₻ da fenomeni di contraffazione o comunque di uso non veritiero atto a stravolgere la realtà dei fatti e a violare il diritto di trasparenza e di leale informazione dei consumatori?

Risposta data da Dacian Cioloş a nome della Commissione

(12 marzo 2012)

La Commissione rimanda l'onorevole parlamentare alle risposte già date alle interrogazioni scritte E-3995/2011 dell'onorevole Giancarlo Scottà e E-8667/2011 dell'onorevole Claudio Morganti.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000847/12

to the Commission

Matteo Salvini (EFD)

(1 February 2012)

Subject: ‘Italian sounding’ products and unfair competition

Recent news articles have brought to light the issue of protecting Made in Italy products vis‐à‐vis the phenomenon of so-called ‘Italian sounding’ food products.

The controversy which has arisen in Italy is centred on overseas marketing and sales, by the Italian State itself, of typical Italian products which have not been produced in Italy, such as bresaola produced in Uruguay, and finocchiella (Tuscan salami) and culatello (cured ham) made with US meat and branded ‘Salumeria Biellese’.

This issue has mainly concerned Simest, a limited liability company controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development with the participation of private persons.

This phenomenon fits into the broad range of cases constituting the offence of ‘unfair competition’ against Italian businesses.

It is estimated that the turnover for Italian sounding products is more than EUR 60 billion per year (EUR 164 billion per day), a figure 2.6 times higher than the current value of Italian exports of food products.

The recent law No 55 of 8 April 2010, which establishes protective measures for Made in Italy products in the textile, leather goods and footwear sectors and is entitled ‘Provisions relating to the marketing of textile products, leather goods and footwear’ and was subject to prior scrutiny by the European Parliament, introduced significant safeguard measures in this field for Italian products, establishing that a product may only be defined as being Made in Italy when production has chiefly been carried out in Italy and, in particular, at least two manufacturing stages for each type of product were carried out in Italy. This law also establishes significant and decisive penalties for violations, such as the seizure and confiscation of goods.

products against the phenomenon of illegal Italian sounding products, including in the foodstuffs sector, where Italian products excel worldwide?

, from counterfeiting phenomena or other misuses aimed at distorting the truth and violating the consumer’s right to transparency and truthful information?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2012)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answers to written questions E-3995/2011 by Mr Giancarlo Scottà and E-8667/2011 by Mr Claudio Morganti.

(Deutsche Fassung)

Anfrage zur schriftlichen Beantwortung P-000848/12

an die Kommission

Jutta Steinruck (S&D)

(31. Januar 2012)

Betrifft: Ausgaben der EU für Bildung sowie Aus‐ und Weiterbildung

Am 20. Dezember hat die Kommission die Initiative „Chancen für junge Menschen“ verabschiedet, in der sie sich für Sofortmaßnahmen gegen die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit einsetzt und die Mitgliedstaaten unter anderem dazu aufruft, vorzeitige Schulabgänge zu verhindern. Im Rahmen der Strategie Europa 2020 ist die Schulbildung eines der fünf Kernziele.

Antwort von Herrn Andor im Namen der Kommission

(22. Februar 2012)

In allen Mitgliedstaaten stellt die Verbesserung und die Reform der Bildungssysteme eine Priorität in mindestens einem ihrer ESF-Programme dar. Insgesamt wurden mehr als 8 Mrd. EUR an ESF-Mitteln für diesen Bereich zugewiesen.

Andere Prioritäten im Bereich Humankapital betreffen die Erhöhung der Teilnahme an der allgemeinen und beruflichen Bildung und die Verringerung des Schulabbruchs. Die berufliche Aus‐ und Weiterbildung hat in den ESF-Programmen ebenfalls einen hohen Stellenwert. Auf diese Maßnahmen entfallen mehr als 12 Mrd. EUR ESF-Mittel.

Eine dritte Priorität im Bereich Humankapital betrifft die Förderung von Forschung und Innovation durch Unterstützung von Aufbaustudiengängen und Forschung. Hierfür werden 4,3 Mrd. EUR aus dem ESF-Haushalt zur Verfügung gestellt.

Die berufliche Bildung schließlich ist als Schlüssel für einen besseren Zugang zur Beschäftigung Teil zahlreicher Maßnahmen in den Bereichen lebenslanges Lernen, Selbstständigkeit, Chancengleichheit und soziale Integration benachteiligter Bevölkerungsgruppen. Diese Prioritäten machen mehr als 40 Mrd. EUR der ESF-Mittel aus.

Die Gesamtausgaben für allgemeine und berufliche Bildung im Rahmen dieser Prioritäten entsprechen 87 % des gesamten ESF-Haushalts.

Weitere Informationen über die Ausgaben nach Programmen und Prioritäten stehen auf der ESF-Website (33) zur Verfügung.

Innerhalb des EU-Programms für lebenslanges Lernen wird durch das Programm Leonardo da Vinci die europäische Zusammenarbeit im Bereich der beruflichen Aus‐ und Weiterbildung unterstützt. Gefördert werden Aktivitäten wie Projekte zur Verbesserung der Kompetenzen, Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten Einzelner durch einen Ausbildungsaufenthalt im Ausland oder die europaweite Zusammenarbeit zur Verbesserung der Attraktivität, Qualität und Leistungsfähigkeit der beruflichen Aus‐ und Weiterbildungssysteme und ‐verfahren.

Das Budget des Programms für lebenslanges Lernen beläuft sich auf 6,9 Mrd. EUR im Zeitraum 2007-2013; mindestens 25 % davon fließen in Leonardo da Vinci. Genauere Informationen über Projekte und Produkte können in der Datenbank ADAM (34) abgerufen werden.

(English version)

Question for written answer P-000848/12

to the Commission

Jutta Steinruck (S&D)

(31 January 2012)

Subject: EU expenditure on education and training

On 20 December 2011, the Commission adopted the ‘Opportunities for Young People’ initiative, which promotes immediate measures to combat youth unemployment and calls on the Member States to prevent early school leaving. Education is one of the five targets of the Europe 2020 strategy.

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2012)

All Member States have made improving and reforming their education systems a priority of at least one of their European Social Fund (ESF) programmes. A total of over EUR 8 billion of ESF financing has been allocated to it.

Other priorities in human capital include increasing participation in education and training and reducing early school-leaving. Vocational education and training (VET) are also significant in ESF programmes. These measures account for over EUR 12 billion of ESF spending.

A third priority in human capital is developing research and innovation through support for postgraduate studies and research. This priority accounts for EUR 4.3 billion of the ESF budget.

Lastly, training, which is the key path to better access to employment, is part of many measures focusing on life-long learning, self-employment, equal opportunities and social inclusion of disadvantaged groups. These priorities represent over EUR 40 billion of ESF resources.

Total spending on education and training under these priorities accounts for 87 % of the ESF budget as a whole.

Further information on spending by programme and priority is available on the ESF website (35).

Within the EU's Lifelong Learning Programme, the Leonardo da Vinci programme supports European cooperation in the field of vocational education and training. Funded activities range from projects helping individuals to improve their competences, knowledge and skills through a training period abroad, to Europe-wide cooperation to increase the attractiveness, quality and performance of VET systems and practices.

The Lifelong Learning Programme has a budget of EUR 6.9 billion for 2007‐13, of which at least 25 % is allocated to Leonardo da Vinci. Details of projects and products can be found in the searchable database, ADAM (36).

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000849/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(1 February 2012)

Subject: Environmental impact of Italian carrier bag rules

Given that bio-based degradable plastic shopping bags made in accordance with Standard EN 13432 are:

does the Commission hold the view that they provide no environmental benefit but may have an adverse impact upon its attempts to combat climate change?

Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2012)

The Italian legislation on plastic carrier bags is currently subject to discussion with the Commission.

More generally, the Commission is currently assessing options available to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic waste and plastic bags. On the basis of this assessment, the Commission may decide on any further policy initiatives in due course.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000850/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(1 February 2012)

Subject: Lawfulness of Italian rules on carrier bags

Given that it is lawful in every other Member State to manufacture and sell carrier bags made of conventional plastic and oxo-biodegradable plastic, neither of which is made in accordance with Standard EN13432, does Italy’s ban on the sale of carrier bags unless they are made from compostable plastic in accordance with Standard EN 13432 violate both:

Answer given by Mr Tajani on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2012)

Italy notified a draft law prohibiting the marketing of non-biodegradable shopping bags on 5 April 2011 under Directive 98/34/EC laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (reference notification 2011/174/I). The Commission issued a detailed opinion on 6 July 2011 with regard to the compatibility of the draft with Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. The United Kingdom also reacted with a detailed opinion. Germany issued comments. The Commission is still discussing the matter with the Italian authorities and no detailed information can therefore be provided at this stage.

In this context, the Commission carried out a public consultation, which ended on 9 August 2011, to find the best way to reduce the use of plastic carrier bags. Following the consultation, the Commission is currently considering the various options available to reduce the environmental impact of plastic carrier bags.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000851/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(1 February 2012)

Subject: Infringement proceedings against Italy in respect of carrier bag rules

Given that France made a similar proposal in 2006 which was notified to the Commission, and that the Commission and a number of Member States issued detailed opinions which caused France to abandon the project, does the Commission plan to commence immediate infringement proceedings against the Italian Government for its ban on the sale of carrier bags unless they are made from compostable plastic in accordance with Standard EN 13432?

Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2012)

The ban on plastic carrier bags has been implemented in Italy as of 1 January 2011 without prior notification of the measure to the Commission. This has led the Commission to launch an infringement procedure in April 2011.

At the same time, under Directive 98/34/EC (38), Italy notified a draft law prohibiting shopping bags that are not recoverable through composting or biodegrading or which do not fulfil the requirements of standard EN UNI EN 13432:2002 (reference notification 2011/174/I). The Commission issued a detailed opinion in July 2011 with regard to the compatibility of the draft with Directive 94/62/EC (39).

In the framework of the infringement procedure, in January 2012, Italy communicated to the Commission a measure (Decree Law 2/2012) intended to address the issue. The Commission is assessing this measure and its relevance to the ongoing proceedings.

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita E-000854/12

a la Comisión

Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Sonia Alfano (ALDE), Nadja Hirsch (ALDE), Alexander Alvaro (ALDE), Jens Rohde (ALDE), Giommaria Uggias (ALDE), Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) y Gesine Meissner (ALDE)

(7 de febrero de 2012)

Asunto: Utilización de escáneres de seguridad en los aeropuertos del Reino Unido

El 11 de noviembre de 2011, la Comisión aprobó el Reglamento de Ejecución (UE) n° 1147/2011 relativo a las normas básicas comunes sobre la seguridad de la aviación civil en lo que respecta al uso de escáneres de seguridad en los aeropuertos de la UE, que, entre otras cosas, da a los pasajeros el derecho a oponerse a ser controlados por un escáner (corporal) de seguridad. Sin embargo, el Reino Unido ha notificado a la Comisión su intención de no permitir oposiciones, invocando el artículo 6 del Reglamento (CE) n° 300/2008, que permite aplicar medidas de seguridad más estrictas. Según parece, la Comisión está actualmente considerando su respuesta.

n° 300/2008 anular o prevalecer sobre los requisitos más estrictos en materia de intimidad del Reglamento (UE) n° 1147/2011 en lo que concierne al derecho de los pasajeros a oponerse a ser controlados por un escáner corporal? Y, si es así, ¿por qué?

Respuesta del Sr. Kallas en nombre de la Comisión

(7 de marzo de 2012)

La Comisión está analizando la medida notificada por el Reino Unido relativa a la utilización de escáneres de seguridad en algunos aeropuertos del Reino Unido sobre la base de los Reglamentos 300/2008, 1141/2001 y 1147/2011. Los escáneres de seguridad deben instalarse y utilizarse de conformidad con las condiciones indicadas en dichos Reglamentos y con los derechos y principios reconocidos por la Carta de los Derechos Fundamentales de la Unión Europea.

(Dansk udgave)

Forespørgsel til skriftlig besvarelse E-000854/12

til Kommissionen

Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Sonia Alfano (ALDE), Nadja Hirsch (ALDE), Alexander Alvaro (ALDE), Jens Rohde (ALDE), Giommaria Uggias (ALDE), Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) og Gesine Meissner (ALDE)

(7. februar 2012)

Om: Anvendelse af securityscannere i lufthavne i Det Forenede Kongerige

Den 11. november 2011 vedtog Kommissionen gennemførelsesforordning (EU) nr. 1147/2011 om detaljerede foranstaltninger til gennemførelse af de fælles grundlæggende normer for luftfartssikkerhed, som bl.a. giver passagerne ret til at fravælge screening med securityscanner (kropsscanner). Det Forenede Kongerige har imidlertid underrettet Kommissionen om, at det under henvisning til artikel 6 i forordning (EF) nr. 300/2008, som giver mulighed for strengere foranstaltninger, ikke vil tillade fravalg. Kommissionen overvejer tilsyneladende nu sit svar.

Svar afgivet på Kommissionens vegne af Siim Kallas

(7. marts 2012)

Kommissionen er i øjeblikket i færd med at undersøge den foranstaltning vedrørende anvendelsen af securityscannere i visse lufthavne, som Det Forenede Kongerige har anmeldt, på grundlag af forordning (EF) nr. 300/2008, (EU) nr. 1141/2011 og (EU) nr. 1147/2011. Securityscannere skal installeres og anvendes i overensstemmelse med betingelserne i disse forordninger og med de rettigheder og principper, der er anerkendt i Den Europæiske Unions charter om grundlæggende rettigheder.

(Deutsche Fassung)

Anfrage zur schriftlichen Beantwortung E-000854/12

an die Kommission

Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Sonia Alfano (ALDE), Nadja Hirsch (ALDE), Alexander Alvaro (ALDE), Jens Rohde (ALDE), Giommaria Uggias (ALDE), Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) und Gesine Meissner (ALDE)

(7. Februar 2012)

Betrifft: Einsatz von Sicherheitsscannern auf Flughäfen im Vereinigten Königreich

Am 11. November 2011 verabschiedete die Kommission die Durchführungsverordnung (EU) Nr. 1147/2011 zur Durchführung der gemeinsamen Grundstandards in der Luftsicherheit bezüglich des Einsatzes von Sicherheitsscannern an EU-Flughäfen, mit der u. a. die Passagiere das Recht erhalten, sich zu weigern, einen Sicherheits-(Körper-)Scanner zu durchschreiten. Unter Berufung auf Artikel 6 der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 300/2008, der strengere Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zulässt, hat das Vereinigte Königreich der Kommission jedoch mitgeteilt, dass es beabsichtige, eine derartige Weigerung nicht zuzulassen. Die Kommission ist offensichtlich dabei, ihre Antwort hierauf zu formulieren.

Antwort von Herrn Kallas im Namen der Kommission

(7. März 2012)

Die Kommission prüft derzeit die vom Vereinigten Königreich notifizierte Maßnahme betreffend den Einsatz von Sicherheitsscannern an Flughäfen des Vereinigten Königreichs auf der Grundlage der Verordnungen 300/2008 und 1147/2011. Sicherheitsscanner sollten in Übereinstimmung mit den in den genannten Verordnungen aufgeführten Bedingungen sowie mit den in der Charta der Grundrechte der Europäischen Union verankerten Rechten und Grundsätzen eingeführt und eingesetzt werden.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000854/12

alla Commissione

Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Sonia Alfano (ALDE), Nadja Hirsch (ALDE), Alexander Alvaro (ALDE), Jens Rohde (ALDE), Giommaria Uggias (ALDE), Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) e Gesine Meissner (ALDE)

(7 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: Utilizzo degli scanner di sicurezza negli aeroporti da parte del Regno Unito

L'11 novembre 2011 la Commissione ha adottato il regolamento di esecuzione (UE) n. 1147/2011 relativo alle norme fondamentali comuni in materia di sicurezza dell'aviazione civile sull'impiego degli scanner di sicurezza (security scanner) negli aeroporti dell'Unione europea, che tra l'altro conferisce ai passeggeri il diritto di rifiutare lo screening mediante scanner di sicurezza. Tuttavia il Regno Unito ha informato la Commissione che non intende consentire ai passeggeri di rifiutare lo screening, invocando l'articolo 6 del regolamento (CE) n. 300/2008, che consente l'applicazione di misure di sicurezza più severe. A quanto risulta, la Commissione sta attualmente considerando come rispondere.

Risposta data da Siim Kallas a nome della Commissione

(7 marzo 2012)

La Commissione sta analizzando la misura notificata dal Regno Unito per l'uso di scanner di sicurezza presso alcuni aeroporti del suddetto Stato membro sulla base dei regolamenti (CE) n. 300/2008, 1141/2001 e 1147/2011. Gli scanner di sicurezza saranno impiegati e utilizzati in conformità alle condizioni stabilite in tali regolamenti nonché sulla base dei diritti e dei principi riconosciuti dalla Carta dei diritti fondamentali dell'Unione europea.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000854/12

to the Commission

Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Sonia Alfano (ALDE), Nadja Hirsch (ALDE), Alexander Alvaro (ALDE), Jens Rohde (ALDE), Giommaria Uggias (ALDE), Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) and Gesine Meissner (ALDE)

(7 February 2012)

Subject: UK use of security scanners in airports

On 11 November 2011 the Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1147/2011 on the common basic standards for civil aviation security as regards the use of security scanners at EU airports, which inter alia gives passengers the right to opt out from going through a security (body-) scanner. However, the United Kingdom has notified the Commission of its intention not to allow opt-outs, invoking Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 which permits more stringent security measures. The Commission is apparently now considering its response.

Answer given by Mr Kallas on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2012)

The Commission is analysing the measure notified by the UK concerning the use of security scanners at some of UK airports on the basis of Regulations 300/2008 and 1141/2001 and 1147/2011. Security scanners shall be deployed and used in accordance with the conditions indicated in these regulations as well as rights and principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

(Deutsche Fassung)

Anfrage zur schriftlichen Beantwortung E-000855/12

an die Kommission

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL), Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Jürgen Klute (GUE/NGL), Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE), Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Katarína Neveďalová (S&D) und Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL)

(2. Februar 2012)

Betrifft: Anhaltender Verdacht auf Verstöße gegen das Chemiewaffenübereinkommen durch das türkische Militär

Über die letzten fünf Jahre hinweg wurde das türkische Militär verdächtigt, im Kampf gegen die kurdische Guerilla PKK wiederholt illegal Chemiewaffen eingesetzt zu haben. Diese Verdachtsfälle, insbesondere der mutmaßliche Tod von 36 kurdischen Kämpfern durch den Einsatz von CS-Gas zwischen dem 22. und 24. Oktober in Kazan Vadesi (in der Nähe von Cukaca, Provinz Hakkari), haben die Spannungen zwischen den Türken und Kurden verschärft. Es ist erwiesen, dass das türkische Militär im Jahr 1999 verbotene Chemiewaffen eingesetzt hat, dass es sie zu Trainingszwecken verwendet hat und dass Führungskräfte des türkischen Militärs in der Vergangenheit den Befehl zu deren Verwendung erteilt haben. Ebenso ist es erwiesen, dass die Türkei bis 2010 verbotene Chemiewaffen gelagert und zum Kauf angeboten hat. Es gibt keine Dokumentation bezüglich der Zerstörung dieser Waffen. Andererseits haben die türkischen Behörden auf eine nicht kooperative Weise auf Initiativen reagiert, die weitere Untersuchungen zum Ziel hatten.

Antwort von Herrn Füle im Namen der Kommission

(14. März 2012)

Die Kommission ist angesichts des Verdachts des Einsatzes von Chemiewaffen in den vergangenen Monaten äußerst besorgt und hat das Thema gegenüber den türkischen Behörden angesprochen. Während der Gespräche auf Arbeitsebene Anfang Dezember 2011 hatte die Türkei mitgeteilt, dass eine Untersuchung eingeleitet worden sei und die Leichname der bei den Zusammenstößen getöteten PKK-Mitglieder gerichtsmedizinisch untersucht würden. Die Kommission wird die Angelegenheit jedoch weiterhin aufmerksam verfolgen.

Hinsichtlich der Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Türkei weist die Kommission darauf hin, dass sie gemäß dem 2005 von den Mitgliedstaaten vereinbarten Verhandlungsrahmen sowie im Einklang mit den Schlussfolgerungen des Rates von Dezember 2006 stattfinden.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000855/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL), Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Jürgen Klute (GUE/NGL), Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE), Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Katarína Neveďalová (S&D) και Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Συνεχείς υποψίες παραβιάσεων της Σύμβασης για τα χημικά όπλα από τον τουρκικό στρατό

Κατά τη διάρκεια των τελευταίων ετών, υπάρχουν υποψίες ότι ο τουρκικός στρατός έχει κάνει επανειλημμένα παράνομη χρήση χημικών όπλων στον αγώνα ενάντια στον κουρδικό ανταρτοπόλεμο του PKK. Οι εν λόγω ύποπτες υποθέσεις, κυρίως ο υποτιθέμενος θάνατος 36 κούρδων μαχητών από δακρυγόνο αέριο CS μεταξύ της 22ας και της 24ης Οκτωβρίου στο Kazan Vadesi (κοντά στην Cukaca, στην επαρχία Hakkari) έχουν οξύνει τις εντάσεις μεταξύ Τούρκων και Κούρδων. Έχει αποδειχθεί ότι ο τουρκικός στρατός έκανε χρήση απαγορευμένων χημικών όπλων το 1999, ότι τα χρησιμοποίησε για εκπαιδευτικούς σκοπούς, καθώς και ότι οι επικεφαλής του τουρκικού στρατού έχουν δώσει εντολή για χρήση τους και στο παρελθόν. Έχει αποδειχθεί επίσης ότι έως το 2010 η Τουρκία διατηρούσε απαγορευμένα χημικά όπλα και τα διέθετε προς πώληση. Δεν υπάρχει τεκμηρίωση σχετικά με την καταστροφή των εν λόγω όπλων. Από την άλλη πλευρά, οι τουρκικές αρχές έχουν δείξει απροθυμία συνεργασίας στις πρωτοβουλίες για τη διεξαγωγή περαιτέρω ερευνών.

Απάντηση του κ. Füle εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(14 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή ανησυχεί όσον αφορά τους ισχυρισμούς σχετικά με τη χρήση χημικών όπλων κατά τους τελευταίους μήνες, και έχει θέσει το θέμα στις τουρκικές αρχές. Στο πλαίσιο συζητήσεων σε εργασιακό επίπεδο στις αρχές του Δεκεμβρίου 2011, η Τουρκία απάντησε ότι έχει δρομολογήσει σχετική έρευνα και ότι τα σώματα των μελών του PKK που σκοτώθηκαν στη διάρκεια των συγκρούσεων έχουν αποσταλεί στο Ιατροδικαστικό Ινστιτούτο (Forensic Medicine Institution (FMI)) για να προσδιορισθεί η αιτία θανάτου. Η Επιτροπή θα συνεχίσει να παρακολουθεί το θέμα.

Όσον αφορά τις ενταξιακές διαπραγματεύσεις με την Τουρκία, η Επιτροπή τονίζει ότι διεξάγονται σύμφωνα με το πλαίσιο διαπραγμάτευσης που αποφασίστηκε το 2005 από όλα τα κράτη μέλη, και τα συμπεράσματα του Συμβουλίου του Δεκεμβρίου του 2006.

(Nederlandse versie)

Vraag met verzoek om schriftelijk antwoord E-000855/12

aan de Commissie

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL), Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Jürgen Klute (GUE/NGL), Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE), Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Katarína Neveďalová (S&D) en Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL)

(2 februari 2012)

Betreft: Aanhoudende verdenkingen betreffende inbreuken op het Verdrag inzake chemische wapens door het Turkse leger

Gedurende de afgelopen paar jaar wordt het Turkse leger ervan verdacht dat het herhaaldelijk illegaal gebruik heeft gemaakt van chemische wapens in zijn strijd tegen de Koerdische guerrillabeweging PKK. Deze verdachte gevallen, met name de vermeende dood door vergiftiging met CS-gas van 36 Koerdische strijders tussen de 22 en 24 oktober in Kazan Vadesi (in de buurt van Cukaca in de provincie Hakkari), hebben de spanningen tussen de Turken en Koerden doen toenemen. Het is bewezen dat het Turkse leger in 1999 verboden chemische wapens heeft ingezet, dat het deze gebruikte voor trainingsdoeleinden en dat Turkse militaire leiders in het verleden opdracht hebben gegeven tot het gebruik ervan. Het is ook bewezen dat Turkije tot 2010 verboden chemische wapens in opslag had en deze te koop aanbood. Er is geen documentatie met betrekking tot de vernietiging van deze wapens. Verder hebben de Turkse autoriteiten onwillig gereageerd op initiatieven die gericht zijn op verder onderzoek.

Antwoord van de heer Füle namens de Commissie

(14 maart 2012)

De Commissie is bezorgd over het vermeende gebruik van chemische wapens in de afgelopen maanden en heeft de kwestie met de Turkse autoriteiten besproken. Tijdens werkbesprekingen begin december 2011 antwoordde Turkije dat een onderzoek gestart was en dat de lichamen van leden van de PPK die tijdens de confrontaties de dood vonden, overgebracht waren naar het Instituut voor Gerechtelijke Geneeskunde om de doodsoorzaak vast te stellen. De Commissie blijft de ontwikkelingen volgen.

Wat de toetredingsonderhandelingen met Turkije betreft, benadrukt de Commissie dat deze verlopen volgens het onderhandelingskader dat door alle lidstaten in 2005 is goedgekeurd en op basis van de conclusies van de Raad van december 2006.

(Slovenské znenie)

Otázka na písomné zodpovedanie E-000855/12

Komisii

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL), Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Jürgen Klute (GUE/NGL), Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE), Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Katarína Neveďalová (S&D) a Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL)

(2. februára 2012)

Vec: Pretrvávajúce podozrenia z porušovania Dohovoru o chemických zbraniach tureckými ozbrojenými silami

V posledných rokoch boli turecké ozbrojené sily upodozrievané z opakovaného nezákonného použitia chemických zbraní v boji proti kurdským povstalcom zo strany PKK. Tieto podozrivé prípady, najmä údajná smrť 36 kurdských bojovníkov spôsobená plynom CS od 22. do 24. októbra v oblasti Kazan Vadesi (neďaleko mesta Çukurca, v provincii Hakkari), zvýšili napätie medzi Turkmi a Kurdmi. Dokázalo sa, že turecké ozbrojené sily nasadili zakázané chemické zbrane v roku 1999, že ich použili na cvičné účely a že náčelníci tureckých ozbrojených síl v minulosti vydali príkazy na ich použitie. Takisto sa dokázalo, že do roku 2010 Turecko skladovalo zakázané chemické zbrane a ponúkalo ich na predaj. Neexistuje žiadna dokumentácia o zničení týchto zbraní. Na druhej strane turecké orgány neprejavili vôľu spolupracovať v súvislosti s iniciatívami zameranými na ďalšie vyšetrovanie.

Odpoveď pána Füleho v mene Komisie

(14. marca 2012)

Komisia je znepokojená podozreniami týkajúcimi sa použitia chemických zbraní v nedávnych mesiacoch a na túto problematiku upozornila turecké orgány. Počas pracovných rozhovorov začiatkom decembra 2011 Turecko potvrdilo začatie vyšetrovania a informovalo, že telá členov PKK zabitých počas konfliktov boli prevezené do inštitútu súdneho lekárstva, aby sa zistila príčina smrti. Komisia bude túto záležitosť naďalej pozorne sledovať.

Pokiaľ ide o prístupové rokovania s Tureckom, Komisia zdôrazňuje, že sa uskutočňujú v súlade s rokovacím rámcom, ktorý bol v roku 2005 schválený všetkými členskými štátmi, a so závermi Rady z decembri 2006.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000855/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL), Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Jürgen Klute (GUE/NGL), Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE), Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE), Katarína Neveďalová (S&D) and Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Persistent suspicions about breaches of the Chemical Weapons Convention by the Turkish military

Throughout the last few years, the Turkish military has been suspected of having repeatedly made illegal use of chemical weapons in its fight against the Kurdish guerrilla PKK. These suspicious cases, notably the alleged death of 36 Kurdish fighters caused by CS gas between 22 and 24 October in Kazan Vadesi (near Cukaca, province of Hakkari) have increased tensions between the Turks and Kurds. It has been proved that the Turkish military deployed banned chemical weapons in 1999, that it used them for training purposes and that Turkish military leaders have, in the past, given orders for their use. It has also been proved that until 2010 Turkey was storing banned chemical weapons and offering them for sale. There is no documentation pertaining to the destruction of these weapons. On the other hand, the Turkish authorities have reacted in an uncooperative way to initiatives aiming at further investigations.

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2012)

The Commission is concerned about the allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons in recent months, and has raised the issue with the Turkish authorities. During discussions at working level at the beginning of December 2011, Turkey replied that an investigation has been launched and that the bodies of the PKK members killed during the clashes have been sent to the Forensic Medicine Institution (FMI) to identify the cause of death. The Commission will continue to monitor the issue.

As regards the accession negotiations with Turkey the Commission underlines that they take place in line with the Negotiation Framework agreed by all Member States in 2005 and the Council conclusions of December 2006.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000856/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Δολοφονίες Κούρδων πολιτών από τις τουρκικές μυστικές υπηρεσίες

Πρώην στέλεχος της τουρκικής Υπηρεσίας Πληροφοριών αποκάλυψε στοιχεία σχετικά με τη δολοφονία Κούρδων επιχειρηματιών με σκοπό την οικειοποίηση των περιουσιών τους από πράκτορες της ΜΙΤ. Το πρώην στέλεχος σύμφωνα με την εφημερίδα Taraf έστειλε πρόσφατα επιστολή στους εισαγγελείς που ερευνούν την υπόθεση Σουσουρλούκ καθώς και τις δολοφονίες Κούρδων επιχειρηματιών και του γνωστού Τούρκου επιχειρηματία Ομέρ Λουτφί Τοπάλ από άγνωστους δράστες.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κου Mr Füle εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(9 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή γνωρίζει την καταγγελία στην εφημερίδα, στην οποία αναφέρεται το Αξιότιμο Μέλος του Κοινοβουλίου. Η τουρκική εισαγγελία ευρίσκεται επί του παρόντος στο στάδιο της διερεύνησης των ισχυρισμών και η Επιτροπή δεν είναι σε θέση να παράσχει περαιτέρω πληροφορίες. Εντούτοις, η Επιτροπή θα εξακολουθήσει να παρακολουθεί τις σχετικές εξελίξεις.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000856/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Murders of Kurdish civilians by Turkish secret services

A former member of staff of the Turkish Information Service has disclosed information regarding the murder of Kurdish businessmen for the seizure of their property by the Turkish Secret Service and, according to the newspaper Taraf, recently sent a letter to the prosecutors investigating the Susurluk case as well as the murders of the Kurdish businessmen and the well known Turkish businessman Omar Lutfi Topal by unknown perpetrators.

In view of this:

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2012)

The Commission is aware of the newspaper report the Honourable Member is referring to. At this stage the Turkish prosecutor's office is dealing with the allegations and the Commission is not in a position to provide further information. However, it will continue to monitor developments.

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita P-000857/12

a la Comisión

Gabriel Mato Adrover (PPE)

(31 de enero de 2012)

Asunto: Puerto de Tazacorte (Tenerife)

A la vista de las informaciones aparecidas en los últimos días en los medios de comunicación de Canarias y las incertidumbres planteadas en relación con las obras del puerto de Tazacorte en la isla de La Palma, provincia de Tenerife.

¿Puede la Comisión informar de forma pormenorizada sobre todos los aspectos relacionados con este proyecto y en los que haya tenido intervención la Unión Europea?

Respuesta del Sr. Hahn en nombre de la Comisión

(2 de marzo de 2012)

El puerto de Tazacorte recibió 8,3 millones de euros del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) en el marco del programa de las Islas Canarias para el periodo 2000-2006. Debido a las difíciles condiciones meteorológicas, el puerto no empezó a funcionar inmediatamente después de que terminaran las obras. Por consiguiente, se decidió construir otro dique para proteger el puerto y ampliar la zona comercial.

Se prevé que el FEDER cofinancie estos nuevos trabajos en el marco del periodo actual (2007-2013). Las autoridades españolas presentaron una solicitud de gran proyecto para el nuevo dique, que fue admitida a trámite en noviembre de 2010. Sin embargo, la tramitación de la solicitud se paralizó debido a cuestiones relacionadas con un procedimiento judicial en curso por una posible infracción de la legislación medioambiental.

La Comisión llevará a cabo un seguimiento apropiado antes de tomar la decisión final sobre la solicitud de dicho proyecto.

(English version)

Question for written answer P-000857/12

to the Commission

Gabriel Mato Adrover (PPE)

(31 January 2012)

Subject: Port of Tazacorte (Tenerife)

With regard to media reports in the Canary Islands over the last few days, and the uncertainty surrounding building work at the port of Tazacorte La Palma (Tenerife):

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2012)

The port of Tazacorte received EUR 8.3 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Canary Islands programme for the period 2000‐2006. Due to difficult weather conditions, the port was not immediately operational after the completion of the works. As a consequence, it was decided to build an additional dam in order to protect the port and expand the commercial area.

These new works are intended to be co-financed by the ERDF under the current period (2007‐2013). The Spanish authorities have submitted a major project application for the additional dam which was declared admissible in November 2010. However, the processing of the application was interrupted due to issues relating to an ongoing judicial procedure concerning a possible breach of environmental legislation.

The Commission will ensure appropriate follow up before it takes its final decision on the major project application.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000858/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: EU ‘official’ history

Can the Commission explain to what extent the material in the planned ‘House of History’ will form an ‘official’ EU view of history?

Question for written answer E-000859/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Cost to taxpayers of the House of European History

What will the total cost to EU taxpayers of the House of European History be?

Question for written answer E-001239/12

to the Commission

Kay Swinburne (ECR)

(9 February 2012)

Subject: Costs and benefits of the House of European History

In 2008, at the suggestion of its former President Hans-Gert Pöttering, the European Parliament decided to build a ‘House of European History’. However, the cost of this project has already risen substantially by comparison with early estimates.

Although the museum is being funded by Parliament, the Commission has supposedly promised to make an annual financial contribution to the running costs, starting from the museum’s scheduled completion in 2014 (40).

Can the Commission:

Question for written answer E-002404/12

to the Commission

Nicole Sinclaire (NI)

(1 March 2012)

Subject: House of European History

Can the Commission state who conducted the initial cost analysis for the House of European History project?

Was this done by an outside agency, or was it an internal exercise?

Joint answer given by Ms Vassiliou on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2012)

The main objective of the House of European History is to enable Europeans of all generations to learn more about their own history and, by so doing, to contribute to a better understanding of the development of Europe. It should help to explain why the European institutions were founded and developed in the second half of the 20th century. Thus, the contents to be presented in this House will allow for a comprehensive understanding of the history of the European Union within the broader context of European history.

The Commission has informed the Parliament of its willingness to contribute to the operational costs of the project. However, no discussion has yet taken place on the amount of that contribution.

The House of European History has produced its own business plan, which sets out all the important parameters of the project including estimations of development and operating costs and projections of the number of visitors. The business plan is available on the Parliament's website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documentss/cont/dv/annexes_/annexes_en.pdf

The content is being developed by an international, interdisciplinary Academic Project Team composed of museum professionals and historians from all over Europe.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000860/12

to the Commission

Bill Newton Dunn (ALDE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Cameras on trucks to give a full view of the length of both sides of the vehicle

Is the Commission willing to propose an improvement to EU transport legislation that would require all large trucks to be fitted with cameras that give their drivers a full view of the length of both sides of their vehicle, thus improving road safety and bringing down the bill for serious accidents?

Answer given by Mr Kallas on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2012)

The Commission will shortly report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of Directive 2007/38/EC on the retrofitting of mirrors to heavy goods vehicles registered in the Community (41). The report will also address the effectiveness of the directive.

The Commission will then decide whether further amendments to the legislation concerning technical equipment of heavy goods vehicles are to be considered on the basis of a thorough cost-benefit analysis.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000862/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Καλώδιο ενεργειακής διασύνδεσης Ισραήλ-Κύπρου-Ελλάδας

Σχέδιο που ανακοινώθηκε από τη ΔΕΗ-Quantum Energy με το όνομα ₫EuroAsia Interconnector₻ έχει ως σκοπό την ενεργειακή ένωση Ελλάδας-Κύπρου-Ισραήλ που στη συνέχεια θα συνδεθούν με το ευρωπαϊκό δίκτυο. Πρόκειται για το πλέον μεγαλεπήβολο έργο που θα έχει γίνει στον κόσμο τόσο σε ό,τι αφορά το μήκος του καλωδίου όσο και το βάθος που αυτό θα ποντισθεί.

Το μήκος του καλωδίου μεταξύ Κύπρου και Ισραήλ θα είναι 155 ναυτικά μίλια, μεταξύ Κύπρου και Κρήτης 320 ναυτικά μίλια και μεταξύ Κρήτης και Πελοποννήσου 65 ναυτικά μίλια, ενώ το μέγιστο βάθος πόντισης του καλωδίου είναι τα 2 000 μέτρα και το καλώδιο, βάρους 60 κιλών ανά μέτρο, θα θαφτεί σε βάθος ενός μέτρου κάτω από τον πυθμένα της θάλασσας.

Το κόστος του έργου αναμένεται να αποσβεσθεί σε περίπου τέσσερα χρόνια. Το έργο έχει δυνατότητα μεταφοράς ενέργειας συνολικής ισχύος 2 000 MW, ενώ τα συμβαλλόμενα μέρη είναι η ΔΕΗ-Quantum Energy από την Κύπρο, η ΔΕΗ από την Ελλάδα και θεσμικοί φορείς από το Ισραήλ.

Βεβαίως, ο φόβος για το ενδεχόμενο τρομοκρατικών επιθέσεων από μεμονωμένες ομάδες ατόμων ή σαμποτάζ από γειτονικές χώρες μπορεί να αποθαρρύνει την εν λόγω επένδυση και να ακυρώσει όλα τα πλεονεκτήματα που αυτή δίνει στις εμπλεκόμενες χώρες. Επίσης, η ασφάλεια της παροχής ρεύματος θα βοηθήσει στην ενεργειακή απεξάρτηση με την ύπαρξη περισσότερων επιλογών ενεργειακής τροφοδοσίας για τη Κρήτη και τη Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία.

Η μεταφορά ενέργειας αναμένεται να ξεκινήσει από το Ισραήλ, το οποίο επιδιώκει την εξαγωγή ενέργειας που θα παράγει από το φυσικό αέριο. Παράλληλα, η Κύπρος θα μπορέσει να χρησιμοποιήσει το καλώδιο για εξαγωγή ενέργειας προς την Ευρώπη, όταν θα έχει τη δυνατότητα αυτή. Κατόπιν αυτών, ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Oettinger εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(7 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η ηλεκτρική διασύνδεση ₫EuroAsia interconnector₻ θα μπορούσε δυνητικώς να συμβάλει στην ολοκλήρωση της εσωτερικής αγοράς και στην επίλυση του προβλήματος ενέργειας των νησιών. Ωστόσο, θα πρέπει να εκπονηθεί προσεκτικά μια μελέτη περιβαλλοντικής, τεχνικής και εμπορικής σκοπιμότητας.

Ως προς το δεύτερο ερώτημα, η Επιτροπή δεν διαθέτει επαρκείς και λεπτομερείς πληροφορίες για το έργο αυτό, ώστε να προσφέρει συμβουλές σχετικά με τους εφαρμοστέους κανόνες ή κανονισμούς.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000862/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Cable for Israel-Cyprus-Greece energy link-up

A plan announced by DEH-Quantum Energy entitled ‘EuroAsia Interconnector’ aims at establishing an energy link-up between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, to be connected subsequently to the European grid. It is ‘the most ambitious project in the world so far, both in terms of the cable’s length, and in terms of the installation depth’.

The length of the cable between Cyprus and Israel will be 155 nautical miles, between Cyprus and Crete 320 nautical miles and between Crete and the Peloponnese 65 nautical miles. The maximum installation depth of the cable will be 2 000 metres and the cable, weighing 60 kilos per metre, will be buried one metre below the sea bed.

It is anticipated that the cost of the project will be recovered in approximately four years. The project will have the capacity to transmit a total of 2 000 megawatts of energy, the contracting parties being DEI-Quantum Energy from Cyprus, DEI from Greece and the Israeli authorities.

Of course fear of possible terrorist attacks by isolated individual groups or sabotage by neighbouring states could function as a disincentive to the investment in question and nullify the advantages offered by the project to the countries involved. However, a secure electricity supply will favour energy independence, with the existence of a wider range of energy options for Crete and the Republic of Cyprus.

Energy transmission is expected to start with Israel, which is seeking to export the energy it will produce from natural gas. At the same time Cyprus will be able to utilise the cable to export energy to Europe, when it acquires that capacity.

In view of this:

Answer given by Mr Oettinger on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2012)

The EuroAsia interconnector could potentially contribute to the completion of the internal market and to solving the problem of energy islands. However, an environmental, technical and commercial feasibility study should be carefully conducted.

