directorate for the planning of parliamentary …2006)06_en.pdf · abbreviations used political...

6/A-2006

A C T I V I T I E S

D I R E C T O R A T E F O R T H E P L A N N I N G O F P A R L I A M E N T A R Y B U S I N E S S

D i r e c t o r a t e - G e n e r a l f o r t h e P r e s i d e n c y

EN EN

ABBREVIATIONS USED

Political Groups

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

Committees

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

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

\\Epades\public\bulletin\Activités

Closed on : 06.06.2006

CONTENTS

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In Memoriam,.................................................................................................................................................... MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

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

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Written questions.................................................................................................................................. Question Time (B6-0207/2006)............................................................................................................ Summary of Questions time - May 2006 ............................................................................................. Written declarations..............................................................................................................................

COMMITTEES

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

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Commission documents...........................................................................................................

GENERAL INFORMATION

Common Foreign and Security Policy Declaration on the situation in Togo ...................................................................................... Declaration on the Solomon Islands´new government ........................................................... Declaration on the Egyptian authorities against civil society activists .................................. Declaration regarding the recent arrests in Syria ................................................................... Declaration on the formation of the government in Iraq ........................................................ Declaration regarding the referendum in Montenegro ........................................................... Declaration on the current situation in Burma/Myanmar ....................................................... Declaration on recent arrests of demonstrators in the Maldives ............................................ Declaration on Timor-Leste ................................................................................................... Declaration on the presidential elections in Colombia ........................................................... Declaration concerning listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation ................................. Declaration on the request of the Belarusian Ministry of Justice to suspend the activities of the Belarus Helsinki Committee ......................................................................... Declaration concerning the Council Common Position 2006/318/CFSP renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar .......................................................

CONTENTS

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European Economic and Social Committee Plenary Assembly of 17 and 18 of May 2006 .........................................................................

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT This document is available at :

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

IN MEMORIAM

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DEATH OF A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN LITHUANIA At its sitting of 15 May 2006, the European Parliament was informed that Rolandas Pavilionis MEP had died on 10 May 2006. Pursuant to Rule 4(1), it established that his seat was vacant with effect from 11 May 2006. Mr Pavilionis had been a Member of the European Parliament since 20 July 2004 and was Vice-Chairman of the UEN Group. He was a member of the Committee on Culture and Education and of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America.

_____________________

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

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APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS/END OF MEMBERS' TERMS OF OFFICE

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF TEN MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN ITALY

The Italian authorities have informed the President of Parliament of the election of the following Members of the European Parliament: • CAPPATO Marco (Emma Bonino List), to replace Emma BONINO • CASINI Carlo (UDC List), to replace Armando DIONISI • GABRIELE Corrado (Rifondazione Comunista List), to replace

Fausto BERTINOTTI. • GOTTARDI Donata Maria Assunta (Uniti nell’Ulivo List), to replace

Enrico LETTA • LOSCO Andrea (Uniti nell’Ulivo List), to replace Massimo D’ALEMA

• OCCHETTO Achille (Italia dei Valori Di Pietro-Occhetto List), to replace

Antonio DI PIETRO • PATRICIELLO Aldo (UDC List), to replace Lorenzo CESA

• SUSTA Gianluca (Uniti nell’Ulivo List), to replace Pier Luigi BERSANI

• VENETO Armando (UDEUR List), to replace Paolo CIRINO POMICINO

• VERALDI Donato Tommaso (Uniti nell’Ulivo List), to replace Giovanni PROCACCI Parliament will take note of their election at the sitting of 15 May 2006, with retroactive effect from 8 May 2006.

__________


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END OF THE TERM OF OFFICE

OF FOUR MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN ITALY At its sitting of 15 May 2006 Parliament will take note of the election to the Italian Parliament of:

BERSANI Pier Luigi (PSE / IT) CIRINO POMICINO Paolo (PPE-DE / IT) D’ALEMA Massimo (PSE / IT) DIONISI Armando (PPE-DE / IT)

and, under Article 7(2) of the Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage and Rule 4(1) of the Rules of Procedure, will establish the end of their term of office in the European Parliament with effect from 28 April 2006.

