title: Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 97/33/EC with regard to operator number portability and carrier pre-selection

eurovoc_concepts:
communications policy
liberalisation of the market
new technology
telecommunications
telephone

formats: html pdf pdfa1b print

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 01. 10. 1997 COM(97) 480 final 97/ 0250(COD) Proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DIRECTIVE amending Directive 97/33/EC with regard to operator number portability and carrier pre-selection (presented by the Commission) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM Background Public consultation on the basis of a Commission Green Paper 1. a) In November 1996 the Commission published its Green Paper on a Numbering Policy for Telecommunications Services in Europe1, presenting various options for a common approach towards certain numbering issues in order to reach the agreed goals of a competitive and liberalised single telecommunications market. A broad public consultation on these options provided the input for a more concrete plan of action, closely following the needs and demands of residential and business customers and new entrants in the telecommunications market while taking account of any constraints within existing telecommunications structures. The consultation has demonstrated wide support for the Green Paper proposals to introduce call-by-call carrier selection, carrier pre-selection and operator number portability in order to enable the customer to benefit from a new competitive market. The comments also provided a useful basis to determine which services and service providers should be covered by the obligations relating to these numbering features. It also provided a clear indication of the timetable for their introduction. Commission Communication reporting on the outcome of the public b) Consultation The results of this consultation were set out in the Commission's Communication to the European Parliament and to the Council2. Drawing on those results, the Commission presented a number of policy conclusions and a concrete action plan to achieve the policy objectives. With regard to numbering mechanisms, these objectives are : • by 1 January 1998, call-by-call carrier selection should be offered by all fixed local access providers with significant market power in all Member States where full liberalisation is required by that date and in Member States where additional transition periods have been agreed, by the end of that period. • by 1 January 2000, carrier pre-selection, (with the default carrier to be determined by the subscriber and with call-by-call override to be available to the user), should be offered by all fixed local access providers with significant market power in all Member States. • by 1 January 2000, operator number portability should be offered by all fixed local access providers; whilst all operators should offer number portability for non- 1 COM(96)590 final, 20. 11. 1996 2 COM (97) 203 final, 21. 5. 1997 geographic special service numbers (freephone, shared costs, premium rate services). The legal principles underlying the policy objective of having a mechanism for call- by-call carrier selection by the dates set for liberalisation , is already implicit in the current legal framework for 1998. Article 12(6) of the Interconnection Directive requires that fair and equal treatment regarding numbering is given to all service providers. In practice this means that Member States must at least create a system of pre-fixes by which customers can reach service providers other than their local access provider. The Member States have confirmed their commitment to ensure the liberalisation in a availability of call-by-call carrier selection by the dates set for Council Resolution of 22 September for telecommunications services in Europe. 1997 on numbering policy On the other two points, the action plan proposed the submission of legislative measures to create a legal basis for a synchronised introduction of carrier pre-selection throughout the internal market by 1 January 2000 as well as for an accelerated introduction of operator number portability by the same date. c) Council Resolution In its Resolution of 22 September 1997 the Council noted "the wide support expressed during the consultation process for the introduction of appropriate numbering mechanisms favouring more competition throughout the Community ". It considered that : • customers of at least all operators with significant market power providing fixed local public telephone services should have access to alternative operators through a non-discriminatory and user friendly mechanism for call-by call selection by 1 January 1998 or in those countries which have been granted an additional transition period by any later date agreed for the full liberalisation of voice telephony services; • the introduction of carrier pre-selection, at least for operators with significant market power providing fixed local public telephone services, is needed as close as possible to, but not later than two years after, the deadlines for introduction of full liberalisation referred to in EU legislation in order to encourage competition in all sectors of the market and where this is necessary under the conditions which will be fixed in the forthcoming harmonisation Directive; • with regard to number portability which is foreseen to be introduced in 2003 at the latest, Member States should make all necessary efforts to accelerate its introduction to a date as close as possible to the timetable established for full liberalisation and preferably not more than two years after that date. and invited the Commission to prepare proposals to the European Parliament and the Council on carrier pre-selection and number portability. d) European Parliament Resolution On 17 July 1997 the European Parliament also adopted a Resolution on the Green Paper on a Numbering Policy for Telecommunications Services in Europe, inter alia, calling on the Commission • "to make proposals for an amendment to the already existing directive for "introducing carrier preselection for fixed local access providers with significant market power no later than 1 January 2000 throughout the Union, given the need for simulataneous Union-wide introduction in order to facilitate fair comeptition; • "to introduce an amendment to an existing directive in order to introduce, as soon as possible, and no later than J January 2000, number portability (transferability of numbers when the service supplier changes, including non-geographical special service numbers); " 2. Scope and aim of the proposal The objective of the present proposal is to strengthen the existing provisions on equal qualitative and quantitative access to numbering resources for all market players in the Community's current legal framework for telecommunications. The availability of operator number portability and carrier pre-selection will make it easier for consumers to choose alternative service and network providers. This will enable them to benefit directly from competition in the telecommunications market. By offering consumers a non-discriminatory and user friendly way of choosing between different providers of telecommunications services, consumer choice can act as a catalyst in the process of achieving better quality telecommunications services at more competitive prices. The need to amend the Interconnection Directive and the principal 3. changes proposed for Given the need to ensure a clear and transparent regulatory framework telecommunications and, given the fact that some of the principles set out in this proposal are related to the numbering provisions of the Interconnection Directive, the Commission believes that the most appropriate way of proceeding is through a limited and specific amendment of that Directive. The following changes are proposed to the Interconnection Directive: • Accelerating the date for the introduction of number portability by changing Article 12(5) of the Interconnection Directive which currently requires the introduction of operator number portability for the fixed telecommunications networks in the major centres of population by 1 January 2003 at the latest. The amendment set out in Article 1(1) of this proposal requires National Regulatory Authorities to encourage the early introduction of number portability and requires them to ensure its availability throughout a Member State by 1 January 2000. Add an obligation relating to carrier pre-selection to the numbering provisions (Article 12) in the Interconnection Directive and, in particular, to the existing obligations for "fair and equal treament of all providers of publicly available telecommunications services". Article 1(2) of this Directive therefore inserts a new Article 12(7) to the Interconnection Directive in order to create an obligation for National Regulatory Authorities to require the provision of carrier pre-selection within their networks from organisations operating fixed public telecommunications networks which enjoy significant market power by 1 January 2000 at the latest. The envisaged mechanism consists of a facility for subscribers to determine their own default service provider, for instance for international or long distance calls, while maintaining the possibility to override their pre-selected choice by dialling a short pre-fix on a call-by-call basis. 4. Organisations covered On the basis of the results of the public consultation, the Commission has concluded that it would not be justified at this stage, to oblige local access providers without significant market power to offer carrier pre-selection. Such obligations would risk overregulating an emerging market. The issue of whether a broader range of local access providers should be subject to specific obligations in this area, will be revisited as part of the general review of the functioning of the 1998 package, which is foreseen in the relevant Directives for 1999. Secondly, the Commission considers that the need to oblige mobile operators to offer carrier selection, carrier pre-selection and number portability needs to be further examined,. In some areas of the mobile market, there is already considerable competition, allowing users a choice of network operators, and, in many cases, also of service providers. Nevertheless, certain mobile markets are still in the early stages of development and it remains to be seen what level of competition will be reached. For these reasons, the Commission concludes from the consultation that it is not appropriate to apply such obligations to mobile operators at this stage. The Commission will re-evaluate the need for introduction of new numbering mechanisms facilitating consumer choice in the mobile sector by the end of 1998. 5. Carrier pre-selection and investment in alternative local infrastructure While the public consultation demonstrated a wide cross-sectoral and Europe-wide support for the introduction of carrier pre-selection, which was confirmed in Resolutions by the European Parliament and the Council, the Commission has also carefully considered the arguments brought forward by the minority of opponents to carrier pre-selection. It has been argued that carrier pre-selection arrangements reduce the profit margins for local access providers by opening the market for long distance and international calls to stronger competition. Moreover, it would be more difficult for alternative local access providers to gain new customers because subscribers might see less reason to switch from the incumbent to a new entrant if the former were offering carrier pre selection. As ewpressed in the Communication reporting on the outcome of the public consultation, the Commission does not find the case against carrier pre-selection convincing , the main reasons for this assessment being that : • A policy of maintaining barriers for services competition in order to stimulate infrastructure competition, does not lead to economic efficiency nor does it give customers the best deal. On the one hand a duopoly for local infrastructure is no guarantee for real competition regarding the offer of local access services and on the other hand, not having user friendly instruments to choose other service providers over the local network would lead to service tariffs staying higher than necessary. Moreover, residual barriers to service competition may create artificial incentives for infrastructure investment which may not be sustainable in the longer term. • Carrier pre-selection would have to be offered as of 1 January 2000 by which time, due to the competitive forces in the liberalised EU telecommunications market, tariffs for international and long-distance calls will have come down significantly in any case. Alternative local access providers are fully aware of this and should, like all other market players, be preparing themselves for the new market situation. Incentive for investment in the local loop is likely to be driven increasingly by the provision of new multimedia services rather than by competition in traditional voice telephony. • The requirement to offer carrier pre-selection will only be imposed on operators with significant market power. This will give alternative local access providers an important advantage because, unlike the incumbent operators, they will be able to continue to provide the complete telecommunications service package to their subscribers without the risk of these customers migrating to other service providers for parts of the package. • Guarantees for the quality and availability of local access are included in the universal service obligations which are now firmly anchored in Community legislation. These obligations ensure that every citizen can access an affordable service of defined quality wherever they live in the Community. 6. Conclusion The proposed directive on operator number portability and carrier pre-selection has been requested by the European Parliament and by the Council. It reflects the results of the broad public consultation on numbering issues following the publication of the Numbering Green Paper. The proposed directive will provide consumers with the necessary user-friendly instruments to choose the telecommunications network and /or service providers which best suits their needs. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 97/33/EC with regard to operator number portability and carrier pre selection THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and in particular Article 100a thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the Treaty Whereas the Commission has organised a broad public consultation on the basis of a Green Paper on a Numbering policy for telecommunications services in Europe 3 Whereas this consultation has underlined the importance of equal quantitative and qualitative access to numbering resources for all market players, and the crucial significance of adequate numbering mechanisms, in particular for number portability and carrier selection, as key facilitators of consumer choice and effective competition in a liberalised telecommunications environment ; Whereas the Council has adopted a Resolution on (. September 1997) inviting the submit proposals to the European Parliament and to the Council Commission to regarding the introduction of carrier pre-selection; introduction of number portability and regarding the accelerated Whereas the European Parliament has adopted a Resolution on 17 July 1997 calling on the Commission to submit a proposal for an amendment to an already existing directive for introducing carrier pre-selection and number portability no later than 1 January 2000 throughout the Union COM(96)590 final of 20 November 1996 HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Directive 97/33/EC4 is hereby amended as follows : Article 1 1. Paragraph 5 of Article 12 shall be replaced by the following : "5. National regulatory authorities shall encourage the earliest possible introduction of number portability whereby end-users who so request can retain their number(s) on the fixed public telephone network at a specific location independent of the organisation providing service, and shall ensure that this facility is available by 1 January 2000 at the latest. " 2. A new paragraph shall be inserted after paragraph 6 of Article 12 : "7. National regulatory authorities shall require Organizations operating public telecommunications networks as set out in Part 1 of Annex I and notified by national regulatory authorities as Organizations having significant market power, to enable their subscribers to access the switched services of any interconnected provider of publicly available telecommunications services. For this purpose facilities shall be in place by 1 January 2000 at the latest, which allow the subscriber to choose these services by means of permanent pre-selection with a facility to override the pre-selected choice on a call-by-call basis by dialling a short prefix. " Article 2 1. Member States shall take the measures necessary to comply with this Directive before [31 December 1998]. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt these measures they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by the Member States. 2. Member States shall inform the Commission of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Directive 97/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997 on interconnection in Telecommunications with regard to ensuring universal service and interoperability through application of the principles of Open Network Provision (ONP), OJ No L 199, 26. 7. 97, p. 32. '") Article 3 This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Community. This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Article 4 Done at Brussels For the European Parliament For the Council 10 ISSN 0254-1475 COM(97) 480 final DOCUMENTS EN 16 15 Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-510-EN-C ISBN 92-78-25605-6 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA n. 3010/97 del Graham WATSON a la Comisión. Proyectos de agricultura sostenible

