title: Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Green Paper on the Convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors, and the implications for regulation - Towards an information society approach'

eurovoc_concepts:
competition law
economic convergence
information industry
information technology
telecommunications
trade licence

text: 10. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 214/79 Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Green Paper on the Convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors, and the implications for regulation — Towards an information society approach’ (98/C 214/23) On 5 December 1997 the Commission decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned Green Paper. The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services, which was responsible for preparing the Committee’s work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 1 April 1998. The rapporteur was Mr Morgan. At is 354th plenary session (meeting of 29 April 1998), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 91 votes in favour, 5 votes against and 6 abstentions. 1. Introduction The ESC recognizes that the green paper is a 1. 1. major initiative within the Rolling Action Plan for Europe at the Forefront of the Global Information Society (1) while at the same time creating a new regulatory framework for the future of that society. 1. 2. Convergence is an issue of vital importance for economic success and social progress in Europe. The issues are wide-ranging and complex. If Europe can harness this development by creating an environment which encourages change, then we will have a powerful motor for economic growth, creating jobs, increasing customer choice and promoting cultural diversity. If Europe fails to embrace convergence quickly enough (and it is already behind in the key domain of the Internet) then there are real risks that our businesses and citizens will be left in the slow lane of the information revolution which is energising businesses, users and governments around the world. The Committee takes the view that the ever 1. 3. increasing degree of convergence between the individual fields will act as a driving force and pace-setter for the information society. This convergence will bring changes to living and working conditions, the nature and extent of employment and the production of goods and services. The regulatory framework in these areas is a determining factor in respect of (a) safeguarding and strengthening the innovative capacity of the EU and (b) employment and future living and working conditions in Europe. the questions which follow, the Committee has focused on the specifics of convergence and regulation. In particular, the Committee considers that other aspects of the Information Society have been (and will be) dealt with by the Committee in opinions on other elements of the ‘rolling action plan’. 1. 5. The central question in the green paper asks: If convergence requires adaptation of existing regulatory approaches, should that adaptation: (i) seek to build on, and if appropriate, extend existing frameworks, rather than create new ones; (ii) create a new framework for many on-line and interactive services, to co-exist with those currently applied to traditional telecommunications and broadcasting activities; or (iii) seek to create a comprehensive framework applying similar regulatory approaches to all three sectors? 1. 6. The Committee is against the second approach to regulation and favours a combination of the first and third to the extent that it is practicable in the longer term. In the immediate future, regulation should build on the existing principles, but as competition emerges the regulation can become less onerous. Looking forward to when the new infrastructures and services are more established and new user preferences known, the whole regulatory infrastructure can then be re-considered. 1. 4. In the context of the ‘rolling action plan’, this is a green paper about convergence and the regulation of convergence. Getting regulation right is seen as the key to getting Europe into the fast lane. In the answers to 2. Summary of the green paper (1) OJ C 296, 29. 9. 1997. The Information Society is becoming a reality. 2. 1. Its development is fuelled by the rapid technological C 214/80 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 7. 98 change which is transforming the information industries. The nature and speed of this transformation may pose new challenges to policy-makers. 2. 2. One of the most significant factors is the increas- ing use by different sectors, notably the telecommuni- cations, media and information technology (IT) sectors, of the same technologies. Evidence of such convergence has been mounting in recent years with the emergence of the Internet and with the increasing capability of existing networks to carry both telecommunications and broadcasting services. The phenomenon of convergence is relatively new and a range of different views exist on what its implications are for society and for economic activity. 2. 3. There is broad agreement that developments in digital electronics and software are creating the technological potential for a new approach to the delivery and consumption of information services. There is less agreement on how much these developments will change existing practices and over what time-scales. 2. 3. 1. Some consider that convergence will lead to the complete and rapid transformation of existing telecommunications, media and information technology services in such a way that these currently separate groups of services will merge into one another, substan- tially blurring the previously clear distinctions between them. 2. 3. 2. Others feel that the specificity of the existing separate sectors will limit the scope for service conver- gence, and that the media industry has a role as the bearer of social, cultural and ethical values within our society, independent of the technology relied upon to reach the consumer. This would mean that regulation of economic conditions and that of the content of information services should be separated to ensure efficiency and quality. 2. 3. 3. Others believe that, if it does occur, it will evolve over an extended timescale. It is nevertheless clear that the implications of 2. 4. these developments are potentially far reaching. The emergence of new services and the development of existing services is expected to expand the overall information market. This will provide new opportunities for economic growth and employment. At the same time the new communication services environment will also provide opportunities to enhance the quality of European citizens’ lives, by increasing consumer choice, facilitating access to the benefits of the Information Society and promoting cultural diversity. 2. 5. These developments are therefore potentially positive for European economic and social development and should be encouraged. Public policy will need to provide a supportive environment for convergence in order to ensure that the potential opportunities are grasped in a timely fashion. 2. 6. What is needed now is wide ranging and deep debate on the convergence phenomenon and its impli- cations as an input to such policy formulation. The objective of this green paper is to start such a debate. This debate needs to be set into context in respect of other important Commission actions in the telecom- munications, media and information technology sectors. to the future this debate is central In particular, communications full the liberalisation of telecommunications services and infra- structure since 1 January 1998. landscape following 2. 6. 1. The process started by the green paper should ensure that during the overall review of the effectiveness of the 1998 regulatory package for telecommunications (to take place at the end of 1999), full account can be taken of the impact of convergence on that sector. Furthermore, the cable review (1), carried out 2. 6. 2. in the light of liberalization and more specifically as a result of the commitment contained within the cable directive (2) and the telecommunications full competition directive (3) is the subject of a separate Commission communication. The review aims to create an open and pro-competitive market structure in the provision of telecommunications and cable TV networks which may have a significant impact on the markets affected by convergence. In particular, it will encourage competition and prevent the emergence of new anti-competitive gatekeeper positions or bottlenecks. Vigorous compe- tition in these areas will encourage the development of innovative new services which will benefit consumers in the European Community, and will provide European industry and service providers with the expertise to compete on global markets. 2. 7. Against the background of ensuring a competitive basic market structure, the timeliness of this green paper stems from the fact that new markets may develop rapidly, and that they will be essentially global in nature. If the applicable regulatory frameworks in individual Member States or, indeed, in Europe are not appropriate to the development of these new markets and even hinder their development, then Europe may find itself (1) SEC(97) 2390 final. (2) OJ L 256, 26. 11. 1995. (3) OJ L 74, 22. 3. 1996. 10. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 214/81 at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis its more flexible global competitors. This could restrict consumer partici- pation by limiting choice and weakening consumer confidence in the new services, and have negative consequences for economic growth and employment creation in Europe. 2. 8. The green paper addresses the nature of the convergence phenomenon, and focuses on the provision of services and the underlying networks over which they are carried. It further deals with the implications for both the shape and substance of regulation which may arise from convergence. Although the green paper deals with certain aspects of the regulatory framework for service provision, any future initiatives in this field would be without prejudice to existing ongoing work within the Commission or the implementation of existing Community legislation. 2. 9. The green paper does not take definitive positions with respect to new regulatory structures. Indeed, it recognises that convergence may lead to less regulation in telecommunications and media sectors, and should not lead to more regulation in areas such as IT (except in areas outside the scope of the green paper). Rather it analyses the convergence phenomenon as evident in the market; it identifies issues relating to regulation arising from the developments, and it poses questions in relation to these issues. 3. Question 1 The nature and impact of convergence today: 3. 1. Question 1A Whilst convergence is occurring at the technology level, to what extent and at what speed is this happening at the industry, service and market levels? The Committee anticipates that this question will be answered by the industry during the consultation process. 3. 2. Question 1B 3. 2. 1. into four classes: If one were to divide roughly the population (i) Professional business people at work; (ii) Professional business people (and retired business professionals) at home; (iii) The young; (iv) The rest of the population (about half of the total) at work and at home; then the impact on the first group is profound, on the second group it is important, for the third group it is becoming a way of life, while for the fourth group there is little impact yet. 3. 2. 2. For the first group, the business professional at work, there is a PC on every desk, portable computers and mobile phones are normal equipment for mobile employees and multimedia presentations are a basic tool of business. E-mail from the desk or the portable, and mobile communications generally, make converging technologies a must for business communication. In addition, electronic publishing and electronic commerce are rapidly becoming standard business processes. Busi- ness-to-business electronic commerce is certainly more significant than is business-to-consumer. 3. 2. 3. For the second group, which is essentially the first group in a different environment, the home becomes an extension of the office. Home PCs can, of course, also provide domestic and personal facilities, such as those used by retirees, and word processing has a place in many homes. 3. 2. 4. word processing, indispensable adjunct to personal life. The youth, via schooling, games, hobbies and is coming to see the PC as an 3. 2. 5. About half the population is not exposed to technology at home except for the telephone and television. It may be that this group may be persuaded to use Internet and other value added services when they are offered via the TV. So far there is no evidence on which to base any conclusions. Are the effects of convergence already being felt in the business world and in our everyday lives, and if so, in what way? For full scale development of converged services 3. 2. 6. in the home, bandwidth increases via xDSL (Digital C 214/82 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 7. 98 Subscriber Loop) over twisted pair telephone lines and coaxial cable and, in due course, by wireless bandwidth will be essential. 4. Question 2 The socio-economic, business and consumer impact of convergence: 4. 1. Question 2A Will convergence have a significant impact on job creation, as well as on education and training in the European Union? How is convergence likely to impact the way in which we work? Will its effects be spread evenly throughout the European Community? 4. 1. 1. Convergence is already impacting employment significantly, and is likely to have a bigger impact as the converged services further penetrate European society. Within its ‘Rolling action plan for Europe at the forefront of the global information society’, the Commission has dealt extensively with the impacts on company structure, work organisation, education and training, social cohesion and other socio-economic aspects. While this opinion relates to the regulatory regime for the three industries involved in convergence, the Committee would like to emphasize its interest in the socio-economic aspects of convergence and the need for regulatory development in that sphere as well. 4. 1. 2. On the positive side, there is certainly going to be an insatiable demand for ‘content’, whether films, shows, sport, games, etc. For example, the fees for TV rights are creating more professional sportsmen and women. Discovery and National Geographic channels put the natural world into an audiovisual context. Audiovisual publishing has enormous potential. 4. 1. 