, Johanna-Christina Grund, Emil Schlee, Sotiris Kostopoulos, Karl Partsch, Virginio Bettini, Klaus-Peter Köhler, Enrico Falqui, David Morris, Hiltrud Breyer, Paul Staes, Gianfranco Amendola, Mary Banotti, Marco Pannella, Gepa Maibaum, Doris Pack, Roberto Barzanti, Arie Oostlander, Yvan Blot, Michael Elliott, Jean-Pierre Raffin, Marco Taradash, Francesco Guidolin, Bruno Boissière and Léon Schwartzenberg to the Council Subject : Protection of animals during transport 59
94/C 25/117 E-2050/93 by Mr Andre Sainjon to the Commission Subject: Introduction of social clauses intro trade agreements 60
94/C 25/118 E-2085/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Uncontrolled killing of stray animals and wild animals threatened with extinction in Greece 60
94/C 25/119 E-2093/93 by Mr Jose Mendes Bota to the Commission i Subject: Is East Timor now considered to be Indonesian territory ? 60
94/C 25/120 E-2 103/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject: Human rights of indigenous populations 61
94/C 25/121 E-2165/93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject: Promotion and safeguard of less widespread languages and cultures 61
94/C 25/122 E-2206/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject: Reemployment of Italian customs agents 61
94/C 25/123 E-2222/93 by Mrs Johanna-Christina Grund to the Commission Subject: Codification of fundamental rights in the EC 62
94/C 25/124 E-2370/93 by Jose Alvarez de Paz and Pedro Bofill Abeilhe to the Commission Subject: The need to protect the European social model 62
94/C 25/125 E-2444/93 by Mr Arie Oostlander to the Commission Subject: European Youth Parliament . . 63
94/C 25/126 E-2457/93 by Mr Otto Habsburg to the Commission Subject: The Commission's failure to answer letters punctually 64
( Continued on page 74 ) Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page
94/C 25/127 E-2534/93 by Mr Jose Lafuente Lopez to the Commission Subject: Media terrorism against the tourist trade on the Island of Ibiza 64
94/C 25/128 E-2555/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Council Subject : Provisions governing the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide 64
94/C 25/129 E-2585/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : Food products and drugs beyond their sell-by-date 65
94/C 25/130 E-2625/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation Subject : Security and cooperation in the Mediterranean and the Middle East 65
94/C 25/131 E-2741/93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to European Political Cooperation Subject : Human Rights in the Occupied Territories 66
94/C 25/132 , " E-2742/93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to European Political Cooperation Subject: Palestinians and the Occupied Territories 66
Joint answer to Written Questions E-2741/93 and E-2742/93 66
94/C 25/133 E-2791/93 by Mr Georgios Saridakis to European Political Cooperation Subject: Vandalism at the Christian cemetery at Neochorio in Istanbul on 25 August 1993 . . 67
94/C 25/134 E-2794/93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to European Political Cooperation Subject: Conscientious objectors in Greece 67
94/C 25/135 E-2796/93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to European Political Cooperation Subject : Desecration of Baha'i graves in Iran 68
94/C 25/136 E-28 10/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to European Political Cooperation Subject : Asiatom 68
94/C 25/137 E-28 13/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to European Political Cooperation Subject: Worrying barter trade between the Ukraine and Iran 68
94/C 25/138 E-2844/93 by Mr Alex Smith to European Political Cooperation Subject : Nuclear safeguards 69
94/C 25/139 E-2850/93 by Mr Alex Smith to European Political Cooperation Subject : Transport of plutonium 69
94/C 25/140 E-2860/93 by Mr Vincenzo Mattina to the Council Subject : The EMS crisis and its adverse repercussions for the citizens of Europe 70 Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page
94/C 25/141 E-2869/93 by Mr Sergio Ribeiro to the Council Subject: Conditions for achieving the aims and meeting the deadlines set at Maastricht 70
94/C 25/142 E-2899/93 by Mr Henry Chabert to European Political Cooperation Subject : European security and the situation in the Caucasus 70
94/C 25/143 E-2901/93 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty to the Council Subject : Structural Funds in Portugal 71
94/C 25/144 E-2953/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to European Political Cooperation Subject : Human rights of ethnic Greeks in northern Epirus 72
94/C 25/145 E-2962/93 by Mr Frederic Rosmini to the Council Subject : Bluefin tuna fishing 72
94/C 25/146 E-2970/93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Council Subject : Whaling in Norway 73 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/1
I
,(Information)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1040/91 — a specific agricultural mechanism under the EAGGF by Mr Philippe Douste-Blazy (PPE) ( guarantee), including targeted aid to develop fruit, vegetable, plant and flower production and market of to the Commission of the European Communities - the products in the rest of the Community, and aid for (22 May 1991) the rum sugar cane sector ( 2 ); 94/C 25/01 — specific structural measures for the banana and rum sugar cane sectors on top of the CSF and current Subject: Aid for tropical products from French overseas Community initiatives ( 3 );. departments — the continuation after 1992 of the specific VAT ( 4) and excise duty (5 ) arrangements for traditional rum from In view of competition from Latin American products and the overseas departments consumed in mainland with the 1993 single market in sight, has the Commission France (6 ). any plans for aid programmes in respect of bananas, rum and shrimps from the French overseas departments ? As regards the tropical shrimps, the Commission ensured that this product, of jpreat economic and social importance What action does it intend to take in respect of the special for Guyana, was included in both the common organization measures requested by France including a new tax on of the fisheries market, as reformed by Council Regulation imported bananas ( in addition to the usual customs duty) ( EEC) No 3759/92 (7), and more especially in the private and excise duty exemption for rum ? storage aid scheme. In conjunction with the relevant national and regional authorities, the Commission is also looking at the possibility of supplementary measures for the What attitude will it adopt in the GATT negotiations ? product.
In the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations, the Community in March last year put forward its offer (supplemented the following December) for all agricultural products on the Answer given by Mr Delors basis of the draft final act, and satisfied itself that the level of on behalf of the Commission protection was adequate . (14 October 1993) For bananas, the Community reserved the right to submit an offer at a later date, which it did early this year. Following The Commission is fully aware of the problems tropical the Commission proposal ( 8 ) the Council on 17 December products from the French overseas departments have in agreed on guidelines for the new Community arrangements, competing, and various measures have been taken pursuant which it implemented on 13 February this year through the to the programme of options specific to the remote and Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 on the common insular nature of the French overseas departments organization of the market in bananas ( 9). The (Poseidom) ( 1 ). They include : arrangements, in force since 1 July, enable the Community No C 25/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 to achieve its aim of disposing satisfactorily of its own European market to practitioners of American law, for production and meeting its objectives as regards whom legal services are in the same category as ordinary non-member producer countries . For the first half of the commercial services ? year, the Commission authorized France to continue using national measures under Article 115 of the Treaty for a transitional period, to protect the production of overseas departments and traditional imports from ACP countries .
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan In the current GATT negotiations, the Community, which is on behalf of the Commission aware of its producers' interests, has no plans to allow its (5 October 1993) non-preferential rum imports from non-member countries to be opened up to more liberalization than most other agricultural products . The retention of an adequate level of customs duty, in addition to the above Poseidom measures, 1 . Neither the Community or its partners . in the should ensure the survival of production in the overseas negotiations considered it necessary to draft a sectoral departments . annex laying down specific rules for the liberalization of legal services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services ( GATS ). The working party on professional (!) Council Decision 89/687/EEC, OJ No L 399 , 31 . 12 . 1989 . services, set up in Geneva on the initiative of the GNS ( 2 ) Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3763/91 , OJ No L 356, 27 . 6 . ( Group of Negotiations on Services), did not feel that the 1992 and Commission implementing regulations . sector on the whole had any particular characteristics which ( 3 ) Commission Decision 92/21 16/EEC, 10 . 9 . 1992 . required the drafting of a comprehensive sectoral annex, nor ( 4 ) Commission Directive 91/680/EEC, OJ No L 376 , 31 . 12 . 1991 . that sub-sectors such as legal services warranted recourse to ( 5 ) Council Directive 92/12/EEC, OJ No L 76 , 23 . 3 . 1992 . special rules . Thus this sectors will be governed only by the (6 ) Council Directive 92/83/EEC, OJ No L 316, 31 . 10. 1992 . framework agreement laying down general rules and ( 7) OJ No L 388 , 31 . 12 . 1992 . provisions for the liberalization of trade in services. ( 8 ) COM(92 ) 359 final, OJ No C 232, 10 . 9 . 1992 . ( 9 ) OJ No L 47, 25 . 2 . 1993 and Commission implementing regulations . Nevertheless, the importance of competence and vocational qualifications for certain types of activity, and for the professions in particular, has not been overlooked and Article VI of the framework agreement gives each party the right to establish its own rules and qualifications and commits the parties to laying down appropriate procedures to assess the competence of professionals from other parties to provide professional services . Under Article VII, recognition of training or experience gained could be based on harmonization or on an agreement or arrangements with the country concerned, or granted independently. WRITTEN QUESTION No 550/92 by Mr Pierre Bernard-Reymond ( PPE ) The draft framework agreement does not cover services to the Commission of the European Communities supplied in connection with governmental functions and the (16 March 1992) Community is actively contributing to the definition of ( 94/C 25/02 ) 'governmental functions' within the meaning of the GATS, so that the concept includes activities as defined by Community law, which are connected, even occasionally, with the exercise of official authority. The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that in the Reyners Subject: GATT negotiations on services provided by the judgment of 21 June 1974 the Court of Justice of the legal professions European Communities took the view that a lawyer's activities, such as consultation and legal assistance and also representation and the defence of parties in court did not With regard to the GATT negotiations on freedom to entail a direct and specific connection with the exercise of provide services, is the Commission considering specific official authority. agreements for the legal professions, given the particular nature of these services which, in Europe, fall within the scope of public policy and require well defined areas of 2 . As already stated in its answer to Written Question competence ? No 283/92 (*), for many years now the Commission has held regular meetings with the Consultative Committee of the Bars and Law Societies of the European Community Given the specific nature of legal activities and their relation ( CCBE ) and the European Secretariat of the Liberal to public policy, will the Commission consult Intellectual and Social Professions ( SEPLIS ) on all issues representatives of the legal profession and involve them in arising from inclusion of the professions in the GATS . Since future negotiations, in particular on according access to the the launching of the current round of GATT negotiations, 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/3 the two bodies have been closely involved in the discussions, Community financing for the project is dependent upon both at informal meetings with the Community negotiators Regulation (EEC ) No 1738/93 of 25 June 1993 on the and during formal consultations . Over the last two years, 1993—94 programme for transport infrastructures (2), the Commission has organized a number of widely attended which stipulates that any application for support should be meetings on all aspects of the GATT negotiations. The sent to the Commission via the relevant Member State. No Commission feels that such ongoing consultations have such application has so far been received. enabled it to take into account the specific concerns of the professions covered by the negotiations, notably the legal (!) COM(92 ) 231 . profession, and to represent them fairly at the Geneva round (2 ) OJ No L 161 , 2 . 7. 1993 . of discussions .
(!) OJ No C 168 , 4 . 7. 1992 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1728/92 by Mr Taak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1350/92 (29 June 1992) by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S) ( 94/C 25/04 ) to the Commission of the European Communities (5 June 1992) ( 94/C 25/03 Subject: Languages used by the Commission
In its relations with Community citizens, the Commission is Subject: Reclassification of the Espierre canal increasingly using only English or French. Mrs Scrivener's brochure 'Guide to VAT in 1993' was initially released in English and French (the Dutch version is supposed to The authorities responsible for the Mouscron follow), Mr Van Miert produced his Green Paper in Estaimpuis-Wattrelos 'Eurozone' are considering the need identical circumstances ( and four months after the English to reclassify the Espierre canal. Has the Commission been version appeared, still no Dutch version is available), and informed of the matter, and is it aware ofthe measures being Community relief operations are always published under considered by the Member States within whose territory the the heading of 'European Community — Communaute canal falls with a view to reclassifying the canal and Europeenne'. developing the site ? Is there any possibility of Community aid being granted in this connection ? It appears that the Commission has imposed the use of English or French in its relations with Flemish European information centres.
Does the Commission think that the other Community Answer given by Mr Matutes languages should no longer be used ? Does it not think that on behalf of the Commission this is a form of discrimination against the vast majority of (21 September 1993) Community citizens in their relations with Community institutions ? Does it not think that all Community citizens are entitled to have access to all documents in their own language at the same time ? Does not the lapse of time mean Last year, the Commission, in conjunction with Member that the Commission itself is responsible for distorting State experts, prepared a draft masterplan for inland competition ? waterways of Community interest ( 1 ). The plan highlights the missing links and bottlenecks in the Community network and outlines the necessary medium- and long-term infrastructure developments . It also identifies projects of Community interest which should be undertaken as and when the money for them becomes available. The Council Answer given by Mr Delors meeting on transport on 7 June gave the plan a warm on behalf of the Commission reception. (30 September 1993)
The plan's short- and medium-term priorities include improved connections with Dunkirk by upgrading the The Commission has certainly not officially sanctioned the Espierre-Deule Canal to at least grade IV standard. practice of using particular languages in preference to No C 25/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 others . It does all it can with the resources at its disposal to twelve White Paper measures, mostly relating to the allow Community citizens to use their own language in their veterinary sector. dealings with the institutions . To date, Belgium has taken the necessary steps to transpose into national law 189 of the 218 measures concerned, i.e. 89,2 % of the total .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1843/92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1991/92 (23 July 1992) by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek ( LDR) ( 94/C 25/05 ) to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1992) Subject: Incorporation of directives into national law ( 94/C 25/06 )
Can the Commission state how many of the Community directives relating to the internal market have been Subject: Funding of infrastructure incorporated into Belgian national law ? Title XII of the Maastricht Treaty states that the Community is responsible for creating trans-European What truth is there in the statement by the competent networks . What are the budgetary arrangements for the Belgian minister that the Belgian Government recently financing of infrastructure in the Member States ? carried out a 'catching-up operation'?
Which Member States permit private sector funding of Can the Commission state what problems Belgium is transport infrastructure in particular ? encountering in incorporating certain directives into national law, particularly in the areas of agriculture, health regulation and veterinary assessments ? Which Member States have a capital account for infrastructure in their budget, and which ones include infrastructure in the ordinary budget ?
Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1993) Answer given by Mr Matutes on behalf of the Commission (18 October 1993) The Commission's seventh report concerning the implementation of the White Paper on the completion of the internal market includes annexes on the state of The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern transposition into national law of White Paper measures . A as regards the financing of transport infrastructure which is copy of the report is being sent direct to the Honourable part of the trans-European networks provided for by the Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. new Treaty on European Union . The Commission has to wait for ratification to be completed before it can begin to implement the new Treaty . The rate of transposition into Belgian law was negative from September 1991 and throughout 1992 . Lost ground meant that the level of transposition remained stable over that Nevertheless, at the European Councils held in Edinburgh period, below the Community average . and Copenhagen it was decided to adopt temporary measures enabling certain mechanisms for the financing of trans-European network infrastructure to be set in motion, However, the Commission's periodic progress reports on such as the new EIB's lending facility and the Cohesion implementation show a steady improvement since the end of Fund . 1992, evidence that the Belgian authorities are aware of their obligations under the EEC Treaty . During October the Belgian authorities gave notification of the transposition of 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/5
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2696/92 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2771/92 by Hiltrud Breyer, Paul Lannoye, Virginio Bettini and by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard ( V) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (6 November 1992) (29 October 1992) ( 94/C 25/08 ) ( 94/C 25/07 )
Subject: The Tacis programme Subject: Extension of the Texaco plant in Achaia
1 . Is the Commission aware what percentage of the The decision by the Prefectual Council of Achaia to electricity currently produced by the CIS is exported ? authorize an extension of the Texaco plant in defiance of the wishes of local inhabitants that it should be transferred 2 . Is the Commission aware that the Ukraine, a member elsewhere has provoked a storm of protest in Rio, an area of the CIS, is contractually bound to export 800 million undergoing very rapid urban development . This decision kilowatts per annum of electricity to Austria over a five year has been opposed by the presidents of the communities of period ? Aktaio, Rio and Aghio Vasileio and the head of the Association for the Protection of the Environment and the 3 . Is the Commission aware of any further contracts for Landscape who maintain that extension of the Texaco plant electricity exports from the CIS states, and if so can it in this densely inhabited region is inadmissible, given its provide details ? proximity to the university campus, a new hospital, hotels and a large number of shops and private dwellings . This 4 . How does the Commission view plans to export the decision by the Prefectural Council is also opposed by the bulk of the electricity produced in the CIS reactors Inspectorate for Byzantine Antiquities, since the planned earmarked for refitting ? fuel installations will be only 500 metres from an archaeological site . In view of the above, does the 5 . How do these plans square with the Commission's Commission intend to remind the Greek authorities of the position that these reactors must be refitted to ensure need to have this decision by the Achaia Prefectural Council security of supplies in the CIS ? revoked ?
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1993) Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas on behalf of the Commission 1 . Although the exact percentage of the electricity (11 August 1993) production capacity of the CIS which is exported is not known, this percentage is not of a significant order of magnitude . Subsequent to its answer of 9 February 1993 (*), the Commission is now in a position to inform the Honourable 2 and 3 . While not informed of private contracts Member that it has heard from the Greek authorities that concerning electricity export, the Commission is aware that the Texaco installations at Achaia are not subject to the the net import of electricity to the West European provisions of Directive 82/501/EEC since they comprise fuel interconnected system from the Central and Eastern storage plant with a maximum capacity of 6 032 tonnes . European countries bordering this system reduced between 1991 and 1992 by some 12 % , to 2 400 GWh . This amount The procedure laid down in Directive 85/337/EEC ( impact represented less than 0,2 % of the total electricity study ) ( 2 ) has been carried out for these installations, and the consumption of the Western European countries . operating conditions approved with regard to the protection of the environment. Consequently, Texaco has met all the 4 . It is doubtful that the countries of the CIS will be able requirements of Directive 85/537/EEC. to raise significantly the currently minor share of exported electricity in the near future . The meeting of domestic needs is presently the major concern. As regards the possible extension of these installations, the procedure for the approval of the planned land use has been 5 . The Commission considers that certain actions are suspended . The industrial activity in question is not necessary in order to raise the safety standards of nuclear compatible with the land use provision laid down in the power plants in the CIS to those deemed sufficient "at plants Patras town planning scheme about to be adopted. in the Community . Again, the electricity produced by these plants will to a great extent be employed for domestic 0 ) OJ No C 127, 7. 5 . 1993 . consumption, as it represents an integral part of the ( 2 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7. 1985 . economic structure . No C 25/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2810/92 national implementing measures in respect of Directive by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE ) 71/305/EEC (*), Articles 30 and 59 of the EEC Treaty and Directive 77/62/EEC ( 2 )P to the Commission of the European Communities (16 November 1992) (!) OJ No L 185 , 16 . 8 . 1971 , p . 5 . ( 94/C 25/09 ) ( 2 ) OJ No L 13 , 15 . 1 . 1977, p . 1 .
Subject: EC and sport Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi Could the Commission inform me whether it is prepared to on behalf of the Commission establish a truly European sports policy following its (11 October 1993) communication on sport I 1 ) and could it provide information as to the type of sports projects it is presently funding ? The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the report for the hearing prepared by the Court of Justice in Case (!) SEC(91 ) 1438 . C-71/92 .
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3006/92 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Council of the European Communities As the European Community has no direct powers in the field of sport, the Commission has no plans for a sports (30 November 1992) policy . As it points out in 'The European Community and ( 94/C 25/11 ) Sport', the Commission's approach is threefold — to provide information for sporting circles, to encourage communication through sport and to organize Community Subject: Research Council aid . What changes have been agreed in the funding of the A study on the impact of Community activities in the field of Community's third research framework programme sport is currently being carried out and will be completed by 1990—1994 ; and will the President-in-Office make a July. On the basis of the findings of this survey, the statement on the plans for the Research Council to date ( late Commission will organize meetings with sporting 1992 )? authorities and organizations with the aim of drawing up an action programme .
The Commission is currently financing two sorts of projects Answer in the field of sport — to promote sport for the handicapped (10 December 1993) and to encourage communication through sport. 1 . The Commission submitted a proposal for a Council Decision concerning supplementary financing of the third framework programme of Community R&D activities on 29 July 1992 (*). The proposal was for an ECU 1 600 million supplement to be distributed on a selective basis WRITTEN QUESTION No 2983/92 between the different activities . by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities 2 . In December 1992 the Council reached a compromise on a supplement of ECU 900 million and, notwithstanding (30 November 1992) the abstention of Belgium and Italy, thus adopted a ( 94/C 25/10 'common orientation' which was forwarded to the European Parliament on 13 January 1993 .
Subject: Failure of the Spanish government to implement The Council's orientation was designed to ensure the the directives on public work and supply continuity of the Community's research programme . On the contracts question of the expenditure breakdown, the Council orientation takes into account, particularly as regards the Can the Commission state what reasons have been invoked 'Energy' heading, the concern which Parliament expressed by the Spanish government for the inadequacy of the in its Opinion . 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/7
3 . Finally, the Council adopted on 15 March 1993 the WRITTEN QUESTION No 3511/92 Decision concerning supplementary financing of the third by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI) framework programme of research and development. to the Commission of the European Communities The Belgian delegation abstained, taking the view that a (28 January 1993) supplement of ECU 900 million was insufficient to ensure ( 94/C 25/13 the continuity of the Community's research activities.
(!) OJ No C 225, 1 . 9 . 1992, p. 9 . Subject: Restoration of sites in Attica where waste is buried for public health reasons
Having regard to the plans by the United Association of Municipalities and Communes in the prefecture of Attica ( ESDKNA) to restore sites where waste is buried for public health reasons and in particular the waste tips of Schisto and WRITTEN QUESTION No 3033/92 Ano Liossia, can the Commission say whether there is any by Mr Yves Verwaerde (LDR) scope for funding projects of this kind? to the Commission of the European Communities (14 December 1992) ( 94/C 25/12 ) Answer given by Mr Millan Subject: Final-year student trainees on behalf of the Commission (5 April 1993) Can the Commission give the number of final-year student trainees by nationality in the Commission's directorates-general and specialized department in 1991 ? The Commission would be willing to consider an application from the Greek authorities for structural fund assistance to the sites in question in the context of the Regional Operational Programme for Attica . Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1993)
The breakdown by nationality of student traineeships awarded in 1991 is as follows ( trainees from non-member WRITTEN QUESTION No 135/93 countries have been grouped together): by Mr Giis de Vries (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities Nationality Total (15 February 1993) ( 94/C 25/14 ) Belgium 69 Denmark 57 128 Germany Subject: American exports of maize and sorghum to Greece 66 Spain Spain 83 France 104 In 1987 the EC undertook to grant the United States an Ireland 41 annual quota of 2 million tonnes of maize and 0,3 million Italy 141 tonnes of sorghum for import into Spain between 1987 and Luxembourg 12 1990 . This arrangement, which stemmed from the problems Netherlands 66 surrounding Spain's accession to the EEC, is based on Portugal 15 Article XXIV, section 6 of GATT. United Kingdom 97 This agreement was renewed at the end of 1990 and again at Total EUR 12 879 the end of 1991 for a year at a time . The Commission is Non-member countries 157 currently proposing a further extension. Does the Commission consider that the agreement should be ended Total EUR 12 + Non-member countries 1 036 no later than the moment final agreement is reached in the Uruguay Round ? No C 25/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer given by Mr Steichen In addition, the European Development Fund provides for a on behalf of the Commission total allocation of ECU 10,8 billions for the period 1990 to (16 September 1993) 1995 , i.e. an average amount of 2,16 billions by year . In consequence, the total Development Public Aid managed The import arrangements for maize and sorghum into by the Commission in 1993 will be near ECU Spain, stemming from Spain's accession to the Community, 6,5 billions . have been extended to the end of 1993 .
In the framework of the Uruguay Round discussions they are to be treated as current access in accordance with the provisions of the Draft Final Act embodying the results of the Multilateral Trade Negotiations . Consequently, the WRITTEN QUESTION No 175/93 Commission considers that a definite resolution would be by Mr Gerd Miiller ( PPE ) included in the final agreement reached in those negotations . to the Commission of the European Communities (17 February 1993) ( 94/C 25/16 )
Subject: Endeavours to harmonize vehicle taxes and road tolls in the Community WRITTEN QUESTION No 171/93 The repeated failure of attempts to harmonize vehicle taxes by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S ) and road tolls in the Community has caused considerable to the Commission of the European Communities market distortion, and discrimination against, undertakings (17 February 1993) in Member States with high vehicle taxes and no road tolls . 94/C 25/15 ) What immediate steps will the Commission take to ensure Subject: Overseas aid budget that liberalization of market access is accompanied by harmonization of conditions of competition ?
Now that the 1993 budget has been finalized, can the In the event of a further failure of efforts to achieve Commission confirm what the level of overseas aid budget harmonization or an adverse preliminary ruling by the ECJ will be this year ? on freedom of cabotage, would the Commission be prepared to authorize Germany to introduce a road toll and reduce its vehicle taxes in accordance with the Commission proposals ? Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (11 May 1993) Answer given by Mr Matutes on behalf of the Commission The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that (3 September 1993) the 1993 budget provides for the following commitment appropriations for overseas aid : The Commission has consistently made every possible effort to ensure that Community decisions are adopted regarding (ECU) road and motor vehicle taxation. Thus :
Food aid 574 000 000 — It was at the Commission's insistence that the Council Cooperation with ALA countries ' 634 000 000 set the minimum rate of excise duty on diesel oil at ECU Cooperation with Mediterranean countries 408 700 000 254 per 1 000 litres ( 1 ). Other cooperation measures 626 700 000 — In 1988 the Commission submitted to the Council Cooperation with countries of Central and proposals ( 2 ), amended in 1991 ( 3 ) and 1992 ( 4 ), for Eastern Europe and the independent states of the former Soviet Union 1 573 000 000 decisions on vehicle taxes and the charging of transport infrastructure costs to heavy goods vehicles on the basis External aspects of certain Community of their real use of these infrastructures . policies 293 700 000 Reserve for humanitarian aid - 209 000 000 — The Commission has worked unremittingly in cooperation with successive Presidencies to find Total 4 319 100 000 compromise solutions within Council bodies . 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/9
In Luxembourg on 9 June 1993 the Council did arrive at Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas compromise, the most important points of which are as on behalf of the Commission follows : (3 September 1993)
1 . From 1 January 1995 Member States must comply with the minimum rates for the tax on vehicles used for road The Commission has already granted financial support of haulage . ECU 300 000 for ecological studies of the Shetland coast and ECU 25 000 for the protection of wildlife .
A limited number of temporary exemptions have been The investigation now in progress into the accident granted to certain Member States ( until 31 December involving the Braer will show whether or not international 1997 ) and to certain vehicles ( until 1 July 1998 ). agreements have been observed .