On the second question, the Commission does not have sufficient detailed information on this project to advice about applicable standards or rules.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000863/12

προς την Επιτροπή (Αντιπρόεδρος/Ύπατη Εκπρόσωπος)

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: VP/HR — Φόβος για κλιμάκωση των συγκρούσεων στη Νιγηρία

Στη Νιγηρία δεν έχει τέλος η τρομοκρατία που βιώνουν οι Χριστιανοί πολίτες της χώρας, οι οποίοι θρηνούν ήδη μεγάλο αριθμό νεκρών. Η δράση της μουσουλμανικής αίρεσης Μπόκο Χαράμ προκαλεί ένα διαρκές αιματοκύλισμα και οι ανταπαντήσεις πρέπει να θεωρούνται αναπόφευκτο αποτέλεσμα.

Παράλληλα, πληθαίνουν οι φωνές που μιλάνε ανοιχτά για το ξέσπασμα ενός εμφυλίου πολέμου μεγάλης κλίμακας.

Το γεγονός ότι η Νιγηρία αποτελεί τη πολυπληθέστερη αφρικανική χώρα δημιουργεί πολλούς φόβους, ευρύτερης ανάφλεξης στην περιοχή.

Ερωτάται η Ύπατη Εκπρόσωπος:

Απάντηση της Ύπατης Εκπροσώπου/Αντιπροέδρου Ashton εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(6 Ιουλίου 2012)

Όπως επισημαίνουν τα Αξιότιμα Μέλη, οι συνθήκες ασφαλείας στη Νιγηρία, ειδικά στη βορειοανατολική περιοχή της χώρας, προκαλεί μεγάλη ανησυχία.

Η Νιγηρία στηρίζει πλήρως τη θρησκευτική ελευθερία, η οποία κατοχυρώνεται στο σύνταγμα της χώρας. Είναι γεγονός ότι ορισμένες από τις τρομοκρατικές επιθέσεις μπορούν να θεωρηθούν ως στοχευμένες κατά των χριστιανών με σκοπό να επιδεινωθούν οι εντάσεις και, επιπλέον, να επιτευχθεί κάλυψη από τα μέσα ενημέρωσης. Ωστόσο, είναι σημαντικό να σημειωθεί ότι οι πρόσφατες σοβαρές επιθέσεις της Μπόκο Χαράμ στο Κάνο δεν είχαν ως στόχο χριστιανούς αλλά τις κρατικές αρχές. Επιπλέον, οι παρατηρητές συμφωνούν ότι η πλειοψηφία των πολλών θυμάτων της Μπόκο Χαράμ στο Κάνο ήταν μουσουλμάνοι.

Η ΕΕ και η Νιγηρία έχουν τακτικές επαφές, οι οποίες εντατικοποιούνται.

Πιο πρόσφατα, διεξήχθη υπουργική σύνοδος Νιγηρίας-ΕΕ στην Αμπούτζα στις 8 Φεβρουαρίου 2012. Ο δανός υπουργός εξωτερικών, κ. Villy Soevndal, εκπροσώπησε την ΥΕ/ΑΠ Ashton. Θέματα ασφάλειας και συνεργασίας στην περιοχή συζητήθηκαν εκτενώς. Συμφωνήθηκε να οργανωθεί τακτικός τοπικός διάλογος για θέματα ειρήνης, σταθερότητας και ασφάλειας. Συμφωνήθηκε επίσης να προσληφθούν εμπειρογνώμονες με στόχο να προσδιοριστεί ένα πιθανό σχέδιο δράσης και να ενισχυθεί η συνεργασία στον τομέα της καταπολέμησης της τρομοκρατίας, ενώ παράλληλα να αναπροσανατολιστούν αρκετά σχέδια της ΕΕ στη Νιγηρία προκειμένου να αντιμετωπιστούν καλύτερα οι βαθύτερες αιτίες των προκλήσεων σχετικά με την ασφάλεια στη βόρεια περιοχή της χώρας.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000863/12

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: VP/HR — Fear of the conflict in Nigeria escalating

In Nigeria, there is no end to the terrorism experienced by the country’s Christian community, which is already mourning a large number of dead. The activity of the Muslim Boko Haram sect is causing endless bloodshed and reprisals must be considered inevitable.

At the same time, open talk of large-scale civil war is spreading.

The fact that Nigeria is the most heavily populated country in Africa is giving rise to fears of more widespread conflict in the region.

In view of this:

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 2012)

As the Honourable Members point out the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the North East of the country, is a cause for considerable concern.

Nigeria is committed to religious freedom, which is enshrined in the country's constitution. It is correct that some of the terrorist attacks can be understood as directed against Christians with the intention of exacerbating tensions and also to gain media coverage. However, it is important to note that the recent major attacks by Boko Haram in Kano did not target Christians, but the state authorities. Furthermore, observers agree that most of Boko Haram's many victims in Kano were Muslims.

The EU and Nigeria have regular contacts and they are intensifying.

Most recently, a Nigeria-EU Ministerial meeting took place in Abuja on 8 February 2012. The Danish Foreign Minister, Mr Villy Soevndal, represented HRVP Ashton. Security issues and cooperation in this area were discussed extensively. It was agreed to establish a regular local dialogue on peace, stability and security. It was also agreed to engage experts with a view to identifying a possible action plan and to enhance the cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism, while at the same time re-orienting several EU projects in Nigeria in order to better address the root causes of the security challenges in the North of the country.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000864/12

προς την Επιτροπή (Αντιπρόεδρος/Ύπατη Εκπρόσωπος)

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: VP/HR — Πολιτικές διώξεις στην Αλβανία

Το Εφετείο της Κορυτσάς επέβαλλε καταδικαστική απόφαση στον πρόεδρο της Ομόνοιας Περιφέρειας Κορυτσάς και μέλος του προεδρείου του κόμματος ΕΕΜΜ-MEGA, Ναούμ Ντίσιο.

Σύμφωνα με την απόφαση ο Ναούμ Ντίσιος καταδικάστηκε ένα χρόνο φυλάκιση χωρίς αναστολή διότι πριν ο κατηγορούμενος είχε ρίξει τσιμέντο στο χώρο πλησίον του Ιερού Ναού της Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου προκειμένου να δημιουργήσει σκαλοπάτια στο μονοπάτι που οδηγεί στο Μνημείο δύο Ελλήνων πεσόντων στρατιωτών κατά τον Ελληνο-ιταλικό πόλεμο, που αναπαύονται εκεί από τον Νοέμβριο του 1940.

Η απόφαση του Εφετείου να μην αναστείλει την ποινή της φυλάκισης ενός έτους, προκαλεί έκπληξη, αφού για μία περίπτωση πλημμελήματος, όπως άλλωστε κρίθηκε, δίνεται συνήθως αναστολή. Ο Ναούμ Ντίσιος είναι υποχρεωμένος μέχρι σήμερα το πρωί (13-01) να παρουσιαστεί στην τοπική φυλακή ώστε να εκτίσει ετήσια ποινή για ένα πλημμέλημα. Σύμφωνα με το Ντίσιο τα κριτήρια είναι καθαρά πολιτικά. Παράλληλα, το κλίμα στην Αλβανία επιδεινώνεται διαρκώς απέναντι στις μειονότητες και το κλίμα φαίνεται ότι επηρεάζει και τις δικαστικές αποφάσεις.

Ερωτάται η Ύπατη Εκπρόσωπος:

Τί προτίθεται να πράξει προκειμένου το δικαστικό σύστημα της Αλβανίας να μην επηρεάζεται από πολιτικά και εθνοτικά κριτήρια;

Απάντηση του κ. Füle εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(7 Μαρτίου 2012)

H Επιτροπή δεν δύναται να σχολιάσει μεμονωμένες υποθέσεις και δικαστικές αποφάσεις. Ο σεβασμός του κράτους δικαίου αποτελεί βασικό στοιχείο των πολιτικών κριτηρίων της Κοπεγχάγης, τα οποία πρέπει να πληροί η Αλβανία, ως χώρα που φιλοδοξεί να ενταχθεί στην ΕΕ. Στην γνώμη της για την αίτηση της Αλβανίας για την ένταξή στην ΕΕ, που δημοσιεύθηκε τον Νοέμβριο του 2010, η Επιτροπή εντόπισε δώδεκα βασικούς τομείς προτεραιότητας που θα πρέπει να ικανοποιεί η χώρα για να προταθεί η έναρξη ενταξιακών διαπραγματεύσεων. Μέρος των βασικών αυτών προτεραιοτήτων είναι η ενίσχυση του κράτους δικαίου με τη θέσπιση και εφαρμογή μεταρρυθμιστικής στρατηγικής για τον δικαστικό τομέα, εξασφαλίζοντας την ανεξαρτησία, την αποτελεσματικότητα και τη λογοδοσία των δικαστικών θεσμών.

Η Επιτροπή παρέχει βοήθεια στην Αλβανία στο πλαίσιο του σχεδίου για την εξυγίανση του αλβανικού δικαστικού συστήματος EURALIUS (Ευρωπαϊκή αποστολή βοήθειας για το αλβανικό δικαστικό σύστημα). Το σχέδιο αυτό εφαρμόζεται σε συνεχή και προοδευτική βάση από τον Ιούνιο του 2005 και καλύπτει κυρίως: τη μεταρρύθμιση και τον εκσυγχρονισμό του δικαστικού συστήματος, της διοίκησης των δικαστηρίων, του νομικού πλαισίου, της ποινικής δικαιοσύνης και της συμμετοχής στη δικαιοσύνη.

Η Επιτροπή παρακολουθεί την κατάσταση όσον αφορά το κράτος δικαίου, καθώς και τον σεβασμό και την προστασία των μειονοτήτων στην Αλβανία και θα παρουσιάσει την αξιολόγησή της σχετικά με την συμμόρφωση της Αλβανίας με τις απαιτήσεις που ισχύουν στους τομείς αυτούς, στην έκθεση προόδου του 2012.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000864/12

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: VP/HR — Political persecution in Albania

The Koritsa Court of Appeal has delivered a guilty verdict with regard to Naum Dishon, head of the Koritsa district ‘Omonia’ organisation and member of the MEGA-ΕΕΜΜ executive.

He has received a one-year unconditional prison term for pouring cement in an area close to the Church of the Assumption with the intention of making steps on the path leading up to the monument of two Greek soldiers who fell during the war between Greece and Italy and whose bodies have been resting there since November 1940.

The decision of the Court of Appeal to impose an unconditional one-year prison sentence came as a surprise, a suspended sentence being the standard penalty for what is regarded as a misdemeanour. Naum Dishon has until this morning (13 January) to present himself at the local jail to commence his one-year sentence for this offence. Mr Dishon himself takes the view that the judgment was politically motivated and it would appear that court judgments are in general being affected by the climate of growing hostility towards minorities in Albania.

In view of this:

What action does the High Representative intend to take to ensure that the Albanian judicial system is not influenced by political and ethnic considerations?

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2012)

The Commission cannot comment on individual cases and court decisions. Respect for the rule of law is an essential element of the Copenhagen political criteria which Albania, as a country aspiring to join the EU, must comply with. In its Opinion on Albania's EU membership application, published in November 2010, the Commission identified twelve key priority areas to be fulfilled by the country before it can recommend the opening of accession negotiations. Strengthening rule of law through adoption and implementation of a reform strategy for the judiciary, ensuring the independence, efficiency and accountability of judicial institutions, is part of these key priorities.

The Commission is providing assistance to Albania through the project on Consolidation of the Albanian Justice System EURALIUS (European Assistance Mission to the Albanian Justice System). This project is being implemented continuously in several phases since June 2005 and covers mainly: reform and modernisation of the justice system, court administration, the legal framework, criminal justice and participation in justice.

The Commission monitors the situation as regards rule of law and respect for and protection of minorities in Albania and will present its assessment of Albania's compliance with requirements in these fields in the 2012 Progress Report.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000865/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(13 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Διεθνής ρόλος του ευρώ

Η προσπάθεια ενίσχυσης του ευρώ με την παράλληλη αύξηση των αποθεματικών στο κοινό νόμισμα θα βοηθήσει στην ενίσχυση του εμπορίου των ευρωπαϊκών χωρών και της θέσης τους στο διεθνές γίγνεσθαι. Οπότε θα ήταν ευχής έργον να υιοθετήσουν το ευρώ ή να διασυνδεθούν με αυτό χώρες περί την Ευρώπη ή άλλες τρίτες χώρες.

Επίσης, το ενδεχόμενο μελλοντικής αστάθειας του δολαρίου λόγω των μεγάλων αποθεματικών σε δολάρια που κατέχουν τρίτες χώρες, αυξάνει την ανασφάλεια διεθνώς. Επιπροσθέτως, το ενδεχόμενο αυξημένης έντασης μεταξύ των ΗΠΑ και πετρελαιοπαραγωγών χωρών μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε εξίσου μεγάλες (και απότομες) αλλαγές που θα πλήξουν τη σταθερότητα που υφίσταται με τη διεθνή κυριαρχία του δολαρίου.

Μετά τις εξεγέρσεις στον αραβικό κόσμο, υπάρχει ένα παράθυρο ευκαιρίας για την προώθηση του ρόλου του ευρώ και της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης στην περιοχή, με το σκοπό να καταστεί η Μεσόγειος μια ₫ευρωπαϊκή λίμνη₻.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Rehn εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(29 Μαρτίου 2012)

Το μερίδιο του ευρώ στα διεθνή συναλλαγματικά αποθέματα αντιστοιχούσε περίπου στο ένα τέταρτο των συναλλαγματικών αποθεμάτων για τα οποία το νόμισμα είναι γνωστό από την εισαγωγή του ευρώ. Στην αρχή της παγκόσμιας χρηματοπιστωτικής και οικονομικής κρίσης κατά το 2ο τρίμηνο του 2007, το μερίδιο του ευρώ ήταν 26,4 %. Στη συνέχεια, το μερίδιό του αυξήθηκε σε 29,3 % (υψηλότερο όριο οκταετίας) το 2ο τρίμηνο του 2010 (σε σταθερές συναλλαγματικές ισοτιμίες). Τα επόμενα τρίμηνα, το μερίδιο του ευρώ μειώθηκε και αντιστοιχούσε σε 25,7 % το τρίτο τρίμηνο του 2011. Η ονομαστική αξία των ευρώ που τηρούνται σε συναλλαγματικά αποθέματα μειώθηκε από το ρεκόρ των 1,5 τρισεκατομμυρίων ευρώ το δεύτερο τρίμηνο σε 1,4 τρισεκατομμύρια ευρώ το τρίτο τρίμηνο. Επιπλέον, το ευρώ αντιπροσωπεύει περίπου το ένα πέμπτο της ημερήσιας αξίας των συναλλαγών των αγορών συναλλάγματος και το ένα τέταρτο στις διεθνείς ομολογιακές. Η τιμολόγηση των εξαγωγών αγαθών και εισαγωγών αγαθών της ζώνης του ευρώ σε χώρες εκτός της ζώνης του ευρώ γίνεται κατά κύριο λόγο σε ευρώ (68 % των εξαγωγών, 54 % των εισαγωγών), ενώ παρατηρείται μια τάση αύξησης της τιμολόγησης σε ευρώ. Η χρήση του ευρώ από χώρες εκτός της ΕΕ θεωρείται ως εξωγενής. Ούτε αποτρέπεται ούτε ενθαρρύνεται. Ο στόχος των ευρωπαϊκών κεντρικών τραπεζών (ΕΚΤ) για τη σταθερότητα των τιμών αφορά μόνο τα κράτη μέλη που συμμετέχουν στην Οικονομική και Νομισματική Ένωση.

Σήμερα, τα καθεστώτα συναλλαγματικών ισοτιμιών των χωρών εκτός της ζώνης του ευρώ έχουν ισχυρή γεωγραφική και θεσμική υποστήριξη. Με την εξαίρεση των χωρών που συμμετέχουν στο Μηχανισμό Συναλλαγματικών Ισοτιμιών ΙΙ (ΜΣΙ ΙΙ), η απόφαση να χρησιμοποιείται το ευρώ ως νόμισμα πρόσδεσης είναι μια μονομερής απόφαση και δεν συνεπάγεται καμία δέσμευση εκ μέρους της ΕΚΤ.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000865/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(13 February 2012)

Subject: The international role of the euro

The effort to strengthen the euro by increasing reserves of the common currency will enhance trade between the European countries and upgrade their international position. It would consequently be desirable for countries neighbouring Europe or other third countries to adopt the euro or to be linked to it.

Moreover, the prospect of future instability of the US dollar due to the large US dollar reserves in the possession of third countries is increasing the sense of insecurity worldwide. Additionally, the possibility of an escalation in tension between the US and the oil-producing countries could foreshadow equally great (and abrupt) changes that will affect the existing stability associated with the international predominance of the dollar.

Following the riots in the Arab world there is a window of opportunity to promote the role of the euro and the European Union in the wider region, with a view to converting the Mediterranean zone into a ‘European lake’.

In view of this:

Answer given by Mr Rehn on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2012)

The euro's share in international reserves has roughly been a quarter of foreign currency reserves for which the currency is known since the introduction of the euro. At the starting point of the global financial and economic crisis in Q2 2007, the euro's share was at 26.4 %. Thereafter, its share increased to an eight-year high of 29.3 % in Q2 2010 (at constant exchange rates). In subsequent quarters, the euro's share fell and was at 25.7 % in the third quarter of 2011. The nominal value of euro held in foreign currency reserves fell from a record high of EUR 1.5 trillion in the second quarter to EUR 1.4 trillion in the third quarter. Furthermore, the euro accounts for roughly one fifth in the daily turnover of foreign exchange markets and a quarter in international debt issuance. The invoicing of goods exports and goods imports of the euro area to non-euro area countries is primarily done in euro (68 % of exports, 54 % of imports) and there is a tendency towards increased invoicing in euro. The use of the euro by non-EU countries is taken as exogenous. It is neither promoted nor dissuaded. The European Central Bank's (EBC) objective for price stability only pertains to Member States that are part of the Economic and Monetary Union.

Currently, the exchange rate regimes of countries outside the euro area have a strong geographical and institutional underpinning. With the exception of those countries participating in exchange rate mechanism II (ERM II), the decision to use the euro as an anchor currency is a unilateral decision and does not involve any commitment on the part of the ECB.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000866/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Στενά του Ορμούζ και του Σουέζ

Τα Στενά του Ορμούζ και του Σουέζ παίζουν σημαντικότατο ρόλο στο διεθνές εμπόριο αγαθών και πετρελαίου. Έτσι, όλες οι ευρωπαϊκές χώρες βιώνουν μια διαρκή αβεβαιότητα λόγω του γεγονότος ότι η αστάθεια στη περιοχή μπορεί ανά πάσα στιγμή να μπλοκάρει το εμπόριο, εκτοξεύοντας τις τιμές στα ύψη.

Η οικονομική σταθερότητα και η ελευθερία του εμπορίου είναι δεδηλωμένοι κοινοί σκοποί για όλους τους Ευρωπαίους.

Το Συμβούλιο αποφάσισε εμπάργκο κατά του Ιράν και η απόφαση αυτή δημιουργεί σε ορισμένα εκ των κρατών μελών τεράστιο πρόβλημα στη κάλυψη των ενεργειακών αναγκών (Ελλάδα, Ιταλία, Γαλλία, Ισπανία).

Γίνεται σαφές ότι περισσότερο από ποτέ πρέπει να εξασφαλιστεί η απρόσκοπτη ναυσιπλοΐα στην περιοχή των στενών για τη μεταφορά πετρελαίου από άλλες χώρες (Ιράκ, Κουβέιτ, Κατάρ, Μπαχρέιν, Ηνωμένα Αραβικά Εμιράτα).

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Εξετάζει εναλλακτικά σενάρια για την εξασφάλιση της ελεύθερης διέλευσης των αγαθών, με ανταγωνιστικό τρόπο πέραν των στενών του Ορμούζ και του Σουέζ;

Απάντηση του κ. Oettinger εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(7 Μαρτίου 2012)

Τα στενά του Χορμούζ αντιπροσωπεύουν μείζονα ναυτιλιακή οδό διέλευσης για το αργό πετρέλαιο και τα πετρελαιοειδή που προέρχονται από το σύνολο των χωρών του Κόλπου, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του Ιράν. Όλες οι χώρες της περιοχής, χωρίς εξαίρεση, έχουν ζωτικό συμφέρον να διατηρούν ανοικτή αυτή την οδό. Επιπλέον, ολοκληρώνεται ένας νέος σωληναγωγός μέσω των Ηνωμένων Αραβικών Εμιράτων προς την ανατολική ακτή της αραβικής χερσονήσου, η δε Σαουδική Αραβία διαθέτει επίσης σωληναγωγό που φθάνει στην Ερυθρά Θάλασσα, προσφέροντας εναλλακτική οδό.

Η διώρυγα όμως του Σουέζ διαδραματίζει περιορισμένο ρόλο ως οδός εφοδιασμού της ΕΕ με πετρέλαιο. Αυτό οφείλεται στο γεγονός ότι η δίοδος μέσω της διώρυγας δεν είναι κατάλληλη για τα μεγαλύτερα δεξαμενόπλοια τα οποία σήμερα χρησιμοποιούνται από τον κλάδο.

Η εμπορία του αργού πετρελαίου διεξάγεται εν γένει στην παγκόσμια διεθνή αγορά. Σε περίπτωση μη διαθεσιμότητας ποσοτήτων από συγκεκριμένο προμηθευτή, οι εμπορικές εταιρίες εντοπίζουν εναλλακτικές πηγές προμήθειας. Εναλλακτικές λύσεις μπορούν να δώσουν προμήθειες από τη Λιβύη, τον Καναδά, τη Δυτική Αφρική, τη Βραζιλία, την Κασπία Θάλασσα και προμηθευτές πετρελαίου και αερίου από άλλες γεωγραφικές περιοχές. Για να αντιμετωπιστεί τυχόν διακοπή της τροφοδότησης με πετρέλαιο θα μπορούσαν επίσης να χρησιμοποιηθούν τα αποθέματα πετρελαίου έκτακτης ανάγκης που διατηρούν τα κράτη μέλη της ΕΕ και σήμερα είναι ισοδύναμα με επίπεδο κατανάλωσης 120 ημερών.

Η Επιτροπή δεν σχεδιάζει επί του παρόντος τυχόν επιπρόσθετα μέτρα ειδικώς για τα στενά του Χορμούζ ή τη διώρυγα του Σουέζ.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000866/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: The Strait of Hormuz and Suez

The Strait of Hormuz and Suez play an extremely important role in international trade in oil and other commodities, and all European countries are in a perennial state of insecurity owing to the fact that instability in the region could at any moment disrupt trade, sending prices through the roof. Economic stability and freedom of trade are declared common goals for all Europeans.

The Council’s decision to impose an embargo on Iran is now making it immensely difficult for certain Member States (Greece, Italy, France, Spain) to cover their energy needs.

It has become clear that more than ever it is necessary to secure unimpeded navigation in the region of the Strait for transport of oil from other countries (Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates).

In view of this:

Is the Commission examining alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz and Suez for the unimpeded passage of goods, on competitive terms?

Answer given by Mr Oettinger on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2012)

The Strait of Hormuz represents a major shipping route for crude oil and petroleum products for all Gulf countries including Iran. All countries in the region without exception have a vital interest in keeping this route open. Additionally, a new pipeline through the United Arab Emirates towards the East Coast of the Arab Peninsula is being completed and Saudi Arabia also has a pipeline leading to the Red Sea, providing alternative routing.

The Suez Canal however plays a limited role as supply route of oil to the EU. This is due to the fact that the passage through the Canal is not suited for the larger oil tankers which are currently used by the industry.

Crude oil is generally traded on the global international market. In case of unavailability of supplies from a particular supplier, alternative sources of supply are identified by commercial companies. Libyan, Canadian, West African, Brazilian, Caspian and other regions' oil and gas supplies can provide alternatives. Emergency oil stocks in EU Member States, currently at a level equivalent to 120 days of consumption, could also be used to face any oil supply disruption.

The Commission does not currently envisage any additional measures specifically for the Straight of Hormuz or the Suez Canal.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000867/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(13 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Κονδύλια στήριξης των ανέργων στην Ελλάδα

Καταγγελίες φέρουν την Ελλάδα να μην έχει εκμεταλλευτεί στο έπακρο τις δυνατότητες που δίνει το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινωνικό, χρηματοδοτεί μέσω του ΕΣΠΑ κοινωνικές δράσεις για την αντιμετώπιση της ανεργίας. Ο λόγος για τα κονδύλια του ταμείου της ΕΕ, που χρηματοδοτεί το ΕΣΠΑ για τις κοινωνικές του δράσεις (Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινωνικό Ταμείο). Επί συνόλου κονδυλίων 4,36 δις. ευρώ, έχουν διατεθεί 965,01 εκατ. ευρώ, διαμορφώνοντας το ποσοστό απορρόφησης στο 22,11 %.

Στην Ελλάδα, με την ανεργία να κυμαίνεται στο 18 %, η άμεση αξιοποίηση των πόρων του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινωνικού Ταμείου είναι απαραίτητη για την ανακούφιση των Ελλήνων ανέργων και τη μελλοντική επαγγελματική τους αποκατάσταση.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Andor εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(20 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή και η ειδική ομάδα δράσης για την Ελλάδα υποστηρίζουν και θα υποστηρίξουν περαιτέρω τις προσπάθειες των εθνικών αρχών για επιτάχυνση της απορρόφησης της οικονομικής συνδρομής της ΕΕ για έργα που στοχεύουν στην καταπολέμηση της ανεργίας. Με δεδομένο το υψηλό ποσοστό ανεργίας, ούτε η Ελλάδα, ούτε η Επιτροπή έχουν την πολυτέλεια να απολέσουν κεφάλαια της ΕΕ.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000867/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)

(13 February 2012)

Subject: Unemployment funding in Greece

Greece has been accused of not sufficiently utilizing the potential of the European Social Fund, through the NSRF, to finance social actions addressing the issue of unemployment. The European Social Fund finances the social action of the NSRF. Out of a total EUR 4.36 billion, about EUR 965.01 million was allocated, a take-up rate of 22.11 %.

In Greece, where unemployment is in the region of 18 %, utilization of direct funding made available through the European Social Fund is indispensable for the relief of unemployed Greeks and for their professional future.

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2012)

The Commission and its Task Force for Greece are supporting and will further support the national authorities in their efforts to speed up the absorption of EU financial assistance for projects targeted to fighting unemployment. Given the high rate of unemployment, neither Greece nor the Commission can afford the luxury of losing EU funds.

(Nederlandse versie)

Vraag met verzoek om schriftelijk antwoord E-000868/12

aan de Commissie

Saïd El Khadraoui (S&D)

(14 februari 2012)

Betreft: Stijgend aantal koperdiefstallen in de spoorsector

Het aantal koperdiefstallen in de spoorsector neemt al enkele jaren toe, voornamelijk door de stijgende prijs van koper en de economische crisis. De Belgische infrastructuurbeheerder, Infrabel, telde in 2011 maar liefst 751 kabeldiefstallen. Dit zorgde voor een totale vertraging voor de reizigers van 518 uur en een kostenpost van meer dan 2 miljoen euro om de bedrading te vernieuwen. Tevens slagen de dieven erin om per diefstal steeds meer koper te stelen.

Ook andere lidstaten, zoals Nederland, Groot-Brittannië en Frankrijk, geven aan dat koperdiefstallen voor steeds meer problemen zorgen in hun land. De sector vermoedt dat er internationaal georganiseerde bendes aan het werk zijn. Ze stelen koper en proberen de buit over de grens te verkopen aan koperhandelaars. Daarom lijkt grensoverschrijdende actie aangewezen.

In haar antwoord op vraag E-008787/2011 gaf de Commissie aan dat een informeel netwerk  ter bestrijding van door mobiele dadergroepen gepleegde misdrijven operationeel is sinds 28 september 2011, zoals bepaald in de Raadsconclusies van 2 en 3 december 2010.

Antwoord van mevrouw Malmström namens de Commissie

(8 maart 2012)

De Commissie verwijst het geachte Parlementslid naar het antwoord op vraag E-008787/2011 van 26 oktober 2011 (44). Wat betreft de resultaten van het netwerk inzake de bestuurlijke aanpak, dat zich eveneens zal richten op rondtrekkende criminele bendes (waaronder diefstal van metalen), kan de Commissie nog geen verslag uitbrengen over resultaten aangezien het netwerk pas in september 2011 is opgericht. Zij wenst echter te benadrukken dat het netwerk vooral tot doel heeft de uitwisseling van goede praktijken te vergemakkelijken. In het kader van de beleidscyclus „Harmony” vergroot EUROPOL zijn knowhow over rondtrekkende criminele bendes. Dit zou in de toekomst EU-lidstaten kunnen helpen betere operationele resultaten te bereiken met betrekking tot dit soort grensoverschrijdende criminaliteit.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000868/12

to the Commission

Saïd El Khadraoui (S&D)

(14 February 2012)

Subject: The rising incidence of copper theft in the railway sector

The incidence of copper theft in the railway sector has been increasing for several years now, mainly because of the rising price of copper and the economic crisis. The Belgian infrastructure manager, Infrabel, recorded as many as 751 cases of cable theft in 2011. This caused a total delay for the passengers of 518 hours, and the cost of replacing the wiring amounted to more than EUR 2 million. The thieves also manage to steal more and more copper at a time.

Other Member States, for example, the Netherlands, Great Britain and France, also report that copper theft presents an increasing problem for them. The sector suspects that this is the work of international organised criminal gangs. The gangs steal copper and try to sell their loot to copper merchants across the border. This is why it seems appropriate that there should be cross-border action.

In its answer to Question E‐008787/2011, the Commission indicated that an informal network to prevent crime being committed by mobile criminal groups had been operational since 28 September 2011, as provided for in the Council conclusions of 2 and 3 December 2010.

Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2012)

The Commission would like to refer to the reply it provided to Question E‐008787/2011 on 26.10.2011 (45). As regards the output of the network on administrative approach, which will also focus on crimes committed by itinerant gangs (including metal theft), the network was only established in September 2011 and the Commission is thus not in a position to report any outputs yet. It would nevertheless like to underline that the network is above all meant to facilitate the exchange of best practices. Europol — in the context of the harmony policy cycle — is stepping up its know how on itinerant criminal gangs, which in time could help EU Member States in reaching better operational results against this type of cross border crimes.

(Nederlandse versie)

Vraag met verzoek om schriftelijk antwoord E-000869/12

aan de Commissie

Saïd El Khadraoui (S&D)

(2 februari 2012)

Betreft: Ongevallenstatistieken 2011

In 2001 stelde de Europese Commissie de doelstelling voorop om tegen 2010 het aantal verkeersslachtoffers te halveren. In 2010 werd het aantal dodelijke slachtoffers  teruggebracht naar 30 800, een daling van 43 % ten opzichte van 2001. Een aanzienlijke vermindering, ook al werd de doelstelling niet gehaald. Daarom bevestigde de Commissie in 2011 opnieuw het voornemen om tegen 2020 het aantal verkeersslachtoffers te halveren. Op  termijn wil de Commissie het aantal slachtoffers zelfs tot nul  terugbrengen.

Antwoord van de heer Kallas namens de Commissie

(9 maart 2012)

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/pdf/scoreboard_2011.pdf

Het momenteel beschikbare scorebord op basis van de geconsolideerde gegevens heeft betrekking op gegevens voor 2010.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000869/12

to the Commission

Saïd El Khadraoui (S&D)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Accident statistics for 2011

In 2001, the European Commission set a target to halve the number of road deaths by 2010. In 2010, the number of fatalities had been reduced to 30 800 — a decrease of 43 % on 2001. This represents a significant reduction even though the target had not been reached. This is why, in 2011, the Commission reconfirmed its commitment to halving the number of road deaths by 2020. In time, the Commission even wants to reduce the number of fatalities to zero.

Answer given by Mr Kallas on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2012)

The currently available scoreboard on the basis of the consolidated data refers to the 2010 data.

(Deutsche Fassung)

Anfrage zur schriftlichen Beantwortung E-000871/12

an die Kommission (Vizepräsidentin / Hohe Vertreterin)

Nadja Hirsch (ALDE)

(2. Februar 2012)

Betrifft: VP/HR — Ausweisung von Asylbewerbern nach Syrien

Die anhaltende Gewalt in Syrien hat nicht nur zu einem Anstieg der Zahl der Flüchtlinge geführt, die in die Nachbarländer fliehen, sondern stellt auch die Ausweisung syrischer Asylbewerber nach Syrien durch die EU-Mitgliedstaaten infrage.

Kann die Vizepräsidentin/Hohe Vertreterin näher erläutern und benennen, welche EU-Mitgliedstaaten Syrien als sicheres Drittland oder als sicheres Herkunftsland eingestuft haben? Haben diese Mitgliedstaaten 2011/2012 Asylbewerber nach Syrien zurückgeschickt? Falls ja, welche Mitgliedstaaten haben dies getan, wann und in wie vielen Fällen?

Welche der EU-Mitgliedstaaten haben bilaterale Überstellungsverfahren/-abkommen mit Syrien? Welche von den Mitgliedstaaten, auf die dies zutrifft, halten sich an diese Vereinbarungen und weisen weiterhin Asylbewerber nach Syrien aus?

Antwort von Frau Malmström im Namen der Kommission

(3. Mai 2012)

Der Informationsaustausch zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten über ihre Asylpraxis in Bezug auf Syrien wird von der Kommission gegenwärtig über das EU-Netz für Asylpraktiker (EURASIL) erleichtert. Bisher haben die Mitgliedstaaten dem Netz nicht gemeldet, dass sie Syrien als sicheren Herkunftsstaat oder sicheren Drittstaat einstufen. Nach den der Kommission vorliegenden Informationen tragen sie der derzeitigen Lage in Syrien offenbar Rechnung und stellen sicher, dass sie ihre Verpflichtungen aus den EU-Asylvorschriften und dem Völkerrecht einhalten.

Die Kommission wird die Situation weiter genau beobachten, um zu gewährleisten, dass der EU-Besitzstand im Asylbereich und insbesondere die Richtlinie über Asylverfahren (48) eingehalten werden. Die Richtlinie enthält Kriterien und Regeln, nach denen die Sicherheit eines Landes bewertet wird. Außerdem sollen die Mitgliedstaaten dafür Sorge tragen, dass die für Asylverfahren vorgenommene Einstufung eines Landes als sicher eine Person nicht daran hindert darzulegen, dass dieses Land in ihrem Fall nicht sicher ist, und dass das Recht auf Einlegen von Rechtsmitteln gegen eine Ablehnung des Asylantrags vorgesehen wird.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000871/12

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Nadja Hirsch (ALDE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: VP/HR — Expulsion of asylum‐seekers to Syria

The ongoing violence in Syria has not only led to an increase in refugees to neighbouring countries, but also calls into question the expulsion of Syrian asylum‐seekers to Syria by EU Member States.

Can the Vice-President/High Representative specify and name which EU Member States have listed Syria as a safe third country or safe country of origin? Have these Member States transferred asylum‐seekers back to Syria in 2011/2012? If so, which of the Member States have done so, when and in how many cases?

Which of the EU Member States have bilateral transfer procedures/agreements with Syria? Of those that do, which Member States live up to these agreements and continue to expel asylum‐seekers to Syria?

Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2012)

The Commission is currently facilitating exchange of information between Member States regarding their asylum practices in respect of Syria through the EU network of asylum practitioners (EURASIL). So far it has not been notified by Member States of the designation of Syria as a safe country of origin or a safe third country. From the information gathered it appears that Member States give due account to the current situation in Syria, in view of ensuring compliance with their obligations stemming from the EU acquis on asylum and international law.

The Commission will continue carefully to monitor the situation in view of ensuring compliance with the EU acquis on asylum and in particular with the Asylum Procedures Directive (49), which provides for criteria and rules to be taken into consideration in assessing the safety of a country. In addition, it is important that Member States ensure both that the presumption of safety of a country for the purposes of the asylum procedure does not preclude the individual from putting forward arguments to show that in his/her case the country is not safe, and that they provide the right to effective remedy against a negative decision for granting asylum.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000872/12

alla Commissione (Vicepresidente/Alto Rappresentante)

Cristiana Muscardini (PPE)

(2 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: VP/HR — L'ambasciata UE alle Barbados

In questi tempi di crisi, di austerità, di tagli alle spese cui sono obbligati un po' tutti gli Stati membri dell'Unione europea, dietro sollecitazione, per non dire imposizione, quando si tratta di Stati con elevato debito pubblico, della BCE e del direttorio franco-tedesco, la stampa periodica usa lo strumento dell’ironia e della denuncia nei confronti delle spese ₫bizzarre₻ che figurano nei bilanci dell'UE. Una delle bizzarrie più intriganti è rappresentata dal costo delle sue 137 ambasciate sparse per il mondo ed in particolare di quella delle Barbados con 44 addetti?

Può la Vicepresidente/Alta Rappresentante precisare quanto segue:

Risposta data dall’Alta Rappresentante/Vicepresidente Catherine Ashton a nome della Commissione

(12 aprile 2012)

I paesi dei Caraibi orientali sono Stati insulari di piccole dimensioni, vulnerabili e in via di sviluppo, firmatari dell’accordo di Cotonou tra l’UE e gli Stati ACP e dell’accordo di partenariato economico (APE), un accordo speciale per il commercio e l’integrazione regionale. La delegazione gestisce un importo annuale di circa 40 milioni di EUR per l’ aiuto allo sviluppo, destinato principalmente a commercio, istruzione, sanità, ambiente e alle infrastrutture economiche e che riguarda anche la maggior parte dei programmi di cooperazione regionale per i Caraibi. Inoltre, la delegazione si occupa delle misure d’accompagnamento del protocollo sullo zucchero e delle misure d’accompagnamento nel settore delle banane, oltre a gestire stanziamenti speciali nell’ambito dello strumento Flex, destinati a compensare la perdita di introiti derivanti dall’esportazione di prodotti agricoli e minerari. La delegazione gestisce circa 250 milioni di EUR per le iniziative in corso.

Attualmente sono in servizio presso la delegazione 3 funzionari del servizio europeo per l’azione esterna, tra cui anche il capo delegazione, e 6 funzionari della Commissione. Il resto del personale è composto da agenti contrattuali e agenti locali.

New York: 61 in totale, di cui 23 funzionari del SEAE e 4 funzionari della Commissione;

Tokio: 59 in totale, di cui 9 funzionari del SEAE e 7 funzionari della Commissione;

Pechino: 138 in totale, di cui 9 funzionari del SEAE e 20 funzionari della Commissione;

Nuova Delhi: 95 in totale, di cui 8 funzionari del SEAE e 13 funzionari della Commissione.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000872/12

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Cristiana Muscardini (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: VP/HR — Delegation of the European Union to Barbados

In these times of crisis, austerity and spending cuts which have to be borne, to a greater or lesser extent, by all Member States of the European Union at the request — not to say (in the case of States with high levels in public debt) at the behest — of the ECB and two dominant Member States, France and Germany, magazine publications use a tone of irony and admonition when referring to ‘strange’ expenses appearing in EU. One of the most intriguing oddities concerns expenses related to the EU’s 137 delegations around the world, especially the one in Barbados, which comprises 44 members of staff.

Can the Vice-President/High Representative answer the following:

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 2012)

The Eastern Caribbean countries are small and vulnerable island developing states, signatories of the EU‐ACP Cotonou Agreement and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a special trade and regional integration agreement. The roughly EUR 40 million annual development assistance managed by the Delegation focuses on trade, education, health, the environment as well as the economic infrastructure and includes the majority of the Caribbean Regional Cooperation Programmes. Further, the Delegation manages the Sugar protocol accompanying measures and Banana Accompanying Measures, as well as Flex special allocations to compensate for loss in export earnings on agricultural and mining products. The Delegation is managing around EUR 250 million in ongoing actions.

The officials currently serving in the Delegation are three European External Action Service (EEAS) officials, including the Head of the Delegation, and six Commission officials. The rest of the staff are Contract Agents and Local Agents.

New York: 61 total — of which 23 EEAS officials and 4 Commission officials;

Tokyo: 59 total — of which 9 EEAS officials and 7 Commission officials;

Beijing: 138 total — of which 9 EEAS officials and 20 Commission officials;

New Delhi: 95 total — of which 8 EEAS officials and 13 Commission officials.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000873/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: ΕΣΠΑ και ιδιωτική πρωτοβουλία

Σύμφωνα με άρθρο της εφημερίδας ₫Το Πρώτο Θέμα₻, είναι κοινώς αποδεκτό ότι το ζητούμενο για την Ελληνική οικονομία είναι να επανέλθει σε ρυθμούς ανάπτυξης. Δυστυχώς όμως, το Ελληνικό δημόσιο δεν διαθέτει κονδύλια για ανάπτυξη ενώ υπάρχουν ιδιωτικά κεφάλαια που βρίσκονται στο εξωτερικό από Έλληνες επιχειρηματίες και εφοπλιστές. Τα κεφάλαια αυτά βρίσκονται εκεί λόγω της οικονομικής αβεβαιότητας και του συνεχούς κινδύνου πτώχευσης της Ελλάδας.

Ταυτόχρονα παρατηρείται και αδυναμία απορρόφησης των κονδυλίων του ΕΣΠΑ, κυρίως λόγω της γραφειοκρατίας και της καθυστέρησης εγκρίσεων για τις επενδύσεις. Επίσης, το Ελληνικό δημόσιο δεν μπορεί να καταβάλλει ούτε το 5 % που του αναλογεί χάνοντας έτσι και το υπόλοιπο 95 % που προέρχεται από Ευρωπαϊκή χρηματοδότηση.