eurovoc_concepts:
EU programme
Wales
aid to agriculture
environmental protection
means of agricultural production
sustainable development
use of outer space

formats: html pdf print

text: 30. 4. 98 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas C 134/57 (98/C 134/69) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-3009/97 de Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) a la Comisio·n (1 de octubre de 1997) Asunto: Cata·strofe ecolo·gica en el lago de Kerkini El lago de Kerkini es un bio·topo importante y protegido del norte de Grecia con una fauna y una flora de gran riqueza. Dentro de la zona protegida, se encuentra una explotacio·n privada de a·lamos cuyo propietario decidio· talar en julio de 1994 a pesar de que en ellos se encontraban centenares de nidos de garzas cuyos polluelos todav(cid:14)·a no pod(cid:14)·an volar. Esta accio·n provoco· la muerte de ma·s de 200 pa·jaros y conmociono· a la opinio·n pu·blica griega. Las autoridades competentes y responsables no impidieron esta accio·n ni adoptaron medidas contra el propietario de la plantacio·n. ¿Puede indicar la Comisio·n si tiene conocimiento de los hechos y si tiene intencio·n de pedir explicaciones al Gobierno griego con objeto de asegurar una mejor proteccio·n de los bio·topos y la imposicio·n de sanciones a los que incumplan la ley? Respuesta de la Sra. Bjerregaard en nombre de la Comisio·n (13 de noviembre de 1997) El lago Kerkini, aunque artificial, es un humedal muy rico que ha sido designado por las autoridades griegas zona de proteccio·n especial de acuerdo con la Directiva 79/409/CEE sobre la conservacio·n de las aves silvestres (1). Este mismo paraje ha sido propuesto tambie·n como zona protegida al amparo de la Directiva 92/43/CEE sobre la conservacio·n de los ha·bitats naturales y de la fauna y flora silvestres (2). La zona es una de las principales en las que se esta·n llevando a cabo actuaciones dentro de un proyecto LIFE › Nature («Conservacio·n del phalacrocorax pygmaeus y el anser erythropus en Grecia»). Por eso, los responsables del proyecto se enteraron a mediados de junio de 1997 de la tala de una plantacio·n de a·lamos en la que hab(cid:14)·a nidos de garzas, de lo cual dieron cuenta inmediatamente a las autoridades griegas. Sin embargo, la plantacio·n esta· situada fuera de la zona protegida, en tierras de propiedad privada y, por tanto, no esta· sujeta al re·gimen de proteccio·n aplicable a las zonas protegidas. De cualquier modo, la Comisio·n ha sido informada de que el Ministerio de Agricultura hizo pu·blica una circular por la cual se prohibe la tala de a·lamos durante los periodos de cr(cid:14)·a (15 de febrero a 30 de junio). En adelante, esta· prohibicio·n se aplicara· a la zona correspondiente en torno al lago Kerkini. Por otra parte, la Comisio·n ha sido informada tambie·n de otros problemas relacionados con la proteccio·n del Lago Kerkini, por lo cual tiene previsto investigar el asunto para tener una idea clara de la situacio·n y, si procede, llevar a cabo las actuaciones oportunas. (1) DO L 103 de 25. 4. 1979, modificada tras la adhesio·n de Austria, Finlandia y Suecia (DO L 1 de 1. 1. 1995). (2) DO L 206 de 22. 7. 1992. (98/C 134/70) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-3010/97 de Graham Watson (ELDR) a la Comisio·n (1 de octubre de 1997) Asunto: Proyectos de agricultura sostenible ¿Conoce la Comisio·n el plan «Tir Cymen» en apoyo a la agricultura sostenible en el Pa(cid:14)·s de Gales? ¿Tiene la intencio·n de apoyar planes similares? Respuesta del Sr. Fischler en nombre de la Comisio·n (7 de noviembre de 1997) El programa Tir Cymen ha sido aprobado y cofinanciado por la Comisio·n en virtud del Reglamento (CEE) no 2078/92 del Consejo sobre me·todos de produccio·n agraria compatibles con las exigencias de la proteccio·n del medio ambiente y la conservacio·n del espacio natural (1)