3. On the other hand, electronic commerce and electronic publishing are likely to be disruptive as virtual access replaces physical high street outlets. Banking is an industry which immediately comes to mind. Even so certain high street outlets will continue to thrive in a new form. For example, multiplex cinemas have boomed in parallel with films on television and coffee lounge book stores are developing alongside Internet booksellers. concerned, not everyone can have the aptitude to work with technology. It is also important not to lose sight of the need to train a proportion of the population into the traditional crafts and skills, which, however, are increasingly likely to require a basic IT education. The Internet is, of course, a powerful education and training medium as the success of the Internet University in the USA demonstrates. 4. 1. 5. The impact in the way we work is likely to be qualitative. One way of looking at it is to consider the advances of the last twenty years. Twenty years ago there were no PCs, word processors, colour screens, colour printers, CDs, CD-ROMS, faxes, mobile phones, satellite broadcasting, video conferencing or Internet. ATM and credit card facilities did not have the inter- national dimension of today. All these developments have made the professional job more effective and immediate but the work itself has not changed substan- tially. It is difficult to predict whether there will be such a change in the future. 4. 1. 6. There will of course be changes in some categories of job. Fewer bank clerks, more staff in customer response centres, etc. There will also be more scope for remote working, home working and for higher value self-employed work. The difference between working on a self-employed basis and on an employee basis is becoming increasingly blurred. This gives rise to new questions regarding the status of employees (e. g. with regard to the risk of liability of employees, protection of data relating to employees, the law concerning co- determination in businesses). representation employees’ and 4. 1. 7. The move to the information society is putting a premium on information technology skills. Unless sufficient hardware and software engineers are trained in Europe, key jobs will be exported e. g. software to India. 4. 1. 8. There is no reason to suppose that these impacts will not be felt in all regions of the European Union. The objective should be that the negative job impact is not disproportionately concentrated in Europe whereas job creation benefits non-European regions. For all regions to benefit fully from the Infor- 4. 1. 9. mation Society, it will be necessary that universal broadband access be provided everywhere and at com- petitive prices. There is no doubt that the success of the Internet in the USA has been encouraged by the universal low-cost local call regime. 4. 1. 4. There is also a generational effect. The young have an easy familiarity with the technology, whereas redundant 50 year olds do not. As far as training is 4. 1. 10. The ability of consumers and employees to use new technology is a further prerequisite for the success of multimedia services (see 4. 3. 4). 10. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 214/83 4. 2. Question 2B What effect are current developments likely to have on telecommunications, media and IT sectors, in terms of the underlying economics of those sectors, the services offered and the likely service providers? 4. 2. 1. It seems likely that the traditional copper wire based PTO (Public Telecommunications Operator) is going to come under most attack. On the one hand there is the World Com phenomenon, where new Internet Service Providers challenge the traditional operations of the incumbent PTO. On the other hand, because some of the incumbent PTOs are restrained by regulation from entering the cable and mobile business, they may not be able to change their businesses to exploit convergence as quickly as they might want. It may become necessary to restructure these PTOs to enable them to diversify and compete in new markets as indicated in the draft cable directive (1). Whatever happens in that respect, the introduction of xDSL technology to increase the bandwidth available for twisted pair telephone lines is a strategic priority for the PTOs to address. 4. 2. 2. When the capacity restraints of analogue broadcasting have been removed by the greater digital spectrum, the unique position of the public sector broadcasters will be changed. The ethos and objectives of public service broadcasting will not change but the means of achieving them may have to be adapted to this new situation. Moreover, this should not affect the existing national regimes for public service broadcasting as permitted by Community law. 4. 2. 3. At the level of consumer equipment, the cost of the set top box is likely to inhibit the take up of digital TV. Nevertheless, the ability of the manufacturing industry to continue to miniaturise and reduce cost suggests that there are ultimately few barriers to the power, mobility or the multi-media functionality which can be achieved. What is needed is an easy-to-use PC for broadcast reception which will undoubtedly be produced in due course. 4. 3. Question 2C What evidence is there of changes in Europe in the way services, information, entertainment and culture is being (1) OJ L 256, 26. 11. 1995. accessed in the home and in the office? What are the implications of current levels of PC penetration, Internet use and TV penetration for the take-up of new services? What action (if any) is needed to overcome low levels of multimedia computer penetration and Internet use? 4. 3. 1. shot of the present situation: The following grid is designed to give a snap Office Home Services Information Entertainment Culture Many Much N/A N/A Few Little Multi-channel TV/Games Multi-channel TV 4. 3. 2. The implications of the current levels of PC penetration, Internet use and TV penetration for the take-up of new services are as previously discussed. Business professionals at work, in or outside the office or on the phone, have increasing opportunities to use new services, especially Internet, and within that, e-mail. Digital television penetration is minimal and few new services are available. 4. 3. 3. For full exploitation of the converged services, especially in the home, an ‘ease of use’ revolution is needed. The PC user interface is unacceptable for the lay user. 4. 3. 4. Education and training are central to achieving higher levels of multimedia computer penetration and Internet use. The rate of technological change is high- lighting the need for life-long learning and putting pressure on existing education and training facilities. Public authorities need to reinforce the capacity of primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions to train students in the computer technologies and their exploitation, while extra capacity will also be needed for adult education. Larger employers, both public and private, should have the capacity to train their employees, but smaller employers may rely on initiatives from chambers of commerce and employers’ organisations as well as training providers. Public programmes to support the re-employment of the unemployed also need to identify candidates capable of learning these skills. The ESC believes that a major effort is needed throughout the Union and that an initiative from the Commission would be appropriate. C 214/84 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 7. 98 4. 4. Question 2D In the light of the positions put forward in the Com- mission Working Paper on the Fifth Framework Pro- gramme, what kinds of Community RTD projects should be launched in the context of convergence? 4. 4. 1. The ESC has already given an opinion on the priorities for the Fifth Framework Programme (RTD 1998-2002) (1) and is preparing a further opinion in response to its specific programmes (2). 5. Question 3 Barriers to convergence: 5. 1. What is the likely impact of the barriers identified and are there other barriers or factors which may have a significant impact on the convergence process in Europe? The Commission has correctly identified the 5. 1. 1. range of actual and potential barriers to convergence. Where the Committee has identified specific issues, these are dealt with in the replies to Questions 4 to 9 below. 6. 1. 3. Beyond the market perspective, regulation may be needed to meet the general public interest objectives (see paragraphs 7. 5. 1 and 8. 2. 3 below). 6. 2. Question 4B principles Whether and if so, to what extent convergence challenges the regulatory approaches in the telecommunications, media and IT sectors? underpinning existing Convergence does challenge existing regu- 6. 2. 1. lation. Voice communications on Internet is a case in point. Voice licensing dates back to the era when networks were more or less dedicated to voice and the licence gave both the guarantee of quality and the measure of monopoly needed to provide the return on investment. In the era of digital infrastructures voice is just another digital bit-stream. Whether or not a voice service should be licensed needs to be reconsidered. In principle the Committee would prefer that competing voice services were simply subject to the competitive pressures of market forces. 6. Question 4 7. Question 5 The impact of convergence on current regulation: 6. 1. Question 4A Overcoming the barriers — Getting the right regulatory framework for business and for consumers: Do current developments require more or less regulation in the sectors affected by convergence, more or less reliance on market forces to achieve the objectives identified? 7. 1. Question 5A 6. 1. 1. dence in two respects. Regulation is required to ensure public confi- 6. 1. 2. From a market perspective, regulation is only necessary where competition does not yet fully apply or does not fully meet the objectives of the market. Otherwise, the competition rules alone should be relied upon. Current developments emphasize the advantages of eliminating monopolies and establishing alternative means for providing services of general economic inter- est. These require guaranteed access to networks and unrestricted competitive markets as well as price trans- parency with a view to guaranteeing the highest quality service to consumers. (1) OJ C 355, 21. 11. 1997. (2) COM(97) 553 final and COM(98) 8 final. Are the definitions in the telecommunications, media and IT sectors in national and/or Community legislation adapted to the convergence process? 7. 1. 1. From the example in the preceding paragraph, it is clear that legislation must conceptually separate infrastructure from content services and recognize the novel character of the digital infrastructures. Clearly, the 1999 review of the EU telecoms legislation should ensure that this separation is properly reflected, and that the definitions currently in use should be updated. 7. 1. 2. As for the development of new ‘converged’ services such as electronic commerce, a new class of regulation is not necessary. Consumer protection, privacy etc. , should be handled by the adaptation of existing laws in the public interest and to ensure that the market keeps growing. 10. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 214/85 7. 2. Question 5B Will the convergence phenomenon require adaptation of existing approaches or the adoption of new ap- proaches to be applied to issues of market entry and licensing; access to networks, customers (including conditional access systems), content; and pricing? L i c e n s i n g 7. 2. 1. Exclusive licensing of a broadband operator for a finite period is justified for infrastructure market entry, whether for telecom, cable or satellite broad- casting. Limitations on what may be carried on existing networks can also be justified where the carrier con- cerned is dominant, or where new players are being encouraged to enter the market. As highlighted in the Commission’s green paper, digital terrestrial broad- casting is a new environment requiring a new approach to licensing, to encourage new operators to enter the market. 7. 2. 2. A common set of licensing principles through- out the Community would be appropriate, especially if they are designed to promote market entry. A c c e s s Internet service providers should be given the 7. 2. 3. same access as other service providers; there is no case for them to assume universal service obligations. 7. 2. 4. Cable, wireless telephones and electricity lines are some of the alternatives to the local loop. Regulatory policies encouraging sustainable competition in the provision of local infrastructure should be adopted. 7. 2. 5. The Committee endorses the approach taken by the Television Standards Directive on Conditional Access Systems (1), and would support the extension of its underlying principles to the new services environment. 7. 2. 6. The commercial and regulatory situation in respect of browser and search engines is changing rapidly. The Committee’s view is that the abuse of dominant positions should be constrained. 7. 2. 7. The Committee accepts the analogy between Electronic Programme Guides (EPG) systems and airline reservation systems. EPG systems in the traditional broadcasting context should be non-discriminatory. EPG systems in an Internet environment will compete in the same way that browsers compete. The Committee also accepts the Application 7. 2. 8. Programming Interface (API) analogy between PCs and set top boxes. However, it is important not to force the issue of standardisation from outside the industry. Market forces should be given time to establish a de facto standard for set top boxes. C o n t e n t 7. 2. 9. As far as content and exclusivity are concerned, these are indeed issues for commercial agreement and competition law. There is a distortion created by market forces in relation to the vertical integration of broadcasting. It relates to the price which pay-TV broadcasters are prepared to pay for premium rights in order to promote their infrastructure. It remains to be seen whether the evolution of infrastructure ownership and use and the development of premium events will result in wider public access to premier events. At the moment, premier content serves to promote new converged services although wider public access can be achieved through re-broadcast rights. Member States are reviewing the position in the light of the TV Without Frontiers Directive (2). 7. 2. 10. The Committee does not believe that in the world of commercial sport the general public has a basic right to free viewing. Access to the sporting event must be paid for by the spectating public in one way or the other. Because premium access helps to sell pay-TV subscriptions it may be worth more to some broadcasters than others. In due course, the sports promoters will have to balance the return from a television audience paying for the spectacle against a television audience as a target for advertisers. In many cases, a larger advertising audience may be worth more than a smaller premium viewing audience. The Committee nonetheless believes that the broadcasting of top commercial sporting events and other major events forms part of the basic infor- mation supply to the public. Under the Television Without Frontiers Directive, Member States have the facility to nominate sporting and other major events which should be available on free television. (1) COM(97) 356 final, 16. 