title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0416/00 von Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) an die Kommission. Niedrigerer Mehrwertsteuersatz auf rekombinante Erzeugnisse.

eurovoc_concepts:
VAT rate
blood transfusion
common commercial policy

text: 28. 12. 2000 DE Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:228)ischen Gemeinschaften C 374 E/69 Antwort von Herrn Patten im Namen der Kommission (7. M(cid:228)rz 2000) Der Kommission ist durchaus bekannt, da(cid:223) Kambodscha zu den am wenigsten entwickelten L(cid:228)ndern der Welt geh(cid:246)rt und weiterhin unter der Armut und anderen damit verbundenen Problemen zu leiden hat. In den kommenden Jahren wird sich dieses Land bedeutenden Herausforderungen gegen(cid:252)bersehen, so da(cid:223) umgehend weitreichende Reformen durchzuf(cid:252)hren sind. Seit der Einsetzung der neuen kambodschanischen Regierung haben zwischen der Kommission und diesem Land regelm(cid:228)(cid:223)ige Konsultationen stattgefunden, um die vorgesehenen Reformen zu er(cid:246)rtern. Derzeit beabsichtigt die Kommission nicht, irgendwelche Bedingungen f(cid:252)r ihre Entwicklungsprogramme vorzuschreiben, sie wird jedoch die Lage in Kambodscha weiterhin aufmerksam beobachten. Die Kommission plant, die sich bez(cid:252)glich der Menschenrechte, der Demokratisierung und der Korruption ergebenden Fragen anl(cid:228)(cid:223)lich der im ersten Halbjahr 2000 vorgesehenen ersten Sitzung des Gemischten Ausschusses Gemeinschaft-Kambodscha eingehend mit den kambodschanischen Beh(cid:246)rden zu er(cid:246)rtern. Die allgemeine Ern(cid:228)hrungslage in Kambodscha wird von den internationalen Organisationen f(cid:252)r das Jahr 2000 weiterhin als befriedigend beurteilt. F(cid:252)r einen bedeutenden Teil der Bev(cid:246)lkerung ist jedoch auch k(cid:252)nftig die Ern(cid:228)hrung nicht gesichert, und die Kommission verfolgt die Lage weiterhin, um im Notfall schnell eingreifen zu k(cid:246)nnen. (2000/C 374 E/081) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0416/00 von Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) an die Kommission (23. Februar 2000) Betrifft: Niedrigerer Mehrwertsteuersatz auf rekombinante Erzeugnisse Kann die Kommission angeben, ob sie bereit ist, einen Vorschlag f(cid:252)r einen niedrigeren Mehrwertsteuersatz f(cid:252)r rekombinante Blutprodukte vorzulegen, und wenn nein, weshalb nicht? Antwort von Herrn Bolkestein Im Namen der Kommission (6. April 2000) Im Falle der Blutprodukte mu(cid:223) bei der Mehrwertsteuer zwischen den einzelnen Produktarten unterschieden werden. Bestimmte Produkte aus menschlichem Blut oder Blutplasma, wie z. B. Albumin, Gerinnungsfaktoren und Immunglobuline, gelten als Arzneimittel (gem(cid:228)(cid:223) der Richtlinie Nr. 89/381/EWG des Rates vom 14. Juni 1989 (1)). Bei diesen Produkten kann gem(cid:228)(cid:223) Artikel 12, Absatz 3, Punkt a) und Anhang H, Kategorie 3 der sechsten Mehrwertsteuer-Richtlinie Nr. 77/388/EWG des Rates (2) wahlweise ein erm(cid:228)(cid:223)igter Steuersatz angewandt werden. Rekombinante Blutprodukte (die gentechnisch hergestellt werden, aber nicht aus menschlichem Blut stammen) gelten als Arzneimittel, da sie in Teil A des Anhangs zu der Verordnung Nr. 2309/93 (EWG) des Rates (3) aufgef(cid:252)hrt sind, die die Erteilung einer Genehmigung f(cid:252)r das Inverkehrbringen gem(cid:228)(cid:223) dem ihnen ein erm(cid:228)(cid:223)igter zentralisierten Verfahren der Gemeinschaft vorschreibt. Mehrwertsteuersatz angewandt werden. Insoweit kann auch bei Dagegen gelten labile Blutprodukte, wie z. B. menschliches Blutplasma oder menschliche Blutzellen, nicht als Arzneimittel. Bei ihnen wird daher der normale Steuersatz angewandt, w(cid:228)hrend das menschliche Blut an sich von der Mehrwertsteuer befreit ist. Eine Pr(cid:252)fung dieser widerspr(cid:252)chlichen Regelung, wonach das menschliche Blut an sich von der Mehrwert- steuer befreit ist, die labilen Blutprodukte jedoch zu dem normalen Satz besteuert werden, w(cid:228)re unter Umst(cid:228)nden angebracht. Die Kommission befasst sich zur Zeit mit diesem Thema, um festzustellen, wie die einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten in der Praxis verfahren. C 374 E/70 Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:228)ischen Gemeinschaften DE 28. 12. 2000 Diese Frage wird infolgedessen bei der n(cid:228)chsten (cid:220)berpr(cid:252)fung des Anwendungsbereichs der erm(cid:228)(cid:223)igten Mehrwertsteuers(cid:228)tze ber(cid:252)cksichtigt werden. Entsprechende Vorschl(cid:228)ge f(cid:252)r eine einheitlichere mehrwert- steuerliche Behandlung von Ums(cid:228)tzen mit Blutprodukten werden dann vorgelegt werden. (1) ABl. L 181 vom 28. 6. 1989, Richtlinie zur Erweiterung des Anwendungsbereichs der Richtlinie Nr. 65/65/EWG und der Richtlinie Nr. 75/319/EWG zur Angleichung der Rechts- und Verwaltungsvorschriften (cid:252)ber Arzneispezialit(cid:228)ten und zur Festlegung besonderer Vorschriften f(cid:252)r Arzneimittel aus menschlichem Blut oder Blutplasma. (2) ABl. L 145 vom 13. 6. 1977, Richtlinie zuletzt ge(cid:228)ndert durch Richtlinie Nr. 1999/85/EG (Amtsblatt L 277 vom 28. 10. 1999). (3) ABl. L 214 vom 24. 8. 1993, Verordnung Nr. 93/2309/EWG des Rates vom 22. Juli 1993 zur Festlegung von Gemeinschaftsverfahren f(cid:252)r die Genehmigung und (cid:220)berwachung von Human- und Tierarzneimitteln und zur Schaffung einer Europ(cid:228)ischen Agentur f(cid:252)r die Beurteilung von Arzneimitteln. (2000/C 374 E/082) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0418/00 von Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) an die Kommission (23. Februar 2000) Betrifft: Zur(cid:252)ckdr(cid:228)ngen der Baumkurrenfischerei wegen Sch(cid:228)digung der Meeresbodenumwelt 1. Ist der Kommission der Artikel (cid:132)Umweltsch(cid:228)den in der Nordsee durch Baumkurrenfischerei(cid:147) in der Zeitung (cid:132)Volkskrant(cid:147) vom 1. Februar 2000 bekannt, in dem Dr. H. Lindeman, Forscher beim Institut f(cid:252)r Meeresforschung (NIOZ) im Auftrag des niederl(cid:228)ndischen Ministeriums f(cid:252)r Landwirtschaft, Naturschutz und Fischerei (LNV), das Ergebnis einer Studie (cid:252)ber die Auswirkungen der Baumkurrenfischerei auf die Umwelt vorlegt? 2. Ist der Kommission bekannt, da(cid:223) bei dieser Fischereimethode, die insbesondere f(cid:252)r den Fang von Grundfischen wie Seezunge und Scholle verwendet wird, mit Hilfe schwerer Eisenstangen und Ketten der Meeresboden 6-10 cm tief sozusagen umgepfl(cid:252)gt wird, um auf diese Weise Grundfische in die Netze zu treiben? 3. Kann die Kommission best(cid:228)tigen, da(cid:223) allein im niederl(cid:228)ndischen Teil der Nordsee mindestens 400 Fischereifahrzeuge mit Fangger(cid:228)ten von 4-12 m Breite t(cid:228)tig sind, die die Baumkurrenmethode anwenden, und da(cid:223) nicht nur die Nordsee, von der Fischereil(cid:228)nder wie die Niederlande, England und die skandinavi- schen L(cid:228)nder abh(cid:228)ngig sind, sondern auch andere Meere in dieser Weise gesch(cid:228)digt werden? 4. Stimmt die Kommission zu, da(cid:223) diese Art der Fischerei sehr sch(cid:228)dliche Auswirkungen auf den Meeresboden und seine biologische Vielfalt hat, auch weil alles Leben am Meeresboden zerst(cid:246)rt wird, und da(cid:223) die Baumkurrenfischerei inzwischen mindestens ebenso viel Umweltsch(cid:228)den verursacht wie beispiels- weise Erd(cid:246)l- und Erdgasbohrungen? 5. Was gedenkt die Kommission zu tun, um die Baumkurrenfischerei zur(cid:252)ckzudr(cid:228)ngen und den betroffenen Fischern die M(cid:246)glichkeit zu bieten, auf andere Fangmethoden oder eine v(cid:246)llig andere T(cid:228)tigkeit umzustellen? Antwort von Herrn Fischler im Namen der Kommission (30. M(cid:228)rz 2000) 1. Der Kommission ist der Volkskrant-Artikel vom 1. Februar 2000 nicht bekannt. Die Kommission wei(cid:223), wie und auf welche Arten mit Baumkurren gefischt wird und wie tief diese in 2. den Meeresboden eindringen. 3. Die Kommission kann best(cid:228)tigen, da(cid:223) in der Nordsee und auch anderswo eine gro(cid:223)e Zahl von Baumkurrentrawlern t(cid:228)tig ist. Doch d(cid:252)rften diese Schiffe kaum je gleichzeitig im niederl(cid:228)ndischen Teil der Nordsee fischen. Einer j(cid:252)ngsten Erhebung zufolge gibt es in der Nordsee und auch in den niederl(cid:228)ndischen Gew(cid:228)ssern noch gro(cid:223)e Teile, die (cid:252)berhaupt nicht mit Baumkurren befischt werden


title: SKRIFTLIG FRÅGA E-0424/00 från Glyn Ford (PSE) till kommissionen. Användning av djur inom forskning och för försök.