_____________________

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT

OF A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, ELECTED IN LITHUANIA

At its sitting of 18 May Parliament took note of the appointment of:

M. Eugenijus MALDEIKIS as a Member of the European Parliament, to replace M. Rolandas PAVILIONIS (UEN-LT), with effect from 18 May 2006.

_____________________


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MEMBERSHIP OF THE POLITICAL GROUPS At its sitting of 15 May 2006 Parliament will take note that:

Paweł Bartłomiej PISKORSKI (PL) has been sitting with the Non-attached Members since 1 May 2006.

_____________________

At its sitting of 15 May 2006 Parliament noted that: Mr Mario BORGHEZIO Mr Umberto BOSSI Mr Matteo SALVINI Mr Francesco Enrico SPERONI had been sitting with the non-attached Members (NI) since 27 April 2006.

_____________________ At its sitting of 16 May 2006 Parliament noted that:

Mr Giulietto CHIESA (IT)

had joined the PSE Group with effect from 15 May 2006.

_____________________


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At its sitting of 18 May 2006 Parliament noted that: • Mrs Donata GOTTARDI, elected to the European Parliament to replace Mr Enrico LETTA

(ALDE), had joined the PSE Group; • Mr Andrea LOSCO, elected to the European Parliament to replace Mr Massimo D’ALEMA (PSE),

had joined the ALDE Group; • Mr Achille OCCHETTO, elected to the European Parliament to replace Mr Antonio DI PIETRO

(ALDE), had joined the PSE Group; • Mr Gianluca SUSTA, elected to the European Parliament to replace Mr Pier Luigi BERSANI (PSE),

had joined the ALDE Group.

_____________________


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WRITTEN QUESTIONS Situation at 01.06.2006 Author Subject No

Vito Bonsignore and others Building of railway tunnel on the Turin-Lyon line E-1987/06

Erik Meijer Large cuts in, or complete elimination of, rights to pensions and other benefits for former foreign workers due to a new care system

E-1988/06

Erik Meijer Increase in ships' waste in the North Sea and on neighbouring coasts, and limited use of reception facilities, despite the entry into force of the Directive on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues

E-1989/06

Ivo Belet Ban on trading in cat-fur and dog-hair E-1990/06

Witold Tomczak Sales tax in the Member States E-1991/06

Carlos Coelho Exploitation of temporary workers P-1992/06

Gabriele Stauner OLAF investigation into the financing of Parliament's building in Brussels

P-1993/06

Raül Romeva i Rueda CTICs - Counterterrorist Intelligence Centres P-1994/06

Ashley Mote Prodi, KGB operative P-1995/06

Péter Olajos Protection of the geographical indications and designations of origin of Hungarian foodstuffs in the EU

P-1996/06

Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna

The Commission's failure to include the firm Navantia E-1997/06

Carlos Carnero González and Elena Valenciano Martínez-Orozco

European funding of Black Beach prison, and human rights violations in Equatorial Guinea

E-1998/06

Othmar Karas The EU-assisted establishment of an 'EU consultants' qualification and the lack of recognition of the already established CMC standard

E-1999/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Crime in Greece E-2000/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Illegal immigration into the EU E-2001/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Policing in Greece and the rest of the EU E-2002/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Banks the final beneficiaries of Community funds in Greece E-2003/06

Ashley Mote Eurozone heading for collapse E-2004/06

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert Safety of SUVs E-2005/06


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Andreas Schwab Postage rates P-2006/06

Riccardo Ventre Implementation of 'Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate" and feedback received to date

P-2007/06

Hynek Fajmon Illegal imports of waste into the Czech Republic E-2008/06

Thomas Mann and Ewa Klamt Protective measures against avian influenza E-2009/06

Ioannis Gklavakis Safety of fishing vessels at sea E-2010/06

Glenis Willmott EU funding for road in Malawi named after, and opened by, Robert Mugabe