10. 1997. (2) COM(97) 523 final, 24. 10. 1997. C 214/86 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 7. 98 P r i c i n g The Committee broadly accepts the view 7. 2. 11. expressed in the green paper that market forces and competition would take care of the pricing for market penetration. There may be a role for regulation to ensure price transparency where the market does not guarantee it. 7. 5. 2. As far as individuals with disability are con- cerned, the key user device is the PC. PCs are already adapted for disability. As the PC evolves, it should be possible to improve the interfaces to disabled users. 8. Question 6 7. 3. Question 5C Securing public interest objectives in the light of conver- gence: Will convergence require changes in the approaches to the award and pricing of frequency spectrum, and in particular what approach should be taken, in the light of convergence, to the issue of completing the transition from analogue to digital services, including the need for a timetable for analogue switch-off? There should be a deadline for the complete 7. 3. 1. switch from analogue to digital services. It would be appropriate to have a Community-wide 1992-type deadline. 7. 4. Question 5D What should be the objectives of standardization in the light of convergence and what should be the relationship between regional and international standardization? Standardization should be 7. 4. 1. led, although certain standards may be dictated by the requirements of public bodies. The ESC has recently given an opinion on standardization (1). industry 7. 5. Question 5E What additional action (if any) is required to ensure that the interests of consumers and of users with disabilities are respected in the light of convergence? 7. 5. 1. In general, the interests of consumers are protected by the laws and regulations which apply to information, television etc. already. There is a specific issue with the Internet in that it provides facilities for individuals to communicate relatively anonymously with other individuals and groups. The ESC has adopted opinions on the action plan on promoting safe use of the Internet (2) and on the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual and information ser- vices (3). (1) OJ C 89, 19. 3. 1997. (2) COM(97) 582 final, 26. 11. 1997; ESC Opinion 627/98, 29. 4. 1998. (3) COM(97) 570 final, 18. 11. 1997; ESC Opinion 626/98, 29. 4. 1998. 8. 1. Question 6A Does the convergence phenomenon support or challenge the way in which public interest objectives are achieved in the telecommunications, media and IT sectors? In the telecommunications 8. 1. 1. convergence phenomenon is neutral, because the networks are already independent of the services, although on-going regu- lation needs to ensure users’ access to new services. This will best be achieved by ensuring access to broadband networks. 8. 1. 2. In broadcasting, convergence, or rather the digital platform development, is resulting in vertical integration. This development provides the challenge for regulation. 8. 1. 3. In the IT sector, the main issue relates to control of the de facto standards and the bundling of services. Hence, the Microsoft/Sun Microsystems dispute over Java and the bundling of Microsoft Internet Explorer into Windows are key issues. For competition and innovation to flourish there must be publicly accessible standards and interfaces and restrictions on bundling to the exclusion of choice by dominant players. The same issues will apply to Windows CE. 8. 2. Question 6B Should such objectives be more clearly identified and, where they translate into particular obligations, should a wider group of actors be able to take on such obligations? 8. 2. 1. There is a case in broadcasting and IT for the objectives to be more clearly identified and particular obligations to be established. As already mentioned, the general economic interest objectives must apply in due course to the operators of broadband networks. It may be premature to place a broadband access obligation on developing networks but this has to be the long term goal. 10. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 214/87 8. 2. 2. In broadcasting, as channels become thematic, the objectives of public service broadcasting may not be necessarily achieved within the envelope of generalist channels. Any change will be dependent on the experi- ence gained in a multi-channel environment. The proliferation and globalization of broad- 8. 2. 3. cast and information services does inevitably raise public interest issues in relation to content. It is beyond the scope of this opinion to decide for or against new regulation. The Committee would expect to give its opinions on these issues in due course and is already working on a submission in respect of the protection of minors. 9. Question 7 The future shape of regulation 9. 1. Question 7A Do current developments require a reassessment of the way in which rules are applied to the telecommuni- cations, broadcasting and IT sectors? 9. 1. 1. The Committee considers that the Commission poses the right questions. It broadly agrees that regu- lation should be founded upon the principles referred to in the green paper, namely: (i) no regulation for regulation’s sake; (ii) regulation must be based on single market free- doms; (iii) regulation must take account of business realities; and (iv) regulation must meet social and general interest objectives effectively and efficiently. 9. 1. 2. Broadband infrastructure competition is more of an issue in the converged market and convergence therefore offers an opportunity to consider the telecom- munications regulatory approach taken by the Com- mission and to reconsider whether monopoly rights can be maintained other than in totally exceptional circumstances. Historic PTOs will want to introduce broadband services while competition will come from digital cable, wireless telecommunications and from terrestrial and satellite digital broadcasting. 9. 2. Question 7B Does the existence of different regulatory authorities or ministries responsible for different aspects of telecom- munications, media and IT activities offer a workable structure for regulatory supervision in the light of convergence? 9. 2. 1. In a converged industry and market environ- ment with identified policy objectives, separation of regulatory functions between government departments or national regulatory authorities is likely to create barriers to the efficient delivery of old and new services to consumers. Where regulation is necessary, enforcement and compliance should be determined by the policy objectives sought and not the type of activity regulated; it should be a stimulus rather than a hindrance to efficiency and economic progress. 9. 2. 2. There is merit therefore in having a single or common regulator for networks. The same does not apply for media content. 9. 3. Question 7C Will convergence require a reassessment of regulatory responsibilities at a national, Community or inter- national level, and, if so which areas? 9. 3. 1. An assessment as to whether competition rules are sufficient to control the future converged environment is necessary. Once convergence has elimi- nated, through digitalisation, many of the reasons which have necessitated regulation in the relevant sectors (e. g. scarcity of frequency spectrum, network capacity, industry and market structures), competition rules may be sufficient. Furthermore, EC competition rules may provide a more adequate platform than regulation for uniform control of the converged sectors at a European level. The Committee agrees that the principle of 9. 3. 2. subsidiarity should apply within the overall framework of Community legislation. 10. Question 8 The international aspects of convergence: 10. 1. Question 8A Is further action required at an international level in light of convergence? 10. 1. 1. The US government has recently produced a green paper on the technical management of the Internet. For these purposes, the ESC believes that the Commission C 214/88 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 7. 98 should pursue the policy outlined in its recent Communi- cation on the need for strengthening international co-operation. These are fundamental issues and the ESC encourages the Commission to pursue this initiative. 11. 1. 4. P r i n c i p l e 3 Regulatory decisions should be guided by a need for a clear and predictable framework. 10. 1. 2. Convergence will require continued support within the WTO and other relevant international bodies to ensure open access to infrastructure for new and converged services. The Committee endorses this principle. In particular, there should be a clear distinction between infrastructure and content. 10. 2. Question 8B 11. 1. 5. P r i n c i p l e 4 What additional steps (if any) are required to encourage other countries, particularly in central and eastern Europe, to create conditions within which current developments can be exploited? It 10. 2. 1. is a condition of membership and of negotiating accession that countries of central and eastern Europe align with EU regulation as soon as possible. The Committee supports this approach, par- ticularly in respect of the infrastructure networks. 11. Question 9 Ensuring full participation in a converged environment. The Committee considers that the key to this will be the universal access to broadband services. 11. 1. 6. P r i n c i p l e 5 Independent and effective regulators will be central to a converging environment. The Committee particularly endorses the proposal for regulatory independence. Principles and possible approaches in the light of convergence: 11. 2. Question 9B 11. 1. Question 9A What effect will convergence have on the principles for future regulation applied in the telecommunications, media and IT sectors, and should those principles be adapted in the light of convergence? 11. 1. 1. The green paper postulates five principles: 11. 1. 2. P r i n c i p l e 1 Regulation should be limited to what is strictly necessary to achieve clearly identified objectives. The Committee agrees in particular with the statement that any rules put in place should be tailored to meet clearly identified objectives in a proportionate manner. 11. 1. 3. P r i n c i p l e 2 Future regulatory approaches should respond to the needs of users. The Committee considers the important issues to be broadband access, ease of use, pricing transparency and the available range of content services. If convergence requires adaptation of existing regulatory approaches, should that adaptation: (i) seek to build on, and if appropriate, extend existing frameworks, rather than create new ones; (ii) create a new framework for many on-line and interactive services, to co-exist with those currently applied to traditional telecommunications and broadcasting activities; or (iii) seek to create a comprehensive framework applying similar regulatory approaches to all three sectors? 11. 2. 1. The Committee considers that the approach to the regulatory framework for the emerging converged environment should strike the right balance between caution and innovation. A new round of deregu- lation/regulation should be avoided. The existing rules which apply in the telecommunications and audiovisual/ broadcasting sectors could continue to apply where appropriate, subject to an appropriate and uniform interpretation to adapt them to the changing technologi- cal and industry environment. The definition of such services should be based on market perceptions rather than traditional regulatory approaches. The existing vertical regulation could be properly adapted and gradually integrated to the new environment. The Committee considers that the pace of the introduction 10. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 214/89 of new rules and the adaptation of the existing regulatory framework should be dictated by the changes in the market place. This approach appears to provide the best guarantee that the regulatory principles laid down above are observed. 11. 2. 2. second approach to regulation and favours a combination of The Committee is against the Brussels, 29 April 1998. the first and third to the extent that it is practicable in the longer term. In the immediate future regulation should build on the existing principles, but as competition emerges regulation can become less onerous. Looking forward to when the new infrastructures and services are more established and new user preferences known, the whole regulatory infrastructure can then be re-considered. the The President of the Economic and Social Committee Tom JENKINS APPENDIX to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee The following amendment, which obtained more than one quarter of the votes cast, was rejected during the discussions. Point 7. 2. 10 Delete all after the second sentence, and replace with the following: ‘The Committee nevertheless believes that the broadcasting of top commercial sporting events and other major public events forms part of the information supply to the public. Where there is a publicly owned universal or near universal national TV channel, and the public is obliged by law to subscribe to it, the public is entitled to demand that major sporting events in which its own nationals participate should be shown on that channel, although not necessarily exclusively on that channel. ’ Point 7. 2. 11 (new) Insert a new 7. 2. 11 as follows: ‘An issue in the commercial field is that because premium access helps to sell pay-TV subscriptions it may be worth more to some broadcasters than others. In due course, the sports promoters will have to balance the return from a television audience paying for the spectacle against a television audience as a target for advertisers. In many cases, a larger advertising audience may be worth more than a smaller premium viewing audience. ’ Renumber the existing 7. 2. 11 as 7. 2. 12 Reason The third sentence of 7. 2. 10 says the ‘only issue’ with regard to the presentation of sport on the media is a commercial one, which is then described. That is not so. The right of people to see major sporting (and other) events through their publicly owned and paid for national channels is a central one wherever such channels operate. 7. 2. 10 is rewritten to make this point clear, and to put it first. The lesser commercial issue is then put in a new 7. 2. 11 and the existing 7. 2. 11 is renumbered 7. 2. 12. Result of the vote For: 42, against: 45, abstentions: 12