title: 97/659/EG: Kommissionens beslut av den 1 oktober 1997 om finansiellt bidrag från gemenskapen för att utrota Newcastlesjukan i Tyskland (Endast den tyska texten är giltig)

eurovoc_concepts:
EU financing
Germany
animal disease
poultry

formats: html pdfa1b print


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3037/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Heightism

eurovoc_concepts:
Italy
anti-discriminatory measure
competence of the Member States
fundamental rights
national service
recruitment

text: C 117/132 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 16. 4. 98 (98/C 117/176) SKRIFTLIG FR¯GA E-3035/97 fr(cid:229)n Amedeo Amadeo (NI) till kommissionen (1 oktober 1997) A¤mne: Avgifter p(cid:229) tunga godstransporter Ang(cid:229)ende (cid:148)Fo¤rslag till r(cid:229)dets direktiv om avgifter p(cid:229) tunga godstransporter fo¤r anva¤ndningen av vissa infrastrukturer(cid:148) (KOM(96) 0331 › 96/0182(SYN) (1), p(cid:229)pekas att trots att va¤gavgifterna motsvarar en tilla¤mpning av principen om territorialitet, utgo¤r kombinationen av fordons- och punktskatter en dubbel beskattning. Av denna anledning ombeds kommissionen att p(cid:229) l(cid:229)ng sikt avveckla va¤gskatterna. De nya tekniska mo¤jligheterna, sa¤rskilt den elektroniska inkasseringen, bo¤r go¤ra det mo¤jligt att undvika dubbelbeskattning och p(cid:229) s(cid:229) sa¤tt f(cid:229) trafiken att flyta ba¤ttre. (1) EGT C 59, 26. 2. 1997, s. 9. Svar fr(cid:229)n Neil Kinnock p(cid:229) kommissionens va¤gnar (7 november 1997) Kommissionen anser att arten av och syftet med bra¤nsleskatt, fordonsskatt och va¤gavgifter skiljer sig fr(cid:229)n varandra. Av denna anledning anser inte kommissionen att en kombinerad anva¤ndning av dessa skatter skulle inneba¤ra dubbel beskattning. Kommissionen anser dessutom att va¤gavgifter a¤r ett la¤mpligt instrument fo¤r att uppn(cid:229) ett effektivt transport- system, eftersom avgifterna direkt ha¤nfo¤r sig till de kostnader som fordonen medfo¤r p(cid:229) den plats och vid den tidpunkt de faktiskt anva¤nds. Tilla¤mpningen av avancerad teknik da¤r fordonet kan erla¤gga avgift utan att beho¤va sakta ner eller stanna och som medger en differentiering av de avgifter som ha¤nfo¤r sig till faktiska kostnader fo¤rva¤ntas ytterligare kunna bidra till att fo¤rba¤ttra transportsystemet i sin helhet. (98/C 117/177) SKRIFTLIG FR¯GA E-3037/97 fr(cid:229)n Amedeo Amadeo (NI) till kommissionen (1 oktober 1997) A¤mne: Diskriminering p(cid:229) grund av la¤ngd I dagens Europa har EG sedan femtio (cid:229)r tillbaka beka¤mpat diskriminering p(cid:229) grund av ko¤n, ras, etniskt och socialt ursprung, invaliditet, sexuell la¤ggning, tro och s(cid:229) vidare. Det a¤r da¤rfo¤r absurt att det fo¤rekommer fall av diskriminering p(cid:229) grund av la¤ngd. I Italien hade en nyutexaminerad la¤kare p(cid:229) ett regelma¤ssigt sa¤tt anso¤kt om att info¤r sin milita¤rtja¤nstgo¤ring bli antagen till officersskolan (Scuola degli Allievi Ufficiali di Complemento (AUC)). Mannen fick avslag p(cid:229) sin anso¤kan p(cid:229) grund av att han var 1,63 m l(cid:229)ng, och inte 1,65 som reglerna fo¤reskrev. Den framtide rekrytens perfekta duglighet bekra¤ftades genom att han va¤rvades som enkel soldat i fallska¤rms- k(cid:229)ren. Kommissionen ombeds vidta (cid:229)tga¤rder fo¤r att medlemsstaterna inte la¤ngre skall kunna till(cid:229)ta liknande allvarliga avslag som strider mot medborgarnas lika ra¤ttigheter. (Den la¤kare som ha¤nvisas till a¤r doktor Andrea Pomesano fr(cid:229)n Bergamo). Svar avgivet av Pa·draig Flynn p(cid:229) kommissionens va¤gnar (10 november 1997) Kommissionen a¤r inte beho¤rig att behandla den fr(cid:229)ga som parlamentsledamoten har tagit upp. Enligt ga¤llande gemenskapsra¤tt har endast medlemsstaterna beho¤righet i fr(cid:229)gor som ro¤r milita¤rtja¤nst


title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG nr. 3016/97 van Amedeo AMADEO aan de Commissie. Indicatief programma op het gebied van kernenergie voor de Gemeenschap - PINC

eurovoc_concepts:
Central and Eastern Europe
Commonwealth of Independent States
EU Member State
EU programme
European Commission
European Parliament
nuclear industry
nuclear policy
nuclear safety
project evaluation

text: 16. 4. 98 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen C 117/127 Gecombineerd Antwoord van mevrouw Wulf-Mathies namens de Commissie op de schritftelijke vragen E-3013/97 en E-3033/97 (24 oktober 1997) Op 8 mei 1996 heeft de Commissie een besluit genomen over de toewijzing van de financie¤le reserve voor de communautaire initiatieven. De indicatieve toewijzing voor het initiatief URBAN in Italie¤ voor de periode 1997-1999 bestaat uit 11,81 mil- joen ecu voor de regio(cid:146)s van doelstelling 1 en 6,40 miljoen ecu voor de overige regio(cid:146)s (prijzen van 1995). De Commissie heeft in haar mededeling aan de lidstaten (1), en meer in het bijzonder in punt 20 daarvan, de lidstaten verzocht operationele programma(cid:146)s in het kader van het initiatief URBAN in te dienen. Wat de geografische verdeling binnen elke lidstaat betreft, heeft de Commissie zich ertoe beperkt aan te geven welk gedeelte van de toewijzing dient te worden bestemd voor de regio(cid:146)s van doelstelling 1. De Italiaanse autoriteiten hebben programma(cid:146)s voor de steden Trieste, Lecce en Catanzaro voorgesteld. (1) PB C 200 van 10. 7. 1996. (98/C 117/164) Betreft: EFRO-projecten SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-3014/97 van Amedeo Amadeo (NI) aan de Commissie (1 oktober 1997) Op 30 november 1995 heeft de Commissie een uitnodiging gepubliceerd tot inschrijving op een overheidsop- dracht voor modelprojecten in de sector stadsontwikkeling, in het kader van de innovatieve maatregelen waarvan in artikel 10 van de EFRO-verordening sprake is. Kan de Commissie mededelen hoeveel projecten Italie¤ heeft ingediend? Antwoord van mevrouw Wulf-Mathies namens de Commissie (23 oktober 1997) De Commissie heeft in het kader van de inschrijving (1) op grond van artikel 10 van de verordening inzake het Europees Fonds voor regionale ontwikkeling (2) in totaal 503 projecten ontvangen, waarvan er 119 door Italie¤ zijn ingediend. Mede gelet op de grote belangstelling voor deze inschrijving is voor de uiteindelijke selectie van de projecten een zeer rigoureuze evaluatieprocedure toegepast. Aan de hand van de vastgestelde criteria heeft de Commissie voor Italie¤ 4 projecten geselecteerd (van de in totaal 26 gekozen projecten), namelijk projecten voor de steden Brindisi, Milaan, Napels en Turijn. (1) PB C 319 van 30. 11. 1995. (2) PB L 193 van 31. 7. 1993. (98/C 117/165) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-3016/97 van Amedeo Amadeo (NI) aan de Commissie (1 oktober 1997) Betreft: Indicatief programma op het gebied van kernenergie voor de Gemeenschap › PINC Deze vraag heeft betrekking op de mededeling van de Commissie (cid:132)Kernindustrie in de Europese Unie › een indicatief programma op het gebied van kernenergie zoals bedoeld in artikel 40 van het Euratom-Verdrag (PINC)(cid:148) (COM(96)0339 def. )(CES 470/97). Wat de potentie¤le gevaren van de kerncentrales in de MOEL en de GOS betreft, lijdt het geen twijfel dat het eventueel plaatsvinden van een andere kernramp op grote schaal zeer schadelijke effecten zou sorteren op de publieke opinie. De programma(cid:146)s PHARE en TACIS zijn waardevol gebleken, maar thans wordt er steeds meer kritiek op geuit. Is de Commissie bereid, gezien het feit dat deze programma(cid:146)s ook betrekking hebben op de nucleaire veiligheid, deze programma(cid:146)s met spoed te herzien en het resultaat van deze herziening te publiceren?