eurovoc_concepts:
EU research policy
animal experimentation

formats: html pdf print

text: C 26 E/40 Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning SV 26. 1. 2001 F(cid:246)r(cid:228)ndringarna m(cid:229)ste genomf(cid:246)ras gradvis eftersom de medf(cid:246)r en revidering av finansf(cid:246)rordningen. Dess- utom m(cid:229)ste en l(cid:246)sning hittas p(cid:229) interinstitutionell niv(cid:229) eftersom den nuvarande budgetplanen har en rubrik som samlar alla (cid:148)administrativa utgifter(cid:148) f(cid:246)r de olika institutionerna (rubrik 5). Den oberoende expertkommittØn har inte uppm(cid:228)rksammat kommissionen p(cid:229) n(cid:229)gra (cid:148)till bidrag 2. maskerade kontrakt(cid:148). De p(cid:229)pekade bara rent allm(cid:228)nt att de inte var ense med kommissionen om uppdelningen av utgifterna f(cid:246)r bidrag och f(cid:246)r upphandlingskontrakt, eftersom bidragen i de flesta fall var f(cid:246)rbundna med en motprestation och d(cid:228)rmed ocks(cid:229) var en form av kontrakt. Kommissionen h(cid:229)ller med om att de flesta bidrag (cid:228)r f(cid:246)rbundna med motprestationer och (cid:246)msesidiga (cid:229)taganden av kontraktsliknande natur men anser inte att de d(cid:228)rf(cid:246)r kan j(cid:228)mst(cid:228)llas med upphandlingskontrakt och allts(cid:229) inte heller att det handlar om (cid:148)falska subventioner(cid:148). Inom ramen f(cid:246)r anvisningarna f(cid:246)r f(cid:246)rvaltning av bidrag (1) som tr(cid:228)dde i kraft den 1 januari 1999 har kommissionen redan fastst(cid:228)llt riktlinjer f(cid:246)r gr(cid:228)nsdragningen mellan bidrag och utgifter i samband med offentlig upphandling, med samma grundl(cid:228)ggande principer om insyn och lika behandling f(cid:246)r b(cid:229)da typerna av utgifter. (1) http://europa. eu. int/comm/secretariat_general/sgc/info_subv/intro_funding. htm. (2001/C 26 E/053) SKRIFTLIG FR¯GA E-0424/00 fr(cid:229)n Glyn Ford (PSE) till kommissionen (23 februari 2000) ˜mne: Anv(cid:228)ndning av djur inom forskning och f(cid:246)r f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)k Hur har kommissionen tagit st(cid:228)llning till anv(cid:228)ndningen av djur inom forskning och f(cid:246)r f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)k. Vilka (cid:229)tg(cid:228)rder vidtar kommissionen f(cid:246)r att djurf(cid:246)rs(cid:246)k skall utf(cid:246)ras i mindre omfattning? Svar fr(cid:229)n Margot Wallstr(cid:246)m p(cid:229) kommissionens v(cid:228)gnar (11 april 2000) I r(cid:229)dets direktiv 86/609/EEG av den 24 november 1986 om tilln(cid:228)rmning av medlemsstaternas lagar och andra f(cid:246)rfattningar om skydd av djur som anv(cid:228)nds f(cid:246)r f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)k och andra vetenskapliga (cid:228)ndam(cid:229)l (1) fastst(cid:228)lls villkoren f(cid:246)r anv(cid:228)ndning av djur f(cid:246)r forskning och f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)k. Vad g(cid:228)ller gemenskapens forskningsprogram s(cid:229) f(cid:246)reskrivs det i artikel 7 i beslutet om femte ramprogram- met (Europaparlamentets och r(cid:229)dets beslut nr 182/1999/EG) (2) att (cid:148)all forskningsverksamhet som genom- f(cid:246)rs enligt femte ramprogrammet skall genomf(cid:246)ras i (cid:246)verensst(cid:228)mmelse med grundl(cid:228)ggande etiska princi- per, inklusive krav ang(cid:229)ende djurs v(cid:228)lf(cid:228)rd i enlighet med gemenskapslagstiftningen(cid:148). Inom ramen f(cid:246)r programmet (cid:148)Livskvalitet och f(cid:246)rvaltning av de levande resurserna(cid:148) skall forskarna till(cid:228)mpa principen om ers(cid:228)ttning med alternativa metoder, minskning av antalet f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)ksdjur och f(cid:246)rb(cid:228)tt- rade f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)k. Djurens lidande m(cid:229)ste undvikas eller begr(cid:228)nsas s(cid:229) l(cid:229)ngt som m(cid:246)jligt. Dessa principer g(cid:228)ller i s(cid:228)rskilt h(cid:246)g grad f(cid:246)r djurarter som st(cid:229)r m(cid:228)nniskan n(cid:228)ra. Alla projekt d(cid:228)r fr(cid:229)gor av etisk natur kan uppkomma genomg(cid:229)r etisk granskning, inbegripet projekt som omfattar forskning med primater. Antalet f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)ksdjur som anv(cid:228)nds f(cid:246)r lagenlig provning motsvarar ungef(cid:228)r 9 % av alla f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)ksdjur. Detta kan h(cid:228)rledas fr(cid:229)n kommissionens senaste rapport i enlighet med r(cid:229)dets direktiv 86/609/EEG. F(cid:246)r att minska antalet f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)ksdjur som anv(cid:228)nds f(cid:246)r lagenlig provning fr(cid:228)mjar kommissionen alternativa test- metoder som antingen kr(cid:228)ver f(cid:228)rre djur eller som g(cid:229)r att genomf(cid:246)ra helt utan djur (med in vitro- och datorunderst(cid:246)dda metoder). 26. 1. 2001 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 26 E/41 1991 inr(cid:228)ttade kommissionen ett Europeiskt centrum f(cid:246)r validering av alternativa metoder (ECVAM), som (cid:228)r en avdelning av institutet f(cid:246)r h(cid:228)lsa och konsumentskydd vid kommissionens Gemensamma forsknings- centrum. Institutet ligger i Ispra, i Italien. EVCAM:s fr(cid:228)msta uppgift (cid:228)r att p(cid:229) gemenskapsniv(cid:229) samordna valideringen av avancerade provningsmetoder som genomf(cid:246)rs utan f(cid:246)rs(cid:246)ksdjur, dvs. att fastst(cid:228)lla metoder- nas relevans och tillf(cid:246)rlitlighet f(cid:246)r de avsedda syftena. I februari 2000 f(cid:246)reslog kommissionen att de tre f(cid:246)rsta validerade in vitro-metoder i bilaga V till r(cid:229)dets direktiv 67/548/EEG av den 27 juni 1967 om tilln(cid:228)rmning av lagar och andra f(cid:246)rfattningar om f(cid:246)rpackning och m(cid:228)rkning av farliga (cid:228)mnen (3). Medlemsstaterna r(cid:246)stade f(cid:246)r ett s(cid:229)dant klassificering, inf(cid:246)rande. Dessa metoder har validerats inom ramen f(cid:246)r EVCAM:s arbetsprogram, i samarbete med laboratorier och andra institutioner i medlemsstaterna och USA, och bekr(cid:228)ftades som vetenskapligt validerade av EVCAM:s vetenskapliga r(cid:229)dgivande kommittØ, samt antogs av ber(cid:246)rda avdelningar inom kommissionen. Det f(cid:246)rv(cid:228)ntas att ytterligare tio metoder kommer att valideras under femte ramprogrammet (1999(cid:141)2002). Detta (cid:228)r f(cid:246)rsta g(cid:229)ngen som validerade alternativa metoder har inf(cid:246)rts i bilaga V. Kommissionen f(cid:228)ster stor vikt vid detta arbete och fr(cid:228)mjar aktivt antagandet av dessa metoder i OECD:s program f(cid:246)r testriktlinjer, vilket skulle bidra till att de kom att till(cid:228)mpas (cid:246)ver hela v(cid:228)rlden. (1) EGT L 117, 5. 5. 1987. (2) EGT L 49, 29. 2. 1999. (3) EGT 196, 16. 8. 1967. (2001/C 26 E/054) SKRIFTLIG FR¯GA E-0426/00 fr(cid:229)n Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) till r(cid:229)det (17 februari 2000) ˜mne: Kosovoalbanska f(cid:229)ngar i Serbien Med anledning av en hungerstrejk (24 december 1999-6 januari 2000) och en demonstration den 5 januari f(cid:246)r att kr(cid:228)va att de 2000, som organiserades av kosovoalbaner fr(cid:229)n det albanska v(cid:228)rldsf(cid:246)rbundet kosovoalbanska f(cid:229)ngarna i Serbien frigavs, togs jag den 5 januari 2000 emot av f(cid:246)retr(cid:228)dare f(cid:246)r den h(cid:246)ge representanten f(cid:246)r den gemensamma utrikes och s(cid:228)kerhetspolitiken och det portugisiska ordf(cid:246)randeskapet. B(cid:229)da f(cid:246)retr(cid:228)darna f(cid:246)rklarade sig villiga att ta upp fr(cid:229)gan med de kosovoalbanska f(cid:229)ngarna p(cid:229) dagordningen f(cid:246)r Europeiska ministerr(cid:229)dets m(cid:246)te den 24(cid:141)25 januari. Vid en genoml(cid:228)sning av protokollet fr(cid:229)n detta m(cid:246)te verkar det emellertid som om fr(cid:229)gan inte behandlades. Jag skulle d(cid:228)rf(cid:246)r vilja st(cid:228)lla f(cid:246)ljande fr(cid:229)gor: 1. Hur t(cid:228)nker r(cid:229)det f(cid:246)lja upp Europaparlamentets resolution av den 16 september 1999 d(cid:228)r ordf(cid:246)rande- skapet uppmanades att f(cid:246)ra direkta samtal med den serbiska regeringen betr(cid:228)ffande frisl(cid:228)ppandet av alla politiska f(cid:229)ngar? 2. N(cid:228)r t(cid:228)nker r(cid:229)det diskutera fr(cid:229)gan om de kosovoalbanska f(cid:229)ngarna i Serbien? 3. ¯r r(cid:229)det villigt att ta initiativ till en resolution i FN:s s(cid:228)kerhetsr(cid:229)d om frigivande av de albanska f(cid:229)ngarna i Serbien? Om nej, varf(cid:246)r inte? 4. ˜r r(cid:229)det villigt att g(cid:246)ra l(cid:246)sningen p(cid:229) problemet med de albanska f(cid:229)ngarna till ett villkor f(cid:246)r att avskaffa sanktionerna mot Jugoslavien och f(cid:246)r att l(cid:229)ta Serbien delta i stabilitetspakten f(cid:246)r Syd- (cid:246)steuropa? Om nej, varf(cid:246)r inte? Svar (8 juni 2000) R(cid:229)det har noterat Europaparlamentets resolution av den 16 september 1999 som den (cid:228)rade parlaments- ledamoten h(cid:228)nvisar till. Under nuvarande omst(cid:228)ndigheter har r(cid:229)det inga m(cid:246)jligheter till direkta kontakter


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE P-0556/00 von Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) an die Kommission. Protokoll über die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Aquitaine und den Autonomen Regionen Baskenland und Navarra.

eurovoc_concepts:
Aquitaine
Basque Country
EU programme
EU regional policy
France
Navarre
Spain
cross-border cooperation
regional cooperation

