Direction De La Programmation

DIRECTORATE FOR THE PLANNING OF PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS

ACTIVITIES

03/A-2004

Directorate-General for the Presidency

EN EN ABBREVIATIONS USED

Political Groups

PPE-DE Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats PSE Group of the Party of European Socialists ELDR Group of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Verts/ALE Group of the Greens / European Free Alliance GUE/NGL Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left UEN Union for Europe of the Nations group EDD Group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities NI Non-attached Members

Committees

AFET Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy BUDG Committee on Budgets CONT Committee on Budgetary Control LIBE Committee on Citizens’ Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs ECON Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs JURI Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market ITRE Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy EMPL Committee on Employment and Social Affairs ENVI Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy AGRI Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development PECH Committee on Fisheries RETT Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism CULT Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport DEVE Committee on Development and Cooperation AFCO Committee on Constitutional Affairs FEMM Committee on Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities PETI Committee on Petitions

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

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Closed on : 01.03.2004 CONTENTS 3

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Appointments/resignations/end of Members' terms of office...... 6 Membership of the political groups ...... 9

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Written questions ...... 12 Question Time (B5-0007/04)...... 32 Summary of Questions time - February 2004...... 34 Written declarations...... 35

COMMITTEES

Appointment of rapporteurs and draftsmen...... 38

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Commission documents...... 42

GENERAL INFORMATION

Common Foreign and Security Policy

Declaration on the outcome of the appeal by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against his conviction on 8 August 2000...... 46 Declaration concerning Council Decision 2003/907/CFSP of 22 December 2003 implementing Common Position 2003/297/CFSP on Burma/Myanmar ...... 47 Declaration on Libya's accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention...... 47 Declaration on recent events in Zimbabwe...... 48 Declaration on Haiti...... 49 Declaration on restrictive measures against extremists in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and repealing Common Position 2001/542/CFSP ...... 50 Declaration on the process of verification and validation of signatures in Venezuela...... 50 Declaration on situation in Darfur (Sudan)...... 51 Declaration on renewing restrictive measures against Zimbabwe...... 52 Declaration concerning restrictive measures against Liberia ...... 52

European Economic and Social Committee

Plenary Assembly of 28 and 29 January 2004...... 53

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 4 CONTENTS

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

This document is available at :

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

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 5

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 6 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS/END OF MEMBERS' TERMS OF OFFICE

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

At its sitting of 9 February 2004 Parliament took note of the election of:

M Sérgio José Ferreira RIBEIRO to replace Mr Joaquim MIRANDA (GUE/NGL-PT) with effect from 3 February 2004.

______

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

At its sitting of 11 February 2004 Parliament took note of the election of:

Mrs Marie-Françoise DUTHU to replace Mr Yves PIÉTRASANTA (Verts/ALE-FR) with effect from 11 February 2004.

______

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 7

REPLACEMENT OF A CYPRIOT OBSERVER AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The Chypriot authorities have announced that Mr Christodoulos S. TARAMOUNTAS, Observer at the European Parliament, has been replaced by

M Georgios TASOU with effect from 1st February 2004.

Parliament took note of this at the sitting of 9 February 2004.

______

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

At its sitting of 25 February 2004 Parliament took note of the election of:

Mrs Jacqueline ROUSSEAUX to replace Mrs Frédérique RIES (ELDR/BE) with effect from 19 February 2004.

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Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 8 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

END OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF A SPANISH MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

At its sitting of 25 February 2004 Parliament took note of the appointment of:

Mr Joan COLOM I NAVAL (PSE/ES) to an office incompatible with the office of a Member of the European Parliament.

Pursuant to Rule 8(4), his membership of the European Parliament ended with effect from 26 February 2004.

______

END OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF A BELGIAN MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

At its sitting of 25 February 2004 Parliament took note of the appointment of:

Mrs Frédérique RIES (ELDR/BE) to an office incompatible with the office of a Member of the European Parliament.

Pursuant to Rule 8(4), her membership of the European Parliament ended with effect from 12 February 2004.

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Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 9

MEMBERSHIP OF THE POLITICAL GROUPS

At its sitting of 12 February 2004, the European Parliament noted that

Mr Hans-Peter MARTIN is no longer a Member of the Group of the Party of European Socialists (PSE) with effect from 12 February 2004.

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Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 11

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 12 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

WRITTEN QUESTIONS Situation at 19.02.2004

Author Subject No Maurizio Turco Refunds for exports to the Vatican City State P-0001/04 Bernd Posselt Definition of sexual and reproductive health P-0002/04 Graham Watson Trade in wild birds E-0003/04 Olivier Dupuis Persecution of Uighur Organisations based in the E-0004/04 European Union Olivier Dupuis Persecution of Uighur Organisations based in the E-0005/04 European Union Sebastiano Musumeci Granting of favourable tax status to Sicily E-0006/04 Philip Claeys Accession of Cyprus, official languages E-0007/04 Philip Claeys Accession of Cyprus, immigration E-0008/04 Erik Meijer Protection of Netherlands exports of radar detectors by E-0009/04 exempting them from a domestic ban Erik Meijer Lower levels of protection against BSE infection in beef E-0010/04 from America in the EU compared with Japan, Russia and other countries Cristiana Muscardini Tunis summit and immigration policy E-0011/04 José Ribeiro e Castro EU-India Summit - closer relations E-0012/04 José Ribeiro e Castro EU-India Summit - closer relations E-0013/04 Johanna Boogerd-Quaak Relationship between cancelled flights and PNR P-0014/04 Christopher Huhne Apple orchards E-0015/04 Jan Dhaene The Grefacsa company and the treatment of animal by- E-0016/04 products Bartho Pronk Adaptation of Council Directive 92/58/EEC on minimum E-0017/04 requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work Johanna Boogerd-Quaak Link between cancelled flights and PNR E-0018/04 Juan Ferrández Lezaun Júcar-Vinalopó project P-0019/04 Fiorella Ghilardotti, Massimo Bridge over the Straits of Messina E-0020/04 Carraro and Giovanni Fava Mario Borghezio Urgent adoption of a directive on aircraft safety imposing E-0021/04 stringent and uniform checks

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 13

Mario Borghezio Support for the Po Valley dairy farmers' campaign E-0022/04 Jonas Sjöstedt Inadequate information to the Commission concerning the E-0023/04 Bothnia Line Avril Doyle Financial support for an organisation facilitating the E-0024/04 independence of people with disabilities Avril Doyle Possibility of 'BSE' (OSE?) in sheep E-0025/04 Cancelled question E-0026/04 Marco Pannella Ongoing campaign of murder and torture by Vietnamese P-0027/04 Government officials: arrest of Mr Nih, 41 years old, Christian and TRP supporter, on 13 December 2003 in Dak Doa Philip Bushill-Matthews Age discrimination P-0028/04 Heinz Kindermann Closure of veterinary border control point at Pomellen, P-0029/04 Germany Christopher Huhne Landfill and gravel extraction sites E-0030/04 Astrid Lulling Practices of some Luxembourg insurance companies E-0031/04 Erik Meijer Long-term stateless-person status of one category of E-0032/04 permanent residents of the three future EU Member States that were internal states of the Soviet Union until 1991 Jan Mulder Distortion of competition by the introduction of regional E-0033/04 premiums Erik Meijer Duty-free cigarettes sold over the Internet at half price in E-0034/04 Romania and sent by private individuals Erik Meijer Unavailability for commercial reasons of information on E-0035/04 insufficient airline safety standards Jules Maaten SARS outbreak in China and the Philippines E-0036/04 Charles Tannock Provisions made by acceeding 10 new EU member states P-0037/04 following May 1st 2004 for freedom of movement and establishment of other EU member state nationals Juan Izquierdo Collado Illegal imports of dolphins P-0038/04 Elspeth Attwooll Amount of EU legislative acts E-0039/04 Elspeth Attwooll Size of the Commission E-0040/04 Elspeth Attwooll Trade between Scotland and the rest of the European E-0041/04 Union Elspeth Attwooll Structural Fund decommitments in Scotland E-0042/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 14 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Elspeth Attwooll Trade impact of the euro E-0043/04 Monica Frassoni Val Jumela E-0044/04 Monica Frassoni Failure to carry out prior checks and a simultaneous E-0045/04 environmental impact assessment on the entire building project coordinated by Impreglio SpA on the coastline of Sa Sea - Tentizzos in the municipality of Bosa (NU), Sardinia, Italy Jan Dhaene Advertisements for jobs in European organisations E-0046/04 requiring English mother tongue Camilo Nogueira Román The French high-speed rail network and its links with the E-0047/04 Iberian network Camilo Nogueira Román Location of the European fisheries monitoring agency in E-0048/04 Galicia Camilo Nogueira Román EU aid to Iran to tackle the tragic consequences of the E-0049/04 Bam earthquake Camilo Nogueira Román Conflict over pollution - between the Celulosas de E-0050/04 Pontevedra woodpulp factory (Ence, Galicia) and the people and municipal authorities of Pontevedra Camilo Nogueira Román Consequences of the letter to the Commission from six E-0051/04 Member States following the failure of the Brussels IGC Camilo Nogueira Román Failure of the Brussels IGC and proposals submitted on E-0052/04 double qualified majority voting Camilo Nogueira Román The suspension of work at the Inzar shipyard (Fene, E-0053/04 Galicia) arising from the ban on building merchant vessels: action of the Commission and the Spanish government Camilo Nogueira Román Compliance with the Kyoto protocol by the Spanish state E-0054/04 Camilo Nogueira Román The Guantánamo prisoners E-0055/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Mr Prodi's statement on the need for each Member State E-0056/04 or group of Member States to take the initiative and move forward on the basis of reinforced cooperation if the draft constitution is not adopted in the near future Camilo Nogueira Román Welfare expenditure in the Spanish state and the situation E-0057/04 in the EU Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli Funding by the Italian State and the Region of Campania P-0058/04 for the programme contract submitted by Agrifuturo S.c.a.r.l.