Στο άρθρο προτείνεται ο Γερμανός επικεφαλής της Task Force στην Ελλάδα κ. Ράιχενμπαχ να πείσει την ΕΕ και τον επίτροπο οικονομικών και νομισματικών θεμάτων κ. Ολι Ρεν ότι αυτό το 5 % της χρηματοδότησης που πρέπει να καταβάλλεται από το δημόσιο να μπορεί να προέρχεται και από ιδιωτικά κεφάλαια καθώς μία εγκεκριμένη επένδυση που επιδοτείται με 95 % από την ΕΕ μπορεί να προσελκύσει το ενδιαφέρον ιδιωτών επενδυτών και έτσι να επανέλθει η Ελληνική οικονομία σύντομα σε τροχιά ανάπτυξης.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Rehn εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(26 Απριλίου 2012)

Για την περίοδο προγραμματισμού 2007-2013, διατίθενται περίπου 20 δισεκατ. ευρώ για την Ελλάδα στο πλαίσιο των κονδυλίων της πολιτικής συνοχής, πράγμα που αποτελεί πολύ σημαντική πηγή πόρων για την προώθηση της ανάπτυξης. Μετά την πρόσφατη τροποποίηση του κανονιστικού πλαισίου της πολιτικής συνοχής, στην Ελλάδα η εθνική συμμετοχή για την εφαρμογή των προγραμμάτων που εντάσσονται στην πολιτική συνοχής της ΕΕ μπορεί να μειωθεί στο 5 % της επιλέξιμης δαπάνης των προγραμμάτων αυτών. Αυτό είχε θετικά αποτελέσματα για την Ελλάδα από απόψεως απορρόφησης πόρων. Συνολικά, έως τον Φεβρουάριο του 2012, εκταμιεύτηκαν επί τόπου σχεδόν 8 δισεκατ. ευρώ. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη το γεγονός αυτό, ο κίνδυνος να μην μπορέσει η Ελλάδα να αξιοποιήσει τους πόρους που διατίθενται στο πλαίσιο της πολιτικής συνοχής έχει περιοριστεί σημαντικά για το 2012.

Η Επιτροπή προέβη στη σύσταση της ομάδας δράσης για την Ελλάδα προκειμένου να τεθεί σε εφαρμογή ένα πρόγραμμα τεχνικής συνδρομής για την Ελλάδα από τα κράτη μέλη με σκοπό να στηριχθεί η υλοποίηση του προγράμματος προσαρμογής και να επιταχυνθεί η απορρόφηση πόρων της ΕΕ.

Όπως αναφέρθηκε, η Ελλάδα πραγματοποίησε ήδη σημαντική πρόοδο όσον αφορά την απορρόφηση πόρων που χορηγούνται στο πλαίσιο της πολιτικής συνοχής και το ποσοστό των πόρων αυτών που έχει μέχρι στιγμής απορροφήσει είναι υψηλότερο από τον μέσο όρο της ΕΕ (50).

Τα ελληνικά επιχειρησιακά προγράμματα βασίζονται στις δημόσιες δαπάνες, σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 53 του κανονισμού αριθ. 1083/2006 του Συμβουλίου· συνεπώς, επί του παρόντος, η ιδιωτική χρηματοδότηση δεν είναι επιλέξιμη για συμμετοχή στο μερίδιο της εθνικής συγχρηματοδότησης.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000873/12

to the Commission

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: NSRF (National Strategic Reference Framework) and private initiative

According to an article in the newspaper To Proto Thema, it is generally accepted that Greece is seeking a return to economic growth. Unfortunately, the Greek Government does not possess the necessary funds, while private capital in the hands of Greek entrepreneurs and shipowners is located abroad because of the uncertain economic climate in Greece and the continuing danger of the country going bankrupt.

At the same time, difficulties are arising concerning the take-up of NSRF funding, primarily because of bureaucratic obstacles and delays in approving investment. Moreover, the Greek Government is unable to make even the statutory 5 % contribution and so forfeits the remaining 95 % of the funding from Europe.

In the article it is proposed that the German head of the Task Force in Greece, Mr Reichenbach, should point out to the EU and the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn that the 5 % government contribution could also be obtained from private investors for whom approved investment schemes with 95 % EU funding could prove an attractive proposition, thereby facilitating rapid economic recovery in Greece.

In view of this:

Answer given by Mr Rehn on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 2012)

For the programming period 2007-2013 around EUR20 billion are available for Greece under cohesion policy funds, which is a very important source of resources available for its development. Following a recent amendment to the cohesion policy regulatory framework, in Greece the national contribution to the implementation of EU cohesion policy programmes can be reduced to 5 % of the eligible expenditure for such programmes. This has led to a positive development in Greece in terms of absorption. In total, up to February 2012 nearly EUR 8 billion have been disbursed on the ground. Based on this fact, the risk of Greece forfeiting cohesion policy funds is significantly reduced for 2012.

The Commission established the Task Force for Greece (TFGR) in order to set up a programme of technical assistance for Greece by the Member States to support the delivery of the adjustment programme and to accelerate the absorption of EU funds.

As mentioned, Greece has already achieved important steps in accelerating the absorption of cohesion policy funds and so far Greece has absorbed a higher percentage of the cohesion policy funds allocation than the EU average (51).

Greek Operational Programmes are based on public expenditure, according to Art 53 of Council Regulation 1083/2006; therefore, at present, private expenditure is not eligible to contribute to the national part of co-financing.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000874/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Αγωγός South Stream

Σύμφωνα με δημοσιεύματα στον ελληνικό τύπο, η κατασκευή του αγωγού South Stream θα αρχίσει τον Δεκέμβριο του 2012, ενώ προηγουμένως υπήρχαν εκτιμήσεις ότι θα άρχιζε το 2013.

Συνολικά, ο South Stream πρόκειται να καλύψει απόσταση 3 600 χιλιομέτρων. Μέσω της Βαλκανικής χερσονήσου, θα έχει δίκτυα στην Ελλάδα και στην Ιταλία. Από το έδαφος της τελευταίας θα καταλήγει στη δυτική Ευρώπη. Δεν θα διέρχεται καθόλου από την Ουκρανία.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή μπορεί ο συγκεκριμένος αγωγός να καλύψει ανάγκες της Νότιας Ευρώπης;

Αποτελεί η Ρωσία στρατηγικό εταίρο της Ευρώπης όσο αναφορά την ενέργεια;

Απάντηση του κ. Oettinger εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(7 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή δεν εμπλέκεται στην ανάπτυξη και την όδευση του South Stream, έργου με χορηγούς και φορείς υλοποίησης εμπορικές εταιρείες. Ως εκ τούτου, δεν είμαστε σε θέση να δώσουμε πληροφορίες σχετικά με τις ποσότητες και τις αγορές προορισμού του φυσικού αερίου που θα μπορούσε να μεταφέρεται μέσω του αγωγού South Stream.

Η Ρωσία είναι και θα παραμείνει στρατηγικός ενεργειακός εταίρος για την ΕΕ. Το South Stream δεν αποτελεί όμως έργο προτεραιότητας.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000874/12

to the Commission

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: South Stream pipeline

According to Greek press reports, the construction of the South Stream pipeline will begin in December 2012 instead of 2013 as previously thought.

In total, South Stream is expected to cover a distance of 3 600 kilometres. Crossing the Balkan Peninsula, South Stream will have networks in Greece and Italy, from whence it will reach western Europe. It will not pass through Ukraine at all.

Will the Commission say whether this pipeline can cover the needs of southern Europe?

Is Russia a strategic partner for Europe in this undertaking?

Answer given by Mr Oettinger on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2012)

The Commission is not involved in the development and the routing of South Stream which is sponsored and developed by commercial companies. Therefore, we are not in a position to give information on the volumes and the destination markets for the gas that could be transported by South Stream.

Russia is and will remain a strategic energy partner for the EU. But the South Stream project is not a priority project.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000875/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Κονδύλια για αστέγους

Οι συνέπειες της οικονομικής κρίσης πρέπει να αντιμετωπιστούν σε τοπικό επίπεδο και η κυβέρνηση να επιδιώξει κοινή δράση με τους δήμους για την προστασία των αστέγων.

Όπως είπε στη γενική συνέλευση των δήμων Αττικής η αναπληρώτρια υπουργός Εσωτερικών Φώφη Γεννηματά, οι δήμοι θα πρέπει να προχωρήσουν στην δημιουργία ειδικών χώρων, όπου οι άστεγοι θα μπορούν να διανυκτερεύσουν με ασφάλεια, να βρίσκουν τροφή και βασικές υπηρεσίες υγείας και ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης.

Η κίνηση αυτή μπορεί να γίνει σε συνεργασία με τα συναρμόδια υπουργεία Εσωτερικών, Υγείας και Εργασίας και σε πρώτη φάση να ξεκινήσει από το Δήμο Αθηναίων, που αντιμετωπίζει και το μεγαλύτερο — αριθμητικά — πρόβλημα, και στη συνέχεια να εφαρμοστεί και σε άλλους δήμους που αντιμετωπίζουν ανάλογο πρόβλημα.

Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη ότι η θέση αυτή έρχεται μόλις λίγες ώρες μετά τη δημοσιοποίηση του θανάτου ενός ακόμη αστέγου, ερωτάται η Επιτροπή αν υπάρχουν σχέδια για κονδύλια προοριζόμενα για την αποκατάσταση των αστέγων, όχι μόνο στην Ελλάδα αλλά και σε άλλα κράτη της ΕΕ.

Απάντηση του κ. Andor εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(14 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή δεν έχει σχέδια για κονδύλια προοριζόμενα ειδικά για την αποκατάσταση των αστέγων στην Ελλάδα ή σε άλλα κράτη της ΕΕ.

Ωστόσο, το Ευρωπαϊκό Ταμείο Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης (EΤΠΑ) υποστηρίζει επενδύσεις στον τομέα της κοινωνικής στέγασης και το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινωνικό Ταμείο (EΚΤ) συνεισφέρει σε δραστηριότητες για την προώθηση της κοινωνικής και επαγγελματικής ενσωμάτωσης των αστέγων. Ενώ η Επιτροπή και τα κράτη μέλη διαχειρίζονται από κοινού αυτά τα ταμεία, τα κράτη μέλη είναι αρμόδια για τον καθορισμό των προτεραιοτήτων τους χρηματοδότησης και την κατανομή των κονδυλίων στο πλαίσιο των επιχειρησιακών προγραμμάτων τους. Στη διάρκεια της προγραμματικής περιόδου 2007-13, τα κράτη μέλη διέθεσαν κονδύλιο 10 δισεκατομμυρίων ευρώ σε ενέργειες για την προώθηση της κοινωνικής ένταξης των πιο ευάλωτων ομάδων στην κοινωνία. Ωστόσο, δεν υπάρχουν στοιχεία σε επίπεδο ΕΕ σχετικά με τα ποσά τα οποία διατέθηκαν απευθείας για τους άστεγους.

Στο πολυετές δημοσιονομικό πλαίσιο για την περίοδο 2014-20, η Επιτροπή πρότεινε τουλάχιστον το 20 % της συνολικής χρηματοδότησης από το ΕΚΤ σε κάθε κράτος μέλος να χορηγείται για την κοινωνική ένταξη και την καταπολέμηση της φτώχειας. Τα κράτη μέλη θα πρέπει να επικεντρώσουν τους διαθέσιμους πόρους σε εκείνους τους τομείς που παρουσιάζουν τις μεγαλύτερες προκλήσεις· δεν θα υπάρχει οριοθέτηση των πόρων για ειδικούς στόχους. Κάθε κράτος μέλος θα κατανείμει επίσης τουλάχιστον το 5 % των συνολικών πόρων του ΕΤΠΑ σε ολοκληρωμένες ενέργειες για βιώσιμη αστική ανάπτυξη.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000875/12

to the Commission

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Funding for the homeless

The consequences of the economic crisis must be dealt with at the local level and the government pursuing joint action with the municipalities for protection of the homeless.

As stated by Fofi Gennimatas, Deputy Interior Minister, at the general assembly of the Attica municipalities, local government must proceed to create special overnight premises for the homeless, providing them with a safe environment, food, basic health services and psychological support.

This initiative can be taken in collaboration with the ministries jointly responsible (Interior, Health and Labour), starting off in the Municipality of Athens, which faces the greatest problem (in numerical terms) and then being implemented in other municipalities facing a similar problem.

Bearing in mind that this statement comes only a few hours after notification of the death of yet another homeless person, can the Commission say whether there are plans for funds to be set aside for rehabilitation of the homeless, not only in Greece but also in other countries of the EU?

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2012)

The Commission has no plans for funds to be set aside specifically for the rehabilitation of homeless people in Greece or any other Member State.

However, support is provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for investments in social housing and by the European Social Fund (ESF) for activities to promote the social and labour market integration of homeless people. While management of those Funds is shared by the Commission and the Member States, it is the responsibility of the latter to set, and to allocate financing to, their funding priorities under their operational programmes. During the 2007-13 programming period, the Member States have allocated EUR 10 billion of ESF funding to actions to promote the social inclusion of the most vulnerable groups in society. However, no data on the amounts that have benefited homeless people directly are available at EU level.

Under the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, the Commission proposed that at least 20 % of total ESF financing in each Member State will be allocated to social inclusion and poverty. The Member States will need to concentrate the available resources on those areas which are most challenging for them; there will be no ringfencing of resources for specific targets. Each Member State will also allocate at least 5 % of total ERDF resources to integrated actions for sustainable urban development.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000876/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Εξελίξεις στο Νότιο Σουδάν

Τουλάχιστον 120 χιλιάδες άνθρωποι χρειάζονται επείγουσα βοήθεια μετά τις διαφυλετικές ταραχές στο Τζόνγκλεϊ, μια πολιτεία στο ανατολικό Νότιο Σουδάν, ανακοίνωσε σήμερα ο Οργανισμός Ηνωμένων Εθνών.

₫Η βία κυριολεκτικά δεν σταματά στο Τζόνγκλεϊ … Προ 15νθημέρου, κάναμε επιχείρηση -με τον χαρακτήρα του επείγοντος- για να συνδράμουμε 60 χιλιάδες ανθρώπους. Τώρα, που η βία παρατάθηκε, εκτιμούμε από την πλευρά μας ότι ο αριθμός των αναξιοπαθούντων έχει ήδη διπλασιαστεί₻, ανέφερε η συντονίστρια του ΟΗΕ στην περιοχή αυτήν της ανατολικής Αφρικής, Λίζα Γκραντ.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή ποια είναι η επίσημη θέση της για την κατάσταση στο Νότιο Σουδάν;

Απάντηση της κας Georgieva εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(12 Απριλίου 2012)

Όπως αναφέρεται στις απαντήσεις (52) σχετικά με τη βία στο Τζόνγκλεϊ του Νότιου Σουδάν, η Επιτροπή εξακολουθεί να ανησυχεί ιδιαίτερα για τις εντάσεις στο κρατίδιο Τζόνγκλεϊ. Υπάρχουν πολλές ανθρωπιστικές και κοινωνικοοικονομικές προκλήσεις λόγω της περιορισμένης κρατικής ικανότητας και της πολιτικής αστάθειας.

Η Επιτροπή είναι απόλυτα δεσμευμένη στην παροχή βραχυπρόθεσμης και μακροπρόθεσμης στήριξης στην περιοχή ώστε να εκτονωθεί η ένταση και να οικοδομηθεί μια σταθερή, βιώσιμη και ευημερούσα χώρα. Ως άμεση αντίδραση, παρέχει ανθρωπιστική βοήθεια της ΕΕ σε θύματα συγκρούσεων στο Νότιο Σουδάν, καθώς και στο Τζόνγκλεϊ. Η ΕΕ στηρίζει, επίσης, την οικοδόμηση της ειρήνης και τη σταθεροποίηση μεταξύ κοινοτήτων του Νότιου Σουδάν ως προαπαιτούμενο για την ανάπτυξη, χρησιμοποιώντας το ΕΜΔΔΑ (53), μη κυβερνητικούς φορείς και το θεματικό πρόγραμμα επισιτιστικής ασφάλειας (54).

Η Επιτροπή επικροτεί τα βήματα που έγιναν από το Νότιο Σουδάν για την επίτευξη του αφοπλισμού των πολιτών. Μέσω του μηχανισμού σταθερότητας (55), η Επιτροπή συνεργάζεται στενά με τον ΟΗΕ, το Προεδρείο κοινοτικής ασφάλειας και ελέγχου φορητών όπλων του Νότιου Σουδάν (56) και τις τοπικές αρχές για να προστατεύσει πολίτες, οικογένειες και κοινότητες.

Μακροπρόθεσμα, η Επιτροπή αυξάνει τη στήριξή της στην οικοδόμηση του κράτους στο Νότιο Σουδάν, επειδή γνωρίζει ότι η ειρήνη και η ασφάλεια είναι βασικές προϋποθέσεις για βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη.

Ανησυχεί επίσης για τις πιθανές συνέπειες της απόφασης της Κυβέρνησης του Νότιου Σουδάν (57) να παύσει την παραγωγή πετρελαίου, και για τον αντίκτυπο που μπορεί να έχει αυτή στις προσπάθειες οικοδόμησης κράτους. Η Επιτροπή, μαζί με άλλους αναπτυξιακούς εταίρους, συντονίζει μια συνεκτική στάση ώστε να επιτευχθεί η αποτελεσματική παροχή της βοήθειας της ΕΕ.

Κατά την τρέχουσα διεθνή χρηματοπιστωτική κρίση, είναι αμφίβολο ότι δωρητές θα μπορέσουν να καλύψουν το κενό αυτό.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000876/12

to the Commission

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Developments in South Sudan

At least 120 000 people need urgent help following the interracial conflict in Jonglei, a state in the east of South Sudan, the United Nations reported today.

‘The violence in Jonglei hasn't stopped. Two weeks ago, we launched an emergency operation to help 60 000 people. As a result of recent attacks, we now estimate that double that number will need help’ stated the UN coordinator for this area of eastern Africa, Lise Grande.

What is the Commission's official position on the situation in South Sudan?

Answer given by Mrs Georgieva on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 2012)

As indicated in answers (58) concerning violence in Jonglei, South Sudan the Commission remains deeply concerned by tensions in Jonglei State. There are numerous humanitarian and socioeconomic challenges due to limited governance capacity and political fragility.

The Commission is fully committed to give short‐ and long-term support to the area so as to defuse tension and build a stable, viable, prosperous country. As an immediate response it is providing EU humanitarian assistance to victims of conflicts in South Sudan, including Jonglei.

The EU also supports peace building and stabilisation between South Sudanese communities as a precondition for development, using the EIDHR (59) and the Non‐State Actors and FSTP (60).

The Commission welcomes steps taken by South Sudan to proceed with civilian disarmament. Under the IfS (61), the Commission works closely with the UN, the SSBCSSAC (62) and other regional and local authorities to secure civilians, families and communities.

In the longer term, the Commission is increasing its support to state building in South Sudan knowing that peace and security are basic prerequisites for sustainable development.

It is also concerned about the potential consequences of the GOSS (63) decision to shut down oil production, and the impact this may have in state-building efforts. The Commission is coordinating with other development partners a coherent position to enable effective delivery of EU assistance.

In the current international financial crisis, it is unlikely that donors will be able to fill this gap.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000877/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Χημικά όπλα στη Λιβύη

Ο Οργανισμός για την Απαγόρευση των Χημικών Όπλων (OAIC) επιβεβαίωσε σήμερα ότι ένα απόθεμα όπλων, το οποίο ανακάλυψε το Εθνικό Μεταβατικό Συμβούλιο μετά την πτώση του καθεστώτος του Μουάμαρ Καντάφι, αποτελείτο από χημικά όπλα τα οποία παρέμεναν αδήλωτα.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή αν γνώριζε την ύπαρξη των όπλων αυτών και αν υπάρχουν στοιχεία και για εμπόριο από την πλευρά της Λιβύης των συγκεκριμένων όπλων με άλλες χώρες;

Απάντηση της Ύπατης Εκπροσώπου/Αντιπροέδρου Ashton εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(10 Απριλίου 2012)

Η ΕΕ ενημερώθηκε για πρώτη φορά σχετικά με την ύπαρξη χημικών όπλων που δηλώθηκαν πρόσφατα, την Δευτέρα 13 Φεβρουαρίου 2012, όταν οι αρχές της Λιβύης προέβησαν σε δήλωση.

Η ΕΕ λαμβάνει υπόψη την επιθυμία του σημερινού καθεστώτος να κοινοποιήσει όλα τα αποθέματα χημικών όπλων και ουσιών που εναπομένουν ή έχουν ανακαλυφθεί πρόσφατα, ακόμη και αν πρόκειται για μικρές ποσότητες, όπως συμβαίνει στη συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση. Τούτο θα διασφαλίσει την προστασία και ασφάλεια ολόκληρου του αποθέματος χημικών όπλων.

Η ΕΕ ανησυχεί, βεβαίως, για το γεγονός ότι οι προηγούμενες αρχές δεν είχαν κοινοποιήσει αυτά τα όπλα στον Οργανισμό για την Απαγόρευση των Χημικών Όπλων (OPWC). Η ΕΕ εργάζεται με τη Λιβύη, μέσω του OPCW, για την επίλυση αυτής της κατάστασης. Η ΕΕ αναμένει ότι η Λιβύη θα συμμορφωθεί πλήρως με την Επιτροπή Χημικών Όπλων, διασφαλίζοντας ότι δεν θα παραμείνει στο έδαφός της κανένα αδήλωτο χημικό όπλο. Όσον αφορά το απόθεμα που δηλώθηκε πρόσφατα, η Λιβύη προτίθεται να διερευνήσει πλήρως τις συνθήκες που περιβάλλουν αυτό το περιστατικό, σε συνεργασία με τον OPCW.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000877/12

to the Commission

Niki Tzavela (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Chemical weapons in Libya

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed today that a stock of arms discovered by the National Transitional Council after the fall of the Qaddafi regime in fact consisted of undeclared chemical weapons.

Was the Commission aware of the existence of these weapons and does data exist regarding trade in these weapons between Libya and other countries?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(10 April 2012)

The EU was first informed of the existence of newly declared chemical weapons (CWs) on Monday 13 February 2012 when a declaration was made by the Libyan authorities.

The EU notes the willingness of the current regime to disclose all remaining or newly-discovered deposits of chemical weapons and agents, even if these are small quantities as in this case. This will contribute to ensuring the safety and security of the entire stockpile of CWs.

The EU is of course concerned by the fact that the previous authorities had not disclosed these to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPWC). The EU is working with Libya, through the OPCW, to resolve this situation. The EU expects Libya to comply fully with the Chemical Weapons Commission and to ensure that no undeclared CWs remain on its territory. As for the newly declared stockpile, Libya intends to fully explore the circumstances surrounding this incident, in cooperation with the OPCW.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000878/12

to the Commission

Roger Helmer (ECR)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: European Year for Active Ageing

Was the ‘European Year for Active Ageing’ a Commission initiative?

What was the expenditure for the activity?

Was there a programme of any kind? May I see it?

What was the outcome? How many elderly people were helped by the activity, if any? Have they commented on the programme? How many elderly people were assisted in my East Midlands (UK) Region?

I ask because apart from references to the activity in the European Parliament, I have seen no evidence of it at all.

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2012)

The decision (64) designating 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations was adopted by Parliament and the Council at the first reading on a proposal (65) from the Commission. Before putting forward its proposal, the Commission conducted a public stakeholder consultation in June-July 2009 and received 132 replies in response.

The decision provides for a budget of EUR 5 million for the European Year, to be spent solely at Union level. Unlike the 2010 and 2011 European Years, the 2012 European Year makes no provision for national budgets which Member States could use to support the activities of national, regional or local organisations.

The objectives of the 2012 European Year are set out in the decision. It invites the Member States to present their work programmes to the Commission by 25 November 2011, outlining their plans for national activities under the European Year. The national work programmes are available on the official website for the European Year (66).

The 2012 European Year’s opening conference took place in Copenhagen on 18 and 19 January 2012. It is therefore too early to report on its outcome. The decision provides that the Commission is to submit a report by 30 June 2014 giving an overall assessment of the initiatives provided for in the decision, with details of implementation and results, to serve as a basis for future Union policy, measures and actions in this field.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000879/12

to the Commission

Syed Kamall (ECR)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Aircraft pollution levels

I have been contacted by a constituent who is concerned about pollution levels from aircraft taking off and landing at London City Airport near his home.

Could the Commission confirm:

Answer given by Mr Kallas on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2012)

For emission pollution, aircraft must satisfy international standards, which have been introduced into European law (69). The Commission is active in the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which sets noise stringency and pollution standards for aircraft at the global level.

The EU also regulates ambient air quality by establishing pollutant concentration levels (70) and environmental noise by imposing the establishment of action plans for major airports (71).

, the UK authorities have also sought an extension of the deadline to comply until 2015. The Commission is currently assessing the request against the conditions for the extension.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000880/12

to the Commission

Syed Kamall (ECR)

(1 February 2012)

Subject: Greek shipping tax

I have been contacted by a constituent who runs a boat charter business in Corfu, Greece, and who fully complies with all the Greek charter rules and has a full Greek charter license. He is being subjected to a new Greek tax law which stipulates that any non-Greek flagged boats must now, in addition to VAT, also pay a tax on any profit made on charters, and that this is backdated 10 years.

Greek flagged boats, on the other hand, merely pay a small shipping tax (around EUR 200 per annum for a boat the size of my constituent’s boat).

Will the Commission:

Answer given by Mr Šemeta on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2012)

The Commission observes that the exemption from income tax described by the Honourable MEP seems to constitute state aid to maritime transport and may raise other issues of compatibility with Union law.

The Commission needs to consider all the factual elements in order to determine whether the measure complies with EC law requirements.

Should more information be necessary to allow the Commission reaching a final opinion, the Commission will contact Greece on the matter.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000881/12

to the Commission

Syed Kamall (ECR)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: The Ben Gurion University of Israel

I have been contacted by a constituent who is concerned about a programme to convert algae to biofuels, which the EU is financing in conjunction with a consortium of companies, including the Ben Gurion University of Israel.

Could the Commission confirm:

Answer given by Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2012)

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7, 2007-2013) has been designed as the most open research programme in respect of international participation. Indeed 14 countries, including Israel, are particularly strongly linked to FP7 through international association agreements with the EU. Such associated countries contribute financially to the programme, and legal entities from these countries can participate on the same basis — including their eligibility for funding — as those from Member States. Thus it is intended and quite normal to include legal entities, such as the Ben Gurion University, in FP7 funded projects.

Consortia are free to include partners from any country in their proposal and the consortium is evaluated as part of the evaluation procedure by independent external experts before a funding decision is taken.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000882/12

to the Commission

Syed Kamall (ECR)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Process by which IFRS accounting standards have been adopted by the Commission

I have been contacted by a constituent who is concerned about the way IFRS have been adopted by the Commission. Article 3 of the IAS Regulation 2002 of the Council and Parliament states that the Commission can only endorse an IFRS if it is not contrary to the true and fair view principle in the 4th Accounting Directive (Company Accounts) and in the 7th Accounting Directive (Group Accounts).

The European Court of Justice holds that ‘true and fair view’ incorporates a standard of accounting sufficient to demonstrate the maintenance of capital by limited liability companies. Implicit in that proposition is that the statutory accounts of a company are not overstating the assets, or understating the liabilities, because if the true net terminal value (recoverable amount) of the balance sheet is less than zero (the company has no capital), the company, particularly if it is a bank, may in fact be irretrievably insolvent contrary to the interests of its creditors.

Furthermore, any company falsely stating assets at more than their recoverable amount in its accounts — hence overstating distributable profits in its accounts — may be in danger of making an unlawful distribution out of capital. Could the Commission explain:

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2012)

The IAS (International Accounting Standards) Regulation (72) stipulates that IAS can be adopted in the EU if the endorsement criteria (73) are met. Based on this regulation, EFRAG (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group) provides the Commission with expertise and technical advice about whether these criteria are met, including compliance with the true and fair view principle as defined in the Accounting Directives (74).

The regulation requires consolidated financial reports of companies listed in the EU to be prepared in conformity with IAS adopted in the EU (75). It allows Member States to permit or require the use of those standards also for annual accounts (76). The consequences of the use of IAS in annual accounts should then be considered by Member States using that possibility.

Under IAS 39 certain types of financial instruments (incl. loans) are valued at amortized cost (77). This method of accounting better reflects the business model of reporting entities which intend to hold their financial assets until maturity. The Commission still considers that this method should be improved, in particular, to mitigate its pro-cyclicality. In this context the IASB has undertaken a review of IAS 39 and intends to issue a new impairment model allowing banks to make more provisions on expected future cash flows.

The proposals on audit policy focus on clarifying the role of the auditor, improving their independence, strengthening national and European oversight and creating a European Single Market for the provision of statutory audit services. Auditors are responsible for the correct application of the principles and rules set in the accounting standards. Entities have the possibility under IFRS to provide additional information of their financial position.

(Deutsche Fassung)

Anfrage zur schriftlichen Beantwortung E-000883/12

an die Kommission

Jo Leinen (S&D)

(2. Februar 2012)

Betrifft: Verwendung von Strukturfonds für Energieeffizienz in Griechenland

Die Kommission wird gebeten, Informationen über die Verwendung von Strukturfonds in Griechenland, insbesondere hinsichtlich der Durchführung von Programmen zur Verbesserung der Energieeffizienz, vorzulegen.

Antwort von Herrn Hahn im Namen der Kommission

(12. März 2012)

Die Kommission verweist den Herrn Abgeordneten auf ihre Antworten auf die schriftlichen Anfragen E-010914/2011 und E-012655/2011 (78). Die Liste der vorrangigen Projekte, auf die sich die Frage E-012655/2011 bezieht, umfasst die Maßnahme „Energiesparen im Wohnungswesen“, die darauf abzielt, die Energieeffizienz in Privathaushalten zu fördern.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000883/12

to the Commission

Jo Leinen (S&D)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Use of Structural Funds for energy efficiency in Greece

Can the Commission provide information on the use of the Structural Funds in Greece, in particular as regards the implementation of programmes targeted at improving energy efficiency?

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2012)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answers to Written Questions E‐010914/2011 and E‐012655/2011 (79). The list of priority projects to which Question E‐012655/2011 refers includes the action ‘Saving Energy at Housing’ which aims to promote energy efficiency in private dwellings.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-000884/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(2 de fevereiro de 2012)

Assunto: Irregularidades no acesso a fundos comunitários

Foram divulgadas recentemente em Portugal eventuais irregularidades no processo que levou à requalificação da escola EB 2,3 de Cabeceiras de Basto, cujas obras foram efetuadas com recurso a fundos comunitários, no período de governação do anterior executivo.

Neste caso, o custo total do projeto foi estimado em 4 milhões de euros, tendo sido financiado em 2,8 milhões pelo POVT (Programa Operacional de Valorização do Território).

Tanto quanto se sabe, a suspeita de incumprimento das regras comunitárias na execução das obras descritas levou já à suspensão da atribuição de parte dos fundos concedidos.

Pergunto à Comissão:

Resposta dada por Johannes Hahn em nome da Comissão

(12 de março de 2012)

Com base nas informações fornecidas pela autoridade de gestão do programa ₫Valorização do Território₻, a Comissão pode confirmar que foram concedidos 2,8 milhões de euros de financiamento do FEDER à escola básica de Cabeceiras de Basto, na região norte. Posteriormente, o montante do cofinanciamento do FEDER foi aumentado para 4 319 milhões de euros devido à necessidade de proceder a adaptações para resolver os problemas de segurança. O beneficiário adjudicou um contrato de ₫trabalhos a mais₻ correspondente aos custos suplementares, mas esta solução não foi aceite pela autoridade de gestão do programa, que a considerou contrária às regras em matéria de contratos de direito público.

Até agora, apenas foram efetuados pagamentos relativos ao contrato original do projeto, não tendo sido realizado qualquer outro pagamento a título de ₫trabalhos a mais₻, uma vez que a despesa correspondente foi considerada inelegível. A Comissão irá proceder a verificações complementares a este projeto, a fim de assegurar o seu controlo exaustivo e a legalidade e regularidade da despesa. Entretanto, e na sequência do exercício de reprogramação, este projeto foi transferido (como todos os projetos semelhantes relativos a escolas básicas) para o âmbito do programa regional ₫Norte₻.

De acordo com o princípio da gestão partilhada aplicado na gestão da política de coesão, a seleção e a execução dos projetos são da responsabilidade das autoridades nacionais. Para mais informações, a Comissão sugere que o Senhor Deputado contacte diretamente a autoridade de gestão do programa ₫Norte₻:www.novonorte.qren.pt

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000884/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Irregularities in access to Community funds

It was recently revealed in Portugal that there may have been irregularities in the process leading to the upgrading of School EB 2,3 in Cabeceiras de Basto, where building work was carried out during the previous government’s term of office using Community funds.

In this instance the total project cost was estimated at EUR 4 million, of which EUR 2 800 000 came from the Territorial Enhancement Thematic Operational Programme (POVT).

From what I have heard, there have been suspicions that Community rules were breached when this work was carried out, which have led to the freezing of part of the funds allocated.

The Commission is asked to answer the following:

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2012)

On the basis of information provided by the managing authority of the programme ‘Valorização do Território’, the Commission can confirm that EUR 2.8 million of ERDF funding was allocated to the Basic School in Cabeceiras de Basto in the Norte region. Subsequently, the co-financing amount from ERDF was increased to EUR 4.319 million as a result of some necessary adaptations in order to comply with safety issues. The beneficiary did an ‘additional works’ contract for the extra costs but this was not accepted by the managing authority of the programme, since it considered that it did not comply with public procurement rules.

Until now, payments have only been made in relation to the original contract of the project and no further payments were made in relation to the ‘additional works’ contract, since this expenditure was deemed ineligible. The Commission will carry out further checks on this project in order to ensure that it has been thoroughly verified and that expenditure is legal and regular. In the meantime, and following the reprogramming exercise, this project was transferred (as all similar basic school projects) under the ‘Norte’ regional programme.

In line with the shared management principle used for the administration of cohesion policy, project selection and implementation is the responsibility of national authorities. For more information, the Commission suggests that the Honourable Member contact directly the ‘Norte’ managing authority: www.novonorte.qren.pt

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita E-000886/12

a la Comisión

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 de febrero de 2012)

Asunto: Contingentes arancelarios de la «Engraulis anchoita»

A la vista de que el autoabastecimiento comunitario de productos de la pesca ha bajado del 57 al 36 %, está en vigor el Reglamento (CE) n° 1062/2009 del Consejo, de 26 de octubre de 2009, que establece la apertura y el modo de gestión de los contingentes arancelarios de productos de pesca hasta 2012. El objetivo de esta norma es abrir, reducir o suprimir derechos de aduana de diversos productos pesqueros para garantizar a la industria comercializadora y transformadora un nivel de abastecimiento adecuado. El Reglamento autoriza además a los Estados miembros a extraer de los volúmenes contingentarios las cantidades correspondientes a sus importaciones reales.

En el anexo de esta disposición y entre las especies afectadas por esta liberalización parcial de los aranceles, figura con el número de orden 09.2770 la liberalización de 5 000 toneladas de anchoa (Engraulis anchoita). El periodo de contingentación abarca desde enero de 2010 a diciembre de 2012.

Una de las circunstancias que aconsejaban esta medida ha sido, en el caso de esta especie, el cierre que, en los últimos cinco años, ha sufrido la pesquería de la anchoa. Tras la reapertura de la misma, a la vista del nivel de capturas y de las expectativas de presencia de la especie en el mar, quisiéramos saber:

Respuesta de la Sra. Damanaki en nombre de la Comisión

(8 de marzo de 2012)

El Reglamento 1062/2009 establece un régimen trienal de contingentes arancelarios autónomos para los productos de la pesca que expirará el 31 de diciembre de  2012. Con objeto de evitar perturbaciones innecesarias del abastecimiento de productos de la pesca en el mercado de la UE, la Comisión, siguiendo el procedimiento aplicable, ya ha iniciado las consultas pertinentes con las partes interesadas y los Estados miembros para preparar un nuevo reglamento trienal.

A este respecto, desde el último trimestre de 2011, en el marco de los comités de la Dirección General de Asuntos Marítimos y Pesca (CCPA (80) y LDRAC (81)), la Comisión ha informado y consultado a los productores y a la industria pesquera de la UE acerca del enfoque y el calendario aplicable al nuevo reglamento sobre medidas comerciales autónomas para los productos de la pesca. Estas consultas se prosiguen durante el primer trimestre de 2012.

Del mismo modo, los Estados miembros, incluida España, también han sido informados y consultados en el último trimestre de 2011 y el primer trimestre de 2012.

Las consultas de la Comisión abarcan todos los productos de la pesca contemplados en el Reglamento 1062/2009 mencionado, incluidas las anchoas, así como los criterios aplicables a la selección de los productos con arreglo a los contingentes arancelarios autónomos, incluida la situación de las reservas de la UE.

Una vez que la Comisión haya concluido sus consultas con las partes interesadas y los Estados miembros a finales de febrero de 2012, su proyecto de propuesta de nuevo reglamento del Consejo podría aprobarse en mayo de 2012. La Comisión espera que el nuevo reglamento sea aprobado por el Consejo a más tardar en noviembre de 2012 y se publique conforme al calendario previsto para que entre en vigor el 1 de enero de 2013.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000886/12

to the Commission

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Tariff quotas for Engraulis anchoita

In view of the fact that EU self-sufficiency for fishery products has fallen from 57 to 36 %, Council Regulation (EC) No 1062/2009 of 26 October 2009 opening and providing for the management of autonomous Community tariff quotas for certain fishery products for the period 2010 to 2012 is now in force. The objective of this regulation is to open, reduce or eliminate customs duties for various fishery products to ensure an adequate supply to the distribution and processing industry. The regulation also permits the Member States to draw the necessary quantities from the quota amount, corresponding to their actual imports.

In the annex to the regulation and among the species concerned by this partial liberalisation of tariffs, the liberalisation of 5 000 tonnes of anchovies (Engraulis anchoita) appears with the order number 09.2770. The quota period runs from January 2010 until December 2012.

One of the circumstances that made this measure advisable in the case of this species was the fact that the anchovy fishery has been closed for the last five years. Now that the fishery has been reopened and taking account of the level of catches and the expected stocks of the species in the sea, we should like to know:

Answer given by Ms Damanaki on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2012)

Regulation 1062/2009 establishes a triennial regime of autonomous tariff quotas for fishery products that will expire on 31 December 2012. In order to avoid unnecessary disruptions in the supply of fishery products in the EU market, the Commission, following the appropriate procedure, has already started the relevant consultations with stakeholders and Member States in order to prepare a new triennial regulation.

In this regard, since the last quarter of 2011, within the framework of the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Directorate-General (DG MARE) Committees (ACFA (82) and LDRAC (83)), the Commission has informed and consulted the EU producers and fish processing industry about the approach and the timing applicable to the new regulation on autonomous trade measures for fishery products. These consultations continue during the first quarter of 2012.

In the same manner, Member States, including Spain, have also been informed and consulted in the last quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012.

The Commission consultations cover all the fishery products of the said Regulation 1062/2009, including anchovies, as well as criteria applicable to the selection of the products under the autonomous tariff quotas, including the situation of the EU stocks.

Once the Commission has finished consultations with stakeholders and Member States by the end of February 2012, the draft Commission proposal for the new Council regulation could be adopted in May 2012. The Commission expects the new regulation to be adopted by Council at the latest by November 2012 and be published according to schedule in order to enter into force on 1 January 2013.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000887/12

alla Commissione (Vicepresidente/Alto Rappresentante)

Fiorello Provera (EFD)

(2 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: VP/HR — Sicurezza del confine libico

Dalla caduta del regime di Gheddafi in Libia, la sicurezza ai confini di Algeria e Tunisia costituisce motivo di preoccupazione per le autorità libiche ad interim. Il 2 dicembre 2011, cittadini di nazionalità libica, armati e non, hanno minacciato le guardie di frontiera tunisine presso i punti di controllo di Ras Jdir e Dehiba. Tali punti di controllo sono i principali posti di frontiera tra i due paesi. I tunisini hanno deciso di chiudere il passaggio frontaliero e qualche giorno dopo alcuni colpi d'arma da fuoco sono stati esplosi attraverso il confine. La maggioranza delle persone e delle merci che entrano nella capitale, Tripoli, passano attraverso il punto di controllo di Ras Jdir. Anche il contrabbando di armi rappresenta un motivo di seria preoccupazione e in novembre alcuni funzionari ONU hanno incontrato il governo tunisino per discutere dell'impatto che la circolazione delle armi esercita sullo status sociale ed economico della regione e, in particolare, sul settore turistico.

Le relazioni tra l'Algeria e la Libia continuano a essere caratterizzate da forti carenze, poiché il Colonnello Gheddafi intratteneva ottime relazioni con l'Algeria. Il paese è stato inoltre accusato di avere fornito basi e persino armi alle forze pro-Gheddafi. La moglie di Gheddafi e alcuni dei suoi figli si trovano attualmente in Algeria, ma nel settembre 2011 il governo algerino ha annunciato che avrebbe riconosciuto il Consiglio Nazionale di Transizione, un segnale che ha dato adito a speranze di miglioramento nelle relazioni tra i due paesi.