text: C 374 E/104 Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:228)ischen Gemeinschaften DE 28. 12. 2000 verfahren innerhalb der Arbeitsgemeinschaft europ(cid:228)ischer Luftfahrtbeh(cid:246)rden (Joint Aviation Authorities, JAA) vorangetrieben. Dieser Rechtsrahmen l(cid:228)(cid:223)t auch Verfahren f(cid:252)r eine gemeinsame Zertifizierung zu und ist durch die Verordnung (EWG) Nr. 3922/91 des Rates vom 16. Dezember 1991 zur Harmonisierung der technischen Vorschriften und der Verwaltungsverfahren in der Zivilluftfahrt (1) Bestandteil des Gemein- schaftsrecht geworden. Es wurden damit au(cid:223)erdem gleiche Bedingungen f(cid:252)r einen fairen und gleich- berechtigten Wettbewerb f(cid:252)r alle Wirtschaftsbeteiligten in der Gemeinschaft geschaffen. Ein Vorschlag zur Schaffung einer europ(cid:228)ischen Beh(cid:246)rde (EASA), die auf JAA aufbaut und dieses Gremium verbessern und st(cid:228)rken wird, wird zur Zeit in der Kommission er(cid:246)rtert. Im Bereich des Flugverkehrsmanagements erarbeitet Eurocontrol Normen und technische Spezifikationen, die im wesentlichen auf die Gew(cid:228)hrleistung der Interoperabilit(cid:228)t und eines nahtlosen Betriebs nationaler Systeme ausgerichtet sind. Eurocontrol-Normen werden durch die Richtlinie 93/65/EWG des Rates vom 19. Juli 1993 (cid:252)ber die Aufstellung und Anwendung kompatibler technischer Spezifikationen f(cid:252)r die Beschaffung von Ausr(cid:252)stungen und Systemen f(cid:252)r das Flugverkehrsmanagement (2) Bestandteil des Gemein- schaftsrechts. Eurocontrol befa(cid:223)t sich jedoch haupts(cid:228)chlich mit Systemen und Normen f(cid:252)r die Flug- sicherung und deckt nicht die gesamte Bandbreite der Anforderungen an Dienste, Personal und Betrieb der Flugsicherung ab. Dies liegt zum Teil daran, da(cid:223) es keinen europ(cid:228)ischen Markt f(cid:252)r die Flugsicherung gibt und daher nationale Systeme mit erheblichen Unterschieden vorherrschen. In der spezielleren Frage gemeinsamer Normen f(cid:252)r Lizenzen und Bef(cid:228)higungszeugnisse von Fluglotsen bem(cid:252)ht sich Eurocontrol um die Einf(cid:252)hrung einer harmonisierten Regelung im Bereich der Europ(cid:228)ischen Zivilluftfahrt-Konferenz (ECAC). Die Gemeinschaft verfolgt diese Ma(cid:223)nahme, aus der sich, wie der Herr Abgeordnete ausf(cid:252)hrt, eine Gemeinschaftsrichtlinie ergeben kann, mit gro(cid:223)er Aufmerksamkeit. (1) ABl. L 373 vom 31. 12. 1991. (2) ABl. L 187 vom 29. 7. 1993. (2000/C 374 E/120) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE P-0556/00 von Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) an die Kommission (23. Februar 2000) Betrifft: Protokoll (cid:252)ber die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Aquitaine und den Autonomen Regionen Baskenland und Navarra 1980 wurde in Bayonne (Frankreich) ein Abkommen zwischen Frankreich und Spanien unterzeichnet, das eine grenz(cid:252)bergreifende Zusammenarbeit auf regionaler Ebene vorsah. Am 3. Oktober 1989 wurde in Bordeaux das Protokoll (cid:252)ber die Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Autonomen Region Baskenland und der Region Aquitaine unterzeichnet. Durch dieses Dokument erhielten die grenz(cid:252)bergreifenden Beziehungen zwischen beiden Regionen formellen Charakter. Am 13. Februar 1992 erfolgte auch der Beitritt der Autonomen Region Navarra und die Unterzeichnung eines neuen Protokolls. Die Ziele dieses Protokolls sind folgende: (cid:129) Austausch von Informationen und Abstimmung der Politiken der drei Regionen im Bereich des Ausbaus der Kommunikationsinfrastruktur, im wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Bereich sowie in den Bereichen Forschung und Kultur in den Fragen, in denen sie eng miteinander verkn(cid:252)pft sind. im Bildungsbereich, (cid:129) Konzertierung zur Festlegung und Entwicklung von Vorhaben von gemeinsamen Interesse. (cid:129) F(cid:246)rderung der Beziehungen der Zusammenarbeit zwischen den (cid:246)ffentlichen, den berufsst(cid:228)ndischen und den privaten Einrichtungen der drei Regionen. Am 25. Januar diesen Jahres fa(cid:223)te die Autonome Region Navarra den einseitigen Beschlu(cid:223), die Zusam- menarbeit im Rahmen des Protokolls aufzuk(cid:252)ndigen, wobei sie als Begr(cid:252)ndung politische Differenzen anf(cid:252)hrte, die jedoch nichts mit irgendwelchen Fragen in den Bereichen zu tun haben, die Gegenstand des Protokolls (cid:252)ber die Zusammenarbeit sind. Ist die Kommission der Ansicht, da(cid:223) dies die Entwicklung der grenz(cid:252)bergreifenden Zusammenarbeit zwischen diesen drei Regionen beeintr(cid:228)chtigen kann, zumal die neue Gemeinschaftsinitiative Interreg diese Zusammenarbeit f(cid:246)rdern soll? Kann die Kommission mitteilen, ob die Zusch(cid:252)sse bzw. Beihilfen, welche die Autonome Region Navarra gegenw(cid:228)rtig f(cid:252)r Projekte erh(cid:228)lt, die im Rahmen des genannten Protokolls entwickelt wurden, gef(cid:228)hrdet sind? 28. 12. 2000 DE Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:228)ischen Gemeinschaften C 374 E/105 Antwort von Herrn Barnier im Namen der Kommission (17. M(cid:228)rz 2000) In der neuen Planungsperiode der Strukturfonds 2000-2006 werden im Rahmen der Gemeinschafts- initiative Interreg nur Projekte mit wirklich grenz(cid:252)bergreifendem bzw. transnationalem Charakter gef(cid:246)r- dert, die Teil eines von den betreffenden Beh(cid:246)rden beiderseits der Grenze gemeinsam aufgestellten Kooperationsprogramms sind. Au(cid:223)erdem mu(cid:223) dieses Programm im Rahmen gemeinsamer Kooperationsstrukturen durchgef(cid:252)hrt werden, d. h. einen gemeinsamen Begleitausschu(cid:223), einen gemeinsamen Lenkungsausschu(cid:223) und eine gemeinsame Verwaltungsbeh(cid:246)rde/Zahlstelle der vom Interreg-Programm betroffenen Mitgliedstaaten und Regionen. Die Schaffung dieser gemeinsamen Kooperationsstrukturen ist daher eine Bedingung f(cid:252)r die Durchf(cid:252)hrung von Interreg und Voraussetzung daf(cid:252)r, da(cid:223) das Programm von der Kommission als zul(cid:228)ssig angesehen und genehmigt werden kann. In diesem Zusammenhang liegt es auf der Hand, da(cid:223) bilaterale Kooperationsprotokolle wie dasjenige von Bayonne, auf das der Herr Abgeordnete Bezug nimmt, f(cid:252)r die Schaffung und Konsolidierung gemeinsamer Strukturen f(cid:252)r Interreg von gro(cid:223)em Nutzen sein k(cid:246)nnen. Das grenz(cid:252)bergreifende Programm Frankreich/Spanien, das sich in der Abschlu(cid:223)phase befindet, ist von den Entscheidungen der Regierung der Comunidad Foral de Navarra in keiner Weise betroffen. Im derzeitigen Stadium lassen sich (cid:252)ber die Durchf(cid:252)hrung der neuen Gemeinschaftsinitiative Interreg III in diesen Regionen noch keine Aussagen machen, da die Kommission in K(cid:252)rze erst ihre diesbez(cid:252)glichen Leitlinien ihre verabschieden wird und die betroffenen Mitgliedstaaten und Regionen dann aufgefordert werden, Vorschl(cid:228)ge f(cid:252)r Operationelle Programme auszuarbeiten. (2000/C 374 E/121) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0557/00 von Christopher Huhne (ELDR) an die Kommission (29. Februar 2000) Betrifft: Verfahren f(cid:252)r Entlassungen Die Kommission hat in ihrer Antwort auf meine schriftliche Anfrage E-2225/99 (1) mitgeteilt, da(cid:223) sie in den letzten f(cid:252)nf Jahren elf Personen entlassen hat. Ist sie angesichts dieses Umstands der Meinung, da(cid:223) die Verfahren f(cid:252)r Entlassungen a) denjenigen anderer Arbeitgeber im (cid:246)ffentlichen und privaten Sektor vergleichbar und b) geeignet sind, disziplin(cid:228)re Probleme in den Griff zu bekommen? Wie gedenkt sie, falls dies nicht der Fall ist, sie zu verbessern? (1) ABl. C 203 E vom 18. 7. 2000, S. 151. Antwort von Herrn Kinnock im Namen der Kommission (30. M(cid:228)rz 2000) Die Kommission erlaubt sich, den Herrn Abgeordneten darauf hinweisen, da(cid:223) die im Statut festgelegten Disziplinarverfahren, die u. a. auch die Entlassung von Beamten vorsehen, f(cid:252)r alle EU-Organe gelten. Der Kommission ist bekannt, da(cid:223) im (cid:246)ffentlichen Dienst der Mitgliedstaaten sehr unterschiedliche Disziplinarvorschriften in Kraft sind. Bei der Ausarbeitung des Konsultationspapiers (cid:252)ber die Disziplinar- verfahren und des Entwurfs des Kommissionsbeschlusses (cid:252)ber administrative Verbesserungen des Diszipli- narverfahrens, die beide im Oktober 2000 vorliegen sollen (vgl. Aktionsplan vom 1. M(cid:228)rz 2000, Ma(cid:223)nahmen 57 und 58), wird die Kommission die beste Praxis ber(cid:252)cksichtigen, die sich in den Mitgliedstaaten und internationalen Organisationen bei Entlassung und Disziplinarverfahren insgesamt bew(cid:228)hrt hat. Auch Disziplinarverfahren bestimmter Berufe und Verwaltungen der Privatwirtschaft k(cid:246)nnten (cid:129) sofern sie vergleichbar sind (cid:129) wichtige Erkenntnisse liefern. Wie die Kommission in ihrem Wei(cid:223)buch (cid:132)Reform der Kommission(cid:147) (1) (vgl. Kapitel IV. 5 (cid:132)Disziplinar- ordnung(cid:147)) deutlich gemacht hat, ist sie sich (cid:252)ber die Unzul(cid:228)nglichkeiten des derzeitigen Disziplinarverfah- rens im klaren: (cid:132)Es ist zu langsam und hat viele Verfahrensebenen, und der Disziplinarrat ist durch eine wechselnde, rein interne Zusammensetzung gekennzeichnet. Das Personal ist nicht ausreichend (cid:252)ber seine Pflichten und die m(cid:246)glichen Folgen von Verst(cid:246)(cid:223)en informiert. (cid:147) Die Kommission wird spezifische Vor- schl(cid:228)ge zur ˜nderung des Statuts vorlegen, um diese Unzul(cid:228)nglichkeiten zu beheben und eine Regelung zu finden, die gerecht und konsequent ist und keine unn(cid:246)tigen Verz(cid:246)gerungen verursacht. Der Vorschlag,


title: PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-0427/00 apresentada por Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) à Comissão. Distribuição pelo Estado espanhol dos recursos do FEDER do Objectivo no 1 destinados à Galiza.

eurovoc_concepts:
European Regional Development Fund
Galicia
Spain
distribution of EU funding
less-favoured region

text: 20. 3. 2001 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias C 89 E/1 I (Comunica(cid:231)ıes) PARLAMENTO EUROPEU PERGUNTAS ESCRITAS COM RESPOSTA (2001/C 89 E/001) PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-0427/00 apresentada por Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) (cid:224) Comissªo (23 de Fevereiro de 2000) Objecto: Distribui(cid:231)ªo pelo Estado espanhol dos recursos do FEDER do Objectivo no 1 destinados (cid:224) Galiza Na resposta de 21 de Dezembro a uma pergunta (E-1433/99) (1) deste deputado sobre este assunto, o ComissÆrio Barnier informa que no per(cid:237)odo de 1994/1999 o Estado espanhol aplicou na Galiza recursos do FEDER no valor de 553,86 milhıes de euros, verbas que, de acordo com a sua informa(cid:231)ªo, representam 12,09 % do total atribu(cid:237)do (cid:224)s Comunidades Aut(cid:243)nomas espanholas do Objectivo no 1, enquanto que a Galiza representa 11,67 % da popula(cid:231)ªo dos territ(cid:243)rios inclu(cid:237)dos nesse Objectivo. Com esta resposta a Comissªo parece ter em conta somente os recursos financeiros que o Estado espanhol destina (cid:224)s Comunidades Aut(cid:243)nomas para uma administra(cid:231)ªo directa por estas entidades. PorØm, sabendo- -se que esses recursos constituem apenas 45 % do total atribu(cid:237)do ao Estado espanhol pela Uniªo, a pergunta deste deputado referia-se especialmente (cid:224) aplica(cid:231)ªo dos 55 % que o Governo do Estado se reserva para pol(cid:237)ticas centralizadas, em muitos casos alheias ao pr(cid:243)prio Objectivo no 1. Pode a Comissªo, por conseguinte, informar em que propor(cid:231)ªo foram aplicados na Galiza, no per(cid:237)odo de 1994/1999, os restantes 55 % do total dos recursos financeiros do FEDER do Objectivo no 1 recebidos pelo Estado espanhol? Em que medida podem ser estas informa(cid:231)ıes tidas em considera(cid:231)ªo aquando da aprova(cid:231)ªo do Quadro ComunitÆrio de Apoio para os anos de 2000/2006? (1) JO C 225 E de 8. 8. 2000, p. 2. Resposta complementar do ComissÆrio Michel Barnier em nome da Comissªo (24 de Julho de 2000) No per(cid:237)odo de programa(cid:231)ªo 1994/1999, os montantes concedidos (cid:224)s comunidades aut(cid:243)nomas espanholas para uma gestªo directa por parte das mesmas representaram 35 % dos recursos totais atribu(cid:237)dos a Espanha a t(cid:237)tulo do Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional, sendo o restante gerido pelo Estado espanhol no (cid:226)mbito das interven(cid:231)ıes plurirregionais. Com base nos œltimos dados dispon(cid:237)veis, a Comunidade da Galiza recebeu, durante o mesmo per(cid:237)odo, 10,55 % dos fundos plurirregionais, ou seja, 1 140 milhıes de €. No que se refere ao per(cid:237)odo de programa(cid:231)ªo 2000/2006, estªo actualmente em curso as negocia(cid:231)ıes relativas ao quadro comunitÆrio de apoio para as regiıes eleg(cid:237)veis a t(cid:237)tulo do objectivo no 1. Todavia, as autoridades espanholas jÆ procederam a uma reparti(cid:231)ªo regional indicativa do conjunto dos fundos estruturais para as regiıes em causa. De acordo com essa reparti(cid:231)ªo, a Galiza deverÆ receber 13,8 % do total dos referidos fundos


title: KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-0415/00 esittäjä(t): Torben Lund (PSE) komissiolle. Taiteellisten teosten tekijänoikeudet.