title: Parecer do Comité Económico e Social sobre a «Proposta de directiva do Conselho relativa aos valores-limite para o dióxido de enxofre, os óxidos de azoto, as partículas e o chumbo no ar ambiente»

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text: 10. 7. 98 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias C 214/1 II (Actos preparato´ rios) COMITÉ ECONO´ MICO E SOCIAL Parecer do Comité Econo´ mico e Social sobre a «Proposta de directiva do Conselho relativa aos valores-limite para o dio´xido de enxofre, os o´xidos de azoto, as partı´culas e o chumbo no ar ambiente» (1) (98/C 214/01) Em 12 de Dezembro de 1997, o Conselho decidiu, nos termos do artigo 1304-S do Tratado que institui a CE, consultar o Comité Econo´ mico e Social sobre a proposta supramencionada. Incumbida de preparar os correspondentes trabalhos, a Secça˜o de Ambiente, Sau´de Pu´blica e Consumo emitiu parecer em 31 de Março de 1998, tendo sido relator K. Boisserée. Na 3541 reunia˜o plena´ria (sessa˜o de 29 de Abril de 1998), o Comité Econo´ mico e Social adoptou por 104 votos a favor, 2 votos contra e 3 abstenço˜ es o seguinte parecer. 1. Preâmbulo 1. 1. No 54 programa de acça˜o comunita´rio em matéria de ambiente, aprovado pelo Conselho em 1 de Fevereiro de 1993, prevê-se a adopça˜o de disposiço˜es legislativas comunita´rias em matéria de medidas para manter a pureza do ar ambiente, estabelecendo, nomea- damente, limites de qualidade de ar e o seu controlo. Em cumprimento deste programa, o Conselho elaborou, em 27 de Setembro de 1996, a Directiva 96/62/CE relativa à avaliaça˜o e gesta˜o da qualidade do ar ambiente (2) (directiva-quadro). De acordo com o artigo 44 desta directiva, a Comissa˜o deve propor ao Conselho «valores- -limite e limiares de alerta para os poluentes enume- rados». 1. 2. A Comissa˜o cumpre este mandato com a publi- caça˜o de uma proposta de directiva sobre os valores- -limite para as seguintes substâncias: — dio´ xido de enxofre (SO2); — o´xidos de azoto (NOx); — partı´culas; — chumbo. (1) JO C 9 de 14. 1. 1998, p. 6. (2) JO L 296 de 21. 11. 1996. As propostas correspondentes ao resto dos po- 1. 3. luentes mencionados na directiva-quadro 96/62/CE esta˜o previstas para um futuro pro´ximo. 2. Sı´ntese da proposta da Comissa˜o A proposta altera a legislaça˜o comunita´ria exis- 2. 1. tente sobre os valores-limite de qualidade de ar ou limiares de alerta para o SO2, os NOx, partı´culas e chumbo. 2. 2. As disposiço˜ es propostas baseiam-se nos conheci- mentos cientı´ficos e técnicos sobre os seguintes aspectos: — efeitos de todos os poluentes mencionados na sau´de humana; — efeitos de SO2 e NOx na vegetaça˜o. Os valores-limite propostos pela Comissa˜o tomam como base os valores de referência internacionalmente concertados pela Organizaça˜o Mundial de Sau´de (OMS) em 1996; estes valores de referência baseiam-se numa avaliaça˜o dos efeitos dos poluentes na sau´ de humana. No tocante às partı´culas, a OMS na˜o desenvolveu valores de referência, limitando-se simplesmente a apresentar «relaço˜ es dose-efeito», que a proposta da Comissa˜o teve em consideraça˜o. C 214/2 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 10. 7. 98 No conjunto, a Comissa˜o pretende um «nı´vel de protec- ça˜o elevado». 2. 3. Os valores-limite previstos devera˜o ser consegui- dos num prazo que varia entre os anos 2005 e 2010. No mais, remeta-se para o quadro do ponto 2. 6 do presente parecer, onde esta˜o representados os va´rios valores-limite em comparaça˜o com a norma vigente até agora. trabalho diferentes, entre cujos membros se encontravam representantes dos Estados-Membros, da indu´ stria e de organizaço˜es ambientais. Uma equipa consultiva independente elaborou um estudo custos/benefı´cios para estabelecer que medidas complementares seriam necessa´rias para respeitar os valores-limite propostos, bem como para avaliar os custos correspondentes, considerando a utilizaça˜o de soluço˜es renta´veis. Ao que se contrapo˜em os benefı´cios a esperar da observância dos valores-limite. As propostas da Comissa˜o sobre os valores-limite 2. 4. para cada poluente foram elaboradas no âmbito de discusso˜es e pareceres periciais de quatro grupos de Por u´ltimo, a proposta inclui normas sobre o 2. 5. processo de mediça˜o, bem como sobre a construça˜o de redes de fiscalizaça˜o. 2. 6. Quadro sobre os valores-limite de SO2, NOx, partı´culas de po´ em suspensa˜o e chumbo no ar ambiente Tipo de valor-limite Tempo de referência Valor-limite actual Nova proposta e prazo Observaço˜es SO2 — sau´ de humana 1 hora — 24 horas 250-350 (cid:237)g/m3, (permitidas 7 ultrapassa- gens por ano) 350 (cid:237)g/m3 (permitidas 24 h de ultrapassagem por ano) 125 (cid:237)g/m3 (permitidos 3 dias de ultrapassagem por ano) ambos 1. 1. 2005 partir de a SO2 — vegetaça˜o (ecossistemas) Anual — 20 (cid:237)g/m3 NO2 — sau´ de humana 1 hora 2 anos depois da entrada em vigor da Directiva 200 (cid:237)g/m3 (permitidas 200 (cid:237)g/m3 (permitidas 175 h de ultrapassagem 8 h de ultrapassagem por por ano) ano) Anual NOx (NO + NO2 = NOx) vegetaça˜o Anual — — 40 (cid:237)g/m3 ambos 1. 1. 2010 a partir de 30 (cid:237)g/m3, NOx (NO + NO2) 2 anos depois da entrada em vigor da directiva Se, com os novos valores- -limite, se permitirem, como até agora, 175 h de isso cor- ultrapassagem, respondera´ aproximada- mente a 100 (cid:237)g/m3. Partı´culas (PM10) sau´de humana Fase 1 a partir de 2005 24 horas Na˜o compara´vel, pois o método de mediça˜o era diferente 50 (cid:237)g/m3 (permitidos Trata-se de valores-limite 25 dias de ultrapassagem comuns para todas as par- tı´culas até um tamanho de por ano) 10 (cid:237)m. Anual — 30 (cid:237)g/m3 ambos 1. 1. 2005 a partir de Partı´culas (PM10) sau´de humana Fase 2 a partir de 2010 24 horas Na˜o compara´vel, pois o método de mediça˜o era diferente 50 (cid:237)g/m3 (permitidos Trata-se de valores-limite 7 dias de ultrapassagem comuns para todas as par- tı´culas até um tamanho de por ano) 10 (cid:237)m. Anual — 20 (cid:237)g/m3 ambos 1. 1. 2010 a partir de Chumbo — sau´de Anual humana 2 (cid:237)g/m3 0,5 (cid:237)g/m3 a partir de 1. 1. 2005 10. 7. 98 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias C 214/3 3. Observaço˜es na generalidade 3. 1. O CES da´ o seu acordo de princı´pio à proposta de directiva, sob reserva das observaço˜es tecidas infra. A proposta da Comissa˜o enquadra-se na con- 3. 1. 1. cepça˜o geral das polı´ticas ambientais (especialmente no tocante à polı´tica de protecça˜o do ar) segundo a qual os valores-limite para a qualidade do ambiente (qualidade do ar) e os limites fixados às emisso˜ es se complementam mutuamente. O CES louvou diversas vezes esta «estraté- gia dupla» (por exemplo, no seu parecer sobre a directiva relativa à prevença˜o e controlo integrados da poluiça˜o) (1). 3. 1. 2. A proposta da Comissa˜o esta´ também relacio- nada com outras medidas de melhoramento da qualidade do ambiente, por exemplo, a «Estratégia Comunita´ria de Combate à Acidificaça˜o» (2). 3. 2. O procedimento utilizado na preparaça˜o das bases cientı´ficas e técnicas da proposta da Comissa˜o deve ser avaliado positivamente. A mobilizaça˜o de grupos de trabalho formados por peritos de todos os serviços envolvidos deu bom resultado. Um procedi- mento deste tipo poderia servir de modelo à preparaça˜o de normas comunita´rias similares, variando a roda de peritos e de organizaço˜ es na˜o governamentais de acordo com o objecto da norma. A ana´lise custos/benefı´cios apresentada no 3. 3. memorando da Comissa˜o ainda na˜o satisfaz. Notam-se lacunas, especialmente, no levantamento e na avaliaça˜o dos benefı´cios (isto é, a na˜o ocorrência de danos, ou respectiva reduça˜o, que sejam de esperar caso os valores-limite sejam observados): — Apenas se tem em consideraça˜o uma parte dos danos para a sau´ de imputa´veis à poluiça˜o do ar. Assim como é problema´tica a quantificaça˜o moneta´ria efectuada para a avaliaça˜o dos danos para a sau´de. — Os danos materiais (por exemplo, a corrosa˜o) na˜o sa˜o sempre quantificados, apesar de neste aspecto existirem dados relativamente bons. — No domı´nio dos ecossistemas, so´ sa˜o tidos em consideraça˜o os danos à vegetaça˜o, apesar de, no tocante aos valores-limite, se falar por vezes de «ecossistemas». Faltam dados e critérios de avaliaça˜o para o levantamento de danos aos ecossistemas. — Por u´ltimo, na˜o se tem em conta a perda de «qualidade de vida» (inclusive por via de inco´modos). Neste domı´nio é, porém, difı´cil apresentar dados quantificativos. Segundo o estudo da Comissa˜o, na realizaça˜o da directiva proposta é de contar que os benefı´cios superem os custos. Esta afirmaça˜o na˜o deixa de ser correcta se se tiver em consideraça˜o que na˜o se puderam calcular com exactida˜o os custos de aplicaça˜o das medidas propostas; é que o mesmo vale, em grau muito superior, para o apuramento e avaliaça˜o dos benefı´cios a obter da medida. Neste contexto, o Comité relembra que ja´ em ocasio˜ es anteriores [areceres sobre o 44 e 54 programas de acça˜o em matéria de protecça˜o do ambiente (3)] expressara a opinia˜o de que continuavam a faltar instrumentos racionais e consensuais para preparar ana´lises custobe- nefı´cio. O CES exigiu por diversas vezes a elaboraça˜o dos métodos de avaliaça˜o correspondentes [a u´ ltima por ocasia˜o da revisa˜o do 54 programa de acça˜o (4)]. 3. 4. Na opinia˜o do CES, na˜o é possı´vel esperar segurança total na fundamentaça˜o técnica de deciso˜ es de polı´tica do ambiente. Na du´vida, far-se-a´ apelo aos princı´pios fundamentais da polı´tica do ambiente do Tratado da UE, especialmente a exigência de um nı´vel de protecça˜o elevado, expressa no n4 2 do artigo 1304 R, e o princı´pio de prevença˜o [parecer do CES sobre a actualizaça˜o do 54 programa de acça˜o (4)]. As disposiço˜ es mencionadas do Tratado da UE 3. 