E-2011/06

Vittorio Agnoletto The accident at Chernobyl in 1986 and a European policy to promote the safety of nuclear power stations in Ukraine

E-2012/06

Jan Mulder Slaughter of healthy cattle in connection with identification and registration system

E-2013/06

Frank Vanhecke Conversion of Muslims to Christianity in Algeria E-2014/06

Luciana Sbarbati Traditional sports, part of Europe's cultural heritage P-2015/06

Maria Matsouka Eurostat survey shows large proportion of Greek citizens do not use Internet

E-2016/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Allegations concerning statements by American Under Secretaries about the Greek economy

E-2017/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Buses purchased with EU cofunding in Greece E-2018/06

Sharon Bowles Income and social security rates E-2019/06

Richard Corbett Commission meetings E-2020/06

Linda McAvan Slaughterhouse staff E-2021/06

Antonio Tajani and others Anti-Semitic acts in Italy on Liberation Day E-2022/06

Antonio Tajani and others Anti-Semitic acts in Italy on Liberation Day E-2023/06

Cristiana Muscardini Outbreak of anti-Semitism in Milan E-2024/06

Marco Rizzo New nuclear plants E-2025/06

Emanuel Fernandes Port taxes charged at Madeira airport E-2026/06

Jonas Sjöstedt Threat to musical diversity in Europe P-2027/06

Paul Rübig Excessive costs charged by consulates for commercial documents

E-2028/06

Gay Mitchell Tibet's Panchen Lama E-2029/06

Terence Wynn Sport in the European Union E-2030/06

Terence Wynn Sport in the European Union E-2031/06


16

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Johannes Voggenhuber State of repair of the Jean Monnet building in Luxembourg P-2032/06

Justas Paleckis Action by the European Commission to ensure uniform conditions of competition

P-2033/06

Claude Moraes Services Directive P-2034/06

Joan Calabuig Rull Relations between farmers and large scale commercial distribution

E-2035/06

Joan Calabuig Rull Relations between farmers and large commercial distribution chains

E-2036/06

Bernat Joan i Marí Competition law in Romania - the Rafo case E-2037/06

Renate Sommer Tourism in Cyprus E-2038/06

Georgios Papastamkos Support measures for sectors of production and consumer protection in the event of food crises

E-2039/06

Nikolaos Vakalis Registration of a .eu domain name E-2040/06

Claude Moraes Progress in key priorities E-2041/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Muslims' refusal to integrate E-2042/06

Chris Davies Breeding of gamebirds E-2043/06

Chris Davies Parliamentary questions in 2005 E-2044/06

Maria Martens, Albert Maat and Thijs Berman

State aid test for agricultural landscapes E-2045/06

José Ribeiro e Castro China - traffic in organs E-2046/06

Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou

Information society and people with disabilities P-2047/06

Rosa Miguélez Ramos Building of two motorways on Ibiza P-2048/06

Emilio Menéndez del Valle Salamiyeh Young People's Literary Festival (Syria) P-2049/06

Michael Nattrass State aid P-2050/06

Kyriacos Triantaphyllides Refusal of Mr Talat to recognise the Commission's representative in Cyprus

P-2051/06

Marie-Hélène Aubert Harmfulness of systemic insecticides to non-target insects and persistence of active substances used to treat seed in the environment

P-2052/06

Czesław Siekierski Embargo on Polish agricultural exports to Russia P-2053/06

Marco Pannella and others The EU's policy of dialogue and political prisoners in a critical condition

E-2054/06


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Willy Meyer Pleite Possible infringement of Directives 97/62/EC, 92/43/EEC, 85/337/EEC and 80/68/EEC in Cabanes - Oropesa, Spain

E-2055/06

Willy Meyer Pleite Warning Spain about failure to carry out an environmental impact study on the 'Atalaya' housing estate at Peñiscola (Castelló, Spain)

E-2056/06

Willy Meyer Pleite Failure to implement Directive 91/271/EEC - Answer to written question E-0109/06

E-2057/06

María Salinas García Greenpeace campaign in the fruit and vegetable sector E-2058/06