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 15

Hiltrud Breyer Animal welfare and subsidies following the reform of the E-0059/04 CAP Hiltrud Breyer Chromium (VI) in leather E-0060/04 Joan Colom i Naval and María Headquarters of the European Food Safety Agency E-0061/04 Sornosa Martínez (EFSA) Giorgio Calò and Antonio Di Discriminatory treatment of Community research students E-0062/04 Pietro in Germany Alexander de Roo and Hiltrud Incineration of railway sleepers E-0063/04 Breyer Camilo Nogueira Román Alarming rise in unemployment in Galicia: 7 465 newly E-0064/04 unemployed people in December 2003 out of a total of 23 419 for Spain as a whole, bringing the rate of unemployment in Galicia to 12.36% Bill Newton Dunn Post-60 flying in Europe P-0065/04 Antonio Di Pietro Parmalat bankruptcy P-0066/04 Bill Newton Dunn Retirement benefits E-0067/04 Miet Smet International Convention on the protection of the rights of E-0068/04 all migrant workers and their families Ilda Figueiredo Support for cleaning lakes in the Cantanhede municipal E-0069/04 district Ilda Figueiredo Chrome-plating factory in Tabaçò, Arcos de Valdevez E-0070/04 Camilo Nogueira Román The Spanish National Hydrological Plan dam on the River E-0071/04 Narla in Lugo (Galicia) a scheduled Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network José Ribeiro e Castro Suspected traffic in human organs - Mozambique E-0072/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Suspected traffic in human organs - Mozambique E-0073/04 Roger Helmer European Convention P-0074/04 Raffaele Costa Flight safety checks P-0075/04 Proinsias De Rossa Regulation (EEC) N° 1408/71 and blind and partially E-0076/04 sighted registration Proinsias De Rossa Waste water treatment in Ireland E-0077/04 Proinsias De Rossa Schengen Information System and missing persons E-0078/04 Proinsias De Rossa Flight Times and Duty Limitations Proposal - E-0079/04 COM(2002)0030 Proinsias De Rossa Rheumatism and Biomed programme E-0080/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 16 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Proinsias De Rossa Implementation of IPPC Directive in Ireland E-0081/04 Proinsias De Rossa Clinical Trials Directive E-0082/04 Dirk Sterckx Restrictions on freedom of movement for Flemish travel P-0083/04 guides on trips abroad Avril Doyle Ban on shipping of oil in single-hull tankers and the use of P-0084/04 'flags of convenience' Matti Wuori Missing NGO legal framework in Malta E-0085/04 Nelly Maes Language requirements in EU job advertisements E-0086/04 Erik Meijer Use by casinos of EU rules in support of their fight E-0087/04 against the Netherlands government policy aimed at limiting compulsive gambling Erik Meijer Excessively high premiums charged by Dutch medical E-0088/04 insurance companies to policyholders in neighbouring States to offset deficits in the United States Astrid Thors Management of nuclear waste in Russia E-0089/04 Ilka Schröder Effects of including Hamas on the list of terrorist E-0090/04 organisations Ilka Schröder Effects of including Hamas on the list of terrorist E-0091/04 organisations Herbert Bösch Evolution of electricity prices, investment in the energy E-0092/04 sector Martin Kastler Trafficking in humans and prostitution in the German- P-0093/04 Czech border area Adriana Poli Bortone Reform of the COM in tobacco P-0094/04 Mihail Papayannakis Public hospital INMI L. Spallanzani in Italy E-0095/04 Alexandros Alavanos Israeli arms for Turkey in exchange for water E-0096/04 Jean Lambert Saint Lucia environmental aid E-0097/04 Olivier Dupuis Extradition of Sok Yoeun E-0098/04 Pietro-Paolo Mennea and others Burma E-0099/04 Marianne Thyssen Language arrangements on the 'Europa' website E-0100/04 Marjo Matikainen-Kallström Position of SMUs in the system for the funding of the E-0101/04 EU's research activities Paulo Casaca Paying for water E-0102/04 Paulo Casaca Water for human consumption E-0103/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 17

José Ribeiro e Castro Namibia - Farms threatened with occupation E-0104/04 Stavros Xarchakos Curious approach adopted by the Greek government to the E-0105/04 stock exchange Erik Meijer Use in shops of escalators which meet European safety E-0106/04 standards but are apparently unsafe for children Charles Tannock Fiat in Italy acting in a joint venture in China providing E-0107/04 vans to the People's Republic of China for the purposes of mobile exectution Charles Tannock Fiat in Italy acting in a joint venture in China providing E-0108/04 vans to the People's Republic of China for the purposes of mobile exectution Claude Moraes Sikhs and the banning of religious articles of faith P-0109/04 Eija-Riitta Korhola Legality of certain EU decisions should the Kyoto P-0110/04 Protocol founder Minerva Malliori Dioxins in farm-raised salmon P-0111/04 Glyn Ford Dolphins E-0112/04 Raina Echerer and Eurig Wyn Maltese language for the next parliamentary term E-0113/04 Claude Moraes Sikhs and the banning of religious articles of faith E-0114/04 Dana Scallon Leader II projects - Blue Dragon case E-0115/04 Dana Scallon Leader II projects - Blue Dragon case E-0116/04 Monica Frassoni and Daniel Cohn- Elimination of voters from Maltese electoral lists E-0117/04 Bendit Monica Frassoni and Daniel Cohn- Elimination of voters from Maltese electoral lists E-0118/04 Bendit Olivier Dupuis Repression of Lao-Hmong communities in the E-0119/04 Saysomboune region (Laos) Adriana Poli Bortone Death of 20 Albanian nationals E-0120/04 Antonio Di Pietro Integrated waste management in the municipality of E-0121/04 Casale sul Sile (Treviso) Toine Manders Debt and European professional football E-0122/04 Dorette Corbey and Jan Wiersma Containers of arsenic pentoxide at sea E-0123/04 Eija-Riitta Korhola Legality of certain EU decisions should the Kyoto E-0124/04 Protocol founder Cancelled question P-0125/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 18 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Jean Lambert Permits for capture, breeding and trading of protected P-0126/04 species in Greece in violation of EU legislation Ilda Figueiredo Community budget and the financial perspective P-0127/04 Alexandros Alavanos Application of age limits to recruitment of workers E-0128/04 already having fixed-term contracts over a number of years in the public sector in Greece Lord Inglewood Invasive alien species E-0129/04 Caroline Lucas Fluoridation of drinking water E-0130/04 Olivier Dupuis Tragedy involving Albanian migrants E-0131/04 Marjo Matikainen-Kallström Improved aviation safety through more effective E-0132/04 channelling of information Rosa Miguélez Ramos Fishery control agency in Vigo P-0133/04 Mario Borghezio Collapse of Parmalat and insufficient checks by Bankitalia P-0134/04 Roberta Angelilli Rome central dairy: safeguarding jobs and protecting P-0135/04 farmers Jillian Evans GM food and crop imports E-0136/04 Jillian Evans The case of Mrs Siham Qandah, Jordan E-0137/04 Kathalijne Buitenweg Use of passenger data for CAPPS II testing E-0138/04 Ilda Figueiredo Financial support for undersea optic-fibre cable link for E-0139/04 the islands of Flores and Corvo (Azores) Ilda Figueiredo Media access in the Azores and Madeira outlying regions E-0140/04 Cristiana Muscardini Child labour E-0141/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Trafficking in human organs - Mozambique E-0142/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Trafficking in human organs - Mozambique E-0143/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Cuba - Commission delegation E-0144/04 José Ribeiro e Castro International Rice Year E-0145/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Venezuela referendum E-0146/04 Bart Staes Combating the use of drugs in sport P-0147/04 Cees Bremmer Human rights in Burma E-0148/04 Alexandros Alavanos Revenue from denationalisation used to cover current P-0149/04 expenditure Cancelled question E-0150/04 Alexandros Alavanos Shortage of intensive care units in Greece E-0151/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 19