5. referem-se a regulamentaça˜o a nı´vel comunita´rio. A competência dos Estados-Membros para, ao abrigo do artigo 1304-T do Tratado da UE, adoptarem medidas de maior protecça˜o na˜o pode substituir disposiço˜es suficientes, preventivas e de protecça˜o, a nı´vel comunita´- rio, tanto mais que a poluiça˜o atmosférica na˜o conhece fronteiras nacionais. Por isso, a directiva deve estabelecer valores-limite a nı´vel comunita´rio e, de acordo com o n4 2 do artigo 1304-R do Tratado da UE, que correspondam a nı´veis de protecça˜o elevados. 3. 6. O CES acolhe favoravelmente que o artigo 14 da proposta de Directiva mencione como objectivo tanto a melhoria da qualidade do ar como a manutença˜o da mesma quando seja boa. Isto significa que deve evitar-se uma deterioraça˜o de condiço˜ es, mesmo quando estas estejam abaixo dos valores-limite. 3. 7. O CES acolhe favoravelmente que a sau´ de humana encontre um lugar priorita´rio na definiça˜o dos objectivos dos valores-limite, assim como que alguns desses valores-limite se orientem para a protecça˜o da vegetaça˜o. Quando a Comissa˜o fala, por vezes, de «protecça˜o do ecossistema», é manifestamente a vege- taça˜o que tem em mente. Os valores-limite na˜o têm em conta os danos materiais ocasionados pela poluiça˜o atmosférica, apesar de em alguns Estados-Membros eles serem bem documentados e poderem ter significativa incidência econo´ mica. (1) JO C 195 de 18. 7. 1994. (2) Comunicaça˜o da Comissa˜o de 12 de Março de 1997 (COM(97) 88 final). Ver igualmente o parecer do CES de 1. 10. 1997 — JO C 355 de 21. 11. 1997. (3) JO C 180 de 8. 7. 1987 e C 287 de 4. 11. 1992. (4) JO C 212 de 22. 7. 1996. C 214/4 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 10. 7. 98 3. 8. A quantificaça˜o dos valores-limite de acordo com os trabalhos preparato´ rios da OMS esta´ em consonância com o 54 programa de acça˜o e, em especial, com o parecer do CES (1). Os valores da OMS sa˜o produto de um consenso internacional, recomendaço˜es, cujos limites na˜o devem ser ultrapassados se se quiser evitar efeitos prejudiciais para a sau´ de humana. 3. 8. 1. O CES concorda com a proposta da Comissa˜o de, em consonância com a «directiva-quadro», transpor as recomendaço˜es da OMS para direito comunita´rio, pelos seguintes motivos: — A transposiça˜o para direito comunita´rio esta´ em consonância com os princı´pios conceptuais de polı´- tica de ambiente da Unia˜o Europeia, repetidas vezes aprovados pelo CES (ver ponto 3. 1. 1). — So´ através da adopça˜o das recomendaço˜es da OMS como norma jurı´dica é possı´vel obrigar os Estados- -Membros a proceder consistentemente em casos semelhantes; harmonizar-se, deste modo, nos termos preceituados no Tratado da UE, o nı´vel de protecça˜o das medidas de defesa da sau´ de e do ambiente. — So´ normas legais podem servir de base a deciso˜ es administrativas ao abrigo do artigo 104 da «Directiva relativa à Prevença˜o e ao Controlo Integrados da Poluiça˜o» (2). As normas sobre os valores-limite dos poluentes 3. 8. 2. no ar servira˜o aos Estados-Membros de base para planos de melhoramento ao abrigo do artigo 84 da directiva-quadro. Segundo este artigo, os Estados- -Membros devem elaborar uma lista de zonas e de aglomeraço˜es que ultrapassem os valores-limite ou as margens de tolerância de um ou mais poluentes, e estabelecer planos de melhoramento para essas zonas que garantam que os valores-limite sejam alcançados num prazo estabelecido. O CES da´ por certo que a aplicaça˜o destes planos de melhoramento também possa fazer-se pela via de acordo em matéria de ambiente (3). 3. 9. No tocante aos valores-limite para a protecça˜o da vegetaça˜o, faz-se uma distinça˜o justa entre aglome- raço˜es e outras zonas. A proposta da Comissa˜o é, todavia, pouco clara em termos de demarcaça˜o. Segundo o princı´pio de subsidiariedade, competiria aos Estados- -Membros concretizar; ora, é duvidoso que tal seja suficiente. O CES propo˜ e que se elaborem recomen- daço˜es aos Estados-Membros. 3. 10. O escalonamento temporal da entrada em vigor dos novos valores-limite entender-se-a´ como um compromisso. Em alguns domı´nios é preciso verificar se os prazos previstos sa˜o adequados. (1) Ver ponto 5. 3 do parecer do CES sobre o 54 programa de acça˜o — JO C 287 de 4. 11. 1992. (2) Directiva 96/61/CE de 24. 9. 1996 — JO L 257, p. 26. (3) Comunicaça˜o da Comissa˜o de 27. 11. 1996 (COM(96) 561). 4. A proposta na especialidade 4. 1. Valores-limite especı´ficos 4. 1. 1. V a l o r e s - l i m i t e p a r a o S O 2 O CES solicita que se analise se na˜o seria de tornar os valores-limite mais rigorosos. — Os valores referentes à protecça˜o das pessoas na˜o sa˜o suficientes para reduzir significativamente os riscos para a sau´ de, sobretudo nas aglomeraço˜es. — Os valores-limite para protecça˜o contra danos mate- riais (por ex. corrosa˜o, deterioraça˜o de fachadas, etc. ), nos termos sugeridos pelo CES, devem referir-se ao SO2 e a partı´culas, o que exigiria valores-limite em alguns casos mais restritivos do que os destinados à protecça˜o da sau´ de humana. Teria aqui especial interesse uma avaliaça˜o custo-benefı´cio. 4. 1. 2. V a l o r e s - l i m i t e p a r a o N O 2 O CES solicita que se analise, tendo em conta conside- raço˜es econo´ micas e de sau´ de, se na˜o sera´ possı´vel antecipar para o ano 2005 a entrada em vigor destes valores-limite protectores da sau´ de humana, a exemplo do previsto para outros poluentes, em vez do ano 2010 previsto na proposta. 4. 1. 3. V a l o r e s - l i m i t e p a r a p a r t ı´ c u l a s — O CES considera correcto começar por referir os valores-limite às partı´culas com diâmetro até 10 (cid:237)m, indicando unicamente «nı´veis de intervença˜o» para as partı´culas mais pequenas (2,5 (cid:237)m), porque ainda na˜o existem, a nı´vel europeu, valores medidos para partı´culas menores. Depois de se desenvolverem técnicas de mediça˜o mais apuradas e de haver resultados tanto para as zonas urbanas como para as industriais e rurais, reexaminem-se enta˜o as dimenso˜ es de referência. A Comissa˜o deveria dar informaço˜es sobre o tema o mais tardar dois anos apo´ s a entrada em vigor da directiva. Isto é tanto mais importante quanto estudos da OMS e dos EUA indicam que as partı´culas mais pequenas acarretam riscos especialmente graves para a sau´ de. — É preciso reexaminar igualmente os prazos para a entrada em vigor dos valores-limite e para a distribuiça˜o de frequências. Em alguns Estados- -Membros, os valores propostos pela Comissa˜o para o ano 2010 ja´ estara˜o em vigor em 2005. — No caso das partı´culas, é especialmente importante a falta de valores-limite para danos materiais (eventu- almente diferenciados para aglomeraço˜es e zonas rurais), tanto mais que ha´ efeitos combinados entre o SO2 e as partı´culas, e os valores-limite para a sau´ de humana na˜o cobrem por completo os danos materiais. — Quanto à protecça˜o de bairros histo´ ricos ou de monumentos classificados pertencentes à herança cultural europeia, nacional ou regional, deveriam ser fixados valores de referência ou ser recomendadas medidas de protecça˜o adequadas, baseados na ex- periência e nos conhecimentos cientı´ficos, que os Estados-Membros fariam seus. 10. 7. 98 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias C 214/5 4. 1. 4. V a l o r e s - l i m i t e p a r a o c h u m b o As propostas da Comissa˜o devem ser consideradas apenas como um primeiro passo na protecça˜o da sau´ de humana; bem preceitua o artigo 104, para o relato´ rio sobre a aplicaça˜o da Directiva (2003), reexame dos efeitos dos depo´sitos superficiais de chumbo. Estes depo´sitos podem prejudicar a sau´ de humana através da cadeia alimentar. 4. 2. Outras disposiço˜es da proposta Segundo o n4 6 do artigo 74 da proposta e em 4. 2. 1. ligaça˜o com o artigo 124 da directiva-quadro, a Comissa˜o reajustara´, pelo chamado processo de comitologia, os detalhes técnicos das mediço˜ es e colheitas de amostras à experiência e à evoluça˜o. Todavia, segundo o segundo para´grafo do n4 1 do artigo 124 da mesma directiva, alteraço˜es que tenham como resultado uma modificaça˜o directa ou indirecta dos valores-limite ou dos limiares de alerta devem ser tramitadas de acordo com o procedimento legislativo normal. Isto aplicar-se-a´ a alteraço˜es aos anexos VI e VII da proposta, na medida em que haja relaça˜o directa com os valores-limite. 4. 2. 2. O artigo 84 da proposta manda os Estados- -Membros informarem a opinia˜o pu´blica; o CES gostaria de mostrar a sua satisfaça˜o pelo facto de esta informaça˜o ser extensiva a associaço˜es de protecça˜o do meio ambiente e de defesa dos consumidores, assim como a outras organizaço˜es relevantes. A informaça˜o deve ser de fa´cil compreensa˜o. Isto, evidentemente, sem prejuı´zo da possibilidade de informaça˜o de todos ao abrigo da Bruxelas, 29 de Abril de 1998. Directiva 90/313/CEE, relativa à liberdade de acesso à informaça˜o em matéria de ambiente (1). 5. Concluso˜es A proposta da Comissa˜o refere-se unicamente a 5. 1. valores-limite para alguns poluentes; o CES propo˜e que os trabalhos de preparaça˜o de valores-limite para os outros poluentes incluı´dos no programa da directiva- -quadro sejam terminados brevemente e as respectivas propostas de directiva apresentadas. Em caso de alarga- mento da directiva em matéria de valores-limite para poluentes, as disposiço˜ es relativas aos limiares de alerta devem ser igualmente alargadas, porque os limiares de alerta para ja´ so´ se referem ao SO2. 5. 2. O alinhamento com os valores de qualidade do ar da Unia˜o Europeia representara´ um desafio para os Estados candidatos à adesa˜o. Nas negociaço˜es de adesa˜o a adopça˜o dos valores-limite de qualidade do ar devia ser contemplada precocemente, fixando-se-lhe, eventu- almente, certo prazo. 5. 3. Os relato´rios sobre a aplicaça˜o da directiva a apresentar pela Comissa˜o (artigo 104 da proposta), preparados em colaboraça˜o com a Agência Europeia do Ambiente (n4 3 do artigo 114 da directiva-quadro), também deviam ser postos à disposiça˜o do CES. Devia ser igualmente considerada a possibilidade de os relato´rios sobre a aplicaça˜o da directiva se conjugarem com propostas de revisa˜o ou de alargamento da mesma. Ja´ se utiliza processo semelhante para outras disposiço˜es ambientais. (1) JO L 158 de 23. 6. 1990. O Presidente do Comité Econo´ mico e Social Tom JENKINS