María Salinas García Second phase of the EU-US agreements on wine E-2059/06

Hiltrud Breyer Licensing of fillers used in cosmetic treatments E-2060/06

Manolis Mavrommatis Unfair competition policies pursued by Visa and MasterCard

E-2061/06

Catherine Stihler Pension fund failures E-2062/06

Catherine Stihler Pension fund failures E-2063/06

Peter Skinner Directive 2001/37/EC on tobacco E-2064/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Waste crisis in Sofia E-2065/06

David Martin Purchasing power of pensions E-2066/06

David Martin Average pension in Member States E-2067/06

David Martin State pensions E-2068/06

Marie-Noëlle Lienemann Observance of the rules of free competition E-2069/06

Erik Meijer The ties between Romania and Moldova, the future external border of the EU and a solution to the inadequate railway links between them

E-2070/06

Ilda Figueiredo and Pedro Guerreiro

Sea transport costs in the outermost regions E-2071/06

Ilda Figueiredo Measures to support the preservation, promotion and publicising of rural life in the Autonomous Region of Madeira

E-2072/06

Paulo Casaca Checks on compliance by airlines with European and international legislation

E-2073/06

Hiltrud Breyer Doubts as to the reliability of the Syngenta test for Bt10 E-2074/06

Kyriacos Triantaphyllides Statements by Condoleeza Rice on the Cyprus question E-2075/06

Kyriacos Triantaphyllides Statements by Condoleeza Rice on the Cyprus question E-2076/06

Mary McDonald EU funding to Palestinian Authority E-2077/06


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Mary McDonald EU funding to Palestinian Authority E-2078/06

Mary McDonald Natura 2000 sites E-2079/06

Mary McDonald Flight time regulations E-2080/06

Mary McDonald High Level Group on Multilingualism E-2081/06

Caroline Lucas Choice of testing methods for marine biotoxins E-2082/06

Caroline Lucas Toxin testing: use of animal test methods E-2083/06

Geoffrey Van Orden EU Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications E-2084/06

Ivo Belet Tax concessions and exemptions for private pleasure craft E-2085/06

Jonas Sjöstedt Illegal logging of timber E-2086/06

Jana Hybášková Czech legislation on pricing and reimbursement of drugs P-2087/06

Bernat Joan i Marí Extension of the El Toro harbour for recreational craft (Balearic Islands)

E-2088/06

Karin Riis-Jørgensen Identical or non-identical products E-2089/06

GRAF Alexander Lambsdorff Misuse of EU funds E-2090/06

Georgios Papastamkos Harmonisation of criminal law relating to the offences of counterfeiting and piracy

E-2091/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Access to the documents of the First Head Department of the former Darzavna Sigurnost in Bulgaria

E-2092/06

Roberta Angelilli Unjustified disparity in the Lazio Region's treatment of its creditors

E-2093/06

Anne Van Lancker Consequences of the new Netherlands health insurance law for Belgian border workers

E-2094/06

Bart Staes Rolling fund for the prefinancing of non-recurring costs of innovation-related projects in high-tech, advanced industries

E-2095/06

Bart Staes Export of isostatic press to Iran E-2096/06

Charles Tannock Kazakhstan and potential membership of the ENP E-2097/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Worker safety in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2098/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Child labour in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2099/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven The right to form and join unions in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2100/06


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Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Street children in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2101/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Discrimination against women in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2102/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Citizens' access to government information in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2103/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Amendments needed to the national legislation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the basis of the European Social Charter

E-2104/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Situation of Roma in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2105/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Discrimination against Roma in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2106/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Discrimination against persons with disabilities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2107/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Rule of law in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia E-2108/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Corruption in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia E-2109/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Governmental support to the ombudsman in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2110/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Prison conditions in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2111/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Denial of fair public trial in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2112/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Freedom of expression in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2113/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Victims' rights to protection in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2114/06

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven Detention based on so-called police order in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

E-2115/06

Daniel Caspary Nationalisation of the natural gas industry in Bolivia P-2116/06

Hiltrud Breyer Measures relating to coexistence of genetically modified and conventional crops