Alexandros Alavanos Collection of biometric data at 'Eleftherios Venizelos' E-0152/04 airport, their processing by an external partner and the decision of the Greek Authority for the Protection of Personal Data Olivier Dupuis Use of the term 'Chechen network' without any proven E-0153/04 involvement of Chechens Margrietus van den Berg 'Kleptocrat tax' E-0154/04 Erik Meijer Disadvantaging certain categories of passengers through E-0155/04 further restrictions on the sale of rail tickets from the Netherlands to other European destinations Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems P-0156/04 Catherine Guy-Quint Twinnings with Bulgaria and Romania P-0157/04 Brice Hortefeux Aviation safety P-0158/04 Anna Karamanou Trial of women for illegal abortion in Portugal P-0159/04 Uma Aaltonen Use in the EU institutions of sniffer dogs trained to detect P-0160/04 explosives Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0161/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0162/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0163/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0164/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0165/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0166/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0167/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0168/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0169/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0170/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0171/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0172/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0173/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0174/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0175/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0176/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Commission's accounting systems E-0177/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 20 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Alexandros Alavanos Funding from the Culture 2000 programme for the E-0178/04 conservation of valuable cultural works stored in Aghia Sofia Alexandros Alavanos National immigration plans E-0179/04 Alexandros Alavanos Implementation of Directive 2000/78 in Greece E-0180/04 Charlotte Cederschiöld Network and information security E-0181/04 Charlotte Cederschiöld Network and information security E-0182/04 Charlotte Cederschiöld Network and information security E-0183/04 Avril Doyle Eircom telephone line rental charges in Ireland E-0184/04 Maurizio Turco Infringement of religious freedom in Italy, Spain and E-0185/04 Portugal Maurizio Turco Infringement of religious freedom in Italy, Spain and E-0186/04 Portugal Brice Hortefeux Auditing of company accounts E-0187/04 Marco Cappato Abduction of two Ivorians E-0188/04 Olivier Dupuis Tunisian regime's repressive measures targeting human E-0189/04 rights activists Mario Borghezio Creating transparency regarding ownership of the E-0190/04 company Italtrend (RE), benficiary of consulting contracts from the European Commission worth millions of euro Roberta Angelilli Financial collapse of Parmalat: protecting savers and E-0191/04 setting up a supervisory body Philip Bradbourn Repayments under N+2 rule P-0192/04 Ward Beysen Parallel trade P-0193/04 Avril Doyle Flight and duty time limitations for airline pilots E-0194/04 Avril Doyle Access to medical treatment in Member States E-0195/04 Ward Beysen Temporary agency workers directive E-0196/04 Ward Beysen Use of State funds to reduce electricity prices for E-0197/04 industrial users Sebastiano Musumeci Creation of a Community body for the study of P-0198/04 unexplained atmospheric phenomena Giacomo Santini Ethnic census P-0199/04 Ioannis Marinos The 'Bob Programme' and road accidents E-0200/04 Herbert Bösch Linguistic discrimination in job descriptions E-0201/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 21

Michl Ebner Lack of clarity in the rules excluding firms from applying E-0202/04 for projects funded by the EU Alexander de Roo and Bernd Spanish Fuel Quality Law - Royal Decree 1700/2003 E-0203/04 Lange Christopher Huhne Financial reporting E-0204/04 Mario Borghezio Protecting SMEs against multinationals: the case of Ford E-0205/04 dealers in Italy Renato Brunetta Unlawful imposition of identification marks for sports P-0206/04 craft in the Venice lagoon Harald Ettl Further action by the Commission on the portability of P-0207/04 supplementary pension rights Ioannis Averoff Practical problems with town-twinning scheme P-0208/04 Gabriele Stauner Selection procedures of the European Agency for Safety E-0209/04 and Health at Work Markus Ferber Language discrimination in job advertisements E-0210/04 Stavros Xarchakos Allegations of manoeuvring to seize property owned by E-0211/04 building cooperatives in Greece Simon Murphy Driftnets E-0212/04 Robert Atkins The Pharmaceutical Tariff Elimination Agreement (Zero E-0213/04 for Zero) Giles Chichester Details of EU funding to the Palestinian Authority E-0214/04 Marco Pannella Violation of religious freedom in Vietnam E-0215/04 Marco Pannella Violation of religious freedom in Vietnam E-0216/04 Eija-Riitta Korhola Practical measures under the EU's policy on Chechnya E-0217/04 Eija-Riitta Korhola Practical measures under the EU's policy on Chechnya E-0218/04 Dominique Souchet Malta's accession and maritime safety E-0219/04 Mario Borghezio Threats to Po Valley producers as a result of the euro's E-0220/04 excessive rise against the dollar Maurizio Turco Investigations by the Milan public prosecutor into the E-0221/04 auditors Grant Thornton and Deloitte in connection with the Parmalat scandal María Ayuso González Cotton P-0222/04 Alexandros Alavanos Unemployment rate in Greece E-0223/04 Roberta Angelilli 'Militaria e Dintorni in Europa' (Militaria Fair) E-0224/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 22 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Dorette Corbey Food safety and developing countries E-0225/04 Margrietus van den Berg Starch factories and developing countries E-0226/04 Ewa Hedkvist Petersen Alcohol ignition interlock devices ('alcolocks') E-0227/04 Erik Meijer Timely development and production of drugs to combat E-0228/04 the merging of avian influenza virus H5N1 and influenza A occurring in humans Erik Meijer Outcry at the delay in taking decisions to protect dolphins E-0229/04 and porpoises against by-catch capture in large nets Konstantinos Hatzidakis Utilisation of Community appropriations in the Member P-0230/04 States at the close of 2003 Alexander de Roo EIB loan to Schiphol Airport P-0231/04 Roger Helmer Euro E-0232/04 Olivier Dupuis Meeting between Voloshin, Basaev and Surikov on EU E-0233/04 territory Miet Smet Violation of human rights of Cacarica communities in E-0234/04 Colombia Miet Smet Violation of human rights of Cacarica communities in E-0235/04 Colombia Miet Smet Job advertisements for 'native speakers' E-0236/04 Miet Smet Fees at the European Schools E-0237/04 Joachim Wuermeling Implementation of the directive on the safety of cableways E-0238/04 Olivier Dupuis Persecution of Christians and Buddhists in the Lao E-0239/04 People's Democratic Republic Mario Borghezio Huge discount from banks to the 'Democratici di Sinistra' E-0240/04 party in violation of the principle of free competition Johanna Boogerd-Quaak Language discrimination - native speakers E-0241/04 Cristiana Muscardini Parkinson's disease E-0242/04 Ilda Figueiredo Relocation and unemployment E-0243/04 Joan Colom i Naval Spanish National Hydrological Plan - cost and price of P-0244/04 water Elly Plooij-van Gorsel Impact assessment of OPTA decisions P-0245/04 Joan Colom i Naval Start of work on the Ebro Transfer E-0246/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 23

Elisabeth Jeggle and Peter Liese Revision of Regulation (EC) No 2571/97 on the sale of E-0247/04 butter at reduced prices and the granting of aid for cream, butter and concentrated butter for use in the manufacture of pastry products, ice-cream and other foodstuffs Glenys Kinnock Roma children in Bulgaria E-0248/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Private Eye E-0249/04 Christopher Heaton-Harris Retirement age of football referees E-0250/04 Roberta Angelilli Labelling of bread E-0251/04 Raquel Cardoso Financing of the Natura 2000 network E-0252/04 Geoffrey Van Orden The Construction Products Directive P-0253/04 Elspeth Attwooll Global TB Drug Facility E-0254/04 Joan Vallvé Highways plan for Majorca E-0255/04 María Valenciano Martínez-Orozco Open call for proposals VP/2002/6 for the programme P-0256/04 relating to the Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005) María Valenciano Martínez-Orozco Open call for proposals VP/2002/6 for the programme E-0257/04 relating to the Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005) Olivier Dupuis Cambodia: Assassination of members of the Opposition E-0258/04 Giacomo Santini Introduction of tolls on state highway 47, Valsugana E-0259/04 Roberta Angelilli Blue tongue disease - protection of stock farmers in Lazio E-0260/04 Baroness Sarah Ludford Reported Spanish ban on motorcycles towing trailers E-0261/04 Graham Watson Sewage treatment plants E-0262/04 Matti Wuori Safety at Sosnovyi Bor nuclear power station P-0263/04 Konstantinos Hatzidakis Community funding for the Greek National Cadastre E-0264/04 Stavros Xarchakos Propagandist mileage from Community funding in the E-0265/04 run-up to elections in Greece John McCartin Imports of poultry meat into the EU E-0266/04 Juan Ferrández Lezaun Projects offering alternatives to the Spanish National E-0267/04 Hydrological Plan (SNHP) Matti Wuori Safety at Sosnovyi Bor nuclear power station E-0268/04 Brice Hortefeux Consumer credit E-0269/04 Brice Hortefeux Follow-up to regulation on cross-border payments E-0270/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 24 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Brice Hortefeux Counterfeit euro coins and banknotes E-0271/04 Mario Borghezio Timisoara international port E-0272/04 Stefano Zappalà Automar srl - concessionaire for Mercedes Benz motor E-0273/04 vehicles Johanna Boogerd-Quaak Arsenic acid E-0274/04 Christopher Huhne EU Charter of Fundamental Rights E-0275/04 Eluned Morgan Air pollution E-0276/04 Philip Claeys EU participation in a project to build a multi-purpose hall E-0277/04 in Brussels Elly Plooij-van Gorsel Problems affecting contract negotiations under the Sixth E-0278/04 Framework Programme Elly Plooij-van Gorsel Embryo and stem-cell research E-0279/04 Rijk van Dam European Commission representation in Delhi P-0280/04 Esko Seppänen Wärtsilä and Italian state subsidies P-0281/04 Paulo Casaca Identification of the outermost regions on official P-0282/04 Community maps Caroline Lucas Public procurement policy in timer P-0283/04 Joachim Wuermeling BEUC E-0284/04 Alexander de Roo Landfill on Malta E-0285/04 Caroline Lucas EU monkey experiments E-0286/04 Caroline Lucas Mislabelling of seal oil in the EU E-0287/04 Marco Cappato Drug eradication programme in Colombia E-0288/04 Marco Cappato and others Cultural genocide in China E-0289/04 Caroline Jackson Scope of Directive 97/11/EC E-0290/04 Raffaele Costa Road accidents in European Union countries E-0291/04 Esko Seppänen Ship-building in Italy E-0292/04 María Bergaz Conesa Threat to the Güe springs from the construction of the P-0293/04 Puente del Arco to El Condado section of the AS 17 highway (Asturias, Spain) Herman Vermeer Disclosure of the rate structure for the Central European P-0294/04 Pipeline System Proinsias De Rossa Age discrimination in the provision of goods and services E-0295/04 Theresa Villiers Interim procedure on state aids paid in accession countries E-0296/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 25