eurovoc_concepts:
EU law
copyright
interpretation of the law

text: 24. 10. 2000 FI Euroopan yhteis(cid:246)jen virallinen lehti C 303 E/191 (2000/C 303 E/218) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-0415/00 esitt(cid:228)j(cid:228)(t): Torben Lund (PSE) komissiolle (23. helmikuuta 2000) Aihe: Taiteellisten teosten tekij(cid:228)noikeudet Bernin sopimuksen sek(cid:228) tekij(cid:228)noikeuden ja tiettyjen l(cid:228)hioikeuksien suojaa koskevan EU:n direktiivin 93/98 (1) osalta pyyd(cid:228)n vastausta seuraaviin kysymyksiin. 1. Miss(cid:228) m(cid:228)(cid:228)rin alkuper(cid:228)isen teoksen laillinen monistaminen (cid:129) monistamistavasta riippumatta (cid:129) vaikuttaa EU:n s(cid:228)(cid:228)nn(cid:246)sten mukaiseen taideteosten suoja-aikaan? 2. Voiko taideteoksen laillinen monistaminen (cid:129) monistamistavasta riippumatta (cid:129) johtaa siihen, ett(cid:228) toinen toimija voi harjoittaa monistamista tekij(cid:228)noikeuden haltijan etujen vastaisesti jo ennen EU:n s(cid:228)(cid:228)nn(cid:246)sten mukaisten tekij(cid:228)noikeuksien voimassaoloajan p(cid:228)(cid:228)ttymist(cid:228)? (1) EYVL L 290, 24. 11. 1993, s. 9. Frederik Bolkesteinin komission puolesta antama vastaus (10. huhtikuuta 2000) Tekij(cid:228)noikeuden ja tiettyjen l(cid:228)hioikeuksien suojan voimassaoloajan yhdenmukaistamisesta annetussa neu- voston direktiiviss(cid:228) 93/98/ETY m(cid:228)(cid:228)ritell(cid:228)(cid:228)n paitsi suoja-ajat, joita yhteis(cid:246)ss(cid:228) noudatetaan kunkin teostyy- joka aiheuttaa suojan voimassaolon alkamisen pin ja suojattavan kohteen kohdalla, my(cid:246)s tapahtuma, kussakin tapauksessa. joilla teollis- ja tekij(cid:228)noikeuksien suojaamat tavarat ja palvelut voisivat liikkua vapaasti, yhdenmukaistaminen on t(cid:228)ydellist(cid:228) ja siin(cid:228) otetaan huomioon kaikki tekij(cid:228)t, jotka voivat vaikuttaa suoja-aikojen pituuteen. Jotta voitaisiin luoda todelliset sis(cid:228)markkinat, Taideteoksen laillinen monistaminen kuuluu teoksen normaaliin k(cid:228)ytt(cid:246)(cid:246)n, eik(cid:228) se vaikuta suoja-ajan pituuteen. Tilannetta, tekij(cid:228)noikeuden haltijan etujen vastaiseen monistamiseen, on vaikea kuvitella, koska uuteen monistamiseenkin tarvitaan oikeuksien haltijan suostu- mus, ellei se kuulu johonkin lain sallimista k(cid:228)ytt(cid:246)muodoista. T(cid:228)llainen tilanne ei kuitenkaan miss(cid:228)(cid:228)n tapauksessa vaikuta suoja-ajan pituuteen. jossa laillinen monistaminen johtaisi (2000/C 303 E/219) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS P-0428/00 esitt(cid:228)j(cid:228)(t): Pietro-Paolo Mennea (ELDR) komissiolle (11. helmikuuta 2000) Aihe: Dopingaineita sis(cid:228)lt(cid:228)vien l(cid:228)(cid:228)kepakkausten varustaminen erityisell(cid:228) merkinn(cid:228)ll(cid:228) Urheilun huomattavan yhteiskunnallisen merkityksen vuoksi sit(cid:228) voidaan nykyisin pit(cid:228)(cid:228) kulttuurin oleelli- sena osana kaikissa j(cid:228)senvaltioissa, (cid:129) ja sen kasvatus-, kulttuuri- ja virkistysteht(cid:228)v(cid:228) tunnustetaan my(cid:246)s Amsterdamin sopimuksessa. (cid:129) Urheilu suojelee lis(cid:228)ksi eri lajeja harjoittavien urheilijoiden terveytt(cid:228). (cid:129) On osoitettu, ett(cid:228) dopingaineiden v(cid:228)(cid:228)rink(cid:228)yt(cid:246)ll(cid:228) on urheilijoiden terveydelle ja fyysiselle hyvinvoinnille vakavia v(cid:228)litt(cid:246)mi(cid:228) ja pitk(cid:228)ll(cid:228) aikav(cid:228)lill(cid:228) ilmaantuvia vaikutuksia. (cid:129) Kyseiset vaikutukset vaihtelevat riippuen siit(cid:228), mit(cid:228) aineita on k(cid:228)ytetty, sek(cid:228) muista tekij(cid:246)ist(cid:228) kuten jotka saattavat annostuksesta, k(cid:228)yt(cid:246)n kestosta, eri aineiden yhteisvaikutuksesta sek(cid:228) sairauksista, tehostaa myrkyllisten aineiden vaikutuksia. (cid:129) Yleens(cid:228) t(cid:228)llaisten aineiden k(cid:228)yt(cid:246)n riskej(cid:228) kuitenkin aliarvioidaan


title: Proposta da Comissão relativa aos preços dos produtos agrícolas (2000/2001) - Volume I: Exposição de motivos - Volulme II: Implicações financeiras

eurovoc_concepts:
agricultural product
common organisation of markets
farm prices
fixing of prices
intervention price


title: SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL P-0556/00 af Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) til Kommissionen. Protokol om samarbejde mellem Aquitaine-regionen og de autonome regioner Baskerlandet og Navarra.