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ αρ θ. 1311/98 του Jose GARCIA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL προς την Επ τροπή. Μετάβαση στο Ευρώ το 1999

eurovoc_concepts:
Austria
Community budget
Economic and Monetary Union
budget deficit
budgetary equilibrium
coordination of EMU policies
currency adjustment
economic convergence
euro
gross domestic product

text: C 323/124 EL Epi·shmh Efhmeri·da tvn Eyrvpai¤kv· n Koinoth·tvn 21. 10. 98 (98/C 323/190) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-1311/98 ypobolh· : Jose· Garc(cid:14)·a-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) prow thn Epitroph· (29 Aprili·oy 1998) Ue·ma: Meta·bash sto Eyrv· to 1999 Xa·riw sth symfvni·a stauero·thtaw kai ana·ptyjhw poy ene·krine ton Ioy·nio toy 1997 to Eyrvpai¤ko· Symboy·lio toy `msterntam ta kra·th me·lh ypoxreoy·ntai na ue·toyn vw mesopro·uesmo sto·xo toyw thn «epi·teyjh miaw sxedo·n isoskelisme·nhw h· pleonasmatikh·w dhmosionomikh·w kata·stashw». Ea· n synexi·soyn tiw dhmosionomike·w prosarmo- ge·w toyw kata· ta epo·mena e·th, ta kra·th me·lh ua diaue·toyn ple·on dhmo·sia oikonomika· poy ua toyw epitre·poyn na antimetvpi·zoyn poly· pio ey·kola tiw dhmosionomike·w syne·peiew endexome·nvn arnhtikv· n ejeli·jevn tvn oikonomikv· n toyw. Poia o·mvw ua h·tan, kata· thn Epitroph·, h shmerinh· kata·stash sthn Aystri·a ea·n to proanaferue·n sy·mfvno stauero·thtaw ei·xe isxy·sei sthn peri·odo 1992-1997; Apa· nthsh toy k. de Silguy ej ono·matow thw Epitroph· w (2 Ioyni·oy 1998) To sy·mfvno stauero·thtaw kai ana·ptyjhw apotelei·tai apo· ch·fisma toy Eyrvpai¤koy· Symboyli·oy thw 7hw Ioyni·oy 1997 (1), ton kanonismo· toy Symboyli·oy (EK) ariu. 1466/97 thw 7hw Ioyli·oy 1997 gia thn eni·sxysh thw epoptei·aw thw dhmosionomikh·w kata·stashw kai thn epoptei·a kai ton syntonismo· tvn oikonomikv· n politikv· n (2), kai ton kanonismo· toy Symboyli·oy (EK) ariu. 1467 thw 7hw Ioyli·oy 1997 gia thn epita·xynsh kai th diasafh·nish thw efarmogh·w thw diadikasi·aw yperbolikoy· ellei·mmatow (2). Sto·xow toy symfv· noy ei·nai h dhmosionomikh· peiuarxi·a sthn oikonomikh· kai nomismatikh· e·nvsh (ONE) me thn opoi·a ua dhmioyrghuoy·n oi kata·llhlew proy¤poue·seiw stauero·thtaw gia diarkh· ana·ptyjh. Pare·xei e·na isxyro· sy·sthma kinh·trvn v· ste ta kra·th me·lh na mhn e·xoyn yperboliko· e·lleimma h· na to dioruv· noyn taxy·tata an paroysiastei· mia te·toia kata·stash. To 1992, to dhmosionomiko· e·lleimma thw Aystri·aw anerxo·tan se 2,0% toy akaua·ristoy egxv· rioy proi¤o·ntow (AEP), kai to 1993 to e·lleimma h·tan 4,2% toy AEP. Meta· thn e·ntajh thw Aystri·aw sthn Koino·thta ton Ianoya·rio toy 1995, to Symboy·lio apofa·sise stiw 10 Ioyli·oy 1995 o·ti yph·rxe yperboliko· e·lleimma sthn Aystri·a (a·ruro 104G, para·grafow 6, thw synuh·khw EK). Thn peri·odo poy kaly·ptetai apo· thn erv· thsh toy ajio·timoy me·loyw toy Koinoboyli·oy, dhladh· apo· to 1992 e·vw to 1997, h dhmosionomikh· politikh· thw Aystri·aw h·tan prosanatolisme·nh sthn sy·gklish, dhladh· sth dio·ruvsh thw kata·stashw yperbolikoy· ellei·mmatow kai sthn th·rhsh tvn krithri·vn sy·gklishw sxetika· me th dhmosionomikh· kata·stash. Epiple·on, oi para·grafoi 9 kai 11 toy a·ruroy 104G, poy anafe·rontai stiw kyrv· seiw, den efarmo·sthkan kata· th dia·rkeia toy dey·teroy stadi·oy thw ONE. (1) EE C 236 thw 2. 8. 1997. (2) EE L 209 thw 2. 8. 1997. (98/C 323/191) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-1314/98 ypobolh· : Jose· Garc(cid:14)·a-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) prow thn Epitroph· (29 Aprili·oy 1998) Ue·ma: Meta·bash sto Eyrv· to 1999 Xa·riw sth symfvni·a stauero·thtaw kai ana·ptyjhw poy ene·krine ton Ioy·nio toy 1997 to Eyrvpai¤ko· Symboy·lio toy `msterntam ta kra·th me·lh ypoxreoy·ntai na ue·toyn vw mesopro·uesmo sto·xo toyw thn «epi·teyjh miaw sxedo·n isoskelisme·nhw h· pleonasmatikh·w dhmosionomikh·w kata·stashw». Ea·n synexi·soyn tiw dhmosionomike·w prosarmo- ge·w toyw kata· ta epo·mena e·th, ta kra·th me·lh ua diaue·toyn ple·on dhmo·sia oikonomika· poy ua toyw epitre·poyn na antimetvpi·zoyn poly· pio ey·kola tiw dhmosionomike·w syne·peiew endexome·nvn arnhtikv· n ejeli·jevn tvn oikonomikv· n toyw. Poia o·mvw ua h·tan, kata· thn Epitroph·, h shmerinh· kata·stash sth Finlandi·a ea·n to proanaferue·n sy·mfvno stauero·thtaw ei·xe isxy·sei sthn peri·odo 1992-1997;


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ αρ θ. 1191/98 του Hugh McMAHON προς την Επ τροπή. Κατασκευαστικά έργα την Tarija της Βολιβίας

eurovoc_concepts:
Bolivia
EU financing
EU programme
aid to disadvantaged groups
co-financing
food aid
poverty
security of supply
technical cooperation
terms for aid

text: C 323/116 EL Epi·shmh Efhmeri·da tvn Eyrvpai¤kv· n Koinoth·tvn 21. 10. 98 Apa· nthsh (6 Ioyli·oy 1998) To Symboy·lio epishmai·nei ston ajio·timo boyleyth· to gegono·w o·ti h Eyrvpai¤kh· Orga·nvsh Diplvma·tvn Eyresitexni·aw (EODE) den ei·nai koinotiko·w fore·aw, alla· pro·keitai gia orga·nvsh thn opoi·a syne·sthse diakybernhtikh· sy·mbash. Vw ek toy·toy, afeno·w, to Symboy·lio den e·xei kamia· armodio·thta na apofanuei· sxetika· me toyw kano·new thw orga·nvshw ayth·w kai, afete·roy, to kauestv· w thw soyhdikh·w glv· ssaw sta plai·sia thw en lo·gv orga·nvshw den e·xei kamia· epi·drash sto kauestv· w thw soyhdikh·w glv· ssaw sta plai·sia thw Eyrvpai¤kh·w (cid:146)Envshw, to opoi·o aporre·ei apo· tiw diata·jeiw tvn synuhkv· n. To kauestv· w tvn glvssv· n sta plai·sia thw (cid:146)Envshw ori·zetai apo· ton kanonismo· ariu. 1 (1), to prv· to a·ruro toy opoi·oy ori·zei o·ti ta soyhdika· ei·nai mia apo· tiw e·ndeka epi·shmew glv· ssew ergasi·aw thw Koino·thtaw. (1) EE 17 thw 6. 10. 1958 (98/C 323/178) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-1191/98 ypobolh· : Hugh McMahon (PSE) prow thn Epitroph· (29 Aprili·oy 1998) Ue·ma: Kataskeyastika· e·rga thn Tarija thw Bolibi·aw Mporei· h Epitroph na enhmerv· sei to Koinoboy·lio sxetika· me thn kata·stash thn Tarija thw Bolibi·aw, o·son afora· ta sxe·dia poy ylopoioy·ntai ypo· thn aigi·da thw Prodizavat kai, sygkekrime·na, mporei· na plhroforh·sei gia thn paroy·sa ue·sh thw o·son afora· ta eyry·tera sxe·dia poy xrhmatodotoy·ntai apo· thn EE s(cid:146) ayth·n thn perioxh·; Apa· nthsh toy k. Marin ej ono· matow thw Epitroph· w (12 Mai(cid:143)oy 1998) O proy¤pologismo·w toy progra·mmatow Prodizavat («Programa de Desarrollo Integral en la Zona Andina y el Valle Alto de Tarija», Bolibi·a) ane·rxetai synolika· se 18,5 ekat. ECU, apo· ta opoi·a h Koino·thta xorhgei· ta 14,16 ekat. ECU env· to ypo·loipo xrhmatodotei·tai apo· ton etai·ro thw (Prefectura de Tarija) kai toyw dikaioy·xoyw. Meta· thn ypografh· thw symfvni·aw xrhmatodo·thshw to e·rgo a·rxise ton Oktv· brio 1994 me thn e·narjh thw paroxh·w eyrvpai¤kh·w texnikh·w boh·ueiaw. To e·rgo proble·petai na peratvuei· ton Oktv· brio 1998. Ekto·w apo· to pro·gramma Prodizavat, efarmo·zetai sthn perioxh· Tarija to koinotiko· pro·gramma episitistikh·w asfa·leiaw. H Koino·thta ane·labe synolika· ypoxrev· seiw y·coyw 80 ekat. ECU kata· thn peri·odo 1995-1999 gia sth·rijh dra·sevn episitistikh·w asfa·leiaw sth Bolibi·a. To pro·gramma, sto sy·nolo· toy, empi·ptei se treiw kathgori·ew: belti·vsh tvn oikonomikv· n o·rvn pro·sbashw sta ei·dh diatrofh·w, belti·vsh tvn ylikv· n o·rvn pro·sbashw sta ei·dh ayta· kai megaly·terh dynato·thta ejey·reshw eidv· n diatrofh·w. Oi eidike·w dra· seiw kai e·rga poy xrhmatodotoy·ntai sto plai·sio toy progra·mmatow sxedia·zontai kata· ky·rio lo·go ba·sei aith·sevn poy ypoba·loyn oi topike·w arxe·w kai koino·thtew. Se perifereiako· epi·pedo ta e·rga aforoy·n 78 agrotike·w koino·thtew (plhuysmoy· 775. 000) poy epele·ghsan me krith·rio toy epi·shmoy dei·kth ey·doiaw. Oi koino·thtew ayte·w ei·nai syspeirvme·new se 7 perioxe·w, mi·a apo· tiw opoi·ew anh·kei sthn Tarija kai sto·xow ei·nai h epi·teyjh ikanopoihtikoy· epipe·doy oloklh·rvshw tvn dra·sevn poy enta·ssontai sto pro·gramma ayto·. (98/C 323/179) GRAPTH ERVTHSH P-1203/98 ypobolh· : Patricia McKenna (V) prow thn Epitroph· (6 Aprili·oy 1998) Ue·ma: Polymerh·w Symfvni·a gia tiw Ependy·seiw Ta kra·th me·lh toy OOSA dieja·goyn sh·mera diapragmatey·seiw sxetika· me thn Polymerh· Symfvni·a gia tiw Ependy·seiw (PSE). To pio· pro·sfato sxe·dio gia th symfvni·a ayth· perie·xei mia seira· diata·jevn, oi opoi·ew ua mporoy·san na yponomey·soyn to dikai·vma thw Eyrvpai¤kh·w Env· sevw na diaxeiri·zetai thn alieytikh· drasthrio·- thta sthn Koino·thta sy·mfvna me tiw dike·w thw proteraio·thtew kai politike·w. Ua mporoy·san epi·shw na ue·soyn se ki·ndyno thn ikano·thta thw EE na ekplhrv· sei tiw desmey·seiw poy e·xei anala· bei sto plai·sio seira·w dieunv· n synuhkv· n kai symba·sevn, tiw opoi·ew e·xei ypogra·cei


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA n. 1344/98 del José SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ- NEYRA a la Comisión. Ley Helms-Burton y relaciones con los Estados Unidos

eurovoc_concepts:
Cuba
EU relations
United States
extra-territoriality
humanitarian aid
international law
liberalisation of trade
ministerial meeting