2 . Member States may introduce road user charges for the The Commission is currently looking into the protection of use of their motorway networks or dual-carriageway ecologically sensitive areas and the need for better roads with similar characteristics . In the absence of a regulation of oil tanker movements at sea . Community procedure , user charges may also be applied on other sections of the main road network ( safety reasons).
(!) OJ No L 316 , 19 . 10 . 1992 . ( 2 ) OJ No C 79, 26 . 3 . 1988 . WRITTEN QUESTION No 208/93 ( 3 ) OJ No C 75 , 20 . 3 . 1991 . by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers ( S ) (4 ) OJNoC 311 , 27. 11 . 1992 . to the Commission of the European Communities (18 February 1993) ( 94/C 25/18 )
Subject: Nuclear power station at Kozloduy (Bulgaria )
According to a report in De Volkskrant of 18 January 1993 , the Bulgarian nuclear power station at Kozloduy is the first WRITTEN QUESTION No 192/93 of dozens of elderly, unsafe installations in Eastern Europe by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI) that will be modernized with Western aid . This was to the Commission of the European Communities announced in a statement by the chairman of the Bulgarian Atomic Energy Committee, Janko Janev, on 17 January (17 February 1993) 1993 . ( 94/C 25/17 ) 1 . Is the Commission aware of Mr Janko Janev's statement on 17 January 1993 ?
Subject: Environment disaster in the Shetland Islands 2 . What have the Community and the Member States contributed ( financially ) to date and what will be the Community's share of the total investment costs for the The wreck of the tanker Braer recently caused an modernization of the nuclear power station at environmental catastrophe in the waters off the Shetland Kozloduy ? Islands . The disaster could not have happened in a worse place as the area is one of the last sanctuaries for wild 3 . Which banks are involved in the financing of the animals in Britain . Eight thousand seals, hundred of otters necessary investment ? and 30 000 sea-birds nest and reproduce in the Shetland 4 . Which companies are involved in the modernizing of the Islands and along the coast of northern Scotland; these areas are therefore protected by international agreements . power station ? However, the environmental organization Greenpeace has 5 . What reports and opinions have been produced by observed that in practice these high-principled agreements which organizations on the question of whether and are circumvented by the oil industry in its efforts to save time „ how the Kozloduy nuclear power station should be and money. The result of this is appalling environmental modernized ? disasters : more than 150 000 sea-birds die each year in the North Atlantic alon^. Will the Commission examine the 6 . On the basis of what considerations and when was it possibility of making a financial contribution to the decided to modernize the power station ? environmental organizations fighting to save the birds and mammals in Shetland waters ? Will it call on the North Sea 7 . What variables and assumptions were included in the countries to respect their agreements in practice and prevent weighing up of costs and profits that provided the basis the passage of tankers through environmentally sensitive for the decision to modernize the nuclear power station ? areas ? What are the alternatives ? No C 25/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan contamination they cause could never be justified in the past on behalf of the Commission and even less so today. (5 October 1993)
1 . The Commission is regularly informed of the situation and of possible request from Bulgaria by that country's Answer authorities or their contractors . (21 December 1993)
2 . In the context of the 1991 and 1992 budgets, the Community's contribution exceeded ECU 26 million . The The matter raised by the Honourable Member has been Commission intends to continue to contribute , within discussed in the context of European Union business . budgetary constraints, to the modernization programme for the nuclear power station at Kozloduy . The European Union has noted attentively the decisions by France , the United States and Russia on the suspension of 3 . As far as the Commission is aware , the EBRD intends their nuclear tests and the United Kingdom's confirmation to make a financial contribution to the necessary that it will not carry out any tests for the duration of the investments from its multilateral funds . moratorium decided on by the United States .
Furthermore , the Commission has proposed the extension In this connection the European Union cannot remain of Euratom loans to help improve the safety of nuclear indifferent in the face of recent Chinese nuclear testing, the installations in Eastern Europe ; the power station at first since September 1992 . Kozloduy will certainly be taken into consideration in this context at the appropriate moment . The European Union has noted with satisfaction the decision by the Conference on Disarmament to give its 4 . Community operations are managed by firms selected special Committee on a nuclear test ban a remit to negotiate in accordance with existing procedures . a treaty for the complete cessation of nuclear testing. The European Union would point to the importance, in order to 5 . With regard to the modernization of the power prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, of a station, a study was conducted into Bulgaria's energy universally applicable and internationally, effectively situation within the framework of the 1991 emergency verifiable test ban treaty. programme; on the basis of that study the Bulgarian authorities have postponed a feasibility study into the conversion of units 1 to 4 at Kozloduy into a combined cycle The European Union stated its views along these lines at the plant. 48th General Assembly in New York.
6 and 7. Decisions on modernization of the power station are in the hands of the Bulgarian authorities alone, who take into account not only the advice of international bodies such as the IAEA but also studies on the cost of alternatives . Given the importance of nuclear energy ( more than 40 % share ), the Bulgarian government does not, to the WRITTEN QUESTION No 270/93 Commission's knowledge, intend to decommission units 1 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to 4 in the short term. to the Commission of the European Communities (24 February 1993) ( 941C 25/20
Subject: The petrified forest of Mytilini WRITTEN QUESTION No 228/93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing The petrified forest of Mytilini, situated in the north-west of to the Council of the European Communities the island of Lesbos between the villages of Antissa, Sigri, (18 February 1993) and Eressos , was declared a nature conservation area in 1995 . This unique forest, which dates back some 20 million ( 94/C 25/19 ) years, has been repeatedly 'looted' by jewellery makers and collectors who have often smashed up huge petrified trees. In 1986, efforts were made to 'house' some of the large trees Subject: Nuclear test ban and it was announced that a study would be carried out for the construction of a natural history museum at Sigri . What action is the Council taking to promote an Preparatory work was carried out in 1988 and the study international nuclear test ban ? The environmental incorporated into the IMP with a budget of DR 100 million 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/11 since when no other information has been forthcoming . Can 4 . Does the Commission agree that if one were to weigh the Commission provide any information as to how this up a government's liabilities against its assets and its matter is developing ? debt-servicing deficit against its return on accumulated pension reserves, the Netherlands ( with a government debt of 49 % GDP and a government deficit of 1,28 % GDP in 1991 ) would already be well within the EMU criteria and would have room to pursue a policy stimulating growth and employment in the Community ? Answer given by Mr Millan on behalf of the Commission (27 September 1993)
Answer given by Mr Delors The project to which the Honourable Member refers has on behalf of the Commission suffered from long delays, mainly due to problems of a (8 October 1993 ) procedural nature . However, a call for tenders was recently published, the procedure for which terminated on 4 July 1993 . 1 . Article 2 of the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union It now seems likely that the first phase of the work will begin defines public debt for the purposes of Article 104c of the in the near future . Treaty as total gross debt at nominal value outstanding at the end for the year and consolidated between and within the sectors of general government . Unlike net debt, gross debt does not take account of financial assets in the form of general government's claims on other sectors of the economy .
2 . The European System of Integrated Economic Accounts ( ESA ) classifies the payment of interest on general WRITTEN QUESTION No 298/93 government debt as current expenditure . Similarly, interest by Mr Alman Metten (S ) accruing to general government from financial assets is to the Commission of the European Communities classified as current revenue . Consequently, interest paid and interest received both affect the budget deficit ( defined (1 March 1993) by the protocol as net general government borrowing). In ( 94/C 25/21 ) the Netherlands, the Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds ( ABP ) is an autonomous institution administered on a fully funded basis , which retains ownership of the interest accruing on its assets . Under ESA national accounts , the Subject: Reserves accumulated for civil service pensions ABP pension fund is classified in the insurance enterprises and the criteria for admittance to EMU sector, not as part of general government . Its revenue and expenditure are included in the figures for insurance enterprises . 1 . Is it true that the 'government' debt criterion for admittance to the third phase of EMU takes account of the total debts, in the broadest sense of the word, incurred by a 3 . As mentioned in the answer to Written Question government, but not of the reserves that government has No 1442/92 (*), an important special feature of ABP is that accumulated with a view to future payments ? it has built up reserves; a fully funded pension fund that builds up reserves in anticipation of future pension payments would clearly seem to be somewhat better placed 2 . Is it true that the 'government deficit' criterion for than a fund based on a pay-as-you-go system if the admittance to the third phase of EMU takes account of population is tending to age. interest paid out in servicing existing debts but not of the return on reserves accumulated, for example , for the payment of civil service pensions ? 4 . The Honourable Member's suggested calculations are not compatible with the application of ESA rules to the calculation of budget deficits and government debt as 3 . Does the Commission agree that this pointless defined in the Treaty on European Union . distinction, which includes in its calculation debts but not reserves, interest paid out but not interest received, results in far too gloomy an assessment of the government finances in OJ No C 6, 11 . 1 . 1993 . those Member States which use a fully funded system rather than a pay-as-you-go system for the payment of civil service pensions ? No C 25/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
WRITTEN QUESTION No 360/93 The Commission was pleased to take note of this by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S ) information . It wishes to point out that the Community and its Member States have come out firmly in favour of tighter to the Commission of the European Communities nuclear non-proliferation arrangements . Preparation for the (3 March 1993) 1995 Conference on extending the NPT and the recent ( 94/C 25/22 ) conclusion of cooperation and partnership agreements with the IAEA in the field of safeguards reflect this position. Subject: Nuclear proliferation in South Africa
According to information provided by the ANC , South Africa has secretly manufactured over 200 kg of enriched uranium, sufficient to produce 25 nuclear warheads . WRITTEN QUESTION No 460/93 In addition, according to the International Atomic Energy by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V ) Agency, it has the necessary technology and metallurgical to the Commission of the European Communities resources to manufacture nuclear weapons at Pelindaba . (11 March 1993)
Is the Commission aware of this ? ( 94/C 25/23 )
If these allegations prove to be true , what steps will the Subject: Biodiversity and forestry Commission take to prevent any further nuclear weapons proliferation ? Following the Rio Conference, the Commission has, on several occasions, expressed its concern with preserving ' biodiversity and taking specific measures in this area .
Answer given by Mr Van den Broek Certain forestry techniques, such as clear felling, have an on behalf of the Commission unfavourable effect, not only on soil quality ( erosion ) but (22 October 1993) also water quality ( increase in suspended particles ) and a serious reduction in biodiversity . This applies not only to The Honourable Member is doubtless aware of President de tropical forests, which have been very much in the public Klerk's statement of 24 March 1993 to the effect that South eye , but also forests in the northern hemisphere , in particular British Columbia ( Canada ) or Scandinavia . Africa had developed a nuclear weapons programme in the 80's, but that his government had taken the decision to put an end to this programme in 1989 . In view of this , what steps will the Commission take to limit or prohibit the import of forestry products obtained by such Subsequently South Africa acceded to the Treaty on the methods , thereby putting its words into action ? Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ( NPT ) on 10 July 1991 , as a non-nuclear-weapon State . Under this Treaty, it undertook, in particular, not to 'manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas devices'. on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1993) In order to verify compliance with all NPT provisions , a safeguards agreement was concluded, as demanded by the Treaty, between South Africa and the International Atomic At the Rio Conference ( Unced ) in June 1992 the European Energy Agency on 16 September 1991 . The agreement Community adopted the declaration of principles entered into force on the same day and led to South Africa concerning the management, conservation and sustainable submitting an Initial Report to the IAEA on 30 October development of all types of forests . It also signed the 1991 , containing a list of all the country's nuclear materials Convention on Biological Diversity . The Commission and its activities in the nuclear sector . Since then, IAEA actively supports the implementation of these inspectors have carried out over 130 inspections in South agreements . Africa in order to check that the information provided was accurate and complete . With regard to boreal and temperate forests, the Commission helped prepare the 2nd Ministerial Conference In connection with his March 1993 statement, President de on the Protection of Forests in Europe . At the Conference, in Klerk stipulated that the dismantling and destruction of Helsinki in June 1993 , the Commission signed, on behalf of military equipment and devices had been completed in the Community, resolutions concerning the sustainable September 1991 , before the IAEA agreement had entered management of forests and the conservation of their into force . He also invited the IAEA to inspect those South biological diversity . African installations formerly involved in the weapons programme , so as to satisfy itself that the programme had In addition, as part of the follow-up to the undertakings indeed been abandoned and that all nuclear materials used given in Rio, the Commission is now preparing two had been listed and placed under the IAEA's control . communications to the Council on the management, 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/13 conservation and sustainable development of forests . One Since each institution has specific responsibilities, a merging concerns forests in the Community, the other concerns of the offices has so far not been envisaged . tropical forests .
With regard to the sustainable management of forests on a global scale, it would point out that before the Rio Conference the Community gave an undertaking, which it has repeated on several occasions, to endeavour to pave the WRITTEN QUESTION No 659/93 way for a legally binding international instrument by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S ) concerning the management, conservation and sustainable to the Commission of the European Communities development of all types of forests . (6 April 1993) The Commission therefore vigorously supports the ( 94/C 25/25 ) implementation of the ITTO Resolution aimed at ensuring that as from the year 2000 the tropical wood trade is based solely on timber from forests managed in a sustainable Subject: Phare programme way. What arrangements does the Commission have for evaluating the effectiveness of the Phare programme ? Lastly, the Commission is examining the commercial instruments which could be used to encourage all economic operators to become involved in the sustainable management of the global forest heritage . However, it takes the view that any measure that might be considered must Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan comply with the international trade agreements and on behalf of the Commission undertakings . (4 October 1993)
Evaluations of Phare programmes are foreseen usually at the end of a programme or — if programmes last for more than three years — during programme implementation .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 481/93 While monitoring information is collected internally, by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S ) evaluations are undertaken by external evaluators based on to the Commission of the European Communities specific terms of reference and key criteria for evaluation. (12 March 1993) ( 94/C 25/24 ) At present, Phare is working towards a more systematic approach to evaluations . In this respect, a system of Subject: European Community information policy permanent evaluation has been developed by the Commission . This system will become operational after a test period which is to be initiated forthwith on a selective Given the perceived lack of transparency in its dealings with basis with regard to several sectoral and country the public, does the Commission accept that one problem is the lack of public understanding of the functions of the programmes . different institutions of the Community ? In that context, would it agree it would be an important step forward in simplifying public access to information if the Commission and Parliament Information Offices in the Member States were to be merged to provide a single access point for WRITTEN QUESTION No 740/93 information ? by Mrs Barbara Schmidbauer ( S ) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 April 1993) Answer given by Mr Pinheiro ( 94/C 25/26 ) on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1993) Subject: EC-recognized passes for the disabled and senior citizens The Commission encourages close cooperation between Commission offices and offices of the European Parliament . Guaranteed freedom of movement of persons was supposed Recent efforts in this direction are bearing fruit. Several joint to be one of results of the completion of the internal projects are being carried out by the offices in the Member market . States . In six Member States , Parliament and Commission offices are in the same building as a result of the systematic However, problems are arising for holders of disabled policy of the two institutions . persons' or senior citizens' passes issued by the national No C 25/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 authorities entitling the holders to the necessary assistance 2 . Is the Commission aware that the park is to be located to guarantee their full integration in society ( special on terraces along the northern coast between Hato and facilities, free travel for an accompanying person, etc.), since Boca , one of the eight main major nature areas on the island these passes are not yet recognized throughout the EC and being considered for designation as a protected area ? 'privileges' may be lost on the crossing of an internal border thereby considerably restricting their freedom of movement. 3 . Is it true that, to date , no overall energy plan has been drawn up for Curasao for the purposes of assessing such projects ? What steps will the Commission take to remedy this problem ? 4 . What efforts have been made to consider alternative Is it prepared to draw up guidelines for the locations , for example the Ronde Klip/St Catharina area to Community-wide recognition of disabled persons and the east of the Playa Canoa ? senior citizens ? 5 . Does not the Commission stipulate that an overall When will a pass recognized throughout the Community be energy plan and site survey, preferably in the form of an issued to disabled persons or senior citizens ? environmental impact assessment, are conditions for the granting of aid ?
Answer given by Mr Flynn 6 . Does the Commission agree that an environmental on behalf of the Commission impact assessment should be carried out since the necessary time now appears to be available ? (16 July 1993) 7. What steps can the Commission take to prevent any The recognition of disability cards issued by other Member recurrence of such developments in future ? States, so that disabled people can benefit from existing national laws concerning disability cards, is the responsibility of each Member State .
The introduction of a European disability card presupposes standardization in all Member States of the definition of Answer given by Mr Matutes disability, and of disability cards . Under the Community on behalf of the Commission programme Helios II, a preliminary study into the (12 October 1993) possibilities of establishing a European disability card will be proposed .
As far as the European Senior Citizens Card is concerned the On 16 December 1991 , the Commission, following the favourable opinion of the Thermie Advisory Committee, Commission is engaged in discussions with Member States on the basis of the existing Recommendation on the granted ECU 941 311 for the implementation of a 3 MW wind farm in the island of Curasao . Presently the project is European Senior Citizens Card . under completion and the wind farm consisting of 12 wind turbines is scheduled to be in operation in summer 1993 . In the meantime a Travelguide , showing special advantages available to Older People travelling in Europe, has been published in May of this year . The permission for the realization of the project was given by the local government, after the introduction of the 'Eilandelijk Ontwikkelings Plan' ( EOP). According to this plan the island has been divided into development and conservation areas in order to ensure optimum and controlled economic development on the territory. The EOP introduced the possibility for the public to participate and WRITTEN QUESTION No 763/93 express its opinion before reaching a final decision about the by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S ) granting of building permission. to the Commission of the European Communities (15 April 1993) The project was fully supported by the local government, ( 94/C 25/27 ) and the public utility . A study entitled 'Energy and water supply planning for Curasao, 1984—1994' was carried out for KAE, the local power utility, by DHV Consulting Subject: Windmill park in Curasao engineers in November 1984 . In order to operate its power and water distillation system the island imports all its fuel by 1 . Is it true that the Commission has paid Fl 2 million to tanker . The 3 MW wind plant will generate nearly 2 % of Kodela NV for the development of a windmill park in the yearly electricity requirements of the island, substituting Curacao ? about 1 805 tonnes oil equivalent a year . Studies on the 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/15 wind potential, the electrical integration of the wind farm to In view of this, does the Commission consider that, in the existing power system and geo-technical research , have addition to Commission proposals, the explanatory also been conducted . memoranda contained in the COM documents should also be published in the Official Journal ? The Commission received a proposal, specifying the region of Tera Cora as the installation site . All calculations referred If the Commission agrees, when will it put this into to this site . It should also be pointed out that the area has practice ? been allocated since 1983 for the installation of 24 wind turbines and that a wind turbine is in operation in the same site since 1986 . Answer given by Mr Delors The following authorizations have been given to the wind on behalf of the Commission farm developer : (11 October 1993) — plan permit, excavation permit for cable trenches and nuisance permit As it stated in the answer to oral question H-206/93 by Mr Cassidy (*), the Commission has been publishing a weekly — building permit for electrical substations list of documents it has sent to the Council since January . — building permit for wind turbines, foundations and transformer and control buildings . In addition to adoption and transmission dates, this list gives catalogue number, thereby enabling readers to order When permission is given by the local authorities, the them from the Publications Office and thus to acquaint Commission can only assume that environmental themselves not only with the explanatory memoranda but considerations have been taken into account. It is not the also the impact assessments and financial statements . responsibility of the Commission to interfere with local issues . 0 ) European Parliament Debate No 430 ( April 1993 ).
Given the progress already made towards the realization of the project in Tera Cora it will not be possible to relocate the wind farm without harming the economic profitability of the project. Nevertheless the contractor has undertaken the obligation to monitor and report the level of the noise WRITTEN QUESTION No 779/93 emitted by the wind turbines . by Mr Bouke Beumer ( PPE) The Commission launched the Altener programme with the to the Commission of the European Communities aim of harmonizing requirements and accelerating (19 April 1993) procedures for the necessary authorization and to ensure the ( 94/C 25/29 ) strengthening of environmental awareness .
Subject: Use of pension funds to purchase shares in the relevant company
1 . Is the Commission aware that the pension funds of the Nedlloyd shipping company have been used to buy shares in that company ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 777/93 by Mr Eisso Woltjer ( S ) 2 . Does the Commission agree with the unwritten rule of to the Commission of the European Communities business ethics that staff pension funds must not be used to finance the risk capital of the company itself? (19 April 1993) ( 94/C 25/28 ) 3 . To what extent does the Commission agree that the members of the company board must not be on the management board or advisory committee of the pension Subject: Publication of explanatory memoranda fund of the same company ?
The Treaty on European Union contains a declaration on 4 . Does the Commission consider that, in view of the the right of access to information stating that 'the foreknowledge implied — particularly for companies transparency of the decision-making process strengthens the quoted on the stock exchange — any purchase or sale of democratic nature of the institutions and the public's shares by the company pension fund and the company itself confidence in the administration'. is in principle an infringement of business ethics ? No C 25/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
5 . Does the Commission consider that measures should their employer ( 2 ) which reads as follows : 'Member States be taken at European level to introduce a stricter separation shall ensure that the necessary measures are taken to protect between pension funds and risk capital in the same the interests of employees and of persons having already left undertaking ? the employer's undertaking or business at the date of the onset of the employer's insolvency in respect of rights conferring on them immediate or prospective entitlement to old-age benefits, including survivors' benefits, under supplementary company or inter-company pension schemes outside the national statutory social security schemes'. Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1993) It should be noted that a Commission proposal for a directive ( 3 ), which is currently being amended following its First Reading by the European Parliament addresses some of these questions directly. Article 4.1 of this proposal sets out 1 . The Commission has not been formally informed of the basic principle of prudence to be followed in the this . investment of the funds of institutions for retirement provision and subparagraph ( c ) of this refers directly to 2 . The Commission considers that the investments of investment in the sponsoring undertaking. In accordance pension funds must be made in the sole interests of the with the wishes of Parliament this self investment ban will be members and beneficiaries of those funds and that prudent extended to affiliated undertakings and to associated principles should be employed in relation to suitable undertakings, using the provisions of the Seventh Accounts diversification of those investments . Within those basic Directive 83/349/EEC ( 4 ) to define those companies where principles situations can exist in which it would not be dominant influence may be exercised . At the same time the improper for a part of the fund to be invested in shares of the ban is also being extended to transactions such as loans to sponsoring undertaking or of some associated or affiliated bodies, e.g. trade unions, which may also be the sponsoring undertaking, or in the property occupied by the sponsoring body in sectorial arrangements . or associated undertaking. In fact, Member States' legislation does allow for self investment up to a prudent (!) OJ No L 334, 18 . 11 . 1989 . ceiling, which is often absolutely prescribed by the Member ( 2 ) OJ No L 283 , 20 . 10 . 1980 . State . For example in the Netherlands this ceiling is ( 3 ) COM(91 ) 301 final . normally 5 % of the total pension fund assets, but this can be ( 4 ) OJ No L 193 , 18 . 7 . 1983 . increased to 10% in certain circumstances .
3 . The Commission considers that it is perfectly proper for management of the sponsoring company to be represented on the management board or advisory committee of the pension fund . It is also proper for employee representatives to form part of those bodies . The precise division between management, employees and those with independent interests depends upon individual WRITTEN QUESTION No 781/93 Member State legislation and practice and is not a matter by Mr Lode van Outrive ( S ) upon which it is proper for the Commission to enact to the Commission of the European Communities legislation . (19 April 1993) 94/C 25/30 ) 4 . Dealing in shares must at all times take full account of the insider dealing provisions enshrined in Community law ( Directive 89/592/EEC (*)) and in national law. Pension fund assets are not different in this respect from other assets Subject: DAF redundancies — Eindhoven and Westerlo and those managing the fund must act accordingly, and the implications for the Belgian regions of accepting any possible restriction of dealing freedom as part northern Limburg and northern Campine of their investment decision . According to a statement made by Commissioner Van Miert 5 . Different methods have developed in the Member on Tuesday, 2 March 1993, it will not be possible for ESF States for the funding of pension promises . The methods funds to be used to provide assistance for employees in include pay-as-you-go, book reserves and full funding . It is Eindhoven, Westerlo or Aartselaar who have lost their jobs . not appropriate for the Commission to prevent any of these In addition, about 1 000 employees from northern Campine national methods provided that the payment of pensions is and northern Limburg, which are Objective 2 regions, have guaranteed even in the event of insolvency of the employer . lost their jobs . Will these regions receive supplementary Member States have to take the necessary measures to that funds to cope with the social consequences of the DAF effect according to Article 8 of Directive 80/987/EEC on the redundancies and contribute to the conversion of the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to automobile sector ? What will be the amount of these the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of appropriations, and for what specific purposes will they be 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/17 earmarked in the areas concerned ( northern Campine and WRITTEN QUESTION No 830/93 northern Limburg)? by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities (21 April 1993) Answer given by Mr Flynn ( 94/C 25/31 on behalf of the Commission (21 October 1993) Subject: Monetary system Mr Van Miert's statement on 2 March 1993 , to which the Honourable Member refers, is correct in that there is no In the present economic circumstances , where the main provision for special aid for the automobile sector under the problem for the Community is no longer inflation but European Social Fund . recession and unemployment, the monetary system has been transformed from a source of stability into a source of As part of the general activities of the Social Fund and instability. Today the Community and its Member States subject to the financial constraints imposed by its have two choices : either to loosen the links between the programming, there are several options for dealing with the European currencies so that each country is free to follow its redundancies at DAF. own economic policy according to its internal needs, or to accelerate the monetary union provided for in the Under Objective 3 , a certain contribution can be made Maastricht Treaty. What are the Commission's views on under the ESF for training and redeployment, if the Flemish this serious issue ? Community requests a derogation from the provisions for long-term unemployment, as recently approved by the Commission ( 1 ). This allows the 12-month qualification period for long-term unemployment laid down in the ESF regulation to be reduced for workers who have been made redundant and who have difficulty in finding work because of their age, a handicap or the nature of their vocational Answer given by Mr Christophersen skills if they satisfy one of the two following criteria : on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1993) — they are in a depressed region suffering severe recession and a sharp rise in unemployment;
— they have been dismissed from undertakings which are The short-term prospects for growth in the Community in serious difficulty due to changes in the economic economy are poor . Real GDP in the Community is forecast environment, especially as regards the international to decline by 0,4 % in 1993 and to grow by a modest 1,3 % situation. in 1994 . The disappointing trend in economic growth and the associated rise in unemployment have been major Under this derogation action could be taken to assist , sources of difficulty in the EMS , beginning in the second half redundant DAF workers, who will be the hardest to place in of 1992 and culminating in the modification of the system at alternative employment. the end of July 1993 . Exchange-rate tensions largely reflect concerns in the financial markets relating to the future of the The district of Turnhout and the province of Limburg are Treaty on European Union and thus EMU, in an currently eligible under Objective 2 of the Structural Funds . environment of economic recession and divergence among Under the current programmes for 1992—1993 , and so far Member States . There is a widespread perception in the as the funds still available permit, a grant can be made for markets that the commitment of Member States to the training of workers who are employed at DAF or have achieving nominal convergence in advance of EMU has been made redundant. However, these programmes do not declined . If exchange-rate stability is to be restored on a provide for assistance for redeployment measures . more permanent basis, it is essential to reinforce the credibility of the EMU project by a reaffirmation of the convergence efforts of Member States ; this will not only In accordance with the regulations concerning the serve to re-launch the integration process but will help to Structural Funds as amended by the Council on 20 July provide the conditions for a safe reduction in interest rates 1993 and in consultation with the Member States across the Community . In addition, the Commission is concerned, the Commission will in the course of this autumn convinced of the need for more direct measures to stimulate draw up a list of zones eligible under Objective 2 for the a sustainable recovery in the Community economy and period 1994—1996 . At that time , it will make its position reverse the upward trend in unemployment. In this regard, known with regard to the inclusion in the list of the two the conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen on areas in question . the need for a coordinated effort to boost investment and employment creation, together with the 'growth initiative' (!) COM(93 ) 128 final . launched by the Council in December 1992, are of major significance . Finally, the Commission intends to propose broad guidelines for the implementation of Member State No C 25/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 and Community economic policies before the end of this highly polluted environment will be disastrous and existing year, in accordance with the Treaty on European Union . legislation seems to be having little effect in curbing it .