Theodorus Bouwman Compliance with EU law of Spanish mining company E-0297/04 UMINSA and possible frauds Bob van den Bos Relations between the EU and Libya and human rights in E-0298/04 Libya Christopher Heaton-Harris Compact disc pricing in the EU E-0299/04 Roberto Bigliardo Financing for the new Athens airport E-0300/04 Olle Schmidt Swedish nuclear power and the internal market E-0301/04 Christa Randzio-Plath Working conditions for female flower workers in Africa, P-0302/04 Asia and Latin America Michael Cashman Booking tickets for travel in another country P-0303/04 Pietro-Paolo Mennea Prison guards P-0304/04 Cristiana Muscardini Request for PDO for 'Sant' Andrea Piemonte' rice P-0305/04 Gerhard Schmid Use of sky marshals E-0306/04 Caroline Lucas Genetically modified crops E-0307/04 Esko Seppänen The French language at the Commission E-0308/04 Miet Smet Extension of TAEIX's area of activity to the Western E-0309/04 Balkans Erik Meijer Further reduction of educational facilities for the long- E-0310/04 established Sorbian-speaking community in Lausitz, eastern Germany Erik Meijer Discontinuation of the activities of the rail freight E-0311/04 company Ikea Rail within two years of its foundation and the status of the EU subsidy of EUR 500 000 awarded to this experiment Elspeth Attwooll Development aid P-0312/04 Dana Scallon Galway incinerator P-0313/04 Ulpu Iivari Effect of EU support on the shift of jobs within the EU P-0314/04 Michl Ebner Language programme for minority languages E-0315/04 Michl Ebner European voluntary and solidarity service E-0316/04 Nicholas Clegg Pork by-products E-0317/04 Glenys Kinnock People with mental disabilities in Russia E-0318/04 Dana Scallon Funding of research with embryonic stem cells E-0319/04 Gary Titley Illegal logging and timber trade E-0320/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 26 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Daniel Cohn-Bendit EU embargo on arms sales to China P-0321/04 Hans-Peter Martin EU Constitution P-0322/04 Werner Langen Stage reached in examining the territorial monopoly of P-0323/04 German chimney-sweeps W.G. van Velzen New Belgian levy on Netherlands and German electricity P-0324/04 distribution companies for use of the Belgian high-voltage grid when importing electricity from France Wilhelm Piecyk Transposition of Directive 2002/25/EC E-0325/04 Wilhelm Piecyk Subsidies for new fishing nets E-0326/04 Dana Scallon County Clare and Objective I of the Structural Fund E-0327/04 Marco Cappato and others Chinese New Year parade in Paris E-0328/04 Jillian Evans and Ian Hudghton Endometriosis E-0329/04 Luigi Vinci Hospitals for 'national defence' in Italy E-0330/04 Miet Smet Setting up of a regional coordination centre for social E-0331/04 policy for the Balkans Erik Meijer Mislabelling of arsenic acid as pentoxide by the E-0332/04 Netherlands as a result of mistakes in 'unambiguous' new nomenclature for hazardous chemicals Erik Meijer The unchanged human rights and democracy situation in E-0333/04 China and Hong Kong, the threat to Taiwan and the need for the arms embargo Erik Meijer The unchanged human rights and democracy situation in E-0334/04 China and Hong Kong, the threat to Taiwan and the need for the arms embargo Astrid Thors Extension of operating licence for Sosnovy Bor nuclear E-0335/04 power plant Hiltrud Breyer Embryo research financed from the EU budget P-0336/04 Gabriele Stauner Subsidies for Parmalat P-0337/04 Eluned Morgan Food safety P-0338/04 Jean-Louis Bernié Wind turbines P-0339/04 Benedetto Della Vedova Compatibility of Law 69 of 3 February 1963 with the free P-0340/04 movement of workers within the European Community Philip Claeys Introduction of a 'Made in the EU' label P-0341/04 Dirk Sterckx Restrictions on the opening up of the Belgian railways P-0342/04 market

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 27

Hiltrud Breyer Research on embryos under the EU budget E-0343/04 Gabriele Stauner 'Conseillers hors classe' E-0344/04 Eluned Morgan Trans-European Transport Networks E-0345/04 Eluned Morgan Differential pricing E-0346/04 Glenys Kinnock Use of ACT in treatment of malaria E-0347/04 Robert Sturdy Offensive material on websites in Member States E-0348/04 Roberta Angelilli Serious irregularities involving the EU as regards the E-0349/04 establishment of the private University of Formello (Rome) Roberta Angelilli Travel agencies: repercussions of the Alitalia crisis on E-0350/04 employment Roberta Angelilli Travel agencies: serious difficulties for operators and E-0351/04 customers Roberta Angelilli The Parmalat case and its repercussions on milk and E-0352/04 cheese production in Lazio Roberta Angelilli Possibility of funding for a virtual health information E-0353/04 project Roberta Angelilli Funding for the creation of a multi-purpose auditorium E-0354/04 Roberta Angelilli Funding for young artists E-0355/04 Pasqualina Napoletano and others Crisis in the steel sector in Terni E-0356/04 Ewa Hedkvist Petersen Sparsely populated areas in future regional policy E-0357/04 Werner Langen Proceedings concerning the German deposit on drinks P-0358/04 cans Eija-Riitta Korhola Impact of lack of health care standards on free movement P-0359/04 of labour and citizens Benedetto Della Vedova Failure to include directory services among universal P-0360/04 service obligations Dana Scallon Fluoridation of Irish drinking water E-0361/04 Graham Watson Latvian passport names E-0362/04 Proinsias De Rossa Complaint P2000/4974 E-0363/04 Proinsias De Rossa Packaging Waste Directive and Ireland E-0364/04 Proinsias De Rossa Separation of Accounts Directive E-0365/04 Proinsias De Rossa Shoppers' rights in Ireland under EU law E-0366/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 28 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Proinsias De Rossa Animal experiments in Ireland E-0367/04 Proinsias De Rossa Irish Government charges and the Seveso II Directive E-0368/04 Proinsias De Rossa Public consultation during the preparation of emergency E-0369/04 plans under the Seveso II Directive Proinsias De Rossa Extension of the Working Time Directive to excluded E-0370/04 sectors Proinsias De Rossa Ireland's failure to fix penalties for ozone-depleting E-0371/04 substances Olivier Dupuis Interrogation of the editor Alexander Podrabinek E-0372/04 Roberta Angelilli Ansaldo-Breda: infringement of environmental protection E-0373/04 legislation Eija-Riitta Korhola Lack of health care standards and its impact on free E-0374/04 movement of labour and citizens Martin Kastler Measures to prevent the consumption of alcopops by P-0375/04 young people Luciana Sbarbati Crisis in the steel sector in Terni P-0376/04 Antonios Trakatellis Sustainable management of fisheries resources in the P-0377/04 Mediterranean and measures to combat illegal fishing Hartmut Nassauer and Bernd Planned draft second directive on limit values providing E-0378/04 Lange for the establishment of an indicative occupational exposure limit value, inter alia for nitrogen monoxide (NO) Alexandros Alavanos Dismissal of pregnant workers E-0379/04 Alexandros Alavanos Contract-holders at the Fire Service E-0380/04 Alexandros Alavanos Operation of reception classes - second operational E-0381/04 programme: 'education and initial training' Stavros Xarchakos Free movement between Greece and the rest of the EU E-0382/04 John Bowis Postage rates E-0383/04 Roberta Angelilli Ansaldo-Breda: infringement of laws protecting workers E-0384/04 from exposure to asbestos Theresa Villiers Commercial activities of Ordnance Survey P-0385/04 Jean Saint-Josse Wind turbines P-0386/04 Yves Butel Wind turbines P-0387/04 Roberta Angelilli Terni steelworks: closure of the Thyssen-Krupp plant P-0388/04 Gianfranco Dell'Alba and others African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights E-0389/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 29

Francesco Rutelli Closure of the electrical steel department of AST in Terni E-0390/04 Alexander de Roo Hair dye and cancer risks E-0391/04 Mogens Camre The EU's continuing capacity to receive large quotas of P-0392/04 immigrants from third-world countries Bill Miller Animal By-Products Regulation E-0393/04 Francesco Fiori, Giorgio Lisi and Measures against hunger in the EU E-0394/04 Georges Garot Antonio Tajani Measures to prevent the closure of the steelworks in Terni E-0395/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Guantánamo-on-Thames? E-0396/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Legalising irregular migrants working in the Union E-0397/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Child slavery networks E-0398/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Secret detention in the USA of foreigners suspected of E-0399/04 terrorist activities because their visa is not in order Camilo Nogueira Román Israel's wall in Palestine and the West Bank Health E-0400/04 System Concepció Ferrer River Ebro water transfer E-0401/04 Concepció Ferrer Crossborder hospital in La Cerdanya E-0402/04 Erik Meijer Distortion of competition to the detriment of the E-0403/04 environment and of working conditions in the cheap production of the semi-finished product primary aluminium in Iceland Erik Meijer Diverting attention from opposition and minority rights in E-0404/04 Turkey, on the grounds of geography and religion, in accession to the EU Jules Maaten Outbreak of avian influenza E-0405/04 Jules Maaten and Jan Mulder Discrimination against a Netherlands onion farmer in E-0406/04 Poland Hugues Martin CRAFT Community programmes P-0407/04 Alexander de Roo Implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive in P-0408/04 the Netherlands Carlos Coelho Rights inherent in European citizenship P-0409/04 Proinsias De Rossa Aer Rianta E-0410/04 Charles Tannock and John Bowis Persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in E-0411/04 Bangladesh Charles Tannock The regulation of exportation of timber from Indonesia E-0412/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 30 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Charles Tannock and Theresa Migrating birds and Habitat Directives with regard to the E-0413/04 Villiers republic of Malta Charles Tannock The treatment of North Korean refugees in the People's E-0414/04 Republic of China Jonas Sjöstedt Review of decision on Norrmejerier E-0415/04 Dorette Corbey Goose hunting in Zeeland P-0416/04 Ilda Figueiredo Sackings from the Finex Group factory P-0417/04 Gerhard Schmid Security of EC cards E-0418/04 Anna Karamanou Bride burning in Pakistan E-0419/04 Brian Simpson Fluoridation of drinking water E-0420/04 Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna Lifting of the temporary restriction on the use of fishmeal E-0421/04 in animal feed Camilo Nogueira Román High-speed Lubian to Orense rail link giving central E-0422/04 access to Galicia Ilda Figueiredo Closure of the Brax factory in Portugal E-0423/04 Ilda Figueiredo Protecting wickerwork craftsmen in the Madeira E-0424/04 Autonomous Region Camilo Nogueira Román UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call to fight poverty: E-0425/04 EU positions Samuli Pohjamo and Mikko Pesälä Timetable for processing rural development projects E-0426/04 Christopher Huhne Residence of nationals in another Member State E-0427/04 Brian Simpson The future of publicly-owned regional airports in the light E-0428/04 of the recent decision on Charleroi Airport, in Belgium, and Ryanair John Bowis The case of rev. Rinaldy Damanik, Indonesia E-0429/04 Charles Tannock and Geoffrey Van Possible Trade Sanctions against Burma E-0430/04 Orden Luigi Vinci European Commission plan for a vertical-takeoff E-0431/04 convertiplane Helle Thorning-Schmidt Passive smoking E-0432/04 Seán Ó Neachtain Status of Gaeilige for recruitment to the EU Institutions P-0433/04 Michl Ebner EURO 0 E-0434/04 Michl Ebner EURO 1 E-0435/04 Michl Ebner EURO 2 E-0436/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 31