E-2117/06

Hiltrud Breyer Approval of MON 863 genetically modified maize - shortcomings identified in expert reports (additional questions)

E-2118/06

Ashley Mote Slovakia entices Peugeot away from UK E-2119/06


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Alyn Smith Oil transaction currency E-2120/06

Daniel Hannan Malawian highway E-2121/06

Erik Meijer and Kartika Liotard

Termination of the business interests of Commissioner Kroes

E-2122/06

Teresa Riera Madurell The construction of two motorways on Ibiza P-2123/06

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis Microsoft case and innovation P-2124/06

Georgios Papastamkos Higher education in Europe P-2125/06

Charles Tannock Mr. Son Jing Nam, facing imminent execution in North Korea

P-2126/06

Richard Howitt Illegal suspension of imports of British poultry by Japan and Hong Kong under international trade rules

P-2127/06

Esko Seppänen Belgian effluent P-2128/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Sadistic pornographic websites and the EU's response E-2129/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Sadistic pornographic websites and the EU's response E-2130/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Imports of milk into Greece and protection of the health of Greek citizens

E-2131/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Hydroelectric projects in Epirus E-2132/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Subsidies to Epirus E-2133/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Subsidies to companies in Greece E-2134/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Inaccurate data concerning the 3rd CSF take-up rate in Greece

E-2135/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Unfair treatment of persons insured under the Merchants Insurance Fund (TAE) in Greece

E-2136/06

Georgios Papastamkos Falling number of school pupils in the Member States of the EU

E-2137/06

Georgios Papastamkos Internet governance E-2138/06

Charles Tannock Attacks on Egyptian Coptic Christians E-2139/06

Charles Tannock Attacks on Egyptian Coptic Christians E-2140/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Anti-Semitism in Poland E-2141/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Killing of dolphins E-2142/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Discrimination against Christians in Pakistan E-2143/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Racism in Germany E-2144/06

Margrete Auken Ethiopia E-2145/06


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Charles Tannock Puppy trafficking across Europe E-2146/06

Astrid Lulling Accompanying measures for ACP countries affected by the reform of the EU sugar regime

E-2147/06

Roberta Angelilli De facto exclusion of Italian maritime workers from social security benefits relating to exposure to asbestos, contrary to Directive 2003/18/EC

E-2148/06

Roberta Angelilli Disparity in treatment of maritime workers as regards pension benefits relating to asbestos exposure

E-2149/06

Roberta Angelilli Promotion and enhancement of jazz music and culture in Italy

E-2150/06

Charles Tannock Persecution of Baha'is E-2151/06

Charles Tannock Persecution of Bahá'is in Iran E-2152/06

Cristiana Muscardini Lampedusa and common immigration policy E-2153/06

Cristiana Muscardini Organ extraction in China E-2154/06

Dorette Corbey Compulsory fitting of soot filters on diesel cars to improve air quality

P-2155/06

Czesław Siekierski Soft fruit market in Poland P-2156/06

Georgios Papastamkos Footwear imports from China and Vietnam E-2157/06

Graham Watson Situation in Singapore E-2158/06

Graham Watson Situation in Singapore E-2159/06

Joseph Muscat Registration of medicine - situation in Malta E-2160/06

Simon Busuttil Restriction on EU football players allowed to play in Maltese league

E-2161/06

Simon Busuttil Landing charges at European airports E-2162/06

Simon Busuttil EU funds for Malta in the area of immigration E-2163/06

Simon Busuttil and Louis Grech

Free movement of services for on-line gambling/betting companies

E-2164/06

Simon Busuttil and Louis Grech

Free movement of services for on-line gambling/betting companies

E-2165/06

Paulo Casaca Deep sea destruction E-2166/06

Pier Panzeri and Nicola Zingaretti

The Italian regional tax IRAP E-2167/06

Emanuel Fernandes The 'Wider Neighbourhood Action Plan' and the future ultra-peripheral regions' sustainable development strategy