Nel contempo, secondo notizie riferite dai mezzi di informazione, almeno 87 libici sono stati catturati mentre tentavano di trasferire armi a gruppi aderenti all'AQIM (organizzazione di al-Qaeda nel Maghreb islamico). Inoltre, più di 10 000 libici sono stati catturati mentre tentavano di oltrepassare il confine algerino. Sono stati inoltre segnalati altri casi di contrabbando di cibo, oro e droga.

Risposta data dall’Alta Rappresentante/Vicepresidente Catherine Ashton a nome della Commissione

(27 aprile 2012)

Garantire un attraversamento sicuro delle frontiere libiche è una priorità sia per il governo provvisorio della Libia, sia per la comunità internazionale nel quadro del sostegno fornito alle autorità libiche. In occasione delle visite dell’Alta Rappresentante/Vicepresidente a Bengasi e a Tripoli, svoltesi rispettivamente il 22 maggio e il 12 novembre 2011, è stata affrontata la questione della sicurezza delle frontiere. Inoltre, nel contesto della valutazione coordinata delle esigenze della Libia, l’Unione europea sta esaminando le necessità del paese in materia di gestione integrata delle frontiere.

La strategia per il Sahel e le riunioni ₫5 + 5₻ sono due esempi di strumenti e di consessi già esistenti in cui l’UE e gli Stati membri affrontano regolarmente questioni di sicurezza con i partner dell’Africa settentrionale.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000887/12

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Fiorello Provera (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: VP/HR — Libyan border security

Since the fall of the Gaddafi regime in Libya, security on the borders of Algeria and Tunisia has been a subject of concern for the interim Libyan authorities. On 2 December 2011, armed and unarmed Libyan nationals threatened Tunisian border guards at the checkpoints of Ras Jdir and Dehiba. These are the main border posts between the two countries. The Tunisians decided to close the border crossing, and a few days later gunshots were fired across the border. Most people and goods entering the capital, Tripoli, come through the Ras Jdir checkpoint. Weapons smuggling is also a serious concern, and in November UN officials met with the Tunisian government to discuss the impact of the circulation of weapons on the social and economic status of countries in the region, and in particular on the tourism sector.

Relations remain poor between Algeria and Libya, as Colonel Gaddafi was a close friend of Algeria. The country was also accused of providing bases for and even arming pro-Gaddafi forces. Gaddafi's wife and some of his children are currently in Algeria, but in a hopeful sign that relations are improving between the two countries, in September 2011 the Algerian government announced that it would recognise the National Transitional Council.

Meanwhile there are media reports which assert that at least 87 Libyans were caught while trying to transfer weapons to groups belonging to AQIM (Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb). In addition, more than 10 000 Libyans have been captured trying to infiltrate the Algerian border. Other instances have been reported of food, gold and drugs smuggling.

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(27 April 2012)

Ensuring safe and secure passage at Libya’s borders is a high priority both for the Libyan Interim Government and for the international community in the framework of its support to the authorities. Border security was discussed during the visits of the HR/VP to Benghazi and Tripoli on 22 May 2011 and 12 November 2011 respectively. Moreover, and in the context of the Libya Coordinated Needs Assessment (LCNA), the EU is leading the evaluation of needs in the field of Integrated Border Management.

The Sahel Strategy and the 5 + 5 meetings are two examples of tools and foras that already exist where the EU and the Member States regularly address security issues with North African partners.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000888/12

alla Commissione (Vicepresidente/Alto Rappresentante)

Fiorello Provera (EFD)

(13 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: VP/HR — Problemi di leadership interna nella Libia post-Gheddafi

Diversi problemi sono recentemente emersi rispetto alla capacità del Consiglio nazionale di transizione libico (CNT) di governare internamente la Libia. Il presidente del CNT, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, sta tentando di ottenere il riconoscimento dell'autorità politica di tale organo in tutto il paese, di far fronte ai problemi di governance che si presentano giorno per giorno e di creare un esercito nazionale per velocizzare il processo di disarmo.

Tuttavia, Jalil deve affrontare numerosi ostacoli, a causa della frammentazione del potere avvenuta in seguito al rovesciamento del regime di Muammar Gheddafi. Anche se il presidente del CNT rappresenta la Libia all'estero, in realtà il paese si trova sotto il controllo di numerosi consigli militari. Nell'area occidentale del paese, l'autorità è divisa tra milizie e organizzazioni militari, poiché durante la rivolta non era possibile ricevere sostegno dal CNT (con sede a Bengasi). I consigli militari hanno sede a Tripoli (consiglio guidato da Abdul Hakim Belhaj) e nelle città di Zentan e Misurata. Sono inoltre presenti altri gruppi militari tra i più disparati, in numero tra i 100 e i 300, attivi nelle vicinanze e in piccoli villaggi e suddivisi in base alle identità tribali o etniche.

Esiste il pericolo che questi gruppi armati non riconoscano la legittimità del CNT e si rifiutino di unirsi per formare un esercito nazionale. Il presidente Abdel Jalil sta cercando di incoraggiare il sorgere di un senso di solidarietà nazionale. Il 10 dicembre 2011 il presidente ha dichiarato, nel corso di una conferenza per la riconciliazione nazionale a Tripoli, che ₫siamo capaci di accogliere i nostri fratelli che hanno combattuto i rivoluzionari e siamo capaci di accogliere tutti coloro che hanno commesso un atto o detto una parola contro questa rivoluzione₻. Jalil ha anche tentato di aprire un dialogo con i comandanti militari locali.

Risposta data dall'Alta Rappresentante/Vicepresidente Catherine Ashton a nome della Commissione

(15 marzo 2012)

L'Unione europea finanzia da tempo le ONG internazionali che si occupano della rimozione degli ordigni inesplosi, delle armi e delle munizioni disseminati negli ex campi di battaglia. Inoltre l'Unione si avvale dei progetti che finanzia e che coinvolgono la società civile libica per sensibilizzare gli operatori di quest'ultima, e tramite questi l'intera popolazione, in merito al processo di disarmo, smobilitazione e reinserimento. Allo stesso tempo l'UE discute regolarmente il processo di disarmo direttamente con le autorità locali.

L'UE sostiene gli sforzi che l'attuale governo provvisorio sta compiendo per guidare il paese attraverso il difficile processo di transizione verso l'elezione di un Consiglio nazionale, prevista per il giugno 2012. Oltre a far fronte alle esigenze umanitarie più urgenti, l'Unione sta predisponendo sia misure immediate volte a sostenere le priorità di stabilizzazione del governo provvisorio, che programmi di sostegno a più lungo termine. L'UE ha già messo a disposizione circa 30 milioni di EUR, che si sommano agli 80,5 milioni di EUR stanziati per l'assistenza umanitaria.

L'Unione continua a impegnarsi per aiutare la Libia e gli altri paesi della regione a intraprendere un processo di transizione democratica.

Nell'ambito del dialogo generale con i partner locali e internazionali, l'UE discute regolarmente con questi dello sviluppo della situazione in Libia.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000888/12

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Fiorello Provera (EFD)

(13 February 2012)

Subject: VP/HR — Internal leadership problems in post-Gaddafi Libya

A number of problems have recently emerged regarding the Libyan National Transitional Council’s ability to govern Libya internally. The president of the NTC, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, seeks to establish recognition of its political authority throughout the country, to respond to day-to-day governance issues, and to create a national army in order to speed up the process of disarmament.

Nevertheless, he faces numerous obstacles as a result of the fragmentation of authority which occurred with the overthrow of the regime of Muammar al-Gaddafi. Although the NTC president may represent Libya abroad, in reality the country is under the control of several military councils. In the west, authority is mostly divided amongst militias and military brigades, since during the uprising it was not possible to access support from the NTC (based in Benghazi). The military councils are based in Tripoli (a council headed by Abdul Hakim Belhaj), and in the towns of Zentan and Misrata. There are also some 100 to 300 other disparate military groups, which operate within neighbourhoods and small villages, and may be distinguished on the basis of their tribal or ethnic identities.

There is a danger that these armed military groups may not recognise the legitimacy of the NTC and may refuse to unite to form a national army. President Abdel Jalil is trying to foster a sense of national solidarity. On 10 December 2011, he said at a national reconciliation conference in Tripoli that ‘we are capable of absorbing our brothers who fought the rebels and also capable of absorbing every person who committed an act or words [sic] against this revolution’. He has attempted to engage in dialogue with local military commanders.

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2012)

The EU has been active funding international NGOs working on the removal of unexploded ordnances, arms and ammunition scattered in former areas of fighting. The EU is equally making use of ongoing EU‐funded projects with civil society in Libya to raise awareness regarding disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration among civil society actors and, through them, the population at large. At the same time it regularly discusses the disarmament process with the authorities directly.

The EU supports the current efforts undertaken by the interim government in bringing the country through the difficult process of transition towards the election of a National Council scheduled for June 2012. Beyond tackling the most pressing humanitarian needs, the EU is already preparing both immediate measures to support the stabilisation priorities of the Interim Government as well as longer-term support programmes. Already nearly EUR 30 million has been made available, in addition to EUR 80.5 million for humanitarian assistance.

The EU remains committed to helping Libya and other countries in the region undertake a process of democratic transition.

The EU regularly discusses the developing situation in Libya with regional and other international partners as part of its general dialogue with them.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000889/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Konstantinos Poupakis (PPE)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Ενίσχυση της ανταγωνιστικότητας και μισθολογικό κόστος

Η Ελληνική κυβέρνηση έχει δρομολογήσει τις τελευταίες εβδομάδες μια σειρά συζητήσεων αναφορικά με τη μείωση του μισθολογικού κόστους στον ιδιωτικό τομέα, καλώντας τους κοινωνικούς εταίρους να ξεκινήσουν τον κοινωνικό διάλογο (όπως προβλέπεται στην Ελλάδα), αφήνοντας να εννοηθεί ότι σε περίπτωση που τα αποτελέσματα του κοινωνικού διαλόγου δεν είναι ικανοποιητικά σε ό, τι αφορά τις προτάσεις που έχουν υποβληθεί από την τρόικα, τότε θα προχωρήσει σε παρέμβαση μέσω νομοθετικής πράξης — δημιουργώντας υποψίες υπονόμευσης της ίδιας της φύσης του κοινωνικού διαλόγου.

Το μισθολογικό κόστος στην Ελλάδα έχει ήδη μειωθεί κατά 12 % με την ενίσχυση της ευελιξίας της αγοράς εργασίας (σύμφωνα με προηγούμενες νομοθετικές ρυθμίσεις που υιοθετήθηκαν) χωρίς θετικές επιπτώσεις στην ανταγωνιστικότητα της χώρας, η οποία μειώνεται. Ταυτόχρονα, αυξάνονται τα ποσοστά φτώχειας και ανεργίας δραματικά διογκώνοντας τις κοινωνικές δαπάνες και άρα τις δημόσιες δαπάνες, ενώ διαφαίνεται ότι ένας από τους λόγους μη επίτευξης των στόχων αναφορικά με τα κρατικά έσοδα είναι ο περιορισμός της καταναλωτικής δύναμης των ελληνικών νοικοκυριών εξαιτίας της μείωσης των εισοδημάτων τους (χωρίς κριτήρια) μέσω της αύξησης της φορολογίας, της μείωσης των μισθών κ.λπ.

Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Rehn εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(22 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η ελληνική κυβέρνηση προώθησε τον διάλογο μεταξύ των κοινωνικών εταίρων, με στόχο την επίτευξη συμφωνίας για την στήριξη της ανταγωνιστικότητας, της ανάπτυξης και της απασχόλησης. Η έκβαση του διαλόγου αυτού δεν ήταν ικανοποιητική όσον αφορά τη διαμόρφωση μιας ελπιδοφόρας στρατηγικής, και κατόπιν τούτου, η κυβέρνηση συμφώνησε στην ανάληψη δράσης ώστε να συμβάλει στην επίτευξη των συγκεκριμένων στόχων, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της θέσπισης νομοθεσίας σχετικά με τα επίπεδα των μισθών που καθορίζονται στην NGCA (84)· στη μεταρρύθμιση του συστήματος καθορισμού των μισθών και στην προώθηση της επαναδιαπραγμάτευσης των συλλογικών συμβάσεων· στην αύξηση της δυναμικής των πρόσφατων μεταρρυθμίσεων στην αγορά εργασίας· στην αντιμετώπιση θεμάτων κληρονομιάς σε πρώην κρατικές επιχειρήσεις· στη μείωση του μη μισθολογικού κόστους εργασίας και στην καταπολέμηση της αδήλωτης εργασίας και εισφοροδιαφυγής.

Την τελευταία διετία, η προσαρμογή της ελληνικής αγοράς εργασίας έχει διενεργηθεί κυρίως μέσω μιας απότομης απώλειας θέσεων εργασίας, με υπερβολικά αργή προσαρμογή μισθών. Επίσης, η Ελλάδα βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπη με μια μεγάλη εξωτερική ανισορροπία, η οποία πρέπει να αντιμετωπιστεί με μείωση του κόστους σε σχέση με τους ανταγωνιστές της, με περιορισμό της ζήτησης και βελτίωση της απόδοσης από πλευράς προσφοράς. Τα ως άνω οδηγούν στο συμπέρασμα ότι η περαιτέρω προσαρμογή των μισθών είναι αναγκαία για την εξασφάλιση της αύξησης της απασχόλησης και τη βελτίωση της ανταγωνιστικότητας μεσοπρόθεσμα.

Χωρίς αποφασιστικές προσπάθειες, η προσαρμογή θα συνεχιστεί με αργούς ρυθμούς και θα περάσει από την περαιτέρω αύξηση της ανεργίας. Προωθώντας την προσαρμογή των μισθών, το πρόγραμμα ενισχύει την καταπολέμηση της ανεργίας, δεδομένου ότι η άνοδος της ανεργίας θα στερούσε από περισσότερους ανθρώπους εισόδημα από εργασία. Επίσης, σε σημαντικό αριθμό περιπτώσεων, τα άτομα με τον νέο κατώτατο μισθό πιθανότατα βρίσκονται ακόμη πάνω από το όριο της φτώχειας (που μετριέται σε σχέση με το μέσο εισόδημα).

Ωστόσο, η εξέλιξη των μισθών πρέπει να παρακολουθείται προσεκτικά, ώστε να αποφευχθούν οι αρνητικές επιπτώσεις στη συνολική ζήτηση, ιδίως στην περίπτωση που η θετική επίδραση από την αύξηση των εξαγωγών υπολείπεται των προσδοκιών.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000889/12

to the Commission

Konstantinos Poupakis (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Wage costs and boosting competitiveness

The Greek Government in recent weeks has launched a series of discussions on the reduction of wage costs in the private sector, inviting social partners to join in social dialogue (as has become customary in Greece), fostering the impression that, in the event of the social dialogue not yielding satisfactory results in terms of the proposals submitted by the Troika, it will proceed to intervention via legislative fiat — arousing suspicions of being ready to undermine anything that could legitimately be called social dialogue.

The wage cost in Greece has already been reduced by 12 % by increasing labour market flexibility (under legislative provisions already adopted) without this having any salutary effect on competitiveness, which is falling. At the same time, poverty and unemployment rates are rising dramatically, inflating social expenditures and hence public spending, while it may be surmised that one of the reasons for non-fulfilment of objectives pertaining to state revenues is the contraction of spending power of Greek households as a result of sweeping income reductions through increases in taxation, pay cuts, etc.

In this context, the Commission is asked:

Answer given by Mr Rehn on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2012)

The Greek Government promoted dialogue between social partners viewing to reach an agreement to support competitiveness, growth and employment. The outcome of that dialogue was not satisfactory in delivering a promising strategy, therefore, the Government agreed taking action to help achieve those objectives including legislating on the wage levels set in the NGCA (85); reforming the wage setting system and fostering renegotiation of collective agreements; raising the potential of recent labour market reforms; tackling legacy issues in former state-owned enterprises; reducing non-wage labour costs and fighting undeclared work and social contribution evasion.

Over the past two years, the Greek labour market adjustment has been mainly through sharp employment losses, with wages adjusting in a too protracted way. Also, Greece faces a large external imbalance, which has to be overcome by cost reductions vis-à-vis competitors, demand restraint and improved performance of the supply side. These lead to the conclusion that further wage adjustment is necessary to secure higher employment and more competitiveness over the medium term.

Without decisive efforts, the adjustment would continue slowly and taking place via further increases in unemployment. Promoting wage adjustment, the programme stresses the fight against joblessness as a rising unemployment would deprive more people of labour income. Also, for a considerable number of cases, those earning the new minimum wage values are likely to be still above the poverty line (measured in relation to median income).

Nevertheless, wage adjustment has to be monitored carefully, to avoid adverse impacts on aggregate demand, particularly in case the positive impact from increased exports is smaller than hoped for.

(Versiunea în limba română)

Întrebarea cu solicitare de răspuns scris E-000890/12

adresată Comisiei

Petru Constantin Luhan (PPE)

(2 februarie 2012)

Subiect: Interzicerea ambalării în plastic a alimentelor destinate copiilor

Conform unor studii recente, multe ambalaje din plastic conțin substanțe chimice dăunătoare, precum DEHP și bisfenol A.

Acestea pot fi absorbite de mâncarea din interior, iar consumarea lor are urmări dăunătoare asupra sănătății copiilor.

Având în vedere aceste studii recente, are Comisia în vedere interzicerea ambalării în plastic a alimentelor destinate copiilor?

Răspuns dat de dl Dalli în numele Comisiei

(12 martie 2012)

Regulamentul-cadru (CE) nr. 1935/2004 (86) prevede ca substanțele utilizate la fabricarea de materiale destinate să vină în contact cu produsele alimentare, cum sunt ambalajele din plastic, să fie autorizate numai după o evaluare a siguranței de către Autoritatea Europeană pentru Siguranța Alimentară. Evaluarea siguranței ia în considerare posibilul transfer al substanțelor în produsele alimentare, inclusiv în produsele alimentare care sunt consumate de către copii. Substanțele pentru materiale plastice sunt autorizate împreună cu condițiile de utilizare și/sau limitele de migrare din Regulamentul (UE) nr. 10/2011 (87). De exemplu, utilizarea bisfenolului A este interzisă în biberoane și autorizată în alte materiale din plastic destinate să vină în contact cu produsele alimentare cu o limită de migrare de 0,6 mg per kg de produs alimentar pe baza evaluării riscurilor realizate de către Autoritatea Europeană pentru Siguranța Alimentară (EFSA). Comisia își va revizui poziția până la sfârșitul anului 2012, după ce EFSA examinează evaluarea de risc finală a ANSES (88) și rezultatele studiilor în curs privind dozele scăzute.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000890/12

to the Commission

Petru Constantin Luhan (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Banning of plastic packaging for foodstuffs intended for children

According to recent studies, many types of plastic packaging contain harmful chemical substances, such as DEHP and bisphenol A.

These can be absorbed by the food contained in the packaging, and their consumption has damaging effects on children’s health.

Taking these recent studies into consideration, does the Commission intend to ban plastic packaging for foodstuffs intended for children?

Answer given by Mr Dalli on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2012)

The framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 (89) requires that substances used in the production of food contact materials, such as plastic packaging, are only authorised after a safety evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority. The safety evaluation takes into account the possible transfer of the substances into food including food which is consumed by children. Substances for plastics are authorised together with conditions of use and/or migration limits in Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (90). For example, the use of Bisphenol A is banned in baby bottles and authorised in other plastic food contact materials with a migration limit of 0.6 mg per kilogram food on the basis of the risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The Commission will review its position by the end of 2012 once EFSA has assessed the final ANSES (91) risk assessment and the results from ongoing low dose studies.

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita E-000891/12

a la Comisión

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 de febrero de 2012)

Asunto: Mejora de la participación política con apoyo de las TIC

La Comisión Europea estableció en su plan de acción sobre administración electrónica 2011-2015 una serie de ambiciosos objetivos para mejorar la eficiencia de la administración mejorando la accesibilidad de la ciudadanía tanto a sus servicios como a la información que maneja. Este plan hace hincapié, además, en la importancia que puede tener una correcta utilización de las TIC en el ahorro de costes en el sector público y en la necesidad de aprovechar las TIC para mejorar la participación de la ciudadanía y de las empresas en los asuntos públicos.

Las acciones previstas están destinadas a mejorar la capacidad y posibilidades de las personas para compartir el conocimiento de que disponen sobre materias que caen de lleno en el ámbito de la gestión pública. El plan propone incluso objetivos concretos con vistas a incentivar mecanismos de participación a nivel europeo, como la iniciativa ciudadana.

A estos efectos nos gustaría saber:

Respuesta de la Sra. Kroes en nombre de la Comisión

(2 de marzo de 2012)

La Comisión ha creado un registro y sitio de Internet exhaustivo y de fácil utilización (92) para la iniciativa ciudadana, a partir del cual los ciudadanos podrán poner en marcha y gestionar sus iniciativas. La Comisión también ha creado programas informáticos de código abierto que los organizadores de iniciativas pueden descargar y utilizar para la recogida de declaraciones de apoyo en línea.

La Acción preparatoria para la participación electrónica (2006-2009) apoyó 21 proyectos, los cuales presentaron su trabajo a los servicios del Parlamento Europeo (junio de 2010) y los resultados se hicieron públicos (93).

Las propuestas de este objetivo no estaban destinadas a mejorar la participación política utilizando las TIC, sino que abordaban principalmente la modelización de políticas.

La Comisión está al corriente del valioso trabajo realizado por el Centro Mundial de Tecnologías Parlamentarias. Este fomenta un diálogo estructurado entre los parlamentos y diversas partes interesadas pertinentes para potenciar el intercambio de experiencias, la determinación de las mejores prácticas y la aplicación de las soluciones adecuadas.

La Comisión está atenta a la situación en las regiones, puesto que muchas se han acogido a programas de financiación.

La Comisión sabe del grupo de trabajo sobre democracia electrónica.

La Comisión ha dedicado varios talleres a dar a conocer las distintas iniciativas en el ámbito de la participación electrónica. La plataforma www.epractice.eu, apoyada por la Comisión, incluye casos, noticias y comunidades de prácticas sobre la participación electrónica. Cualquier región puede presentar su caso.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000891/12

to the Commission

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Improving political participation using ICTs

In its eGovernment Action Plan 2011‐15, the Commission set a series of ambitious objectives to improve administrative efficiency, improving citizens’ access both to its services and to the information it handles. The plan also highlights how important proper use of ICTs can be in cutting costs in the public sector, and the need to make use of ICTs to enhance the involvement of citizens and businesses in public affairs.

The actions set out are intended to improve people’s ability and opportunities to share their knowledge of issues that are directly connected to public administration. The plan also proposes concrete objectives with the aim of promoting European-level participation mechanisms such as the Citizens’ Initiative.

With this in mind:

Answer given by Ms Kroes on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2012)

The Commission has set up a comprehensive and user-friendly website and register (94) for the Citizens' Initiative, from which citizens will be able to launch and manage their initiatives. The Commission has also developed free open-source software that organisers of initiatives can download and use for collecting statements of support online.

The eParticipation Preparatory Action (2006-2009) supported 21 projects. These projects presented their work to the European Parliament services (June 2010) and the relevant results were made available (95).

The proposals under that objective were not aimed at improving political participation using ICT. They addressed mainly policy modelling.

The Commission is aware of the valuable work done by the Global Centre for ICT in Parliament. It promotes a structured dialogue among parliaments, and various relevant stakeholders to enhance the exchange of experience and identification of best practices and the implementation of appropriate solutions.

The Commission follows developments in the regions, as many benefitted from funding programmes.

The Commission is aware of the working group on eDemocracy.

The Commission has devoted various workshops to showcase the different initiatives in the field of eParticipation. The www.epractice.eu platform, supported by the Commission includes cases, news and communities of practice on eParticipation. Any region can submit their case.

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita E-000892/12

a la Comisión

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 de febrero de 2012)

Asunto: Reutilización de información del sector público

La Comisión Europea estableció en su plan de acción sobre administración electrónica 2011-2015 una serie de ambiciosos objetivos para mejorar la eficiencia de la administración mejorando la accesibilidad de la ciudadanía tanto a sus servicios como a la información que maneja. Este plan hace hincapié, además, en la importancia que puede tener una correcta utilización de las TIC en el ahorro de costes en el sector público y en las oportunidades de negocio para los particulares que sean capaces de reutilizar los datos que almacenan las administraciones públicas con una visión innovadora.

Por ello, uno de los objetivos que se incorporan a este plan es la necesidad de emprender acciones para hacer posible la reutilización de la información del sector público (ISP). Se ha fijado como modelo de puesta a disposición de la ciudadanía de este tipo de catálogos de datos la experiencia data.gov.uk.

Las acciones concretas que en este campo tiene el plan prevén que, en 2011, los Estados miembros hayan aprobado un conjunto de indicadores comunes para medir el grado de reutilización de la ISP y las facilidades que se ofrecen para ello. Igualmente, la Comisión debería haber elaborado un estudio para determinar en qué medida han elaborado e implantado los Estados miembros unos catálogos de datos abiertos y/o portales sobre ISP.

A la vista de los citados compromisos:

Respuesta de la Sra. Kroes en nombre de la Comisión

(29 de febrero de 2012)

La Comisión está comprometida firmemente con la reutilización de la información del sector público como un recurso primario para la innovación y el crecimiento de las empresas y para hacer frente a los retos de la sociedad. En su Estrategia para los datos abiertos (96), puesta en marcha a finales de 2011, la Comisión presenta un conjunto de medidas políticas dirigidas a garantizar que la información pública se utilice mejor para apoyar el crecimiento de las empresas y satisfacer las necesidades de los ciudadanos. Entre ellas se cuentan medidas legislativas, de despliegue y de financiación y, especialmente, una versión revisada de la Directiva sobre la información del sector público, de 2003, y una Decisión revisada que regirá la reutilización de la propia información de la Comisión.

Un estudio reciente sobre la incidencia de los portales de datos abiertos (97) indica que se están generalizando en las estrategias administrativas y que tienen por objeto estimular la creatividad y la innovación, además de preparar el camino para la creación de valor no prevista. Nueve Estados miembros ya han abierto portales de datos a escala nacional y la mayoría de los demás Estados miembros los está creando. Estudios similares (98) realizados en nombre de la Comisión ponen de manifiesto que, a pesar de esta evolución positiva, la información del sector público sigue en gran medida sin aprovechar en Europa. La estrategia de datos abiertos persigue abordar este tema.

La Comisión ha creado un grupo sobre la información del sector público compuesto por funcionarios de los Estados miembros, autoridades locales y regionales y representantes del sector privado. Contribuye al intercambio de buenas prácticas y al debate sobre la transposición en la práctica de la Directiva sobre la información del sector público y la posible creación de un portal paneuropeo de datos abiertos que ofrezca un único punto de acceso multilingüe a las series de datos reutilizables que generen los organismos del sector público de la UE.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000892/12

to the Commission

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Reuse of public sector information

In its eGovernment Action Plan 2011‐15, the Commission has set out a series of ambitious objectives for improving administrative efficiency by offering citizens better access both to services and to the information handled. This plan also highlights the importance that proper use of ICT can have in terms of cost-saving in the public sector and business opportunities for individuals who can reuse the data stored by public administrations with an innovative vision.

Accordingly, one of the targets included in this plan is the need to take action to enable the reuse of public sector information (PSI). The data.gov.uk experience is given as an example of making this kind of data catalogue available to citizens.

The concrete actions in this area contained in the plan required the Member States, in the course of 2011, to adopt a set of common indicators for measuring the degree of reuse of PSI and the facilities provided for it. Equally, the Commission should have conducted a study to assess to what extent open data catalogues and/or PSI portals have been developed and implemented by Member States.

In view of the aforementioned commitments:

Answer given by Ms Kroes on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2012)

The Commission is strongly committed to the wider re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI) as a primary resource for innovation and business growth and to address societal challenges. In its Open Data Strategy (99) launched end of 2011, the Commission presents a set of policy actions to ensure that public data is best used to support business growth and citizen needs. These include legislative, deployment and funding measures and notably a revised version of the 2003 PSI Directive and a revised decision governing re-use of Commission's own information

A recent study on the impact of ‘Open Data Portals (100)’ highlights that these are becoming mainstream in government strategies and aim at stimulating creativity and innovation and paving the way to unanticipated value creation. Nine Member States have already open data Portals at national level and most other MSs are in the process of developing them. Similar studies (101) conducted on behalf of the Commission show that despite these positive developments PSI remains largely unexploited in Europe. The open data strategy aims to address this issue.

A PSI Group has been set up by the Commission including Member State officials, local or regional authorities, and representatives from private sector. It helps exchange good practices, discuss the practical transposition of the PSI Directive ‘and the possible development of a Pan-European Open Data Portal’ offering a single multilingual access point to re-usable datasets produced by public sector bodies in the EU.

(Version française)

Question avec demande de réponse écrite P-000893/12

au Conseil

Robert Goebbels (S&D)

(31 janvier 2012)

Objet: Contrats d'échange sur risque de crédit (CDS) sur la dette grecque

De nombreux articles de presse ont fait référence ces derniers jours aux difficiles négociations entre la Grèce et ses créanciers privés sur le coût et les modalités de la restructuration de la dette hellénique. Selon ces sources, la stagnation des négociations serait due aux intérêts divergents des représentants du secteur privé composés de banques, d'assureurs et de hedge funds. Ces derniers ne montreraient pas d'intérêt à trouver une solution à un allégement de la dette grecque. En effet, de nombreux hedge funds parieraient sur une faillite partielle de la Grèce en achetant massivement des contrats d'échange sur risque de crédit (CDS) leur permettant d'encaisser des gains substantiels en cas de défaut.

Afin d'empêcher ce genre de spéculation sur la dette souveraine d'un Etat, le Conseil et le Parlement européen avaient trouvé, le 18 octobre dernier, un accord sur le règlement sur la vente à découvert et certains aspects des contrats d'échange sur risque de crédit (COM(2010)0482), résultant en une adoption dudit règlement par le Parlement européen en session plénière, le 15 novembre 2011. Le règlement prévoit notamment une interdiction des CDS non découverts sur les obligations d'État.

Réponse

(2 avril 2012)

Le 21 février 2012, le Conseil a adopté le règlement sur la vente à découvert et certains aspects des contrats d'échange sur risque de crédit (102), qui prévoit des exigences communes au niveau de l'UE en matière de transparence et harmonise les pouvoirs dont peuvent disposer les autorités de régulation dans des situations exceptionnelles représentant une menace grave pour la stabilité financière. L'adoption de ce règlement fait suite à l'accord intervenu en première lecture avec le Parlement européen, le 18 octobre 2011, à l'approbation du règlement par le Comité des représentants permanents, le 10 novembre 2011 et à l'adoption d'un rectificatif par le Parlement européen durant la deuxième session plénière de février 2012 tenue à Strasbourg, à la suite de la mise au point par les juristes-linguistes de sa position adoptée en première lecture le 15 novembre 2011.

(English version)

Question for written answer P-000893/12

to the Council

Robert Goebbels (S&D)

(31 January 2012)

Subject: Credit default swaps (CDS) on Greek debt

Over the last few days numerous newspaper articles have referred to the difficult negotiations between Greece and its private creditors regarding the cost and practicalities of restructuring Greece’s debt. According to these sources, the standstill in the negotiations is the result of conflicting interests among representatives of the private sector (banks, insurers and hedge funds). The latter do not appear to be showing any interest in finding a solution to reducing Greece’s debt. Many hedge funds are reported to be gambling on a declaration of partial bankruptcy by Greece, making mass purchases of credit default swaps which would afford them substantial gains in the event of a default.

In order to prevent this kind of speculation on the sovereign debt of a Member State, on 18 October 2011 the Council and Parliament agreed on a regulation on short selling and certain aspects of credit default swaps (COM(2010) 0482), resulting in the adoption of that regulation by Parliament, meeting in plenary, on 15 November 2011. Inter alia, the regulation prohibits uncovered credit default swaps on government bonds.

Reply

(2 April 2012)

On 21 February 2012 the Council adopted the regulation on short selling and certain aspects of credit default swaps (103), which introduced common EU transparency requirements and harmonised the powers that Regulators may use in exceptional situations where there is a serious threat to financial stability. The adoption of the regulation followed agreement reached with the European Parliament at first reading on 18 October 2011, subsequent approval by the Permanent Representatives Committee on 10 November 2011 and adoption of a corrigendum by the European Parliament during the February II 2012 plenary session held in Strasbourg, following a legal/linguistic revision of its position adopted at first reading on 15 November 2011.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000894/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Sugar regime transition

In the planned reform of the sugar regime, has the Commission considered the lead-time to develop new processing infrastructure as an essential criterion in determining the length of the period of transition in phasing out sugar quotas?

Will the Commission also consider that the characteristics of the future regime must be certain before any commercial investment can be made on the basis of such plans?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 2012)

In November 2005 the Council has decided that sugar quota would be in place until 30 September 2015. The Commission has not proposed to have sugar quota beyond that date and it also has not proposed a transition period for phasing out sugar quota.

The Commission believes that any decision on investments in a sector is of a private nature.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000895/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: CAP 5 % limit accuracy

Will the Commission state how, in the context of CAP reform, those close to the 5 % figure can be certain of the accuracy of their figures, given that their accounts may well only be finalised, quite legally, months or years after the ‘shut-off’ date?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2012)

With the aim to improve targeting of direct payments, the so-called active farmer rule has been proposed under Article 9 of the Commission proposal (104) on direct payments in the context of the CAP reform. According to the Commission proposal, Article 9(1) applies to all potential beneficiaries with the exception of those farmers under the category described under Article 9(2). The fulfilment of the criteria for receiving aid would be assessed through administrative controls and through checks carried out on-the-spot in the framework of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS), which would apply to direct support schemes also in the future (105). Related to this, delegated acts are foreseen under Article 9(3) of the Commission proposal to lay down criteria to establish the amount of direct payments relevant for the purpose of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 9 and to lay down exceptions from the rule that the receipts during the most recent fiscal year are to be taken into account where those figures are not available.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000896/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: CAP 7 % ecological focus compliance

Will the Commission consider allowing the 7 % of ecological focus areas to be reached per region rather than per holding?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2012)

The objective of the ecological focus area (EFA) is to dedicate a share of the agricultural land to increasing the delivery of biodiversity and ecosystem services within Pillar 1, for example by means of landscape features, bufferstrips, land left fallow, etc. The proposal for the EFA strikes a balance between the need to take account of farm profitability thereby contributing to satisfying the global demand for food, and the need to protect the environment. The proposed 7 % reflects this balance where impacts on the market and on farmers will be compensated by long term improvement of productivity, by the fact that it is the farmer deciding where the EFA of their holding should be situated, and indeed by benefits to the sustainability of the farm arising from the EFA (e.g. improved pollination, increase in natural pest predators, reduced soil erosion, resilience to natural disasters, etc.).

Applying the EFA at regional level would entail insufficient environmental benefits, as it would allow to move the environmental improvements out of zones of intensive agriculture to other zones where the need to increase environmental performance is less urgent. In addition, in some regions where the environmental performances currently varies a lot from one farmer to another this could result in no environmental improvement on the farms needing it the most.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000897/12

to the Commission

John Stuart Agnew (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Definition of ‘permanent grassland’

What will be allowed within the definition of ‘permanent grassland’ under the CAP reform?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2012)

Article 4(1)(h) of the legal proposal for direct payments provides for the purpose of direct payments the following definition: ‘permanent grassland’ means land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown) and that has not been included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or longer; it may include other species suitable for grazing provided that the grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant". The intention with the proposal is to enlarge the future definition of permanent grassland to be broader than the current one, which is limited to ‘grasses or other herbaceous forage’. Areas which are eligible today remain covered by the new provisions. Furthermore, also areas or part of areas which are not only with ‘grasses or other herbaceous forage’ but with a certain share of other species suitable for grazing becomes eligible provided of course that there is an agricultural activity on the area. This is justified as such areas may have an important environmental value.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000898/12

alla Commissione

Sergio Paolo Frances Silvestris (PPE), Roberta Angelilli (PPE), Sonia Alfano (ALDE), Antonello Antinoro (PPE), Pino Arlacchi (S&D), Antonio Cancian (PPE), Lorenzo Fontana (EFD), Barbara Matera (PPE), Erminia Mazzoni (PPE), Mario Pirillo (S&D), Vittorio Prodi (S&D), Crescenzio Rivellini (PPE), Potito Salatto (PPE), Giancarlo Scottà (EFD), Gianni Vattimo (ALDE), Giovanni La Via (PPE), Niccolò Rinaldi (ALDE), Paolo De Castro (S&D), Alfredo Pallone (PPE), Alfredo Antoniozzi (PPE), Gabriele Albertini (PPE), Debora Serracchiani (S&D), Salvatore Tatarella (PPE), Mario Mauro (PPE), David-Maria Sassoli (S&D), Gianni Pittella (S&D), Iva Zanicchi (PPE), Clemente Mastella (PPE), Aldo Patriciello (PPE), Giommaria Uggias (ALDE), Andrea Zanoni (ALDE), Lara Comi (PPE), Raffaele Baldassarre (PPE), Licia Ronzulli (PPE), Cristiana Muscardini (PPE), Mario Borghezio (EFD), Claudio Morganti (EFD), Marco Scurria (PPE), Giuseppe Gargani (PPE), Carlo Fidanza (PPE) e Salvatore Iacolino (PPE)

(2 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: Estrazione di petrolio a ridosso delle coste pugliesi nella zona tra i comuni di Monopoli e Ostuni

La società Northern Petroleum ha avviato il 20 novembre 2011 i lavori di prospezioni geosismiche per individuare eventuali giacimenti petroliferi a poche miglia dalle coste pugliesi nella zona tra i comuni di Monopoli e Ostuni in Italia. La metodologia air-gun con cui vengono compiute dette indagini consiste in violente esplosioni di aria compressa che danneggiano il pescato e l'intero equilibrio marino.

Nel territorio interessato si è sviluppata una fiorente economia turistica, con migliaia di alberghi, masserie, villaggi vacanze e bed & breakfast. Tale fondamentale settore produttivo rischia di essere definitivamente compromesso da insediamenti estrattivi, che trasformerebbero il mare da risorsa turistica ad area industriale. Inoltre nella stessa zona è insediata una delle principali flottiglie pescherecce italiane, e anche quest'attività, che già vive un momento di grande crisi, rischia una grave compromissione.

Gli enti locali — comuni, province e regioni — hanno espresso con più atti formali, amministrativi e legislativi, la loro determinata contrarietà all'insediamento di attività estrattiva nel Mare Adriatico. Tale volontà è confermata da un grande movimento di opinione, culminato il 21 gennaio scorso in una manifestazione popolare a Monopoli, con migliaia di cittadini, centinaia di associazioni — tra cui WWF e Legambiente — e tutte le istituzioni del territorio.

Alla luce di questa manifesta contrarietà delle istituzioni territoriali e della popolazione all'avvio della attività estrattiva, può la Commissione far sapere:

Risposta data da Janez Potočnik a nome della Commissione

(14 marzo 2012)

Nell’ottobre 2011 la Commissione ha trasmesso una proposta di adesione dell’Unione europea al protocollo della convenzione di Barcellona (106) relativo alla protezione dall’inquinamento derivante dall’esplorazione e dallo sfruttamento della piattaforma continentale, del fondo del mare e del suo sottosuolo (107). La Commissione appoggia gli sforzi prodigati nel quadro della convenzione di Barcellona per conseguire la piena ed efficiente attuazione del protocollo.

I progetti di trivellazione petrolifera che rischiano di avere un impatto significativo su un sito designato ai sensi della direttiva ₫Uccelli₻ o della direttiva ₫Habitat₻ (108) devono formare oggetto di una opportuna valutazione ambientale. La riduzione dei rischi d’inquinamento associati alle trivellazioni petrolifere è necessaria per contribuire a conseguire un buono stato ecologico nell’ambito della direttiva quadro sulla strategia per l’ambiente marino (109). La Commissione rammenta che l’attuazione corretta delle disposizioni della normativa sopra citata e di altra pertinente spetta innanzitutto agli Stati membri. Se l’Italia non adempie agli obblighi che le incombono secondo il diritto dell’UE, la Commissione prenderà le misure del caso a fronte di violazioni comprovate.

La Commissione non intende proporre divieti alle attività offshore nel settore degli idrocarburi, in quanto rispetta pienamente la sovranità degli Stati membri di sfruttare le proprie risorse energetiche. Si aspetta d’altra parte che l’attuazione corretta della normativa vigente in materia, nonché di quella futura che sarà decisa dai colegislatori in base alla proposta presentata dalla Commissione per un regolamento sulla sicurezza delle attività offshore di prospezione, ricerca e produzione nel settore degli idrocarburi (110), consenta un livello sufficiente di tutela dell’ambiente marino e lo sfruttamento sostenibile delle riserve offshore di combustibili fossili.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000898/12

to the Commission

Sergio Paolo Frances Silvestris (PPE), Roberta Angelilli (PPE), Sonia Alfano (ALDE), Antonello Antinoro (PPE), Pino Arlacchi (S&D), Antonio Cancian (PPE), Lorenzo Fontana (EFD), Barbara Matera (PPE), Erminia Mazzoni (PPE), Mario Pirillo (S&D), Vittorio Prodi (S&D), Crescenzio Rivellini (PPE), Potito Salatto (PPE), Giancarlo Scottà (EFD), Gianni Vattimo (ALDE), Giovanni La Via (PPE), Niccolò Rinaldi (ALDE), Paolo De Castro (S&D), Alfredo Pallone (PPE), Alfredo Antoniozzi (PPE), Gabriele Albertini (PPE), Debora Serracchiani (S&D), Salvatore Tatarella (PPE), Mario Mauro (PPE), David-Maria Sassoli (S&D), Gianni Pittella (S&D), Iva Zanicchi (PPE), Clemente Mastella (PPE), Aldo Patriciello (PPE), Giommaria Uggias (ALDE), Andrea Zanoni (ALDE), Lara Comi (PPE), Raffaele Baldassarre (PPE), Licia Ronzulli (PPE), Cristiana Muscardini (PPE), Mario Borghezio (EFD), Claudio Morganti (EFD), Marco Scurria (PPE), Giuseppe Gargani (PPE), Carlo Fidanza (PPE) and Salvatore Iacolino (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Oil drilling near the Apulian coastline in the area between Monopoli and Ostuni

On 20 November 2011, the company Northern Petroleum started seismic prospecting work in order to locate oil fields a few miles off the Apulian coastline, in the area between the municipalities of Monopoli and Ostuni, in Italy. The air-gun methodology used for prospecting consists in violent compressed-air bursts that damage fish and the entire marine ecosystem.