title: Advies van het Economisch en Sociaal Comité over het "Voorstel voor een beschikking van het Europees Parlement en de Raad met betrekking tot de referentielaboratoria voor de controle op bacteriologische en virale besmettingen bij tweekleppige weekdieren"

eurovoc_concepts:
animal disease
health control
mollusc
research body
veterinary inspection


text: C 117/132 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 98 (98/C 117/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3035/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Charging of heavy goods vehicles With reference to the Proposal for a Council directive on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (COM(96) 331 final › 96/0182 SYN) (1), whilst road tolls reflect the application of the principle of territoriality, combining them with vehicle taxes and excise duties results in dual taxation. Will the Commission therefore bring about the abolition of these tolls in the long term? New technology, particularly electronic pricing, should make it possible to avoid dual taxation while at the same time improving the flow of traffic. (1) OJ C 59, 26. 2. 1997, p. 9. Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (7 November 1997) The Commission considers the nature and objectives of fuel excise duties and vehicle taxes and of road tolls to be different. For this reason it does not accept the assertion that their simultaneous application constitutes double taxation. Moreover, the Commission believes that road tolls, being directly linked to the costs caused by the vehicles when and where they are actually driven, are an appropriate charging instrument to use in pursuit of an efficient transport system. The application of advanced road using technology which allows payment without vehicles having to slow down or stop, and permits differentiation of rates that is related to underlying costs is expected to contribute further to the improvement of the transport system as a whole. (98/C 117/177) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3037/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Heightism It is absurd that, as Europe approaches the year 2000 and after 50 years of efforts by the European Community to eradicate discrimination on grounds of sex, race, ethnic and social origin, disability, sexual preference, religious belief, etc. , cases of discrimination on grounds of height are occurring. In Italy, a new graduate in medicine made a standard application to perform his military service at the Scuola degli Allievi Ufficiali di Complemento (AUC) [School of Official Reserve Cadets]. However he was rejected because, at 1m 63 cm, he was not tall enough to meet the arbitrary height requirement of 1m 65 cm. As proof of the new recruit(cid:146)s aptitude, he was enlisted as a private soldier in the parachute corps. Will the Commission approach the Member States to ensure that serious cases of this nature, in which the equal rights of citizens are denied, never occur again? (The doctor in question is Dr. Andrea Pomesano of Bergamo). Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (10 November 1997) The Commission does not have the authority to deal with the matter raised by the Honourable Member. As Community law stands, the Member States bear sole responsibility for all matters relating to military service


title: Communication from the Commission to the Council - Towards tax co-ordination in the European Union - A package to tackle harmful tax competition