text: C 374 E/104 De Europ(cid:230)iske F(cid:230)llesskabers Tidende DA 28. 12. 2000 f(cid:230)lles sikkerhedsregler og -procedurer. Dette regels(cid:230)t har (cid:229)bnet udarbejdelse og implementering af mulighed for f(cid:230)lles certificering og er indarbejdet i EU-retten ved R(cid:229)dets forordning (E(cid:216)F) Nr. 3922/91 om af 16. december 1991 om harmonisering af tekniske krav og administrative procedurer inden for civil luftfart (1). Samtidig er der skabt lige vilk(cid:229)r for loyal konkurrence mellem alle involverede i F(cid:230)llesskabet. I Kommissionen drłftes i łjeblikket et forslag om oprettelse af en europ(cid:230)isk organisation (EASA), der skal bygge videre p(cid:229) JAA og styrke og forbedre denne organisation. Inden for lufttrafikregulering udarbejder Eurocontrol standarder og tekniske forskrifter, der i fłrste r(cid:230)kke skal tjene til, at de nationale systemer kan arbejde sammen. Eurocontrol(cid:146)s standarder bliver en del af EU- retten ved hj(cid:230)lp af R(cid:229)dets direktiv 93/65/E(cid:216)F af 19. juli 1993 om definition og anvendelse af kompatible tekniske specifikationer for erhvervelse af udstyr og systemer til regulering af lufttrafikken (air-traffic- management equipment and systems) (2). Eurocontrol(cid:146)s arbejde fokuserer imidlertid mest p(cid:229) procedurer og standarder for systemer til lufttrafikkontrol (ATC) og omfatter ikke alle krav i forbindelse med ATC- tjenester, -personale og -drift. Denne forskel har til dels sin begrundelse i, at der ikke er noget europ(cid:230)isk marked for ATC, og det derfor er nationale ordninger, som udviser betydelige indbyrdes forskelle, der dominerer. Hvad ang(cid:229)r det mere specifikke spłrgsm(cid:229)l om f(cid:230)lles standarder for erhvervstilladelser og -certifikater for flyveledere, arbejder Eurocontrol p(cid:229) at indfłre et harmoniseret system p(cid:229) det omr(cid:229)de, som Den Europ(cid:230)iske Konference for Civil Luftfart (ECAC) d(cid:230)kker. F(cid:230)llesskabet fłlger nłje med i dette arbejde, der som foresl(cid:229)et af det (cid:230)rede medlem muligvis vil fłre frem til et EU-direktiv. (1) EFT L 373 af 31. 12. 1991. (2) EFT L 187 af 29. 7. 1993. (2000/C 374 E/120) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL P-0556/00 af Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) til Kommissionen (23. februar 2000) Om: Protokol om samarbejde mellem Aquitaine-regionen og de autonome regioner Baskerlandet og Navarra I 1980 i Bayonne (Frankrig) undertegnede den franske og den spanske stat en aftale om gr(cid:230)nseoverskrid- ende samarbejde p(cid:229) regionalt plan. Den 3. oktober 1989 blev protokollen om samarbejde mellem Aquitaine-regionen og den autonome region Baskerlandet undertegnet i Bordeaux. Dette dokument gav de gr(cid:230)nseoverskridende forbindelser mellem de to stater institutionel karakter. Den 13. februar 1992 blev ogs(cid:229) den autonome region Navarra medtaget, og der blev undertegnet en ny protokol. M(cid:229)ls(cid:230)tningerne i denne protokol er: (cid:129) At udveksle oplysninger og harmonisere de omr(cid:229)der, som samarbejdet omfatter, nemlig de tre regioners politikker for udvikling af infrastrukturen inden for kommunikation, uddannelse, łkonomi og besk(cid:230)ftigelse, forskning og kultur. (cid:129) I f(cid:230)llesskab at udarbejde og igangs(cid:230)tte projekter af f(cid:230)lles interesse. (cid:129) At fremme samarbejdsforbindelserne mellem de offentlige, erhvervsm(cid:230)ssige og private instanser i de tre regioner. Den 25. januar 2000 besluttede regeringen for den autonome region Navarra ensidigt at tr(cid:230)de ud af ovenn(cid:230)vnte protokol p(cid:229) grund af politiske forskelle p(cid:229) omr(cid:229)der, der ikke er omfattet af samarbejdsproto- kollen. Mener Kommissionen, at dette kan f(cid:229) indflydelse p(cid:229) det gr(cid:230)nseoverskridende samarbejde mellem disse tre regioner, s(cid:230)rligt n(cid:229)r det tages i betragtning, at det nye f(cid:230)llesskabsinitiativ Interreg vil styrke dette samarbejde? Vil Kommissionen oplyse, om der er fare for, at den nuv(cid:230)rende subvention eller stłtte, som den autonome region Navarra modtager til projekter, der gennemfłres i medfłr af samarbejdsprotokollen, vil bortfalde? 28. 12. 2000 DA De Europ(cid:230)iske F(cid:230)llesskabers Tidende C 374 E/105 Svar afgivet p(cid:229) Kommissionens vegne af Michel Barnier (17. marts 2000) I den nye programmeringsperiode for strukturfondene for perioden 2000-2006 kommer Interreg-initiativet kun til at d(cid:230)kke egentligt gr(cid:230)nseoverskridende og tv(cid:230)rnationale projekter, som indg(cid:229)r i et samarbejdspro- gram, der fastl(cid:230)gges i f(cid:230)llesskab af de berłrte myndigheder p(cid:229) begge sider af gr(cid:230)nsen. Dette program vil i łvrigt blive iv(cid:230)rksat af f(cid:230)lles samarbejdsstrukturer (cid:129) med et overv(cid:229)gningsudvalg, et styringsudvalg og en forvaltnings-/udbetalingsmyndighed, der er f(cid:230)lles for de medlemsstater og gr(cid:230)nse- regioner, som er omfattet af Interreg-programmet. Etableringen af disse f(cid:230)lles strukturer er en betingelse for iv(cid:230)rks(cid:230)ttelsen af Interreg og en betingelse for, at Kommissionen kan behandle og godkende program- met. Det er i den forbindelse klart, at bilaterale samarbejdsaftaler og -protokoller som Bayonne-aftalen, som det (cid:230)rede parlamentsmedlem n(cid:230)vner, kan vise sig at v(cid:230)re meget nyttige med henblik p(cid:229) etablering og konsolidering af f(cid:230)lles Interreg-strukturer. Det gr(cid:230)nseoverskridende program for Frankrig og Spanien befinder sig i łjeblikket i den afsluttende fase og berłres p(cid:229) ingen m(cid:229)de af de beslutninger, der tr(cid:230)ffes af den selvstyrende region Navarra. Det er p(cid:229) indev(cid:230)rende tidspunkt ikke muligt at udtale sig om iv(cid:230)rks(cid:230)ttelsen af det nye EU-initiativ Interreg III i disse regioner, eftersom Kommissionen fłrst skal vedtage sine retningslinjer p(cid:229) omr(cid:229)det, hvorefter de berłrte medlemsstater og regioner vil blive opfordret til at udarbejde forslag til operationelle programmer. (2000/C 374 E/121) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL E-0557/00 af Christopher Huhne (ELDR) til Kommissionen (29. februar 2000) Om: Afskedigelsesprocedurer Med henvisning til Kommissionens svar p(cid:229) min skriftlige forespłrgsel E-2225/99 (1), hvori den oplyser, at den inden for de seneste fem (cid:229)r har afskediget elleve personer, bedes den oplyse, om den er af den opfattelse, at dens afskedigelsesprocedurer er a) komparable med procedurerne for andre ansatte i den offentlige og private sektor, og b) tilstr(cid:230)kkelige til at h(cid:229)ndtere disciplin(cid:230)re problemer? Hvis ikke, hvordan har den s(cid:229) til hensigt at forbedre dem? (1) EFT C 203 E af 18. 7. 2000, s. 151. Svar afgivet p(cid:229) Kommissionens vegne af Neil Kinnock (30. marts 2000) Kommissionen henleder det (cid:230)rede medlems opm(cid:230)rksomhed p(cid:229), at disciplin(cid:230)rprocedurerne i persona- levedt(cid:230)gten g(cid:230)lder for alle EU-institutioner, og at det i henhold til disse bl. a. er muligt at afskedige tjenestem(cid:230)nd. Kommissionen er klar over, at der i de offentlige forvaltninger i medlemsstaterne findes en r(cid:230)kke forskellige regler for behandling af disciplin(cid:230)rsager. I forbindelse med Kommissionens forberedelse af opl(cid:230)gget om disciplin(cid:230)re foranstaltninger og udkastet til afgłrelse om forvaltningsm(cid:230)ssige forbedringer af disciplin(cid:230)rprocedurerne, begge planlagt til oktober 2000 (jf. handlingsplan af 1. marts 2000, aktion nr. 57/58), vil den med hensyn til afskedigelsesprocedurer, og disciplin(cid:230)rprocedurer generelt, tage hensyn til den bedste praksis i medlemsstaterne og internationale organisationer. Disciplin(cid:230)rprocedurer inden for visse erhverv og administrationer i den private sektor kan ogs(cid:229) v(cid:230)re relevante, for s(cid:229) vidt som de er sammenlignelige. Som Kommissionen gjorde det klart i hvidbogen om »Reform af Kommissionen« (1) IV. 5 »Disciplin«), er den opm(cid:230)rksom p(cid:229) manglerne i det nuv(cid:230)rende system, som »er for langsomt, har for mange procedureled og et disciplin(cid:230)rr(cid:229)d med varierende sammens(cid:230)tning og uden eksterne deltagere. Desuden er personalet ikke tilstr(cid:230)kkeligt godt informeret om deres forpligtelser og de eventuelle fłlger af misligholdelse«. Kommissionen vil frems(cid:230)tte specifikke forslag til (cid:230)ndring af personalevedt(cid:230)gten for at rette op p(cid:229) disse mangler og n(cid:229) frem til et system, som er retf(cid:230)rdigt, konsekvent og fri for unłdige forsinkelser. Den foresl(cid:229)ede oprettelse af et interinstitutionelt disciplin(cid:230)rr(cid:229)d og muligheden for, at administrationen kan forel(cid:230)gge sager for dette r(cid:229)d, er blandt de foranstaltninger, som kr(cid:230)ver (cid:230)ndringer af personalevedt(cid:230)gten. Der vil ogs(cid:229) blive indfłrt foranstaltninger, som ikke kr(cid:230)ver (cid:230)ndringer af persona- levedt(cid:230)gten. Som det fremg(cid:229)r af hvidbogen »vil der komme en vejledning, som forklarer rettigheder og pligter, der vil blive udarbejdet retningslinjer for sanktioner, der st(cid:229)r i forhold til overtr(cid:230)delsens alvor, (jf. kapitel