What is the Commission's position on the problem in general and how will it discourage similar incidents in the future ?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 891/93 by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S ) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1993) (30 September 1993) ( 94/C 25/32 )
Subject: Aid and contracts for Belgium in the nuclear It is unclear from the information provided in the question sector whether the incidents referred to are covered by Community legislation. What Community aid and contracts were allocated to Belgium in the nuclear sector in 1990, 1991 , and 1992, However, the Commission would be happy to consider broken down by region (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels ) and further relevant information from the Honourable Member. beneficiary ?
Answer given by Mr Matutes on behalf of the Commission (5 October 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION No 960/93 by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities As a general rule, the Commission makes no distinction regarding nationality or region in awarding contracts to (29 April 1993) tendering firms . Only financial and technical aspects are ( 94/C 25/34 ) taken into consideration in the Commission's calls for tender. Subject: Community energy priorities for 1994—2000 in However, the Commission is sending documents direct to favour of the less-prosperous Member States the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the European Parliament with the information requested for European Regional Fund aid has played a very constructive the whole of Belgium , inasmuch as such information is not role in developing energy resources in the less prosperous confidential . Member States . Some ECU 400 million annually are already being allocated for this purpose . However, according to reliable estimates this is not enough to meet requirements since ECU 46 billion are needed for the 1994—2000 period for the production, transport and distribution of different forms of energy. In view of this serious imbalance between WRITTEN QUESTION No 914/93 requirements and available resources, the Community should draw up clear funding priorities in respect of the by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis ( S ) energy development of the less prosperous Member States to the Commission of the European Communities over this period. What priorities has the Commission (27 April 1993) selected and what level of funding does it intend to allocate to these priorities ? ( 94/C 25/33 )
Subject: Unlawful occupation of woodland in Greece Answer given by Mr Millan There has recently been a widespread spate of incidents in on behalf of the Commission Greece in which woodland and areas designated for (9 September 1993) reafforestation have been unlawfully occupied, typical examples being the region of Aghios Stephanos and Vouliagmeni . Under recently agreed regulations, it is not the Commission's role to make precise proposals for the Experts and local authorities predict that such trespassing allocation of Structural Fund resources between individual will increase in the future . The effects of this on an already expenditure areas . Instead the amount of Structural Fund 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/19
resources allocated to investment in energy infrastructures WRITTEN QUESTION No 975/93 under the next Community Support Frameworks will, to a by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez and Alonso Puerta ( NI ) very large extent, be determined by the development priorities which the national and regional authorities in the to the Commission of the European Communities less prosperous regions have defined on the basis of their (29 April 1993) assessment of the socio-economic situation in these ( 94/C 25/36 ) regions .
Moreover, it should be kept in mind that energy infrastructure generates substantial revenues . Loan finance Subject: Construction of a rubbish dump in the municipal could therefore play an important role in this field . district of Alcaraz ( Albacete — Spain )
The Albacete provincial authority has began to construct a dump for solid urban waste in the municipal district of Alcaraz.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 963/93 This kind of installation is covered in Annex II to Directive by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin (V ) 85/337/EEC (*) on the assessment of the effects of certain to the Commission of the European Communities projects on the environment. (29 April 1993) ( 94/C 25/35 The project also falls within the scope of Directive 75/442/EEC ( 2 ), as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC ( 3 ), Subject: Destruction of a site of environmental on waste in general . Article 4 thereof provides for waste to importance be managed and disposed of without endangering human health and without harming the environment, and in Written Question No 1772/92, tabled more than six months particular : ago by Mrs Trautmann, Mr Giscard d'Estaing, Mr Reymann, Mr Bombard and Mr Raffin, has still not been — without risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals , answered . — without causing a nuisance through noise or odours, The rural district of Rhinau ( Bas-Rhin, France ) contains an area of special biological interest listed as a 'natural area of — without adversely affecting the countryside or places of special environmental interest for its fauna and flora'. A site special interest . with such a wealth of plant and animal species comes within the purview of Directive 92/43/EEC (*) on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora . Despite its Account must also be taken of Directive 80/68/EEC ( 4 ), the exceptional quality, this area of approximately 20 hectares, purpose of which is to ensure effective protection for known as Ried de Rhinau, is under serious threat from a groundwater against any pollution caused by substances plan to build a motocross track . which might leach from the waste . Houses at Aldea de la Rambla, which is very near where it has been decided to site What action does the Commission propose to take to the rubbish dump, get their drinking water from wells and prevent the destruction of a natural environment so close to the river Jardfn, which irrigates the whole plain of Balazote, the European Parliament ? is about 1 000 metres from the area where the waste will be dumped . Is the Commission awaiting the destruction of this site before answering ? As the dump is being constructed with Community funds, H OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7. 1 . what steps is the Commission thinking of taking to ensure that the authorities in question ensure that Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas Community provisions on the environment are correctly on behalf of the Commission implemented ? (18 October 1993) 2 . does the Commission not consider that if Community policies and, in particular, the Community's The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its environmental policy are ignored, payment for the answer to Written Question No 1772/92 by Mr Giscard project out of Community funds should be halted ? d'Estaing and others (*). (!) OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7. 1985 , p . 40 . OJ No C 155 , 7 . 6 . 1993 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 194, 25 . 7. 1975, p . 39 . ( 3 ) OJ No L 78 , 26 . 3 . 1991 , p . 32 . ( 4 ) OJ No L 20, 26 . 1 . 1980, p . 43 . No C 25/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas European interconnected system from the Central and East on behalf of the Commission European countries bordering this system reduced between (20 October 1993) 1991 and 1992 by some 12% , to 2 400 GWh . This represents less than 0,2 % of the total electricity consumption of the West European countries . The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No 105/93 by Mr Valverde Lopez ( 1 ). 2 and 3 . In the Central and East European countries, nuclear electrical production represents 14% of total (!) OJ No C 333 , 8 . 12 . 1993 , p . 8 . capacity ( thermal , hydro and nuclear), but only 7 % consists of reactors considered to be insecure or 'unsafe' ( Types RBMK, WER 440/230 ). In most of the countries concerned, nuclear electrical production is responsible for a higher share of total production than the capacity share would suggest .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 995/93 4 . The Commission is not informed of the conditions by Mr Bouke Beumer ( PPE ) under which the electricity exchanges between West and to the Commission of the European Communities East take place, nor the associated prices . Such exchanges (3 May 1993) are the subject of private contracts between the utilities concerned . ( 94/C 25/37 )
5 and 6 . The improvement of the safety of nuclear power Subject: Electricity supplies from Eastern Europe plants in countries of Central and Eastern Europe and of the former Soviet Union is the object of assistance programmes 1 . Is the Commission aware that Western Europe is under Phare and Tacis . The programmes contain projects taking an increasing amount of electricity from Eastern directed towards operational safety, short-term technical Europe following the link-up of their electricity grids ? improvements, training and strengthening of safety authorities . The Commission has furthermore proposed a 2 . Is the Commission aware that most of this electricity is financing mechanism through Euratom loans and a generated by nuclear plants regarded as highly unsafe ? Community contribution to the Nuclear Safety Account administered by the EBRD . Other donors provide assistance 3 . Is the Commission aware of the criticism that either directly or through multilateral channels. The various dilapidated and dangerous nuclear plants are being kept in bilateral programmes are coordinated within the G-24 service because of these supplies to Western Europe ? coordination mechanism managed by the Commission . It is the view of the Commission that the existing assistance and 4 . Apart from the question of whether most of the aid funds should operate for some time until consideration nuclear plants in Eastern Europe would still be in operation has been given to a new supplementary financing scheme if they were not supplying electricity to Western Europe, such as a levy . under-cutting also seems to be a factor . Can the Commission say on what terms electricity is supplied to Western Europe ?
5 . If electricity is supplied from Eastern Europe at low or very low prices, should there not be provision for a price supplement to set up a safety fund ? Could safety measures for nuclear plants in Eastern Europe also be financed from such a fund ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1071/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) 6 . Will the Commission consider whether a price supplement for such a safety fund is feasible and to the Commission of the European Communities worthwhile ? (6 May 1993) ( 94/C 25/38 )
Answer given by Mr Matutes Subject: Aid for Greek Ouzo and Italian Grappa on behalf of the Commission (1 October 1993) The European Community and the USA are to sign an agreement to protect certain alcoholic beverages whose 1 . The information available to the Commission name is connected with specific regions, but neither Greek indicates that the net import of electricity to the West Ouzo nor Italian Grappa have apparently been included in 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/21 this agreement- What scope does the Commission have for The Commission's work on the guide , which is due for further action to ensure that these two beverages are publication before the end of the year, is well under protected ? way .
H OJ No C 183 , 20 . 7 . 1989 .
Answer given by Mr Steichen on behalf of the Commission (27 September 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1078/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI ) The Commission wishes to assure the Honourable Member to the Commission of the European Communities that every effort is being and will continue to be made to obtain the recognition and protection df all Community (10 May 1993) names, including Ouzo and Grappa. The draft exchange of ( 94/C 25/40 ) letters between the Community and the United States provides for an undertaking to continue negotiations in this respect . Subject: 'Soft' tourism programmes
What additional measures will the Commission take to increase the range of 'soft' tourism programmes ( ecotourism, skiing holidays etc.), which respect the environment and preserve and promote the architectural and cultural heritage ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1074/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi (6 May 1993) on behalf of the Commission ( 94/C 25/39 ) (4 October 1993)
Subject: Fundamental principles for professional authors One of the Commission's priorities for the three-year Community action plan to assist tourism, which was approved by Council Decision of 13 July 1982 (*), is greater In view of the need to draw up a set of fundamental respect for the environment in tourism. The following principles for professional authors in the Community, does specific measures are envisaged : the Commission intend to draft a European Charter of Authors' Rights and if so, when ? — creation of a European prize for tourism and the environment:
— innovative pilot projects;
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi — support for initiatives promoting 'soft' tourism. on behalf of the Commission In addition, as part of the Community programme of policy (12 October 1993) and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development ( 2 ), with specific reference to Regulation ( EEC ) No 1973/92 of 21 May 1992 establishing a financial Among the eight priority actions adopted by the Council instrument for the environment ( LIFE ) ( 3 ), the Commission and the Ministers responsible for cultural matters meeting has launched actions to establish and develop models to within the Council and contained in the annex to the integrate environmental factors into land use planning and resolution of 18 May 1989 concerning the promotion of socio-economic activities . As regards tourism in particular, books and reading (') is the preparation of a guide for the Commission will support demonstration projects to authors and translators . promote sustainable tourism and the introduction of new concepts with particular attention to respect for the natural The purpose of this guide will be to facilitate freedom of environment. movement and establishment for authors and translators by providing them with information on the legal status ( basic (!) OJ No L 231 , 13 . 8 . 1992 . principles of copyright), social status and tax status of ( 2 ) COM(92 ) 23 final . authors and translators in the Member States, a directory of ( 3 ) OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7. 1992 . authors' societies and associations in the Community, and a description of Community copyright legislation . No C 25/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1168/93 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1174/93 by Mr David Bowe ( S ) by Mr John Bird ( S ) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (13 May 1993) (13 May 1993) ( 94/C 25/41 94/C 25/42 )
Subject: Draft Directive on parental leave Subject: Port subsidies What actions has the Commission undertaken, or is Having regard to the present unfair subsidies given by some planning to undertake, with a view to ensuring the full member countries to their ports which distort fair passage into law of the draft Directive on parental leave ? competition:
1 . What action has the Commission taken/will it take Answer given by Mr Flynn under the competition rules of the Treaty of Rome to on behalf of the Commission ensure that the Communities' ports operate under fair financial circumstances ? (29 July 1993)
2 . What use has the Commission made of its legal powers The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its . to obtain information on the financial relationship answer to Written Question No 1238/93 by Mr between ports and the relevant public authorities ? Deprez ( 1 ).
H See page 25 of this Official Journal. 3 . What use has the Commission made of its powers to prevent state aid which distorts competition ?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1189/93 Answer given by Mr Matutes by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (4 October 1993) (13 May 1993) ( 94/C 25/43
1 . The Commission seeks to apply fully the provisions of the EC Treaty relating to State aids ( in particular Articles 92 Subject: Poaching of turtle doves in south-western and 93 ). All plans to grant or alter aid which are notified to France the Commission are examined to ensure that any aid granted is in conformity with the provisions of the In spite of numerous parliamentary questions ( for instance Treaty . Nos 1518/90 ('), 1048/91 ( 2 ), 1296/91 ( 3 ), 1669/92 ( 4), 2360/92 ( 5 )), and several complaints for infringement of Directive 79/409/EEC ( 6 ) ( including complaint No 896/90 2 . The Commission acted to obtain information on the filed in May 1990 !), the Commission is allowing the financial arrangements between public authorities and ports poaching of the turtle dove, carried on openly in whenever aid schemes are being examined in the light of EC south-western France, to continue year after year. In answer Treaty provisions . Further, a study on the transparency of to Members' questions the Copimission sees fit to announce these financial relationships has recently been that it is 'closely following' the issue, that infringement commissioned from an independent consultant. The study proceedings have been launched etc . Commissioner Van will be based on a direct survey of a selection of ports Miert said in December 1992 that the Commission had throughout the Community . questioned the French Minister for the Environment in May 1992 and would be taking action in the light of the answers given . 3 . The Commission publishes an annual report on competition policy which provides an overview of all recent Has France replied to the Commission ? When will the cases . As far as the port sector is concerned, the Commission Commission take its decision ? is presently examining a number of cases in various Member States . Particular attention is being paid to State subsidies 0 ) OJ No C 150, 10 . 6 . 1991 , p . 10 , for commercial activities which are generally likely to be ( 2 ) OJ No C 20, 27. 1 . 1992, p . 9 . incompatible with Article 92 of the EC Treaty . ( 3 ) OJ No C 66 , 16 . 3 . 1992, p . 12 . ( 4 ) OJ No C 51 , 22 . 2 . 1993, p . 15 . ( 5 ) OJ No C 61 , 3 . 3 . 1993 , p . 28 . ( 6 ) OJ No L 103 , 25 . 4 . 1979 , p . 1 . 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/23
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1692/93 depicted in computer games, where there is also a noticeable by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V) trend towards games with an extreme right-wing bias . This trend needs to be halted . to the Commission of the European Communities (28 June 1993) What steps is the Commission taking with a view to ( 94/C 25/44 ) prohibiting the production, distribution and possession of such products ? Subject: Illegal hunting of turtledoves in France in May 1993 — Action taken by the Commission
This year poachers are openly continuing to hunt Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi turtledoves ( Streptopelia turtur ) in south-west France, on behalf of the Commission thereby infringing both French law and Council Directive (S October 1993) 79/409/EEC. The matter was raised with the Commission in 1990, 1991 and 1992 . The Commission has merely replied that it is 'closely monitoring' the situation. However, no Under the EEC Treaty rules on free movement of goods and action has yet been taken on a complaint which was services, Member States can ban the production, registered in 1990 . distribution and possession of products on the grounds of public morality, public policy or public health as long as How does the Commission define 'closely monitoring'? such prohibitions do not constitute a means of discrimination or a disguished restriction on trade between Member States .
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1189/93 and The repression of anti-racial behaviour falls within the 1692/93 competence of Member States, according to Community given by Mr Paleokrassas law . on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1993) So far free circulation of audio-visual material contained in television broadcasts is concerned, Council Directive 89/552/EEC established a common minimum standard for Complaints to the Commission about the poaching of turtle the protection of minors ( Article 22 ). Article 22 also obliges doves in south-western France are always examined in Member States to ensure that television programmes do not detail . The infringement proceedings referred to by the contain incitement to hatred on grounds of race, sex, Honourable Member for failure to comply with Directive religion or nationality . 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds are still under way .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1205/93 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1200/93 by Mr Neil Blaney (ARC ) by Mr Gerd Miiller (PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (18 May 1993) (18 May 1993) 94/C 25/46 ) ( 94/C 25/45 ) Subject: Discrimination by employers Subject: Production and marketing of violent videos and computer games in the Community Is the Commission aware that discrimination on the basis of religious belief is reputed to be practised by both public and Violence among children and young people is assuming private sector employers in Northern Ireland when filling dangerous proportions . A particularly sad case was the job vacancies and making promotions ? recent murder of a two-year-old child in England. Would the Commission rule out Community financing — in One of the major causes of this violence is the availability of particular from the Structural Funds — for firms practising video films and computer games which glamorize or such discrimination ? trivialize violence . Ten-year-old children swap video films, in which people have their eyes gouged out or their genitals Will the Commission institute an inquiry of its own into slashed, in the school playground . Similar things are allegations of discrimination ? No C 25/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer given by Mr Flynn Can the Commission also state whether the European on behalf of the Commission Parliament will be consulted ? (25 October 1993) If so, when will the Commission proposal amending the directive be forwarded to the European Parliament ? The Commission is aware that legislation has been enacted (*) in response to the problem of discrimination to make it unlawful in Northern Ireland to discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of their Answer given by Mr Matutes religious belief or political opinion . It understands that this on behalf of the Commission legislation also establishes procedures for the investigation (6 October 1993) and hearing of complaints as well as penalties against employers who are found to have engaged in discrimination . Directive 85/3/EEC (*) provides ( Annex I, item 1.4 ) that removable superstructures and standardized freight items The Structural Funds are made available to co-finance such as containers are included in the dimensions specified programmes which are submitted by the governments of the under items 1.1 ( maximum length), 1.2 ( maximum width ) Member States . The Commission has been assured that and 1.3 ( maximum height). programmes are submitted in conformity with the legislation which applies in the Member State concerned, By amending Directives 89/460/EEC ( 2 ) and 91/60/EEC ( 3 ) and in particular with the legislation referred to above . additional prescriptions were added to ensure that the driver's working place was not further deteriorated by increasing the load length of articulated vehicles and road The Commission is of course concerned that the trains within a maximum permitted total length. fundamental rights of citizens should be respected and in this context the Joint Declaration of the European Ideally, the provision in 1.4 should have been extended to Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 5 April cover these additional specifications in order to avoid any 1977 ( 2 ), which stresses the prime importance to be attached ambiguity . However, the recitals of both amending to the protection of these fundamental rights, is relevant. directives leave no doubt about the interpretation of these Although it reserves the right to study the general problem new items, neither was this the case in the discussions in of discrimination with regard to access to employment Parliament and Council . throughout the Community, the Commission would not normally institute an enquiry of its own into allegations of discrimination unless .breaches of Community law were Nevertheless, in order to avoid any further uncertainty the involved . Commission will , in the forthcoming proposal for a consolidated and extended version of Directive 85/3/EEC , extend the references in point 1.4 to these additional ( 1 ) Fair Employment ( Northern Ireland ) Act 1976 ( as amended ) specifications . Fair Employment ( Northern Ireland ) Act 1989 . ( 2 ) OJ No C 103 , 27 . 4 . 1977 . The Parliament will be consulted on this proposal according to the usual procedures.
(M OJ No L 2, 3 . 1 . 1985 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 226 , 3 . 8 . 1989 . ( 3 ) OJ No L 37, 9 . 2 . 1991 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1209/93 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek ( LDR ) to the Commission of the European Communities (18 May 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1232/93 ( 94/C 25/47 ) by Mr Detlev Samland ( S ) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Amendment of the directive on maximum (18 May 1993) dimensions of heavy goods vehicles ( 94/C 25/48 )
Can the Commission state whether it regards the lack of a Subject: Involvement of . private organizations in ban on containers which exceed the maximum dimensions Commission training courses of heavy goods vehicles as a loophole in the directive referred to above ? Further to the Commission's reply to Written Question No 2420/92 of 16 December 1992 (*), can it indicate how Can the Commission state whether it intends to amend that many category A officials took part in professional training directive ? courses in 1992 ? 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/25
How can the Commission account for its choice of institutes Does the Commission think that it will be able to ensure for further training ? Are Community-wide invitations to significant progress in the deliberations of the Council on tender issued ? Why is there not a single German institute this proposal under the Danish Presidency ? among those providing training ? (!) OJ No C 316 , 27 . 11 . 1984, p . 7 . (!) OJ No C 90, 31 . 3 . 1993 , p . 30.
Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Van Miert (8 July 1993) on behalf of the Commission (1 October 1993) The Commission's proposal for a directive on parental leave and leave for family reasons was based on Article 100 of the EEC Treaty, which required unanimity in the Council for its In 1992, 1 440 A-grade officials and temporary staff and adoption . The proposal was discussed regularly in the 648 LA-grade officials and temporary staff attended Council from November 1983 until December 1985 . After training courses, other than language courses, organized by that time discussions were suspended, as the necessary the Commission . support for adoption of the directive was not forthcoming . 613 A-grade officials and temporary staff and 498 LA-grade officials and temporary staff attended language courses The resumption of discussions within the Council is clearly a organized by the Commission . matter which is primarily within the control of the Presidency of the Council rather than the Commission . These figures do not include A and LA officials and temporary staff who took part in training courses designed The Commission is however anxious to see the resumption for all categories and grades ( such as lectures and general of discussions on parental leave and is exploring the possibilities for this at present. further training courses ).
Contractors for training courses are selected by the Commission's Training Unit on the basis of tenders .
German or German-speaking consultants are quite at liberty WRITTEN QUESTION No 1259/93 to reply to the invitations to tender issued regularly by the by Mr Diego de los Santos López ( S ) Training Unit . to the Commission of the European Communities (19 May 1993) In addition, as part of the new training policy, several courses are being organized in German, particularly in the ( 94/C 25/50 ) field of data-processing for beginners and individual training. Preparations are under way for other courses . Subject: Programmes shown on television which are unsuitable for minors
Article 22 of Directive 89/552/EEC (*) on the pursuit of television broadcasting activities clearly stipulates that Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that television programmes do not impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors , in particular those WRITTEN QUESTION No 1238/93 programmes that involve gratuitous violence . by Mr Gérard Deprez ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities Public television in Spain, particularly in Andalusia, (18 May 1993) broadcasts series aimed at minors which particularly incite violence by encouraging unreasonably competitive ( 94/C 25/49 ) activities .
The directive in question should already have been Subject: Proposal for a directive on parental leave and leave transposed into national law . for family reasons Can the Commission ascertain whether the directive is being Could the Commission explain why the amended proposals complied with in Spain ? for a directive on parental leave and leave for family reasons ( COM(84 ) 631 final ) (*) has made no progress in Council What is its view on the broadcasting of violent series since 1984 ? intended for minors on public television in Andalusia ? No C 25/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Can the Commission draw up measures banning such WRITTEN QUESTION No 1284/93 programmes ? by Mr Bartho Pronk ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities (!) OJ No L 298, 17 . 10 . 1989, p . 23 . (19 May 1993) 94/C 25/52 )
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission Subject: Health and safety directives (8 October 1993) In its reply to my Question 3151/92 (*), the Commission says that it is under no obligation to respond to any As stated by the Honourable Member, Article 22 of declaration made at the conference to which I referred, nor Directive 89/552/EEC, known as the 'Television without to assess the various points of the declaration in relation to frontiers Directive', stipulates that the Member States must the Commission's powers . take appropriate measures to ensure that television programmes transmitted by the broadcasting corporations 1 . Is this reply an April 1 joke ? falling within their jurisdiction do not impair the physical, 2 . Does the Commission realize — assuming that the reply mental or moral development of minors , in particular those was not an April 1 joke — that I have not received a programmes that involve gratuitous violence . proper reply " to my question, which referred to 24 specific points ? As Spain has failed to provide notification of measures to implement the directive, the Commission has initiated 3 . Is the Commission aware that, according to Article 140 infringement proceedings against that Member State under of the EEC Treaty, questions from Members of Article 169 of the EEC Treaty . Parliament must receive a reply? 4 . Does the Commission intend to reply to my question now ? If so, it could categorize the 24 points according to whether they have been implemented fully, partially or not at all . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1269/93 5 . If the Commission is unable to classify the points in this by Mr Maxime Verhagen ( PPE ) way, does that not indicate that the directives are to the Commission of the European Communities extraordinarily opaque ? (19 May 1993) (!) OJ No C 162, 14 . 6 . 1993 , p . 6 . 94/C 25/51 )
Subject: Interpretation by the Court ofJustice of Article 8 A of the Single European Act Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission Does the Commission consider that the European Court of Justice should be * called on to issue a judgment on the (25 October 1993) interpretation of Article 8 A of the Single European Act, which describes the internal market as 'an area without The reply to the Honourable Member's Written Question internal frontiers', in order to clarify the meaning of the No 3151/92, although in general terms, answered the concept of an internal market without internal frontiers ? If question adequately by referring to Council Directive so, when does the Commission intend to take such a 89/391/EEC (*) ('the framework Directive') and its measure ? If not, on what considerations is its decision associated particular directives which address the majority based ? of the 24 points of the declaration adopted in the Fourth European Work Hazards Conference .
Nevertheless, the Commission wishes to satisfy fully the Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi Honourable Member's request by providing a detailed on behalf of the Commission assessment of the coverage of the 24 points by Community (12 October 1993) health and safety legislation .
Point 1 — Employer's responsibilites : The Commission is not in a position to ask the Court of Justice to rule on the meaning of Article 8a other than by Article 5 of the framework Directive states 'The employer initiating a specific procedure provided for in the Treaty. shall have a duty to ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the work'. None of the obligations conferred upon workers nor the intervention of protection 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/27
or preventive services can affect the principle of this Point 11 : responsibility. It can only be diminished or excluded in case of unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the employer . The main objective of the Community health and safety legislation is the harmonization regarding health, safety and hygiene at work by laying down minimum requirements applicable to all Member States . This will result in minimum Points 2 to 4 : common levels of safety and health protection across the Community and will avoid competition at the expense of These points concern the workers' right to information, safety and health of the workers . This point is fully taken consultation and participation and are fully addressed by into account by the Community health and safety Articles 6, 10 and 11 of the framework Directive . legislation .