Michl Ebner EURO 5 E-0437/04 Michl Ebner EURO 6 E-0438/04 Michl Ebner Nitrogen oxide emission limits E-0439/04 Michl Ebner Particulate emission limits E-0440/04 Michl Ebner Particulate filters E-0441/04 John Cushnahan Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iran P-0442/04 John Cushnahan Open Skies Deal E-0443/04 Margrietus van den Berg Compliance with legislation on health and safety at work E-0444/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 32 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

QUESTION TIME (B5-0007/04) on 10 and 11 February 2004

29 Questions (Rule 43)

Author Subject No

QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL

María IZQUIERDO ROJO Disappearance of crops and of the social fabric in Andalusia H-0845/03 as a consequence of the new proposals relating to the COMs in olive oil, cotton and tobacco Mary BANOTTI Social inclusion, third sector H-0847/03 Lennart SACRÉDEUS Dawit Isaac, journalist missing in Eritrea H-0849/03 Gerard COLLINS EU and South Africa H-0850/03 Brian CROWLEY Promoting good practice in child protection for youth work H-0853/03 across Europe Liam HYLAND Labelling of meats H-0857/03 Seán Ó NEACHTAIN Consulting stakeholders in the fishing sector H-0859/03 Alexandros ALAVANOS Attempts to solve the Cyprus problem H-0861/03 Rodi KRATSA- New developments regarding Cyprus and prospects of a H-0042/04 TSAGAROPOULOU settlement Josu ORTUONDO Is the Spanish Government in breach of Article 6(1) of the H-0001/04 LARREA EU Treaty? Bernd POSSELT Status of Kosovo H-0003/04 Miguel MARTÍNEZ Violation of human rights inherent in the conditions in which H-0007/04 MARTÍNEZ Cuban prisoners are being held in the United States Pedro MARSET CAMPOS Violation of human rights of Cuban citizens in the United H-0036/04 States Ilda FIGUEIREDO Violation by the USA of the human rights of Cuban citizens H-0058/04 Efstratios KORAKAS Human rights violations by the United States affecting five H-0061/04 illegally detained Cuban citizens

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 33

QUESTIONS TO THE COMMISSION

Gerard COLLINS Measures to promote low-cost air travel H-0851/03 Claude MORAES Free movement of labour for accession countries H-0046/04 Bill NEWTON DUNN Drug trafficking H-0026/04

QUESTIONS TO DESIGNATED COMMISSIONERS

Mr BARNIER

Alexandros ALAVANOS Biological purification plants H-0862/03 Juan FERRÁNDEZ River Ebro diversion project H-0016/04 LEZAUN /rev. 1 Joan VALLVÉ Cross-border regional cooperation H-0022/04

Mr LIIKANEN

Bart STAES WSIS - Civil Society H-0842/03 Reino PAASILINNA Public web pages: suitability for the disabled H-0006/04 Charlotte CEDERSCHIÖLD European Agency for Network and Information Security H-0025/04 Ewa HEDKVIST E-safety programme H-0043/04 PETERSEN

Mr VERHEUGEN

Michael GAHLER Independence of the Hungarian Financial Supervisory H-0863/03 Authority (PSZÁF) Bernd POSSELT Restitution law in Romania H-0004/04 Monica FRASSONI Elimination of voters from Maltese electoral lists H-0033/04 Richard HOWITT The Baku-Ceyhan pipeline H-0038/04

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 34 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS TIME FEBRUARY

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

Council 33 15 16 6 0 2 0 Mr ROCHE

Commission 52 14 35 7 1 2 0 Mrs de PALACIO Mrs DIAMANTOPOULOU Mr VITORINO Mr BARNIER Mr LIIKANEN Mr VERHEUGEN

85 29 51 13 1 4 0

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 35

WRITTEN DECLARATIONS1

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

1/2004 340.817 Richard Howitt, Mario Mantovani, On the rights of deafblind people 12.01.2004 12.04.2204 170 Elizabeth Lynne, Patricia McKenna and Ilda Figueiredo

2/2004 340.908 Marie Anne Isler Béguin On the environmental insecurity in the EU and the 12.01.2004 12.04.2004 23 world

3/2004 341.129 Philip Claeys and Koenraad Dillen On the lack of a response from the Government of 12.01.2004 12.04.2004 15 South Africa to the attacks on and murders of white farmers

4/2004 341.430 Hiltrud Breyer, Alexander de Roo, Noise from airports 26.01.2004 26.04.2004 19 Marie Anne Isler Béguin, Paul Lannoye and Caroline Lucas

1 Situation as at 12.02.2004

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 36 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

5/2004 341.531 Claude Moraes, Stephen Hughes, Outsourcing (offshoring) of European jobs to Asia, 04.02.2004 04.05.2004 25 Imelda Read, Marie-Hélène Gillig and Africa and South America Alejandro Cercas

6/2004 342.099 Piia-Noora Kauppi, Sarah Ludford, Full and equal participation of Roma in the 'expanding 09.02.2004 09.05.2004 23 Johannes Swoboda and Nelly Maes Europe'

7/2004 342.101 Ward Beysen Postponing the enlargement of the European Union 09.02.2004 09.05.2004 2

8/2004 342.102 Philip Claeys, Koenraad Dillen, Bruno Organising a European multidisciplinary conference on 09.02.2004 09.05.2003 6 Gollnisch and Mario Borghezio demography, the ageing of the population and the European identity

9/2004 342.103 Marie Anne Isler Béguin and Jean The Community status of ecological refugee 09.02.2004 09.05.2004 10 Lambert

10/2004 342.304 Mario Borghezio Compensation for the victims of Communism in Istria, 11.02.2004 11.05.2004 10 Dalmazia and Venezio-Giulia

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 COMMITTEES 37

COMMITTEES

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 38 COMMITTEES

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

Name Subject Committee Date Doc.

CORBETT Parliament's Rules of Procedure: requests AFCO (R) 17.02.04 (PSE) for European agencies' opinions

SCHIERHUBER Third cohesion report: Structural Funds AGRI (O) 19.02.04 C5-0092/04 (PPE-DE) after 2005

LULLING Improvement of the production and AGRI (R) 19.02.04 C5-0052/04 (PPE-DE) marketing of honey

TURCHI Guidelines for trans-European energy BUDG (O) 18.02.04 C5-0064/04 (UEN) networks

BERES Enlargement, environment: taxation of ECON (R) 11.02.04 C5-0090/04 (PSE) energy products and electricity (amendment of Directive 2003/96/EC)

GARCÍA- Taxation of savings income ECON (R) 11.02.04 C5-0103/04 MARGALLO Y MARFIL (PPE-DE)

KARAS VAT: the place of supply of services ECON (R) 11.02.04 C5-0026/04 (PPE-DE) (amendment of Directive 77/388/EEC)

POMES RUIZ Protection against counterfeiting: medals ECON (R) 11.02.04 C5-0075/04 (PPE-DE) and tokens similar to euro coins

POMES RUIZ Extending protection against ECON (R) 11.02.04 C5-0076/04 (PPE-DE) counterfeiting (medals and tokens similar to euros) to non-participating Member States

ATTWOOLL Third cohesion report: Structural Funds EMPL (O) 11.02.04 C5-0092/04 (ELDR) after 2005

PRONK Communication on a general political EMPL (O) 11.02.04 C5-0089/04 (PPE-DE) framework for the financial perspectives after 2006

GOODWILL Communication on a general political ENVI (O) 16.02.04 C5-0089/04 (PPE-DE) framework for the financial perspectives after 2006

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 COMMITTEES 39

Name Subject Committee Date Doc.