eurovoc_concepts:
code of conduct
competition
fiscal policy
tax harmonisation

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 01. 10. 1997 COM(97) 495 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL Towards tax co-ordination in the European Union A package to tackle harmful tax competition INTRODUCTION Following the informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Mondorf-les-Bains on 1. 13 September 1997, the Council Presidency has announced its intention to hold an orientation debate on taxation in the formal meeting of 13 October. At the invitation of the Presidency, the Commission is submitting this paper as a basis for discussion. It builds on the discussions in Mondorf-les-Bains and in the Taxation Policy Group by outlining a proposal for a tax package to curtail harmful tax competition including a code of conduct. A draft for a code, as it has emerged from discussions in the Taxation Policy Group, is annexed to this communication. 2. On the basis of the global approach to taxation policy that was launched in April 1996 at the informal ECOFIN meeting in Verona, the package seeks to develop a co-ordinated approach to harmful tax competition. There is a need for action at the European level in order to reduce distortions to the Single Market; to prevent significant losses of tax revenue; and to reverse the trend of an increasing tax burden on labour as compared to more mobile tax bases. Progress on the package would help to reverse this trend and so enable tax structures within the Community to develop in a more employment-friendly way. The special European Council on Employment on 20-21 November will be able to give particular attention to the implications for employment of trends in taxation systems. The Commission's Guidelines for Employment which will be discussed at the Employment Summit in November will also include recommendations on making taxation systems more employment friendly. A GREATER NEED FOR CO-ORDINATION Tax competition in itself is generally to be welcomed, as a means of benefiting 3. citizens and of imposing downward pressure on government spending. However, unrestrained competition for mobile factors can both bias tax systems against employment and make an orderly and structured reduction in the overall tax burden more difficult. It also reduces the room for manoeuvre to meet other Community objectives, such as the protection of the environment. Furthermore, tax competition can hamper efforts to reduce budget deficits, which is not only a necessary end in itself but is also needed in order to comply both with the Maastricht criteria and with the Stability and Growth Pact. Market integration, without any accompanying tax co-ordination, is putting increasing constraints on Member States' freedom to choose the appropriate tax structure, including by broadening the tax base and lowering the rates. 4. As was noted in Mondorf-les-Bains, trends over the last 15 years show an increasing tax burden on labour. The implicit tax rate (that is, tax revenues divided by the appropriate base) on employed labour has increased by more than 7 percentage points, whereas the same rate for other factors of production (capital, self-employed labour, energy, natural resources) has decreased by more than 10 percentage points (figure 1). Within the labour factor, the burden of taxation is shifting to the least skilled and less mobile employees, while highly-skilled employees are increasingly mobile and responsive to tax differentials. Furthermore, small firms and craft industries - which are so important for job creation - are penalised compared to larger enterprises which have easier access to the opportunities provided by tax differentials and tax competition. Implicit Tax Rates in the EU 1981-1995 % 40 L a b o ur Em ployed O t h er Factors year Source: Eurostat Figure 1 5. Tax competition may be one important factor in this shift in the tax burden to the less mobile base of labour. The high rate of mobility of certain bases may have forced Member States to reduce taxation on such bases below the levels that they consider desirable, and necessitated corresponding increases in taxation on less mobile bases. This trend in tax structures should be reversed. A growing body of evidence now points to a strong negative effect of high labour taxes on the level of employment and growth in Europe. It has been estimated that several percentage points of the current rate of unemployment are due to this increase in the taxation of labour. 6. While capital liberalisation is beneficial, the abolition of barriers to capital movement, together with exemptions from taxation, enhance opportunities to avoid reporting revenues. Cross-frontier fraud affects all taxes, including consumption taxes although these are harmonised to a much greater extent than are direct taxes. 7. The contribution of tax policies to Community objectives must increasingly be seen within the context of the developing Single Market. The Single Market and EMU are essential for growth and prosperity; however, they also increase the importance of taxation as a competitive factor. As regulatory barriers in the Single Market are dismantled, taxation is increasingly identifiable as a key factor influencing economic decisions. And as the introduction of the single currency eliminates exchange rate risks and reduces transaction costs, the differences between national tax systems will become more visible and will have an even greater influence on decisions on the allocation of capital, and therefore the efficiency of those decisions. 8. Achieving a properly functioning Single Market remains an overriding priority for Community action in the field of taxation. There is, however, also an urgent need to consider how taxation policies can contribute to job creation in Europe at a time when the fight against unemployment is the Union's key priority. Within the framework of European models of a social market economy, views may 9. differ as to the emphasis to be given to the "social" and "market" elements. Unless there is some tax co-ordination there will be increasing threats: both with regard to the social dimension, because of the redistributive effect of the increasing taxation of labour, in particular of less-skilled labour; and with regard to the market element, because of the effect of tax distortions to the Single Market. 10. It is also clear that tax policies must take account of the Union's global competitiveness and of international obligations under World Trade Organisation rules. Globalisation and vastly expanded trade and capital flows magnify the risks of harmful tax competition. At the same time, technological innovation and the development of electronic commerce enhance the mobility of certain forms of economic activity, particularly in the services sector and in the movement of capital, and may increase the impact of tax differentials on business decisions. In this changing environment, harmful tax competition will become an increasing 11. source of conflict among Member States unless greater co-ordination can be achieved within the EU. This co-ordination should in principle be achieved at a world-wide level and, indeed, the OECD and G7 are currently considering the issue. However, the chances of a satisfactory solution being reached at the OECD will be greatly improved if EU Member States act in a more co-ordinated way. And the closer degree of economic integration, EMU, and the existence of Community rules on competition and state aids create a fundamental need to ensure better co-operation within the Union. A PACKAGE TO TACKLE HARMFUL TAX COMPETITION The informal meeting in Mondorf-les-Bains considered how best to respond to the 12. need for progress and greater co-ordination. As a result, the Commission has been invited to present the outline of a tax package which would enable progress to be made in parallel on a number of fronts. The Commission is making these proposals having full regard to the principle of subsidiarity and to the particular difficulties posed in the area of taxation by the requirement for unanimity between Member States. These considerations mean that any package that is proposed must balance as far as possible the interests of different Member States. This implies a spirit of openness and compromise. In the light of the discussions in Mondorf-les-Bains and of the Taxation Policy Group meeting on 18 September, this communication therefore sets out possible components for such a package on the basis of which a political agreement may be reached by the end of the year, as indicated by the Presidency. 13. The possible components of the package are the following: • a code of conduct for business taxation and in parallel a Commission communication on fiscal state aids; • measures to eliminate distortions to the taxation of capital income; • measures to eliminate withholding taxes on cross-border interest and royalty payments between companies; and 9 measures designed to eliminate significant distortions in the area of indirect taxation. Each of these components is described below. A Code of Conduct for business taxation 14. A code of conduct for business taxation will be a key element of the package. This will help to prevent economic distortions and an erosion of tax bases within the Community. It will take the form of a non legally-binding instrument that engages Member States at a political level to respect principles of fair competition, and to refrain from tax measures that are harmful. The code would incorporate a review and monitoring process, and would be capable of later development and refinement in the light of experience. This will also help to evaluate the need for other instruments in the field of business taxation. Following the informal discussions in Mondorf-les-Bains, which noted the substantial 15. progress that had been made on this issue, the Presidency invited the Commission to provide the Council with a text for the code of the conduct. The draft code annexed to this paper has been developed through the intensive and constructive work of the Taxation Policy Group in its four meetings so far this year, most recently at its meeting of 18 September. Although this text is put forward in its own name, the Commission would like to acknowledge the considerable debt that it owes to co-operative efforts of the Member States in that Group. 16. There is a wide degree of support for the approach suggested by the Commission, and for a code to be adopted in the form of a non legally binding instrument. However, if the code is to perform its role in effectively tackling harmful tax competition, it needs to be supported by a strong political commitment from the Member States. That commitment could be made in a Council resolution endorsing the code submitted to it by the Commission. In order to allow for an agreement on the code at the December ECOFIN Council, the Commission invites Ministers to give clear orientations on the draft at the 13 October meeting; further technical work could, if necessary, be undertaken by the Commission through appropriate contacts with Member States in the run-up to the December meeting. 17. As a matching commitment to the political agreement of Member States to the code, many Member States have urged the Commission to re-examine its policy in the field of fiscal state aid and to make full use of its powers under the Treaty rules, in order to help combat harmful tax competition. As announced in the Action Plan for the Single Market, the Commission will continue vigorously to apply the state aid rules, including for fiscal aids. In the tax area, it will, in considering the common interest, take into account negative effects of aid that are brought to light by the Taxation Policy Group. In accordance with the Treaty, the Commission will, in co-operation with Member States, review its past decisions and may, if necessary, propose that Member States amend or abolish aid as required by the development or the functioning of the Single Market. In addition, the Commission will respond positively and associate itself with the commitment entered into by the Member States in the code of conduct, notably by presenting separately and under its own initiative a communication that clarifies and refines its policy on the application of the state aid rules to fiscal measures in the light of developments in the Single Market. In this way the Commission intends to make this policy as transparent as possible, so ensuring that its decisions are predictable and that equal treatment is guaranteed. Taxation of capital income 18. Capital income is the most mobile tax base of all. Action at the Community level is needed in order to counter current and potential distortions to the Single Market, and to prevent significant losses of tax revenue. The Council recognised these risks at the time of discussions on the 1988 Directive on the Liberalisation of Capital Movements, giving rise to the Commission's 1989 proposal for the taxation of income from individual savings. The adoption of the Euro will soon remove one remaining disincentive to cross-border investment, so increasing still further the need for action. There is a clear call from all sides for renewed action on the taxation of income from 19. savings. However, progress in this difficult and sensitive area will require a spirit of compromise. The Commission therefore proposes an evolutionary approach. As a first step, it calls upon Member States to make a political commitment in the December ECOFIN meeting based on a number of agreed key principles, coupled with a commitment to enter swiftly into constructive discussions on a proposal which would be based on these principles. The Commission for its part undertakes to come forward with such a proposal at an appropriate time. The principles to which Member States could be invited to subscribe would be based on the following elements: I. A common solution is needed in order to prevent undesirable distortions. A minimum solution in the form of a directive is preferable to the current situation, which can lead to non-taxation. II. That solution should be limited to interest paid in a Member State to individuals who are not resident for tax purposes in that State but who are resident in another Member State. III. As a first step, Member States should accept the so-called "co-existence model" in order to ensure at least some degree of effective taxation of non-residents' income from savings within the