A flourishing tourism sector has developed in the region in question, with thousands of hotels, farmsteads, holiday complexes and bed and breakfasts. This key productive sector is likely to be permanently damaged by oil drilling sites that would transform the sea from a tourist resource to an industrial area. This area is also home to one of Italy’s largest fishing fleets, and fishing, which is already going through a severe crisis, is also likely to be severely impacted.

Local authorities (in municipalities, provinces and regions) have taken several formal, administrative and legislative measures expressing their strong opposition to the establishment of oil drilling sites in the Adriatic Sea. This stance is further strengthened by a groundswell of opinion that culminated in a demonstration in Monopoli on 21 January 2012, in which thousands of members of the public, hundreds of associations — including the WWF and Legambiente — and all of the region’s institutions took part.

In light of the clear opposition to oil drilling by the region’s institutions and its population, can the Commission state:

Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2012)

The Commission submitted a proposal for accession of the EU to the Protocol to the Barcelona Convention (111) against pollution resulting from exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf and the seabed and its subsoil (112) in October 2011. The Commission supports efforts within the Barcelona Convention to achieve the full and efficient implementation of the Protocol.

Any oil drilling project likely to have a significant impact on a site designated under the Birds or the Habitats Directive (113) must be subject to appropriate environmental assessment. Reducing risks and pollution associated with oil drilling is necessary to contribute to achieving good environmental status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (114). The Commission recalls that it is primarily the Member States' responsibility to implement correctly the provisions of the abovementioned or other relevant legislation. If Italy fails to comply with its obligations under EC law, the Commission will take appropriate action if there is clear proof of an infringement.

The Commission has no plans to propose bans on offshore oil and gas activities, respecting fully the sovereign right of Member States to exploit their energy resources. At the same time, the Commission expects that the correct implementation of existing relevant legislation, as well as of future legislation to be decided by the co-legislators, following the Commission's proposal for a regulation on safety of offshore oil and gas prospection, exploration and production activities (115), should allow for a sufficient level of protection of the marine environment and for the sustainable exploitation of offshore fossil fuel reserves.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000899/12

al Consiglio

Matteo Salvini (EFD)

(2 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: Agenzie di rating

Dal credit crunch del 2007 le ₫Big Three₻ del rating hanno assunto un’influenza rilevante e spesso iniqua nella determinazione della stabilità europea.

Questa consapevolezza ha portato il Parlamento e il Consiglio ad adottare la direttiva 2009/65/CE che introduce il controllo esterno e il registro di categoria, successivamente aggiornato nel maggio 2011 e reso più stringente.

È stata inoltre istituita ESMA (European Security and Markets Authority) al fine di salvaguardare l'integrità, la trasparenza e l'efficienza del sistema finanziario comunitario. Resta inaccettabile l'influenza di questi organismi di controllo del credito sul sistema politico europeo e di conseguenza sulla vita dei comuni cittadini: basti pensare all'eccessiva tassazione imposta dal nuovo governo italiano a seguito del giudizio da esse dato sul debito del suddetto Stato membro. Inoltre, si ritiene necessario intervenire aumentando la competizione fra le agenzie di rating e agevolando l’entrata sul mercato di nuovi operatori che sono stati recentemente riconosciuti. A tale riguardo, è importante che il futuro regolamento sulle spese che le agenzie di rating dovranno pagare ad ESMA per le attività di supervisione, comporti una differenziazione in relazione all'attività di rating realmente svolte, permettendo così alle piccole agenzie di crescere.

Molte sono state le proposte delle istituzioni europee volte a limitare il potere del rating, come la creazione di un'Agenzia europea o addirittura l'esclusione degli Stati membri dal campo operativo delle suddette agenzie. Si tratta tuttavia di interventi strutturali che presuppongono effetti a lungo termine e che, nel caso della proposta in favore a un'unica Agenzia, vedono la contrapposizione di alcuni Stati membri.

Quali strumenti il Consiglio sta valutando per risolvere un problema che necessita risposte immediate e come intende differenziare la struttura delle spese che devono essere pagate ad ESMA per le attività di supervisione, fra le Big Three e le piccole agenzie di rating che si stanno affacciando sul mercato per incrementare la competizione?

Risposta

(12 aprile 2012)

Sono state presentate al Parlamento europeo e al Consiglio proposte della Commissione del 15 novembre 2011 volte a modificare il regolamento (CE) n. 1060/2009 relativo alle agenzie di rating del credito (116) (regolamento sulle agenzie di rating) e a modificare la direttiva 2009/65/CE (117) (direttiva OICVM) e la direttiva 2011/61/EU (118) (direttiva AIFM) per quanto riguarda l'eccessivo affidamento ai rating del credito.

Queste proposte legislative intendono affrontare questioni quali il rischio che i partecipanti ai mercati finanziari facciano eccessivo affidamento sui rating del credito, l'alto grado di concentrazione nel mercato dei rating, la responsabilità civile delle agenzie di rating del credito nei confronti degli investitori, i conflitti di interesse riguardo al modello ₫issuer pays₻ e la struttura azionaria delle agenzie di rating del credito nonché questioni attinenti alla frequenza del rating ed alla trasparenza per quanto riguarda i rating del debito sovrano.

Le proposte della Commissione relative a una direttiva sull'accesso all'attività degli enti creditizi e sulla vigilanza prudenziale degli enti creditizi e delle imprese di investimento e a un regolamento relativo ai requisiti prudenziali per gli enti creditizi e le imprese di investimento (il cosiddetto pacchetto legislativo CRD IV) del 20 luglio 2011 sono state anch'esse presentate al Consiglio e al Parlamento europeo. Tali proposte cercano, tra l'altro, di ridurre l'affidamento da parte degli enti creditizi ai rating del credito esterni.

Le quattro proposte legislative vengono attualmente esaminate dal Consiglio e dal Parlamento europeo e sono soggette alla procedura legislativa ordinaria di cui all'articolo 294 del trattato sul funzionamento dell'Unione europea (TFUE).

Occorre notare che il Consiglio europeo del 23 ottobre 2011 ha dichiarato che rafforzare la regolamentazione finanziaria rimane una priorità fondamentale a livello di UE e mondiale. Ha inoltre invitato a realizzare progressi concreti a livello di G20 riducendo, tra l'altro, l'eccessivo affidamento sui rating del credito.

La questione delle commissioni che l'Autorità europea degli strumenti finanziari e dei mercati (AESFEM) impone è disciplinata dall'articolo 19 del regolamento sulle agenzie di rating. Al paragrafo 2 di tale articolo la Commissione è incaricata di adottare un regolamento relativo alle commissioni che l'AESFEM impone mediante un atto delegato che stabilisce, tra l'altro, il tipo di commissioni e le attività per le quali esse sono dovute, il loro importo e le modalità di pagamento. L'articolo 19, paragrafo 2, secondo comma prevede che l'importo della commissione imposta a un'agenzia di rating del credito copra tutte le spese amministrative e sia proporzionato al fatturato dell'agenzia stessa. Conformemente a tale base giuridica, il 7 febbraio 2012, la Commissione ha adottato un regolamento delegato che completa il regolamento sulle agenzie di rating per quanto riguarda le commissioni imposte alle agenzie di rating del credito dall'Autorità europea degli strumenti finanziari e dei mercati (AESFEM) (119).

Per quanto riguarda le commissioni per le agenzie di rating del credito più piccole, il citato regolamento delegato prevede che le commissioni annuali di vigilanza per un'agenzia di rating del credito registrata siano proporzionate al fatturato dell'agenzia stessa, come disposto dall'articolo 19, paragrafo 2 del regolamento sulle agenzie di rating. Le piccole agenzie di rating del credito non appartenenti a un gruppo di agenzie di rating sono esentate dalle commissioni annuali di vigilanza se il loro fatturato annuale è inferiore a 10 milioni di EUR. Un'agenzia di rating del credito appartenente a un gruppo di agenzie di rating viene esentata soltanto se il fatturato annuale aggregato di tutte le agenzie di rating registrate nell'UE appartenenti al gruppo è inferiore a 10 milioni di EUR.

Conformemente alle procedure di cui, tra l'altro, all'articolo 38 quater del regolamento sulle agenzie di rating il Consiglio e il Parlamento europeo stanno esaminando il regolamento delegato al fine di stabilire se sollevare o meno obiezioni al riguardo.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000899/12

to the Council

Matteo Salvini (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Rating agencies

Since the credit crunch in 2007, the ‘Big Three’ rating agencies have gained a major and often unfair influence over European stability.

In response to this situation Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2009/65/EC, which introduced external controls and a sectoral register and was subsequently reviewed and made more stringent in May 2011.

The ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority) was also established, in order to ensure the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the Community’s financial system. The influence exerted by these credit rating agencies on the European political system and, consequently, on the life of ordinary citizens is unacceptable: for instance, the new Italian Government has imposed an excessive tax burden as a result of the agencies’ evaluation of Italy’s debt. It is also thought necessary to intervene in order to increase competition among rating agencies and facilitate market entry for new operators that have recently been recognised. To this end, it is important for the new regulation on the fees that rating agencies will be required to pay the ESMA for supervisory activities to distinguish between rating agencies on the basis of the rating activities actually performed, thus allowing small agencies to grow.

European institutions have put forward a large number of ways of restricting the power of the rating agencies, such as setting up a European Agency or even removing the Member States from the scope of the agencies’ rating activities. These, however, are structural initiatives whose effects will only be felt in the long term and which, in the case of the proposal for a single Agency, are being opposed by some Member States.

What measures does the Council plan to take in order to address a problem that calls for immediate solutions, and how does it intend to ensure that the ESMA’s fee scale for supervisory activities differentiates between the Big Three and small rating agencies that are just starting out on the market, with a view to increasing competition?

Reply

(12 April 2012)

The Commission proposals of 15 November 2011 to amend Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on credit rating agencies (120) (the CRA Regulation) and to amend Directive 2009/65/EC (121) (the UCITS Directive) and Directive 2011/61/EU (122) (the AIFM Directive) in respect of the excessive reliance on credit ratings have been submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council.

These legislative proposals aim to address issues such as the risk of overreliance on credit ratings by financial market participants, the high degree of concentration in the rating market, civil liability of credit rating agencies vis-à-vis investors, conflicts of interests with regard to the issuer-pays model and CRAs' shareholder structure, as well as frequency of rating and transparency issues with regard to sovereign ratings.

The Commission proposals for a directive on the access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms and for a regulation on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms (the so-called CRDIV legislative package) of 20 July 2011 have also been submitted to the Council and the European Parliament. These proposals, inter alia, seek to reduce reliance by credit institutions on external credit ratings.

These four legislative proposals are currently being examined by the Council and the European Parliament and are subject to the ordinary legislative procedure as laid down in Article 294 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

It should be noted that the European Council on 23 October 2011 stated that strengthening financial regulation remains a key priority at the EU and global levels. It has also called for real progress at G20 level, on, inter alia, reducing overreliance on credit ratings.

The issue of fees that European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) would charge is regulated by Article 19 of the CRA Regulation. Under paragraph 2 of that article, the Commission is mandated to adopt a regulation on fees to be charged by ESMA by means of a delegated act which, inter alia, will determine the type of fees and the matters for which fees are due, the amount of the fees and the way in which they are to be paid. Article 19(2), second subparagraph, provides that the amount of a fee charged to a credit rating agency is to cover all administrative costs and be proportionate to the turnover of the credit rating agency concerned. In accordance with this legal basis, the Commission on 7 February 2012 adopted a delegated Regulation supplementing the CRA Regulation with regard to fees charged by the ESMA to credit rating agencies (123).

With regard to fees for smaller credit rating agencies, the abovementioned delegated Regulation provides that the annual supervisory fee for a registered credit rating agency will be proportional to its total turnover as required by Article 19 (2) of the CRA Regulation. Small credit rating agencies which do not belong to a group of credit rating agencies would be exempted from annual supervisory fees if their annual turnover is less than EUR 10 million. Where a credit rating agency belongs to a group of credit rating agencies, it would only be exempted if the aggregate annual turnover of all EU registered credit rating agencies belonging to the group was less than EUR 10 million.

Following the procedure laid down, inter alia, in Article 38c of the CRA Regulation, the Council and the European Parliament are scrutinising this delegated Regulation, with a view to determining whether they will raise any objections to it.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000900/12

alla Commissione

Matteo Salvini (EFD)

(2 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: Agenzie di rating

Dal credit crunch del 2007 le ₫Big Three₻ del rating hanno assunto un’influenza rilevante e spesso iniqua nella determinazione della stabilità europea.

Questa consapevolezza ha portato il Parlamento e il Consiglio ad adottare la direttiva 2009/65/CE che introduce il controllo esterno e il registro di categoria, successivamente aggiornato nel maggio 2011 e reso più stringente.

È stata inoltre istituita ESMA (European Security and Markets Authority) al fine di salvaguardare l'integrità, la trasparenza e l'efficienza del sistema finanziario comunitario. Resta inaccettabile l'influenza di questi organismi di controllo del credito sul sistema politico europeo e di conseguenza sulla vita dei comuni cittadini: basti pensare all'eccessiva tassazione imposta dal nuovo governo italiano a seguito del giudizio da esse dato sul debito del suddetto Stato membro. Inoltre, si ritiene necessario intervenire aumentando la competizione fra le agenzie di rating e agevolando l’entrata sul mercato di nuovi operatori che sono stati recentemente riconosciuti. A tale riguardo, è importante che il futuro regolamento sulle spese che le agenzie di rating dovranno pagare ad ESMA per le attività di supervisione, comporti una differenziazione in relazione all'attività di rating realmente svolte, permettendo così alle piccole agenzie di crescere.

Molte sono state le proposte delle istituzioni europee volte a limitare il potere del rating, come la creazione di un'Agenzia europea o addirittura l'esclusione degli Stati membri dal campo operativo delle suddette agenzie. Si tratta tuttavia di interventi strutturali che presuppongono effetti a lungo termine e che, nel caso della proposta in favore a un'unica Agenzia, vedono la contrapposizione di alcuni Stati membri.

Quali strumenti la Commissione sta valutando per risolvere un problema che necessita risposte immediate e come intende differenziare la struttura delle spese che devono essere pagate ad ESMA per le attività di supervisione, fra le Big Three e le piccole agenzie di rating che si stanno affacciando sul mercato per incrementare la competizione?

Risposta data da Michel Barnier a nome della Commissione

(19 marzo 2012)

La Commissione condivide l’opinione dell’onorevole parlamentare sulla necessità di potenziare la concorrenza tra le agenzie di rating del credito e di agevolare l’ingresso di nuovi operatori nel mercato. Il terzo pacchetto sulle agenzie di rating del credito (124) contiene una serie di misure volte a ridurre le barriere che ostacolano l’accesso al mercato del rating. Ad esempio, la rotazione obbligatoria offre un’opportunità concreta alle piccole agenzie di rating del credito di competere per nuove attività, mentre una scala di rating armonizzata e una base dati pubblica (EURIX) renderanno facilmente raffrontabili tutti i rating e aiuteranno le piccole agenzie non ancora note a costruirsi una reputazione.

Per quanto riguarda i diritti che le agenzie di rating devono versare all’Autorità europea degli strumenti finanziari e dei mercati (AESFEM) per la registrazione e la vigilanza sulle agenzie stesse, il 7 febbraio 2012 la Commissione ha adottato un regolamento delegato che è stato trasmesso al Parlamento europeo e al Consiglio e che istituisce diritti consoni per le piccole agenzie di rating e per i potenziali nuovi operatori sul mercato. Ad esempio, le agenzie di rating (o, nel caso, un gruppo di agenzie di rating europee) il cui fatturato non supera i 10 milioni di euro sono esentate dal pagamento dei diritti annuali di vigilanza. Il regolamento dispone inoltre che, nel calcolare l’importo dei diritti che saranno versati dalle singole agenzie di rating, si tenga conto solo del fatturato per la fornitura di rating (e servizi ausiliari), non del fatturato globale. Per entrare in vigore il regolamento dovrà essere approvato dal Parlamento europeo e dal Consiglio.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000900/12

to the Commission

Matteo Salvini (EFD)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Rating agencies

Since the credit crunch in 2007, the ‘Big Three’ rating agencies have gained a major and often unfair influence over European stability.

In response to this situation Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2009/65/EC, which introduced external controls and a sectoral register and was subsequently reviewed and made more stringent in May 2011.

The ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority) was also established, in order to ensure the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the Community’s financial system. The influence exerted by these credit rating agencies on the European political system and, consequently, on the life of ordinary citizens is unacceptable: for instance, the new Italian Government has imposed an excessive tax burden as a result of the agencies’ evaluation of Italy’s debt. It is also thought necessary to intervene in order to increase competition among rating agencies and facilitate market entry for new operators that have recently been recognised. To this end, it is important for the new regulation on the fees that rating agencies will be required to pay the ESMA for supervisory activities to distinguish between rating agencies on the basis of the rating activities actually performed, thus allowing small agencies to grow.

European institutions have put forward a large number of ways of restricting the power of the rating agencies, such as setting up a European Agency or even removing the Member States from the scope of the agencies’ rating activities. These, however, are structural initiatives whose effects will only be felt in the long term and which, in the case of the proposal for a single Agency, are being opposed by some Member States.

What measures does the Commission plan to take in order to address a problem that calls for immediate solutions, and how does it intend to ensure that the ESMA’s fee scale for supervisory activities differentiates between the Big Three and small rating agencies that are just starting out on the market, with a view to increasing competition?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2012)

The Commission shares the view of the Honourable Member that it is necessary to increase competition among rating agencies and facilitate market entry for new operators. The CRA3 proposal (125) contains a set of measures aiming to reduce barriers to entry into the rating market. For example, mandatory rotation will give a real possibility for smaller CRAs to compete for new business, whereas a harmonised rating scale and a public database (EURIX) will make all ratings easily comparable and will help smaller and less well-known credit rating agencies (CRAs) to build their reputation.

As regards the fees that CRAs will have to pay to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) for their registration and supervision, the Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation on 7 February 2012. It was communicated to the European Parliament and the Council. This regulation sets proportionate fees for small CRAs and potential new entrants into the market. For instance, those CRAs (or, if applicable, a group of European CRAs) whose turnover do(es) not exceed EUR 10 million will be exempted from annual supervisory fees. Moreover, the regulation provides that, when calculating the amount of fees that shall be paid by individual CRAs, only the turnover from the provision of rating and ancillary services, rather than the total turnover, will be taken into account. The regulation is subject to agreement by the European Parliament and the Council before it can enter into force.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000901/12

alla Commissione

Cristiana Muscardini (PPE)

(2 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: L'euro e la Germania

L'eurozona è in ebollizione, l'euro è sotto attacco e perde valore, gli Stati membri afflitti dal debito pubblico sono colpiti da una crisi senza precedenti e i sacrifici imposti ai loro cittadini incontrano forti reazioni tra le categorie colpite. I politici si interrogano sul fatto che sia colpa della crisi finanziaria, che ha scatenato quella economica oppure se il responsabile è l'euro che non è espressione di una politica economica comune e non dipende da una banca centrale in grado di garantire la solvibilità delle banche della zona euro.

Nel frattempo la Germania, con l'aiuto della Francia, impone agli Stati membri indebitati un regime di forte austerità, con tagli giganteschi ai bilanci e quindi sacrifici enormi e non sempre equi a certe categorie di cittadini. Nello stesso tempo però, mentre si cerca freneticamente di superare la crisi della zona euro, in Germania sono stati presentati recentemente degli scenari per ₫il dopo euro₻ che contraddicono pubblicamente l'affermazione del governo che ₫non c'è alternativa all'euro₻. Il primo scenario è stato presentato su ₫Der Spiegel₻ il 16 gennaio scorso da Wolfgang Reitzle, amministratore delegato di Linde, il principale produttore di gas industriali, e il secondo sulla ₫Neue Zuercher Zeitung₻ il 19 gennaio dall'economista Renate Ohr dell'Università di Goettingen. Il primo autore propone l'uscita dall'euro e il ritorno a un deutschmark rivalutato, mentre il secondo auspica ₫una svalutazione esterna dei paesi in deficit₻ attraverso un'uscita dall'Unione monetaria, che non necessariamente significherebbe l'uscita anche dall'UE.

Può la Commissione far sapere:

Risposta data da Olli Rehn a nome della Commissione

(27 marzo 2012)

L'Unione europea non ha ancora superato questo periodo di forte crisi e diversi Stati membri devono fare fronte a sfide importanti. In particolare, tra alcuni paesi dell'area dell'euro si sono venuti a creare forti squilibri di bilancio e divari in materia di competitività.

Per reagire alla crisi straordinariamente complessa e profonda emersa in seguito a tali sviluppi si è resa necessaria l'adozione di una strategia decisa, globale e coordinata, che le istituzioni europee e gli Stati membri hanno messo a punto in stretta collaborazione. Il pacchetto rafforzato sulla governance (six pack, fiscal compact) e il giro di vite sulla sorveglianza nel quadro del semestre europeo nonché l'introduzione di meccanismi finanziari di protezione (EFSF (126), EFSM (127) e ESM (128)) e di programmi di assistenza finanziaria a favore di singoli Stati membri sono iniziative fondamentali per superare la crisi e prevenire che tali situazioni si ripresentino in futuro.

Alla luce di quanto esposto, la Commissione ribadisce il proprio impegno incondizionato a favore dell'euro come valuta dell'Unione economica e monetaria e non intende esprimersi in merito ad eventuali scenari alternativi, né ha analizzato le conseguenze di scenari analoghi a quelli esposti dall'onorevole parlamentare. In questo contesto la Commissione non intende infine pronunciarsi in merito a questioni di politica interna relative alla Germania.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000901/12

to the Commission

Cristiana Muscardini (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: The euro and Germany

The eurozone is in turmoil, the euro is under attack and losing value, public debt-laden Member States have been hit by an unprecedented crisis and the sacrifices imposed on their citizens are causing uproar among those affected. Politicians are asking themselves whether the root cause is the financial crisis, which triggered an economic one, or whether the culprit is the euro, which does not give practical expression to a common economic policy and does not depend on a central bank capable of guaranteeing the solvency of the eurozone’s banks.

In the meantime, Germany, with France’s support, is imposing a strict austerity regime on indebted Member States, involving massive budget cuts and, as a result, huge sacrifices that are not always fair to some sections of society. At the same time, however, whilst frantic efforts are being made to solve the eurozone crisis, ‘post-euro’ scenarios that publicly contradict the German Government’s assertion that ‘there is no alternative to the euro’ are being put forward in that country. The first scenario was proposed on 16 January 2012 in Der Spiegel by Wolfgang Reitzle, Chief Executive of Linde, the leading manufacturer of industrial gases, and the second on 19 January 2012 in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung by the Göttingen University economist Renate Ohr. The former proposed that Germany should leave the euro and return to a revalued deutschmark, whilst the latter advocated ‘an external devaluation of deficit countries’ through their exit from monetary union, although this would not also necessarily entail them leaving the EU.

Answer given by Mr Rehn on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2012)

The European Union indeed continues to experience a pronounced crisis, with many Member States facing considerable challenges. In particular, significant fiscal imbalances and competitiveness divergences have developed between some euro area countries.

To resolve the extraordinarily complex and profound crisis resulting from such developments, a decisive, comprehensive and coordinated strategy is necessary and has been developed by the European institutions and Member States in close cooperation. The reinforced governance package (six-pack, compact) and the reinforcement of surveillance in the context of the European Semester, the creation of financial backstops (EFSF (129), EFSM (130), ESM (131)) as well as financial assistance programmes for individual Member States are key elements to overcome the crisis and prevent similar developments in the future.

In the light of this, the Commission remains wholly committed to the euro as the currency of the economic and monetary union and has no comment to make on any other scenario, nor has it analysed the consequences of scenarios such as those described. The Commission does not have any comments on German domestic politics in this context.

(Dansk udgave)

Forespørgsel til skriftlig besvarelse P-000902/12

til Kommissionen

Christel Schaldemose (S&D)

(1. februar 2012)

Om: Polycykliske aromatiske hydrocarboner (PAH'er) i børneprodukter

Polycykliske aromatiske hydrocarboner (PAH'er) er en gruppe stoffer, hvoraf nogle er kræftfremkaldende.

Miljøstyrelsen i Danmark kunne den 13. januar 2012 offentliggøre en undersøgelse, der viste, at spor af PAH'er kunne findes i alle 20 undersøgte stykker legetøj og børneprodukter i gummi og plast. Man fandt, at der i hvert eneste produkt var mindst en ud af 18 PAH'er. Undersøgelsen viste endvidere, at undersøgte cykeldæk og håndtagene på et løbehjul havde de højeste koncentrationer af PAH'er.

Jeg er orienteret om, at Kommissionen netop nu ser på, hvordan man kan regulere PAH'er i EU.

— Hvor langt er Kommissionen nået i sin undersøgelse af regulering af PAH'er i EU?

— Støtter Kommissionen et forbud mod PAH'er i produkter til børn?

— Mener Kommissionen, at PAH'er bør inkluderes i lovgivningen om legetøj — ud over de nuværende krav om, at legetøj ikke må indeholde farlige stoffer i mængder, der kan skade sundheden?

Svar afgivet på Kommissionens vegne af Antonio Tajani

(22. februar 2012)

Kommissionen har kendskab til den undersøgelse, som Miljøstyrelsen har offentliggjort.

Kommissionen er forpligtet til at beskytte forbrugernes helbred, især børns, og har for nylig på mødet vedrørende REACH (registrering, vurdering og godkendelse af samt begrænsninger for kemikalier) drøftet et forslag med de kompetente myndigheder, jf. artikel 68, stk. 2, i forordning (EF) nr. 1907/2006 (REACH) (132) for at begrænse indholdet af kræftfremkaldende polycykliske aromatiske hydrocarboner (PAH'er) i forbrugerprodukter, som kan anvendes af børn under 14 år, i sammenhæng med dækningsområdet i direktiv 2009/48/EF (133) (legetøjsdirektivet). Et sådant forslag ville også omfatte produkter, der er dækket af legetøjsdirektivet.

Kommissionen er i øjeblikket ved igen at se på forslaget under hensyntagen til bemærkninger, modtaget fra eksperter blandt interesserede parter og de kompetente REACH‐myndigheder, og overvejer forskellige måder til så hurtigt som muligt at træffe en afgørelse herom.

De eksisterende oplysninger, herunder resultaterne af Miljøstyrelsens undersøgelse, vil blive evalueret, inden forslaget færdigbehandles.

(English version)

Question for written answer P-000902/12

to the Commission

Christel Schaldemose (S&D)

(1 February 2012)

Subject: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in children's products

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of substances, some of which can cause cancer.

On 13 January 2012, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency published the results of a study which showed that traces of PAHs were found in all 20 of the rubber and plastic toys and children’s products examined. At least one of the 18 PAHs was present in every single one of these products. The study also found that a bicycle tyre and the handles of a scooter had the highest concentrations of PAHs.

I am told that the Commission is currently examining means of regulating PAHs within the EU.

— How much progress has the Commission made in investigating the regulation of PAHs in the EU?

— Does the Commission support a ban on PAHs in children’s products?

— Does the Commission think that PAHs should be included in the legislation on toys — beyond the present requirement that toys may not contain hazardous substances in amounts which may be harmful to health?

Answer given by Mr Tajani on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2012)

The Commission is aware of the study published by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Commission is committed to the protection of consumers' health, particularly of children, and has recently discussed at the REACH Competent Authorities meeting a proposal under Article 68(2) of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) (134), to limit the content of carcinogenic PAHs in consumer articles that could be used by children under 14 years of age, in coherence with the scope of Directive 2009/48/EC (135) (Toys Directive). Such proposal would include articles covered by the Toys Directive.

The Commission is currently re-examining the proposal taking into account the comments received from stakeholder experts and REACH Competent Authorities and is considering different ways to finalise it within the shortest possible time.

The existing information, including the results of the Danish EPA study, will be evaluated before the proposal is finalised.

(Nederlandse versie)

Vraag met verzoek om schriftelijk antwoord E-000903/12

aan de Commissie

Auke Zijlstra (NI)

(14 februari 2012)

Betreft: Visumvrij reizen voor Kosovo

Eurocommissaris Malmström is met Kosovo in gesprek over visumvrij reizen door de EU voor de Kosovaarse burgers.

Door de EU-lidstaten Cyprus, Griekenland, Roemenië, Slowakije en Spanje wordt Kosovo echter niet als onafhankelijke staat erkend. Met betrekking tot deze lidstaten heb ik de volgende vragen:

Antwoord van mevrouw Malmström namens de Commissie

(14 maart 2012)

Op 19 januari 2012 is de Commissie een dialoog over visumliberalisering met Kosovo (138) aangegaan. Aangezien de erkenning van staten onder de bevoegdheid van de lidstaten valt, kan de Europese Unie noch de Europese Commissie een standpunt innemen over de status van Kosovo. Daarom zal de Commissie deze dialoog met Kosovo vanuit een statusneutraal standpunt voeren.

De gemeenschappelijke Visumcode (Verordening nr. 810/2009) regelt de procedures en voorwaarden voor de afgifte van visa. Artikel 29, lid 2, van de Visumcode bepaalt: „Indien de lidstaat van afgifte het reisdocument van de aanvrager niet erkent, wordt gebruikgemaakt van het afzonderlijke blad voor het aanbrengen van een visum”. Dat wordt gedaan in de lidstaten die Kosovo niet erkennen.

De Commissie is zich bewust van de uitdagingen waarvoor Kosovo staat bij het opbouwen van een moderne rechtstaat waarin de grondrechten worden geëerbiedigd. Om aan de voorwaarden voor een mogelijke visumliberalisering te voldoen, moet Kosovo een aantal hervormingen en maatregelen doorvoeren in de strijd tegen georganiseerde misdaad en corruptie, die een belangrijke rol zal spelen in de dialoog. De Commissie zal het Europees Parlement regelmatig op de hoogte houden van de vorderingen in de visumdialoog.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000903/12

to the Commission

Auke Zijlstra (NI)

(14 February 2012)

Subject: Visa-free travel for Kosovars

Commissioner Malmström is in discussion with the Kosovan authorities regarding visa-free travel to the EU for Kosovar citizens.

However, Kosovo is not recognised as an independent state by EU Member States Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. I have the following questions with regard to these Member States:

Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2012)

The Commission launched a visa liberalisation dialogue with Kosovo (141) on 19 January 2012. As the recognition of states is a Member State competence, the European Union, including the European Commission, cannot take a position on Kosovo’s status. Therefore, the Commission shall conduct the visa liberalisation dialogue with Kosovo in a status-neutral fashion.

The Community Code on Visas (Regulation 819/2009) regulates the procedures and conditions concerning the issuing of visas. Article 29(2) of the Visa Code provides that ‘Where the issuing Member State does not recognise the applicant’s travel document, the separate sheet for affixing a visa shall be used’. This is the practice used by Member States that do not recognise Kosovo.

The Commission is fully aware of the challenges that Kosovo faces in building a modern state based on the rule of law and fundamental rights. The fight against organised crime and corruption will play a prominent role in the visa liberalisation dialogue with Kosovo, with a number of reforms and measures for Kosovo as a condition of progressing towards potential visa liberalisation. The Commission will regularly inform the European Parliament of developments in the visa dialogue.

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita E-000904/12

a la Comisión

Gabriel Mato Adrover (PPE)

(2 de febrero de 2012)

Asunto: Importaciones de tomates marroquíes

España, Francia e Italia presentaron el pasado año una declaración conjunta a la Comisión Europea en donde pedían una modificación del régimen de aplicación del sistema de precios de entrada para las importaciones de frutas y hortalizas. Los tres países reclaman la incorporación, dentro del reglamento de ejecución de la Organización Común de Mercado (OCM), de las disposiciones jurídicas necesarias que permitan a las autoridades aduaneras nacionales comprobar la veracidad de las declaraciones realizadas por los importadores sobre el precio real al que han sido vendidas las mercancías.

En respuesta a varias preguntas que presenté recientemente sobre la entrada masiva de importaciones de tomates marroquíes el pasado mes de octubre, la Comisión obvia mencionar los problemas de aplicación a los que da lugar el régimen de precios de entrada en vigor.

¿Cuándo va a reconocer la Comisión los fallos del sistema?

¿Tiene la Comisión intención de proponer alguna modificación del mismo?

Respuesta del Sr. Cioloș en nombre de la Comisión

(2 de marzo de 2012)

En la propuesta de Reglamento del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo por el que se crea la organización común de mercados de los productos agrícolas se ha propuesto un ajuste de las modalidades vigentes del sistema de precios de entrada al Código Aduanero.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000904/12

to the Commission

Gabriel Mato Adrover (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Imports of Moroccan tomatoes

Last year Spain, France and Italy submitted a joint declaration to the European Commission in which they sought changes to the arrangements for applying the entry price system for fruit and vegetable imports. The three countries called for the necessary legal measures to enable national customs authorities to check the truth of declarations made by importers regarding the actual price at which they sold the goods to be incorporated into the regulation implementing the common market organisation (CMO).

In response to several questions I recently asked regarding the huge influx of Moroccan tomato imports last October, the Commission neglected to mention the implementation problems brought about by the current entry price system.

When will the Commission acknowledge the failings of the system?

Does the Commission intend to propose any amendments to the system?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2012)

In the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Common Organisation of the Markets in agricultural products, an alignment of the current modalities of the entry price system with the Custom Code has been proposed.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-000905/12

à Comissão (Vice-Presidente / Alta Representante)

Nuno Teixeira (PPE)

(2 de fevereiro de 2012)

Assunto: VP/HR — Sanções faseadas impostas ao Irão

Tendo em conta:

Pergunta-se à Vice-presidente / Alta Representante da União para os Negócios Estrangeiros e a Política de Segurança:

Resposta dada pela Alta Representante/Vice-Presidente Catherine Ashton em nome da Comissão

(25 de abril de 2012)

A Decisão do Conselho de proibir a importação de petróleo iraniano prevê uma exceção para os contratos concluídos antes de 23 de janeiro de 2012 até 1 de julho de 2012. Esta exceção permite um período de transição que pode facilitar a adaptação à medida. Não põe em causa a natureza intrínseca das sanções.

No que respeita ao comércio legítimo com o Irão, permite-se a sua continuação e é precisamente com base nesta lógica que se elaborou uma lista de produtos proibidos que consta das sanções em causa. As condições estritas referem-se à obrigação das instituições financeiras exercerem uma vigilância contínua sobre os movimentos das contas respeitantes ao Irão, sobre o sistema de autorizações prévias e notificações de transferências superiores a certos montantes, tal como previsto no artigo 10.° da Decisão do Conselho 2010/413, de 26 de julho de 2010, e ainda sobre outros elementos incluídos nas medidas que condicionam o comércio legítimo.

De um modo geral, a UE gostaria de ver os países terceiros a alinharem as suas medidas com as medidas restritivas da UE, desde que tais medidas sejam adotadas de forma autónoma. O mesmo se aplica no caso das recentes medidas contra o Irão e a UE mantém contactos com países terceiros sobre o assunto.

A UE está perfeitamente consciente das possíveis consequências da medida a nível internacional, bem como das eventuais reações por parte do Irão. A UE está em contacto com os seus parceiros internacionais, a fim de resolver qualquer problema que possa surgir.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000905/12

to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)

Nuno Teixeira (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: VP/HR — Phased sanctions imposed on Iran

Having regard to:

I would like to ask the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representativeof the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy the following:

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2012)

The decision by the Council to prohibit the import of Iranian oil indeed provides for an exemption for contracts concluded before 23 January 2012 until 1 July 2012. This allows for a transition period which may facilitate adjustment to the measure. It does not call into question the intrinsic nature of the sanctions approach.

Regarding legitimate trade with Iran, this is allowed to continue and it is precisely on the basis of this logic that prohibited goods are listed in the relevant sanctions acts. The strict conditions refer to the obligation on financial institutions to exercise continuous vigilance over account activity regarding Iran and the system of prior authorisations and notifications for transfers above certain thresholds as set out in Article 10 of Council Decision 2010/413 of 26 July 2010 and other elements in the measures which condition legitimate trade.

The EU generally would like to see third countries align themselves with EU restrictive measures when it takes such measures on an autonomous basis. This is equally the case with regard to the latest measures against Iran and the EU is in contact with third countries on this.

The EU is well aware of the possible consequences of the measure on the international level, including possible reactions by Iran. The EU is in contact with international partners in order to address any such issue which may arise.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000908/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Μνημόνιο και κόστος παραμονής της ελληνικής στρατιωτικής δύναμης στο Κόσοβο, στρατιωτικές συμβάσεις και ύψος εξοπλιστικών δαπανών

Είναι κοινός τόπος στην Ελλάδα ότι όσα συμβαίνουν στην ελληνική δημόσια διοίκηση τα τελευταία δυο χρόνια του Μνημονίου δεν έχουν προηγούμενο. Περικοπές μισθών και συντάξεων, κατάργηση επιδομάτων και κοινωνικών παροχών, ιδιωτικοποίηση δημοσίων υπηρεσιών, καταστρατήγηση συλλογικών συμβάσεων, παράνομες και αντισυνταγματικές απολύσεις, συστηματική καταπάτηση της κοινοτικής νομοθεσίας, εξώθηση σε παραίτηση χιλιάδων εργαζομένων και άλλα. Ανάλογη είναι η κατάσταση στο προσωπικό των ενόπλων δυνάμεων, με αποτέλεσμα να έχει δημιουργηθεί βαθύ κλίμα απογοήτευσης. Ο φόβος ότι έρχονται και χειρότερα μέτρα έχουν οδηγήσει σε κύματα παραιτήσεων και αποστρατεύσεων ικανών και έμπειρων στελεχών. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο προκαλεί οργή το γεγονός ότι στο Κόσοβο, την ίδια στιγμή που οι περισσότερες χώρες έχουν αποσύρει τις δυνάμεις τους, βρίσκονται αυτή τη στιγμή πολλές εκατοντάδες στελέχη των ελληνικών ενόπλων δυνάμεων, των οποίων η παρουσία εκεί δεν εξυπηρετεί την άμυνα της χώρας και το κόστος μισθοδοσίας,συντήρησης και κάθε άλλο έξοδο βαραίνει τον ελληνικό προϋπολογισμό.

Ανάλογα αισθήματα προκαλούν πληροφορίες, που έχουν δημοσιευθεί στον ευρωπαϊκό τύπο,ότι η Ελλάδα δέχεται πιέσεις από μεγάλες χώρες μέλη της ΕΕ να προβεί σε αγορά οπλικών συστημάτων, σε μια περίοδο μάλιστα που η οικονομική κατάσταση της Ελλάδας και των πολιτών της είναι τραγική.

Με βάση τα παραπάνω, ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Füle εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(2 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή δεν διαθέτει καμία αρμοδιότητα όσον αφορά την παρουσία των ελληνικών ενόπλων δυνάμεων στο Κοσσυφοπέδιο (142) ή αλλού. Η Επιτροπή δεν γνωρίζει το ετήσιο κόστος της ελληνικής στρατιωτικής δύναμης στο Κοσσυφοπέδιο.

Επίσης, η Επιτροπή δεν διαθέτει καμία αρμοδιότητα όσον αφορά τις εθνικές αποφάσεις για τις αμυντικές δαπάνες.

Η Επιτροπή καλεί το Αξιότιμο Μέλος του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου να υποβάλει αυτά τα ερωτήματα και τις υποδείξεις του στην Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000908/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: The Memorandum and the cost of maintaining a Greek military presence in Kosovo, military contracts and spending on arms purchases

It is a commonplace in Greece that everything affecting the Greek public administration over the last two years as a consequence of the Memorandum is entirely unprecedented, examples being, cuts in pay and pensions, the abolition of subsidies and social benefits, privatisation of public services, circumvention of collective agreements, illegal and unconstitutional dismissals, systematic infringement of Community legislation and thousands of working people being forced into resignation. The situation is similar in the armed forces, where the resulting climate is one of profound disillusion. The fear that even worse measures are still to come has led to a wave of resignations and the demobilisation of capable and experienced cadres. It is therefore outrageous that, at a time when most countries have withdrawn their forces from Kosovo, the Greek armed forces are remaining there in their hundreds, despite the fact that their presence there is not helping to defend the country, their salaries and maintenance costs and all other expenses being met by Greece.