PSE Group Third cohesion report: Structural Funds FEMM (O) 19.02.04 C5-0092/04 after 2005

LANGEN The conclusion of the World Health ITRE (O) 18.02.04 C5-0028/04 (PPE-DE) Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

ZORBA Third cohesion report: Structural Funds ITRE (O) 18.02.04 C5-0092/04 (PSE) after 2005

BERENGUER Vehicle industry: UN Economic ITRE (R) 18.02.04 FUSTER Commission Regulation on uniform (PSE) prescriptions for internal combustion engines

BERENGUER Automobile industry : harmonisation of ITRE (R) 18.02.04 FUSTER provisions on cornering-lamps for power- (PSE) driven vehicles, UNECE

FLESCH Guidelines for trans-European energy ITRE (R) 18.02.04 C5-0064/04 (ELDR) networks

BODRATO European Space Agency ITRE (R) 24.02.04 C5-0099/04 (PPE-DE)

WALLIS Security of natural gas supply JURI (O) 18.02.04 C5-0449/02 (ELDR)

WALLIS Foods: nutrition and health claims in JURI (O) 18.02.04 C5-0329/03 (ELDR) labelling (amending Directive 2000/13/EC)

WALLIS Fluorinated greenhouse gases JURI (O) 18.02.04 C5-0397/03 (ELDR)

WALLIS Batteries and accumulators and spent JURI (O) 18.02.04 C5-0563/03 (ELDR) batteries and accumulators

GEBHARDT Services in the internal market JURI (R) 18.02.04 C5-0069/04 (PSE)

MacCORMICK Water policy, pollution: quality of fresh JURI (R) 19.02.04 C5-0038/04 (VERTS/ALE) waters supporting fish life (codification of Directive 78/659/EEC)

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 40 COMMITTEES

Name Subject Committee Date Doc.

MacCORMICK Conversion rates between the euro and JURI (R) 19.02.04 C5-0053/04 (VERTS/ALE) the currencies of the Member States adopting the euro (codified version)

MacCORMICK Minimum stocks of crude oil (codified JURI (R) 19.02.04 C5-0063/04 (VERTS/ALE) version)

MacCORMICK Common rules for certain types of JURI (R) 19.02.04 C5-0055/04 (VERTS/ALE) carriage of goods by road (codified version)

CEYHUN Communication on a general political LIBE (O) 19.02.04 C5-0089/04 (PSE) framework for the financial perspectives after 2006

DEPREZ European Refugee Fund LIBE (R) 19.02.04 C5-0096/04 (PPE-DE)

TURCO Conclusion of an agreement between the LIBE (R) 19.02.04 (NI) EC and Albania

POHJAMO Communication on a general political RETT (O) 17.02.04 C5-0089/04 (ELDR) framework for the financial perspectives after 2006

COSTA Accession to the Convention concerning RETT (R) 17.02.04 C5-0041/04 (ELDR) International Carriage by Rail amended by the Vilnius Protocol, June 1999

COSTA International Safety Management Code RETT (R) 17.02.04 C5-0627/03 (ELDR) within the Community

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 41

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 42 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

COMMISSION DOCUMENTS

Reports and Communications

Subject Referral Doc.

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council AGRI SEC (03) 1410 on EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure - Early warning system Nos CONT final 9/2003, 10/2003 and 11/2003

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the RETT COM (03) 595 Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the final Committee of the Regions on the interpretation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage)

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European ITRE COM (03) 707 Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the final Regions: Results of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03)

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European JURI COM (03) 718 Parliament concerning a New Legal Framework for Payments in the ECON final Internal Market (Consultative Document)

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European DEVE COM (03) 734 Parliament: Reviving the DDA Negotiations - the EU Perspective ITRE final

Communication from the Commission tot the Council and the European ENVI COM (03) 745 Parliament: 2003 Environment Policy Review - Consolidating the final environmental pillar of sustainable development

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European ECON COM (03) 747 Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the JURI final Committee of the Regions: The competitiveness of business-related ITRE services and their contribution to the performance of European enterprises

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European AFET COM (03) 748 Parliament: Preparing for the participation of the Western Balkan ITRE final countries in Community programmes and agencies

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council AGRI COM (03) 752 on the experience acquired during the basic surveys of areas under vines final (in accordance with Article 7 (2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 357/79 of 5 February 1979 on statistical surveys of areas under vines)

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 43

Subject Referral Doc.

Communication from the Commission on buildings policy and CONT COM (03) 755 infrastructures in Brussels BUDG final

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament EMPL COM (03) 760 on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No. 577/98 final

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: ITRE COM (03) 764 Operation of Euratom Safeguards in 2002 final

Report from the Commission: "Better Lawmaking 2003" pursuant to AFCO COM (03) 770 Article 9 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity JURI final and proportionality

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European LIBE COM (03) 771 Parliament: Development of the Schengen Information System II and final possible synergies with a future Visa Information System (VIS)

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European FEMM COM (03) 773 Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the EMPL final Committee of the Regions: joint report on social inclusion summarising the results of the examination of the National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (2003-2005)

Second Evaluation Report from the Commission to the Council and the LIBE COM (03) 776 European Parliament on the application of Council Recommendation of 24 CULT final September 1998 concerning the protection of minors and human dignity

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European JURI COM (03) 782 Parliament: Reports from Member States on behaviours which seriously PECH final infringed the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European ITRE COM (03) 784 Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the LIBE final Committee of the Regions: The future of European regulatory audiovisual CULT policy .

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the TOUT COM (03) 785 Council: Technical adjustment of the financial perspective for 2005 in line BUDG final with movements in GNI and prices (Point 15 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure)

Green Paper on the future of Rules of origin in preferential trade DEVE COM (03) 787 arrangements ITRE final

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 44 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Subject Referral Doc.

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the CULT COM (03) 802 European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the final Regions: Report on the implementation and results of the MEDIA II programme (1996-2000)

Report from the Commission to the Council and to the European AFET COM (03) 803 Parliament on the borrowing and lending activities of the community in DEVE final 2002 ITRE

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European JURI COM (03) 810 Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee: Dividend ECON final taxation of individuals in the Internal Market

Communication from the Commission: Dialogue with associations of AFCO COM (03) 811 regional and local authorities on the formulation of European Union policy RETT final

Council Directive amending Annex VI to Directive 91/414/EEC as ENVI COM (03) 814 regards plant protection products containing micro-organisms final

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the ITRE COM (03) 821 Council: The implementation by the EC of the "Bonn Guidelines" on JURI final access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing under the Convention on ENVI Biological Diversity

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European DEVE COM (03) 829 Parliament: The World Summit on Sustainable Development one year on: ENVI final implementing our commitments

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 GENERAL INFORMATION 45

GENERAL INFORMATION

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 46 GENERAL INFORMATION

COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

19/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the outcome of the appeal by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against his conviction on 8 August 2000 Brussels, 5 February 2004

The European Union, which has continued to monitor closely the case, notes the decision of the Malaysian Court of Appeal not to reconsider its upholding of the conviction and sentence on 8th August 2000 against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. The European Union also notes the Court of Appeal’s decision to deny a request for bail.

The European Union recalls its earlier statements voicing deep concern about the fairness of the legal proceedings and expresses its disappointment at the Court of Appeal’s decisions.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

______

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20/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding a declaration by the Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, concerning Council Decision 2003/907/CFSP of 22 December 2003 implementing Common Position 2003/297/CFSP on Burma/Myanmar Brussels, 2 February 2004

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Council Decision 2003/907/CFSP of 22 December 2003 implementing Common Position 2003/297/CFSP concerning Burma/Myanmar defined by the Council of the European Union on 28 April 2003 on the basis of Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Council Decision.

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

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21/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Libya's accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention Brussels, 5 February 2004

The EU recalls the statement made by the Italian Presidency on 20 December 2003 concerning the Declaration on Weapons of Mass Destruction made by H.E. Abdulrahman Shalgam, Foreign Minister of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, on behalf of Colonel Qadhafi, on 19 December 2003.

The EU welcomes the steps taken since then, in particular the recent ratification by Libya of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and its accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention and looks forward to prompt and full implementation by Libya of these fundamental international instruments.

The EU looks forward to Libya signing, ratifying and implementing an Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Such a step will further corroborate Libya’s intention to comply fully with the existing legal framework on non-proliferation.

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The EU, in accordance with its recently adopted Strategy on the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and their means of Delivery, supports the universalisation and strengthening of the multilateral treaties and agreements in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation and would encourage other States which have not yet done so to adhere to these instruments.

The EU firmly believes that Libya can play a pivotal role in encouraging other countries, particularly those in the same region, to follow its example and join international efforts to promote disarmament and non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

______

22/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on recent events in Zimbabwe Brussels, 10 February 2004

The European Union wishes to express its condemnation regarding reports of the violent clampdown of a peaceful demonstration organised by the National Constitutional Assembly on 4 February 2004 in Harare.

In this context the European Union strongly deplores the arrest and assault of a large number of participants in the demonstration. The EU, in particular, condemns the apprehension and ill-treatment of Mr. Lovemore Madhuku, Chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly.

The European Union calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to take all necessary measures to guarantee the rights of its citizens to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

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23/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Haiti Brussels, 16 February 2004

The European Union is greatly concerned at the recent outbreaks of violence in a number of provincial towns. It calls on all political forces, without exception, to refrain from any kind of violent behaviour.

The marked deterioration in the security situation has been accompanied by serious violations of human rights and democratic rules. The European Union deplores yet further instances of armed gangs disrupting peaceful demonstrations on 12 and 15 February 2004.

The European Union would point out that in Kingston on 31 January 2004 President Aristide accepted CARICOM's proposed prior action plan. Upholding the right of peaceful demonstration was a key part of that plan.

The European Union is alarmed at the frequent breaches of international humanitarian law. It would remind all concerned of their duty to respect personnel, establishments, vehicles and medical facilities. The Red Cross emblem symbolises that protection and must be respected.