E-2168/06


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Antonios Trakatellis Protection of human health from risks posed by uncontrolled imports of footwear from third countries

P-2169/06

Jonas Sjöstedt Centre Party's proposal for youth contract P-2170/06

Antolín Sánchez Presedo Competition and collective negotiation by small producers P-2171/06

Caroline Lucas Energy sources P-2172/06

Holger Krahmer Liberalisation of drinking water supply E-2173/06

Anne Ferreira Blood donation: implementation of the directive in the Member States

P-2174/06

Silvana Koch-Mehrin Financial perspective: review of EU expenditure and resources

P-2175/06

Carlos Carnero González Environmental impact assessment of the Madrid City Council Construction Plan's Recoletos-Prado Special Plan for the 03.03 Planning Area

P-2176/06

José García-Margallo y Marfil EU-Bolivian relations E-2177/06

José García-Margallo y Marfil EU-Bolivian relations E-2178/06

Antolín Sánchez Presedo Seismic activity rapid warning E-2179/06

Silvana Koch-Mehrin Advertising and PR agency contracts E-2180/06

Dimitrios Papadimoulis Progress on Cohesion Fund projects E-2181/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Assaults on Members of the European Parliament in Greece E-2182/06

Gitte Seeberg and others Support for rehabilitation of torture victims under the Democracy and Human Rights Programme

E-2183/06

Caroline Lucas Concentration limits for contamination by marine biotoxins E-2184/06

Ria Oomen-Ruijten Decision by the Commission regarding the accelerated introduction of particle filters for diesel engines in the Netherlands

E-2185/06

Sophia in 't Veld Definition of torture in the US P-2186/06

Cancelled question E-2187/06

Mary McDonald INTAS programme E-2188/06

Philip Claeys Sweden's decision to grant visa to Hamas minister E-2189/06

Sophia in 't Veld Information obtained as a result of torture E-2190/06

David Hammerstein Mintz High-voltage power line between Lada (Asturias) and Velilla (Palencia)

E-2191/06

David Hammerstein Mintz Enlargement of the El Toro (Port Adriano) recreational harbour in Calvià, Mallorca

E-2192/06


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Ashley Mote Appointment of Mr Bruner E-2193/06

Mary McDonald INTAS programme E-2194/06

Gay Mitchell Social Investment Fund, Dominica and St. Vincent E-2195/06

Albert Maat Sales of champost E-2196/06

Philip Claeys External contracts for studies and advice E-2197/06

Glenys Kinnock Attacks by Burmese army in the Karen State P-2198/06

Paulo Casaca Sakhalin II and the EBRD P-2199/06

Mario Borghezio The European Union should condemn the eviction of Hirsi Ali

E-2200/06

Mario Borghezio The European Union should condemn the eviction of Hirsi Ali

E-2201/06

Bernat Joan i Marí Adoptions in Bulgaria E-2202/06

Bernat Joan i Marí Future of the Mercator programme E-2203/06

Jonas Sjöstedt USA's economic transformation of Iraq E-2204/06

Jonas Sjöstedt USA's economic transformation of Iraq E-2205/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Prosecution of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for Holocaust denial in Germany

E-2206/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Attack on civilians by Burmese army E-2207/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Commission increasing the cost of Premiership football to English TV viewers

E-2208/06

Paul van Buitenen Funding of NGOs, activities and private persons for activities on Palestinian and Israeli issues

E-2209/06

Bart Staes Formal notice for non-compliance with urban waste-water directive

E-2210/06

Othmar Karas Holiday arrangements P-2211/06

Pia Locatelli Statistics for textiles and clothing imports (January-November 2005)

P-2212/06

Carl Schlyter Pfizer pharmaceutical tests in Nigeria P-2213/06

Willy Meyer Pleite Common grave in Valencia's 'Cementerio General' (Spain) E-2214/06


European fishing fleet competitiveness and rising fuel prices

E-2215/06


European fishing fleet competitiveness and rising fuel prices

E-2216/06


24

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015


The competitiveness of the European fishing fleet in light of the increase in fuel prices