Point 5 : Point 12 :
This point concerns the right of workers to free access to The Community legislation on the free movement of goods independent experts . Article 7 and Article 11 of the establishes essential requirements regarding the protection framework Directive cover this point stating 'The workers of the health and safety of workers . These lay down values designated must have the necessary capabilities and of protection and the public authorities of Member States necessary means' and 'Employers must allow workers' are not authorized to require higher levels of protection ( e . g . representatives with specific responsibilities for the health higher standards of labelling of chemicals ) which would put and safety of workers adequate time off work, without into question the principle of free circulation . loss of pay and provide them with the necessary means to enable such representatives to exercise their rights and functions . . .'. Point 13 :
Point 6 : Articles 4 and 11 of the framework Directive adequately address the inspection of work places and the right of workers or their representatives to appeal or submit Article 14 of the framework Directive specifies that observations during the inspection visits by the competent measures shall be introduced in accordance with national authorities . The form of those inspections is not covered by law and/or practices to ensure that workers receive health Community legislation but left to national inspection bodies surveillance appropriate to the risks they incur at work . It is to establish according to national practice . left to the Member States to regulate further this area . In consequence, the banning of the use of health systems to select the workers most resistant to health hazards is not covered by Community legislation . Point 14 :
The framework Directive defines workers ' representatives Points 7 and 8 : with specific responsibilities for safety and health of workers as 'any person elected, chosen or designated in accordance with national laws and practices to represent These points relate to compensation for occupational workers where problems arise relating to the safety and diseases or injuries and work injuries insurance and are not health protection of workers at work'. Community health covered by Community health and safety legislation . and safety legislation does not preclude the right of workers to elect their representatives.
Point 9 : Point 15 : This point concerning the right of withdrawal of workers in the event of serious and imminent danger is fully covered by Community health and safety legislation does not make any Article 8 of the framework Directive . reference to trade unions, but giv^s the rights of information, consultation and balanced participation to workers or their representatives elected, chosen or Point 10 : designated in accordance with national laws and/or practices . It purposely avoids making reference to trade unions due to the different roles they play in Member States Article 11 , paragraph 4 of the framework Directive fully and gives the rights and obligations of safety representatives addresses this point . to the workers or their representatives . No C 25/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Point 16 : WRITTEN QUESTION No 1300/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI) Articles 11 and 12 of the framework Directive fully implement this point . to the Commission of the European Communities (1 June 1993) Point 17: ( 94/C 25/53 )
This point is fully covered by Articles 5 and 6 of the framework Directive . Subject: State of the road in Thesprotia The road from Keramitsa to Malouni in Thesprotia is in an Point 18 : appalling state, despite the fact that it is no more than 5 km long. Can the Commission say, in the context of subsidiarity No derogations or discriminations are . made from and decentralization in the European Union, what scope the Community health and safety legislation based on ethnic, Community has to persuade the Greek authorities of the religious, personal beliefs or other reasons. need for funding to develop and asphalt this road ?
Point 19:
Homeworkers are not excluded from the scope of Community health and safety legislation and their Answer given by Mr Millan employers have the duty to ensure their health and safety in on behalf of the Commission every aspect related to their work according to Articles 3 and (29 September 1993) 5 of the framework Directive . Within the partnership, even if the Community Point 20: part-finances a project, any initiative to finance provincial roads is the responsibility of the competent authorities, who The rights of the worker to all necessary information establish their priorities on a regional level, taking all concerning safety and health risks and protective and proposals into account. preventive measures and activities in respect of both the undertaking in general and each type of workstation or job is contemplated in Article 10 of the framework Directive .
Point 21 : WRITTEN QUESTION No 1302/93 Article 5, paragraph 2 ( d ) of the framework Directive fully addresses this point. by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI) to the Commission of the European Communities Point 22 : (1 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/54 ) This point is not covered by existing Community health and safety legislation. Subject: Greek exports of canned peaches Point 23 : Last year Greek exports of canned peaches fell by 1 million The occupational health services based on prevention and boxes. According to information from the Greek Union of workers' participation are covered by Article 7 of the Canners, exports of peaches in 1992 amounted to some 12,5 framework Directive . million boxes compared with 13,5 million the previous year. In view of this, what measures will the Commission take to Point 24 : support Greek exports of canned peaches ?
Article 6, paragraph 2 (f) of the framework Directive fully addresses this point. Answer given by Mr Steichen In summary, only points 7, 8 and 22 concerning on behalf of the Commission compensation for occupational injuries, insurance and (29 September 1993) environmental research are not covered by Community legislation on health and safety. Greek production of peaches in syrup increased by 15 % in 1992 over 1991 , i.e. from 317 542 to 364 183 tonnes, and ( i ) OJ No L 183 , 29 . 6 . 1989 . exports by 18 % , from 258 258 to 305 538 tonnes, most of this rise being accounted for by higher exports to non-Community destinations. 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/29
This favourable development demonstrates the effectiveness advertised and the advertising companies themselves tend in of the Community production aid scheme applied in this practice to ignore the cultural differences between the sector for a number of years . The Commission has no plans various European countries when launching European-wide for measures to support canned peach exports . advertising campaigns in the Single Market . In view of this admission, does the Commission intend to bring pressure to bear on advertising companies to respect as far as possible the cultural specificity of the various European markets , and if so what measures does it have in mind ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1303/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi (1 June 1993) on behalf of the Commission ( 94/C 25/55 ) (4 October 1993)
Subject: Production quotas in respect of the tomato Advertising like all forms of commercial communication is industry an economic activity aimed at promoting brand or corporate images so that consumers are encouraged to buy As from this year's harvest, our production quotas are being the product or services provided by the advertiser. reintroduced for the tomato industry. Greece has requested Advertising is not an instrument that can in itself promote that the quota for tomato industry products be increased by cultural diversity . 300 000 tonnes . Does the Commission intend to meet this request by Greece ? In order to be effective in the Community, advertising has to take account of the cultural diversity characterizing the Internal Market. This does not imply that advertisements Answer given by Mr Steichen are instruments for promoting or reflecting cultural on behalf of the Commission differences . Certain commercial messages can cross borders without having to be modified . (29 September 1993) Advertising indirectly helps to maintain and promote the . The level of production quotas per Member State is fixed by cultural diversity of the Community since it represents the the Council on a proposal from the Commission, as largest source of revenue for the European media . stipulated in Article 2 ( 3 ) of Regulation ( EEC ) No 426/86 ( 1 ). Thus, for the 1993/94 marketing year Given that the effectiveness of advertising -depends on the onward, the level was fixed by Council Regulation ( EEC ) sensitivity of advertisers and agencies to cultural differences No 668/93 of 17 March 1993 ( 2 ). across borders, any measures of the type suggested in the question could reduce the economic effectiveness of the As regards the level of the quotas, taking account of the commercial communication and thus lower total difficult situation on the market in tomatoes for processing, advertising expenditure . The resulting loss of revenue to the characterized by an increase in third country production media Would have a harmful effect on the preservation of and by the collapse of markets in the Eastern European European cultural diversity . countries, the Commission has proposed that the Council maintain the quotas at the same level as for the 1990/91 and The Commission is accordingly of the opinion that there is 1991/92 marketing years . no justification for measures of the type suggested in the question . í 1 ) OJ No L 49, 27 . 2 . 1986 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 72, 25 . 3 . 1993 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-13 18/93 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1308/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (3 June 1993) (1 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/57 ) ( 94/C 25/56 )
Subject: Advertising in European markets Subject: Rules on pornography
According to a recent report by European Marketing Given the absence of general rules in the European Information, companies which have their products Community on child pornography, does the Commission No C 25/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
intend to submit legislation at Community level establishing resources, can the Commission draw up proposals for very stringent regulations, possibly modelled on those stricter and more detailed Community directives which do obtaining in the UK ? not lend themselves to circumvention by certain authorities which currently show utter disregard for the environment ?
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas (4 October 1993) on behalf of the Commission (4 October 1993)
Community legislation has addressed the question of protection of minors in the context of the coordination of The report on the first five years of implementation of certain rules relating to broadcasting activities in the Directive 85/337/EEC adopted by the Commission in April 'television without frontiers' Directive ( Council Directive 1993 (*) highlights a number of problems inherent in formal 8 9/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of transposition and the practical application thereof in the certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or Member States . administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities ) (*). According As a result, the evaluation procedure established by the to Article 22 of this Directive , Member States are required to Directive has not yet enabled all the expected benefits in take appropriate measures to ensure that broadcasts do not terms of safeguarding the environment to be felt . include programmes which might seriously impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors, in particular involving pornography . The Commission therefore plans to adapt the scope and content of the existing Directive with due regard to the findings of the abovementioned report . In the absence of any other Community provisions, the Treaty rules on the free movement of goods and services govern this field . Articles 36 and 56 of the EC Treaty allow This revision of Directive 85/337/EEC forms part of the Member States to derogate from the rules on free circulation Commission's legislative programme for the current year . on the grounds of public morality and public policy. However, since these derogations are exceptions to the basic (!) COM(93 ) 28 final . freedom they are to be interpreted in the light of the principle of proportionality according to which the measure invoked must be proportionate to the objective pursued .
(M OJ No L 298 , 17 . 10 . 1989 , p . 23 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1336/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities (3 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/59 ) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1335/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI ) Subject: Protection of major water reserves from excessive to the Commission of the European Communities use of fertilizers (3 June 1993) 94/C 25/58 Community farmers make excessive use of vast quantities of fertilizers which are polluting water resources generally degrading the environment. Subject: The introduction of more detailed Community directives on environmental protection Does the Commission intend to call for the imposition of Community measures preventing regions where major water reserves are to be found from being used for farming Public and private projects are being implemented in order to save water, reduce the pollution of soil, lakes, throughout the Community in a way which is damaging to rivers and the sea by nitrate fertilizers and, at the same time, the environment. Bearing in mind that many such projects help to achieve the objectives of the common agricultural are adversely affecting fauna, flora ( e.g. forests ) and water policy ? 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/31
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas Consequently, it is the responsibility of the Greek on behalf of the Commission authorities to take the necessary measures for the wise use (1 October 1993) and protection of the biotope in question .
Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of water against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (*) has the aim of reducing water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources and preventing WRITTEN QUESTION No 1342/93 further pollution . Member States must designate vulnerable zones and draw up action programmes including codes of by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (NI) good agricultural practice which will be mandatory in these to the Commission of the European Communities zones . (3 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/61 (!) OJ No L 375 , 31 . 12 . 1991 .
Subject: Legislation drafted by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment
The German Federal Ministry for the Environment recently drafted a pioneering piece of environmental legislation in the European context . The legislation will require every WRITTEN QUESTION No 1341/93 industry in Germany to recycle its own waste . Does the by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI) Commission intend to look into the possibility of imposing a to the Commission of the European Communities similar requirement at Community level ? (3 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/60 )
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas Subject: The Ftelia wetland , Mykonos on behalf of the Commission (4 October 1993) Ecologists claim that certain individuals have dumped rubble in the small salt marsh at Ftelia on the island of 1 . The draft legislation referred to by the Honourable Mykonos in an attempt to fill in this valuable wetland which is a refuge for large numbers of birds, particularly during the Member has not been the subject of notification, in winter . Will the Commission look into this matter with a particular under Article 3 ( 2 ) of Directive 75/442/EEC on waste . view to saving the wetland at Ftelia ?
2 . When the German authorities send the draft in question under the information procedure laid down by the abovementioned provisions, the Commission will not fail to examine the scope of the national provisions in the light of Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas the principles of Directive 75/442/EEC on waste, as on behalf of the Commission amended by Directive 91/156/EEC . Article 3 of this (5 October 1993) Directive states in particular that measures (to encourage):
Greece has not classified the zone under consideration as a '( i ) the recovery of waste by means of recycling, re-use or Special Protection Area according to Article 4 of Directive reclamation or any other process with a view to 79/409/EEC, concerning the conservation of wild birds, extracting secondary raw materials, or which is the only legal basis for Community intervention for nature conservation applicable at present. The area in ( ii ) the use of waste as a source of energy' question has not been identified as being of Community importance with a view to the aforementioned Directive, constitute appropriate measures for achieving the objectives neither it is included in the Corine-biotopes inventory. of the Directive .
However, according to Article 4 of Directive 91/156/EEC on 3 . It is for the Member States to take the appropriate waste, Member States have to take the necessary measures measures to promote the principles set out in the to ensure that waste is disposed of without harming the abovementioned Directive and to apply them in the national environment, and in particular without risk to water, air, context . soil, plants and animals, and without adversely affecting the countryside or places of special interest . No C 25/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1353/93 has placed the International Science and Technology Centre by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) in Moscow (a joint project involving the USA, Japan, the Russian Federation and the European Community enabling to the Commission of the European Communities Russian nuclear scientists to switch from military to civil (4 June 1993) research ) under the responsibility of the Ministry for ( 94/C 25/62 Nuclear Science ( Minatom), which in fact serves both civil and military nuclear technology.
1 . Does the Commission not consider that, as a result, it is Subject: Products of child and prison labour impossible to establish whether European funds are being used exclusively for civil nuclear projects ? As certain products are manufactured in third countries by particular population groups such as children or prisoners, 2 . In the light of Mr Linkohr's conclusions, can the and as some countries have banned imports of products so Commission explain how the International Science and manufactured, can the Commission state whether it will be Technology Centre has been functioning to date and seeking agreement between the Member States on a how the Commission is monitoring its activities ? common policy on the matter ? 3 . Can it report on its visit to Moscow in early February 1993 ?
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan (18 October 1993) on behalf of the Commission (20 October 1993) The Commission deplores the fact that goods produced in contravention of internationally agreed rules with regard to 1 . The objective of the ISTC Agreement is to provide CIS the labour of children and prisoners still find their way on to the international markets . weapon scientists and engineers with opportunities to redirect their talents to peaceful activities, responsive to civil needs, and to promote their interaction with the Attempts to prohibit the import of such goods have up till international scientific and industrial communities . The now met considerable difficulties with identification of the Centre will enable them to engage in basic and applied goods at the customs level . For this reason the Commission research technology development in fields such as has not been able to make specific proposals to the Council environmental protection, energy production and nuclear in this respect . safety .
The Commission will however, in cooperation with the It follows that ISTC funding will not sustain any project Member States, continue its efforts within the appropriate related to military applications or activities and, in international fora to combat the practices referred to in the particular in the nuclear sector, will exclusively be directed question . towards civilian projects .
2 . The ISTC Agreement has not yet entered into force, since ratification by the Russian Federation is still outstanding . Therefore , the ISTC is not yet operational .
A Preparatory Committee with representatives from the four parties has been set up in the meantime . The aim is to WRITTEN QUESTION No 1389/93 prepare the first meeting of the ISTC Governing board, to be by Mrs Jessica Larive ( LDR ) held in due course, and to develop and review initial project to the Commission of the European Communities proposals . (8 June 1993) 3 . The Commission attended the ISTC Preparatory ( 94/C 25/63 ) Committee meeting held in Moscow from 8 to 12 February 1993 .
Subject: ISTC ( International Science and Technology The meeting focused on the following items : Centre ) — finalizing certain statutory provisions on the auditing The report by Mr Linkohr of March 1993 concerning his and monitoring of projects and on intellectual property visit to Moscow ( PE 203.951 ), states that President Yeltsin rights, 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/33
— criteria for the admission of new members to the ISTC 1990 recommendations of the ICRP in particular as regards Governing Board, reduction of the dose limits both for workers and for members of the public ( 3 ). — financial issues . H OJ No L 246 , 17 . 9 . 1980 . More generally, all relevant documents due to be adopted by ( 2 ) OJ No L 265 , 5 . 10 . 1984 . the Governing Board were reviewed and largely finalized . ( 3 ) SEC(92 ) 1322 final .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1428/93 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1419/93 by Mr Klaus Riskær Pedersen ( LDR ) by Mrs Winifred Ewing ( ARC ) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (9 June 1993) (9 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/65 ) ( 94/C 25/64 ) Subject: German shipyards Subject: Radiological protection In June 1 992 the Community amended the seventh Directive Does the Commission have information on the on aid to shipbuilding in order to permit higher levels of aid International Commission on Radiological Protection's to shipyards in the new German Lander . The European recommendations on permissible levels of exposure to Parliament adopted amendments to the Commission's radiation ? Is it satisfied that they give adequate protection to proposal for Council Directive ( J ) suggesting changes that nuclear industry workers and the general public ? would prevent distortion of competition between shipyards in the Community .
Recently, the Danish Company Scan Con A/S, which had agreed on full contractual terms after a public tender to Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas construct three vessels and, possibly, eight vessels for on behalf of the Commission Wasser- und Schiffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes in Miinster, (29 September 1993) has been unable to conclude the final contract . According to the person in charge of the project, Mr Ralle in Heme, the agreed contract will not be finally concluded because the The main Community instrument for protection against order has been transferred to a German shipyard operating ionizing radiation is the Council Directive laying down the under the Subvention programme . basic safety standards for the health protection of the general public and workers against the dangers of ionizing 1 . Can the Commission confirm that this transfer of an radiation . This Directive has always taken into account order to a shipyard that has not participated in the the scientific recommendations of the International tender will be a violation of competition rules ? Commission on Radiological Protection ( ICRP ). The 2 . Will the Commission take urgent measures to ensure Directive presently in force was adopted in 1980 (*) and that the German authorities do not commit themselves amended, mainly in its annexes in 1984 ( 2 ), taking into contractually to the German shipyard before a full consideration ICRP publication 26, 30 , 31 , 32 . investigation has been completed ?
In view of the revision of the abovementioned Directive the 3 . What measures does the Commission plan to introduce Commission, in collaboration with the scientific experts in order to avoid a further deterioration of the mentioned under Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty, closely competitiveness of non-German shipyards ? followed the activities of the ICRP and its ongoing work on the revision of its scientific recommendations . In particular (!) Doc . SEC(92 ) 991 final . it organized a scientific informative seminar on the ICRP publication 60, replacing ICRP publication 26, with the participation of members of the ICRP, members of the Group of Experts under Article 31 Euratom Treaty, the Answer given by Mr Van Miert international organizations concerned with radiation on behalf of the Commission protection, the social partners, etc . (12 October 1993) In 1992 , the Commission, having taken into account the opinion of the Group of experts under Article 31 of the On the basis of the information supplied the Commission Euratom Treaty , proposed a Council Directive amending cannot confirm or conclude that the transfer of the order is a the existing basic safety standards Directive in view of the violation of competition rules . In this kind of situation the No C 25/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Commission can act only on the request of a Member State repetition of the Seveso disaster, had not been properly and apply the new Article 10 ( a ) 3 of Council Directive implemented in Greece . On 1 September 1992, a serious 92/68/EEC . In this article it is stated that the Commission accident took place at the plant in question, killing 14 shall ensure that the extra aid for the shipyards in the former people and injuring 20 more . GDR ' does not affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest'. In the light of the above, it is clear that compliance with Community environmental provisions and notably the In a case where a former GDR shipyard is bidding for a provisions of Directive 82/501/EEC ( the Seveso Directive ) contract together with other Community yards and there has not been properly monitored . exists no substantiated competition from third country yards, the Commission will apply this principle by How does the Commission consider it can meet its examining on request of the Member State concerned if the obligation to ensure that the provisions of the EEC Treaty price offered by the aided former GDR yard is unjustifiably and acts adopted in compliance with this Treaty are low . In this examination the Commission will apply the implemented if the Community has no power to force principles laid down in the Seventh Directive and, in Member States to cease violating Community provisions, particular, Article 4 ( 5 ) thereof and can demand that the even in cases — such as the present one — in which precise price be adjusted upwards to, as a maximum, the lowest and well-documented complaints have been made, price offered by the yard of the other Member State(s ) complaints which the Member State in question has so far concerned . ignored ? Given this structural weakness — and there is no sign of any real desire to remedy this situation using other In addition, the Commission's enquiries do not disclose any Community instruments — does the Commission consider evidence that the Community rules on public procurement that a repetition of similar tragic accidents can be avoided in have been infringed in the context to which the Honourable future ? Member refers . In particular, it appears that the German firm to which the contract was awarded had participated in (!) OJ No L 230, 5 . 8 . 1982 . p . 1 . the award procedure from the very beginning and had submitted its tender ( which was the most economically advantageous tender ) within the time limits laid down for this purpose . Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas on behalf of the Commission (4 October 1993)
The Commission is of the opinion that if the relevant legislation, in particular Directive 82/60 1 /EEC ( the 'Seveso' WRITTEN QUESTION No 1434/93 Directive ), is applied fully and correctly, the risk of major by Mr Dimitrios Pagoropoulos ( S ) and Alexandros accidents at industrial installations will be reduced to a Alavanos ( CG ) minimum. to the Commission of the European Communities (9 June 1993) In discharging its duties as the guardian of Community law, in accordance with Article 155 of the EEC Treaty, the ( 94/C 25/66 Commission was already in contact with the Greek authorities with regard to problems of implementing the Directive in Greece . This contact was stepped up in the wake Subject: Fatal accident at the Petrola Hellas plant at of the Petrola Hellas accident. Elefsina and failure to apply, and monitor compliance with, Community law Effective protection of workers and the general public can only be ensured by positive measures taken by the Member In January 1990 , the Committee on Petitions began States, which have the authority and responsibility here . The examining Petition No 41 1 /89 by the Ecological Movement Community may act only in so far as it is empowered to do of the Citizens of Elefsina on the decision to authorize an so by the division of areas of competence laid down by the extension to the Petrola Hellas plant which, it alleged, treaties . How and to what extent the Commission may act in constituted a violation of Greek and Community legislation the event of incorrect application of a directive by a Member and posed a serious risk of a major accident. State is defined by Articles 169 and 170 of the EEC Treaty . These give no authority to either the Commission or any other . institution to adopt necessary positive measures It emerged from the information provided by the instead of the Member States or to impose such measures on Commission, in accordance with Rule 129 of the Rules of them . Procedure , that the relevant Community directives, and notably Directive 82/501/EEC ( J ), commonly called the Seveso Directive , which had been drawn up to prevent any 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/35
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1454/93 Answer given by Mrs Scrivener by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (30 September 1993) (9 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/67 ) Printed or assembled circuits subject to customs duty of 6,2% on import into the Community are listed under Subject: Living conditions of animals in Athens Zoo heading 85.34 of the Harmonized System. Note No 4 on Chapter 85 of the Harmonized System explicitly excludes from this heading any element which can produce, rectify, According to the World Wildlife Fund, animals in Athens modulate or amplify an electrical signal ( for example , Zoo are kept under unsuitable conditions resulting in a semiconductor elements ). mortality rate of over 50 % . Will the Commission call on the Greek authorities to take measures to improve living conditions for animals in the Zoo ? Contrary to the information referred to by the Honourable Member, printed circuits which have already been assembled with semiconductors are subject to 14 % customs duty on import ( heading 85.42 of the HS ). Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas on behalf of the Commission The Commission is aware of the difference in customs rates (30 September 1993) applied to passive printed circuits and to integrated circuits and electronic microassemblies . This is due to previous GATT tariff negotiations . The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the debate in Plenary on 25 June on the second report by Sir Customs duties are currently being discussed in the Uruguay James Scott Hopkins for the Committee on the Round negotiations . Environment, Public Health and consumer protection on a Commission proposal for a Council directive laying down minimum standards for the keeping of animals in zoos ( ).
(') OJ No C 249 , 24 . 9 . 1991 , p. 14 and Verbatim Report of proceedings 25 June, pp . 393-396 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1470/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 June 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1463/93 ( 94/C 25/69 ) by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the Commission of the European Communities (9 June 1993) Subject: Protection of technology creativity ( 94/C 25/68 The Economist of 17 April 1993 refers to a patent office Subject: Import duties on printed circuits and estimate which asserts that British companies are losing semiconductors billions of pounds every year by not patenting their ideas . It would seem that interesting comparative results can be consulted in a study carried out by the American At present import duties are charged on printed circuits , consultancy CHI ( on ORBIT Online Service ). assembled printed circuits and semiconductors . The duty is 6,2 % for the first two and 14 % for semiconductors . Would the Commission give details of: The different rates make it more advantageous to buy in printed circuits which have already been assembled with 1 . Patents registered in their respective offices by semiconductors, as the import duty is only 6,2% . undertakings in the Member States, Japan and the United States ; Does the Commission consider that there is a valid reason to maintain this difference in import duties ? Would it not be 2 . Patents registered in the United States by undertakings better to introduce the same levy for all semiconductors from each of the above countries and their percentage ( assembled or not)? growth during the period 1980 to 1991 ? No C 25/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi programme, for example , the ballot papers were printed in on behalf of the Commission both Braille and extra-bold type . Information on the Helios (1 October 1993) programme is produced in Braille on request, and Handynet, the Community databank on technical aids, set up under the Helios programme, can also be made available in Braille . The Commission is not in a position to answer the question put by the Honourable Member since it does not possess the necessary statistical data . The European Patent Office , To meet the needs of the visually handicapped, the which has that information, has sent it to its EC Liaison Commission has for several years been providing direct or Office , which will contact the Honourable Member indirect assistance by improving access to the written word direct . and producing textual material .
Under the Helios programme, 16 local model projects focusing specifically on the problems of the visually handicapped were subsidized over the period 1988—1991 . Helios also supports many of the activities of the European Blind Union, the most representative European WRITTEN QUESTION No 1479/93 non-governmental organization bringing together associations of the blind and partially-sighted in all the by Mr Marc Galle ( S ) Member States . One such activity was the conference on 'the to the Commission of the European Communities role of libraries for the blind as disseminators of (14 June 1993) information' held in Fredericia, Denmark, in 1992 . ( 94/C 25/70 ) Under the co-financing arrangements for humanitarian projects by NGOs in non-Community countries — budget Subject: Enabling the blind and partially sighted to read heading B 7-5001 managed by Phare the Commission has subsidized a new Braille printing works in Bucharest and the training of its staff. Regrettably there are many blind and partially sighted people in the Community. In many cases, neither technical nor medical aids can give them even a modicum of eyesight . The Horizon initiative provides support for around 20 As a result they are not only excluded from employment but vocational training and employment projects for the blind cannot read either. using new information technologies . Provision is generally made for financing of the electronic aids needed for this training. One solution is for them to learn Braille . This enables them to read and write , which in many cases provides their only independent link with the outside world . Equipment providing help with reading also exists in the form of portable aids which enlarge text or images on screen What support does the Commission provide for projects to or in tactile form . Because of the extreme fragmentation of teach people to read and write Braille ? It would also be the European market, there is a general lack of awareness of useful to know what support is provided for publication of the existence of such equipment, and one of the main existing literature in large-print editions . Lastly, will the objectives of the TIDE programme is to prompt unification Commission provide support for electronic aids for the and structuring of the market, to enable these products, at blind and partially sighted ? present advertised only in restricted areas , to be distributed throughout Europe .