The European Union strongly believes that the present crisis in Haiti must be resolved peacefully, by seeking dialogue and compromise. All constitutional solutions should be considered. In particular, the European Union supports the CARICOM initiative and urges all parties to endorse it. The Union calls on the Haitian authorities to honour the commitments given by President Aristide and put them into practice, in accordance with the timetable agreed in the action plan.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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24/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Council Common Position 2004/133/CFSP of 10 February 2004 on restrictive measures against extremists in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and repealing Common Position 2001/542/CFSP Brussels, 23 February 2004

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Council Common Position 2004/133/CFSP of 10 February 2004 on restrictive measures against extremists in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYROM) and repealing Common Position 2001/542/CFSP. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Council Decision.

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

______

25/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the process of verification and validation of signatures in Venezuela Brussels, 23 February 2004

The European Union reaffirms its commitment to the democratic development of Venezuela and reiterates the importance of fully implementing the political agreement signed on 29 May 2003 by the Government and the opposition ‘Coordinadora Democrática’, in line with Resolution 833 of the Organization of American States (OAS), which calls for a constitutional, democratic, peaceful and electoral solution to the crisis in Venezuela.

The European Union underlines the importance of prompt and effective compliance by the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral – CNE) with its institutional duties. In this respect, the European Union is concerned at the delay in the process of verification and validation of signatures to determine the possibility of recall referenda. It welcomes the announcement by the CNE of its intention to conclude the process at the latest by 28 February, and calls on the CNE to expedite the definitive decision on the holding of the referenda.

In view of the role of the OAS in Venezuela and the cooperation it has established with the CNE in the verification process, the European Union fully supports the recommendations contained in the joint statement by the OAS and the Carter Center of 13 February 2004. It agrees, in particular, with the criteria of international observation viz. the principle of transparency in control mechanisms against possible fraud, as well as the inalienable right of citizen participation that must be guaranteed by the electoral authority. The EU believes that the will of the signatories must be respected. Although the EU recognizes that there may have been some instances of fraud, the CNE should apply technical regulations in a way which respects the rights of citizens who have signed petitions in good faith.

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The European Union calls on all parties to continue to implement the agreement of 29 May 2003 in a climate of mutual respect, tolerance and restraint, and to fully abide by the Declaration against Violence and for Peace and Democracy of 18 February 2003, within the framework of the rule of law and democratic principles.

______

26/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on situation in Darfur (Sudan) Brussels, 25 February 2004

The EU wishes to express its serious concern at the situation in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The scale of the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) estimated to be in excess of 700,000 requiring urgent humanitarian assistance. The EU calls on the Government of Sudan to grant UN agencies and other relief organisations continued and full access to all areas of Darfur, as the plight of the local populations requires urgent attention. The EU recalls its concern expressed in the joint communiqué resulting from the EU-Sudan political dialogue held in Khartoum on December 18th 2003 and its appeal to “all the parties to ensure protection of the civilian population and to allow for unhindered humanitarian access for the population in need”.

The EU is alarmed at reports that Janjaweed militias continue to systematically target villages and centres for IDPs in their attacks. The EU strongly condemns the attacks and calls upon the Government of Sudan to put an end to Janjaweed atrocities. The EU also calls on the Government of Sudan to thoroughly investigate the attacks carried out and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The EU calls on the rebel groups operating in the Darfur region to commit to providing safe passage to relief agencies and refrain from any activity that harms the delivery of relief. The EU also urges all parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate cease-fire and to restore stability to the region through facilitated peace talks.

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28/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Council Common Position 2004/161/CFSP of 19 February 2004 on renewing restrictive measures against Zimbabwe Brussels, 1 March 2004

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Council Common Position 2004/161/CFSP of 19 February 2004 on renewing restrictive measures against Zimbabwe. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Council Common Position.

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

______

29/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Council Common Position 2004/137/CFSP of 10 February 2004 concerning restrictive measures against Liberia Brussels, 1st March 2004

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Council Common Position 2004/137/CFSP of 10 February 2004 concerning restrictive measures against Liberia.

They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Council Common Position.

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

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

PLENARY SESSION

28 AND 29 JANUARY 2004

SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ADOPTED

Full text versions of EESC opinions are available in the 11 official languages on the Committee's website at the following address:

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

The plenary session was attended by Ms Reding, member of the Commission, and Mr Roche, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the presidency-in-office of the Council of the European Union.

1. MARKET ORGANISATION AND COMPETITION POLICY

• Contractual obligations Rapporteur: Mr Pegado Liz (Various Interests – PT)

– References: COM(2002) 654 final – CESE 88/2004

– Key points:

The Committee supports the two main objectives of the Green Paper, to convert the Rome Convention into a Community instrument and to modernise its content, and urges that this be done as quickly as the complex nature of the subject allows.

It is the Committee's view that the Community instrument should take the form of a regulation, and agrees that the legal basis should be Articles 61(c) and 65(b) of the Treaty, as suggested by the Commission.

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The Committee reaffirms the main principles underpinning the convention, and believes that they should be carried over into the regulation.

The Committee's proposals, which are set out in detail above, are based on the need not only to update some of the provisions of the Rome Convention in line with intra-Community commercial transactions and new contractual instruments, especially distance selling, but also to settle a number of questions of interpretation raised in the study of law and in the courts during the period in which the Rome Convention has been in force.

In its opinion and its replies to the Commission's twenty questions, as well as in its own questions, the Committee has striven to put forward solutions which preserve a balance between the interests of the parties concerned, in compliance with the established principles of law constituting the common heritage of the legal systems of the Member States.

The Committee is however aware that the issue has not been exhaustively examined and therefore urges the Commission to take proper account, in the final draft of the text it is to submit, of all the contributions it receives in response to its highly positive initiative represented by the Green Paper.

– Contact: Mr Jakob Andersen (Tel.: 0032 2 546 92 58 – e-mail: [email protected])

• XXXIInd Competition Report Rapporteur: Mr Metzler (Various Interests – DE)

– References: SEC(2003) 467 final – CESE 107/2004

– Key points:

The Committee's conclusions may be summarised as follows:

• The Committee is in favour of the new antitrust arrangements and the concomitant change to the legal exception system. However, the Commission should make some further improvements to the reforms contained in the modernisation package, providing greater legal certainty for companies and more firmly enshrining the one-stop-shop principle and companies' rights of defence.

• Greater account should be taken of the actual damage caused when calculating fines.

• Competition rules should allow the degree of regulation of the liberal professions needed to ensure that their particular remits and legal obligations are fulfilled.

• In reforming merger control, the Commission should only address the special case of "unilateral effects" with the new version of the market dominance test so as to continue to ensure maximum legal certainty for companies. The Commission could increase still further the incentive to cite arguments about efficiency and should bear in mind with regard to investigative powers and the level of penalties that merger control and antitrust procedure call for different means.

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• The Commission should publish the announced measures for reforming the area of state aid as soon as possible, allowing the parties concerned the opportunity to give their views on the future handling of "existing aid" in the accession countries. Future competition reports could also explain Commission practice on state aid law as it relates to the Structural Funds.

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

• Approval of motor vehicles (recast version) Rapporteur: Mr Levaux (Employers – FR)

– References: COM(2003) 418 final – 2003/0153 COD – CESE 90/2004

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

2. AGRICULTURAL POLICY

• Agricultural employment/EU and accession countries Rapporteur: Mr Wilms (Employees – DE)

– References: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 109/2004

– Key points:

Agriculture and rural development are two of the most pressing problems to be tackled in connection with the EU's eastward enlargement. The increase in the number of people active in farming and structural change heightening competition between farmers and for jobs in agriculture can have serious repercussions on the economic and social structure of European agriculture and on social security systems.

An upsurge in rural unemployment in the accession countries can also put pressure on the labour market situation in current Member States. In the accession countries differences in prosperity between metropolitan and outlying rural areas are expected to increase in more than just economic terms. Human capital is also undergoing a change: young and qualified people are leaving these regions for more prosperous ones.

In its opinion, the Committee sets out a vision for the future of the agricultural employment situation and ways of achieving it:

• Competitive, sustainable agriculture is to be a fundamental prerequisite for safeguarding employment and social development and should operate within the framework of an integrated policy for rural areas.

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• Efforts to combat unemployment should be redoubled. • Better use should be made of the available potential, and political action should be taken to create synergies from existing options and programmes. • The social partners should work jointly with other players in the regions with a view to formulating and implementing new ideas deriving from their business knowledge and experience.

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

• COM/Flax and hemp Rapporteur: Ms Santiago (Employers – PT)

– Reference : COM(2003) 701 final – 2003/0275 CNS – CESE 104/2004

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

3. CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

• Creative industries Rapporteur: Mr Rodríguez García-Caro (Employers – ES)

– Reference: Exploratory opinion – CESE 102/2004

– Key points:

In response to the request of Ms Reding, Commissioner responsible for cultural policy, the Committee responded to two questions:

• What are the cultural and socio-economic challenges facing Europe's creative industries? • What contribution could Europe make to respond to these challenges in a lasting way?

The Committee regrets that it was unable to submit remarks on the Culture 2000 programme in view of the restriction placed by paragraph 5 of Article 151 of the EC Treaty, although thanks to the provisions of Article 157 it must be consulted for all measures supporting industry in general and the creative industries in particular.

In its opinion, the Committee carries out a detailed analysis of the cultural and socioeconomic challenges faced by the creative industries in Europe:

- the need to define what is meant by the "creative industries" and to identify the sectors of activity that fall within the category; - challenges arising from linguistic diversity; - specific problems affecting businesses in the cultural sector; - challenges related to globalisation; - problems facing the European Union.