Community. Every Member State should either operate a minimum withholding tax or provide information on savings income to other Member States. (This would not, however, prevent a Member State from having both systems). IV. All arrangements should take into account the need to preserve the competitiveness of European financial markets in a global context. The Community should also promote an extension of the agreed solution beyond its borders. V. Withholding tax on interest payments made to residents of other Member States should, in principle, be levied by the paying agent. Although some refinement of this principle might be necessary, this rule would allow easier identification of the beneficiaries. The arrangements for checking the fiscal residence of beneficiaries should not be too cumbersome, again in order to maintain global competitiveness. VI. Where a Member State does not use the exchange of information option, it should apply the withholding tax at least at a minimum level. This minimum tax rate should be specified at a level which is sufficient to ensure an acceptable level of taxation of crossborder savings. Interest and royalties 20. As noted in the Action Plan for the Single Market, withholding taxes on interest and royalty payments between companies create difficulties for economic operators engaged in cross-border business. They can involve time-consuming formalities, result in cash flow losses, and sometimes lead to double taxation. Priority should therefore be given to their elimination. In the light of the discussions at the informal meeting in Mondorf-les-Bains and in the Taxation Policy Group, the Commission believes that the elimination of withholding taxes on interest and royalty payments between companies should form part of the taxation package. As part of the package, Member States could make a political commitment to work towards the early adoption of a directive for which the Commission will make a new proposal. Indirect tax elements 21. The Commission is fully aware that a number of Member States are not convinced of the usefulness of including indirect taxation measures in the package. However, some Member States have equally stressed the need for some parallel action in indirect taxation areas if the approach to the resolution of taxation problems in the EU is to be a balanced one. Harmful tax competition between Member States in the VAT area is possible insofar as divergences in the application of the current transitional VAT system impact on transnational economic activities or on activities in a neighbouring Member State. Operators can exploit these divergences by using clever "tax engineering". The large disparities between Member States in the tax treatment of energy products also create tax distortions and curtail Member States' freedom of action in taxation policy. The Commission puts forward the following proposals for consideration firstly because they will in their own right contribute to the elimination of tax distortions and secondly because they can contribute towards balancing the package. At the same time the Commission is flexible as regards those measures and leaves it to the Council to determine whether this broad approach is a useful method of achieving a compromise. If the Council agrees, principles could be elaborated for discussion at the next meeting of the Taxation Policy Group, with a view to allowing a political engagement to be made by the end of the year. I. VAT Committee. The Commission proposes that the alteration already proposed to the status of the VAT Committee, making it a regulatory committee assisting the Commission in adopting implementation measures of the 6th VAT directive, could, in so far as situations of double taxation or non-taxation will be dealt with according to this new procedure, be part of the package. II. Taxation of investment gold. A solution to the problem of distortions in the gold trade in the Community, caused by the great divergence in VAT treatment of gold transactions across the Community, could be found by providing for an exemption from VAT for transactions in gold for investment purposes, and taxation of other gold, especially of that used for industrial purposes. III. Passenger transport. This has also been mentioned by some Member States as an area of concern. IV. Taxation of energy products. A political agreement between Member States could allow the application of certain elements of the existing draft directive (COM (97) 30 final). This could involve agreement on revisions to existing minimum levels of taxation for mineral oils and the introduction of minimum levels of taxation for energy products other than mineral oils. It could equally encompass the derogations provided for in the draft directive, for example for natural gas in the case of emerging markets. V. FISCALIS. The Commission proposes that agreement be reached on the establishment of the FISCALIS programme of co-operation between the Member States against fraud in the indirect taxation area. WAY FORWARD AND CONCLUSION 22. There is clearly a pressing need to make progress in the field of taxation and to ensure a more effective co-ordination of taxation policies, both in the light of the development of the Single Market and of the need to reduce the level of unemployment within the Community. Tackling the issue of harmful tax competition, which threatens both to reduce revenues and to distort taxation structures, should be central to this process. Within this context, and as requested by the Council Presidency, the code of conduct is being put forward, together with other elements to form a taxation package, in order to facilitate reaching political agreement at the ECOFIN meeting on 1 December. The Commission believes that such a political agreement will be a crucial first step in the evolving process of co-ordination. 23. Finance Ministers are therefore requested • • to confirm the scope of the taxation package to tackle harmful tax competition that should go forward for a political agreement before the end of this year; to endorse the draft code of conduct that is attached to this paper with a view to its adoption in December 1997; to give a first reaction to the principles put forward for a minimum solution on the taxation of savings; and to instruct their personal representatives in the Taxation Policy Group to continue to work constructively in order to enable the Commission to develop all the elements of the taxation package to be submitted to the ECOFIN Council for a political agreement in December. 10 ANNEX DRAFT CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUSINESS TAXATION Political Commitment A. While recognising the positive effects of fair competition, and the need to maintain world-wide competitiveness, the Council notes that unrestrained tax competition for mobile forms of business increasingly threatens to cause economic distortions and to erode tax bases within the Community. It underlines its concern in this area, especially in relation to measures that provide operating support to international finance and services activities. The Council condemns the use of tax measures that harm the Community interest, including the effective operation of the Single Market, and it accordingly encourages Member States neither to introduce nor to retain such measures. B. To this end, it requests the Member States to adopt and implement the following principles and rules of behaviour. These rules, which fully respect the principle of subsidiarity, are wholly without prejudice to the application of Community law. They identify tax measures that are potentially harmful; and provide a framework within which Member States can commit themselves to follow the principles of fair competition. Scope C. This code covers those business tax measures which affect, or which may affect, the location of business activity in the Community in a significant way. Business activity in this respect includes all activities carried out within a group of companies. The code also covers those special tax regimes for employees which have a similar effect on the location of business activity. The tax measures covered by the code include legislative provisions, regulations and administrative practices. D. Within this field of application, the Council recognises certain types of tax measure as potentially harmful. These have one or more of the characteristics described in §E below. Although not every measure that is indicated in that paragraph will be harmful, each of the characteristics merits consideration. 11 E. The Council recognises as being potentially harmful those tax measures which provide for a significantly lower effective level of taxation, including zero taxation, than that which generally applies in the country in question. Such regimes may operate by virtue of the nominal tax rate, by virtue of the tax base, or otherwise. These measures should further be evaluated in the light of whether: (i) particular benefits are given only to non-residents of the country in question; or they are given only in respect of transactions carried out with non-residents; (ii) benefits are otherwise ring-fenced from the domestic economy so they do not affect the national tax base; (iii) benefits are available without there being any real economic activity; (iv) the basis of profit determination in respect of activities within a multinational group of companies departs from internationally-accepted rules, notably those agreed upon within the OECD; the measure lacks transparency, including where benefits are given by relaxing (v) statutory rules at administrative level in a way that is not public. Provision and review of information F. In accordance with the principles of transparency and openness, Member States will inform each other of their existing and proposed tax measures which fall within the scope of the code as described at §C-E above. In addition, Member States may seek information from other Member States on any tax measure which appears potentially to fall within the scope of those paragraphs. The Council requests the Commission, to which Member States will also provide this information, to co-ordinate its exchange between the Member States. G. Member States will, moreover, have the opportunity to discuss and comment on the tax measures of other Member States within the framework of a follow-up Group, which will be open to all Member States. This review will enable consideration to be given to the effects that these measures may have within the Community. Such a process, which should take into account the factors identified at §E above, will enable Member States to make a better evaluation of whether particular tax measures are harmful. The Council requests the Commission to carry out the preparatory work for the meetings of the Group, which will take place as necessary, and to oversee the exchange and review process. The Group will transmit a report of the review of each measure to the Council for its consideration and, if it deems appropriate, for publication. H. The Council emphasises the need to assess carefully the effects which tax measures have on other Member States; and, in so far as they are used to support the economic development of particular areas, to evaluate the extent to which the measures are effective in achieving their aims. 12 Standstill I. Member States will respect the principles outlined above when determining their policy, and should have regard to the review process in assessing whether any new tax measures or practices are harmful. The Council accordingly calls on them, as part of the code of conduct, not to introduce new tax measures which are harmful to the Community interest, including the effective operation of the Single Market. Rollback J. Member States will also review their existing laws and established practices, having regard to the principles outlined above and to the review process. The Council calls on them to amend such laws and practices as necessary, with a view to eliminating any harmful measures within [a determined period that is precisely defined but also allows for the reasonable expectations of business]. Anti-avoidance and tax evasion K. The Council stresses its commitment to full co-operation in the fight against tax evasion and avoidance, notably in the provision of information to other Member States in accordance with national legislation. L. The Council notes that anti-abuse provisions or countermeasures contained in tax laws and in double taxation conventions play a fundamental role in counteracting tax avoidance and evasion. Member States should apply such measures in accordance with Community law. State aids M. The Council notes that some, although not all, of the tax measures covered by this code fall within the scope of the provisions on state aid in Articles 92-94 of the EC Treaty. It further notes that the implementation of the code should in practice reduce the need for Community intervention under the state aid rules in the tax field. Without prejudice to Community law, it requests the Commission to provide guidance on the application of the state aid rules to fiscal aids and to commit itself to their rigorous application, taking into account negative effects of aid that are brought to light in the application of this code. 13 Geographical extension N. The provisions of this code should apply within the Community, as defined in Article 227 of the EC Treaty. Furthermore, the Council considers that it would be beneficial if the principles supporting fair competition were adopted as widely as possible. To this end it encourages Member States to stimulate their adoption at an international level, and in particular to give active support to their adoption in their dependent or associated territories. Follow Up O. In order to help to ensure the even and effective implementation of the code, the Council invites the Commission, acting in the capacity as described in §F-H above, to report to it annually. Revision clause The Council shall review the provisions of this code when it has been in operation for two years. It will at that stage consider whether the provisions of §E should be extended to include a Member State's general business tax regime where the level of taxation is significantly lower than the Community average. 14 ISSN 0254-1475 COM(97) 495 final DOCUMENTS EN 09 08 01 Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-513-EN-C ISBN 92-78-25638-2 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg


title: Γνωμοδότηση της Οικονομικής και Κοινωνικής Επιτροπής για την «Πρόταση οδηγίας του Συμβουλίου σχετικά με τη μείωση της περιεκτικότητας ορισμένων υγρών καυσίμων σε θείο και την τροποποίηση της οδηγίας 93/12/ΕΟΚ»

eurovoc_concepts:
EU action
EU law
air quality
fuel
sulphur


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3023/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Future Noise Policy (Green Paper)

eurovoc_concepts:
EU publication
European Commission
noise pollution
pollution control measures
prevention of pollution
proposal (EU)
resolution of parliament

text: C 117/130 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 98 (98/C 117/170) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3023/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Future Noise Policy (Green Paper) The Commission(cid:146)s proposal to draw up a framework directive on measuring and assessing exposure to noise, set out in its green paper on future noise policy (COM(96) 540 final), is welcome; however, its announcement that it will establish the target values and measures to enforce them (cid:145)for a later stage(cid:146) is disappointing. On the basis of the principle of prevention, these target values are needed for the priority area of noise abatement and the Commission is therefore asked not to delay in defining them. (98/C 117/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3024/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Future Noise Policy (Green Paper) Given the scale of the problem of noise pollution in the Community and the fact that noise abatement has not so far been given a high priority under European environmental policy, the plans to draw up a wide-ranging programme to tackle the problem, set out in the Commission(cid:146)s green paper on future noise policy (COM(96) 540 final), are very important. The contents of the green paper are welcome in principle and the Commission is asked to lose no time in drawing up the action programme. (98/C 117/172) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3025/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Future Noise Policy (Green Paper) With reference to the Commission(cid:146)s green paper on future noise policy (COM(96) 540 final),will it make noise abatement one of the priority areas of Community research and development and will it take steps to improve the coordination and increase the concentration of its R&D? (98/C 117/173) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3026/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Future Noise Policy (Green Paper) The Economic and Social Committee accepts the Commission(cid:146)s proposal to use economic instruments, put forward in its green paper on future noise policy (COM(96) 540 final), but opposes the introduction of fiscal measures to (cid:145)punish(cid:146) those responsible for noise pollution or provide a source of revenue for the government. Will the Commission ensure that the use of economic instruments is not a substitute for setting limit values for noise emissions?


text: C 117/130 FI Euroopan yhteiso¤jen virallinen lehti 16. 4. 98 (98/C 117/170) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3023/97 komissiolle esitta¤ja¤(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) (1. lokakuuta 1997) Aihe: Tulevaisuuden melupolitiikka (vihrea¤ kirja) Kysymykseni koskee Euroopan komission vihrea¤a¤ kirjaa tulevaisuuden melupolitiikasta (asiak. KOM(96)0540 lopull. ). Suhtaudun myo¤nteisesti komission ehdotukseen laatia puitedirektiivi melulle altistumisen mittauksesta ja arvioinnista, mutta haluan kritisoida komission antamaa ilmoitusta, jonka mukaan se ma¤a¤ritta¤a¤ (cid:148)myo¤hemmin(cid:148) tavoitearvot ja toimenpiteet niiden noudattamiseksi. Ennaltaehka¤isyn periaatteen perusteella on ta¤rkea¤a¤ ottaa ta¤llaiset tavoitearvot ka¤ytto¤o¤n melusaasteen va¤henta¤- misen ensisijaisilla aloilla, ja ta¤ma¤n vuoksi pyyda¤n, etta¤ niiden ma¤a¤ritta¤mista¤ ei lyka¤ta¤. (98/C 117/171) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3024/97 komissiolle esitta¤ja¤(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) (1. lokakuuta 1997) Aihe: Tulevaisuuden melupolitiikka (vihrea¤ kirja) Kysymykseni koskee Euroopan komission vihrea¤a¤ kirjaa tulevaisuuden melupolitiikasta (asiak. KOM(96)0540 lopull. ). Ottaen huomioon melusaasteongelman laajuus yhteiso¤ssa¤ ja ottaen huomioon, etta¤ unionin ympa¤risto¤- politiikassa ei ta¤ha¤n mennessa¤ ole annettu suurta painoarvoa ta¤ma¤ntyyppisen saasteen torjunnalle, on eritta¤in merkitta¤va¤a¤, etta¤ nyt on suunnitteilla laaja meluntorjuntaohjelma. Hyva¤ksyn periaatteellisella tasolla vihrea¤n kirjan sisa¤llo¤n, ja pyyda¤n na¤in ollen ohjelman laatimista viipyma¤tta¤. (98/C 117/172) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3025/97 komissiolle esitta¤ja¤(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) (1. lokakuuta 1997) Aihe: Tulevaisuuden melupolitiikka (vihrea¤ kirja) Kysymykseni koskee Euroopan komission vihrea¤a¤ kirjaa tulevaisuuden melupolitiikasta (asiak. KOM(96)0540 lopull. ). Pyyda¤n, etta¤ melusaasteen va¤henta¤minen sisa¤llyteta¤a¤n yhteiso¤n tutkimus- ja kehitta¤mistoiminnan ta¤rkeimpiin kohtiin ja etta¤ sa¤a¤deta¤a¤n yhteensovittamisen parantamisesta ja keskittymisen lisa¤a¤misesta¤. (98/C 117/173) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3026/97 komissiolle esitta¤ja¤(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) (1. lokakuuta 1997) Aihe: Tulevaisuuden melupolitiikka (vihrea¤ kirja) Kysymykseni koskee Euroopan komission vihrea¤a¤ kirjaa tulevaisuuden melupolitiikasta (asiak. KOM(96)0540 lopull. ). Talous- ja sosiaalikomitea hyva¤ksyy komission ehdottamien taloudellisten keinojen ka¤yto¤n, mutta se torjuu verotuksellisien toimien ka¤yto¤n era¤a¤nlaisena melupa¤a¤sto¤jen aiheuttajien (cid:148)rangaistuksena(cid:148) tai julkisyhteis- o¤jen tulonla¤hteena¤. Pyyda¤n, etta¤ taloudellisten keinojen ka¤yto¤lla¤ ei korvata pa¤a¤sto¤jen raja-arvoja koskevien sa¤a¤nno¤sten sa¤a¤ta¤mista¤


title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG nr. 2991/97 van María SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ aan de Commissie. Jachtverbod en wettelijke bescherming van het gebied Marjal del Moro (Valencia)

eurovoc_concepts:
Community of Valencia
bird
hunting
hunting regulations
protected area
protected species
protection of animal life
wildlife

formats: html print


title: QUESTION ECRITE no 3008/97 de Gerhard HAGER à la Commission. Valeur juridique des protocoles et déclarations

eurovoc_concepts:
EAEC Treaty
ECSC Treaty
EU law
Protocol (EU)
drafting of EU law
international law
legal status
revision of the Treaty (EU)
secondary legislation