Within the TIDE programme, there are four specific projects developing aid for the blind : Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission — the VISA and GUIB projects , working on electronic aids (29 October 1993) enabling the blind and partially sighted to use advanced computer systems including graphic display facilities;
While the teaching of Braille and the question of subsidies — the CAPS project, developing newspaper presentation in for library equipment and the purchase of electronic aids are the form of Braille and synthetic speech; the responsibility of the Member States and regions rather than of the Commission, the Commission nevertheless — the Audetel project, providing blind people with a demonstrates the importance it attaches to Braille and voice-over description of television images . electronic aids as a means ofcreating equal opportunities for the visually handicapped by itself setting an example . At the recent elections held by the advisory bodies for the Helios 28 , 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/37
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1482/93 2 . The Commission sees no need to establish a by Mrs Marie Isler Béguin ( V ) framework for an inter-Community dialogue or Community regulations governing all the activities of these to the Commission of the European Communities professions . Depending on the length of training required, (14 June 1993) these professions are covered either by Directive 89/48/EEC ( 94/C 25/71 ) on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education of at least three years' duration (*) or by the supplementing Subject: Status of the professions of PE and sports Directive 92/51/EEC for the recognition of professional instructor education and training of a shorter duration ( 2 ). These Directives provide for the recognition of diplomas, without The professions of instructors for PE, sports and human prior coordination of training schemes, with a view to the development techniques are increasingly in demand . taking-up and pursuit of professions the qualifications for which are subject to regulation. For instance, the host They are covered by a wide variety of regulations in the Member State has to recognize the diploma enabling the individual Member States : these are not always harmonized migrant to pursue the same profession in the home Member either nationally or internationally and implementing rules State, though it may require compensatory measures are frequently lacking . However, the absence of ( aptitude test or adaptation period ) where there are harmonization at European level increasingly poses a substantial differences in the duration or content of the number of risks and problems : education and training. Harmonization of qualifications, training schemes and diplomas guaranteeing a minimum — the spread of cowboy operators, level of professional competence would require preparatory work over a long period which the profession, broadly — safety risks for users, defined, is better able to carry out than the Commission . Such a minimum level of competence would make it easier to — the proliferation of professional qualifications entitling apply the general systems laid down by Directives persons to practise these professions, although the levels 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC . If it were accepted by the certified by these qualifications vary considerably, competent authorities of the Member States, and in — the disparity between existing training schemes and particular by the national coordinators responsible for diplomas in the various EC countries , applying the general systems , the compensatory measures could be dispensed with for the holders of diplomas — the failure to respect professional codes of conduct, satisfying this minimum level , since it would eliminate the substantial differences in education and training . — the lack of mutual recognition of diplomas, preventing a number of foreign residents from legally exercising their H OJ No L 19 , 24 . 1 . 1989 . profession . ( 2 ) OJ No L 209, 24 . 7. 1992 . 1 . What bodies represent these professions vis-a-vis the Commission ? Does the latter have any information on national regulations, professional qualifications — and the levels certified by these qualifications — and existing training schemes and diplomas ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1492/93 2 . What is the Commission's policy in this field ? Does it by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG ) intend to establish a framework for an inter-Community dialogue and Community regulations governing all the to the Commission of the European Communities activities of these professions and to propose the (14 June 1993) harmonization at European level of qualifications, ( 94/C 25/72 training schemes and diplomas guaranteeing a minimum level of professional competence ? Subject: Protection and upgrading of the historic site of Makronisos
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi Makronisos a former concentration camp and prison, has on behalf of the Commission been designated a historic site because of its profound (4 October 1993) significance in modern Greek history. It is a memorial for all Greeks , in particular the younger generations , a symbolic condemnation of all torture and repression. Significant early 1 . Any person carrying on these professions may contact Cycladic and palaeoanthropological buildings and mines the Commission as well as their representative have been made on the island and the Ministry of the organizations, preferably at European level. The Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works has Commission does not possess full information on this proposed that it be included on the list of Mediterranean matter, given the wide variety and ever-changing nature of historic sites . However, according to a special working party the regulations, titles, training schemes and diplomas in set up by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of the question . Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, the site No C 25/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 is currently in very poor condition and it therefore proposes are produced in third countries and imported into the that the island be designated a historic and cultural Community . memorial . In its resolution of 11 February 1993 on concentration camps the European Parliament, observing Will the Commission say : that the number of victims who sacrificed themselves for freedom, human rights and peace must serve as an example 1 . Whether it has studied the situation of the fur industry in for the education of our young people, calls on the Greece; Commission and Council to provide financial and other support to all measures designed to preserve the special 2 . Whether it has been informed of the crisis facing this significance of the concentration camps . In the same sector by the Greek Government; resolution, the European Parliament insists that it is the duty of the Commission, the Council and the European 3 . What measures it intends to take to ensure the survival Parliament to use all possible means to combat all of the fur sector in Western Macedonia where it is a manifestations of neo-Nazism in the Community and any traditional activity and the mainstay of economic denial of the fact that extermination took place in the life ? camps !
Does the Commission intend to incorporate Makronisos as part of the new Community Support Framework or any Answer given by Mr Bangemann other initiative in order to create a memorial worthy of this on behalf of the Commission historic site ? (4 October 1993)
1 . The Commission has received general information from industry representatives regarding a number of Answer given by Mr Millan problems facing the Community fur industry, but it has no on behalf of the Commission specific information on the situation facing the industry in Greece . (1 October 1993) The Commission is ready to analyse the problems in this sector, in conjunction with the public and private operators It is for the Greek authorities to propose adequate measures involved, and to consider possible action to be taken at the to protect and promote the historic site of Makronissos . most suitable level .
In the context of such a proposal, the Commission would be 2 . No . willing to examine any measures which might be eligible for Structural Funds financing under the new Community 3 . Western Macedonia is an assisted region under Support Framework for Greece for the period Objective 1 of the Structural Funds . The national authorities 1994—1999 . should therefore have at their disposal, within the Community Support Framework for Greece, a range of measures for contributing to modernization of the sector or diversification of the regions most affected by competition . It should also be stressed that Community initiative programmes, in particular Retex, can be used for similar purposes, in so far as they apply in the region mentioned . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1512/93 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG ) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/73 ) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1514/93 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG ) Subject: Situation of the fur industry in Greece to the Commission of the European Communities (14 June 1993) Fur production undertakings in Greece, and notably in 94/C 25/74 Western Macedonia , are facing a serious crisis mainly owing to competition from similar undertakings in the Far East . Part of the population of this region has been forced to Subject: Establishment of a new cheese factory in Thrace emigrate owing to this crisis . There are 15 dairy plants in Thrace, some of which have Producers' organizations in the region are demanding that recently received Community funding for modernization . tariffs, levies and quotas be imposed on fur products which Owing to the large number of plants already operating in 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/39 this region and the lack of the raw material — fresh sheep WRITTEN QUESTION No 1524/93 and goat milk — Community co-funding to Greece in this by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI ) respect is provided only for the modernization of existing plants. to the Commission of the European Communities (14 June 1993) Local organizations have informed me that the relevant ( 94/C 25/75 ) service at prefectural level ( the Prefecture of Rodopi Agricultural Directorate ) has refused to include the ABEE Thrace Cheese factory which represents a total investment Subject: Vehicle impact experiments using animals of some Drs 9 billion within the scope of Regulation ( EEC ) No 866/90 (*) which provides for Community co-funding at General Motors appears to be at the centre of an 50% . international campaign against the vehicle impact tests it has carried out using over 20 000 animals, smashed to pieces at incredibly high speeds, while all the other motor In a region in which the lack of milk forces existing manufacturers use dummies. industries to work below capacity the establishment of a new plant will have a damaging effect on other dairy plants Can the Commission say whether this is true, and what it in the region — principally owing to the shortage of milk intends to do to stop this alleged massacre of animals by supplies — and lead to economic stagnation. General Motors ?
Given that, if this application for the establishment of a further dairy plant is accepted, this may mean simply adding to the list of industrial units of questionable viability already Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas in existence and given also that the Community has already on behalf of the Commission funded certain existing units to help them modernize: (30 September 1993) will the Commission say, whether, if the Ministry of Agriculture approves this investment, it intends to examine The Commission has no knowledge of the matter referred to the basic objections which have been put forward and to by the Honourable Member. rechannel the funds available to help modernize existing cooperative organizations ? Nonetheless, under the terms of Directive 86/609/EEC .( 1 ) authorization to carry out experiments is granted by the (!) OJ No L 91 , 6 . 4 . 1990, p. 1 . competent national authorities following examination of the experimental protocol and, in particular, of the possibility of obtaining the required information by alternative methods . If the experiments referred to by the Honourable Member took place outside the Community the Answer given by Mr Steichen Directive is clearly inapplicable . on behalf of the Commission (29 September 1 993) (») OJ No L 358, 18 . 12. 1986 .
Selection of investments proposed for EAGGF assistance under Regulation ( EEC) No 866/90 is the responsibility of the Member State . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1530/93 Among the requirement that investments must satisfy by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI) should be mentioned the selection criteria laid down by to the Commission of the European Communities Commission Decision 90/342/EEC (*) and the provisions of the Community support framework for application of (15 June 1993) Regulations ( EEC ) No 866/90 and ( EEC ) No 867/90 ( 94/C 25/76 ) in Greece, approved by Commission Decision 92/80/EEC ( 2 ). Subject: Rice project
Given these requirements the Commission invariably seeks The use of rice as a self-sufficient dietary element is quite information on the situation in regions in which a Member unknown because it is not traditional. State is proposing investment. Its procedure, varying as appropriate, involves comprehensive analysis by sector and In the north of the Community rice is considered vaguely region. exotic; packets do not state where it comes from or the variety. Italian rice cultivation is not included in the reform ( ) OJ No L 163,-7. 6 . 1990 . of Community support projects in the agri-foods sector. (2 ) OJ No L 31 , 7. 2 . 1992 . Does the Commission not consider it advisable to start a rice promotion campaign ? No C 25/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Will the Commission also take action for the publication, in and Administration and with staff representatives, initiated all the Community languages, of information on the a general review of the social activities of the JRC as part of nutritional values of rice together with widely available the Commission's social policy for its staff. recipe booklets and a series of other promotional measures ? The programme of improvements agreed with the representatives of the staff is now being implemented and has yielded some initial results . All the activities are based on criteria such as those established for the Ecocentre project (a Answer given by Mr Steichen plan for the ecological and economic modernization of the on behalf of the Commission facilities of the JRC at Ispra ) which began in 1993 and was (27 September 1993) included in the 1993 general budget on Parliament's initiative .
Although rice forms part of the traditional diet of people in All proposed improvements to the social infrastructure are the south of the Community, it does not feature to the same debated in the standing committee^ ( joint social committee extent in the diet of North Europeans because it is used in a and local consultation committee ) which comprise elected different way . In the south, rice is a main dish, whereas in the representatives of the staff. north it is served as accompaniment to other dishes .
Rice could play a much more important part in the diet of the inhabitants of the Community. Consumption per head is about 4,4 kg, whilst in other industrialized western countries, in particular the United States, it is as high as 8 kg per head . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1533/93 Owing to budgetary restrictions, particularly in the agricultural sector, the Community does not at present have by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) the financial resources to fund a rice promotion campaign . to the Commission of the European Communities Such a campaign, extolling the nutritional value of rice and (IS June 1993) its dietary virtues, should be launched by the rice sector ( 94/C 25/78 ) itself.
Subject: Dioxin at Seveso
For the last 17 years the citizens of Seveso have been WRITTEN QUESTION No 1532/93 awaiting compensation for the moral damage suffered when the main reactor of the ICMESA plant released a toxic cloud by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI) of dioxin over the town . to the Commission of the European Communities (IS June 1993) ICMESA was ordered to pay Lit 2 million in moral damages ( 94/C 25/77 ) to every citizen living in the area affected by the toxic cloud, but the company contested the ruling . Subject: Social activities at the Joint Research Centre at Ispra Given that a recent survey has revealed a significant increase in the number ofcancer cases in Seveso, will the Commission Ecological considerations, energy-saving criteria and an eye draw up a report on the environmental situation in the to improving the quality of life should promote the town, plan periodic checks and set up a specialized centre restructuring of staff social facilities at the Joint Research for early diagnosis which would monitor the health of the Centre at Ispra . Will the Commission set up a task force population ? to draw up projects and to promote the necessary improvements ?
Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Ruberti on behalf of the Commission (12 October 1993) (30 September 1993) The Commission cofinanced, through its 'Europe against In 1991 the Joint Research Centre (JRC), in close cancer' programme, the study referred to by the Honourable collaboration with the Directorate-General for Personnel Member, which was undertaken by the Institute of 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/41
Occupational Health of Milan ( Prof. Bertazzi ) in Answer collaboration with the Lombardy regional authorities and (21 December 1993) the national cancer institute , on the link between the Seveso accident and cancer incidence and mortality in the exposed population . The verification of the Lithuanian inventory of nuclear material including possible changes is in principle The study used the medical surveillance programmes incumbent on the IAEO in cooperation with Lithuania . initiated after the explosion of 1976, which aimed at a long term follow-up of around 31 000 people residing for any period in the contaminated areas . All Lombardy hospitals The Community and its Member States are concerned over routinely proved specific information on any hospitalization reports about illegal trade in nuclear materials. Member of these people, and these data are linked to the States on whose territory such trade is alleged to have epidemiological findings and provide a satisfactory input occurred or whose nationals have been involved investigate to the surveillance system . It is expected that the study all such incidents . The Community and its Member States will continue until at least 1996 , but the preliminary discuss this issue both bilaterally and in European Political results indicate that there may be increased risk of certain Cooperation . Fortunately thus far, materials recovered in cancers following 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin incidents which have come to light have been of no ( TCDD ) exposure . At present, new studies to refine the proliferation concern . But the Community and its Member hypotheses are in the planning phase . States are not complacent and will continue to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves .
Concerning the particular issue of early diagnosis and screening, the setting up of specific screening facilities does The safeguards of nuclear material imported to Member not seem scientifically justified as adequate screening States is not of the competence of European Political techniques are not yet available for the types of cancer Cooperation . concerned .
In view of all these considerations, the Commission does not intend at this stage to undertake supplementary initiatives .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1558/93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Commission of the European Communities (17 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/80 ) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1549/93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) Subject: Transportation of plutonium to European Political Cooperation (15 June 1993) ( 94/C 25/79 ) Further to the Commission reply to the Hon. Member, Mrs Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard, to Question No 2254/92 on the transportation of plutonium ( a ), will it now state what amount, and with what fissile content, plutonium was Subject: Disappearance of radioactive material shipped from Cherbourg to Japan between November 1992 and January 1993 ; how many previous such plutonium shipments or air-freights have been notified to the Will EPC undertake to investigate the reports in the Daily Commission, involving what amounts and qualities of Telegraph of 13 April 1993 , published in the United plutonium; whether the Commission is participating with Kingdom, of the disappearance of hundreds of kilograms the International Atomic Energy Agency in its review and of radioactive ' materials , including strontium and update of plutonium and other fissile material transport weapon-useable uranium from Lithuania; guidelines; what assessment was made by the Commission of Japan's requirement for plutonium prior to permitting the export from without the Special Fissile Materials what protective measures are taken to halt the trafficking of Financial Account; what representations the Commission illicit nuclear materials from the CIS and Eastern European received in regard to the export of plutonium to Japan from States into the European Community; EC Member States; and if it will institute a review of fissile material export policies of the Community ? and what role is played by EPC in support of Euratom inspection measures on nuclear imports ? (!) OJ No C 90, 31 . 3 . 1993 , p . 24 . No C 25/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer given by Mr Matutes the Walloon Authorities had provided state subsidies in on behalf of the Commission breach of Articles 92 and 93 of the Treaty of Rome to the (24 September 1993) following enterprises in the Textile Industry: — De Poortere Freres,
The Commission regrets to inform the Honourable Member — Groupe Verbeke, that it is not at liberty to disclose information about nuclear material stocks at specific facilities and certain other — Filature Tiberghien, information about safeguards. ■— Filature Hersautoise . With respect to the IAEA guidelines for the transport of fissile materials the Commission participates together with Can the Commission say what steps it has taken to the Member States in the continuous IAEA review and investigate these complaints and when it expects to arrive at revision process of the safety standards and guidelines on a conclusion ? the safe transport of radioactive materials. The last meeting was held in May 1993 . Two or three further Technical Committee revision meetings will take place before the publication of the new edition of the regulations. Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission The spent fuel from which the plutonium involved in the transaction mentioned by the Honourable Member was (12 October 1993) separated, had been imported for reprocessing under the provisions of Article 75 ( C ) of the Euratom Treaty. The shipment was carried out in compliance with those The Commission acknowledged the British Textile provisions and with the international non-proliferation Confederation's letter in November and immediately commitments of the Community and its Member States. proceeded to require detailed information from the Belgian authorities on these alleged aids. On the basis of answers forwarded by these authorities, it was possible to answer the As to the before mentioned export of plutonium to japan letter on 14 April 1993 . there were no representations received from Member States . In this context the Commission would draw the attention of In the meantime, a meeting has also taken place between the Honourable Member to the open and extensive representatives of the British Textile Confederation and the discussion which was held in the European Parliament on Commission, where the nature and content of the measures 18 November . 1992 on this issue to provide as much In question were explained in detail . transparency as possible with respect to this operation. With regard to the financial interventions referred to in the As regards the fissile material export policy, the Community Honourable Member's question as well as in the letter of the and its Member States abide by the highest international British Textile Confederation, they concern mostly increases standards on non-proliferation and safe transport and in the capital base of certain of the enterprises mentioned . actively participate in the ongoing negotiations to These measures take the form of either Walloon region strengthen those regimes . participation in the capital increase by buying privileged non-voting shares in these firms, or loans to these firms, or a combination of the two.
After examination, the Commission has found that these interventions were of a purely commercial character. Such privileged non-voting shares carry commercial level dividends and the conditions oftheir emission, buy back and reimbursement respect market conditions . The regions's WRITTEN QUESTION No 1574/93 participation in the capital of these companies is always of a by Mr Michael Welsh ( PPE) minority nature, with private shareholders and loans to the Commission of the European Communities covering the rest . Private investors have, brought forward (17 June 1993) fresh funds to the enterprises, while all loans were approved on strictly market conditions . ( 94/C 25/81 ) The Commission will continue, as in the past, to follow diligently all cases of alleged State aids, taking all necessary Subject: State aids to the Belgian textile industry steps to redress the situation if it is found that irregularities do exist. In a letter dated 16 October 1992 to the Competition Directorate, the British Textile Confederation alleged that 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/43
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1581/93 schemes in force since the 1980s concerning international by Alonso Puerta and Laura Gonzalez Alvarez ( NI ) and Community trade agreements and the system of generalized preferences . to the Commission of the European Communities (17 June 1993) In 1993 it appears that revision of the system of generalized ( 94/C 25/82 ) preferences is on the Commission's agenda . There is even the possibility of including a positive and objective social clause on 'the rights of people at work' in the 1994 SGP scheme on Subject: Directive 90/313/EEC an experimental basis . On 7 June 1990 the Council adopted Directive 90/313/EEC 0 ) on the freedom of access to information on In view of the exceptional nature of this measure , can the the environment. Article 9 of the Directive reads as Commission say which economic areas and professional follows : sectors would benefit from this clause ? Might the Commission be committing itself to promoting this type of ' 1 . Member States shall bring into force the laws , clause in the future at European level ? Finally, could the regulations and administrative provisions necessary to Commission not put forward a new SGP scheme including comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the these 'workers' rights' at the coming GATT negotiations ? latest . They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.'
1 . Has the Spanish Government forwarded to the Answer given by Mr Marin Commission the text of the basic provisions of national on behalf of the Commission law it has adopted in the area covered by this Directive ? (12 October 1993)
2 . Does the Commission not consider that even in the absence of a legal instrument to incorporate it into The Commission is not considering proposing a clause on national law, this Directive could take immediate 'the rights of people at work' at this stage of preparations for effect ? the new Generalized System of Preferences for 1994 .
O OJ No L 158 , 23 . 6 . 1990, p . 56 . There will be a more thorough revision in 1995 and this interval will enable the Commission to take full account of the outcome of the Uruguay Round and give it time to go into more detail over the political, legal and technical Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas problems of including a clause to this effect. on behalf of the Commission (29 September 1993)
Spain has forwarded its national measures implementing Council Directive 90/313/EEC on the freedom of access to information on the environment. The provisions of national WRITTEN QUESTION No 1587/93 law adopted in the field governed by the Directive refer to by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S ) Law No 30/1992 of 26 November 1993 ( Ley de Regimen Juridico de las Administraciones Publicas y del to the Commission of the European Communities Procedimiento de Administration Comun). The conformity (18 June 1993) of this text with Directive 90/313/EEC is being ( 94/C 25/84 ) examined .
Subject: Humanitarian aid : introduction of a line in the Community budget for 'rehabilitation' programmes
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1586/93 For some years the European Community has made a firm by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S ) commitment to helping victims of disasters or wars . NGOs to the Commission of the European Communities are the active channels of the Community's humanitarian (17 June 1993) commitment, either through the co-financing they receive under 'emergency' aid or by distributing a significant ( 94/C 25/83 ) portion of the Community's overall humanitarian aid on the ground. Subject: Insertion of a social clause in the System of Generalized Preferences However, there appears to be a gap in the Community's range of action, i.e. aid to the people affected from the time For some years, because of the failure of the Uruguay Round the 'emergency' phase is deemed to have ended up to the talks, the Commission has been content simply to extend the time 'development' projects start . The Community does No C 25/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 nothing during this period. In 1992 many cases illustrated This is the backdrop for the Commission's bid to achieve that having made a serious commitment at the emergency greater complementarity between humanitarian aid, which aid stage, the Community refuses to go further. is the sole domain of ECHO, and rehabilitation, which is a prerequisite fey any resumption of the development process. Given that European humanitarian aid is currently in the process of restructuring, is the setting up of the ECHO (M COM(93 ) 204 . ( European Community Humanitarian Office ) likely to resolve these problems ? Is it not time to consider introducing a line in the budget from 1994 on specifically for 'rehabilitation' programmes following eftiergency aid operations ? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1621/93 by Mr Yves Verwaerde (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities (22 June 1993) Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission ( 94/C 25/85 ) (1 October 1993) Subject: General arrangements for the recognition ofhigher education qualifications — French Doctor of Laws The Commission is fully aware of the gaps in Community arrangements for aid to developing countries, which does Further to the answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi not always meet the specific rehabilitation needs between on behalf of the Commission to Written Question periods of war, civil unrest or natural disasters and the No 3032/92 (*) concerning the French Doctor of Laws resumption of long-term development aid. degree, can the Commission say whether it intends to make specific provisions for this degree as part of the present and This is why it proposed : future general arrangements for the recognition of higher education qualifications ? ( a ) the inclusion in next year's draft budget of a new heading to cover rehabilitation measures for developing (!) OJ No C 185, 7. 7. 1993 , p. 24 . countries, with provisional funding of ECU 10 million to meet the specific nature of rehabilitation needs and pave the way for bigger operations; Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi on behalf of the Commission ( b ) the launch, in a communication to the Council and Parliament which it adopted on 12 May I 1 ), of a (8 October 1993) 'Special rehabilitation support programme in developing countries', which would mobilize ECU 1 The Commission is unable to add anything to the answer it billion, 60 % of which would come from Community funds. gave previously to Written Question No 3032/92 by the Honourable Member.
Without waiting for these new initiatives, now under examination by the Council, to bear fruit, the Commission has become actively involved in rehabilitation support programmes, using EDF rtiechanisms and resources or relevant budget headings ( rehabilitation in southern Africa, WRITTEN QUESTION No 1651/93 food aid, cofinancing with NGOs and cooperation with by Mr Christos Papoutsis (PSE) MED states and developing countries in Asia and Latin America). Last year, it adopted four such programmes for to the Commission of the European Communities Angola, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Mozambique worth a total of (28 June 1993) ECU 273 million. Outside the ACP group, similar ( 94/C 25/86 programmes have been approved or are being prepared for Nicaragua, Lebanon, El Salvador and Cambodia . Subject: Community emergency humanitarian aid channelled through non-governmental However, such programmes suffer from specific constraints organizations in current development aid procedures, which are not always suited to the urgency of needs or the delicate It will be recalled that: situation in the recipient countries. The special programme put forward by the Commission addresses the need to find 1 . Appropriations have been entered in the general budget more flexible and quicker solutions . of the European Communities ( Chapter B7-51 ) for 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/45
unforeseen events and emergencies as a result of wars or using all the instruments and resources at its disposal under natural disasters in third countries; the EDF or relevant budget headings ( rehabilitation in southern Africa, food aid cofinancing with NGOs, 2 . The European Council in Edinburgh approved the cooperation with MED countries and developing/ALA setting up of a special reserve of ECU 200 million for countries ). In 1992 it approved four rehabilitation 1994 and ECU 300 million from 1995 to 1999 for programmes in Angola , Ethiopia, Eritrea and Mozambique emergency aid to third countries . totalling ECU 273 million . Outside the ACP group of countries, similar programmes have been approved or are being put together for Nicaragua , Lebanon, El Salvador and However, no Community aid to third country populations Cambodia . in need is provided during the period between the end of the 'emergency relief' phase and the commencement of However, implementation of these programmes suffers 'development' aid projects . from the specific constraints due to current procedures applicable to development aid, which are not always suited In view of this, will the Commission, acting within its terms to urgent rehabilitation needs, and to the precarious of reference, take measures to ensure that Community aid is situation of the recipient countries . The need for more provided to bridge this gap and that the populations flexible and speedier procedures is one of the points covered concerned are given the necessary means to carry out by the special programme put forward by the 'recovery' programmes immediately following the Commission . emergency relief stage ? H COM(93 ) 204 .
Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (5 October 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1660/93 by Mrs Maartje van Putten ( S ) The Commission is well aware of the gaps which exist in the to the Commission of the European Communities Community machinery to assist developing countries facing (28 June 1993) specific rehabilitation and reconstruction needs following a ( 94/C 25/87 ) war, civil unrest or natural disaster, and before long-term development aid can be resumed. Subject: Expenditure by the ACP-EEC Cultural It is indeed to deal with this kind of situation that the Cooperation Foundation Commission took the initiative in proposing : Since 1969 the European Development Fund ( EDF ) has (a ) the insertion of a new heading 'Rehabilitation and been financing the ACP-EEC Cultural Cooperation reconstruction measures for the developing countries' Foundation in order to meet the objectives set out in in the preliminary draft budget for 1994, with a Article 141 of the Fourth Convention of Lome . A critical provisional appropriation of ECU 10 million, designed progress report has been drawn up concerning the activities to meet specific rehabilitation needs and pave the way of this Foundation, of which the Commission is aware, as for more substantial contributions ; shown by the answer given by Commissioner Marin during Question Time at the meeting of the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly in Botswana . ( b ) the launch of a 'Special rehabilitation support programme in developing countries', put forward in the 1 . Can the Commission give the reasons why the EDF communication to the Council and Parliament adopted Committee has no less than twice referred back the new on 12 May 1993 (*), under which ECU 1000 million would be mobilized, of which ECU 600 million in budget for the Foundation ? Community funds . 2 . Can the Commission provide an annual survey of cultural projects carried out by the Foundation since its However, it is incorrect to say that no Community aid is creation ? provided between the end of the emergency phase and the launch of development projects . First of all, the funds set 3 . Can the Commission say what percentage of the aside for emergency humanitarian aid may be spent on expenditure of the Foundation now goes to meet specific rehabilitation initiatives enabling the recipient 'overheads'? groups to lay the basis of self-sufficiency. Secondly, and without waiting for the outcome of the new initiatives which 4 . Does the Commission approve the new budget proposed are pending before the Council , the Commission has played for the Foundation and, in particular, the proposed a very active role in rehabilitation support programmes by policy in respect of staff remuneration ? No C 25/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer given by Mr Mann as an association under private law, this is the on behalf of the Commission prerogative of its Administrative Council. (5 October 1993) The Commission has no ambition to fund an institution, but rather to provide funds for a programme of cultural Community funding for the Foundation for ACP-EEC cooperation activities, for which it is accepted that up to Cultural Cooperation dates back to March 1988 . 25 % of the expenditure should go on operating and technical assistance costs incurred by the body implementing it, in this case the Foundation. Since then the Community has part-financed a hundred or so cultural initiatives launched by the Foundation, totalling some ECU 4,5 million, of which ECU 3 million under the sixth EDF and ECU 1,5 million under the seventh.
The Foundation's operating, personnel and technical WRITTEN QUESTION No 1683/93 assistance costs account, on average, for 25 % of such by Mr José Apolinario ( S ) subsidies . The figure, which reached 26,6 % for the period 1988—91 , was down to 20% in 1992 . However, it is to the Commission of the European Communities expected to rise again from the second half of 1993 inview of (28 June 1993) the decision taken by the Foundation's administrative ( 94/C 25/88 ) council to remunerate its Secretary-General, whose services have so far been provided on a voluntary basis. Subject: Setubal-Alentejo-Algarve motorway At any rate, the Foundation has undertaken to limit its operating and technical assistance costs to 25% of the The Commission proposal to the Council for a decision on a subsidies granted by the Community; this clause is included trans-European road network for the year 2002 includes the in the draft financing protocol . Setubal-Alentejo-Algarve motorway. Despite the indicative nature of this proposal, it is necessary for the Community and Portuguese authorities to make efforts to achieve this The evaluation report is only a component of the overall objective by making regions more accessible and promoting assessment of Foundation's activities financed by the their harmonious development. Community, as its conclusions are compared with and analysed in the light of other internal reviews . The In addressing the Portuguese Parliament, the Portuguese Commission feels that on the whole the results of the Government allowed that it had put forward the project for evaluation procedure justify the continuation of its financing from the Cohesion Fund, thereby justifying the cooperation with the Foundation, provided certain projected Setubal-Marateca-Grandola section ( scheduled guidelines are reviewed, a consistent strategy is defined and for 1996 ). This had been agreed on in consultation with the implementing procedures are improved. The Commission local and national authorities, business associations and and the Foundation's administrators are working to this various regional representatives of the Lisbon end. Government.
To answer the questions put by the Honourable The Portuguese Government has just announced the Member: projects to be submitted to the Commission for assistance under the Cohesion Fund and the Community Support 1 . To be precise, the two financing proposals presented by Framework, thereby establishing major infrastructural the Commission to the EDF Committee were not projects up to the year 2000. Under current plans of the rejected: discussion of them was postponed because Portuguese Government, the Alentejo and the Algarve will Member States considered that they did not have at their not be linked by motorway until the end of the 20th disposal sufficient information concerning the activities century. carried out by the Foundation, and in particular its objectives and programme of activities for the coming In view of the Community's responsibilities concerning the years. implementation of this proposal, and if Portugal submits a project for the construction of a motorway to the Algarve, is 2 . Under the Third Lome Convention the Commission did the Commission prepared to ensure that it can be put into not fund the Foundation's general programme of effect? activities but has provided funding for individual initiatives. Under Lome IV, should the EDF Committee agree to fund a multiannual programme proposed by the Foundation, the Commission undertakes to put before Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber the Member States an annual evaluation report. on behalf of the Commission (4 October 1993) 3 . The answer to this question has already been given.
4 . It is not for the Commission to interfere in the The Portuguese authorities submitted a request for Foundation's wages and salaries policy. Given its status Community financing for the Polmela-Marateca section of 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/47 the motorway under the Cohesion financial instrument for 5 , drive against pollution ( ECU 2,8 million ); 1993 . This proposal is currently being examined in accordance with the procedures referred to in Council 6 . professional training in the tourism and mining sectors Regulation ( EEC ) No 792/93 of 30 March 1993 ( J ) which ( ECU 5,4 million ); established that financial instrument . 7. deepening EEC-Turkey relations ( ECU 3,4 million ) via a programme of scholarships for Turkish postgraduate The question of financing for other sections or for the whole students . of the proposed motorway will be examined in the future, if the Portuguese Government submits a proposal, once the Some ECU 1 1 million has already been disbursed for these Cohesion Fund in its final form has been adopted following projects, with further payments totalling ECU 5 million ratification of the Treaty on European Union . scheduled for the current financial year .
(!) OJ No L 79, 1 . 4 . 1993 . Overall , the programme is being carried out more slowly than expected . Some projects have been delayed by adjustments made necessary by organizational changes in the Turkish civil service .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1690/93 by Mr Jan Bertens ( LDR ) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1710/93 (28 June 1993) by Mr Karel De Gucht ( LDR ) ( 94/C 25/89 ) to the Commission of the European Communities (29 June 1993) 94/C 25/90 Subject: Special projects in Turkey
On 9 November 1992, the EC/Turkey Association Council Subject: Italian Government aid measures decided to strengthen relations between the EC and Turkey. It is therefore extremely important to make full and timely Was the aid granted by the Italian Government in use of all relevant instruments . connection with an investment for the production of synthetic fibres by Rhone-Poulenc and Enia in Pisticci Can the Commission submit a progress report in the near registered in accordance with the provisions of the future concerning special aid/action projects for which Treaty ? purpose the programme was relaunched in 1988 ? What was the actual amount of the aid ?
Is it compatible with Article 92 et seq . of the EEC Treaty ? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (8 October 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1711/93 by Mr Karel De Gucht ( LDR) ECU 75 million in special aid was granted to Turkey in 1980 to relieve the pressure on an economy that was in some to the Commission of the European Communities difficulty, notably owing to a chronic dearth of foreign (29 June 1993) currency. ( 94/C 25/91 )
In addition to this commitment, between April 1988 and September 1991 financing agreements worth a total of ECU Subject: French Government aid measures 28,3 million were signed for the following seven projects : Was the aid granted by the French Government to 1 , drive against malaria ( ECU 1,5 million); Rhone-Poulenc's investment in the restructuring of its synthetic fibres plant in Arras registered in accordance with 2 . geothermic energy research ( ECU 8 million); the Treaty ?
3 . improving the training of local collective staff ( ECU 1,4 What was the actual amount of the aid ? million); Is it compatible with Article 92 et seq. of the EEC 4. improving health care ( ECU 5,8 million ); Treaty ? No C 25/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1710/93 and WRITTEN QUESTION No 1729/93 1711/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (11 October 1993) (29 June 1993) . ( 94/C 25/93 ) The Commission does not at present possess any information to the effect that the Italian and/or French authorities have granted aid to Enia in Pisticci ( Italy ) and to Subject: Official approval of language courses abroad Rhone-Poulenc in Arras (France).
It has contacted the authorities concerned and will inform With the approach of the school summer holidays the Honourable Member of any action taken in this preparations are being made for the complex organization connection. of language courses abroad for younger people and older people wishing to combine intensive language study with closer knowledge of other countries' cultures and peoples.
However, the availability and organization of 'traditional' WRITTEN QUESTION No 1721/93 language courses abroad is such that prospective students by Mr Alex Smith (PSE ) invariably find themselves on a 'blind date', since they have no information concerning the quality of courses, to the Commission of the European Communities accommodation and other facilities available at their (29 June 1993) destination, having generally made a random choice since, ( 94/C 25/92 ) in many cases, not even the agency has taken the trouble to check the relevant details.
Subject: Price of compact disc recordings For this reasoavarious national bodies promoting language In the light of the recent report by the UK House of courses abroad are calling for the national authorities to Commons National Heritage Select Committee on the price take steps to regulate this sector and lay down specific of compact discs, the conclusion of which was that a price criteria in the form of standards and approval procedures so cut of almost £3 should be made, does the Commission that prospective students are given a reasonable idea ofwhat intend to take any action on what appears to be a cartel to expect of their courses and other arrangements . operating in this industry ? Does the Commission consider that it should support such a move and propose the adoption of standards in this sector, which would serve as a guarantee for those wishing to Answer given by Mr Van Miert attend a language course abroad ? on behalf of the Commission (8 October 1993)
The Commission has no evidence of a cartel operating in the recorded music industry affecting the prices of compact discs traded between Member States. . Answer given by Mr Ruberti on behalf of the Commission It has noted the Select Committee's report together with the (20 October 1993} fact that in the light of the evidence presented to the Committee and the report itself the Director General of Fair Trading has now asked the Monopolies and Mergers Commission ( MMC ) to investigate the supply of recorded The Commission is aware of the difficulties encountered by music in the United Kingdom. students in obtaining information on the quality of the language courses on offer. However, responsibility for certification rests with the Member States and the Careful consideration will be given by the Commission to Commission cannot intervene in this area . Moreover, any aspect of the MMC report, when published, which language courses in some countries are mainly organized by could point to the existence of a cartel or other the private sector. anti-competitive practices at Community level affecting compact disc prices . If substantive evidence of this nature emerges the Commission will take appropriate action. Under the Lingua programme, assistance can be provided for establishments developing language teaching programmes and certification systems for business and for 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/49
the promotion of transnational recognition of certification into question all the concessions to all companies with share systems . capital and agricultural undertakings with a turnover of more than Lit 360 million, i.e. practically all business .
This has been done despite the fact that the special VAT scheme for farmers incorporated in EEC rules is applied in all the other countries of the Community . By excluding itself Italy will inevitably aggravate its own agricultural position WRITTEN QUESTION No 1733/93 which is already well in deficit . by Mr Paul Howell ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities Does the Commission not believe that application of the (29 June 1993) special VAT scheme for farmers ought to be subject to the ( 94/C 25/94 ) same conditions throughout the Community and not leave too much discretion to local decision-making bodies which are often short-sighted or guided by extremely narrow Subject: Spanish shipping restrictions interests ?
The Spanish Government has recently introduced restrictions on shipping between North Africa and Spain involving a British shipping company . This is in clear breach of the Single European Act. What action is the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-2204/93 taking in this matter ? by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities (29 July 1993) Answer given by Mr Matutes 94/C 25/96 on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1993) Subject: Penalization of Italian agriculture
The Commission is aware of a bilateral agreement between Does the Commission consider that order in Council No 47 Spain and Morocco which contains cargo-sharing clauses . ( on the VAT system ) recently adopted by the Italian These clauses should have been phased out or adjusted, by Government, which abolishes the special agricultural 1 January 1993 , to provide for fair, free and scheme for individual farmers with a turnover of over Lit non-dicriminatory access to the cargo-shares due to Spain, 360 million, is compatible with Community law since, in by all Community nationals, as defined in Article 1 of addition to conflicting with the relevant Community Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 4055/86 of 22 December policies, it is resulting in a big drop in income on the vast 1986 . This Regulation applies the principle of freedom to majority of farms and is laying the conditions for a serious provide services to maritime transport between Member crisis on such farms ? States and between Member States and third countries .
The Commission will seek to ensure that the Spanish authorities put an end to any discrimination resulting and fully comply with Community legislation . Joint answer to Written Questions No 1738/93 and E-2204/93 given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission (13 October 1993)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1738/93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI) According to the information at the Commission's disposal, the Italian Government has now issued a decree law to the Commission of the European Communities repealing the provision under which farmers with a turnover (29 June 1993) of more than Lit 360 million are excluded from the special ' ( 94/C 25/95 ) VATscheme .
However, the Commission would remind the Honourable Subject: Application of special VAT scheme for farmers Member that, under Article 25 of Directive 77/388/EEC, it is left to the discretion of Member States whether to On 2 April 1993 the Italian Senate adopted decree No 47 introduce a special scheme for farmers or to exclude certain altering the special scheme for farmers . The alteration calls categories of them from that scheme . This is why not all
i No C 25/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Member States apply the special scheme and differences benefits imports from Canada and 50 000 tonnes of imports remain among those which do concerning its scope and the from other third non-EFTA countries . rules under which it is applied. The Canadian quota was filled in 1989, 1990, 1991 and The discretion left to Member States is not explained solely 1992 and was increased by 5 % ( 30 000 tonnes ) for each by the concern to take account of certain national year according to a long-standing agreement between peculiarities. The way in which Article 25 was drafted by the Canada and the Community. Community legislator was designed to encourage farmers gradually to modernize their operations and shift towards Imports from EFTA countries enter duty free pursuant to the normal VAT arrangements . the free trade agreements . These represent 75% of Community imports.
In the context of the Uruguay Round, the US and Canada have proposed elimination of duties in the paper sector in general . Newsprint is a specific part of the proposal. This proposal has been accepted by Japan, but there are no duties WRITTEN QUESTION No 1746/93 in the US and Canada in this sector, and only low duties in by Mr André Sainjon ( PSE ) Japan. to the Commission of the European Communities (29 June 1993) The Community's current Uruguay Round offer, which is subjects negotiations, is a reduced duty for the quantities ( 94/C 25/97 ) not covered by a duty free quota . The formula proposed would reduce the duty for newsprint which has a 'waterline * of 4,9 to 3,7 % and from 9 to 6,4 % duty for newsprint Subject: Import treatment of newsprint in the European without a 'waterline'. Community
European imports of newsprint from third countries or -EFTA countries are subject to a 9 % customs duty beyond a zero-duty quota of 650 000 tonnes. This quota may be raised automatically in the course of the year to 680 000 tonnes should the need arise . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1777/93 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE) This tax exemption is essentially of benefit to Canadian newsprint, a basic quota of 650 000 tonnes being opened to the Commission of the European Communities for this country at the beginning of every year. If the quota (12 July 1993) were altered or abolished, this would be a serious blow to 94/C 25/98 the European newsprint industry.
Given the pressure from EEC publishers brought together Subject: Position of the Commission towards the new under the Community of Associations of Newspaper constitution of Andorra Publishers who are pushing for the abolition of restrictions on newsprint imports, does the Commission intend to react When the head of the Government of Andorra began firmly by rejecting anyproposal to abolish or relax the quota negotiating with representatives of Spain and France a of 650 000 tonnes ? trilateral treaty to define the Principality's relations with these two countries, some people wondered what form the The EEC's paper-making industry is experiencing serious Community's relations with Andorra would take as a result difficulties and a new round of redundancies is to be of the greater prominence given to external relations under expected. Is the Commission prepared to lower the quota if the new Andorra constitution . this situation persists ? While the Spanish Government has indicated through a communique its intention of maintaining close, cordial relations with the new state, the Community's constitutionalists continue to ponder how the EC should Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan react. x on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1993) Is the Commission preparing a proposal for practical Community measures, in the light of the external relations developments in the new Andorran constitution, and does it The Community maintains a GATT-bound duty-free intend to ratify these developments by establishing a import quota of 600 000 tonnes of newsprint, which physical presence in Andorra ? 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/51
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (12 October 1993) (20 October 1993)
The Commission welcomes the adoption of the new It is not the Commission's role to encourage European Andorran constitution, approved in the referendum of families to adopt children from the Third World . It merely 14 March, which makes the Principality a sovereign, encourages the comparison of experience and exchange of democratic state . It also welcomes the signing on 1 June in information on adoption matters, in accordance with the Paris and Madrid and on 3 June in Andorra of the Treaty of conclusions regarding familiy policies of the ministers good neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation between responsible for family affairs meeting within the Council in the country and France and Spain, both of which agreed to September 1989 . recognize Andorra as a sovereign state and to establish diplomatic relations. In March 1993 , the Commission thus organized a seminar on adoption for lawyers, research workers and those active in the field . The proceedings will shortly be available . Relations between the Community and Andorra are still defined by the agreement, in the form of an exchange of letters, signed in Luxembourg on 28 June 1990 . The agreement is not affected by the latest constitutional moves .
Relations are developing satisfactorily under the joint WRITTEN QUESTION E-1782/93 committee overseeing the agreement and through regular by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( PSE ) contacts between the Commission and the Andorran to the Commission of the European Communities authorities . The Commission does not see any need to accredit a mission to the Principality for the time being . (12 July 1993) 94/C 25/100 )
Subject: European capital yields tax
The Community's economic indicators are all in the red ( recession, rising unemployment, stormy times for the EMS WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 778/93 and a fall in the EC's share of world trade). The recession is having a very adverse effect on tax receipts and is increasing by Mr Gerardo Fernández Albor (PPE ) social expenditure in all the Member States . to the Commission of the European Communities (12 July 1993) Given the serious risk of a flight of capital if any Member ( 94/C 25/99 ) State were to raise taxes unilaterally, is the Commission considering making proposals to raise and harmonize capital yields taxation throughout the Community ? Subject: Community campaign to promote the adoption of children from the Third World
The results of a survey conducted in a number of Answer given by Mrs Scrivener Community countries showing that the overwhelming on behalf of the Commission majority of white mothers questioned were against adopting (4 October 1993) children of other races are devastating . The Commission put forward in 1989 a proposal for a Possibly the only way for many Third World children to Directive introducing a common system of withholding tax escape poverty is to strike lucky by being adopted by a on investment income under which interest payments made family in the economically developed world. The result to all Community residents would attract tax at a minimum of the survey is therefore disheartening, since it reveals rate of 15 % ( r). The aim was to ensure , in accordance with a mixture of selfishness, racism and a lack of Article 6 of Council Directive 88/36 1 /EEC of 24 June understanding. 1988 (2 ), that the liberalization of capital movements would be underpinned by measures to eliminate or reduce the risks This picture might be altered by persuading families in our of distortion, tax evasion and tax avoidance linked to the society to think differently. Does the Commission think that diversity of national systems for the taxation of savings . a Community campaign in the Member States would help reverse current attitudes and facilitate the adoption of Third The proposal, which reflects the concerns expressed by the World children by white Community families ? Honourable Member, did not meet with the Council's No C 25/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 approval, in particular because certain Member States had 19 000 tonnes on imports of boneless beef into the reservations regarding the risks of capital currently invested Community, carrying with it a 75 % reduction in import within the Community being moved to non-member duties . The protocol also guarantees producers a countries . substantially higher sales price than on world markets .
The Belgian Presidency has included the question of the 1 . How does the Commission justify this decision in view taxation of savings in the Council's work programme for the of the large beef surpluses inside the Community ? second half of 1993 with a view to getting discussion of this proposal moving again . 2 . How does the Commission reconcile this policy of indirect encouragement to breeders with its policy of (M See Commission communication to the Council COM(89 ) 60 protecting Botswana's environment which, as is final/3 of 12 May 1989 . well-known, is threatened by over-grazing ? ( 2 ) OJ No L 178 , 8 . 7 . 1988 . 3 . Has the Commission attempted to influence ( or can it do so in the future ) the manner in which the Botswanan authorities use the sums saved on import duties ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l799/93 by Leo Tindemans ( PPE), Alberto Michelini ( PPE), Sir Christopher Prout ( PPE), Pierre Bernard-Reymond ( PPE) Answer given by Mr Marin and Friedrich Merz ( PPE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (26 October 1993) (12 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/101 ) 1 . The Beef Protocol was introduced in Lome I and continued in the subsequent Lome Conventions. It dates Subject: Malta's application to join the EC therefore from the time when the Community was a deficit beef producer. As in other arrangements, the objective of the Protocol is to maintain the traditional trade flows with third Can the Commission explain why it has not yet adopted its countries . opinion on Malta's application to join the EC when it is well known that the staff work on this was completed some months ago and indeed the Commission had promised to The Commission thinks it reasonable not to subordinate the issue this opinion before the end of 1992 ? pursuit of this objective to the variation of production in the Community .
2 . The Commission is well aware of the problem of Answer given by Mr Van den Broek overgrazing in Botswana . This is mainly due to sheep and on behalf of the Commission goat farming which adversely affects the available pastoral (29 October 1993) land. Several projects have therefore been funded since Lome II to encourage reductions in the sheep and goat stock . On 30 June 1993 , the Commission released its opinion on Malta's application to join the Community ( J ). In addition the need to conserve and develop natural resources has been emphasized in Lome III and Lome IV (M COM(93 ) 312 final . National Indicative Programmes . This has led to the Wildlife Conservation and Development Programme in Northern Botswana which is currently being implemented and to the Wildlife Conservation and Development Programme in Central/Southern Botswana which is now under preparation. WRITTEN QUESTION E-1831/93 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V ) 3 . In accordance with dispositions of the Beef Protocol , to the Commission of the European Communities Botswana benefits from a reduction ofthe levy on imports of an agreed quantity of beef into the Community . Restitutions (13 July 1993) are not paid. The result of this system is that the income ( 94/C 25/102 ) arising from the sale of traditional quantities on the Community market is higher than the income arising from sales on the world market, thus benefiting Botswana Subject: Seventh protocol on beef and veal in Lome IV producers . In 1989 , the Commission signed the 7th protocol on beef and veal under which Botswana was allocated a quota of 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/53
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1835/93 Answer given by Mrs Scrivener by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis ( PSE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (13 October 1993) (15 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/103 ) The Commission fully shares the concern of the Honourable Member about home and leisure accidents in general and Subject: Strike ban on GSEE ( Greek General Confederation concerning children in particular . of Labour )
For the first time in the 81 -year history of the GSEE, a court The Commission is of the opinion that the provision of order has been issued banning strikes declared by the appropriate information can play a significant role in organization. promoting child safety and is an essential complement to legislation in this field. However, experience has shown that safety information campaigns of the type envisaged by the The ban applies to the strikes by workers at the Elefsina Honourable Member are best undertaken by local, regional shipyards which the GSEE called while it takes their case to or national organizations which have the advantage of being the International Labour Office and Community bodies . directly in touch with child safety issues in their own areas Can the Commission provide more detailed information on and can thus target their action at specific problems, which this matter ? tends to be more cost effective than general information campaigns . The conference on 'Communicating child safety : European approaches to accident prevention campaigns', held in Brussels in November 1991 , served to confirm that this particular example of subsidiarity was the Answer given by Mr Flynn right approach to take on this issue . on behalf of the Commission (9 November 1993) Indeed, the credits available in the Community's budget in 1990, 1991 and 1992 , were used to stimulate and extend information campaigns undertaken by a variety of external The Honourable Member's question does not come within organizations ( e.g. family organizations, consumer the Commission's jurisdiction. associations and institutions specializing in child safety). There are no credits specifically directed at child safety information campaigns in the 1993 EC budget, nor in the draft budget for 1994 . If the Commission does not currently intend to launch a Community wide campaign, nevertheless it gives its financial support to specific actions concerning child safety in the Member States .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 873/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) More generally speaking the Commission has initiated three to the Commission of the European Communities instruments to help to ensure and develop product safety within the Community and thus help to prevent domestic (IS July 1993) accidents . ( 94/C 25/104 )
Firstly Council Decision 90/352/EEC of 29 June 1990 (*) Subject: Accidents in the home ensures that if a Member State finds a product which is considered to be seriously and immediately dangerous to the health and safety of consumers, it informs the Commission. According to the newspaper Rizos of 15 April 1993 , there This enables the Commission to inform the other Member are 10 times as many ( fatal ) accidents in the home as there States, asking them to verify whether the product in are on the roads and 20 times as many as there are in the question is sold on their territory and if this is the case, what workplace . Since the majority of accidents in the home measures they have taken . involve children, a special campaign must be mounted and infant schools, junior schools and parents must be given more information through local authorities and the media . The newspaper emphasizes that it is possible to prevent such Secondly Council Directive 92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992 , accidents and that any delay would be criminal . coming into force on 29 June 1994, on general product safety ( 2 ) imposes on producers and Member States the obligation only to place safe products on the market. The Will the Commission take any steps to reduce the number of directive integrates and strengthens the rapid exchange accidents in the home ? system, as, under certain specific conditions, a notification No C 25/54 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 of a dangerous product may lead to a Community measure WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 893/93 concerning that product. by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI) to the Commission of the European Communities Thirdly the system of information on home and leisure (15 July 1993) accidents ( Couhcil Decision 86/138/EEC of 22 April 1986 concerning a demonstration project with a view to ( 94/C 25/106 ) introducing a Community system of information on accidents involving consumer products ) ( 3 ), was first introduced as a demonstration project in 1986 and in Subject: Cohesion Fund aid programmes for Greece February 1993 ( 4 ) the Commission proposed to install the system for five years . This system will be a significant indicator, enabling the Member States to take the Will the Commission give details of the programmes under appropriate measures, and enabling the Commission to which Greece has to date submitted applications for aid make an evaluation of the possible Community dimension from the Cohesion Fund ? of a problem .
Provided that the Member States fulfil their responsibilities, the combination of all these instruments should, in the view of the Commission, contribute to reducing the number of accidents involving products . Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber on behalf of the Commission (!) OJ No L 173 , 6 . 7 . 1990 . (1 October 1993) ( 2 ) OJ No L 228 , 11 . 8 . 1992 . ( 3 ) OJ No L 109, 26 . 4. 1986 . (4 ) Proposal for a Council Decision introducing a Community system of information on home and leisure accidents — On 2 July 1993 Greece submitted 94 projects to the COM(93 ) 18 final . Commission for assistance from the cohesion financial instrument set up by Regulation ( EEC ) No 729/93 of 3 March 1993 f 1 ).