text: 11. 12. 98 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europead C 386/115 (98/C 386/156) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-1334/98 de Glyn Ford (PSE) a la Comisi(cid:243)n (29 de abril de 1998) Asunto: Informe Final de la Evaluaci(cid:243)n internacional sobre el combustible MOX En referencia a las conclusiones del informe final de la Evaluaci(cid:243)n internacional de los Æcidos mixtos (MOX) › «Evaluaci(cid:243)n del impacto social global de los Æcidos mixtos en los reactores de agua ligera», ¿quØ acciones deberÆn emprenderse a juicio de la Comisi(cid:243)n para tener en cuenta estas conclusiones? Respuesta del Sr. Papoutsis en nombre de la Comisi(cid:243)n (24 de junio de 1998) La Comisi(cid:243)n ha tomado nota del informe publicado en noviembre de 1997 por una organizaci(cid:243)n no gubernamental (ONG) al que parece referirse Su Seæor(cid:237)a. Las evaluaciones presentadas en dicho informe difieren de las de los expertos del G8. Independientemente de cuÆles sean las consideracioens que la Comisi(cid:243)n pueda hacer al respecto, hay que recordar que la decisi(cid:243)n de utilizar o no el combustible de (cid:243)xidos mixtos (MOX) depende cada Estado miembro que haya recurrido a la producci(cid:243)n electronuclear. As(cid:237) pues, le corresponde a dichos Estados miembros apreciar las posibles consecuencias de tal opci(cid:243)n. (98/C 386/157) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-1343/98 de JosØ Salafranca SÆnchez-Neyra (PPE) a la Comisi(cid:243)n (29 de abril de 1998) Asunto: Ley Helms-Burton En relaci(cid:243)n a la respuesta recibida el pasado 13 de marzo por parte del Sr. Brittan en nombre de la Comisi(cid:243)n Europea (E-0236/98 (1)), sobre las negociaciones mantenidas entre la Comunidad y los Estados Unidos sobre la Ley Helm-Burton entre otros temas, ¿podr(cid:237)a la Comisi(cid:243)n ser un poco mÆs precisa e indicar en quØ fechas y a quØ nivel se mantuvieron las reuniones preparatorias para la reuni(cid:243)n ministerial del 15 de enero? ¿Podr(cid:237)a la Comisi(cid:243)n indicar cuÆl es el calendario previsto para las pr(cid:243)ximas negociaciones y reuniones para tratar este tema entre la Comunidad y los Estados Unidos? Teniendo en cuenta unas recientes declaraciones del Sr. Brittan, segœn las cuales dichas negociaciones «se encuentran por la mitad», as(cid:237) como que no existe ningœn plazo l(cid:237)mite para resolver esta cuesti(cid:243)n, ¿podr(cid:237)a explicar la Comisi(cid:243)n cuÆles son los puntos en los que se ha llegado a un acuerdo, as(cid:237) como aquØllos donde todav(cid:237)a existen divergencias? Aunque no se haya fijado ninguna fecha l(cid:237)mite para la conclusi(cid:243)n de las negociaciones, ¿hasta cuÆndo cree la Comisi(cid:243)n que se puede mantener la situaci(cid:243)n actual? (1) DO C 323 de 21. 10. 1998, p. 29. (98/C 386/158) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-1344/98 de JosØ Salafranca SÆnchez-Neyra (PPE) a la Comisi(cid:243)n (29 de abril de 1998) Asunto: Ley Helms-Burton y relaciones con los Estados Unidos Habida cuenta de la reciente decisi(cid:243)n adoptada por parte de la administraci(cid:243)n de los Estados Unidos de limitar parcialmente las restricciones de viajes y de env(cid:237)o de ayuda humanitaria y de dinero a Cuba, ¿piensa la Comisi(cid:243)n que en esta decisi(cid:243)n han podido influir las posiciones de la Uni(cid:243)n Europea en las negociaciones sobre la Ley Helms-Burton? ¿Se trat(cid:243) esta cuesti(cid:243)n en la reuni(cid:243)n ministerial del pasado 15 de enero?


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ αρ θ. 1294/98 του Robin TEVERSON προς την Επ τροπή. Η Ομάδα Ad Hoc για το παράνομο εμπόριο ουσιών που μειώνουν το στρώμα του όζοντος

eurovoc_concepts:
customs inspection
dangerous substance
exchange of information
illicit trade
stratospheric pollutant
stratospheric pollution
vocational training

text: 19. 11. 98 EL Epi·shmh Efhmeri·da tvn Eyrvpai¤kv· n Koinoth·tvn C 354/87 (98/C 354/139) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-1276/98 ypobolh· : Gerhard Hager (NI) prow thn Epitroph· (29 Aprili·oy 1998) Ue·ma: Diey·rynsh › eley·uerh kyklofori·a prosv· pvn › metabatike·w prouesmi·ew Oi metabatike·w prouesmi·ew ston tome·a thw eley·uerhw kyklofori·aw tvn prosv· pvn uevrh·uhkan h·dh kata· th dia·rkeia thw diey·rynshw prow no·ton me thn Ispani·a kai thn Portogali·a vw xrh·simoi mhxanismoi· gia thn epi·teyjh tvn apaitoyme·nvn prosarmogv· n. H metanasteytikh· pi·esh apo· tiw ypoch·fiew gia prosxv· rhsh xv· rew ua ei·nai poly· ychlh· kai kata· thn prosexh· diey·rynsh, kyri·vw prow ta kra·th me·lh thw EE poy synorey·oyn me ayte·w. 1. Poiew arxe·w ypago·reysan thn apo·fash thw Epitroph·w peri· metabatikv· n prouesmiv· n kata· th diey·rynsh prow no·ton; 2. Se poiew mele·tew h· e·reynew sth·rije to·te tiw apofa·seiw thw; 3. Se poiew mele·tew kai e·reynew e·xei sthri·jei h Epitroph· thn proetoimasi·a thw prosexoy·w diey·rynshw; Se poio realistiko· ypologismo· thw dia·rkeiaw tvn metabatikv· n prouesmiv· n gia th diey·rynsh prow 4. anatola·w sthri·zetai sh·mera h Epitroph·; Se peri·ptvsh poy aname·netai diaforetikh· dia·rkeia tvn en lo·gv prouesmiv· n se sy·gkrish me th diey·rynsh 5. prow to no·ton, pv· w aitiologei· h Epitroph· th diafora· ayth·; 6. Poio metanasteytiko· dynamiko· proble·pei h Epitroph· kata· to a· noigma thw pro·sbashw sthn agora· ergasi·aw; 7. Poia ypologi·zei h Epitroph· o·ti ua ei·nai h domh· toy metanasteytikoy· plhuysmoy·; 8. Poia uevrei· h Epitroph· o·ti ua ei·nai ta ki·nhtra thw metana·steyshw; 9. Pv· w ua katanemhuoy·n, kata· thn a·poch thw Epitroph·w, oi metana·stew stiw xv· rew ypodoxh·w; Prow apa·nthsh sta anvte·rv ervth·mata, ua mporoy·se h Epitroph· na xrhsimopoih·sei stoixei·a kyri·vw metagene·stera apo· thn Atze·nta 2000 poy paroysia·suhke ton perasme·no Ioy·lio; Apa· nthsh toy k. Van den Broek ej ono·matow thw Epitroph· w (22 Ioyni·oy 1998) Oi diapragmatey·seiw gia thn e·ntajh ei·nai diakybernhtike·w diapragmatey·seiw metajy· tvn kratv· n melv· n kai kaueno·w apo· ta ypoch·fia kra·th xvrista·. An kai h Epitroph· kalei·tai na ypoba·lei prota·seiw gia o·la ta problh·mata poy ue·toyn oi diapragmatey·seiw gia thn e·ntajh, ta kra·th me·lh ei·nai ekei·na poy diatypv· noyn syllogika· tiw ue·seiw thw Koino·thtaw stiw diapragmatey·seiw. Oi ervth·seiw toy k. boyleyth· sxetika· me tiw apofa·seiw thw Epitroph·w gia tiw diapragmatey·seiw den ei·nai epome·nvw synafei·w. (98/C 354/140) GRAPTH ERVTHSH E-1294/98 ypobolh·: Robin Teverson (ELDR) prow thn Epitroph· (29 Aprili·oy 1998) Ue·ma: H Oma·da Ad Hoc gia to para·nomo empo·rio oysiv· n poy meiv· noyn to strv· ma toy o·zontow Poiew ei·nai oi apofa·seiw poy elh·fuhsan kata· th synedri·ash thw «Ad Hoc Oma·daw gia tiw oysi·ew poy meiv· noyn to strv· ma toy o·zontow» poy pragmatopoih·uhke thn Pe·mpth, 26 Marti·oy 1998, kai po·te ua pragmatopoihuei· h epo·menh synedri·ash; Apa· nthsh thw Kaw Bjerregaard ej ono·matow thw Epitroph· w (3 Ioyni·oy 1998) Sth sy·skech thw oma·daw ad hoc gia thn para·nomh diaki·nhsh oysiv· n poy katastre·foyn to o·zon parabre·uhkan ekpro·svpoi thw Epitroph·w, tvn arxv· n tvn Kratv· n melv· n armodi·vn se periballontika· kai telvneiaka· ue·mata, thw Eyrvpai¤kh·w xhmikh·w biomhxani·aw kai eno·w mh kybernhtikoy· organismoy· o opoi·ow dhmosi·eyse e·kuesh sxetika· me thn para·nomh diaki·nhsh xlvrofuoranura·kvn (CFC) kai miktv· n alogonanura· kvn (halon) sthn Eyrv· ph. Pragmatopoih·uhke xrh·simh antallagh· apo·cevn kai plhroforiv· n gia thn tre·xoysa prosfora· kai tiw time·w tvn oysiv· n poy katastre·foyn to o·zon sthn Koino·thta, o·poy diapistv· uhke o·ti oi CFC gi·nontan o·lo kai pio dysey·retoi alla· epi·shw kai o·ti ua ejakoloyuei· na ypa·rxei to pro·blhma tvn parano·mvn eisagvgv· n toyw


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1341/98 by José GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL to the Commission. The euro and 1999

eurovoc_concepts:
budget deficit
economic convergence
gold standard
loan
money-market liquidity
privatisation
public administration
public debt
redemption
third stage of EMU

text: 22. 2. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 50/27 deficit situation and thus to meet the convergence criteria on the budgetary position. Moreover, paragraphs 9 and 11 of Article 104c of the EC Treaty, which deal with sanctions, did not apply during stage two of EMU. (1) OJ C 236, 2. 8. 1997. (2) OJ L 209, 2. 8. 1997. (1999/C 50/035) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1341/98 by JosØ Garc(cid:237)a-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: The euro and 1999 On page 110 of the Commission(cid:146)s report of 25 March 1998 (state of convergence and recommendations for the transition to the third stage of EMU), it is stated: (cid:145)Whereas in earlier years these factors [relating to debt] contributed to increasing the government debt ratio in most Member States, governments in recent years have taken measures to limit their level of government debt via a more careful management of their financial assets(cid:146). Can the Commission explain what type of measures it is referring to? Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1998) The government is traditionally engaged in financial operations, including those which are carried out for economic policy reasons. Such transactions cover, for example, the extension of loans and advances or investment in shares and equities. The government also owns liquid assets for budget management reasons. These financial transactions influence the government(cid:146)s indebtedness. To acquire the means necessary to extend loans or to take participations, the government may issue debt. In addition, the government sometimes borrows more than needed to cover its budget deficit and then uses these proceeds to accumulate liquid reserves. Inversely, the government can also use the proceeds of the repayment of loans or of the sale of its shares to pay back some of its debt. Receipts from the privatisation of public enterprises may be used to redeem outstanding government debt or to finance the acquisition of other financial assets. The government debt retained in the Treaty on European Union is a gross definition which only takes into account government liabilities. Thus, sales of government financial assets have the effect of correspondingly reducing gross government debt. In order to limit their government debt, Member States over recent years have given more attention to a careful management of their financial assets. Measures taken in this respect have included: › lower disbursement of government loans and higher reimbursement of outstanding loans (e. g. a repayment by the social housing sector of outstanding loans amounting to almost 8 % of the gross domestic product (GDP) in total took place in the Netherlands over the period 1993-1995); › implementation of large privatisation programmes (e. g. receipts from the privatisation of public enterprises in the telecommunications and electricity sector in Portugal in 1997 were used to redeem government debt for an amount of almost 4 % of GDP in the same year); › sales of gold reserves and allocation of the proceeds to the reduction of government debt (e. g. the Belgian government in 1996 used the proceeds of gold sales by the central bank, amounting to more than 2 % of GDP, to redeem part of its debt); › reduction of the government liquid working balances (e. g. important reductions in outstanding liquidities took place in Spain in 1994 for an amount of 2,0 % of GDP)


eurovoc_concepts:
approximation of laws
carcinogenic substance
consumer protection
dangerous substance
marketing