Similar sentiments are aroused when information comes to light in the European press that Greece is being pressured by the larger EU Member States into purchasing weapons systems at a time when the country and its citizens are facing major economic hardship.

In view of this:

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2012)

The Commission has no competence in relation to the presence of Greek military staff in Kosovo (143) or elsewhere. The Commission is not aware of the annual cost of the Greek military presence in Kosovo.

The Commission also has no competence on national decisions regarding defence expenditure.

It advises the Honourable Member to refer his questions and suggestions to the Greek Government.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000909/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Συλλήψεις καθηγητών, φοιτητών και δημοσιογράφων στην Τουρκία

Το τελευταίο διάστημα η τουρκική κυβέρνηση προχώρησε σε μια σειρά συλλήψεων καθηγητών, φοιτητών και δημοσιογράφων. Χαρακτηριστικές περιπτώσεις είναι αυτές της καθηγήτριας ιστορίας στο πανεπιστήμιο Μαρμαρά, Busra Ersanli, και του εκδότη-συγγραφέα Ragip Zarakolou με την κατηγορία για συμμετοχή σε τρομοκρατική οργάνωση. Τα τεκμήρια που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν είναι για μεν την Ersanli οι σημειώσεις που κράτησε, διδάσκοντας στην σειρά σεμιναρίων που οργάνωσε το κόμμα BDP, ενώ για τον Zarakolou η συμμετοχή του ως αντιπροέδρου του τοπικού παρατηρητηρίου του Ελσίνκι σε εκδήλωση του ίδιου κόμματος. Επίσης, καταγγέλλεται ότι και πολλοί φοιτητές έχουν συλληφθεί, όπως η φοιτήτρια του τμήματος Ιστορίας του πανεπιστημίου του Βοσπόρου Seyma Ozcan, με μόνο τεκμήριο μια τηλεφωνική συνομιλία ή ένα πανό που ανοίχτηκε διεκδικώντας το δικαίωμα της δωρεάν παιδείας. Αντίστοιχη μεταχείριση έχουν και πολλοί δημοσιογράφοι, όπως Ahmet Sik και Nadim Sener, επειδή αποκάλυψαν τις διασυνδέσεις των ισλαμιστών με το νέο ₫βαθύ κράτος₻, υπόθεση Ergenekon.

Με δεδομένο ότι σε προηγούμενες ερωτήσεις μου η Επιτροπή είχε απαντήσει στη μεν (E-7426/10) ότι: ₫ Στην Τουρκία η αντιτρομοκρατική νομοθεσία επιδέχεται πολλών ερμηνειών. Το γεγονός αυτό οδηγεί σε ποινικές διώξεις, καταδικαστικές αποφάσεις και συλλήψεις κατηγορουμένων για ενέργειες που εμπίπτουν στο πλαίσιο της ελευθερίας του εκφράζεσθαι, του συνεταιρίζεσθαι και/η του συνέρχεσθαι ₻ , στη δε (E-5792/09) ότι: ₫ Η Επιτροπή θα συνεχίσει να παρακολουθεί εκ του σύνεγγυς την υπόθεση όσον αφορά το σεβασμό των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων και των ελευθεριών και ιδίως την ελευθερία έκφρασης, την ελευθερία του συνεταιρίζεσθαι και τα δικαιώματα των εναγομένων ₻ , ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Füle εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(19 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή παρακολουθεί στενά τις υποθέσεις που ανέφερε το Αξιότιμο Μέλος. Όσον αφορά τον εκδότη Ragıp Zarakoluκαι τον καθηγητή Büşra Ersanlı, δεν τους έχει απαγγελθεί ακόμη κατηγορία και παραμένουν και οι δύο υπό προσωρινή κράτηση. Οι φοιτητές Şeyma Özcan και Benay Canτου Πανεπιστημίου Bilgi τελούν υπό κράτηση από τις 6 Δεκεμβρίου 2011 για συμμετοχή στην παράνομη οργάνωση ₫Επαναστατική έδρα₻ (Devrimci Karargah). Αυτή τη στιγμή κρατούνται στη φυλακή γυναικών και ανηλίκων Bakırköy. Ούτε σε εκείνους έχει απαγγελθεί κατηγορία. Στην υπόθεση της Oda TV, στην οποία ενέχονται μεταξύ άλλων οι δημοσιογράφοι Nedim Şenerκαι Ahmet Şık,η δέκατη ακρόαση πραγματοποιήθηκε στο 16ο Κακουργιοδικείο της Κωνσταντινούπολης στις 27 Ιανουαρίου 2012. Το δικαστήριο αποφάσισε να παρατείνει την κράτηση των προφυλακισμένων κατηγορούμενων. Η επόμενη ακρόαση ορίστηκε για τις 12 Μαρτίου 2012.

Η Επιτροπή έχει εκφράσει την ανησυχία της όσον αφορά τις συλλήψεις αυτές και έχει επανειλημμένα θέσει το ζήτημα στις τουρκικές αρχές. Η αντιπροσωπεία της ΕΕ στην Άγκυρα παρακολουθεί σημαντικές υποθέσεις ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων όπως αυτές, μεταξύ άλλων παριστάμενη σε ακροαματικές διαδικασίες. Υπογραμμίζοντας την πλήρη αλληλεγγύη της προς την Τουρκία στον αγώνα της κατά της τρομοκρατίας, η Επιτροπή τόνισε ότι ο αγώνας αυτός πρέπει να διεξάγεται με πλήρη σεβασμό των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων και ελευθεριών.

Η τουρκική κυβέρνηση έχει καταθέσει στη Βουλή τροποποιήσεις του ποινικού κώδικα και της αντιτρομοκρατικής νομοθεσίας, που περιλαμβάνουν ορισμένες ευπρόσδεκτες προτάσεις. Ωστόσο, οι προτάσεις αυτές ελάχιστα αντιμετωπίζουν τα πραγματικά βασικά προβλήματα που υπονομεύουν την ελευθερία έκφρασης, το δικαίωμα στην ελευθερία και την ασφάλεια και το δικαίωμα αμερόληπτου δικαστηρίου. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, οι διατάξεις του τουρκικού ποινικού κώδικα, της αντιτρομοκρατικής νομοθεσίας και του κώδικα ποινικής δικονομίας, που προσδιορίζουν τα εγκλήματα που σχετίζονται με την τρομοκρατία, πρέπει να αλλάξουν ώστε να διαχωρίζεται σαφώς η ελεύθερη έκφραση της γνώμης από την προτροπή σε βία.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000909/12

to the Commission

Nikolaos Chountis (GUE/NGL)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Arrests of lecturers, students and journalists in Turkey

The Turkish Government has recently made a series of arrests involving lecturers, students and journalists. Typical cases are those of the History lecturer at Marmara University, Busra Ersanli, and the writer and publisher, Ragip Zarakolou, who are accused of participating in the organisation of terrorist activities. The evidence used against Ms Ersanli are the notes she kept when teaching at a series of seminars organised by the BDP Party; the evidence used against Mr Zarakolou is his participation as Vice-President of the Human Rights Association of Turkey in a demonstration by the same Party. There are also reports of many students having been arrested, such as Seyma Ozcan, a student in the History Department of Bosphorus University, the only evidence against her being a telephone conversation and a sign proclaiming the right to a free education. Similar treatment has been meted out to numerous journalists, such as Ahmet Sik and Nadim Sener, because they revealed the links between Islamists and the new ‘deep state’, which is known as the Ergenekon case.

Given that, in its answer to my previous question (E‐7426/10), the Commission stated that: ‘The interpretation of the anti-terrorist legislation in Turkey is too wide. This has led to prosecutions, convictions and arrest of defendants for acts which fall within the remit of freedom of expression, freedom of association and/or freedom of assembly’, and to my question (E‐5792/09) that: ‘The Commission will continue closely to monitor this case as regards the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of expression, freedom of association and the rights of defendants’:

Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2012)

The Commission is following closely the cases mentioned by the Honourable Member. As regards publisher Ragıp Zarakolu and Professor Büşra Ersanlı, the indictment has not been finalised yet and they both remain in detention on remand. Students Şeyma Özcan and Benay Can from Bilgi University have been detained since 6 December 2011 for membership of the illegal ‘Revolutionary Headquarters organisation’. They are now in Bakırköy Women's and Children prison. Their indictment is not finalised either. In the Oda TV case, involving amongst others journalists Nedim Şener and Ahmet Şık, the tenth hearing took place at the Istanbul 16th heavy Penal Court on 27 January 2012. The court decided to keep all detained defendants on remand. The next hearing is scheduled for 12 March 2012.

The Commission has expressed its concerns about these arrests and has raised the issue with the Turkish authorities on various occasions. The EU Delegation in Ankara monitors important human rights cases like these, including by attending trial hearings. While underlining its full solidarity with Turkey in its struggle against terrorism, the Commission has stressed it must be carried out in full respect of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Turkish Government has presented amendments to the Criminal Code and anti-terror law to the parliament, which include some welcome proposals. However, the package does little to address the actual core problems that undermine freedom of expression, the right to liberty and security and the right to a fair trial. Most importantly the provisions in the Turkish Criminal Code, the Anti-Terror Law and the Code of Criminal Procedures, which define crimes related to terrorism, need to be changed — to make a clear distinction between the free expression of opinion and incitement to violence.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000912/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Ioannis Kasoulides (PPE)

(2 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Οι ανακοινώσεις των οργανισμών αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας και οι δυσμενείς επιπτώσεις τους

Οι οργανισμοί αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας των ΗΠΑ έχουν καθήκον να πληροφορούν τους πελάτες τους σχετικά με το πού πρέπει να επενδυθούν τα χρήματά τους, μέσω προσεκτικών, αναλυτικών αναφορών. Αποτελεί γεγονός παραδεκτό ότι δεν πρέπει να κατηγορείται ο αγγελιοφόρος, ειδικά σε περιπτώσεις όπου η αλήθεια είναι οδυνηρή.

Ωστόσο, ο τρόπος με τον οποίο οι εν λόγω οργανισμοί ανακοινώνουν τα πορίσματα των ερευνών τους με ₫βαθμούς₻ παραπέμπει στα σχολικά μας χρόνια και έχει αποκτήσει χαρακτήρα τελετουργικού που λαμβάνει μεγάλη δημοσιότητα, σαφώς εκτός του πλαισίου μιας σοβαρής οικονομικής ανάλυσης. Θα μπορούσε να παρομοιαστεί με έναν γιατρό που βαθμολογεί (π.χ. με ΑΑΑ) την κατάσταση της υγείας μας, ή με έναν δικηγόρο που βαθμολογεί τις πιθανότητες θετικής έκβασης της υπόθεσης στο δικαστήριο και ούτω καθ’ εξής.

Η επίδραση αυτού του τελετουργικού εν μέσω οικονομικής κρίσης ξεφεύγει από το πλαίσιο της παροχής επαγγελματικών συμβουλών σε πιθανούς επενδυτές. Δημιουργεί έναν φαύλο κύκλο δυσμενών αντιδράσεων στην οικονομία μιας χώρας ή ενός χρηματοπιστωτικού ιδρύματος που ένας τέτοιου είδους οργανισμός υποτίθεται ότι συμβουλεύει· ο δανεισμός χρημάτων καθίσταται ακριβότερος· τα συμβόλαια αντιστάθμισης πιστωτικού κινδύνου είναι πιο ακριβά· το χρηματιστήριο επηρεάζεται αρνητικά και ούτω καθ’ εξής. Προπάντων, αποκτά πολιτική σημασία, καθώς επηρεάζει παραδείγματος χάρη, την πρόθεση ψήφου των πολιτών που δεν θα διάβαζαν ποτέ μια πλήρη οικονομική ανάλυση αλλά εντυπωσιάζονται από τη σημειολογία της βαθμολόγησης. Επισημαίνονται οι δικαιολογημένα αρνητικές αντιδράσεις των Επιτρόπων Barnier και Tajani.

Θα μπορούσε η Επιτροπή να ενημερώσει το Κοινοβούλιο σχετικά με τη δράση που σκοπεύει να αναλάβει στο πλαίσιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης σε μια περίοδο που είναι γενικά αποδεκτό ότι ολόκληρο το χρηματοπιστωτικό σύστημα πρέπει να ρυθμιστεί, από τη στιγμή που οι οργανισμοί αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας αποτελούν μέρος αυτού του συστήματος;

Απάντηση του κ. Barnier εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(5 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή συμμερίζεται την άποψη του Αξιότιμου Μέλους του Κοινοβουλίου ότι οι οργανισμοί αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας θα πρέπει να υπαχθούν σε κανονιστικές ρυθμίσεις. Ο ισχύων κανονισμός ΟΑΠΙ (144) επιβάλλει στους οργανισμούς αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας την υποχρέωση να επανεξετάζουν τις διαβαθμίσεις τους σε συνεχή βάση, διασφαλίζοντας ότι οι σχετικές μεθοδολογίες είναι αυστηρές, συστηματικές, συνεχείς και υποκείμενες σε επικύρωση με βάση ιστορικά δεδομένα και δοκιμαστικό εκ των υστέρων έλεγχο. Επιπλέον, ο κανονισμός αυτός απαιτεί από τους ΟΑΠΙ να βασίζουν τις αποφάσεις τους κατάταξης σε διεξοδική ανάλυση του συνόλου των σχετικών πληροφοριών. Οι οργανισμοί αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας υποχρεούνται επίσης να αποκαλύπτουν δημόσια τις μεθοδολογίες, τα μοντέλα και τις καίριας σημασίας παραδοχές που χρησιμοποιούνται στις δραστηριότητές τους αξιολόγησης της πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας των χωρών.

Στις 15 Νοεμβρίου 2011, η Επιτροπή ενέκρινε νομοθετική πρόταση με την οποία τροποποιείται ο ισχύων κανονισμός σχετικά με τους οργανισμούς αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας. Η νέα πρόταση (ΟΑΠΙ ΙΙΙ) περιλαμβάνει φιλόδοξα μέτρα για την επίτευξη των ακόλουθων στόχων άσκησης πολιτικής: οι επενδυτές να βασίζονται λιγότερο στις διαβαθμίσεις· πλέον διαφανείς και έγκαιρες διαβαθμίσεις χωρών· μεγαλύτερη ποικιλομορφία και ανεξαρτησία των οργανισμών αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας· περισσότερη διαφάνεια και συγκρισιμότητα των οργανισμών αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας· αστική ευθύνη των οργανισμών αξιολόγησης πιστοληπτικής ικανότητας.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000912/12

to the Commission

Ioannis Kasoulides (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Credit rating agencies' announcements and their adverse effects

The USA-based credit rating agencies have a duty to inform their clients, by means of a careful, analytical report, as to where their money should be invested. It is acceptable that no one should shoot the messenger, particularly when the truth is painful.

However, the way they announce their findings with ‘marks’ reminiscent of everyone’s schooldays has become a ritualistic public and media event, well outside the framework of a serious economic analysis. It is like doctors awarding marks (e.g. AAA) for the state of our health, or lawyers issuing marks regarding the chances of winning a case in court, and so on.

The effect of this ritual in times of economic crisis goes well beyond the scope of professional advice to potential investors. It creates a spiral of adverse reactions to the economy of a country or financial institution which such an agency is supposed to be advising; borrowing money becomes more expensive; credit default swaps are more expensive; the Stock Exchange is negatively affected, and so on. Above all, it acquires political significance, for instance by influencing the voting orientation of people who would never read a full economic analysis but are impressed by the semantics of the marking. The justified negative reactions of Commissioners Barnier and Tajani are noted.

Will the Commission please inform Parliament about the action it intends to take in the European Union, at a time when it is generally accepted that the whole financial system has to be regulated, since the credit rating agencies are part of this system?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2012)

The Commission shares the view of the Honourable Member that credit rating agencies should be regulated. The existing CRA Regulation (145) requires credit rating agencies to review their ratings on an ongoing basis, ensuring that rating methodologies are rigorous, systematic, continuous and subject to validation based on historical experience and back-testing. Moreover, this regulation requires CRAs to base their rating decisions on a thorough analysis of all relevant information. Credit rating agencies are also obliged to publicly disclose the methodologies, models and key assumptions used in their sovereign credit rating activities.

On 15 November, 2011, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal, which amends the existing regulation on credit rating agencies. The new proposal (CRA III) includes far-reaching measures to attain the following policy objectives: less investor reliance on ratings; more transparent and timely sovereign ratings; more diversity and independence of credit rating agencies; more transparency and comparability of credit rating agencies; civil liability of credit rating agencies.

(Wersja polska)

Pytanie wymagające odpowiedzi pisemnej E-000913/12

do Komisji

Ryszard Antoni Legutko (ECR)

(2 lutego 2012 r.)

Przedmiot: Propozycje Rządu Republiki Francji do projektu umowy międzynarodowej o powołaniu unii fiskalnej

Rząd Republiki Francji zaproponował włączenie do projektu umowy międzynarodowej o powołaniu unii fiskalnej zapisów, które umożliwią przenoszenie pieniędzy z polityki spójności na programy walki z bezrobociem w strefie euro. W tym celu miałby zostać powołany fundusz wzrostu i konkurencyjności.

Przyjęcie takiej propozycji, zdaniem wielu ekspertów, może negatywnie wpłynąć na rozwój gospodarek państw Europy Środkowej. Fundusze strukturalne dla tej części Europy są ogromną szansą na zmniejszenie dysproporcji rozwoju gospodarczego pomiędzy państwami Unii. Dalsze prowadzenie aktywnej polityki spójności jest gwarantem zminimalizowania zagrożenia, jakim jest powstanie Unii Europejskiej dwóch prędkości.

W związku z powyższym proszę o odpowiedź na następujące pytania:

Odpowiedź udzielona przez komisarza Olliego Rehna w imieniu Komisji

(4 kwietnia 2012 r.)

Komisja jest „strażniczką traktatów”, a zatem również spójności Unii Europejskiej jako całości złożonej z 27 państw członkowskich. W kontekście prac nad międzynarodowym Traktatem o stabilności, koordynacji i zarządzaniu w unii gospodarczej i walutowej (TSCG), zapewnienie spójności UE jako całości stanowi jeden z głównych celów Komisji. W znacznej mierze dzięki zaangażowaniu Komisji, TSCG podpisany w dniu 2 marca 2012 r. jest w pełni zgodny z prawem Unii i porządkiem instytucjonalnym UE. W TSCG przewidziano, że w maksymalnym terminie pięciu lat od jego wejścia w życie należy podjąć kroki w celu włączenia jego postanowień do ram prawnych Unii.

Komisja prowadzi prace w celu wprowadzenia w życie kluczowych postanowień TSCG, w miarę możliwości poprzez przepisy prawa wtórnego, na podstawie Traktatów UE oraz metody wspólnotowej.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000913/12

to the Commission

Ryszard Antoni Legutko (ECR)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: French Government proposals for a draft international agreement on a fiscal union

The French Government has proposed that the draft international agreement establishing a fiscal union include provisions enabling the transfer of funds from the cohesion policy to programmes for combating unemployment in the eurozone. For that purpose, a growth and competitiveness fund would be established.

In the opinion of many experts, adopting such a proposal could adversely affect the growth of the Central European economies. Structural funds for this part of Europe offer a tremendous opportunity for reducing the disparity in economic growth between the Member States. Continued implementation of an active cohesion policy will minimise the risk of a two-speed European Union.

Given the above:

Answer given by Mr Rehn on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2012)

The Commission is the guardian of the Treaties and therefore of the cohesion of the European Union of 27 Member States as a whole. In the context of the work on the International Treaty on Stability, Convergence, and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG), ensuring the cohesion of the EU as a whole has always been one of the Commission’s central objectives. Owing not least to the Commission’s involvement, the TSCG signed on 2 March 2012 is fully in line with Union law and the EU's institutional set up. The TSCG stipulates that, within five years at most of its entry into force, steps shall be taken to bring its substance within the legal framework of the Union.

The Commission is working towards making the key provisions of the TSCG operational, where possible, through secondary legislation, based on the EU Treaties and the Community method.

(Wersja polska)

Pytanie wymagające odpowiedzi pisemnej E-000914/12

do Komisji

Ryszard Antoni Legutko (ECR)

(2 lutego 2012 r.)

Przedmiot: Koleje Dużych Prędkości, linia Wrocław/Poznań–Łódź–Warszawa

Minister Transportu, Budownictwa i Gospodarki Morskiej w polskim rządzie Sławomir Nowak poinformował o wstrzymaniu prac nad Kolejami Dużych Prędkości (Wrocław/Poznań–Łódź–Warszawa). Prace mają być zawieszone do 2030 r. Wstrzymanie prac Minister Transportu motywował brakiem środków finansowych. Szacowany koszt budowy linii wynosi około 20 mld zł.

W związku z powyższym bardzo proszę o odpowiedź na następujące pytania.

Odpowiedź udzielona przez Wiceprzewodniczącego Siima Kallasa w imieniu Komisji

(20 marca 2012 r.)

Komisja będzie wspierać prace dotyczące linii dużych prędkości przy pomocy środków z Fundszu Spójności, programu TEN-T, przyszłego instrumentu „Łącząc Europę” oraz innych zasobów. W szczególności linia dużych prędkości Warszawa – Łódź – Poznań/Wrocław została uwzględniona we wniosku Komisji w sprawie unijnych wytycznych dotyczących rozwoju transeuropejskiej sieci transportowej (146) (TEN-T) z dnia 19 października 2011 r. Uwzględniając plany byłego rządu, odcinek ten włączono również do sieci bazowej, która ma zostać ukończona do 2030 r. W projekcie wniosku Komisji w sprawie instrumentu „Łącząc Europę” (147) badania dotyczące linii dużych prędkości wymieniono jako kwalifikujące się do otrzymania pomocy w najbliższym okresie finansowania, tj. w latach 2014-2020.

Polska sieć kolejowa wymaga znacznej modernizacji. Poprawa jej jakości jest konieczna, aby możliwe było zaspokojenie rosnącego popytu na usługi transportowe oraz ograniczenie zależności od dostaw ropy. Priorytetem powinno być uzupełnienie transeuropejskiej sieci transportowej, zwłaszcza wzdłuż głównych korytarzy transportu towarowego w Polsce, w tym CE/E 20, CE/E 65, CE/E 75, E59 oraz CE/E 30, w przypadku których szacunkowy koszt wynosi około 20 miliardów euro. Wymaga to długoterminowych programów finansowania i zobowiązań ze strony rządów. Warunki inwestycji w infrastrukturę muszą być stabilne w perspektywie długoterminowej.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000914/12

to the Commission

Ryszard Antoni Legutko (ECR)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: High-speed rail: Wrocław/Poznań-Łódź-Warsaw lines

Poland’s Minister of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy, Sławomir Nowak, has announced that work on the Wrocław/Poznań-Łódź-Warsaw high-speed rail lines has been suspended, apparently until 2030, owing to a lack of funds. The cost of building the lines is estimated to be approximately PLN 20 billion.

Answer given by Mr Kallas on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2012)

The Commission will assist the works in high-speed rail with interventions from the Cohesion Fund, the TEN‐T programme, the future CEF and other resources. More specifically, the Wrocław/Poznań-Łódź-Warsaw high-speed rail has been included into the Commission's proposal for the Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN‐T) (148) of 19 October 2011. With regards to the plans of the former government the section was also included into the Core network which has to be finished until 2030. In the Commission's draft proposal for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) (149) studies for the high-speed line where mentioned to be eligible in the next funding period 2014-2020.

The Polish rail network needs considerable upgrading. Network quality needs to be improved to cope with higher transport demand and reduce dependence on oil supplies. A top priority should be to complete the trans-European transport network especially along the main freight corridors in Poland including CE/E 20, CE/E 65, CE/E 75, E59 and CE/E 30 for which the estimated cost are about EUR 20 billion. This requires long-term funding schemes and commitments from governments. Conditions for infrastructure investments must be stable for long periods.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000915/12

alla Commissione

Elisabetta Gardini (PPE)

(2 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: Rincari dei prodotti ortofrutticoli a causa del blocco dei tir

L'Italia in questi giorni è interessata dalla protesta degli autotrasportatori che, con i tir, hanno bloccato le principali arterie autostradali impedendo la regolare circolazione delle merci.

Sugli scaffali dei negozi e dei supermercati italiani ed europei cominciano a scarseggiare prodotti come arance, pomodori, melanzane e peperoni.

Le aziende, soprattutto i piccoli produttori locali del nord Italia, faticano a trovare i camion per trasportare i propri prodotti nelle altre regioni o all'estero.

La Coldiretti, una delle principali associazioni di categoria in Italia, ha lanciato l'allarme perché alcune merci rischiano di marcire e prevede danni economici ingenti per i coltivatori.

La Coldiretti ha inoltre evidenziato che gli aumenti registrati in queste ore sul prezzo di alcuni prodotti, soprattutto quelli a km 0, sono totalmente ingiustificati.

Ciò premesso, può la Commissione far sapere se è a conoscenza di questo problema e indicare come intende agire per impedire che i prodotti ortofrutticoli marciscano nelle aziende?

Come intende la Commissione tutelare i consumatori rispetto all'aumento ingiustificato del prezzo di alcuni prodotti ortofrutticoli?

Risposta data da Dacian Cioloș a nome della Commissione

(6 marzo 2012)

Problemi nazionali di natura eccezionale, quali scioperi e blocchi dei trasporti interni, sono essenzialmente questioni che devono essere gestite dalle competenti autorità nazionali. La Commissione non interviene a meno che tali situazioni non incidano sulla libera circolazione di merci tra gli Stati membri.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000915/12

to the Commission

Elisabetta Gardini (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Fruit and vegetable price increases due to HGV blockade

As we speak, Italy is experiencing a protest by lorry drivers who have blocked the main motorways with their vehicles, preventing the normal circulation of goods.

Oranges, tomatoes, aubergines and peppers have started to run out on the shelves of Italian and European shops and supermarkets.

Companies, and particularly small northern Italian local producers, are struggling to find lorries to transport their products to other regions or countries.

Coldiretti, one of the main farmers’ associations in Italy, has sounded the alarm because some products are now at risk of rotting, and anticipates serious economic damage to farmers.

Coldiretti has also highlighted that the increases observed in the prices of some products in the last few hours, particularly zero-mileage products, are totally unjustified.

In light of the aforementioned, can the Commission state whether it is aware of this problem and how it intends to proceed in order to prevent fruit and vegetable products from rotting on smallholdings?

How does the Commission intend to protect consumers from unjustified increases in the prices of certain fruit and vegetable products?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2012)

Exceptional national problems, such as a strike and internal blockade, are foremost a matter for the competent Italian authorities to deal with. The Commission does not intervene as long as it does not have any impact on the free circulation of goods between Member States.

(Deutsche Fassung)

Anfrage zur schriftlichen Beantwortung E-000917/12

an die Kommission

Angelika Werthmann (NI)

(2. Februar 2012)

Betrifft: Schutz minderjähriger Jugendlicher in der Mode‐ und Werbebranche

Für Werbung und Präsentationen engagiert die Mode‐ und Werbebranche häufig minderjährige Jugendliche als Models, die sich hierfür einem rigorosen Schlankheitswahn unterwerfen müssen, um derartige Verträge überhaupt zu bekommen. Dies führt im jugendlichen Alter nicht nur zu physischen und psychischen Problemen, sondern insbesondere auch zu gesundheitlichen Langzeitproblemen, welche der einzelne Jugendliche aufgrund seines Alters und seiner Unerfahrenheit nicht überblicken kann.

Antwort von Herrn Dalli im Namen der Kommission

(22. März 2012)

Die Kommission ist sich der von der Frau Abgeordneten angesprochenen Problematik bewusst und hat Kenntnis von konkreten Aktionen, die professionelle Einrichtungen auf diesem Gebiet durchführen. So beschäftigt beispielsweise der Verband der spanischen Modedesigner („Association of Spanish Fashion Designers“) seit 2006 keine Models mehr, deren Body-Mass-Index unter 18 liegt.

Die Kommission hat bezüglich des Gewichts von Models in der Mode‐ und Werbebranche bisher nichts unternommen und gedenkt nicht, in diesem Bereich tätig zu werden. Die Zuständigkeit für diesen Bereich liegt bei den Mitgliedstaaten.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000917/12

to the Commission

Angelika Werthmann (NI)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Protection of minors in the fashion and advertising industry

The fashion and advertising industry frequently recruits minors as models for advertising and presentations, and these young people need to subject themselves to a crazy slimming regime in order to even win such contracts. This leads at a young age not only to physical and mental problems, but also, in particular, to long-term health problems which the young persons concerned cannot foresee due to their age and inexperience.

Answer given by Mr Dalli on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2012)

The Commission is aware of the issue raised by the Honourable Members and of specific actions taken by professional organisation to address it. For example, the Spanish Association of Fashion Designers decided in 2006 to ban models who have a Body Mass Index of less than 18.

The Commission itself has not taken any specific measures regarding the weight of models in the fashion or advertising industry, and does not foresee any action in this area. This is a matter which falls under the responsibility of Member States.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-000918/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(2 de fevereiro de 2012)

Assunto: Deficiências em infraestruturas escolares

No âmbito do Programa Nacional de Requalificação da rede do 1.° ciclo do ensino básico e da Educação Pré-Escolar (ao abrigo do Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional), o anterior executivo governamental iniciou um programa que classificou de beneficiação, ampliação e construção de estabelecimentos de ensino. Foi então comunicada a melhoria da oferta da rede escolar, do ponto de vista da cobertura geográfica, da acessibilidade e da capacidade de resposta face à procura.

Contudo, na Escola Barbosa Bocage (antiga Escola dos Lápis), na Póvoa de Santo Adrião, em Odivelas, tal não sucedeu. Inaugurada à pressa pelo anterior governo, sem as devidas condições de segurança para o seu funcionamento, apresenta vários muros que se encontram sem proteção e vedações em ferro com extremidades pontiagudas, tendo já sido registados alguns acidentes. Acrescem erros estruturais, nomeadamente com instalações sanitárias mal construídas, ou a colocação de acessórios em dimensões adequadas a adultos, ou simplesmente em medida não adequada à função a que se destinam. Além disso, foi criada uma denominada ₫sala polivalente₻, local único destinado às atividades educativas, lúdicas e sociais, designadamente, refeitório — que carece de montagem e desmontagem diária — e ginásio, pondo em causa a sua utilização capaz para qualquer um destes fins.

Pergunto à comissão:

Tem conhecimento desta situação? Não é suposto que os projetos das infraestruturas escolares cumpram requisitos de segurança e estruturais predefinidos para poderem beneficiar de financiamento comunitário? Como interpreta as irregularidades descritas, sabendo que a recuperação desta escola foi financiada pelo QREN?

Resposta dada por Johannes Hahn em nome da Comissão

(8 de março de 2012)

A Comissão está ciente de que, ao abrigo do quadro de referência estratégico nacional português e dos seus programas, as operações para a melhoria do ensino básico e pré-escolar, incluindo a renovação, ampliação e construção de novas instalações, estão a ser financiadas pelos fundos estruturais. Essas operações, tal como todas as operações financiadas pela política de coesão, têm de cumprir os requisitos legais nacionais e europeus pertinentes. A Comissão acompanha a aplicação desses requisitos, em estreita cooperação e parceria com as autoridades nacionais competentes em Portugal.

A Comissão visitou a escola em questão, em novembro de 2011, no âmbito de uma auditoria. Os resultados dessa missão de auditoria serão comunicados às autoridades competentes, assim que a análise estiver concluída.

De acordo com o princípio da gestão partilhada aplicado na gestão da política de coesão, a seleção e a execução dos projetos são da responsabilidade das autoridades nacionais. Por conseguinte, a fim de obter mais informações, a Comissão sugere que o Senhor Deputado contacte diretamente as autoridades portuguesas responsáveis pela gestão do programa em causa:

Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional de Lisboa

Rua Artilharia Um, 33

1269-145 Lisboa

Tel.: + 351 213 837 100

E-mail: presid@ccdr-lvt.pt

Website: www.ccdr-lvt.pt

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000918/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Deficiencies in school infrastructure

Under Portugal’s national programme for improving primary and pre-school education (under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF)), the former government launched a programme for renovating, extending or building teaching establishments. It was then stated that educational provision would be improved in terms of geographical coverage, accessibility and response in order to meet demand.

However, this was not the case with the Escola Barbosa du Bocage — formerly Escola dos Lápis — a school located in Póvoa de Santo Adrião, Odivelas. The former government hastily opened this school, without first ensuring it was safe for use; it contains several exposed walls and iron fences with sharp edges, and a number of accidents have already been reported. There are other structural faults, particularly as regards poorly installed sanitary fittings and the installation of fixtures designed for adult use, or simply not fit for purpose. Moreover, a so-called ‘multipurpose room’ was built as a single location for educational, recreational and social activities. It is essentially a dining hall — which needs to be assembled and disassembled every day — and a sports hall, which calls into question its suitability for any of the other aforementioned purposes.

The Commission is asked to answer the following:

Is it aware of this situation? Is it not the case that school infrastructure projects need to meet predefined safety and structural requirements in order to benefit from EU funding? How does it interpret the aforementioned irregularities, given that the renovation of this school was funded by the NSRF?

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2012)

The Commission is aware of the fact that under the Portuguese National Strategic Reference Framework and its programmes, operations for improving primary and pre-school education, including the renovation, extension and building of new facilities, are been financed by the Structural Funds. Those operations, as all the operations financed by cohesion policy, have to meet the relevant national and European legal requirements. The Commission monitors the application of those requirements in close cooperation and partnership with the competent national authorities in Portugal.

The Commission visited the school in question in November 2011, in the framework of an audit. The results of this audit mission will be communicated to the relevant authorities once the analysis is completed.

In line with the shared management principle used for the administration of cohesion policy, project selection and implementation is the responsibility of the national authorities. Therefore, in order to obtain further information, the Commission suggests that the Honourable Member contact directly the Portuguese authorities responsible for managing the programme concerned:

Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional de Lisboa

Rua Artilharia Um, 33

1269-145 Lisboa

Tel.: + 351 213 837 100

E-mail: presid@ccdr-lvt.pt

Website: www.ccdr-lvt.pt

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita E-000919/12

a la Comisión

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 de febrero de 2012)

Asunto: Estudio en torno a la piratería en Somalia

La semana pasada se hicieron públicas las conclusiones de un estudio que la consultora británica Chatham House ha realizado sobre el impacto económico de la piratería en Somalia. Tras efectuar varias consideraciones sobre los positivos efectos que los ingresos que se obtienen a través de esta actividad están teniendo en la economía de la zona, la autora del análisis Anja Shortland insiste en la necesidad de cambiar el actual status quo de este problema en la zona. Así la analista recuerda que existe un enorme desproporción entre el coste que tienen las operaciones desplegadas para combatir la piratería y las pérdidas que esta actividad ocasiona (entre 7 000 y 12 000 millones de dólares) y el que los piratas recaudan a través del cobro de rescates que se estima en 250 millones de dólares. La conclusión más evidente es que resultaría mucho más barato reemplazar esa fuente de ingresos por una mejor utilización y aplicación de los fondos de ayuda al desarrollo e inversiones en fuerzas de seguridad que den estabilidad en la zona.

A la vista de lo llamativo de los datos y las conclusiones:

Respuesta de la Alta Representante y Vicepresidenta Sra. Ashton en nombre de la Comisión

(18 de abril de 2012)

La UE cuenta con un gran paquete financiero de cooperación con Somalia que asciende aproximadamente a 500 millones de euros, centrado en el desarrollo económico, la educación y la gobernanza. La UE financia, entre otras cosas, la formación de los jueces, la policía y los guardias de prisiones, y contribuye directamente a la formación de las fuerzas de seguridad somalíes a través de la misión de formación de la UE en Somalia. La UE también presta apoyo financiero a la Misión de la Unión Africana en Somalia (Amisom) para que lleve a cabo su cometido de crear las condiciones previas necesarias para que las autoridades somalíes proporcionen seguridad y faciliten el desarrollo de su pueblo. Además de la misión Atalanta, la UE está preparando una misión específica para el desarrollo de la capacidad marítima regional que ayudará a los Estados ribereños a crear su propia capacidad de vigilancia costera.

Además, se ha nombrado recientemente a un representante especial para el Cuerno de África cuyo cometido será abordar el problema de la piratería en Somalia.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000919/12

to the Commission

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Study on piracy in Somalia

Last week the conclusions were published of a study on the economic impact of piracy in Somalia conducted by the British think tank Chatham House. After making a number of comments on the positive effects that the income obtained through this kind of activity is having on the local economy, the author of the study, Anja Shortland, stresses the need to change the current situation surrounding piracy in the area. The study points out that there is a huge discrepancy between the cost of the operations deployed to combat piracy and the losses that this activity causes (between USD 7 billion and 12 billion) and the amount of money that pirates collect through ransom payments, which is estimated at USD 250 million. The most obvious conclusion is that it would be much cheaper to replace this source of income with a better use and application of development aid funds and investments in security forces to bring stability to the area.

In view of these striking figures and conclusions:

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(18 April 2012)

, some threats listed in the report.

The EU has a large financial package of cooperation with Somalia, amounting to approximately EUR 500 million, focusing on economic development, education and governance. The EU funds among other things training of judges, police and prison guards and is contributing directly to training of Somali security forces through the EU Training Mission in Somalia The EU is also providing financial support to the African Union Mission in Somalia enabling Amisom to implement its mission of creating the necessary pre-conditions that will enable the Somali authorities to bring security and development to its people. In addition to the Atalanta mission, the EU is preparing a targeted Regional Maritime Capacity Building mission to help the costal states to build up their own coast guard capacity.

Furthermore, a Special Representative was recently appointed for the Horn of Africa, whose remit will be to tackle the problem of piracy in Somalia.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta P-000920/12

alla Commissione

Lara Comi (PPE)

(31 gennaio 2012)

Oggetto: Violazione del principio della libera circolazione delle persone e delle merci da parte del Comune di Ligornetto, Svizzera

Ligornetto è un piccolo comune del Canton Ticino, in Svizzera, al confine con l'Italia. Vista la vicinanza con Varese, molti lavoratori frontalieri della zona attraversano il paese in entrambe le direzioni per raggiungere il posto di lavoro.

Domenica scorsa (22 gennaio 2012), seguendo il principio consolidato della democrazia diretta, una maggioranza relativa degli abitanti del comune (secondo fonti non ufficiali, 469 elettori su 1 284 votanti) ha approvato un blocco del traffico da effettuarsi tra le 5 e le 8 del mattino e tra le 16.30 e le 19.30, cioè nelle ore di punta. La campagna referendaria non si era concentrata, come si potrebbe supporre, su considerazioni ambientali, bensì sulla necessità di impedire il passaggio dei lavoratori frontalieri italiani.

Risposta data da Cecilia Malmström a nome della Commissione

(9 marzo 2012)

In base alle informazioni di cui dispone la Commissione, le misure intraprese dalle autorità comunali di Ligornetto mirano a limitare l'ingente flusso di traffico su una strada destinata al solo accesso locale. La strada principale per i pendolari da Varese a Mendrisio, nel Canton Ticino, attraverso Stabio rimane aperta. La Commissione ritiene che tali misure non rappresentino una violazione delle disposizioni del trattato di Schengen. Tuttavia la Commissione continua a seguire la vicenda e intraprenderà le misure necessarie in caso di qualsiasi eventuale violazione futura.

(English version)

Question for written answer P-000920/12

to the Commission

Lara Comi (PPE)

(31 January 2012)

Subject: Violation of freedom of movement of people and goods by the Municipality of Ligornetto, Switzerland

Ligornetto is a small municipality in Switzerland, in the Canton of Ticino, on the border with Italy. Because of its closeness with Varese, many cross-border workers from this area pass through this village to reach their places of work, in both directions.

Last Sunday (22.1.2012), following the consolidated principle of direct democracy, a relative majority of the inhabitants of this municipality — according to unofficial sources, 469 out of 1 284 voters — approved a traffic blockade between 5 and 8 am and 4.30 and 7.30 pm, i.e. during peak hours. The referendum campaign was not primarily focused, as one might suppose, on environmental concerns, but on inhibiting Italian cross-border workers from passing through.

Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2012)

According to the information available to the Commission, the measures taken by the Ligornetto municipal authorities are aimed at limiting the large flow of traffic along a road intended only for local access. The main commuter road from Varese (Italy) to Mendrisio in Ticino (Switzerland), passing through Stabio, remains open. In the view of the Commission, these measures do not constitute a breach of the Schengen rules. Nevertheless, the Commission continues to follow the situation and will take the necessary steps if any breach should arise in future.

(English version)

Question for written answer P-000921/12

to the Commission

Chris Davies (ALDE)

(31 January 2012)

Subject: Landings of fish caught in European seas

Further to the Commission response of 23 June 2011 and the detailed reply supplied in the annex (P‐004404/2011), what is the Commission’s estimate of the tonnage of fish caught in European seas and landed at European ports in the latest year for which information is available, taking into account the figures now published for 2010?

Answer given by Mr Šemeta on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2012)

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing relevant information.

The data represent catches made by the EU fleet in the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean. Complete data according to exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are not currently collected and it is, therefore, not possible to provide information on catches taken solely from EU waters.