title: QUESTION ÉCRITE E-0417/00 posée par Maurizio Turco (TDI) à la Commission. Approche budgétaire favorisant les subventions frauduleuses.

eurovoc_concepts:
Community budget
EU financing
budgetary classification
fraud against the EU

text: 26. 1. 2001 FR Journal officiel des CommunautØs europØennes C 26 E/39 Wildlife and on Ecotoxicology test methods» (4). En ce qui concerne la santØ humaine, le CSTEE conclut qu(cid:146)il «existe des associations entre les substances chimiques perturbant le systŁme endocrinien, telles qu(cid:146)on les conna(cid:238)t actuellement, et les problŁmes de santØ humaine» tels que les cancers des testicules, du sein et de la prostate, la baisse du nombre de spermatozo(cid:239)des, les malformations des organes reproducteurs, les dØrŁglements thyro(cid:239)diens, ainsi que les troubles intellectuels et neurologiques. NØanmoins, le r(cid:244)le d(cid:146)agent causal n(cid:146)a pas ØtØ confirmØ. (1) COM(1999) 706 final. (2) JO L 142 du 5. 6. 1999. (3) JO L 262 du 27. 9. 1976. (4) Adresse internet: http://europa. eu. int/comm/dg24/health/sc/sct/out37_en. html. (2001/C 26 E/052) QUESTION (cid:201)CRITE E-0417/00 posØe par Maurizio Turco (TDI) (cid:224) la Commission (23 fØvrier 2000) Objet: Approche budgØtaire favorisant les subventions frauduleuses Compte tenu de la rØponse donnØe par Mme Schreyer (cid:224) la question Øcrite P-2367/99 (1) relative (cid:224) une approche budgØtaire favorisant les subventions frauduleuses, l(cid:146)auteur souhaite reformuler sa question qui, selon lui, n(cid:146)a pas ØtØ bien comprise: 1. Dans le rapport du ComitØ des sages on lit que «en matiŁre de subventions, la nomenclature partie A-partie B, loin d(cid:146)apporter la clartØ, accro(cid:238)t la confusion», confusion gr(cid:226)ce (cid:224) laquelle «une grande partie des subventions sont en fait des contrats dØguisØs». Le ComitØ affirme par ailleurs dans la quatriŁme recommandation que la nomenclature budgØtaire actuelle, basØe sur la distinction imposØe par le rŁglement financier entre une partie A relative aux dØpenses administratives et une partie B relative aux dØpenses opØrationnelles, est de fait inapplicable. Elle est en effet souvent contournØe au moment de l(cid:146)imputation des crØdits. La Commission pourrait-elle indiquer si elle a, OUI ou NON, l(cid:146)intention de maintenir la nomenclature partie A-partie B? Par ailleurs, la Commission n(cid:146)ayant pas rØpondu (cid:224) la deuxiŁme question qui lui Øtait posØe, l(cid:146)auteur la lui soumet (cid:224) nouveau: 2. Quelles sont les subventions dØguisØes par des contrats dont le ComitØ a eu connaissance, quels sont les responsables et quelles initiatives la Commission entend-elle prendre et dans quel dØlai? Le ComitØ des sages affirme en effet, dans son second rapport qu(cid:146)une grande partie des subventions sont en rØalitØ des contrats dØguisØs. D(cid:146)aprŁs les ØlØments dont dispose la Commission, cette affirmation repose-t-elle sur une intuition du ComitØ des sages? Dans l(cid:146)affirmative, qu(cid:146)entend faire la Commission pour dØfendre son honorabilitØ? Si cette affirmation repose en revanche sur des ØlØments objectifs, la Commission a-t-elle l(cid:146)intention de clarifier les responsabilitØs et de prendre des mesures (cid:224) l(cid:146)Øgard des responsables? (1) JO C 225 E du 8. 8. 2000, p. 115. RØponse donnØe par Mme Schreyer au nom de la Commission (3 mai 2000) 1. La nomenclature budgØtaire actuelle Øtant fixØe par le rŁglement financier, le budget de la Commis- sion est divisØ en deux grandes parties (cid:129) la partie A pour les dØpenses de fonctionnement et la partie B pour les dØpenses opØrationnelles. (cid:201)tant donnØ que le budget communautaire a gagnØ en ampleur et en volume, cette distinction est devenue floue et ne confŁre plus la clartØ et la transparence nØcessaires (cid:224) l(cid:146)affectation et (cid:224) la dØclaration effectives des ressources. Dans le cadre de l(cid:146)Øtablissement du budget sur la base des activitØs, la Commission est en train d(cid:146)Øtudier d(cid:146)Øventuels changements (cid:224) la nomenclature budgØtaire. Ces changements viseront (cid:224) instaurer un budget axØ sur les politiques et (cid:224) accro(cid:238)tre la transparence du budget de la Commission. NØanmoins, aux fins de la bonne gestion, la Commission continue (cid:224) considØrer qu(cid:146)une nette sØparation entre dØpenses de fonction- nement et dØpenses opØrationnelles dans l(cid:146)exØcution du budget est d(cid:146)une importance capitale, mais elle n(cid:146)a pas l(cid:146)intention de conserver l(cid:146)actuelle division entre partie A et partie B. C 26 E/40 Journal officiel des CommunautØs europØennes FR 26. 1. 2001 Des progrŁs ne peuvent Œtre rØalisØs que progressivement, car ils supposent la rØvision du rŁglement financier. En outre, Øtant donnØ que les perspectives financiŁres actuelles comprennent une rubrique distincte qui regroupe toutes les «dØpense administratives» des diffØrentes institutions (rubrique 5), une solution devrait Œtre trouvØe au niveau interinstitutionnel. 2. Aucune sorte de «subventions dØguisØes par des contrats» n(cid:146)a ØtØ portØe (cid:224) l(cid:146)attention de la Commis- sion par le comitØ d(cid:146)experts indØpendants. Ledit comitØ a Ømis la remarque gØnØrale qu(cid:146)il dØsapprouvait la distinction que fait la Commission dans son classement des dØpenses entre une subvention et un contrat pour des dØpenses effectuØes au titre des marchØs publics au motif que, comme la plupart des subventions impliquaient une contrepartie, elles aussi constituaient en fait une sorte de contrat. La Commission reconna(cid:238)t que la plupart des subventions supposent bien une contrepartie et des obligations mutuelles de type contractuel, mais pas qu(cid:146)elles puissent dŁs lors Œtre assimilØes (cid:224) des dØpenses effectuØes au titre des marchØs publics, de sorte qu(cid:146)elle rejette l(cid:146)expression «subventions frauduleuses». Dans le cadre du vade-mecum sur la gestion des subventions (1) qui est entrØ en vigueur le 1er janvier 1999, la Commission a dØj(cid:224) fixØ des orientations visant (cid:224) faire la distinction entre les «subventions» et les «dØpenses relevant des marchØs publics», ces deux types de dØpenses se voyant appliquer les mŒmes principes fondamentaux de transparence et d(cid:146)ØgalitØ de traitement. (1) http://europa. eu. int/comm/secretariat_general/sgc/info_subv/intro_funding. htm. (2001/C 26 E/053) QUESTION (cid:201)CRITE E-0424/00 posØe par Glyn Ford (PSE) (cid:224) la Commission (23 fØvrier 2000) Objet: La recherche et les expØrimentations animales Quelle est la position de la Commission (cid:224) propos de la recherche et des expØrimentations menØes sur des animaux vivants? Quelles mesures la Commission prend-t-elle pour limiter ces expØrimentations? RØponse donnØe par Mme Wallstr(cid:246)m au nom de la Commission (11 avril 2000) La directive 86/609/CEE du Conseil, du 24 novembre 1986, relative (cid:224) la protection des animaux utilisØs (cid:224) des fins expØrimentales ou (cid:224) d(cid:146)autres fins scientifiques (1) dØfinit les dispositions (cid:224) respecter lorsque des animaux sont utilisØs (cid:224) des fin de recherche ou d(cid:146)essais. le 5e programme-cadre (dØci- En ce qui concerne les programmes communautaires de recherche, sion 182/1999/CE) (2) prØvoit (cid:224) l(cid:146) article 7 la disposition suivante: «Toutes les activitØs de recherche menØes au titre du cinquiŁme programme-cadre doivent Œtre rØalisØes dans le respect des principes Øthiques fondamentaux, y compris les exigences en matiŁre de bien-Œtre des animaux conformØment au droit communautaire». ConformØment au programme «QualitØ de la vie et gestion des ressources du vivant», les chercheurs doivent veiller (cid:224) utiliser des mØthodes de substitution, (cid:224) rØduire le nombre d(cid:146)animaux et (cid:224) affiner les expØriences. La souffrance animale doit Œtre ØvitØe ou rØduite au maximum. Ces principes doivent Œtre appliquØs de fa(cid:231)on particuliŁrement rigoureuse aux espŁces animales qui se rapprochent le plus des Œtres humains. Une Øtude Øthique spØcifique est rØalisØe pour tous les projets soulevant des questions Øthiques, y compris ceux qui impliquent des primates non humains. Le nombre d(cid:146)animaux utilisØs pour des tests rØglementaires est d(cid:146)environ 9 % du nombre total d(cid:146)animaux utilisØs (cid:224) des fins expØrimentales. Ce chiffre peut Œtre dØduit du dernier rapport de la Commission Øtabli conformØment (cid:224) la directive 86/609/CEE. Afin de rØduire le nombre d(cid:146)animaux utilisØs dans des tests rØglementaires, la Commission encourage l(cid:146)utilisation de mØthodes d(cid:146)expØrimentation nØcessitant un nombre infØrieur ou nul d(cid:146)animaux (mØthodes in vitro et informatisØes, notamment)