text: 10. 7. 98 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee C 214/73 Parere del Comitato economico e sociale in merito alla «Proposta di direttiva del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio recante diciottesima modifica della Direttiva 76/769/CEE concernente il ravvicinamento delle disposizioni legislative, regolamentari e amministrative degli Stati membri relative alle restrizioni in materia di immissione sul mercato e di uso di talune sostanze e preparati pericolosi» (1) (98/C 214/20) Il Consiglio, in data 26 gennaio 1998, ha deciso, conformemente al disposto dell’articolo 100 A del Trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, di consultare il Comitato economico e sociale in merito alla proposta di cui sopra. Il Comitato economico e sociale in data 29 aprile 1998, nel corso della 354a sessione plenaria, ha nominato Green relatore generale ed ha adottato, con 83 voti favorevoli e 2 astensioni, il seguente parere. 1. Antecedenti La Direttiva 96/54/CE (2) della Commissione ha 1. 1. aggiunto 16 nuove sostanze c/m/r (vale a dire, sostanze cancerogene, mutagene o tossiche per il ciclo riprodutti- vo) all’Allegato I della Direttiva 67/548/CEE (3) sulle sostanze pericolose. L’esame dei dati sulle nuove sostanze definite 1. 2. lavoro per la c/m/r è stato svolto dal gruppo di classificazione e l’etichettatura delle sostanze e dei preparati pericolosi del Comitato per l’adeguamento delle direttive al progresso tecnico. Le industrie interessa- te hanno partecipato alle riunioni di detto Comitato, coadiuvandolo nell’analisi delle informazioni disponibili su tali sostanze. La Direttiva 94/60/CE (4), recante 14a modifica 1. 3. della Direttiva 76/769/CEE (5) concernente la limitazione dell’immissione sul mercato e dell’uso di talune sostanze e preparati pericolosi, dispone il divieto della vendita al grande pubblico delle sostanze classificate come c/m/r. 2. La proposta La 18a modifica proposta si limita ad aggiungere 2. 1. all’allegato della Direttiva 76/769/CEE le sostanze classi- ficate come cancerogene, mutagene o tossiche per il ciclo riproduttivo nel 22o adeguamento al progresso tecnico della Direttiva 67/548/CEE, vietandone cosı` la vendita al grande pubblico. 2. 2. Le industrie responsabili per la produzione delle sostanze c/m/r aggiunte con la 18a modifica proposta sono state consultate e hanno confermato di non essere (1) GU C 59 del 25. 2. 1998, pag. 5. (2) GU L 248 del 30. 9. 1996. (3) GU L 196 del 16. 8. 1967. (4) GU L 365 del 31. 12. 1994. (5) GU L 262 del 27. 9. 1976. contrarie alla loro inclusione, in quanto le sostanze c/m/r in questione non sono vendute al grande pubblico. 2. 3. Per proteggere la salute dei lavoratori sul posto di lavoro, le disposizioni della Direttiva sugli agenti cancerogeni (90/394/CEE) (6) si applicano alle nuove sostanze classificate come c/m/r. 3. Osservazioni di carattere generale 3. 1. Il Comitato economico e sociale approva la proposta della Commissione relativa alla 18a modifica della Direttiva 76/769/CEE. 3. 2. Il Comitato si compiace in particolare delle iniziative proposte dalla Commissione a livello di UE per proteggere i consumatori dall’esposizione alle sostanze c/m/r. Tali provvedimenti sono complementari a quelli già previsti per la protezione dei lavoratori dalle sostanze cancerogene nel contesto della summenzionata direttiva sulle sostanze cancerogene, la cui piena applicazione è, a parere del Comitato, di importanza fondamentale. 3. 3. Il Comitato riconosce l’importanza di limitare l’immissione sul mercato e l’uso delle sostanze c/m/r per tutelare la salute del grande pubblico, e rileva che dalla pubblicazione del 22o adeguamento è già trascorso un certo lasso di tempo. 3. 3. 1. A tale proposito, come già affermato nel parere sulla 17a modifica alla Direttiva 76/769/CEE del Consiglio (7), il Comitato ritiene che sarebbe preferibile che la limitazione della vendita di tali sostanze fosse la conseguenza automatica della loro classificazione in conformità della Direttiva 67/548/CEE. 3. 3. 2. Nella fattispecie, rileva che il ricorso alla procedura di comitato accelererebbe la messa in atto della limitazione dell’immissione sul mercato e dell’im- (6) GU L 196 del 26 7. 1990. (7) GU C 133 del 28. 4. 1997. C 214/74 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee 10. 7. 98 piego delle sostanze c/m/r, nonostante cio` implichi la consultazione preliminare delle diverse parti economiche e sociali e dei gruppi di interesse in questione. 3. 4. Il Comitato prende nota del fatto che nessuna delle nuove sostanze classificate come c/m/r è venduta al grande pubblico. Bruxelles, 29 aprile 1998. Il Presidente del Comitato economico e sociale Tom JENKINS Parere del Comitato economico e sociale in merito alla «Proposta di regolamento del Consiglio recante regole e procedure comuni per le spedizioni di determinati tipi di rifiuti verso taluni paesi non appartenenti all’OCSE» (98/C 214/21) Il Consiglio, in data 31 marzo 1998, ha deciso, conformemente al disposto dell’articolo 130 S del Trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, di consultare il Comitato economico e sociale in merito alla proposta di cui sopra. Il Comitato economico e sociale ha designato Gafo Ferna´ndez Relatore generale e ha adottato il 29 aprile 1998, nel corso della 354a sessione plenaria, con 74 voti favorevoli e 1 voto contrario, il seguente parere. 1. Introduzione 1. 1. La proposta di regolamento in esame porta la data del 1994 e la consultazione del Comitato è dovuta all’estensione della base giuridica inizialmente proposta dalla Commissione europea e che ora si riferisce congiun- tamente agli articoli 130 S e 113 (base giuridica iniziale del regolamento). 1. 2. Il tempo trascorso dalla presentazione della proposta fino ad oggi evidenzia le difficoltà incontrate per l’adozione, ma comporta altresı` considerevoli cam- biamenti nelle circostanze che ne hanno motivato la presentazione. 1. 3. Il Comitato ha già avuto occasione di esprimer- si (1) su un’altra proposta di regolamento [(CEE) n. 259/93] intesa a preparare una posizione comune sulla modifica della Convenzione di Basilea relativa al divieto totale di esportazione verso paesi non OCSE (2) dei rifiuti che figurano nelle cosiddette liste «ambra» e «rossa». Sono tuttora valide le osservazioni formulate allora dal Comitato, in particolare sulla necessità di (1) GU C 18 del 22. 1. 96. (2) Organizzazione per la cooperazione e lo sviluppo econo- mico. distinguere tra rifiuti e rifiuti pericolosi, e di permettere l’esportazione controllata di rifiuti della lista verde, a condizione che ne venga garantito il riciclaggio. 1. 4. Di conseguenza il Comitato desidera limitare il proprio parere agli aspetti del regolamento attuale non contemplati dal Regolamento (CEE) n. 259/93. 2. Osservazioni generali 2. 1. Il Comitato, senza voler rientrare negli aspetti legali del dibattito sulla base giuridica adeguata per il regolamento in oggetto o per altri futuri regolamenti dello stesso tipo, comprende che l’articolo 113 sia stato scelto come base giuridica principale, pur considerando giusto menzionare anche l’articolo 130 S come base giuridica complementare. Cio` implica il vantaggio di accentuare la dimensione ambientale, la quale rappresen- ta la sostanza stessa della proposta oltre agli aspetti meramente commerciali del trasporto di rifiuti, nonché di coinvolgere altre istituzioni comunitarie come il Parlamento europeo o lo stesso Comitato nel processo di discussione, miglioramento e adozione dei documenti. 2. 2. Secondo il Comitato i paesi potenzialmente destinatari dei rifiuti idonei al riciclaggio e al recupero devono poter decidere se accettare o rifiutare esplicita- loro mente il trasferimento dei residui «verdi» sul


title: INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA n. 1322/98 dell'on. Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ alla Commissione. Urbanizzazione della valle di Veneguera (Gran Canaria)

eurovoc_concepts:
Canary Islands
environmental impact
environmental protection
project evaluation
protected area
protected species
protection of plant life
urbanisation

text: C 402/110 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:224) europee IT 22. 12. 98 (98/C 402/142) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-1312/98 di JosØ Garc(cid:237)a-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) alla Commissione (29 aprile 1998) Oggetto: EURO 1999 Con il Patto di stabilit(cid:224) e di crescita adottato dal Consiglio europeo di Amsterdam nel giugno 1997, gli Stati membri si sono prefissi l(cid:146)obiettivo «di una situazione di bilancio a medio termine comportante un saldo vicino al pareggio o positivo». Se negli anni a venire gli Stati membri continueranno ad effettuare i necessari aggiustamenti di bilancio, le loro finanze pubbliche saranno in grado di far fronte piø facilmente alle ripercussioni sul bilancio di eventuali evoluzioni sfavorevoli in campo economico. Secondo la Commissione, quale sarebbe attualmente la situazione in Belgio se il Patto di stabilit(cid:224) fosse stato applicato durante il periodo 1992-1997? Risposta data dal sig. de Silguy in nome della Commissione (2 giugno 1998) I testi costitutivi del patto di stabilit(cid:224) e di crescita sono la risoluzione del Consiglio europeo del 7 giugno 1997 (1), il regolamento (CE) 1466/97 del Consiglio del 7 luglio 1997 per il rafforzamento della sorveglianza delle posizioni di bilancio nonchØ della sorveglianza e del coordinamento delle politiche economich, e il regolamento (CE) n. 1467 del Consiglio del 7 luglio 1997 per l(cid:146)accelerazione e il chiarimento delle modalit(cid:224) d(cid:146)attuazione della procedura per i disavanzi eccessivi (2). Il patto ha per oggetto la disciplina fiscale nell(cid:146)Unione economica e monetaria (UEM) al fine di creare condizioni di stabilit(cid:224) atte a sostenere una crescita durevole. Esso instaura un efficace sistema di incentivi per indurre gli Stati membri a non incorrere in disavanzi eccessivi e a correggerli rapidamente qualora una tale situazione si dovesse verificare. Nel 1992, il disavanzo della pubblica amministrazione in Belgio era pari al 6,9 % del prodotto interno lordo (PIL) e nel 1993 Ł passato al 7,1 % del PIL. Ci(cid:242) ha indotto il Consiglio a decidere, il 26 settembre 1994, che in Belgio esisteva un disavanzo eccessivo (articolo 104c, punto 6 del trattato CE). Nel periodo menzionato dall(cid:146)onorevole parlamentare, ossia dal 1992 al 1997, la politica di bilancio del Belgio Ł stata orientata principalmente alla convergenza, ossia tesa a correggere il disavanzo eccessivo per soddisfare i criteri di convergenza relativi al bilancio. Durante la seconda fase dell(cid:146)UEM non sono tuttavia applicabili le disposizioni di cui al punto 9 ed 11 dell(cid:146)articolo 104c, relative alle misure sanzionatorie. (1) (2) JO C 236 del 2. 8. 1997. JO C 209 del 2. 8. 1997. (98/C 402/143) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-1322/98 di Angela Sierra GonzÆlez (GUE/NGL) alla Commissione (29 aprile 1998) Oggetto: Urbanizzazione della valle di Veneguera (Gran Canaria) Recentemente il Parlamento delle Canarie ha adottato una legge che autorizza l(cid:146)urbanizzazione della valle di Veneguera (Gran Canaria, isole Canarie) nonostante l(cid:146)esistenza di una iniziativa legislativa popolare presentata da quasi 50 000 firmatari che chiedono la sua inclusione, quale spazio naturale protetto, nell(cid:146)ambito della legge sugli spazi naturali delle Canarie. La richiesta di inclusione della valle di Veneguera nel parco rurale del Nublo, era motivata dagli importanti valori zoologici e botanici della zona. Veneguera Ł considerata dagli scienziati come la piø importante zona di riproduzione naturale del «cardonal-tabaibal» nella Gran Canaria. Nella zona sono state identificate 12 specie endemiche della Gran Canaria e 34 dell(cid:146)arcipelago delle Canarie. La suddetta zona accoglie quindi una notevole rappresentanza dell(cid:146)habitat delle macchie mediterranee e presteppiche protetto dalla direttiva 92/43/CEE (1) relativa alla conservazione degli habitat naturali e della fauna e della flora selvatiche