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The potential contribution to be made by Europe to finding long-term solutions to these challenges:

- a cultural policy for the European Union; - a European Cultural Area; - definition of the creative industries; - support for the creative industries; - cultural education and awareness-raising; - support for artists and other creative performers.

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

4. ENERGY

• Renewable energy Rapporteur: Mr Sirkeinen (Employers – FI)

– References: Own initiative opinion – CESE 94/2004

– Key points:

The Committee explicitly supports the targeted and effective promotion of renewable energy sources. At the same time it points to the contradictions and inconsistencies in relation to complementary policy areas and spheres of action, e.g. the system of emissions trading. It notes that the approach, design and intensity of support schemes vary widely between the Member States and are mostly purely national, which can result in substantial disruption of the internal market. In addition, most support schemes are not geared to competition between different forms of renewable energy or between RES and traditional generation. Most promotion schemes also lack cost-effectiveness criteria or incentives for enhancing technology and efficiency development.

The Committee therefore recommends:

– strengthening efforts to facilitate the exchange of good practices between Member States, regions and other actors for promotion of RES and publishing of a regular report to monitor developments in RES markets; – making an in-depth evaluation of the interaction, coherence and practical effects of different EU policies affecting the use of renewable energy sources and technologies in order to avoid overregulation; – starting without delay a thorough study of the developments and the present situation of promoting RES, covering in particular innovativeness, market issues, cost effectiveness of support measures and their impact on cost burdens for consumers and on the global competitiveness of EU industries.

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

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5. TRANSPORT SAFETY

• Transport infrastructure for the future Rapporteurs: Ms Alleweldt (Employees – DE) Mr Levaux (Employers – FR) Mr Ribbe (Various Interests – DE)

– References: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 93/2004

– Key points:

The EESC believes that transport policy must be one of the key areas of action in future as part of the EU's sustainability and climate protection policy.

It thus considers it necessary to develop the pan-European transport corridors in southern and eastern Europe, thereby improving the conditions for managing transport trends in the Mediterranean region.

Infrastructure projects with European implications only fulfil their function if they respond to economic, political and social interests. This requires involvement of business associations, transport companies, trade unions, and environmental and consumer organisations.

The EESC also notes that:

– the intermodality of TENs and corridors must be ensured and quality criteria provided for; – there should be more emphasis on the environmentally friendly use of inland waterways and promotion of short sea shipping and its integration into the planning of TENs and corridors; – promotion of rail transport, paying particular attention to cross-border cooperation projects and connections to seaports means defining ambitious, but feasible, objectives.

Finally, with regard to infrastructure financing, the EESC proposes the creation of a European fund dedicated to priority TEN-T projects, which would be managed by the European Investment Bank and financed by a charge of one cent on every litre of all types of fuel consumed on EU roads for all road transport of goods and persons (public or private).

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

• Amendment/European Maritime Safety Agency Rapporteur: Mr Chagas (Employees – PT)

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– References: COM(2003) 440 final – 2003/0159 COD – CESE

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

• Amendment/civil aviation security Rapporteur: Mr Simons (Employers – NL)

– References: COM(2003) 566 final – 2003/0222 COD – CESE 98/2004

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

6. BORDER CONTROLS AND FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE

• European Agency for the Management of Operational Co-operation at the External Borders Rapporteur: Mr Pariza Castaños (Employees – ES)

– References: COM(2003) 687 final – 2003/0273 CNS

– Key points:

In this opinion, the EESC welcomes the establishment of a European Agency for the Management of Operational Co-operation at the External Borders, which will be set up under the present Regulation. The Agency will improve co-ordination between the authorities in the Member States and the effectiveness of controls at the external borders.

The Agency's main tasks must include ensuring that people are treated more humanely and that international conventions on human rights are respected. It is particularly important that effective border controls do not jeopardise the right to asylum.

The EESC agrees with the Commission when it states that voluntary return is preferable to forced return and considers that the Agency must ensure that the principles of humanitarian law are respected, in particular the right to asylum.

– Contact: Mr Pierluigi Brombo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 18 - e-mail: [email protected])

• Local border traffic at the external land borders of the Member States Rapporteur working without a study group: Mr Simons (Employers – NL)

– References: COM(2003) 502 final – 2003/0193 (CNS) – 2003/0194 (CNS) – CESE 101/2004

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– Key points:

The Committee endorses the aims of both proposals on local border traffic – notably to facilitate border crossing for bona fide border residents and, at the same time, to take account of the need to prevent illegal immigration and potential threats to security posed by criminal activities.

To the extent that this twofold objective cannot be achieved under existing Community law (including the Schengen acquis), the Committee makes certain recommendations in relation to the proposal for a Council regulation submitted as document 2003/0193.

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

7. PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

• Fluorinated greenhouse gases Rapporteur: Mr Sears (Employers – UK)

– References: COM(2003) 492 final – 2003/0189 COD – CESE 100/2004

– Contact: Mr Robert Wright (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 91 09 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Shipments of waste Rapporteur: Mr Buffetaut (Employers – FR)

– References: COM(2003) 379 final – 2003/0139 COD – CESE 99/2004

– Contact: Mr Robert Wright (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 91 09 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Gaseous pollutants – ignition engines Rapporteur: Mr Ranocchiari (Employers – IT)

– References: COM(2003) 522 final – 2003/0205 COD – CESE 91/2004

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

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8. CONSUMER PROTECTION

• Unfair business-to-consumer practices Rapporteur: Mr Hernández Bataller (Various Interests – ES)

– References: COM(2003) 356 final – 2003/0134 COD – CESE 105/2004

– Key points:

The EESC endorses the Commission's aim of providing a high level of consumer protection and facilitating the operation of the internal market. It acknowledges the effort put in by the Commission and the ex ante assessment before the presentation of the proposal.

The EESC agrees on the need to avoid excessively detailed regulation and to introduce progressively the highest possible level of harmonisation.

The EESC particularly welcomes the fact that the specific directives are to have precedence over the framework directive where there are divergences between them.

The EESC would like to see a standstill clause inserted in the proposal guaranteeing that existing levels of protection will not fall.

The EESC considers that it would be better to have a single set of rules on misleading advertising, with this proposal either repealing the current directive or amending it. The Commission should at least provide for its mandatory application mutatis mutandis ("reflex-application") in those cases where a commercial practice which is unfair in a business-to-consumer relation forms part of a business-to- business contractual relation at an earlier stage in the distribution chain.

The EESC would prefer to base the proposal on Article 153 of the EC Treaty or possibly on this article jointly with Article 95.

To complement the codes of conduct, the proposal should consider the possibility of adopting measures for the out-of-court settlement of disputes. The EESC believes that consideration should be given to other measures which the Member States should apply to reinforce the effectiveness of the framework directive, based on the measures already proposed, such as the publication in the mass media of the judicial decisions enforcing the cessation of unfair commercial practices.

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

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• Consumer protection cooperation Rapporteur: Mr Hernández Bataller (Various Interests – ES)

– References: COM(2003) 443 final – 2003/0162 COD – CESE 106/2004

– Key points:

The Committee shares the objectives and goals of the Commission proposal, but regrets that Article 153 is not used as a legal basis.

The proposal is unclear regarding the conditions for reimbursement of costs or losses incurred as a result of measures held to be unfounded by a court as far as the substance of the intra-Community infringement is concerned. It needs to specify that such court decisions must be final judgments and not therefore open to appeal.

The EESC regrets that the Commission considers the possibility of "de minimis" infringements of consumer protection that could be committed in other Member States without any penalty being imposed.

It seems excessively rigid to the EESC that a request for mutual assistance may be refused if the request is not well founded.

The EESC regrets that there is no obligation on the Commission to submit a regular report to the European Parliament and the EESC on the application of the regulation at Community level.

Finally, the EESC considers that the procedures laid down in this Decision are too bureaucratic and that it should have its own more easily implemented mechanisms.

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

9. TAXATION

• Extension of reduced VAT rates Rapporteur: Mr Malosse (Employers – FR)

– Reference: COM(2003)825 final – 2003/0317 (CNS) – CESE 103/2004

– Key points:

The EESC endorses the principle of continuing to apply the reduced VAT until 31 December 2005 in order to avoid the serious consequences of a legal vacuum or the sudden cessation of measures which have had a demonstrably favourable impact.

The EESC nonetheless regrets that the Council was unable to agree on the European Commission's proposal for a directive to rationalise and simplify the system. It would point out that the principle of unanimous voting in tax matters has been a definite obstacle here.

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 GENERAL INFORMATION 63

− Contact: Ms Borbála Szij (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 54 - e-mail : [email protected])

10. SMEs AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• E-business/Go Digital Rapporteur: Mr McDonogh (Employers – IE)

− References: COM(2003) 148 final – CESE 89/2004

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

11. CODIFICATION AND SIMPLIFICATION OF COMMUNITY LEGISLATION

• Codified version/hired vehicles Rapporteur: Mr Simons (Employers – NL)

– Reference: COM(2003) 559 final – 2003/0221 COD – CESE 97/2004

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

• Operation of aeroplanes/Convention Rapporteur: Mr Green (Employers – DK)

– References : COM(2003) 524 final – 2003/0207 COD – CESE 96/2004

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

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 65

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

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

This document is available at :

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

Section produced by the Directorate-General for Committees and Delegations

Bulletin 08.03.2004 - EN - PE 338.110 New .eu Domain

Changed Web and E-Mail Addresses The introduction of the .eu domain also required the web and e-mail addresses of the European institutions to be adapted. Below please find a list of addresses found in the document at hand which have been changed after the document was created. The list shows the old and new address, a reference to the page where the address was found and the type of address: http: and https: for web addresses, mailto: for e-mail addresses etc.

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