title: 2000/732/EC: Commission Decision of 23 February 2000 on the State aid implemented by Germany for Korn Fahrzeuge und Technik GmbH (Thuringia) (notified under document number C(2000) 520) (Text with EEA relevance) (Only the German text is authentic)

eurovoc_concepts:
Germany
State aid
agricultural vehicle
control of State aid
industrial restructuring
infringement of EU law

text: 23. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 295/21 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 23 February 2000 on the State aid implemented by Germany for Korn Fahrzeuge und Technik GmbH (Thuringia) (notified under document number C(2000) 520) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2000/732/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thererof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provision cited above (1), (3) Whereas: I. PROCEDURE (1) By letter dated 9 October 1996, the German authorities notified the Commission, pursuant to Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty, of restructuring measures to assist Korn Fahrzeuge und Technik GmbH, Gera (‘Korn’). The meas- ures were registered under aid number N 746/96. Further information was submitted by fax dated 6 November 1996, registered as received on 7 November 1996. The Commission requested further information on 11 November 1996. The German authorities with- drew the notification on 18 April 1997, as the Commis- sion had in the meantime approved the programme under which the aid measures were granted (2). (2) By letter dated 17 March 1998, registered as received on 18 March 1998, the German authorities informed the Commission of new measures to assist Korn. As these (1) OJ C 233, 14. 8. 1999, p. 29. (2) Thuringian loan guarantee scheme for guarantees issued by Thüringer Aufbaubank (Aid N 117/96, OJ C 288, 23. 9. 1997). measures had already been implemented, the case was registered as unnotified aid NN 29/98. By letters dated 7 April 1998 and 8 June 1998, the Commission requested further information, which it received on 12 March 1998 and 4 September 1998. By letter dated 22 June 1999, the Commission informed the German authorities that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the measures. On 16 July 1999, the German authorities requested deletions from the text of the Commission's letter prior to its publication in the Offi- Journal. The Commission decision to initiate the cial investigation procedure was published in the formal Official Journal of the European Communities on 14 August 1999. The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the aid measures. The Commission received no comments from interested parties. (4) Partial replies from Germany were received on 28 July 1999 and 26 August 1999. The case was discussed during a meeting with the German authorities in Brus- sels on 22 September 1999. On 16 December 1999, the German authorities informed the Commission that insol- vency proceedings had been initiated against the company on 8 November 1999. By letter dated 24 January 2000, registered as received on 27 January 2000, the Germany authorities informed the Commis- sion of the current state of the insolvency proceedings. L 295/22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 11. 2000 II. DESCRIPTION A. The aid beneficiary In 1997, Korn employed 85 people, had a turnover of DEM 16,53 million and assets of DEM 17,41 million. It qualifies as an SME within the meaning of the Community guidelines on State aid for small and medium-sized enterprises (1). Korn is based in Gera, Thuringia, a German assisted area. formerly Landtechnik & Baumaschinen GmbH, Korn, Gera, was privatised on 1 June 1991 through a manage- ment buy-out to Mr Reinhard Korn. The purchase price was DEM 0,19 million. Within the privatisation, the Treuhandanstalt (THA) paid old debts of the company amounting to DEM 2,89 million. Remaining debts amounting to DEM 0,15 million were taken over by Gera rural district in 1992. These measures were covered by the THA scheme (2). Korn pursues three main activities: (1) agricultural tech- nology (repairs, maintenance, service and distribution of including equip- tractors and agricultural equipment, ment and replacement parts for them, and the develop- ment of wood grinding machines), (2) the purchase and sale of commercial vehicles and trucks, including service and the sale of replacement parts and accessories, and (3) environmental engineering (metal construction and the production of waste disposal containers). B. The restructuring The company underwent two distinct periods of restruc- turing. The first restructuring took place between mid- 1991 and mid-1997. No restructuring plan for this period has been submitted by the German authorities and no explanations concerning operational measures taken during this period have been provided. The second restructuring plan was made operative in 1997 and extends over a period of six years. It was worked out by an outside consultancy. The Commission also received a statement by a second consultant on the (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (1) OJ C 213, 27. 7. 1996, p. 4. (2) SG(92), D/17613, of 8 December 1992, registered under NN 108/ 91. Under the THA scheme, the waiving of old debts which stem from the random allocation of costs in a planned economy and which arose before 1 July 1990 is not deemed to be State aid. (10) (11) development potential of the plan. The plan contains two main points: First, a reorganisation of the company into three new (1) SEAT Autohaus, selling business areas. These are: (2) agricultural engineering and new and used cars, commercial vehicles (3) (Landtechnik/Nutzfahrzeuge), environmental engineering (Korn Umwelttechnik). The first two business areas, SEAT Autohaus and agricultural engineering and commercial vehicles, were to be created through a management buy-out (MBO) (3). They were to be sold to former employees for a total price of DEM 1,635 million. Mr Korn was to retain 26 % of each business area. Environmental engineering (Korn Umwelttechnik) was to become the main business area, the accounting departments from both taking over MBOs. Secondly, a reorganisation within the business areas. The company was supposed to set up a central warehouse and purchase unit to save costs. The business area envir- onmental engineering (Korn Umwelttechnik) and agri- cultural engineering and commercial vehicles Land- technik/Nutzfahrzeuge) were to be reorganised so as to achieve increased profitability and save up to 7 % of costs. The production and distribution of wood grinding machines was to be maintained (4). Regarding the SEAT Autohaus, the company intended to increase its stocks, the used-cars flow and the amount of foreign brands it offers. C. Earlier financial measures (12) The following financial measures were granted to Korn from mid-1991 to mid-1997 within the context of its first restructuring: (a) ERP loans granted in 1992 and 1993 totalling DEM 1,23 million (5); (b) EKH loans granted in 1992 and 1994 totalling DEM 2 million (6); (c) R&D subsidies granted in 1995 and 1996 totalling DEM 0,06 million (7); (d) direct investment aid granted in 1993 and 1994, which, on the basis of the information available, is estimated at DEM 0,81 million (8); (e) investment allowance granted from 1992 to 1997, which, on the basis of the information available, is estimated at DEM 0,15 million (9); (3) In their answers of 4 September 1998, the German authorities explained that the business area agricultural engineering & commer- cial vehicles was difficult to sell due to the unsatisfactory turnover and profits. The sale of the SEAT Autohaus was suffering delays. This raised doubts as to the credibility of the MBO. (4) The company has failed to introduce this new product in the market. (5) ‘European Recovery Programme — start-up scheme’ (NN 31/92, OJ C 298, 14. 11. 1992, p. 4 and N 391/93, OJ C 257, 22. 9. 1993, p. 4). (6) ‘Start-up equity loan scheme’ (NN 143/91, OJ C 21, 27. 11. 1991, p. 21 and N 213/93, OJ C 302. 9. 11. 1993, p. 6). (7) ‘Innovation programme’ (N 236/96, OJ C 25, 25. 1. 1997, p. 7). (8) Gemeinschaftsaufgabe- (GA)-Mittel from Thuringia for the promo- tion of law the EC qualify as regional Treaty and have been approved by the Commission under deroga- tion provided for in Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty. regional economic structures. Measures under investment aid under Article 87(1) of this (9) Investment Allowance Act. Measures under this Act qualify as regional investment aid under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty and have been approved by the Commission under derogation provided for in Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty. 23. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 295/23 (f) consolidation loans from the Land of Thuringia amounting to DEM 3 million granted in 1995 on the basis of an approved aid scheme for restruc- turing of firms in difficulty (1). These loans are up to 80 % covered by a gurantee from the Deutsche Ausgleichsbank, amounting to DEM 2,4 million, also based on an approved aid scheme (2); (g) loans granted by the Sparkasse-Gera-Greiz, from mid-1991 to 1997, which, on the basis of the infor- mation available, are estimated to amount of DEM 6 million (3); (h) grants for publicity/advertising granted in 1995 and 1996 and amounting to DEM 0,01 million. (i) grants for the participation in fairs granted in 1996 amounting to DEM 0,01 million; (j) grants for the promotion of employment granted in 1993 and 1997 totalling DEM 0,07 million. (13) Measures (a) to (e) were allegedly granted under the approved aid schemes. As concerns measure (f), Commission had initiated the formal investigation procedure against the programme under which the loans were granted, because it thought the programme was being misused. Loans awarded under this aid scheme should not be for longer than 10 years. However, the loans actually granted were for more than 12 years. Measures (g) to (j) were not granted under approved aid schemes. (14) The German authorities informed the Commission that investment grants made in 1994 and amounting to DEM 0,403 million (measure (d)) were being included in the insolvency table. In addition, Sparkasse Gera-Greiz had reclaimed loans amounting to DEM 4,142 million (measure g)). The same bank had also reclaimed consoli- dation loans amounting to DEM 3 million (measure (f)). D. RECENT FINANCIAL MEASURES (15) On 18 March 1998, the German authorities informed the Commission of new measures in the form of consol- idation loans amounting to DEM 3,8 million, which had been granted on 15 October 1997 to Korn in the context of a second restructuring. These were granted under the Thuringia consolidation fund for firms in difficulty. This scheme was meant for rescue and restruc- (1) The Commission has opened the formal against this scheme ‘Incorrect application of under the Thuringia SME loans programme’ 17. 4. 1999). investigation procedure the de minimis rules (C 87/98, OJ C 108, (2) Thuringian loan guarantee scheme for guarantees issued by Thüringer Aufbautbank (N 117/96, OJ C 288, 23. 9. 1997). (3) The most recent information provided by Germany shows that these loans were secured by several assignments of company claims and by a specific-risk life assurance policy held by Mr and Mrs these loans were Korn (of unknown value). Although some of included in the insolvency table, none of the collateral items were utilised. turing and was approved by the Commission on the basis of Article 87(3)(c) (4). (16) The terms of this scheme require observation of the following requirements: If aid in excees of DEM 5 million has been granted for the purpose of restructuring, regardless of whether the aid was granted under another approved aid scheme, it should be notified individually to the Commission. The earlier aid measures in support of Korn appear to have been for the purpose of restructuring and they did exceed DEM 5 million. If rescue or restructuring aid exceeding DEM 2 million has been granted previously, it must also be notified to the Commission. In the event that the earlier measures prove to fall outside approved aid programmes, they are in general considered to be rescue or restructuring aid. (17) According to the latest information from the German authorities, these loans were secured by a personal guar- antee by Mr Korn amounting to DEM 1,5 million and by the assignment of the rights from Mr Korn's personal insurance policy up to an amount of DEM 1,5 million, and also by assignment of company claims (5). (18) (19) (20) (21) The German authorities informed the Commission that these loans were included in the insolvency table and that Mr Korn's personal guarantee was taken up. In addition to the amount of DEM 3,8 million, the second restructuring plan included a committment by the Sparkasse Gera-Greiz to defer interest and repayment rates of loans already granted by it (measure (a) above). The Thüringer Aufbaubank also agreed to grant a three- year deferral of the repayment of instalments concerning the consolidation loans granted during the first restruc- turing (measure (f)). E. Market-analysis 1. Agricultural machines and tractors (6) Korn is active in repairs, maintenance, service and distribution of tractors and agricultural machinery as well as equipment for them and replacement parts. It is also developing wood grinding machines. The situation of the European agricultural machinery industry has substantially improved since 1993, but this favourable situation masks the slow deterioration of certain important indicators for this industrial sector, (4) Aid No NN 74/95, SG (96) D/1946, 6 February 1996. (5) The amount of these commitments is not known, nor is it known whether they were taken up. (6) Panorama of EU Industry 1997, Vol, 2, 13-32; NACE (Revision 1) 29. 31, 29. 32. L 295/24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 11. 2000 such as reduced working population in agriculture and an increase in imports from outside the EU. In the medium term this leads to a slow erosion of the turn- over in the sector (down 19 % in constant prices over 10 years), while, due to sustained productivity increases, fewer persons are employed. (28) the In the course of 1995 it became evident demand from major downstream industries is stag- nating. Especially the German industry is performing poorly. The discovery that metal tanks corrode not only on the outside but on the inside as well stimulated the use of plastic. that (22) SMEs constitute the bulk of the thousand companies of the sector in Europe. Usually, they specialise in the tools intended for production of particular types of specialised uses. Their specialisation makes them less dependent on the fluctuations of the general economy but more vulnerable to local crises. 2. Motor vehicles (1) (23) Korn is also active in the purchase and sale of commer- cial vehicles and trucks, including service and the sale of replacement parts and accessories. (24) Demand for cars is determiend by a number of factors that led to the cyclical nature of sales over the past two decades, with economic downturns generally triggering slumps in new car registrations. (25) Regarding trucks, demand is highly correlated with trends in industrial output and investments in plants and machinery. The EU truck fleet is expected to recover from the past turndowns, but truck replacement patterns will be a dominating factor in determining the overall levels of demand of new trucks. (26) As regards motor vehicle parts and accessories (2), the cyclical business climate performance of the motor vehicle sector and the demand for improved durability and life expectancy of all vehicle components has a significant effect on demand for replacement. strongly tied to the is 3. Metal products (3) (27) Korn also produces metal containers for waste disposal (environmental engineering). The economic recession resulted in weak intra-EU demand for metal containers. At the same time the industry is experiencing increased competition from non-EU countries. In response, the EU manufacturers have started to diversify into related segments and increased their efforts to meet their customers' requirements for more efficient and environ- mentally friendly products. (1) Panorama of EU Industry 1997, Vol. 2, 17-8; NACE (Revision 1) 34. 1, 34. 2. (2) Panorama of EU Industry 1997, Vol. 2, 17-19; NACE (Revision 1) 34. 3. (29) (30) (31) III. INITIATION OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE In its initiation of the formal investigation procedure, the Commission found that all the measures in support of Korn constituted aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty. In view of the extremely vague information provided, the Commission was not able to assess the compliance of several of the measures with the schemes, the basis upon which they had purportedly been granted. However, it was already clear that several aid measures had to be assessed as ad hoc aid. Since the aid was intended to be restructuring aid, the Commis- sion started to assess its compatibility under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty and the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (4) (‘the guidelines’). The Commission had serious doubts as to the compati- bility of the aid measures with the common market and took the view that the repeated granting of aid did not seem justified on the basis of the reasons invoked by the German authorities. Besides, doubts were expressed regarding the coherence of the restructuring plan and the realism of the assumptions it was based upon. The Commission was concerned whether undue distortions of competition could be avoided given the lack of infor- mation on Korn's capacity developments. The lack of information regarding the overall restructuring costs and the doubts on the substantial private investor's contribu- tion precluded the Commission from taking a view on proportionality. investigation procedure, In initiating the formal the Commission sent an information injunction on 22 June 1999, pursuant to Article 10(3) of Council Regulation No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules the EC the application of Article 93 of Treaty (5), asking for detailed information for each indi- It also required Germany to provide vidual measure. information about any other as yet unknown aid granted in support of the company. for (3) Panorama of EU Industry 1997, Vol. 2, 12-15; NACE (Revision 1) 28. 21. (4) OJ C 368, 23. 12. 1994, p. 12. (5) OJ L 83, 27. 3. 1999, p. 1. 23. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 295/25 IV. ASSESSMENT (32) In the injunction, the Commission required Germany to provide the Commission within one month with suffi- cient information to allow it to assess the measures under investigation. Upon request from the German authorities, this deadline was extended to 30 October 1999. However, the information subsequently submitted remained incomplete. Pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regu- lation (EC) No 659/1999, the Commission therefore bases its assessment on the information available. A. Aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty (33) The financial measures in support of Korn constitute aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty, since they derive from State resources and have conferred advantages on Korn which a company in diffi- culty would not have received from a private investor. As Korn has competitors on the relevant product markets in Europe and as there is therefore trade, the aid threatens to distort competition in the common market. (36) (37) impossible for the information injunction, makes it Commission to conclude that they comply with the terms of those schemes. Hence, they fall to be assessed as ad hoc aid. Regarding the consolidation loans from the Land of Thuringia totalling DEM 3 million, the Commission has initiated proceedings against the programme on the basis of which they were granted, because there seemed to be misuse of it. (1) Although the Commission has not yet decided on the compatibility of the programme, it should be noted that loans under this aid scheme cannot be awarded for a period longer than ten years. The loans in the present case have been awarded for a period of over 12 years. Therefore, regardless of the possible compatibility of the scheme with the common market, these loans did not fulfil the conditions laid down in the programme and therefore have to be assessed as ad hoc aid. The guarantee of DEM 2,4 million, covering 80 % of the consolidation loans referred to in recital 36, was awarded under an aid scheme approved by the Commis- sion. However, the terms of this scheme require the implementation of a restructuring plan leading to the restoration of long-term viability. The guarantee there- fore falls to be assessed as restructuring aid. Since the loans are already deemed to be 100 % aid, the amount of the guarantee is not taken into account so as to avoid double counting. B. Aid measures awarded during the first restruc- (38) turing The following measures have not been granted under any approved aid scheme and therefore also have to be assessed as ad hoc aid. These are: 1. Aid granted under approved regional aid schemes (34) EKH Loans amounting to DEM 2 million, ERP loans amounting to DEM 1,236 million, and R&D subsidies amounting to DEM O,067 million are regarded as existing aid because they comply with the terms of approved aid schemes. As they constitute existing aid, they are not examined in this Decision, but could be included in the assessment of proportionality. — loans granted by the Sparkasse Gera-Greiz, from mid-1991 to 1997, which, on the basis of the infor- mation available, are estimated to total some DEM 6 million (2), — grants for publicity/advertisement granted in 1995 and 1996 amounting to DEM 0,01 million, — grants for the participation in fairs granted in 1996 amounting to DEM 0,01 million, — grants for the promotion of employment granted in 1993 and 1997 totalling DEM 0,07 million. 