The decisions will be made public and published in the Official Journal .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1881/93 (M OJ No L 79, 1 . 4 . 1993 . by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities (15 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/105 )
Subject: Western Sahara WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 895/93 Western Sahara is the only colony in Africa still to gain its by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI) independence . In view of this, can the Commission say whether the Community has taken any measures to speed up to the Commission of the European Communities the independence process for that country ? (15 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/107)
Subject: Discrimination in employment contracts and in Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission workers' rights in general (27 October 1993) How does the Commission believe the Community could help deal with discriminatory treatment in employment The matter raised by the Honourable Member is one which contracts and more generally in respect ofworkers' rights on comes within the competence of European Political Community territory, with particular reference to Cooperation . discrimination on the grounds of sex and discrimination in the application of European policies according to age, religion, race or nationality, political convictions and membership of trade unions ? 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/55
Answer given by Mr Flynn action on the economic and social integration of poor on behalf of the Commission women is now being drawn up. (29 October 1993) The main purpose of the European Social Fund is, furthermore, to combat unemployment — especially The Commission, acting on the basis of the relevant long-term unemployment which affects women provisions of the EEC Treaty and the principles established particularly . It is also the Commission's most valuable in the Community Charter of basic social rights for workers, financial means of promoting equal opportunities in is pursuing a policy which seeks to guarantee equal employment and vocational training . Thus, by developing treatment for all workers, regardless of sex or nationality, by measures to help long-term unemployed women, the ESF presenting proposals for directives on equal treatment and helps to anticipate cases of poverty. implementing action programmes to raise awareness of Community legislation in this field . Specific measures to promote the vocational training and integration of women are being developed under the Furthermore, according to consistent case law of the Court Community support frameworks ( CSF ) for objectives 1 , 3 of Justice, generally recognized principles in the field of and 4 regions . human rights, including the prohibition of this type of discrimination, must be taken into account when The NOW initiative ( 1991—1993 ) also involves interpreting and applying any provisions of Community law. transnational and innovatory measures to promote the training and employment of women. Several such projects are geared to underpriviliged women ( migrant women, heads of family, etc.).
Promoting equal opportunities remains a priority under the ESF for the period 1994—1999 and projects to combat poverty among women may be jointly financed . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1912/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities (IS July 1993) ( 94/C 25/108 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1943/93 Subject: Programmes to combat poverty among women by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to European Political Cooperation The increase in poverty among women in all sectors is a (19 July 1993) problem even in Europe . ( 94/C 25/109 What are the Commission's views on the adequacy of the funding for the existing programmes to combat poverty Subject: Refugees in Africa ( Poverty III), and to promote equal opportunities for women in the sphere of employment and vocational training ( NOW)? The number of refugees in Africa has reached 6 million ( 15 million if displaced populations within the same state are included), and the problem there can therefore no longer be ignored.
Answer given by Mr Flynn Will EPC express the concern of the Community and its on behalf of the Commission Member States and call on the African States concerned to (12 October 1993) take measures ot ensure that the human rights of the refugees are respected ?
The Community programme Poverty III has given rise to a number of innovatory measures as part of integrated local projects geared particularly to poor women . Answer The Commission has, moreover, supported measures (9 December 1993) proposed by the networks covering single parent families and underprivileged women and is in constant contact with these associations as part of the European Anti-Poverty The European Union shares the concern of the Honourable Network . A guide to recommendations on effective positive Member at the plight of the great number of refugees in No C 25/56 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Africa . It has expressed its concern on numerous occasions sector in the United States (a 3,5 billion deficit for the in contacts with the governments of the countries Community). The Community must therefore be extremely concerned . Respect for basic human rights has become one vigilant during the negotiations in this sector . of the cornerstones of relations between the European Union and other countries, also in Africa . Does the Commission not therefore consider it essential for the cultural clause to be taken into account in GATT to ensure the survival of the European audiovisual market ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1955/93 Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (12 October 1993) (19 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/110 ) The Commission stands fast on the principle of safeguarding the cultural specificity of the audiovisual Subject: Uruguay Round negotiations and audiovisual industry in the working text of the agreement on services, in sector keeping with the stance consistently taken by the Community . To the Commission, to take account of the cultural specificity of this industry under GATT is indeed The audiovisual sector is one of the key sectors in which the essential, if not for the market to survive, then at least for the GATT negotiators have not yet been able to reach proper defence of the industry's legitimate interests . agreement because of the administration's refusal to include any reference to culture as requested by the Community, or derogations from the GATT most-favoured-nation clause This line is in no way comparable to the terms negotiated by so as to prevent dismantling of the 'television without the USA with its NAFTA partners, because the NAFTA frontiers' directive, international co-production agreements agreement, despite including a 'cultural exception', permits and the Media programme . the USA to take unilateral action on terms which would be unacceptable to the Community under GATT . Owing to the Community's adherence to the principle that the Agreement As regards the cultural clause, in GATT the United States are on trade in services should exclude any sector, it is in favour refusing to include a provision which they granted their of including the audiovisual industry in GATT, subject to Canadian and Mexican partners in the recent Alena recognition of that industry's cultural specificity; this is agreement . intended as a means of defending the legitimacy of its anti-protectionist policy in this field .
Does the Commission intend to adopt an unwavering position of principle in the Uruguay Round negotiations in The Commission agrees that it would be impossible to the audiovisual sector so that the Community is not accept the US demand for dismantling the provisions of subjected to discriminatory treatment ? Directive 89/552/EEC ( on 'television without frontiers') giving preferential access to broadcasters' air time for 'European works' on the terms laid down in the Directive . The threat which the American attitude presents to the Such a concession would be prejudicial to the development 'television without frontiers' directive could also mean that of European audiovisual programme-making . The there are no rules for the Community's audiovisual market Commission is also of the opinion, in view of the figures as a whole which, without some form of protection, would quoted by the Honourable Member himself, that there is no become totally deregulated . serious threat to access to the Community market for US audiovisual programmes . In the present circumstances the Commission sees no need for interim protective measures Is the Commission aware that this threat could be extremely but will continue to look at proposals it could put forward detrimental to the creation of European audiovisual to promote the development of a strong and competitive programmes and, if so, what protective measures does it European cultural industry producing audiovisual intend to propose ? programmes .
In 1990 American audiovisual programmes brought in 15 times more in Europe than did the European audiovisual 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/57
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1964/93 witnessed by the important resolution adopted by the by Mr Ernest Glinne ( PSE ) ACP/EEC Joint Assembly at its meeting from 29 March to 2 April 1993 in Gaborone ( Botswana ). to the Council of the European Communities
(19 July 1993) The Council would also inform the Honourable Member ( 94/C 25/111 ) that since October 1991 economic and financial cooperation under the Lome Convention has been suspended with regard to Haiti, with the exception of Subject: Community attitude towards the dictatorship in humanitarian aid which directly benefits the Haitian people . Haiti The same attitude has been adopted by the Member States on a bilateral level . At its recent meeting the ACP/EEC Joint Assembly listed six principles which, for the good of Haiti , should form a basis Among the other measures which could be taken, the for negotiation in accordance with the Washington draft Council has also discussed the possibility of denouncing the treaty drawn up in February by President Aristide and Lome Convention with regard to Haiti . It thought it was not members of parliament . necessary to adopt such an extreme measure, bearing in mind as well the negative attitude taken by the Group of On the ground, however, the Zinglandos, successors to the ACP States . Tontons Macoutes, are with impunity stepping up their campaign of violence, as are the regular army (7 000 The possibility of imposing a trade embargo on Haiti has 'tisoldats' in Creole ) and a large proportion of the police . also been discussed . The Council noted that imposing an Haiti is a hell where the blood never stops flowing; embargo would encounter serious legal difficulties, in possessing a photo of President Artistide or audibly particular in connection with compliance with the mentioning the Head of State democratically elected on obligations arising from the Lome Convention and with the 16 December 1990, then deposed and forced into exile by absence of a decision by the Security Council pursuant to the army on 30 September 1991 'justifies' execution, Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. torture , rape and disappearances . Once these obstacles had been removed following the The embargo on imports and exports has trebled the price of adoption by the United Nations Security Council of commodities and increased the number of Haitians leaving Resolution 841 ( 1993 ) on 16 June 1993 , the Council the country ( without succeeding more often than not if their adopted on 24 June 1993 a Regulation introducing an destination is Florida, because of US navy interception ). embargo concerning certain trade between the Community and Haiti . That embargo, lifted on 13 September 1993 What then is the Council's reaction to the position of the following Security Council Resolution 861 ( 1993 ), was Joint Assembly, given the need to organize proper however reimposed on 28 October 1993 by Regulation democratic elections in Haiti and ensure respect for ( EEC ) No 3028/93 following a further Security Council democratic values ? Resolution adopted on 13 October 1993 .
Is it not essential to use the human righs provisions of Lome IV to suspend participation by the present regime in Haiti in the Convention and to intervene from now on only through NGOs trying to help the defenceless people ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1973/93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer (19 July 1993) (10 December 1993) ( 94/C 25/112 )
Since the military coup d'etat which in September 1991 toppled the first democratically elected President in Haiti the Subject: Conference on 'social exclusion' in Copenhagen Council and the political cooperation authorities have consistently denounced the suffering and numerous Is it true that the Commission held a conference on 'social violations of human righs inflicted on the Haitian people, exclusion' on 2—4 June 1993 ? demanded the re-introduction of constitutional order in Haiti and supported the international community's efforts and pressure to this end .
The Council welcomes the convergence of views which Which organizations took part, and how were they exists between the Community and its ACP partners as selected ? No C 25/58 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Was the Commission aware of any interest expressed by What action does the Commission intend to take to other organizations ? If so, were those organizations also overcome this obvious obstruction ? invited ? If the old CCC remains in operation until replaced with the new CCC, why have there not yet been any plenary meetings and why is none planned for the foreseeable future ?
Answer given by Mr Flynn (!) OJ No C 320, 26 . 11 . 1993, p . 23 . on behalf of the Commission (12 October 1993)
The Commission and the Danish Presidency were jointly Answer given by Mrs Scrivener responsible for organizing the conference 'Combating social on behalf of the Commission exclusion — a challenge for the nineties' which was held in (26 October 1993) Copenhagen on 2—3 June 1993 .
The conference was attended by about 370 people The only consumer organization represented in the CCC representing national, regional and local authorities, ( Consumers' Consultative Council ) which has not yet non-governmental organizations, the two sides of industry proposed its candidates for renewal of the CCC is BEUC and networks of local projects to combat social exclusion, ( Bureau Europeen des Unions de Consommateurs ). etc. However, the renewal process is not being actively pursued According to the number of places available, organizations at present since the Commission is currently consulting the were invited on the basis of their current involvement in the consumer organizations on a possible reform of the CCC, European networks and regular contacts with the which might imply changes in its structure and thus affect Commission — particularly as part of the Poverty III the renewal procedure . It is expected that conclusions will programme ( see Council Decision of 18 July 1989 ) (*), their be drawn from the outcome of these consultations by the cooperation with non-governmental organizations under end of 1993 . the EAPN ( European Anti-Poverty Network ) or their contribution to social dialogue at European level . A plenary meeting of the existing CCC is foreseen for 18—19 October 1993 . (!) OJ No L 224, 2 . 8 . 1989 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2021/93 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1977/93 by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE ) by Mrs Astrid Lulling ( PPE ) to European Political Cooperation to the Commission of the European Communities (23 July 1993) (19 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/114 ( 94/C 25/113
Subject: Torture in Turkish prisons Subject: Appointment of a new Consumers' Consultative Committee Despite promises by the Turkish Government to modernize its penal system and put an end to torture, the latter In its reply to my Written Question No 890/93 (') continues to be standard practice in Turkish prisons . In concerning the appointment of a new Consumers' April 1993 representatives of Amnesty International and Consultative Committee the Commission confirms that a Helsinki Watch submitted irrefutable evidence to the new committee has not been appointed because not all Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe organizations have responded to the appeal for the concerning the methods of torture which continue to be nomination of candidates . used in Turkish prisons: beatings on the soles of the feet ('falaka') and other forms of assault, hanging by the wrists Would the Commission please specify which organizations and electric shocks to toes, fingers and sexual organs . have yet to respond to its appeal of 20 November 1992 to nominate candidates for the new CCC which was to have What steps will EPC take in response to these flagrant been appointed on 1 January 1993 ? violations of human rights in Turkey ? 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/59
Answer WRITTEN QUESTION E-2045/93 (8 December 1993 ) by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI), Giuseppe Rauti (NI), Pietro Mitolo (NI), Antonio Mazzone (NI), Johanna-Christina Grund (NI), Emil Schlee ( NI), Sotiris The Honourable Member is referred to the answer given to Kostopoulos (PSE), Karl Partsch ( LDR), Virginio Bettini his question No 2022/93 . ( V), Klaus-Peter Köhler ( DR), Enrico Falqui ( V), David Morris (PSE), Hiltrud Breyer (V), Paul Staes (V), Gianfranco Amendola (V), Mary Banotti ( PPE), Marco Pannella (NI), Gepa Maibaum (PSE), Doris Pack ( PPE), Roberto Barzanti ( PSE), Arie Oostlander (PPE), Yvan Blot ( DR), Michael Elliott (PSE), Jean-Pierre Raffin (V), Marco WRITTEN QUESTION E-2033/93 Taradash (V), Francesco Guidolin (PPE), Bruno Boissière by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR ) (V) and Leon Schwartzenberg (PSE ) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Council of the European Communities (23 July 1993) (23 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/115 ) ( 94/C 25/116 )
Subject: Negotiations on the accession of Austria, Finland Subject: Protection of animals during transport and Sweden to the European Communities What measures have been taken to ascertain the actual Will the Commission state what progress has been made in conditions of animal transport in the EEC in relation to the negotiations on the accession of Austria, Finland and the two specific Community Directives ( 77/489/EEC ( x ) Sweden to the European Communities which were officially and 81/389/EEC ( 2 )) and the more recent Directive opened on 1 February 1993 ? 91/628/EEC ( 3)? There are reports of serious violations of these Directives in the media every day.
Will there be a thorough investigation into the events of 9 September 1 992, when 220 sheep being transported on the Answer given by Mr Van den Broek ferry from Bari to Patras were found dead from on behalf of the Commission asphyxiation after a journey in appalling conditions ? The (8 October 1993) transport had been arranged by the company 'Smeets & Zonen' of Peer ( Grote-Brogel), in Hasselt. Since the formal opening of negotiations with Austria, (!) OJ No L 200, 8 . 8 . 1977, p. 10 . Finland and Sweden on 1 February and Norway on 5 April ( 2 ) OJ No L 150, 6 . 6. 1981, p. 1 . this year, substantial progress has been made in the ( 3 ) OJ No L 340, 11 . 12 . 1991 , p . 17. negotiations for the accession of these countries to the European Union, and most recently, at the meetings of the conference at Deputies' level held on 22 July ( with Austria ) and on 28 July 1993 ( with Sweden, Finland and Answer Norway). (9 December 1993) The meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen on 21 -—22 June took note of progress in the enlargement On 19 December 1991 the Council adopted Directive negotiations with the four applicant countries, and noted 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport that the initial difficulties encountered had now been which introduced stricter provisions and repealed Directives overcome, and that the pace of the negotiations was 77/489/EEC and 81/389/EEC as from 1 January 1993 . speeding up . It recalled that the negotiations would as far as possible be conducted in parallel, while dealing with each The Member States must comply with the new rules as from candidate on its own merit. 1 January 1993 .
As the Commission reported to the Parliament on 14 July It is for Member States to take all measures needed to ensure 1993, even though negotiations are now beginning on the actual implementation of the Directive concerned. key chapters, the speed and atmosphere of the talks so far gives ground for cautious optimism. On most of the more In particular Article 18 of Directive 91/628/EEC provides complex issues ( agriculture, regional policy, fisheries and that States: trade policy issues ) bilateral exploratory talks have already taken place between the Commission and the candidates . As ( a ) must take the appropriate specific measures to penalize soon as the applicant countries have made their positions any infringement of the Directive by natural or legal sufficiently clear, the Commission will prepare and dispatch persons; to Council draft common positions . ( b ) may also, without prejudice to the other sanctions imposed, take the measures necessary to correct the No C 25/60 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
shortcomings noted in the event of repeated WRITTEN QUESTION E-2085/93 infringements or an infringement resulting in severe by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (PSE ) suffering to animals . to the Commission of the European Communities In the case raised by the Honourable Members, it is (23 July 1993) therefore for the Member States concerned by the facts ( 94/C 25/118 ) established to take all the measures called for following the occurrence mentioned in the question. Subject: Uncontrolled killing of stray animals and wild It should also be pointed out that it is the Commission's role animals threatened with extinction in Greece to ensure that Community law is applied and, where appropriate, to take the necessary measures to this end . A Ministerial Decision has been adopted in Greece implementing Presidential Decree 289/92 which authorized the arbitrary killing of animals by anyone, untrained gangs of animal catchers, the compulsory putting-down of animals, the subsidized building of essentially uncontrolled animal homes by private individuals which, according to the WRITTEN QUESTION E-2050/93 views of vets and animal welfare organizations, will end up by Mr André Sainjon (PSE ) as crematoria subsidized by the Delors II package . The same decision also provides for the uncontrolled slaugthter of to the Commission of the European Communities wild animals threatened by extinction : wolves, jackals, (23 July 1993) foxes, etc . In the light of this, what action will the ( 94/C 25/117 ) Commission take to protect stray animals and wild animals threatened by extinction in Greece ? Subject: Introduction of social clauses into trade agreements
According to the ILO annual report, millions of men and Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas women are nowadays subjected the world over to some on behalf of the Commission form of forced labour, whether traditional slavery as in (4 October 1993) Africa or debt obligations as in Asia . Child labour, which was the subject of the previous annual report, also represents the most alarming and intolerable aspect of this The management of indigenous wild animal species is problem. regulated in Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna At a time when increasing importance is being given to and flora (*). general human rights issues, it would seem appropriate to establish a link between workers' rights and the forthcoming SGP 94 . To this end, does the Commission The control of stray animals falls outside the sphere of intend to ask its services to prepare draft proposals for the Community competence . Scheme of Generalized Preferences for 1994, containing a minimum basis for change, which would be the first step (!) OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7. 1992, p . 7. towards a more substantial reform to be prepared after the end of the Uruguay Round ?
In my view, this clause should include three conditions : a ban on forced labour, a ban on child labour, trade union freedom and collective negotiation . WRITTEN QUESTION E-2093/93 by Mr José Mendes Bota ( LDR ) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (23 July 1993) (25 October 1993) ( 94/C 25/119 )
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to Subject: Is East Timor now considered to be Indonesian its answer to Written Question No 1586/93 by Mrs territory ? Dury (*). The map published by the Commission of the geographical { x ) See page 43 of this Official Journal . areas and countries with which the Community has cooperation and development aid agreements shows the territory of East Timor as distinct from Indonesia, despite 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/61 the latter's illegal occupation thereof. Anyone visiting the WRITTEN QUESTION E-2165/93 premises of DG VIII will thus be surprised to discover there a by Mrs Christine Oddy ( PSE ) map which is identical to the one referred to above, except for the fact that the annexation of East Timor by the to the Commission of the European Communities occupying power is shown as a 'fait accompli'. (28 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/121 ) Which of these maps represents the Commission's true position ? What steps does the Commission plan to take to standardize its maps ? Subject: Promotion and safeguard of less widespread languages and cultures
How much money has been allocated to the budget line Answer given by Mr Marin designed to promote and safeguard less widespread on behalf of the Commission languages and cultures ? (25 October 1993) What has this money been spent on ?
Although a previous version of the map cited in the question What are the main decision criteria for allocating the might have given rise to some ambiguity, this has now been money ? revised and shows East Timor as a specific entity on the island of Timor, shaded in white , whereas Indonesia in How should applications be made ? general is coloured green. What specific examples of projects have been funded under this budget line ?
In particular, what specific projects have been funded to WRITTEN QUESTION E-2103/93 promote Asiatic languages which are spoken in the by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE) European Community, such as Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi ? to the Commission of the European Communities (23 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/120 ) Answer given by Mr Ruberti on behalf of the Commission Subject: Human rights of indigenous populations (15 November 1993)
According to Amnesty International, indigenous In view of the length of its answer, which includes a number communities remain the principal victims of violations of of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the human rights . In a report on the matter it reveals that the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat. rights of 300 million indigenous people are under , serious threat in more than 70 countries . Many have been abducted, tortured and killed for their land or its wealth. Typically, according to Amnesty International, these 'operations' are carried out by large landowners with the aid of hired gunmen and frequently with the tacit support of the authorities . The UN has designated 1993 International year WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/93 for the World's Indigenous People . by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities Has the Community taken action to eliminate ( or at least reduce ) the violations of human rights in the various (29 July 1993) countries ? ( 94/C 25/122 )
Subject: Reemployment of Italian customs agents Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission What representations does the Commission intend to make to the Italian Government to persuade it to create jobs for (15 November 1993) customs agents who, despite their considerable professional abilities, are out of work as a result of the opening of the The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its Community's borders ? answer to his Written Question No 1315/93 (*). Does the Commission not consider that, following the (!) OJ No C 333 , 8 . 12 . 1993 , p . 19 . action taken by other Member States, the Italian Government ( which has already broken a series of promises made to the agents, including the promise that 2 000 No C 25/62 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 customs agents, executives or auxiliaries would be taken on doing so, it bases itself on the precedent of the traditional by the Finance Ministry ) should, nonetheless, implement a constitutional principles common to all Member States and series of support measures, such as compensation payments, on the international agreements binding on it in this area, in conversion courses and early retirement ? particular the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms . The White Paper presented by the Parliament's Institutional Committee in 1988 on the fundamental rights and freedoms Answer given by Mrs Scrivener of European citizens ( rapporteur: Karel de Gucht), provides on behalf of the Commission an insight into the Court of Justice's case-law on this matter. (27 October 1993) As yet, the Community does not have its own binding list of The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the human rights and fundamental freedoms enjoyed by its its replies to Written Questions Nos 526/93 ( Mr citizens. Nonetheless, the Parliament, Council and Kostopoulos ) (*) and 2448/92 ( Mr Cushnahan) ( 2). Commission, in their joint declaration of 5 April 1977, committed themselves to guaranteeing and protecting Like the other Member States, Italy is eligible for the fundamental rights in the pursuit of their activities, measures provided for in Council Regulation ( EEC ) explicitly referring to the European Convention on Human No 3904/92 . Rights. The preamble to the Single European Act of 1986 and Article F(2 ) of the draft Treaty on European Union If, in addition to the procedures already established under contain similar provisions. Moreover the Commission, in the structural funds, these measures benefiting customs 1979 and again in 1990, proposed to the Council that the agents are to be as effective as possible, both in Italy and in Community should accede to the Convention on Human other Member States, the greatest care must be taken with Rights. Such a step would not only enable all Community their implementation. citizens to receive the same degree of protection against Community actions as against those of the Member States, but would also symbolize the Community's common values (!) OJ No C 258, 27. 9 . 1993 . ( 2 ) OJ No C 90, 31 . 3 . 1993 . and the identity of Europe and would add credibility to the commitment of the Community and its Member States to defending human rights at international level. Parliament's 1989 declaration on fundamental rights and freedoms was an important contribution to the discussion on the Community's compilation of its own list of fundamental rights. WRITTEN QUESTION E-2222/93 by Mrs Johanna-Christina Grand (NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities (29 July 1993) ( 94/C 25/123 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2370/93 Subject: Codification of fundamental rights in the EC by José Alvarez de Paz (PSE) and Pedro Bofill Abeilhe ( PSE) As a full member of the EP's Committee on Legal Affairs and to the Commission of the European Communities Citizens' Rights I should be grateful if the Commission (1 September 1993) could give me an outline of ECJ case law, listing all cases relating to fundamental rights guaranteed by the European ( 94/C 25/124 ) Court of Justice . Subject: The need to protect the European social model In this connection, can the Commission also codify the fundamental rights acknowledged by the ECJ for the purpose of comparison with the protection of fundamental The communication by Mr Flynn, Commissioner, entitled rights at national level ? 'Community-wide framework for employment' (*), compares growth in the Community with that in the USA and states that a larger proportion of the United States population 'has had access to paid employment'. Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission In the first place, all employment must be paid, as wages are the first fruit of social progress and the right to paid work is (26 October 1993) a fundamental right.
The Court of Justice has repeatedly ruled on the scope and In the second place, would the Commission not agree that in the protection of fundamental rights at Community level. In the USA these jobs are badly paid and that workers have 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/63 little protection as a result of antisocial policies to reduce 2 . Is the Commission aware of the material and financial public expenditure implemented by previous US considerations which have led to the rift between the administrations ? 'European Youth Parliament' and the national committees ? Does the Commission believe that this experiment can be exported to the Community, taking into acount the level of unemployment and our traditional social model , without 3 . Does the Commission monitor the subsidies which it jeopardizing industrial relations ? pays to the European Youth Parliament ( ECU 50 000 in 1992 and 1993 ) to ensure that they are properly used ? (>) COM(93 ) 238 . 4 . Does the Commission approve of the manner in which the European Youth Parliament has accounted for the funds it has received ? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (6 October 1993)
In the Commission communication COM(93 ) 238 , Answer given by Mr Ruberti Community-wide framework for employment, the on behalf of the Commission expression 'paid employment' is used to represent the total (4 November 1993) employment in the economy which is measured statistically as such. This does not, however, exclude the existence of other types of employment which are not paid in a formal sense, such as voluntary work, or the work carried out by 1 . The Commission has been informed of certain women in the home . difficulties which have arisen between the Netherlands national committee and the central organization known as The problem set out in the Community Framework the 'European Youth Parliament'. Initiative is based on analyses presented in the 'Employment in Europe' report 1993 , which compares growth of output and employment in the Community, the US and Japan . The 2 . The Netherlands national committee was of the report notes that since the early 1970s, the US has succeeded opinion that expenditure at central level was too high, that in increasing the numbers in employment by some 30 the organization was not sufficiently democratic and that million, three times as many as the Community, though the proposed activities were in fact reserved for an elite, many, but by no means all, of these were low paid, given that the high cost prevented many interested young low-productivity jobs . The report also notes that experience people from taking part . in the Community and elsewhere shows that relatively high employment growth tends to be associated more with increases in labour force participation than with falling 3 . The European Youth Parliament is one of many unemployment . non-governmental organizations whose aim is to promote the introduction of a European dimension in schools . Its This is why the aim of the Community Framework Initiative objective is to encourage contact between students and it is is to focus on the employment problem, and not just on the totally independent of Community institutions at both unemployment problem . national and regional level . The Commission may provide funding for activities undertaken by such organizations provided that they meet the established criteria . One of these criteria is that the subsidy received from the Commission must not be used to cover ordinary operating costs , but must be used for the benefit of the students themselves, particularly those who are most in need of such help . WRITTEN QUESTION E-2444/93 by Mr Arie Oostlander ( PPE ) The Commission applied normal financial rules to the to the Commission of the European Communities subsidies of ECU 50 000 granted in 1992 and 1993 , as (1 September 1993) requested by Parliament in its remarks on Article B31001 of the budget . Under those rules , a budget must be submitted in ( 94/C 25/125 ) advance and, prior to the subsidy being paid, a report on the organization's activities and a financial statement must be sent to the Commission before the stipulated time limit . Subject: European Youth Parliament
1 . Is the Commission aware that the national committees 4 . According to the information available, 1992's are: distancing themselves from the 'European Youth subsidy was used to cover accommodation and travel Parliament', which is registered in Oxford as a charity ? expenses for participating students . It is expected that the No C 25/64 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
1993 subsidy will be used in the same way with a view to WRITTEN QUESTION E-2534/93 helping those schools and students most in need . by Mr José Lafuente Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1993) ( 94/C 25/127
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2457/93 Subject: Media terrorism against the tourist trade on the by Mr Otto Habsburg ( PPE) Island of Ibiza to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1993) Those responsible for tourism on the Island of Ibiza, Spain, are greatly alarmed and concerned at sensationalist and false ( 94/C 25/126 ) reports in the British press that Ibiza is one of the worst areas in the world for numbers of people affected by AIDS . It was also reported in the evening news on BBC 2 television on Subject: The Commission's failure to answer letters 22 June that one in 30 people on the island carried the HIV punctually virus . On 31 October 1992 Mr Willibald Jan Fabian, a member of This campaign to discredit and blacken Ibiza's image has the Polish Sejm, wrote to Mrs Karen Fogg at the been resisted by the island's health authorities, who have Commission ( Directorate-General for External Relations, produced figures showing that, out of Ibiza's population of Phare Operational Service 3 ) about the possibility of 72 000 , 49 are AIDS sufferers, 158 are HIV positive and 29 cultural projects in Upper Silesia receiving financial support sufferers have died of AIDS since 1981 . from the Phare programme . In the light of these figures, the sensationalist British reports He has not yet had a reply. can be regarded as a real act of terrorism against the tourist 1 . Is there any justification for failing to answer a letter for industry — possibly as a shield for obscure economic over six months ? interests; the Commission could be of particular service to tourism on Ibiza by using its authority to condemn such 2 . What are the reasons for this incident ? terrorist tactics and publicly confirm the figures provided by the local health authority, while condemning the 3 . Does the Commission share my view that this practice, publication of misleading information likely to cause particularly in relation to a member of the parliament of considerable damage to Ibiza's economy, which largely a friendly nation, harms the reputation of our depends on tourism. Community ?