(Versión española)

Pregunta con solicitud de respuesta escrita E-000922/12

a la Comisión

Francisco Sosa Wagner (NI)

(2 de febrero de 2012)

Asunto: Automatismo en la aplicación de tarifas de fraude al consumo de energía sin contrato

La sociedad de gestión de la red eléctrica de Bruselas-Capital, basándose en el artículo 194 del Reglamento Técnico de Electricidad de la región Bruselas-Capital, aplica al consumo de energía sin contrato una tarifa llamada de fraude. Esto es, reclama de forma automática al consumidor final el pago de la electricidad consumida a una tarifa de fraude, presumiendo mala fe, sin procedimiento contradictorio previo para esclarecer de manera efectiva la existencia de dicho fraude o mala fe, un posible error técnico o el mero desconocimiento del consumidor final de la situación de consumo sin contrato (situaciones muy dispares entre sí).

Mediante este automatismo, el gestor de la red de electricidad en Bruselas-Capital, sitúa la carga de la prueba del lado del consumidor final que, en principio, solo podrá evitar la aplicación de esta tarifa de fraude si demuestra que había un contrato previo y por lo tanto, no distinguiría entre conductas fraudulentas, de mala fe, o de mero desconocimiento no culposo.

En varias ocasiones, el mediador de la energía de Bélgica ha reclamado sin éxito a la sociedad de gestión de la red eléctrica Bruselas-Capital que aplique una tarifa normal al consumo realizado sin contrato y de buena fe, y no de consumo con fraude y de mala fe.

— ¿Considera la Comisión que la aplicación de un precio de fraude, sin procedimiento contradictorio previo, presuponiendo dicho fraude y situando la carga de la prueba en el consumidor está de acuerdo con la legislación europea, teniendo especialmente en cuenta el desequilibrio significativo entre las partes en detrimento del consumidor que ello supone?

— ¿Considera la Comisión que el artículo 194 de este reglamento está de acuerdo con la legislación de la UE vigente en relación a la liberalización del mercado de la electricidad, así como las directivas de protección de los consumidores, teniendo en cuenta que éste permitiría al gestor de la red aplicar una tarifa de fraude de manera automática, presumiendo por consiguiente voluntad de defraudar en cualquier consumo eléctrico sin contrato?

— ¿Tiene pensado la Comisión, como garante del cumplimiento de la legislación europea, dirigirse a las autoridades belgas y al gestor de la red eléctrica a fin de que procedan a la necesaria modificación del Reglamento para garantizar en este sentido la defensa de los derechos de los consumidores?

Respuesta del Sr. Oettinger en nombre de la Comisión

(12 de marzo de 2012)

Según la información que obra en poder de la Comisión, la autoridad de reglamentación de los mercados del gas y la electricidad de la región de Bruselas está estudiando publicar un dictamen interpretativo sobre el artículo 194 a que se refiere Su Señoría.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000922/12

to the Commission

Francisco Sosa Wagner (NI)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Automatic application of fraud tariffs for energy consumption without a contract

On the basis of Article 194 of the Electricity Technical Regulation for the Brussels-Capital region, the company managing the Brussels-Capital electricity grid applies a so-called fraud tariff to consumption of energy without a contract. This means that it automatically charges the end consumer the fraud tariff for the electricity used, presuming bad faith, with no right of appeal to effectively determine the existence of fraud or bad faith, or whether this is due to a technical error or simple ignorance by the end consumer of the fact that he is consuming energy without a contract (which are all very different situations).

By means of this automatic procedure, the Brussels-Capital electricity grid manager places the burden of proof on the end consumer who, in principle, can only avoid being charged this fraud tariff if he can show that a contract existed previously meaning that there would be no way of distinguishing between fraudulent conduct, bad faith, or simple innocent ignorance.

The Belgian Energy Ombudsman has unsuccessfully demanded on several occasions that the Brussels-Capital electricity grid management company charge a normal tariff where energy is consumed without a contract in good faith, and not one for fraudulent use and bad faith.

— Does the Commission believe that charging a price for fraud, with no right of appeal, presupposing the existence of this fraud and placing the burden of proof on the consumer, is an action that complies with EU legislation, particularly in view of the considerable imbalance existing between the parties to the detriment of the consumer?

— Does the Commission believe that Article 194 of this regulation complies with EU legislation in force on liberalisation of the electricity market, or with the Consumer Protection Directives, bearing in mind that this regulation makes provision for the grid manager to apply a fraud tariff automatically, thus presuming that there is an intention to defraud in any consumption of electricity without a contract?

— Has the Commission thought, as guarantor of compliance with EU legislation, of approaching the Belgian authorities and the electricity grid manager so that they amend the regulation as necessary to ensure consumers’ rights in this regard are protected?

Answer given by Mr Oettinger on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2012)

While the directive does not consider cases of energy consumption by ‘non-customers’, it makes national regulatory authorities responsible for setting conditions for connection and access to national networks. According to information available to the Commission, the regulator of gas and electricity markets for the Brussels region is considering issuing an interpretative opinion on the article 194 referred to by the Honourable Member.

directly applicable to electricity consumption by ‘non-customers’, the conformity of Member State legislation with EU legislation cannot be further assessed.

(Versiunea în limba română)

Întrebarea cu solicitare de răspuns scris E-000924/12

adresată Comisiei

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 februarie 2012)

Subiect: Protecția beneficiarilor de servicii turistice

Uniunea Europeană dispune de o „listă neagră” a companiilor aeriene care nu prezintă încredere în ceea ce privește siguranța navigației. Având în vedere acest model, ar putea avea Comisia în vedere realizarea unei „liste negre” similare a agențiilor de turism europene, pentru a informa potențialii clienți cu privire la acele agenții care nu își respectă angajamentele contractuale?

Răspuns dat de dna Reding în numele Comisiei

(21 martie 2012)

Astfel cum se prevede în Comunicarea Comisiei (154)„Europa, destinația turistică favorită la nivel mondial — un nou cadru politic pentru turismul european ”, Comisia este preocupată să faciliteze instituirea unei mărci europene a turismului de calitate, pentru a îmbunătăți transparența și comparabilitatea cu privire la calitatea serviciilor turistice europene. Recunoașterea la scară europeană a calității serviciilor ar contribui, de asemenea, la facilitarea alegerii serviciilor turistice și, în mod indirect, la creșterea încrederii consumatorilor.

De asemenea, Comisia revizuiește, în prezent, directiva privind pachetele de servicii pentru călătorii, aceasta având ca scop protejarea consumatorilor care cumpără pachete de servicii turistice care includ, în mod normal, transportul și cazarea, achiziționate împreună de la organizatori de călătorii și agenții de turism.

În contextul activităților în curs de desfășurare privind revizuirea directivei, obiectivele principale ale Comisiei sunt îmbunătățirea funcționării pieței interne și menținerea unui înalt nivel de protecție a consumatorilor. Desigur, Comisia are intenția de a aborda noile evoluții ale pieței, de a soluționa lacunele legislative și, de asemenea, de a clarifica diferitele obligații și responsabilități ale părților profesionale la contract, cum ar fi răspunderea pentru executarea defectuoasă a contractului. Comisia nu are în vedere elaborarea unei liste negre a agențiilor de turism europene, similară așa-numitei „liste negre” a transportatorilor aerieni, prevăzută în Regulamentul 2111/2005 (155).

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000924/12

to the Commission

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Protecting recipients of tourism services

The European Union has at its disposal a black list of airline companies that are untrustworthy in terms of navigation safety. Taking this as a model, might the Commission envisage drawing up a similar black list of European travel agencies, to inform potential customers of agencies that do not respect their contractual obligations?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2012)

As envisaged by the Commission communication (156) ‘ Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination — a new political framework for tourism in Europe’, the Commission is working to facilitate the establishment of a European Quality Tourism Label, in order to improve transparency and comparability with regard to the quality of European tourism services. An EU‐wide recognition of the quality of the service would also contribute to facilitating the choice of tourism services and, indirectly, would increase consumer confidence.

The Commission is currently also revising the Package Travel Directive, which protects consumers who purchase package holidays, normally consisting of transport and accommodation purchased together from travel organisers and travel agents.

In the context of the ongoing work on the revision of the directive, the Commission's main objectives are to improve the functioning of the internal market and to maintain a high level of consumer protection. It is certainly the Commission's intention to address new market developments, to close legal gaps and also to clarify the various obligations and liabilities of the professional parties to the contract, such as the liability for improper performance of the contract. The Commission does not envisage drawing up a black list of European travel agencies, similar to the so-called ‘blacklist’ of air carriers found in Regulation 2111/2005 (157).

(Versiunea în limba română)

Întrebarea cu solicitare de răspuns scris E-000926/12

adresată Comisiei

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 februarie 2012)

Subiect: Grup de lucru pentru Marea Neagră

Problemele pescuitului în ţările riverane Mării Negre sunt dezbătute în cadrul unui „Grup de lucru pentru Marea Neagră”, grup care aparţine de GFCM (General Fisheries Commision for the Mediterranean — Comisia Generală pentru Pescuit în Marea Mediterană). Având în vedere faptul că problemele în discuţie au un caracter specific, se impune crearea unui grup de lucru distinct pentru Marea Neagră. Comisia este rugată să informeze Parlamentul dacă are în vedere măsuri pentru înfiinţarea unui astfel de grup, în conformitate cu necesităţile reale şi solicitările actorilor privaţi şi publici implicaţi.

Răspuns dat de dna Damanaki în numele Comisiei

(8 martie 2012)

Cu ocazia celei de-a 35-a sesiuni a Comisiei Generale pentru Pescuit în Marea Mediterană (CGPM) (Roma, mai 2011) s-a decis, la inițiativa delegațiilor UE, bulgară și română, instituirea unui grup de lucru pentru a facilita activitatea de consultanță a Comitetului științific consultativ pe tema Mării Negre și pentru a promova cooperarea regională în domeniul pescuitului și în ceea ce privește problemele de mediu.

Prima reuniune a grupului de lucru a avut loc la Constanța (România, 16-18.1.2012) și au participat peste 40 de oameni de știință și responsabili din țările costiere ale Mării Negre (Bulgaria, România, Turcia, Ucraina, Rusia și Georgia), precum și din partea Agenției Europene pentru Controlul Pescuitului, FAO, Comisiei Mării Negre și Comisiei Europene.

În cadrul grupului de lucru s-au discutat realizările, deficiențele și lacunele în materie de pescuit și acvacultură în Marea Neagră. În special, participanții au subliniat lipsa unui cadru de cooperare și de reglementare care să implice toate cele șase țări riverane. Ca principală cerință pentru procesul decizional bazat pe consultanță științifică a fost identificată disponibilitatea unor informații și date actualizate și fiabile în domeniul pescuitului. Grupul de lucru a identificat o serie de domenii prioritare pentru activitatea ulterioară, precum și acțiunile pe termen scurt și mediu necesare pentru abordarea acestora. Aceste acțiuni vor îmbunătăți cunoștințele privind sectoarele pescuitului și acvaculturii și vor permite satisfacerea necesităților și solicitărilor reale din partea actorilor publici și privați implicați.

A doua reuniune va avea loc în primul trimestru al anului 2013.

Comisia Europeană va urmări îndeaproape punerea în practică a activității grupului și va promova coerența și transparența acțiunilor planificate.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000926/12

to the Commission

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Black Sea Working Group

Fishery problems in the Black Sea countries are currently debated within the framework of a ‘Black Sea Working Group’, a group which belongs to the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). Taking into consideration the fact that the problems discussed have a specific character, the creation of a dedicated working group for the Black Sea is necessary. Can the Commission inform Parliament whether it envisages measures for the establishment of such a group, in conformity with the actual necessities and the requests of the public and private actors involved?

Answer given by Ms Damanaki on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2012)

During the 35th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) (Rome, May 2011) it was decided on the initiative of the EU, Bulgarian and Romanian delegations to set up a Working Group (WG) to facilitate the work of the Scientific Advisory Committee in delivering advice for the Black Sea and to promote the regional cooperation in the field of fisheries and environmental issues.

The first meeting of the WG took place in Constanta (Romania, 16-18/01/12) and was attended by more than 40 scientists and managers from the Black Sea coastal countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia) as well as from the European Fisheries Control Agency, FAO, Black Sea Commission and the European Commission.

The WG discussed achievements, deficiencies and gaps related to fisheries and aquaculture in the Black Sea. In particular, participants pointed out the lack of cooperative and regulatory frameworks involving all six bordering countries. Availability of updated and reliable fisheries information and data was identified as the main requirement for decision-making based on scientific advice. The WG identified a number of priorities for further work and short and medium term actions needed to address them. These actions will improve the knowledge of fisheries and aquaculture sectors and help to satisfy actual necessities and requests from the public and private actors involved.

The second meeting will be held in the first quarter of 2013.

The European Commission will closely follow the implementation of the work of the group and will promote coherence and transparency in the planned actions.

(Versiunea în limba română)

Întrebarea cu solicitare de răspuns scris E-000927/12

adresată Comisiei

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 februarie 2012)

Subiect: Refacerea efectivului de porcine în România

În cadrul ședinței Comitetului permanent pentru lanțul alimentar și sănătatea animalelor (6 decembrie 2011), România a fost autorizată să comercializeze și să exporte carnea de porc pe piața intracomunitară și în țările terțe. De la instituirea interdicției, la data aderării, efectivul de animale din specia porcine a scăzut în România cu circa două milioane de exemplare. Comisia este rugată să precizeze care sunt soluțiile optime de sprijin pentru refacerea efectivului de porcine.

Răspuns dat de dl Dalli în numele Comisiei

(3 februarie 2012)

Comercializarea cărnii de porc românești în alte state membre ale UE a fost supusă restricțiilor din cauza pestei porcine clasice (PPC). Recent, comerțul a fost autorizat prin intermediul unui „sistem canalizat”, creat în România, care include crescătorii de porci, abatoare și unități selecționate, cu un nivel înalt de biosecuritate, igienă și supraveghere în privința PPC (158). Se așteaptă ca România să realizeze progrese suplimentare în privința eradicării PPC, ceea ce ar duce la înlăturarea restricțiilor rămase.

Programul național de dezvoltare rurală al României pentru perioada 2007-2013 include măsuri în sprijinul modernizării exploatațiilor agricole și al investițiilor pentru îmbunătățirea prelucrării și comercializării produselor agricole, care acoperă și sectorul porcinelor. Cu toate acestea, achiziționarea de animale nu este eligibilă pentru finanțarea din Fondul european agricol pentru dezvoltare rurală (FEADR), în conformitate cu articolul 55 alineatul (2) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 1974/2006 al Comisiei (159).

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000927/12

to the Commission

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Regeneration of the pig population in Romania

At the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health held on 6 December 2011, Romania was authorised to market and export pig meat on the Community market and to third countries. Since the introduction of the export ban when Romania joined the EU, the head of porcine species in Romania had fallen by around two million. Can the Commission specify what optimal aid solutions there are for regenerating the pig population in Romania?

Answer given by Mr Dalli on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2012)

Trade of Romanian pigmeat to other EU Member States was restricted due to classical swine fever (CSF). Trade has recently been authorised via a ‘channelled system’, developed in Romania, which includes selected pig farms, slaughterhouses and establishments with high biosecurity, hygiene and surveillance for CSF (160). Romania is still expected to make further progress on the eradication of CSF, as this would lead to the repeal of the remaining restrictions.

The National Rural Development Programme of Romania for the period 2007-2013 includes measures supporting the modernisation of agricultural holdings and investments aiming to improve the processing and marketing of agricultural products, covering also the swine sector. However, the purchase of animals is not eligible for funding by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), according to Article 55 (2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 (161).

(Versiunea în limba română)

Întrebarea cu solicitare de răspuns scris E-000928/12

adresată Comisiei

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 februarie 2012)

Subiect: Negarea Holocaustului în Federația Rusă

În Rusia, o placă comemorativă care onora memoria evreilor uciși la Zmiyevskaya Balka (august 1942, considerată cea mai mare atrocitate a Holocaustului în Rusia, cu circa 27.000 de victime), a fost înlocuită cu o alta care nu menționează că victimele erau evrei, ci „cetățeni pașnici din Rostov-pe-Don și prizonieri sovietici”. Comisia este rugată să precizeze dacă are intenția de a aborda, în relațiile bilaterale cu Federația Rusă, acest caz de negare a Holocaustului.

Răspuns dat de doamna Ashton în numele Comisiei

(5 martie 2012)

Înaltul Reprezentant/Vicepreședinte al Comisiei (IR/VP) mulțumește distinsului deputat pentru aducerea în atenție a acestui caz. Delegația UE în Federația Rusă studiază cazul în detaliu. Chestiuni de această natură au mai fost aduse în discuție în trecut, în cadrul dialogului UE cu Federația Rusă, în principal în contextul consultărilor bianuale în materie de drepturile omului. Următoarea reuniune de consultări ar urma să aibă loc în luna mai 2012. Aceasta va fi prima ocazie de a aborda chestiunea în mod oficial cu interlocutorii din Federația Rusă. Preocupările legate de rasism, xenofobie și de infracțiunile inspirate de ură fac parte integrantă din dialogul UE cu Rusia și reprezintă o componentă importantă a discuțiilor purtate cu ocazia consultărilor cu această țară.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000928/12

to the Commission

Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Holocaust denial in the Russian Federation

In Russia, a commemorative plaque which honoured the memory of the Jews killed in Zmiyevskaya Balka in August 1942 (this is considered the greatest Holocaust atrocity in Russia, with some 27 000 victims) has been replaced with one that does not mention that the victims were Jews, describing them instead as ‘peaceful citizens of Rostov-on-Don and Soviet prisoners’. Will the Commission raise this case of Holocaust denial in its bilateral relations with the Russian Federation?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice‐President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2012)

The High Representative/Vice‐President (HR/VP) is grateful to the Honourable Member for bringing this case to her attention. The EU Delegation in the Russian Federation is looking into it closely. Questions of this nature have been raised in the EU’s dialogue with the Russian Federation in the past, primarily in the context of the twice-yearly human rights consultations. The next meeting of the consultations should take place in May 2012. This would be the next opportunity to formally address the question with the Russian interlocutors, as appropriate. Concerns relating to racism, xenophobia and hate crimes are part and parcel of the EU’s discussions with Russia, and a regular part of discussions at its consultations.

(Wersja polska)

Pytanie wymagające odpowiedzi pisemnej E-000930/12

do Komisji

Bogusław Sonik (PPE)

(2 lutego 2012 r.)

Przedmiot: Metody pomiaru zanieczyszczenia powietrza

Czyste powietrze to bezsprzecznie jedno z podstawowych dóbr, do którego dostęp powinien być zagwarantowany dla każdego człowieka. Rzeczywistość jest jednak inna. Wiele miast i regionów Europy walczy z problemem zanieczyszczonego powietrza. Unia Europejska, wychodząc naprzeciw temu wyzwaniu, w dyrektywie 2008/50/WE w sprawie jakości powietrza i czystszego powietrza dla Europy opracowała środki mające przyczynić się do poprawy jakości powietrza w Europie.

Zgodnie z tą dyrektywą stężenie pyłu w powietrzu atmosferycznym mierzone jest zgodnie z normami EN 12341 i EN 14907, które opierają się na amerykańskich badaniach sprzed 20 lat. Metoda ta jest przestarzała i zawiera poważne błędy metodologiczne. Pierwszy błąd dotyczy błędnej konstrukcji używanego do badań próbnika. Powietrze do wlotu próbnika zasysane jest zawsze ze stałą prędkością, niezależnie od prędkości wiatru. Powoduje to, że cząsteczki stałe powietrza wyrzucane są z próbnika. Im silniejszy wieje wiatr, tym bardziej stężenie pyłu w badanym powietrzu zmniejsza się. Drugi błąd polega na tym, że badania przeprowadzane są na wietrze o dużych prędkościach (2-10 m/s). Nie uwzględnia się wpływu na poziom stężenia zanieczyszczenia wiatru o małych prędkościach, podobnych do prędkości zasysania powietrza przez próbnik (0.1-2 m/s), gdzie ilość wyrzucanych z próbnika cząstek stałych jest znacznie mniejsza.

Podsumowując, przy badaniu wiatru o większych prędkościach przyrząd nie mierzy właściwego stężenia. Błędy mogą dochodzić do kilkudziesięciu procent właściwego stężenia, co powoduje duże zmiany w mapach odzwierciedlających zanieczyszczenie powietrza w Europie.

Odpowiedź udzielona przez komisarza Janeza Potočnika w imieniu Komisji

(19 marca 2012 r.)

Komisja prowadzi regularne kontrole stanu wykonania dyrektywy w sprawie jakości powietrza za pomocą wzajemnych porównań na szczeblu europejskim (np. EUR 24851 EN (162)) zmierzające do harmonizacji metod pomiarowych stosowanych przez sieci monitoringu państw członkowskich.

Niemniej jednak w ramach trwających prac badawczych finansowanych ze środków siódmego programu ramowego na rzecz badań (FP7) prowadzony jest przegląd obecnych technologii monitorowania jakości powietrza stosowanych w miastach europejskich, ich standardowych procedur operacyjnych i sprawozdań z testów równoważności (z uwzględnieniem pyłów), a także określa się obszary, w których niezbędna jest poprawa. Więcej informacji na temat powyższego działania zatytułowanego AirMonTech można znaleźć na stronie internetowej: http://www.airmontech.eu/.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000930/12

to the Commission

Bogusław Sonik (PPE)

(2 February 2012)

Subject: Methods of measuring air pollution

Clean air is unquestionably one of the basic goods, access to which should be guaranteed for everyone. The reality, however, is different. Many cities and regions in Europe are struggling with the problem of polluted air. Embracing this challenge, the European Union, in its Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, developed measures aimed at improving the quality of air in Europe.

Pursuant to the directive, dust concentration in the air is calculated in accordance with EN 12341 and EN 14907 norms, which are based on American research dating back 20 years. This method is out of date and includes serious methodological errors. The first error concerns the inappropriate construction of the probe used for the research. The air in the inlet is always sucked in at a constant speed, regardless of the speed of the wind. This results in particulate matter being thrown out of the probe. The stronger the wind, the more the dust concentration decreases in the tested air. The other error consists in the research being carried out under strong wind conditions (2-10 m/s). The level of dust concentration caused by a mild wind of a speed similar to that at which the air is sucked into the probe (0.1-2 m/s), where the quantity of particulate matter removed from the probe is significantly smaller, is not taken into account.

In short, when the tests are performed under strong wind conditions the device does not provide an accurate measure of the concentration. Errors can be as high as several dozen percent of the actual concentration, which results in significant changes on the maps showing air pollution in Europe.

Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2012)

The Commission performs regular checks of the state of implementation of the air quality Directive through intercomparisons performed at European level (e.g. EUR 24851 EN (163)) with a view to harmonising the measuring methods used by Member States' monitoring networks.

Nevertheless, ongoing research, funded by the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7) is currently reviewing the existing air quality monitoring technologies currently used in European cities, their standard operating procedures and equivalence test reports (including for particulate matters), and is identifying future needs for improvement. More info on this FP7 activity, entitled AirMonTech, is available from: http://www.airmontech.eu/.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης P-000932/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(1 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Δήλωση του Επιτρόπου Ρεν για διεύρυνση του ύψους της οικονομικής στήριξης προς την Ελλάδα

Σε συνέντευξή του στο Reuters την Πέμπτη 26.01.2012 ο Ευρωπαίος Επίτροπος Όλι Ρεν τόνισε ότι θα χρειασθούν περισσότερα δημόσια κεφάλαια για το νέο πακέτο στήριξης της Ελλάδας, ώστε να καλυφθεί το χρηματοδοτικό κενό της χώρας, εφόσον καταλήξουν επιτυχώς οι διαπραγματεύσεις για το PSI.

— Είναι σε θέση η Επιτροπή να με ενημερώσει για το ύψος του χρηματοδοτικού κενού το οποίο εκτιμάει ότι θα χρειασθεί για το νέο πακέτο στήριξης της Ελλάδας;

— Για ποιούς λόγους κατά την εκτίμηση της Επιτροπής το αρχικώς εκτιμούμενο ως επαρκές κεφάλαιο των 130 δις ευρώ χρειάζεται πλέον περαιτέρω διεύρυνση;

Απάντηση του κ. Rehn εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(6 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η Επιτροπή δεν διαθέτει περαιτέρω στοιχεία για να διαβιβάσει στο Αξιότιμο Μέλος του Κοινοβουλίου, πέραν των δημοσίων δηλώσεων του Προέδρου της Επιτροπής και του αρμόδιου για τις οικονομικές και νομισματικές υποθέσεις Αντιπροέδρου της Επιτροπής. Το Αξιότιμο Μέλος παρακαλείται επίσης να ανατρέξει στη δήλωση της Ευρωομάδας της 20ής Φεβρουαρίου 2012.

(English version)

Question for written answer P-000932/12

to the Commission

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(1 February 2012)

Subject: Statement by Commissioner Olli Rehn on increasing financial assistance for Greece

At a Reuters news conference on Thursday 26 January 2012, European Commissioner Olli Rehn emphasised that more public funds would be needed for the new support package for Greece in order to plug the country’s financial gap if the private sector involvement (PSI) negotiations were successful.

— Can the Commission put a figure on the amount it thinks will be needed for Greece’s new support package in order to plug the country’s financial gap?

— Why does the Commission believe that the amount of EUR 130 billion, which was originally deemed sufficient, now needs to be increased?

Answer given by Mr Rehn on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2012)

The Commission has no further elements to forward to the Honourable Member, besides the public statements of the President of the Commission and of the Vice‐President of the Commission responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs. Please also see the Eurogroup statement of 20 February 2012.

(Deutsche Fassung)

Anfrage zur schriftlichen Beantwortung E-000933/12

an die Kommission

Paul Rübig (PPE)

(3. Februar 2012)

Betrifft: EU-Förderungen an ein polnisches Unternehmen zum Auf‐ und Ausbau des Paczkomaty-Systems

Vor rund 10 Jahren begann eine österreichische Firma — ein 1968 gegründetes, mittelständisches Unternehmen mit Sitz in Linz — gemeinsam mit einer großen deutschen Logistikgruppe mit der Entwicklung von Paketautomaten (KePol-Systeme) zur Automatisierung der sogenannten ersten und letzten Meile im Post‐ und Logistikbereich.

2008 kam es zu einer Ausschreibung um eine automatisierte Paketlösung durch ein polnisches Unternehmen, an der auch das besagte österreichische Unternehmen teilnahm und im Lauf derer es zum Austausch von Know-how zum Thema KePol kam.

Das polnische Unternehmen sagte die Ausschreibung ab und begann mit der Entwicklung eines eigenen Systems, das sich optisch und funktional so eng am KePol-System orientierte, dass kaum eigenständige Unterscheidungsmerkmale erkennbar waren.

Das österreichische Unternehmen hat im Lauf des Entwicklungsprozesses mehrere Millionen Euro investiert, die von punktuellen Förderungen durch den FFG (FFF) selbst oder durch Kundenaufträge erbracht wurden.

Das polnische Unternehmen erhielt im Gegenzug für den Nachbau des Systems allein 2008 und 2009 rund 15 Millionen Euro — dreimal so viel, wie sie aus der Veräußerung der eigenen Aktien erwirtschafteten.

Die Bewilligung der Fördermittel für den Ausbau des „revolutionären“ Paczkomaty-Systems ist unter obiger Sachlage nur schwer nachvollziehbar und stellt eine Verzerrung des freien Wettbewerbs dar.

Folgende Fragen sind in diesem Zusammenhang zu stellen:

Antwort von Herrn Hahn im Namen der Kommission

(20. März 2012)

Der Herr Abgeordnete nennt kein konkretes Unternehmen als Empfänger der EFRE-Unterstützung; deshalb kann keine genaue Auskunft gegeben werden. Allgemein merkt die Kommission jedoch an, dass der Beschwerdeführer — falls ein polnisches Unternehmen unrechtmäßige Praktiken angewendet hat — beschließen könnte, auf die Rechtsmittel der nationalen Verwaltungs‐ oder Gerichtsverfahren zurückzugreifen.

Gemäß dem für die Kohäsionspolitik geltenden Grundsatz der geteilten Verwaltung fällt die Auswahl und Durchführung von Einzelprojekten in den Zuständigkeitsbereich der nationalen Behörden. Die Kommission wird bei den zuständigen polnischen Behörden weitere Informationen einholen, um sicherzustellen, dass die Vorschriften für Strukturfonds und staatliche Beihilfen ordnungsgemäß befolgt wurden. Im Fall eines Verstoßes gegen die Vorschriften kann die Kommission zu Unrecht gezahlte Beträge wieder einziehen. Der Herr Abgeordnete wird über das Ergebnis dieser Untersuchung unterrichtet. In der Zwischenzeit empfiehlt die Kommission dem Herrn Abgeordneten, die Verwaltungsbehörde des Programms direkt zu kontaktieren:

Ministerstwo Rozwoju Regionalnego (Ministerium für Regionale Entwicklung)

Direktor Marcin ŁataManaging Department for Competitiveness and Innovation Programmes

ul. Mysia 2, 00-496 Warschau

Tel.: +48 22 330 33 26, 330 33 27

Telefax: +48 22 330 33 60

E-Mail: po-ig@mrr.gov.pl

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000933/12

to the Commission

Paul Rübig (PPE)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: EU funding for a Polish company to set up and expand the Paczkomaty system

Around 10 years ago, a medium-sized company located in Linz, Austria, founded in 1969, began working with a large German logistics group on the development of package systems (KePol systems) for automating the so-called first and last mile in mail and logistics operations.

In 2008, a Polish company initiated a tendering procedure for an automated package solution in which the aforementioned Austrian company participated and during which an exchange of expertise took place between the companies in relation to KePol.

The Polish company cancelled the tender and began developing a system of its own that was so similar to the KePol system in visual and functional terms that there were almost no appreciable differences between them.

During the development process, the Austrian company invested several million euro, provided through specific funding from the FFG (FFF), by the company itself, or through customer orders.

In 2008 and 2009 alone the Polish company received around EUR 15 million — three times the amount raised from the sale of its own shares — in payment for licences to reproduce the system.

In the light of these facts, it is difficult to understand why funding for the ‘revolutionary’ Paczkomaty system was approved, and such approval constitutes a distortion of free trade.

The following questions need to be asked in this context:

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2012)

The Honourable Member does not name any particular company as a beneficiary of ERDF support and therefore it is not possible to provide specific replies. As a general comment, the Commission notes that if there have been unlawful practices by a Polish company, the complainant could decide to use means available in accordance with national administrative or legal procedures.

In line with the shared management principle governing cohesion policy, the selection and implementation of individual projects is the responsibility of the national authorities. The Commission will make further enquiries with the competent Polish authorities in order to ensure that Structural Fund and state aid rules have been properly observed. In case of any wrong-doing, the Commission may recover any amounts unduly paid. The Honourable Member will be informed of the results of this enquiry. In the meantime, the Commission would suggest that the Honourable Member contact directly the programme managing authority:

Ministry of Regional Development

Director Marcin Łata

Managing Department for Competitiveness and Innovation Programmesul. Mysia 2, 00-496 Warszawa

Tel.: +48 22 330 33 26, 330 33 27

Fax: +48 22 330 33 60

Email: po-ig@mrr.gov.pl

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000934/12

to the Commission

Julie Girling (ECR)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: Varroa mite and honeybee health

Is the Commission aware of any research being carried out using ultrasound in the fight against the Varroa mite?

Answer given by Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2012)

The Commission is not aware of specific research being carried out using ultrasound technology in the fight against Varroa.

The Commission is supporting research projects with the objective to improve bee health and will continue in the coming years to put emphasis on innovative approaches to address bee health issues, including Varroa control.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000935/12

to the Commission

Julie Girling (ECR)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: Bird trapping — mist nets

Does the Commission have in place, or does it intend to put in place, any regulations regarding the sale of mist nets currently used for illegally trapping birds?

Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2012)

The use of any type of net to catch birds is prohibited under Article 8 of the Birds Directive (164). However nets, in particular mist nets, may be legally used under derogation for scientific reasons or to permit, under strictly supervised conditions and on a selective basis, the capture of certain birds in small numbers. There is currently no European legislation prohibiting the sale of mist nets at EU level though some countries have such prohibitions in place. The Commission does not at present intend to propose such legislation.

The Commission is aware that the illegal trapping of birds is still practised in the EU and has initiated a set of actions aimed at eliminating illegal killing, trapping and trade of birds in the EU in collaboration with Member States and stakeholders.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000936/12

to the Commission

Jim Higgins (PPE)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: ‘One bag’ rule

Is the Commission aware that the ‘one bag’ rule imposed by European low-fare airlines, which have a dominant position in particular airports, means that regional airports in Ireland and elsewhere in the EU are put in the very difficult position of not being able to insist on airlines allowing passengers to carry airport shopping on board, for fear that a large airline would pull out of that airport?

Does the Commission not feel the time is right to protect regional airports, which rely on passengers shopping at the airport to keep landing charges low?

The Commission’s argument that this is a matter for commercial negotiation is not very pertinent to regional and smaller airports, which are at the mercy of airlines that threaten to pull routes unless their specific conditions are met by the airport in question. Would the Commission consider revising its position in order to protect smaller airports and to ensure the passengers can carry on board a reasonable amount of airport shopping?

Answer given by Mr Kallas on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2012)

The Commission is aware of the ‘one carry-on bag’ policy operated by certain airlines.

Carriers licensed in a Member State are directly bound by the EU Aviation Acquis, including the rules on air passenger rights and the Air Services Regulation (EC)No 1008/2008 (165). The rule under Article 22 of this regulation is the freedom of airlines as to their fares policy for the carriage of passengers. Article 23 of the regulation imposes the obligation of transparency notably as regards the total price of the ticket. This also applies to the conditions for the carriage of luggage that they could put in place.

Regarding the way passengers are affected by the one bag policy rules, the Commission notes that the strictness with which these policies are implemented in practice may vary between carriers and between staff members of a same carrier. In practice, while some air carriers would require passengers to pay an additional fee for carrying these extra items, other air carriers would accept that passengers carry on board, for instance, one item plus a laptop or a handbag. A number of airports have been able to negociate with airlines a relaxation of the one bag rule. (166)

In the framework of the current review of Regulation (EC)No 261/2004 on air passenger rights, the Commission has launched a public consultation that will remain open until 11 March 2012. This provides the opportunity for interested parties to contribute with their assessment and possible solutions to relevant issues, also as regards the evolution of market practices on luggage allowances.

(Tekstas lietuvių kalba)

Klausimas, į kurį atsakoma raštu, Nr. E-000937/12

Komisijai

Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D)

(2012 m. vasario 3 d.)

Tema: Jaunų verslininkų rėmimas

Siekiant pažangaus, tvaraus ir integracinio Baltijos jūros regiono augimo, būtina jaunimo įtrauktis ir užimtumo didinimas. Sėkminga integracija į darbo rinką, didesnis jaunų žmonių judumas yra svarbūs veiksniai, padedantys išlaisvinti jų potencialą. Puoselėjant verslumu grindžiamą mąstyseną reikia skatinti jaunimo domėjimąsi verslu ir norą siekti verslininko karjeros. Jauniems žmonėms reikėtų suteikti daugiau galimybių įgyti verslininkystės patirties ir atitinkamai juos remti.

Viename iš pagrindinių Baltijos jūros regiono strategijos antrojo ramsčio projektų numatyta: „Remti jaunus verslininkus“.

Noriu paklaust Komisijos, kokiomis priemonėmis skatinamas didesnis jaunų verslininkų judumas ir tarpvalstybiniai jaunų verslininkų tinklai?

Kokios iniciatyvos šiuo metu pradėtos, siekiant skatinti jaunimo verslumą?

Kokios šalys dalyvauja įgyvendinant šį projektą?

Kiek lėšų reikalinga ir kiek lėšų šiuo metu skirta šiam projektui įgyvendinti?

J. Hahno atsakymas Komisijos vardu

(2012 m. kovo 13 d.)

Programa „Erasmus jauniesiems verslininkams“ skatinamas verslininkų judumas ir tarpvalstybiniai ryšiai bei Europos įmonių internacionalizacija. Siekiant, kad nauji ar būsimi verslininkai įgytų įgūdžių sėkmingai įkurti, vystyti ir valdyti smulkų verslą, jiems suteikiama galimybė 1‐6 mėn. dirbti kartu su patyrusiais verslininkais kitoje valstybėje narėje.

Ši programa, kurios metinis biudžetas siekia 5 mln. EUR, vykdoma nuo 2009 m. Paraiškas dalyvauti programoje pateikė apie 4 500 verslininkų, iš kurių daugiau nei 450 – iš Baltijos jūros regiono šalių. Šiuo metu šiame regione vykdoma apie 200 mainų, o bendras mainų skaičius siekia 950.

Programą įgyvendina verslininkus skatinančios ir remiančios verslo paramos organizacijos iš visų Baltijos jūros regionui priklausančių valstybių narių.

Pagal ES Baltijos jūros regiono strategiją už jaunųjų verslininkų paramos projektą atsakinga Danijos verslo tarnyba (angl. Danish Business Authority). Užmegzti pirmieji ryšiai. Tolesnė veikla, priskirta aštuntajai prioritetinei sričiai („Smulkiojo verslo akto Europai įgyvendinimas“), vykdoma prižiūrint Danijai ir Vokietijai.

Pagal atvirąjį koordinavimo metodą švietimo ir mokymo srityje įsteigta verslumo ugdymo darbo grupė. Įgyvendinant strategijos „Europa 2020“ iniciatyvą „Judus jaunimas“ aktyviau remiamas jaunimo verslumas – didinamas judumas pagal Erasmus užimtumo programą, skatinamas verslumo mokymas Europos inovacijos ir technologijos institute ir aktyvesnis jaunų tyrėjų dalyvavimas versle pagal programą „Marie Curie“. Siekiant skatinti jaunimo užimtumą ir verslumą taip pat siūlomas finansavimas pagal Mokymosi visą gyvenimą programą.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000937/12

to the Commission

Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: Support for young entrepreneurs

In order to achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the Baltic Sea Region, we must involve young people and increase employment. Successful integration into the labour market and enhanced mobility are important factors helping to unlock their potential. In order to foster an entrepreneurial mindset we need to encourage young people’s interest in business and the desire to pursue a career in business. Young people should be given more opportunities to acquire entrepreneurial experience and should be supported accordingly.

One of the projects of the second pillar of the strategy for the Baltic Sea Region makes provision for: ‘Support for Young Entrepreneurs’.

I would like to ask the Commission what methods are being used to promote greater mobility among young entrepreneurs and cross-border networks for young entrepreneurs?

What initiatives have currently been taken to encourage enterprise among young people?

Which countries are involved in the implementation of this project?

How much funding is required, and how much funding has already been allocated to the implementation of this project?

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2012)

The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme promotes mobility and cross-border networking among entrepreneurs and the internationalisation of European enterprises. New or would-be entrepreneurs can work alongside experienced ones for a period of one to six months in another Member State to acquire skills necessary to successfully start, grow and manage a small business.

The programme is operational since 2009, with an annual budget of EUR 5 million. Some 4 500 entrepreneurs have applied to the programme, including over 450 from the Baltic Sea Region. Around 200 exchanges have been established from this region so far, out of 950 exchanges overall.

Business support organisations from all Baltic Sea Region Member States are currently implementing the programme through promotion and supporting entrepreneurs.

In the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, the Danish Business Authority is responsible for a project to ‘promote young entrepreneurs’. Initial contacts are being established. Follow-up is taking place within Priority Area 8 ‘implementing the Small Business Act for Europe’ under the responsibility of Denmark and Germany.

Under the Open Method of Coordination in the field of Education and Training, a Working Group on Entrepreneurship Education has been established. Via the ‘Youth on the Move’ Europe 2020 initiative, support to youth entrepreneurship has been reinforced by increasing Erasmus work placement mobility, promoting entrepreneurship education by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology and enhancing business participation of young researchers through the Marie Curie Programme. The Lifelong Learning Programme also offers funding to promote employability and entrepreneurship among young people.

(Tekstas lietuvių kalba)

Klausimas, į kurį atsakoma raštu, Nr. E-000938/12

Komisijai

Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D)

(2012 m. vasario 3 d.)

Tema: Naujos verslo perspektyvos ir bendradarbiavimas aplinkosaugos technologijų srityje

Susirūpinimas aplinkosauga ir augantis visuomenės spaudimas keičia verslo sąlygas visame pasaulyje. Įmonėms, kurių veikla pagrįsta aplinką tausojančiais principais, atsiveria naujos verslo galimybės. Tai lemia vartotojų prioritetų teikimas gaminiams, mažai žalingiems aplinkai ir sveikatai, ir investuotojų ir partnerių reikalavimai.

Aplinkosaugos technologijos gali suteikti teigiamą impulsą ekonominei ir socialinei pažangai. Būtina skatinti ir sudaryti sąlygas mažoms ir vidutinėms įmonėms puoselėti tvarią plėtrą aplinkosaugos technologijų srityje, kaip vieną iš Baltijos jūros regiono augimo ir konkurencingumo aspektų.

Viename iš pagrindinių Baltijos jūros regiono strategijos antrojo ramsčio projektų numatyta: „Siekti atverti naujas verslo perspektyvas, stiprinti bendradarbiavimą aplinkosauginių technologijų srityje“.

Noriu paklausti Komisijos, kokiomis priemonėmis siekiama stiprinti bendradarbiavimą aplinkosaugos technologijų sektoriaus mažose ir vidutinėse įmonėse?

Kokios šalys dalyvauja įgyvendinant šį projektą?