2. Aid falling outside approved regional aid schemes (39) In accordance with the Commission communication to the Member States on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EEC Treaty and of Article 5 of Commission (35) As regards investment grants and investment allowances, their exact amount is still unclear, although they seem to total at least DEM 0,96 million. Although they were purportedly granted under approved aid schemes, the information provided, despite an insufficient level of (1) C 87/98, OJ C 108, 17. 4. 1999. (2) According to the information available, these loans are covered by a number of specified, however. Since the value of the collateral is unknown and since the collateral was apparently not taken up, the aid equivalent is 100 % of the amount of the loans. items of collateral. Their value was not L 295/26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 11. 2000 Directive 80/723/EEC to public undertakings in the manufacturing sector (1) loans and guarantees for the rescue and restructuring of firms in difficulty have an intensity of 100 % (2). Therefore, from the first set of aid measures, least DEM 10,05 million. the Commission must assess at Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty. (44) In the guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restruc- turing firms in difficulty, the Commission sets out the conditions governing application of the Article 87(3)(c) derogation: C. Application of the derogation provided for in Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty in respect of the ad hoc aid granted during the first restructuring 1. Restoration of long-term viability (40) (41) (42) (43) The Commission assesses individual (ad hoc), State aid directly under the provisions of Article 87 of the EC Treaty. Article 87 of the EC Treaty allows exemptions to the principle of incompatibility of State aid with the common market. The exemptions in Article 87(2) of the EC Treaty can serve as a basis for considering aid compatible with the common market. However, the aid (a) does not have a social character and is not granted to individual consumers, (b) does not make good the damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occur- rences, and (c) is not granted to the economy of certain areas of the Federal Republic of Germany affected by the division of Germany. Further exemptions for regional aid are provided for in Article 87(3)(a) and (c) of the EC Treaty. Korn is located in one of the new German Länder, which fall under the provisions of Article 87(3)(a) (3). However, the primary purpose of the aid is to rescue or restructure a company in difficulty, rather than to promote the economic devel- opment of the region. Even if a successfully rescued or restructured company may contribute to the develop- ment of the region, the Commission generally assesses such aid under Article 87(3)(c) than Article 87(3)(a). rather (45) (46) The grant of restructuring aid requires a realistic, coherent and far-reaching restructuring plan capable of restoring the long-term viability and health of the firm within a reasonable timescale. The information submitted by the German authorities includes information on the company's development from 1991 to 1997. This information shows that Korn had a slight positive operating result in 1994, but incurred losses as from 1995. Results continued to be negative in spite of the fact that the company had been receiving substantial amounts of aid since 1991. The information submitted refers only vaguely to a previous restructuring process. The any substantial analysis of the difficulties faced by the firm. Nor is there any restructuring plan describing opera- tional measures and their related costs. Nor did the German authorities explain why the aid had not been used to support of sound restructuring by which the company's long-term viability could have been restored. information lacks (47) The Commission therefore considers that this require- ment is not fulfilled. The exemptions provided for in Article 87(3)(b) and (d) of the EC Treaty for projects of common European interest and the promotion of culture and heritage conservation are not applicable. (48) leaves This in Article the exemption provided for 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty. The Commission's assessment of aid to facilitate the development of certain economic activities, where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest, is governed by specific Community guidelines. Since Germany has explicitly classified the aid as restruc- turing aid, the Commission bases its assessment on the 2. No undue distortion of competition The restructuring must include measures to offset as far as possible adverse effects on competitors, otherwise the aid involved is contrary to the common interest and not eligible for exemption pursuant to Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty. If the company's relevant market is situated in the EU and an objective assessment of demand and supply shows that there is a structural excess of produc- tion capacity, the restructuring plan must make a signifi- cant contribution to the restructuring of the industry in this market by irreversibly reducing capacity. Such reduction must be proportionate to the costs of the restructuring and the amount of aid received. (1) OJ C 307, 13. 11. 1993, p. 3. (2) See also Commission communication on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty and Article 61 of the EEA Agreement to State aid in the aviation sector, point 33 (OJ C 350, 10. 12. 1994, p. 5). (3) See the decision of the Commission regarding aid case N 464/93. (49) In spite of an information injunction, the German authorities have not provided significant information on Korn's production capacity or on the relevant markets on which the company operates. The information submitted does not mention any measures intended to 23. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 295/27 the relevant reduce production capacity. None of product markets seems unproblematic with respect to over-capacity. The agricultural machinery sector has seen some of its indicators, such as employment and imports, develop in an unfavourable direction. The various motor vehicle sectors are highly cyclical, and the market for metal containers might undergo changes as a result of increased use of alternative materials, such as plastic. The Commission cannot therefore assess whether sufficient measures were taken to offset adverse effects on competitors as far as possible. Since distortions of competition cannot be excluded, this criterion of the guidelines is not met. the information available, was not called on anyway, the Commission cannot regard it as a contribution from a private investor or as a reduction in the aid equivalent calculated above. Consequently, DEM 2,3 million of the abovementioned loan is deemed to be state aid. (55) The Sparkasse Gera-Greiz and the Thüringer Aufbau- bank have, as part of the current restructuring, deferred for three years interest and repayments on loans granted by them. However, since these deferrals relate to loans which were granted under the first restructuring and are 100 % aid, these measures are not taken into account so as to avoid any possible double counting. (50) (51) (52) (53) 3. Proportionality to restructuring costs and benefits The amount and intensity of the aid must be restricted to the minimum required to carry out the restructuring and proportional to the benefits expected from a Community point of view. In addition, the beneficiary must make a substantial contribution to the restruc- turing costs. In the absence of a restructuring plan, assessment of these aspects is impossible. In particular, no information on a contribution from the investor has been provided regarding the first restructuring. The Commission considers that such substantial aid could have had an impact on liquidity in that the aid provided the company with surplus cash that could have been used for aggressive, market-distorting activities. The Commission concludes that the aid granted in the context of the first restructuring was not justified as no restructuring plan meeting the requirements set out in the Community guidelines was provided. The Commis- sion therefore considers this aid incompatible with the common market. D. New aid granted during the second restructuring Consolidation loans amounting to DEM 3,8 million were granted to Korn within the context of the new restructuring. These loans are based on a regional aid programme of Thuringia (1), an approved aid scheme for restructuring firms in difficulty, which requires the full implementation of a restructuring plan meeting the requirements of the Community guidelines. They are therefore to be assessed as restructuring aid. (54) According to the latest information provided by the these loans were secured by a German authorities, personal guarantee by Mr Korn amounting to DEM 1,5 million, which was actually called on. Since the total value of the other collateral is unclear and, according to (1) NN 747/95, SG (96) D/194, 6 February 1996. E. Application of the derogation provided for in Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty to the aid granted during the second restructuring (56) As no other derogation from the general ban on aid laid down in Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty is applicable, the new aid measures also fall to be assessed under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty and the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring of firms in difficulty. The guidelines establish the general rule that aid measures should be granted only once. Repeated granting of aid must be based on reasons which are external and unforeseeable for the company and lie entirely outside its responsibility. (57) influence of therefore be considered ‘external’. Hence, The reasons invoked by the German authorities to justify the repeated restructuring aid are the losses since 1993 due to product liability claims. The only other reason put forward relates to the inability of the company to sell one of the products it had developed. The Commis- sion considers that both reasons stem directly from the company and within the sphere of cannot the conditions for repeated granting of aid are not met and a distortive effect on the market served by the recipient cannot be excluded. These findings in themselves are sufficient for the Commission to conclude that, since the aid does not comply with the Community guidelines on restructuring aid, it is incompatible with the common market. (58) However, the Commission also examined the other conditions under point 3. 2 of the guidelines so as to assess the capacity of the plan to restore the company's long-term viability, its potential to distort competition, the proportionality of the aid to the plan's costs and benefits, as well as its full implementation. L 295/28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 11. 2000 1. Restoration of long-term viability metal containers, undue distortions of competition. the Commission cannot rule out (59) (60) The reorganisation of the company into three new busi- ness areas and the reorganisation within the business areas are only very briefly described in the business plan. The plan calculations contain some more detail. The new plan covers the years 1997 to 2000. The financial data indicate that already within one year of the imple- mentation of this new plan Korn should be able to cover its losses and obtain positive operating results. As a matter of fact, the information submitted shows that a turnover increase in 1998 of almost the amount of the loans received (1). According to the latest case-law extra- ordinary incomes in the form of aid should not be taken into account in assessing a return to viability (2). The new aid is simply used to cover losses. The Commission considers the company's problems insufficiently described in the restructuring plan. Besides, the plan lays out insufficient detail as to the operational measures to be taken. The Commission notes that the second consultant does not agree with the main consul- tant's conclusions as to the measures necessary to restore the company's viability. In particular, there are discrepancies concerning the structure of the company and the importance of marketing in future earnings. The Commission also notes that there is no agreement as to the future profitability of the company. Finally, there is no clear link between the operational measures in the new business areas and the financial plan calculations. The underlying assumptions have not been made suffi- ciently explicit. 3. Proportionality of the aid to restructuring costs and benefits (63) The restructuring plan does not specify the overall costs of the restructuring. The Commission cannot therefore assess whether the aid received is proportional to the restructuring costs. Nor can it evaluate whether the aid is limited to the strict minimum needed for the restruc- turing. (64) According to the most recent information provided, some of the loans granted under the second restruc- turing were secured by private collateral from the investor Mr Korn amounting to DEM 1,5 million. This collateral was actually called on. This amount is there- fore contribution from a private investor (3). In the absence of an account of the overall restructuring costs, however, the Commission cannot determine whether the investor's own contribution is proportional to the overall restructuring costs. regarded as a (65) In any case, the Commission notes that a hypothetical sale price from a planned MBO (which never took place) cannot be accepted as a significant investor's contribu- tion within the meaning of the guidelines if it is not extensively backed up with comprehensive information as to realistic assumptions underlying it. The informa- tion available for Korn seems to indicate that the MBO was planned with the financial assistance of the State. (61) The Commission cannot therefore agree with the German authorities' view that the restructuring plan will restore the company's viability. (66) The Commission concludes that, due to a lack of infor- mation, it is unable to assess the proportionality of the aid. This requirement of the Community guidelines is therefore not met. 2. No undue distortions of competition (62) Aid beneficiaries may not use aid to increase capacity and in the event of sectoral over-capacity, a capacity reduction is expected. Despite an information injunction explicitly addressing this aspect, the capacity develop- ment of the company was not explained and the restruc- turing plan did not include any measure capable of reducing the company's production capacity. Having regard to the above comments on the relevant product markets and the potential capacity problems in the sectors of agricultural machinery, motor vehicles and (1) One of the the reasons given by the German authorities repeated granting of aid was that, due to the loans from the Thuringia consolidation fund and the guarantee, there was a clear improvement in turnover and profit results in 1998 compared to the previous year. for (2) Judgment of the Court of First Instance of 15 September 1998, Cases T-126/96 and T-127/96 Breda Fucine [1998] ECR II-3437. 4. Full implementation of the restructuring plan (67) On 8 November 1999 the company was declared insol- vent by the district court in Gera. This confirms the Commission's doubts as to the restoration of viability. (68) The Commission concludes that the aid granted as part of the second restructuring was not justified as there were no unforeseeable and external factors which were the reason for the company's difficulties and as the restructuring plan provided is incomplete, which means that the relevant requirements set out in the Community guidelines were not met. The Commission therefore considers the new aid incompatible with the common market. (3) The other collateral covering these loans was not called on. The Commission further notes that some of this collateral, e. g. the rights from Mr Korn's insurance policy and the assignment of claims, had alreday served to secure the loans of the Sparkasse Gera-Greiz. 23. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 295/29 V. CONCLUSIONS — grants for the promotion of employment in 1993 and (69) The Commission notes that Germany has unlawfully granted aid to Korn, in breach of Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty. On the basis of its assessment, the Commission concludes that the aid is incompatible with the common market as it does not fulfil the conditions set out in the Community guidelines. The aid granted during the first restructuring is incompatible in the absence of a restruc- turing plan. The second grant of restructuring aid is not that justified by unforeseeable and external affected the company, and the restructuring plan does not meet the criteria set out in the guidelines, factors HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The State aid implemented by Germany for Korn Fahrzeuge and Technik GmbH, amounting to at least EUR 6,31 million (DEM 12,35 million), incompatible with the common market. The aid consists of the following measures: is — investment grants in 1993 and 1994, which, on the basis of the information available, are estimated to amount to DEM 0,81 million, — investment allowances granted from 1992 to 1997, which, on the basis of the information available, are estimated to amount to DEM 0,15 million, — consolidation loans from Thuringia amounting to DEM 3 million granted in 1995, — loans granted by the Sparkasse Gera-Greiz, from mid-1991 to 1997, which, on the basis of the information available, are estimated to total some DEM 6 million, — grants for publicity in 1995 and 1996 amounting to DEM 0,01 million, — grants for the participation in fairs in 1996 amounting to DEM 0,01 million, 1997 totalling DEM 0,07 million, — consolidation loans of Thuringia amounting to DEM 2,3 million granted in 1997. Article 2 1. Germany shall take all necessary measures to recover the aid referred to in Article 1 that was unlawfully made available restructuring aid for Korn Fahrzeuge and and any other Technik GmbH which could not be specified in Article 1 due to lack of information, or unclear information, submitted by the German authorities. Recovery shall be effected without delay and in accord- 2. ance with the procedures of national law provided that they allow the immediate and effective execution of the decision. The aid to be recovered shall include interest from the date on which it was at the disposal of the beneficiary until the date of its recovery. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of the reference rate used for calculating the grant-equivalent of regional aid. Article 3 Germany shall inform the Commission, within two months of notification of this Decision, of the measures taken to comply with it. This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany. Article 4 Done at Brussels, 23 February 2000. For the Commission Mario MONTI Member of the Commission