Answer given by Mr Flynn Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (10 November 1993) (18 October 1993) The matter referred to by the Honourable Member does not The Commission has no trace of the letter in question . fall within the jurisdiction of the Community. Through its Delegation in Warsaw, it has since made contact with Mr Fabian to obtain a copy and ensure a full reply to this enquiry .
Generally speaking, cultural projects are not eligible for financial support from Phare unless they form an integral WRITTEN QUESTION E-2555/93 part of a programme of policy reform or economic restructuring. Priority sectors for Phare support are by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) determined by the national authorities of the beneficiary to the Council of the European Communities countries in agreement with the Commission. (1 September 1993) 94/C 25/128 ) General enquiries to the Commission about the Phare programme are handled by the Phare Advisory Unit in Brussels ( phone : 299-1356 — fax : 299-1777 ) or by the Subject: Provisions governing the use of hydro Delegation in Warsaw ( phone : +48/2/625-0770 — fax : chlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide +48/2/625-0430 ). The Commission is demanding more radical and swifter measures to restrict the substances damaging the ozone layer 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/65
and has adopted a new proposal for a regulation submitted food products and drugs which are beyond their by the Commissioner responsible for the environment, Mr sell-by-date ? Yannis Paleokrassas . The Commission is calling on the Member States once again to adopt more stringent limits than those laid down in the Montreal Protocol, the agreement reached by the entire international community to combat the problem . Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission Does the Council support the Commission's new proposal (11 November 1993) for a regulation and, in particular, the provisions governing the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide ? The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question No 519/93 ( 1 ).
(M OJ No C 264, 29 . 9 . 1993 . Answer (9 December 1993)
1 . The proposal for a Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer, submitted by the Commission on 13 August 1993 , does indeed include more stringent WRITTEN QUESTION E-2625/93 provisions than those decided under the Montreal Protocol at the Copenhagen meeting in November 1992 , in particular by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) as regards methyl bromide and hydrofluorocarbons . to European Political Cooperation (1 September 1993) For these substances, the proposal prescribes stricter measures than the Protocol : for HCFCs, it provides for a ( 94/C 25/130 ) lower ceiling on consumption and a tighter timetable phasing them out by 2015 ( instead of 2030 ) and, for methyl Subject: Security and cooperation in the Mediterranean bromide, it provides for a 25% reduction by 1996 in and the Middle East addition to the freeze which the Copenhagen meeting stipulated for 1995 . The proposal further includes inter alia measures to recover controlled substances and to reduce European security depends on stability in neighbouring leakages thereof. regions, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The most satisfactory way of ensuring security would 2 . As the European Parliament has not yet delivered an be to hold a conference on security and cooperation in the opinion on the proposal, an initial preliminary discussion Mediterranean and the Middle East which could draw on was held at the Environment Council on 5 October the previous experience of the CSCE and of the UN and 1993 . would include all the states in the region. Will the Council, therefore, take ( or even support ) steps in the near future to The discussion established guidelines on the principal bring about this conference ? questions involved — in particular the advisability of further-reaching provisions than those decided under the Protocol — with a view to further work in the light of, inter alia, the European Parliament's opinion . Answer (9 December 1993)
The European Community and its Member States have WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 85/93 always attached key importance to stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean as a precondition for security in by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) Europe . It is against this background that one should see to the Commission of the European Communities both the Declaration of the Lisbon European Council on (1 September 1993) 25 June 1992 on relations between Europe and the Maghreb and the EC's involvement in the Middle East peace ( 94/C 25/129 process .
Subject: Food products and drugs beyond their The issue has been discussed in particular within the sell-by-date framework of the CSCE . At the close of the 1992 Helsinki Summit, the Heads of State or Government stated as Will the Commission propose amending Community follows : 'We reaffirm our conviction that strengthening directives to prevent the sale throughout the Community of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean is important No C 25/66 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94 for stability in the CSCE region . We recognize that the just and lasting peace as a prerequisite for regional economic changes which have taken place in Europe are relevant to the cooperation. Mediterranean region and that, conversely, economic , social ," political and security developments in that region have a direct bearing on Europe . We will therefore widen our cooperation and enlarge our dialogue with the non-participating Mediterranean States as a means to promote social and economic development, thereby enhancing stability in the region, in order to narrow the WRITTEN QUESTION E-2741/93 prosperity gap between Europe and its Mediterranean by Mrs Christine Oddy ( PSE ) neighbours and protect the Mediterranean ecosystems . We stress the importance of intra-Mediterranean relations and to European Political Cooperation the need for increased cooperation within the region. We (16 September 1993) welcome and encourage the continuation of initiatives and ( 94/C 25/131 ) negotiations aimed at finding just, lasting and viable solutions, through peaceful means , to the outstanding crucial problems of the Mediterranean region.' Subject: Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
What measures is European Political Cooperation Thus the Helsinki Declaration of 10 July 1992 established undertaking on the monitoring of the human rights the framework within which the CSCE, and through it the situation in the Occupied Territories ? Community and its Member States, plan to widen cooperation and enlarge dialogue which, in terms of security, will include Mediterranean countries not participating in the Conference . WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/93 by Mrs Christine Oddy ( PSE ) To implement this approach, the Chairman-in-Office of the CSO was encouraged to promote contacts with these to European Political Cooperation countries in order to institute an effective exchange of (16 September 1993) information . ( 94/C 25/132 )
Accordingly, the recent CSCE seminar on the Subject: Palestinians and the Occupied Territories Mediterranean at La Vallette ( 1 7 to 2 1 May 1 993 ), to which non-CSCE Mediterranean countries had been invited, Will European Political Cooperation renew pressure on discussed ways of enlarging the dialogue with them, Israel to : particularly on security problems in the region . — immediately end repressive measures in the Occupied Territories; On that occasion, the Community and its Member States proposed that representatives of non-participating — immediately halt the killing of Palestinians by Israel Mediterranean countries be invited to meetings of the CSCE soldiers and undercover units; Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs . — unseal the Occupied Territories and immediately remove restrictions on the ability of Palestinans to work in Israel ? In so doing, the European Community and its Member States are showing both drive and a constructive spirit in the debate on the framing of such a security system within the CSCE . Joint answer to Written Questions E-2741/93 and E-2742/93 It should also be noted that the Community and its Member (8 December 1993) States are preparing a joint reply to the United Nations Secretary-General concerning Resolution UN 47/58 entitled ' Strengthening of security and cooperation in the The Community and its Member States have repeatedly Mediterranean region'. The reply will be presented in New called on Israel to meet fully its obligations towards the York at the 48th session of the United Nations General Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, to assure respect Assembly. for human rights and to abide by the provisions of the 4th Geneva Convention. They have stressed the importance of implementing confidence-building measures as a means of Moreover, European policy in the Middle East is guided by increasing the level of trust between the parties . Consuls the same concern to promote regional stability by seeking a General in Jerusalem provide regular reports on the 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/67
situation in the Occupied Territories as do various 1 . to condemn the vandalism which took place at the non-governmental organizations, which are drawn on in Christian cemetery in the district of Neochorio in contacts with the Israeli authorities . Istanbul on 25 August 1993,
The Community and its Member States have also made 2 . to discover and exact exemplary punishment on those repeated representations to the Israeli authorities to who desecrated the Christian graves, scattered the bones encourage them to adopt measures to foster economic and remains of corpses and committed unimaginable activity and employment in the Occupied Territories, such atrocities, as easing restrictions on the Palestinian private sector and removing obstacles to trade . They expressed concern about 3 . to investigate the causes of the vandalism which recalls the economic and social consequences of the closure of the the great wave of persecution, pillaging and murder of Gaza Strip and the West Bank at the end of March, noting Christians in 1955 and endeavour to prevent similar that the separation of the West Bank from East Jerusalem barbarities in future ? had caused particular hardship . They acknowledged the consequent reduction in violence on the Israeli side of the Green Line but were concerned about the continuing death toll in the Occupied Territories . Answer On the subject of the Palestinian prisoners in Israel, M. (9 December 1993) Rabin has informed M. Arafat during their meeting in Cairo at the beginning of October that their case would be discussed as soon as the negotiations start . I would refer the Honourable Member to the reply given to Oral Questions Nos 928/93 and 934/93 . The Community and its Member States warmly welcomed the historic agreement reached between the Palestinians and the Israelis on 13 September . The establishment of an Israeli-Palestinian Economic Cooperation Committee within the terms of the agreement to foster cooperation in the fields of water, electricity, energy, the financial sector, trade, industry, the environment and human resources development is a particularly encouraging sign . WRITTEN QUESTION E-2794/93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing ( ARC ) The Community and its Member States will continue to to European Political Cooperation support these efforts both politically and financially. They (4 October 1993) have provided ECU 20 million of immediate aid in support of emergency needs in the Occupied Territories . A package 94/C 25/134 ) of ECU 500 million is under consideration over the medium term ( 1994—1998 ). Significant financial support was also pledged by the international donor community as a whole at Subject: Conscientious objectors in Greece the Conference hostecf by the US on October in Washington to support Middle East Peace . In March 1993 there were as many as 390 imprisoned religious conscientious objectors in Greece . Given the widespread opposition to such harsh punishment will the Foreign Ministers request that the Greek authorities review their position on the matter and henceforth show greater leniency to all conscientious objectors ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2791/93 by Mr Georgios Saridakis ( PPE ) to European Political Cooperation Answer (28 September 1993) (9 December 1993) ( 94/C 25/133 )
The issue raised by the Honourable Member does not fall Subject: Vandalism at the Christian cemetery at Neochorio within the province of the Common Foreign and Security in Istanbul on 25 August 1993 Policy.
Will EPC call on the Government of Turkey — a country It should be added however that while Greece does have linked to the EEC by an association agreement, which has compulsory military service, it has introduced unarmed also applied for membership of the EEC : service . There is no alternative service outside the military No C 25/68 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
structures and the abandonment of compulsory military the relevant international forums at the United Nations, service would require an amendment to the Greek particularly in the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva Constitution . and at the General Assembly in New York,
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2810/93 WRITTEN QUESTION E-2796/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) by Mrs Winifred Ewing ( ARC ) to European Political Cooperation to European Political Cooperation (4 October 1993) (4 October 1993) ( 94/C 25/136 ) ( 94/C 25/135 )
Subject: Asiatom Subject: Desecration of Baha'i graves in Iran According to recent reports ( Foreign Report, 2265, 29 July Will the Foreign Ministers meeting in political cooperation 1993 ) the Japanese Science and Technology Agency is make an immediate protest to the Iranian Government planning to establish Asiatom, an organization for the about the desecration of graves at the Baha'i cemetery in peaceful use of atomic energy whose membership would Teheran ? Bodies of Baha'is have been callously dug up and consist of Japan and any of its neighbours who wished to loaded into trucks and transported to unknown join. destinations. This latest outrage now adds to the catalogue of repressive actions by the Iranian Government against the The new institution has a very similar name to Euratom and, Baha'i population . it appears, very similar aims .
Does the EPC have any further relevant information ? If the organization becomes a reality, could the Ministers express Answer a collective opinion as to the positive or negative aspects of this organization ? (21 December 1993)
The European Union shares the Honourable Member's Answer concern at the treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran . (18 December 1993)
The European Union has made a number of representations The question raised by the Honourable Member has not to the Iranian authorities in this connection, highlighting the been discussed within the EPC framework . As Euratom need to respect the freedom of religion and the civil rights of issues fall within the Council's competence, the Honourable Baha'is . Member is asked to address himself to the Council for further information on the Asian initiative to which he Following those representations, the Iranian authorities refers . arranged for a visit by the Troika to the site of the Baha'i cemetery referred to by the Honourable Member.
They pointed out that the Iranian Government was applying in practice a law allowing building on land containing graves after a 30-year period. WRITTEN QUESTION E-2813/93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) In more general terms, the European Union's points of to European Political Cooperation concern with regard to Iran were set out in a special (4 October 1993) statement issued following the European Council meeting in Edinburgh on 12 December 1992 . ( 94/C 25/137 )
That statement reaffirms that a critical dialogue should be Subject: Worrying barter trade between the Ukraine and maintained which reflects concern about Iranian behaviour Iran and calls for improvements in a number of areas, particularly human rights . Are the Ministers meeting in European Political Cooperation adequately informed about the recent barter For years now, the European Union has been active in the trade between the Ukraine and Iran involving Ukrainian war drafting of resolutions on human rights in Iran adopted in material ? According to confidential information, last May 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25 69
the Ukraine delivered eight cruise missiles , several extremely Euratom/International Atomic Agency safeguards on modern MIG-29s, more than 200 T-72 tanks and other air nuclear facilities and materials had to be strengthened ? defence equipment in exchange for Iranian oil .
Answer Answer (8 December 1993) (21 December 1993)
The European Union fully shares the concern expressed by The matter raised by the Honourable Member has been the Honourable Member. It would recall its concern for discussed and regularly monitored within the Working transparency and restraint in the field of conventional arms Party on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. transfer, which led it to propose together with Japan a draft Resolution in this respect at the 46th session of the United The Commission and the IAEA have begun technical talks Nations General Assembly in December 1991 . This on implementing the partnership agreement between the Resolution was adopted almost unanimously by the IAEA and Euratom . These talks culminated in an initial Member States of the United Nations . Resolution 46/36L technical agreement reached at the meeting in Vienna on 29 provides for the establishment of a Register of Conventional and 30 July 1993 regarding light-water reactors and Arms by the United Nations Secretary-General, open to all low-enriched uranium fuel manufacturing plants . States . National data on imports and exports of seven categories of conventional arms over the previous year must be provided before 30 April of each year. The Register The trial phase for those agreements is at present under way. became operational on 1 January 1992 . Discussions on other types of plant are continuing between the two organizations . It is hoped that the partnership To date 77 countries have provided the Secretary-General agreement can be implemented in full in 1994 . with the required data . However, neither the Ukraine nor Iran have contributed to the Register. Further to steps taken by the European Union, the Ukrainian authorities have confirmed their unreserved support for the Register and have undertaken to do their utmost to provide the required data as soon as possible . The Iranian authorities stated that they had no objections in principle but wished to submit the question to political discussion . WRITTEN QUESTION E-2850/93 by Mr Alex Smith ( PSE ) The European Union will continue with its endeavours to to European Political Cooperation convince those countries who have not yet contributed to the Register ( including the Ukraine and Iran ) to comply with (4 October 1993) the undertakings given in Resolution 46/36L . It should, ( 94/C 25/139 ) however, be pointed out that, if the transfers mentioned by the Honourable Member did in fact take place in 1993 , they ought to be included in the data to be provided by these two Subject: Transport of plutonium States before 30 April 1994 for publication in the Secretary-General's report at the end of 1994 . Has PC received any report from the International Atomic Energy Agency's Standing Advisory Group on the safe transport of radioactive materials ( SAGSTRAM ) in regard to new measures for the physical protection of plutonium in transport against terrorist attack ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2844/93 by Mr Alex Smith ( PSE)
to European Political Cooperation Answer (4 October 1993) (8 December 1993) ( 94/C 25/138 )
The problem raised by the Honourable Member has not Subject: Nuclear safeguards been discussed within the framework of EPC .
What progress has been made following the agreement at the EPC meeting of 4 September 1992 that joint No C 25/70 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2860/93 political leaders during the summer months, Chancellor by Mr Vincenzo Mattina ( PSE ) Kohl said at the beginning of August that the EMU schedule might be put back if the conditions for its achievement were to the Council of the European Communities not met (a fair assumption, by any standards ). (4 October 1993) ( 94/C 25/140 As this statement caused an outcry because it was contrary to the sacrosanct principle whereby all the Maastricht decisions must be implemented, whatever the conditions (I Subject: The EMS crisis and its advejse repercussions for don't quite see how . . .), Chancellor Kohl later 'corrected' the citizens of Europe his statement by saying that 'we ( Germans ) will make every possible effort to keep to schedule and meet the conditions Having regard to the decision adopted on 2 August 1993 by for achieving the Union'. He apparently added that 'if the the Finance Ministers and the Governors of the Central conditions are met sooner, the deadlines will be brought Banks of the Member States to widen the compulsory forward', and thus left everyone happy and relieved . intervention thresholds within the EMS, While I realize that there is a political difference between the Whereas this decision has and will continue to have adverse two statements , I fail to see any substantive or even semantic difference . The first statement said that, if the conditions repercussions for private citizens and economic operators were not met, implementation would be postponed; and the who, counting on the fact that the rate for the ECU was set second that, if the conditions were met, everything would within the EMS, have taken out loans in ECU, proceed according to schedule or, if they were met earlier than expected, ahead of schedule . Clearly, everything hinges Whereas the monetary crisis was not caused by on the conditions . unforeseeable, uncontrollable events but by the failure of national governments to stand by their monetary Will the Council therefore state whether it feels that the commitments, conditions for compliance with the EMU timetable, as set out at Maastricht, are likely to be met ? Does the Council not feel that it should see to it that steps are taken to ensure that such loans are converted by the banks into local currency, on the basis of the ECU rate at the time at which they were taken out ? Answer (9 December 1993)
Answer The deadlines and conditions for transition to the third (9 December 1993) phase of Economic and Monetary Union are laid down in Article 109j of the Treaty on European Union.
The Council does not intend to take any steps to make banks bear any exchange-rate losses incurred by ecu borrowers .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2899/93 by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2869/93 to European Political Cooperation by Mr Sérgio Ribeiro ( CG ) (11 October 1993) to the Council of the European Communities ( 94/C 25/142 ) (4 October 1993) ( 94/C 25/141 ) Subject: European security and the situation in the Caucasus
Subject: Conditions for achieving the aims and meeting the deadlines set at Maastricht For many months now, a fierce, one-sided battle has been pitting the 200 000 Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh against several million Azeris who, by placing a blockade on If I have properly understood the translated versions of one food, oil and transport have been trying for some time to of a number of confused and confusing statements made by gain a stranglehold over the region . 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/71
Furthermore, the Armenian economy has now been reduced The European Union has repeatedly reaffirmed its support to working at only 35 % of its capacity, while in the space of for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the States of a few months the standard of living has fallen to a third of its the region . previous level . The fact that recent clashes in the region have gone in favour of the troops from Nagorno Karabakh cannot conceal the underlying strategic situation. The European Union shares the Honourable Member's concern at the continuation of a conflict which has already entailed the death of thousands of civilians and which has Does EPC not feel it appropriate and, at last, possible, for caused hundreds of thousands of refugees to take to the steps to be taken to meet the wishes of the people of roads . The European Union will continue to provide Nagorno Karabakh in respect of the right of nations to humanitarian aid for all civilian population groups affected. self-determination ? It calls on the States of the region to allow this free passage .
At the European Council meeting in Copenhagen on 21 and In line with a recent decision by the CSCE Committee of 22 June 1993 , a proposal was put forward by French Prime Senior Officials and with Security Council Resolution 884 Minister, Edouard Balladur, for an initiative by the of 12 November, the European Union continues to European Union in favour of a pact on stability in Europe, recognize the central role of the CSCE Minsk process in the directed towards assuring in practice the application of the context of negotiations for a peaceful solution to the conflict principles agreed by European countries with regard to in Nagorno Karabakh. respect for borders and minority rights .
While urging the parties directly concerned to step up their The European Council agreed that recent events in Europe efforts for a peaceful solution to the crisis, the European had shown that action in these areas was timely and Union also points to the importance of integrating the appropriate . Russian peace initiatives in the region within the Minsk process . With a view to the European Council meeting to be held in December 1993 and the proposed convening of a As regards the geographical coverage of any Pact on preparatory conference on such a European pact, does EPC Stability in Europe, the working document on the matter not feel that the approach set out in the French approved by the General Affairs Council on 4 October 1993 Government's proposal should be extended to the Caucasus points out that, being an initiative in the field of preventive region ? diplomacy, the Pact will not address existing conflicts .
This region, which has long been a focal point for conflict, is the point of convergence of the principal western and Middle-Eastern civilizations . Should it not therefore also be included in a global approach involving joint action in respect of security in Europe and the extension of the area of stability to the boundaries of Europe ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-2901/93 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty ( RDE ) to the Council of the European Communities (23 July 1993)
Answer ( 94/C 25/143 ) (21 December 1993) Subject: Structural Funds in Portugal
From the outset of this crisis, the Community and its Member States have taken a clear stance in favour of a 1 . How much has been allocated to Portugal by the negotiated political settlement in accordance with UN and Community since 1985 and what timetable and category of CSCE principles . They condemned the recent offensives by funding were involved ? local Armenian forces from Nagorno Karabakh, pushing further and further into Azerbaijani territory . They noted 2 . What sums have actually been utilized by the with regret that the latest operations extended the Portuguese Government for each of the programmes or armed-conflict zone to ever-increasing areas of Azerbaijani Funds ? territory, giving rise to a very serious refugee problem in Azerbaijan, which is already affecting neighbouring countries and is accompanied by growing threats to the 3 . What measures have been taken to supervise or audit security of the region. the use made of these funds ? No C 25/72 Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 1 . 94
Answer Albania Task Force, Albania's accession to the Cultural (10 December 1993) Convention and Albania's participation with special guest status in the activities of the Parliamentary Assembly . The commitment to observe all democratic principles and Subject to the terms of the governing Council regulations, standards as well as human rights forms the basis for that these are matters for the Commission and Portuguese structured relationship . Republic . The European Union seizes every opportunity to call on the Albanian authorities to take the necessary steps . It will continue to keep a very close watch on the human rights situation. WRITTEN QUESTION E-2953/93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (PSE) to European Political Cooperation (20 October 1993) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2962/93 ( 94/C 25/144 ) by Mr Frédéric Rosmini ( PSE ) to the Council of the European Communities Subject: Human rights of ethnic Greeks in northern (20 October 1993) Epirus ( 94/C 25/145 ) Human rights violations are taking place in Albania and ethnic Greeks in northern Epirus are particularly affected . In Subject: Bluefin tuna fishing view of this, Greece recently instructed its representative at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to call on the Albanian Professional fishermen are concerned at the serious effect on leadership to respect human rights and to abolish the fish stocks of fishing for bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean, minority regions . Greece has stressed that it considers the particularly in the waters around the Balearic Islands . Albanian Government's decision to set up minority regions indefensible, since this restricts the ability of Albanians of This intensive fishing, carried out during the spawning Greek extraction to enjoy the rights provided by period by about 70 ships, results in excessive depletion of international agreements when they are outside these stocks . regions . Does EPC intend to make representations to the Albanian leadership to put an end to human rights Consequently , the French Government has tabled a motion violations, in particular of ethnic Greeks in northern to the ICAI, the international organization responsible for Epirus ? tuna fishing in international waters. The European Parliament, on a proposal by its rapporteur Mr Borgo, approved the Commission proposal for a Answer Council regulation introducing a system for the statistical (21 December 1993) monitoring of trade in bluefin tuna ( Thunnus Thynnus ) within the Community ( C3-0234/93 ). The European Union has long been monitoring Could the Council give its opinion on this proposal in the developments in the human rights situation in Albania . It very near future, in view of the problems facing professional has repeatedly voiced its concern at the measures taken by fishermen and the serious effect on fish stocks of the Albanian Government with regard to human rights . In this connection it has on a number of occasions called on the indiscriminate catches during the breeding season ? Albanian Government solemnly to honour all CSCE commitments . The European Union regarded as an encouraging development the adoption on 31 March 1993 Answer of a constitutional law on human rights, Article 26 of which deals with minority rights . However, it realizes that putting (10 December* 1993) those principles into practice will require further effort, as recommended by the CSCE High Commissioner for The Subordinate bodies of the Council — which is aware of national minorities and accepted by the Albanian the importance of the problem raised by the Honourable Government . Member — began work on the proposal for a Regulation concerned upon its transmission by the Commission in June The European Union has signed an Agreement on trade and 1993 . co-operation with Albania, which came into force on 1 December 1992 . Full observance of democratic principles During a further discussion in September, it emerged that in and human rights forms a key component of that the meantime three of the major member countries of Agreement . ICCAT ( International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ) viz. Japan, the United States and Canada, A structured relationship between Albania and the Council had submitted a statistical document which differed of Europe has been introduced through the setting-up of an considerably from that in the Commission proposal . 28 . 1 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25/73
As all the ICCAT members want a single document to be join the European Community is welcomed, the practice of used, it was agreed to wait until ICCAT drew tip a single commercial whaling is unacceptable ? statistical document at its meeting in November 1993 , which could then be included in the proposal for a Regulation . It is the Council's firm intention to "act on the proposal in December this year, so that the statistical arrangements for catches can be applied from 1 January 1994 onwards . Answer (10 December 1993)
1 . The question raised by the Honourable Member has WRITTEN QUESTION E-2970/93 not been addressed in the context of negotiations on Norway's accession to the Community. by Mrs Christine Oddy ( PSE ) to the Council of the European Communities 2 . It is recalled that the Community is not a member of (20 October 1993) ^ the International Whaling Commission, although several ( 94/C 25/146 ). Member States are members of that body. At its meeting on 19 October 1992, the Council, on a recommendation of the Commission, discussed the question of the accession of the Subject: Whaling in Norway Community to the IWC . Following that discussion, the Council concluded that work on this issue should be What steps is the Council taking to make it clear to the pursued so that a decision might be taken by the Council at Norwegian Government that although their application to an early opportunity .