Kiek lėšų reikėtų ir kiek šiuo metu skirta šiam projektui įgyvendinti?

J. Hahno atsakymas Komisijos vardu

(2012 m. kovo 19 d.)

Veikla, kuria siekiama sustiprinti mažųjų ir vidutinių įmonių (MVĮ) bendradarbiavimą aplinkosauginių technologijų srityje, iš esmės vykdoma įgyvendinant pavyzdinį projektą „Glaudesnis bendradarbiavimas aplinkosauginių technologijų srityje siekiant atverti naujų verslo perspektyvų“. Šiam projektui vadovauja Lenkijos mokslo ir aukštojo mokslo ministerija.

Baltijos jūros regiono šalių aplinkosaugos srities MVĮ remti taip pat parengti trys mažesni projektai. Jais sukuriama tvirta žinių ir technologijų kritinė masė bei nustatomi bendri veiksmai, kuriais siekiama skatinti eksportą.

Įgyvendinant šiuos projektus („BioNutCut“, „DeepEntech“ ir „eFrontrunner“) sprendžiami įvairūs klausimai, susiję su MVĮ skatinimu taikyti aplinkosaugines technologijas. Šiuose projektuose, kuriems įgyvendinti siekiama gauti 8 mln. EUR bendro finansavimo lėšų, dalyvauja partneriai iš visų Baltijos jūros regiono valstybių narių (167). Projektas „Mažųjų ir vidutinių įmonių inovacijos tvariai gamybai“, kuriuo MVĮ skatinamos diegti esamas ekologines inovacijas, jau gavo finansavimą – pagal Tarpvalstybinę Baltijos jūros regiono programą jam skirta 3 mln. EUR.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000938/12

to the Commission

Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: New commercial prospects and cooperation in the field of environmental technologies

Concern for the environment and growing public pressure are changing the conditions for business throughout the world. New business opportunities are opening up for companies whose activities are based on consideration for the environment. This is down to consumers giving priority to products that are less harmful to the environment and to health, as well as the demands of investors and partners.

Environmental technologies can give a positive boost to economic and social progress. It is essential to encourage and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to foster sustainable development in the field of environmental technologies, as one of the aspects of growth and competitiveness in the Baltic Sea Region.

One of the main projects of the second pillar of the strategy for the Baltic Sea Region makes provision for: ‘The opening up of new business prospects and the enhancement of cooperation in the field of environmental technologies’.

I wish to ask the Commission how cooperation in small and medium-sized enterprises in the environmental technologies sector is to be enhanced?

Which countries are involved in the implementation of this project?

What funds are required, and what funds are currently allocated to implement this project?

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2012)

The work to deepen the cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of environmental technology is mainly done through the Flagship Project ‘Develop deeper cooperation on environmental technology to create new business opportunities’. The project is led by the Polish Ministry for Science and Higher Education.

Three sub-projects have been developed that share the aim of supporting Baltic Sea Region SMEs in the environmental sector. These create a strong critical mass in knowledge and technology, and joint actions with respect to export promotion.

These projects (BioNutCut, DeepEntech and eFrontrunner) are all tackling different aspects of promoting environmental technologies with SMEs. Between them the projects include partners from all Baltic Sea Member States (168). These projects seek to obtain EUR 8 million of co-financing. A project that has already received funding is the ‘Sustainable Production Through Innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’. It has received EUR 3 million from the Transnational Baltic Sea Region Programme, and supports SMEs in incorporating existing eco-innovations into their operations.

(Tekstas lietuvių kalba)

Klausimas, į kurį atsakoma raštu, Nr. E-000939/12

Komisijai

Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D)

(2012 m. vasario 3 d.)

Tema: Mažų ir vidutinių įmonių inovacinė tvari gamyba

Šiandien dauguma įmonių patiria nuolat stiprėjantį konkurencinį spaudimą. Konkurencijos stiprėjimas vyksta dėl globalinės ekonomikos poveikio ir greitos technologijų plėtros. Kuriant novatorišką Baltijos jūros regioną svarbu, kad būtų didinamas inovatyvių idėjų ir verslumo potencialas.

Inovacijos, naujos technologijos versle bei tvarūs gamybos procesai gali paspartinti viso makroregiono ūkio plėtrą ir užtikrinti greitesnį ekonomikos kilimą. Baltijos jūros regiono konkurencingumas tiesiogiai priklauso nuo regiono įmonių inovatyvumo augimo. Inovacijos leidžia pasiekti aukštą gaminių kokybę, sukuria papildomą pridėtinę vertę ir yra ekonominės plėtros garantas.

Viename iš pagrindinių Baltijos jūros regiono strategijos antrojo ramsčio projektų numatyta: „Įgyvendinti mažų ir vidutinių įmonių inovacinės tvarios gamybos projektą“.

Noriu paklausti Komisijos, kokiomis priemonėmis siekiama didinti mažų ir vidutinių įmonių inovacinius pajėgumus ir pagerinti tvarios gamybos procesus?

Kokios šalys dalyvauja įgyvendinant šį projektą?

J. Hahno atsakymas Komisijos vardu

(2012 m. kovo 16 d.)

ES Baltijos jūros regiono strategija skatinamos mažųjų ir vidutinių įmonių (MVĮ) inovacijos tvariai gamybai. Tiksliau tariant, šis uždavinys sprendžiamas aštuntojoje prioritetinėje srityje „Smulkiojo verslo akto įgyvendinimas“ (169).

Projekte „Mažųjų ir vidutinių įmonių inovacijos tvariai gamybai“, kuriuo siekiama skatinti MVĮ gebėjimus diegti esamas ekologines inovacijas, dalyvauja svarbiausios ekologinių inovacijų srities organizacijos iš Danijos, Švedijos, Suomijos, Estijos, Lietuvos, Lenkijos ir Vokietijos. Šį projektą sudaro trys veiklos sritys, kuriose siekiama pagerinti tvarių inovacijų diegimo sąlygas: 1) didinti MVĮ informuotumą ir kompetenciją; 2) suteikti galimybę gauti finansavimą tvarių inovacijų diegimui; 3) skatinti rinkos pokyčius ir tvarių inovacijų taikymą. Šios veiklos sritys remiamos 14 projekto „Mažųjų ir vidutinių įmonių inovacijos tvariai gamybai“ strateginių veiksmų.

Pirmaisiais projekto veiksmais orientuojamasi į tai, kaip susieti 200 išskirtinę svarbą ekologinių inovacijų srityje turinčių regiono organizacijų, sukurti inovacijų duomenų bazę, kurioje būtų per 500 gerosios patirties pavyzdžių, ir sustiprinti ekologinių inovacijų vaidmenį regiono politikos darbotvarkėje. Šiuo atžvilgiu svarbus tiesioginės informacijos šaltinis yra projekto svetainė www.spin-project.eu.

Projekto „Mažųjų ir vidutinių įmonių inovacijos tvariai gamybai“ partneriai atliko tyrimus dalyvaujančiose šalyse apie kliūtis ir paskatas diegti inovacijas tvariai gamybai. Remiantis šių tyrimų rezultatais parengta apibendrinamoji ataskaita, kurioje pateikiamos nuoseklios visam regionui skirtos rekomendacijos. Šią ataskaitą galima rasti projekto svetainėje.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000939/12

to the Commission

Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: Stable innovative production in small and medium enterprises

The majority of companies today are experiencing constantly strengthening competitive pressure. Strengthening of competition occurs because of the effect of the global economy and rapid technological development. It is important when creating an innovative Baltic Sea Region to increase the potential of innovative ideas and entrepreneurship.

Innovation, new technologies in commerce and stable production processes can accelerate economic development throughout the whole macroregion, and can support more rapid economic recovery. The competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region directly depends on growth in the potential for innovation among the enterprises of the Region. Innovation facilitates the attainment of high product quality it creates additional value and is a guarantor of economic development.

One of the Baltic Sea Region Strategy second pillar projects makes provision for: ‘A Project for the Implementation of Stable Innovative Production in Small and Medium Enterprises.’

I would like to ask the Commission by what means it is intended to increase the innovative capacities of small and medium enterprises and to improve the stability of the production process?

Which countries are participating in the implementation of this Project?

Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2012)

The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region promotes sustainable production through innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More precisely, priority area 8 on ‘Implementing the Small Business Act’ (170) addresses this challenge.

The project SPIN (Sustainable Production through Innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) brings together key institutions for eco-innovations from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany and aims precisely at supporting SMEs' capacity to implement existing eco-innovations. This project consists of three activity areas to improve the conditions for sustainable innovation: 1) increase awareness and competences of SMEs; 2) access to finance for sustainable innovations; 3) support market transformation and the uptake of sustainable innovations. Fourteen SPIN Strategic Actions support these activities.

The project's first actions focus on connecting 200 outstanding institutions in the field of eco-innovations in the Region; developing an innovation database listing over 500 good practice examples; and enhancing the presence of eco-innovations on the policy agenda in the Region. In that respect, the project's website (www.spin-project.eu) is an important source of first-hand information.

The SPIN project partners have conducted studies in participating countries on barriers and incentives for innovations in sustainable production. On that basis, SPIN has developed a synthesis report that gives a coherent set of recommendations for the entire Region and is accessible on the project's website.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000942/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Πρόταση της Επιτροπής για μεταρρύθμιση των κανόνων του 1995 περί προστασίας δεδομένων της ΕΕ

Με ανακοίνωση της την Τετάρτη 25 Ιανουαρίου 2012 η Επιτροπή πρότεινε τη σφαιρική μεταρρύθμιση των κανόνων του 1995 περί προστασίας δεδομένων της ΕΕ με στόχο την ενίσχυση των επιγραμμικών δικαιωμάτων στην ιδιωτικότητα και την ενδυνάμωση της ψηφιακής οικονομίας της Ευρώπης. Η πρωτοβουλία αυτή θα συμβάλει στην τόνωση της εμπιστοσύνης των καταναλωτών στις επιγραμμικές υπηρεσίες, σύμφωνα με την Επιτροπή, ενώ θα επιτρέψει στις επιχειρήσεις να εξοικονομούν περί τα 2,3 δις ευρώ ετησίως. Μεταξύ άλλων, κατά την παρουσίαση της πρότασης η Επιτροπή ανέφερε ότι οι επιχειρήσεις και οργανισμοί θα υποχρεούνται να ενημερώνουν τις εθνικές αρχές ελέγχου σχετικά με σοβαρές παραβιάσεις της προστασίας δεδομένων το συντομότερο δυνατό (εάν είναι εφικτό εντός 24 ωρών). Καθώς η συγκεκριμένη πρόταση διαβιβάζεται στον Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο και το Συμβούλιο, ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση της κας Reding εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(19 Μαρτίου 2012)

Στις 25 Ιανουαρίου 2012, η Επιτροπή ενέκρινε τις προτάσεις της για μεταρρυθμίσεις σχετικά με την προστασία των δεδομένων στην ΕΕ και τις υπέβαλε στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο και το Συμβούλιο. Ο προτεινόμενος κανονισμός για την προστασία των φυσικών προσώπων έναντι της επεξεργασίας δεδομένων προσωπικού χαρακτήρα και για την ελεύθερη κυκλοφορία των δεδομένων αυτών (171) θα αποσαφηνίσει και θα ενισχύσει τα δικαιώματα των προσώπων στα οποία αναφέρονται τα δεδομένα, καθώς και τις υποχρεώσεις των υπευθύνων επεξεργασίας σχετικά με τη διαγραφή δεδομένων που διατηρούνται χωρίς έγκυρο νομικό λόγο, παγιώνοντας ρητό ₫δικαίωμα στη λήθη₻. Αυτό θα ισχύσει για κάθε μορφή επεξεργασίας δεδομένων, είτε σε ενεργούς βάσεις δεδομένων είτε σε εφεδρικά μέσα.

Η νομοθεσία της ΕΕ σχετικά με την προστασία των δεδομένων ήδη προβλέπει ότι η επεξεργασία προσωπικών δεδομένων είναι νόμιμη μόνον όταν παρέχεται έγκυρος νομικός λόγος που την δικαιολογεί. Η οδηγία 95/46/EC (172) καθορίζει πολλούς νομικούς λόγους, μεταξύ των οποίων η συγκατάθεση του προσώπου στο οποίο αναφέρονται τα δεδομένα, οι νόμιμες και συμβατικές υποχρεώσεις, τα ζωτικά συμφέροντα του προσώπου στο οποίο αναφέρονται τα δεδομένα, το δημόσιο συμφέρον και, υπό ορισμένες προϋποθέσεις, το έννομο συμφέρον του υπευθύνου επεξεργασίας των δεδομένων. Η επεξεργασία των δεδομένων πρέπει να γίνεται κατά τρόπο θεμιτό και νόμιμο, δεν πρέπει να υπερβαίνει το απολύτως απαραίτητο μέγεθος επεξεργασίας και τα δεδομένα δεν πρέπει να διατηρούνται για χρόνο περισσότερο από τον αναγκαίο για τον σκοπό για τον οποίο συλλέχθηκαν. Τα άτομα έχουν το δικαίωμα να ζητήσουν τη διαγραφή των δεδομένων που τα αφορούν και η επεξεργασία των οποίων δεν συνάδει με την οδηγία· επιπλέον, οι αρχές προστασίας δεδομένων πρέπει να έχουν την εξουσία να διατάξουν την διαγραφή τέτοιου είδους δεδομένων.

Ο προτεινόμενος κανονισμός θα θεσπίσει την υποχρέωση κοινοποίησης στις αρμόδιες αρχές και, σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις, στα ενδιαφερόμενα άτομα των παραβιάσεων προσωπικών δεδομένων. Οι κοινοποιήσεις πρέπει να πραγματοποιούνται το συντομότερο δυνατό, και εφόσον είναι εφικτό, μέσα σε 24 ώρες. Αυτή η υποχρέωση θα ισχύει για όλους τους υπευθύνους επεξεργασίας ανεξάρτητα από την υπηρεσία που παρέχουν.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000942/12

to the Commission

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: Commission proposal for reform of the EU's 1995 data protection rules

On 25 January 2012, the Commission announced its proposal for a comprehensive reform of the 1995 EUdata protection ruleswith the aim of strengthening online privacy rights and boosting Europe's digital economy. According to the Commission, this initiative will help reinforce consumer confidence in online services and will lead to savings for businesses of around EUR 2.3 billion a year. When presenting the proposal, the Commission stated, among other things, that businesses and organisations must notify the national supervisory authorities of serious data protection breaches as soon as possible (if feasible within 24 hours). Because this proposal is being communicated to the European Parliament and to the Council, the Commission is asked:

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2012)

On 25 January 2012, the Commission adopted its proposals for EU data protection reform and submitted them to the European Parliament and to the Council. The proposed regulation on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data (173) would clarify and strengthen the rights of data subjects and the obligations of controllers with regard to the erasure of data being kept without a legal ground by establishing an explicit ‘right to be forgotten’. This would apply to all kinds of data processing, whether for active data bases or backup media.

EU data protection legislation already provides that the processing of personal data is only legitimate when a specific legal ground is given for this. Directive 95/46/EC (174) determines several legal grounds, including consent of the data subject, legal or contractual obligations, vital interests of the data subject, public interest and legitimate interests of the data controller under certain conditions. Data must be processed fairly and lawfully, must not exceed what is needed and must not be kept longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. Individuals have the right to demand erasure of data relating to them the processing of which does not comply with the directive; and data protection authorities must have the power to order the erasure of such data.

The proposed regulation would also introduce an obligation to notify personal data breaches to the competent authorities and — in certain cases — to the individuals concerned. Notifications should be effected as soon as possible, where it is feasible this should be done in 24 hours. This obligation would apply to all data controllers regardless of the service they provide.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000943/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Χρηματοδότηση νέων ανθρώπων για σύσταση νέας επιχείρησης στην Ελλάδα

Είναι σε θέση η Επιτροπή, βάσει των πληροφοριών που συλλέγει από τα κράτη μέλη, να με ενημερώσει σε τι ποσοστό η Ελλάδα σε σύγκριση με τους εταίρους της αφιερώνει πόρους από τα διαρθρωτικά ταμεία προκειμένου να ενισχυθεί οικονομικά η σύσταση νέων εταιρειών από νέους ανθρώπους; Εκτιμάει η Επιτροπή πως στην Ελλάδα διαπιστώνονται συγκεκριμένα προβλήματα που αποτελούν ανάχωμα στη δημιουργία νέων επιχειρήσεων από νέους ανθρώπους; Είναι σε θέση να μου παραθέσει στοιχεία σχετικά με το ύψος των κοινοτικών πόρων που έχουν κατευθυνθεί στην Ελλάδα για αυτόν τον σκοπό και το αντίστοιχο των υπολοίπων κρατών μελών;

Απάντηση του κυρίου Andor εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(14 Μαρτίου 2012)

Η ένταξη των νέων στην αγορά εργασίας αποτελεί κορυφαία προτεραιότητα για την Επιτροπή, και ειδικότερα για τα διαρθρωτικά ταμεία, με δεδομένη την τρέχουσα αύξηση της ανεργίας των νέων.

Το επιχειρησιακό πρόγραμμα ανάπτυξης των ανθρώπινων πόρων, στο πλαίσιο του οποίου το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινωνικό Ταμείο (ΕΚΤ) συνεισφέρει 2,26 δισ. ευρώ, υποστηρίζει, μεταξύ άλλων, την προώθηση της επιχειρηματικότητας των νέων. Η συνολική δημόσια δαπάνη για την προώθηση της επιχειρηματικότητας των νέων ανέρχεται σε 242 εκατ. ευρώ περίπου. Οι νέοι είναι επίσης μία από τις ομάδες που ωφελούνται κατά προτεραιότητα από τα γενικά μέτρα προώθησης της επιχειρηματικότητας τα οποία εφαρμόζει η ελληνική δημόσια υπηρεσία απασχόλησης. Επιπλέον, το Ευρωπαϊκό Ταμείο Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης υποστηρίζει, την περίοδο 2007-2013, μια συγκεκριμένη δράση για την προώθηση της επιχειρηματικότητας των νέων στην Ελλάδα με ποσό ύψους 39,2 εκατ. ευρώ (έχουν ήδη καταβληθεί πιστοποιημένες δαπάνες ύψους 6,6 εκατ. ευρώ). Η σχετική πρόσκληση στέφθηκε από μεγάλη επιτυχία και η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή θα στηρίξει τις ελληνικές αρχές, ενισχύοντας το εν λόγω μέτρο.

Επιπλέον, από τις 5 Ιανουαρίου 2012, η Παγκρήτια Συνεταιριστική Τράπεζα προσχώρησε στην ομάδα παρόχων μικροπιστώσεων, στο πλαίσιο του μηχανισμού μικροχρηματοδοτήσεων PROGRESS, και, ως εκ τούτου, οι έλληνες επιχειρηματίες μπορούν να λαμβάνουν μικροπιστώσεις με τη στήριξη της ΕΕ.

17 κράτη μέλη έχουν εντάξει στα εθνικά τους προγράμματα ΕΚΤ την υποστήριξη της επιχειρηματικότητας, αλλά δεν προβλέπουν συγκεκριμένα κονδύλια που να προορίζονται ειδικά για την επιχειρηματικότητα των νέων. Το συνολικό ποσό που διατίθεται για την αυτοαπασχόληση και τις νεοσύστατες επιχειρήσεις στα 27 κράτη μέλη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης ανέρχεται περίπου σε 2,5 δισ. ευρώ, ενώ από τις σχετικές εκθέσεις προκύπτει ότι, από το ποσό αυτό, περίπου 1 δισ. ευρώ, δηλαδή το 38 % κατά μέσο όρο, διατέθηκε για σχέδια έως το 2010. Ωστόσο, σε ορισμένα κράτη μέλη, η επιχειρηματικότητα αποτελεί ευρύτερη προτεραιότητα, με αποτέλεσμα να μην προβλέπεται κάποιο συγκεκριμένο ποσό που να προορίζεται αποκλειστικά γι’ αυτήν.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000943/12

to the Commission

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: Funding for young people to establish new companies in Greece

Can the Commission, on the basis of its information from the Member States, indicate to what extent Greece, in comparison with its partners, earmarks structural fund resources for the establishment of new companies by young people? Can it indicate me the amount of Community funding allocated to Greece and the other Member States for that purpose?

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2012)

The integration of young people into the labour market is a top priority for the Commission, and in particular for the Structural Funds, given the current rise in youth unemployment.

The Human Resources Development operational programme, to which the ESF contributes EUR 2.26 billion, provides assistance inter alia for the promotion of youth entrepreneurship. Total public expenditure on the promotion of youth entrepreneurship stands at approximately EUR 242 million. Young people are also among the groups benefiting as a priority under the general entrepreneurship promotion measures implemented by the Greek public employment service. In addition, the European Regional Development Fund 2007-2013 supports a specific operation to promote Youth Entrepreneurship in Greece to the sum of EUR 39.2 million (6.6 million of certified expenditure already disbursed). This call was very successful and the European Commission will support the Greek authorities in increasing this measure.

Moreover from 5.1.12, Pancretan Cooperative Bank has joined the group of microcredit providers under Progress Microfinance and, thus Greek entrepreneurs can benefit from micro-credits with EU support.

Seventeen Member States have earmarked support for entrepreneurship in their ESF programmes, but no funds are set aside specifically for youth entrepreneurship. The total amount allocated to self-employment and business start-ups in the 27 Member States is around EUR 2.5 billion, and reporting shows that, of that amount, nearly EUR 1 billion, or 38 % on average, was allocated to projects by 2010. However, in some Member States, entrepreneurship comes under a broader priority and no specific amount is set aside for it.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000944/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Όξυνση του προβλήματος των αστέγων στην Ελλάδα

H οικονομική κρίση και, ιδίως, η ανεργία που επίμονα πλήττει την Ελλάδα τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια, έχουν προκαλέσει την κατακόρυφη αύξηση του αριθμού των συμπολιτών μας που δεν έχουν πρόσβαση σε στέγη. Σήμερα, στην Ελλάδα οι άστεγοι υπολογίζονται σε περίπου 25 χιλιάδες, αριθμός τετραπλάσιος από εκείνον του 2009.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Με ποιο τρόπο μπορεί να συμβάλει στις προσπάθειες των κρατών μελών για την αντιμετώπιση του φαινομένου;

Είναι πρόθυμη να προτείνει συγκριμένες επείγουσες δράσεις και να κινητοποιήσει ευρωπαϊκούς πόρους για το σκοπό αυτό;

Απάντηση του κ. Andor εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(20 Μαρτίου 2012)

Οι εθνικές, περιφερειακές και τοπικές αρχές των κρατών μελών διαδραματίζουν πρωταρχικό ρόλο στην αντιμετώπιση του προβλήματος των αστέγων. Στην κοινή έκθεση για την κοινωνική προστασία και την κοινωνική ένταξη του 2010 οι εν λόγω αρχές καλούνται να καταρτίσουν και να υλοποιήσουν εθνικά ή περιφερειακά προγράμματα δράσης σχετικά με το φαινόμενο των αστέγων. Η άμεση δράση της ΕΕ περιλαμβάνει την υποστήριξη της αξιολόγησης των στρατηγικών που επικεντρώνονται στη στέγαση, ένα νέο σχέδιο σχετικά με το φαινόμενο των αστέγων και τους μετανάστες και ένα δίκτυο ΜΚΟ στον εν λόγω τομέα Η Επιτροπή επιδιώκει επίσης να αναπτύξει καλύτερους δείκτες σε συνεργασία με την επιτροπή κοινωνικής προστασίας και την Eurostat, ενώ η συνάντηση των ατόμων που πλήττονται από τη φτώχεια το 2012 θα επικεντρωθεί στο πρόβλημα των αστέγων.

Γενικά, η Επιτροπή ενθαρρύνει τα κράτη μέλη να χρησιμοποιούν καλύτερα το Ευρωπαϊκό Ταμείο Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης (ΕΤΠΑ) και το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινωνικό Ταμείο (ΕΚΤ) στον τομέα αυτό. Το ΕΚΤ μπορεί να υποστηρίξει δραστηριότητες για την προώθηση της κοινωνικής ενσωμάτωσης και της ένταξης των αστέγων στην αγορά εργασίας ενώ το ΕΤΠΑ μπορεί να επενδύσει στην κατασκευή κοινωνικών κατοικιών.

Στο πλαίσιο του επιχειρησιακού προγράμματος για την ανάπτυξη του ανθρώπινου δυναμικού 2007-2013, το οποίο στην Ελλάδα συγχρηματοδοτείται από το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινωνικό Ταμείο, ένας άξονας προτεραιότητας με συνολικό προϋπολογισμό περίπου 274 εκατομμύρια αφορά την προώθηση της κοινωνικής ενσωμάτωσης και της ένταξης των μη ευνοούμενων ομάδων στην αγορά εργασίας σε μια κοινωνία ίσων ευκαιριών. Οι άστεγοι θα μπορούν ενδεχομένως να επωφεληθούν από αυτές τις παρεμβάσεις· ωστόσο, δεν υπάρχει ειδικός προϋπολογισμός που προορίζεται συγκεκριμένα για αυτή την ομάδα-στόχο.

Για την περίοδο 2014-2020 η Επιτροπή προτείνει το 20 % τουλάχιστον της χρηματοδότησης του ΕΚΤ σε κάθε κράτος μέλος να διατεθεί για την κοινωνική ενσωμάτωση και τη φτώχεια και κάθε κράτος μέλος να διαθέσει τουλάχιστον τo 5 % από τα συνολικά του κονδύλια του ΕΤΠΑ για δράσεις βιώσιμης αστικής ανάπτυξης.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000944/12

to the Commission

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: The worsening problem of homelessness in Greece

The economic crisis and, especially, the unemployment that has been dogging Greece for the last two years has led to a steep increase in the number of our fellow citizens without a roof over their heads. In Greece today it is estimated that there are around 25 000 homeless people, a figure that has quadrupled since 2009.

In view of this:

How can the Commission contribute to Member States’ efforts to combat this phenomenon?

Is it willing to suggest specific urgent measures and to release European funding for this purpose?

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2012)

The Member States' national regional and local authorities have the prime role in tackling homelessness. The 2010 Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion called for them to develop and implement national or regional plans for action on homelessness. Direct EU action includes support to an evaluation of housing-led strategies, a new project on homelessness and migrants, and NGO network in this area. The Commission is also aiming at developing better indicators in cooperation with the Social Protection Committee and with Eurostat, and the 2012 Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty will focus on homelessness.

Generally the Commission encourages Member States to make better use of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) in this field. The ESF can support activities to promote the social and labour market integration of homeless people, while the ERDF can investments in social housing.

Under the Human Resources Development 2007-2013 operational program which is co-financed by the European Social Fund in Greece, a priority axis with a total budget of approximately EUR 274 million is devoted to the promotion of social and labour market inclusion of disadvantaged groups in a society of equal opportunities. Homeless people could potentially benefit from such interventions; however, there is no specific earmarked budget for this target group.

For 2014-20, the Commission proposes that at least 20 % of ESF financing in each Member State is allocated to social inclusion and poverty, and that each Member State allocates at least 5 % of its total ERDF resources to actions for sustainable urban development.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000945/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Πρόγραμμα Progress Microfinance για ίδρυση επιχειρήσεων

Το πρόγραμμα Progress Microfinance που τέθηκε σε εφαρμογή το 2010 αυξάνει την δυνατότητα χορήγησης μικροδανείων — κάτω των 25 χιλιάδων ευρώ — για την ίδρυση ή την ανάπτυξη μικρών επιχειρήσεων. Το συγκεκριμένο πρόγραμμα, σε μια δύσκολη οικονομικά περίοδο, αποτελεί σημαντική πρωτοβουλία, ιδίως για την βοήθεια νέων ανθρώπων που επιθυμούν να κάνουν πράξη και να αναπτύξουν το επιχειρηματικό τους πλάνο.

Ερωτάται η Επιτροπή:

Απάντηση του κ. Andor εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(16 Μαρτίου 2012)

Το πρώτο πλήρες έτος λειτουργίας του μηχανισμού μικροχρηματοδοτήσεων Progress (175) ήταν το 2011. Αν και είναι πολύ νωρίς να αντληθούν συμπεράσματα σχετικά με τις επιδόσεις του, η ζήτηση από τον κλάδο και ο αριθμός των συμβάσεων που έχουν υπογραφεί με τους παρόχους μικροχρηματοδοτήσεων είναι ενθαρρυντικά. Μέχρι σήμερα έχουν υπογραφεί 15 συμβάσεις με παρόχους μικροχρηματοδοτήσεων σε 10 κράτη μέλη (176), γεγονός που αντιστοιχεί σε μια ικανοποιητική γεωγραφική κατανομή. Αναμένεται να υπογραφούν επιπλέον συμβάσεις στη Γαλλία, την Ιταλία και τη Σλοβενία τους επόμενους μήνες.

Με δική τους πρωτοβουλία, οι σημερινοί 15 μεσολαβητές έχουν δεσμευτεί μέσω σύμβασης να διαθέσουν 137 εκατομμύρια ευρώ περίπου σε πάνω από 10 500 μικροδάνεια για αυτοαπασχολούμενους ή μικροεπιχειρήσεις τα επόμενα χρόνια.

Όσον αφορά την Ελλάδα, υπογράφηκε σύμβαση εγγύησης για 803 250 ευρώ και σύμβαση για δάνειο εξοφλητικής προτεραιότητας ύψους 8 750 000 ευρώ με την Παγκρήτια Συνεταιριστική Τράπεζα τον Δεκέμβριο του 2011. Το ποσό αυτό αναμένεται να έχει ως αποτέλεσμα 19 εκατομμύρια ευρώ σε μικροδάνεια για μικροεπιχειρήσεις, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των νεοσύστατων επιχειρήσεων. Η δεύτερη ετήσια έκθεση της Επιτροπής, που αναμένεται να υποβληθεί τον Ιούνιο του 2012, θα καλύψει την υλοποίηση του μηχανισμού σε μεγάλο βάθος.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000945/12

to the Commission

Georgios Papanikolaou (PPE)

(3 February 2012)

Subject: The progress Microfinance facility for business start-ups

The Progress Microfinance facility, launched in 2010, increases the availability of microcredit — loans below EUR 25 000 — for setting up and developing small businesses. In a difficult economic period, this programme is a significant initiative, especially in helping young people seeking to put into practice and develop their business plans.

I would like to ask the Commission:

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2012)

The first full year of operation for the European Progress Microfinance Facility (177) was 2011. Although it is therefore too early to draw conclusions regarding its performance, demand from the sector and the number of contracts signed with microcredit providers are encouraging. To date, 15 contracts have been signed with microcredit providers in 10 Member States (178), which is a satisfactory geographical distribution. Further contracts are expected to be signed in France, Italy and Slovenia in the coming months.

On their own, the current 15 intermediaries have committed themselves by contract to generate nearly EUR 137 million in over 10 500 microloans to self-employed persons or micro-enterprises microloans in the coming years.

As far as Greece is concerned, a guarantee agreement for EUR 803 250 and an agreement on a senior loan of EUR 8 750 000 were signed with the Pancretan Cooperative Bank in December 2011. These are expected to result in EUR 19 million in microloans for micro-enterprises, including start-ups. The Commission’s second annual report, due for presentation in June 2012, will cover the Facility’s implementation in greater depth.

(Ελληνική έκδοση)

Ερώτηση με αίτημα γραπτής απάντησης E-000946/12

προς την Επιτροπή

Kriton Arsenis (S&D)

(9 Φεβρουαρίου 2012)

Θέμα: Διαπραγματεύσεις εθελοντικής συμφωνίας εταιρικής σχέσης (VPA) σχετικά με την επιβολή της δασικής νομοθεσίας, τη διακυβέρνηση και το εμπόριο (FLEGT) με το Βιετνάμ

Η ΕΕ έχει αναλάβει τη δέσμευση να καταπολεμήσει το εμπόριο παράνομης ξυλείας εφαρμόζοντας μια σειρά μέτρων, μεταξύ των οποίων συγκαταλέγονται το σχέδιο δράσης FLEGT του 2003 και, πιο πρόσφατα, ο κανονισμός της ΕΕ για την ξυλεία (2010). Η ανάπτυξη των εθελοντικών συμφωνιών εταιρικής σχέσης (VPA) με χώρες που εξάγουν ξυλεία αποτελεί ορόσημο για το σχέδιο δράσης. Σε κάθε συμφωνία VPA περιλαμβάνεται το επονομαζόμενο ₫Σύστημα επαλήθευσης της νομιμότητας₻ για να διασφαλίζεται ότι η ΕΕ εισάγει αποκλειστικά νόμιμα υλοτομημένη ξυλεία από χώρες-εταίρους του FLEGT.

Το 2010, η Επιτροπή ξεκίνησε διαπραγματεύσεις για σύναψη συμφωνίας συνεργασίας VPA FLEGT με το Βιετνάμ, το οποίο αποτελεί μια μεγάλη δύναμη εισαγωγής και επεξεργασίας ξυλείας στην Ασία και ένα βασικό παράγοντα σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο στο εμπόριο προϊόντων ξυλείας. Επί του παρόντος, το Βιετνάμ εισάγει το 80 % της ξυλείας που χρησιμοποιείται στην εγχώρια βιομηχανία επεξεργασίας ξυλείας, κυρίως με προορισμό τις εξαγωγικές αγορές. Υπάρχουν πολλές γειτονικές χώρες οι οποίες πραγματοποιούν εξαγωγή αγαθών προς το Βιετνάμ που μπορούν να ταξινομηθούν ως επικίνδυνες όσον αφορά τη νομιμότητα της προμήθειάς τους σε ξυλεία. Έχουν κάνει την εμφάνισή τους στον διεθνή τύπο ορισμένες δημόσια ανακοινωθείσες εκθέσεις και άρθρα σχετικά με το εν λόγω ζήτημα.

Θα μπορούσε η Επιτροπή να με ενημερώσει σχετικά με την προσέγγιση που διαμορφώνεται από μέρους του Βιετνάμ σχετικά με τον έλεγχο της νομιμότητας της ξυλείας που εισάγεται στην εγχώρια αλυσίδα επεξεργασίας και εξαγωγής, ήτοι η αποφυγή του κινδύνου νομιμοποίησης παράνομης ξυλείας και επακόλουθης εξαγωγής της στην ΕΕ;

Οι κύριοι προμηθευτές ξυλείας προς το Βιετνάμ έχουν διαμορφώσει συστήματα για τη διασφάλιση της νομιμότητας των εξαγωγών ξυλείας ή μήπως θα τους ενδιέφερε να ξεκινήσουν και αυτοί με τη σειρά τους διαπραγματεύσεις για σύναψη συμφωνίας VPA FLEGT;

Απάντηση του κ. Potočnik εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής

(14 Μαρτίου 2012)

Στο πλαίσιο των τρεχουσών διαπραγματεύσεων για τη σύναψη εθελοντικών συμφωνιών εταιρικής σχέσης σχετικά με την επιβολή της δασικής νομοθεσίας, τη διακυβέρνηση και το εμπόριο (FLEGT VPA), η κυβέρνηση του Βιετνάμ βρίσκεται στο στάδιο καθιέρωσης συστήματος επαλήθευσης της νομιμότητας της ξυλείας το οποίο επιτρέπει την ιχνηλάτηση και τον έλεγχο της νομιμότητας της ξυλείας και των προϊόντων ξυλείας που εισέρχονται στην αλυσίδα επεξεργασίας και εξαγωγής, περιλαμβάνεται ιδίως ο έλεγχος της νομιμότητας των εισαγωγών ξυλείας για να εξασφαλιστεί ότι εφαρμόζονται αποτελεσματικά και αξιόπιστα συστήματα ελέγχου ξυλείας σε διεθνές επίπεδο.

Το Βιετνάμ εισάγει ξυλεία από περίπου 26 διαφορετικούς προμηθευτές, συμπεριλαμβανομένων ορισμένων κρατών μελών της ΕΕ. Η εξάρτηση και η ποικιλομορφία των πηγών εισαγωγής είναι μια από τις κύριες προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζουν οι βιετναμικές αρχές στο πλαίσιο των διαπραγματεύσεων FLEGT VPA. Μεταξύ των κύριων προμηθευτών, η Ινδονησία ολοκλήρωσε πέρυσι τις διαπραγματεύσεις FLEGT VPA και η Μαλαισία βρίσκεται σε προχωρημένο στάδιο των διαπραγματεύσεων. Το Λάος και η Ταϊλάνδη εμπλέκονται σε συναφείς με τη FLEGT δραστηριότητες που μπορούν να οδηγήσουν σε έναρξη των διαπραγματεύσεων VPA πριν το τέλος του 2012. Η ανταλλαγή πληροφοριών και οι περιφερειακές δραστηριότητες με αντικείμενο τη FLEGT αφορούσαν επίσης την Καμπότζη και τη Βιρμανία/Μιανμάρ. Οι ΗΠΑ, που θέσπισαν νομοθεσία το 2008 για την απαγόρευση της πώλησης παράνομα υλοτομημένης ξυλείας, και η Κίνα είναι επίσης κύριοι προμηθευτές ξυλείας του Βιετνάμ. Η Κίνα και η ΕΕ έθεσαν σε εφαρμογή το 2009 διμερή μηχανισμό συνεργασίας για την επιβολή της δασικής νομοθεσίας και τη διακυβέρνηση με γενικότερο στόχο τη συμβολή στη μείωση της παράνομης υλοτομίας και του σχετικού παράνομου εμπορίου σε παγκόσμια κλίμακα.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000946/12

to the Commission

Kriton Arsenis (S&D)

(9 February 2012)

Subject: FLEGT VPA negotiations with Vietnam

The EU is committed to fighting trade in illegal timber through a number of measures, which include the 2003 FLEGT Action Plan and, more recently, the EU Timber Regulation (2010). A milestone of the action plan is the development of Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with timber-exporting countries. The VPAs contain a so-called Legality Assurance System to ensure that only legally harvested timber is imported into the EU from FLEGT partner countries.

In 2010 the Commission started FLEGT VPA negotiations with Vietnam, a major timber importer and processing country in Asia, and a key global player in the trading of timber products. Vietnam currently imports 80 % of the timber which is used by its timber‐processing industry, mainly for export markets. A number of neighbouring countries exporting to Vietnam can be classified as risky in terms of the legality of their timber supply. Some publicly released reports and articles have appeared in the international press about this.

Can the Commission inform me of the approach being developed by Vietnam to control the legality of the timber entering its processing and export chain, i.e. avoiding the risk of illegal timber laundering and subsequent export to the EU?

Are the main timber suppliers to Vietnam developing systems for ensuring the legality of their timber exports or would they be interested in starting FLEGT VPA negotiations as well?

Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2012)

Within the frame of the ongoing Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreements (FLEGT VPA) negotiations, the Government of Vietnam is in the stage of developing a Timber Legality Assurance System that allows tracking and verifying the legality of timber and timber products entering the processing and export chain. This includes addressing the legality of timber imports to ensure that the timber control systems put in place will be effective and credible at international level.

Vietnam imports timber from some 26 different suppliers, including some EU Member States. The dependency and diversity of import sources is one of the main challenges that the Vietnamese Authorities face in the FLEGT VPA negotiations. Among the main suppliers, Indonesia concluded FLEGT VPA negotiations last year and Malaysia is at an advanced stage of negotiations. Laos and Thailand are involved in FLEGT related activities that could lead to start VPA negotiations before the end of 2012. Information exchanges and regional activities on FLEGT have also involved Cambodia and Myanmar. The USA, which enacted legislation in 2008 prohibiting the sale of illegally harvested timber, and China are also main timber suppliers to Vietnam. With China the EU started in 2009 a Bilateral Cooperation Mechanism on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance with the overall objective of contributing to the reduction of illegal logging and associated trade globally.

(Versione italiana)

Interrogazione con richiesta di risposta scritta E-000947/12

alla Commissione

Lorenzo Fontana (EFD)

(3 febbraio 2012)

Oggetto: Raid aerei effettuati dalla Turchia nei confronti di villaggi abitati da cittadini di etnia curda

Nella notte del 28 dicembre 2011, due aerei da combattimento turchi hanno attaccato dei villaggi curdi situati sulle montagne del Kurdistan, al confine tra Turchia e Iraq, provocando la morte di 39 cittadini turchi di etnia curda. Il Primo ministro turco Erdogan ha dichiarato che l'obiettivo dell'attacco non erano gli abitanti dei villaggi ma i membri del PKK (Partito dei lavoratori del Kurdistan), movimento politico armato che lotta per l'indipendenza del Kurdistan dalla Turchia.

Il predetto episodio rientra nel trentennale scontro tra lo Stato e il PKK, che si stima abbia causato complessivamente la morte di decine di migliaia di persone tra civili, soldati turchi e membri del movimento.

Considerando il ruolo della Turchia come paese candidato all'adesione all'Unione europea, può la Commissione far sapere se è al corrente di quanto sopra descritto?

Può indicare se sono stati intrattenuti colloqui con la controparte turca, al fine di fare luce sull'episodio?

Può inoltre far sapere se e quali azioni sono state intraprese per favorire un miglioramento delle relazioni tra il governo di Ankara e la minoranza curda?

Risposta data da Štefan Füle a nome della Commissione

(16 marzo 2012)

La Commissione invita l’onorevole parlamentare a consultare le risposte alle interrogazioni E-000114/2012, E-000424/2012 e E-000520/2012 (179).

(English version)

Question for written answer E-000947/12

to the Commission