text: C 134/56 FR Journal officiel des Communaute·s europe·ennes 30. 4. 98 (98/C 134/68) QUESTION E· CRITE E-3008/97 pose·e par Gerhard Hager (NI) a‘ la Commission (1er octobre 1997) Objet: Valeur juridique des protocoles et de·clarations Dans le droit de l(cid:146)Union europe·enne, on distingue le droit primaire qui, en tant que droit international, est arre(cid:136)te· entre les E· tats membres et soumis a‘ ratification dans chacun d(cid:146)eux, et le droit de·rive· qui, de·coulant du caracte‘re supranational de la Communaute·, est adopte· par ses institutions et a un impact imme·diat sur l(cid:146)ordre juridique des diffe·rents E· tats membres. Les e·ve·nements intervenus au cours de la dernie‘re phase d(cid:146)inte·gration ont ne·anmoins mis en e·vidence la ne·cessite· croissante de proce·der a‘ la re·vision des traite·s fondateurs non seulement par une simple modification et extension des textes (droit primaire), mais aussi a‘ l(cid:146)aide de protocoles et de de·clarations permettant d(cid:146)inclure des dispositions exceptionnelles. La Commission voudrait-elle re·pondre aux questions suivantes en ce qui concerne la valeur juridique de ces protocoles et de·clarations? 1. Quelle est la valeur juridique des protocoles et sur la base de quels crite‘res est-elle de·termine·e? Quelle est, par contre, la valeur juridique d(cid:146)une «de·claration adopte·e par la Confe·rence» et comment 2. est-elle de·finie? Comment la Commission juge-t-elle la valeur juridique d(cid:146)une «de·claration dont il est pris acte» et qui est 3. jointe a‘ l(cid:146)acte final d(cid:146)un traite· de droit primaire? 4. Lorsqu(cid:146)il s(cid:146)agit d(cid:146)une de·claration unilate·rale d(cid:146)un E· tat membre, quel en est l(cid:146)effet? Dans quelle mesure la Cour de justice europe·enne peut-elle ou doit-elle tenir compte dans sa jurisprudence 5. des protocoles et de·clarations sur le droit primaire? Concre‘tement, quelle signification juridique a la «de·claration de l(cid:146)Autriche et du Luxembourg sur les 6. e·tablissements de cre·dit» jointe au traite· d(cid:146)Amsterdam? Re·ponse donne·e par M. Santer au nom de la Commission (1er de·cembre 1997) Il re·sulte de l(cid:146)article 239 du traite· CE et des dispositions e·quivalentes des traite·s CECA et CEEA que les protocoles annexe·s aux traite·s en font partie inte·grante. La valeur juridique des protocoles est donc identique a‘ celle des traite·s. De‘s 1956, la Cour de justice en a conclu que «Les dispositions contenues dans tous ces textes (traite·s, annexes et protocoles) ont me(cid:136)me force impe·rative. , il ne saurait e(cid:136)tre question de les opposer l(cid:146)une a‘ l(cid:146)autre, mais de les envisager simultane·ment pour en faire une application ade·quate» (arre(cid:136)t Groupement des industries luxembourgeoises c/ Haute Autorite· › affaires 7 et 9/54, Rec. 1956-II-p. 91). A‘ la diffe·rence des protocoles, les de·clarations ne font pas partie inte·grante du traite· CE. La Cour de justice ne s(cid:146)est pas encore exprime·e sur la valeur juridique des de·clarations faites lors de la signature d(cid:146)un traite·. Il convient toutefois d(cid:146)observer que la Cour prend en conside·ration les de·clarations faites au proce‘s-verbal du Conseil, lors de l(cid:146)adoption d(cid:146)un acte de droit de·rive·, dans la mesure qu(cid:146)elles te·moignent d(cid:146)une intention commune des E· tats membres et que leur contenu trouve une expression dans le droit communautaire applicable. Autrement dit, une de·claration ne peut ni ajouter aux textes ni en contredire l(cid:146)esprit ou les termes (voir arre(cid:136)t Antonissen C-292/89, Rec. 1991 p. I-773, points 17 et 18, a‘ propos d(cid:146)une de·claration inscrite au proce‘s-verbal du Conseil lors de l(cid:146)adoption du re‘glement no 1612/68). En revanche, lorsqu(cid:146)une de·claration permet d(cid:146)e·clairer la porte·e d(cid:146)un texte, celle-ci est prise en conside·ration (voir arre(cid:136)t Grimaldi C-322/88, Rec. 1989, p. I-4407; arre(cid:136)t Egle, C-310/90, Rec. 1992, p. I-177). Par la de·claration sur les e·tablissements de cre·dits en Allemagne, la confe·rence intergouvernementale a, d(cid:146)une part, pris connaissance de l(cid:146)avis de la Commission, selon lequel le droit communautaire en vigueur permet de prendre en conside·ration les services d(cid:146)inte·re(cid:136)t ge·ne·ral assure·s par lesdits e·tablissements. Elle a, d(cid:146)autre part, invite· la Commission a‘ examiner s(cid:146)il existe des cas similaires dans d(cid:146)autres E· tats membres et, le cas e·che·ant, a‘ leur appliquer les me(cid:136)mes re‘gles communautaires. La de·claration unilate·rale de l(cid:146)Autriche et du Luxembourg, dont la confe·rence intergouvernementale a pris acte, s(cid:146)inscrit dans le prolongement de l(cid:146)invitation mentionne·e ci-dessus, qu(cid:146)il appartient a‘ la Commission de mettre en (cid:156)uvre


title: Talous- ja sosiaalikomitean lausunto aiheesta "Kestävä kehitys - rakentaminen ja asuminen Euroopassa"

eurovoc_concepts:
EU policy
environmental protection
housing policy
industrial economy
sustainable development


title: Propuesta de decisión del Consejo por la que se modifica la Decisión 96/411/CE relativa a la mejora de las estadísticas agrícolas comunitarias

eurovoc_concepts:
EU statistics
agricultural statistics
exchange of information
report
statistical method

text: COMISIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEAS Bruselas, 01. 10. 1997 COM(97) 482 final 97/ 0245 (CNS) Propuesta de DECISION DEL CONSEJO por la que se modifica la Decisión 96/411/CE relativa a la mejora de las estadísticas agrícolas comunitarias (presentada por la Comisión) EXPOSICIÓN DE MOTIVOS 1. Introducción La Decisión 96/411/CE del Consejo, relativa a la mejora de las estadísticas agrícolas comunitarias1 puso a disposición de los servicios de la Comisión una herramienta flexible que permite adaptar las aplicaciones estadísticas a la evolución de las necesidades de información. Dicha herramienta se ha aplicado ya y se han aprobado diversos planes de actuación técnica para los años 1996 y 1997. 2. Estas primeras experiencias dan a entender, sin embargo, que dos modificaciones podrían servir para aumentar la eficacia de la herramienta, a saber: a) Plazo de transmisión de los informes de los Estados miembros (art. 5 de la Decisión 96/411/CE). b) Informe de la Comisión al Parlamento Europeo y al Consejo sobre el grado de aplicación de la Decisión (art. 11 de la Decisión 96/411/CE). 3. Plazo de entrega de los informes de los Estados miembros Diversos Estados miembros han hecho hincapié en que, dada la periodicidad estacional de ciertos fenómenos que hay que reflejar en las actuaciones estadísticas, la fecha límite del 31 de marzo resulta demasiado exigente. Un corrimiento de dicha fecha al 31 de julio permitiría una valoración más exacta de los resultados de las actuaciones emprendidas. 4. Informe de la Comisión Determinadas actuaciones emprendidas como parte de los planes para 1996 y 1997 (v. g. : mejora de los balances de aprovisionamiento, previsiones de producción de carne) no podrán arrojar ningún resultado hasta 1999. Esto impide cualquier posibilidad de evaluación de los resultados de la aplicación de la Decisión 96/411/CE antes de noviembre de 1997. La Comisión se encuentra así en la imposibilidad de redactar el informe en las condiciones mencionadas en el art. 11. Se propone, por consiguiente, retrasar dos años la fecha límite para la redacción del informe. DOn°L 162 de 1-7-96, pág. 14. ¿t PROPUESTA DE DECISION DEL CONSEJO de por la que se modifica la Decisión 96/411/CE relativa a la mejora de las estadísticas agrícolas comunitarías EL CONSEJO DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA, Visto el Tratado constitutivo de la Comunidad Europea, y en particular su artículo 43, Vista la propuesta de la Comisión1, Visto el dictamen del Parlamento Europeo2, Considerando que la decisión 96/411/CEE del consejo, del 25 junio de 1996, relativa a la mejora de las estadísticas agrícolas comunitarias3 prevé la presentación de informes, por una parte, de los estados miembros a la comisión, y por otra parte, de la Comisión al Parlamento Europeo y al Consejo; Considerando que los plazos fijados para la transmisión de estos informes son muy estrictos teniendo en cuenta la experiencia adquirida; Considerando que es necesario por tanto retrasar las fechas previstas para introducir plazos más flexibles, DECIDE: Articulo primero La Decisión 96/411/CE queda modificada como sigue: en el art. 5, la fecha "31 de marzo" queda sustituida por "31 de julio" en el art. 11, el aflo "1997" queda sustituido por "1999". Artículo 2 Los destinatarios de la presente Decisión son los Estados miembros. Hecho en Bruselas, el Por el Consejo El Presidente DOn° DOn° DO n° L 162 de 1. 07. 1996, p. 14 de de 3 3 ISSN 0257-9545 COM(97) 482 final DOCUMENTOS ES 17 03 N° de catálogo : CB-C0-97-493-ES-C ISBN 92-78-24860-6 Oficina de Publicaciones Oficiales de las Comunidades Europeas L-2985 Luxemburgo <f