E-2217/06


The competitiveness of the European fishing fleet in light of the increase in fuel prices

E-2218/06

José García-Margallo y Marfil Criteria used by the Internal Market Directorate-General to initiate Community infringement proceedings relating to public procurement

E-2219/06

José García-Margallo y Marfil National measures for the implementation of Directive 2004/18/EC

E-2220/06

Mogens Camre Demographic development of Cyprus E-2221/06

Markus Ferber EU funding for religious communities E-2222/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Expulsion of the Greeks of Turkey E-2223/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Island of Kimolos (Cyclades) cut off from the rest of Greece

E-2224/06

Konstantinos Hatzidakis Pesticides and cancer E-2225/06

Konstantinos Hatzidakis Resources for the social integration of Roma E-2226/06

Daniel Hannan Online photos and consumer protection E-2227/06

Alyn Smith Emission Trading Schemes E-2228/06

Sharon Bowles Red diesel E-2229/06

Neil Parish EU grants for the leaf fractionation process E-2230/06

Koenraad Dillen Threat of a boycott of French businesses by Turkey E-2231/06

David Hammerstein Mintz Task Force on ICT competitiveness E-2232/06

Sharon Bowles Competition law assistance E-2233/06

Sharon Bowles Competition law assistance E-2234/06

Philip Claeys Political activities of a member of the Court of Auditors E-2235/06

David Hammerstein Mintz Sewerage contour channel in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria E-2236/06

Michl Ebner Religious freedom in China E-2237/06

Patrick Gaubert Conditions for continuing European Union financial aid to Palestine

E-2238/06

Roberta Angelilli Possibility of eliminating Strasbourg as a seat of the European Parliament

E-2239/06

Roberta Angelilli Refusal by the US authorities to accede to the international letters rogatory issued by the Italian authorities in relation to the death of Nicola Calipari

E-2240/06


25

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

Roberta Angelilli Counterfeiting of Italian PDO and PGI products on the US market

E-2241/06

Roberta Angelilli Workings of the European Journalism Centre E-2242/06

Thijs Berman Bullfighting E-2243/06

Ilda Figueiredo Loans to employees in cases of company bankruptcy E-2244/06

Ilda Figueiredo Property taxation E-2245/06

Ilda Figueiredo Aid for the small-scale glass industry in the Marinha Grande area (Portugal)ugak

E-2246/06

Ilda Figueiredo Aid for modernisation of the Linha do Oeste rail line (Portugal)

E-2247/06

Gerardo Galeote Official languages P-2248/06

Hannes Swoboda Situation of the Roma in the European Union and the candidate countries

P-2249/06

Jean-Luc Bennahmias France's response to Commission instructions concerning pollution of the Etang de Berre

P-2250/06

Francesco Musotto Financial admissibility of using money from the Structural Funds for 2007-2013 to purchase railway equipment

P-2251/06

Kathalijne Buitenweg Commissioner Kroes P-2252/06

Margrietus van den Berg Floods in Suriname P-2253/06

Ilda Figueiredo Regulations relating to the latest reform of the CAP P-2254/06

Gerard Batten Romano Prodi and allegations of association with the KGB P-2255/06

David Hammerstein Mintz Revocation of the Eivissa (Baleares) NRDP E-2256/06

Anne Jensen Introduction of the digital tachograph E-2257/06

Dimitrios Papadimoulis Excise duties on fuels E-2258/06

Elizabeth Lynne Use of premium rate telephone numbers in the UK E-2259/06

Frank Vanhecke Halki seminary on the island of Heybeliada E-2260/06

Frank Vanhecke Louis Michel and development aid for Ethiopia E-2261/06

Albert Maat Execution in North Korea E-2262/06

Frank Vanhecke Rights of women in Albania E-2263/06

Frank Vanhecke Erdogan action against Dorduncu E-2264/06

Joan Calabuig Rull Textiles and clothing import statistics (January-November 2005)

P-2265/06

Tomáš Zatloukal Type-certificates for aircraft P-2266/06


26

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

Georgios Karatzaferis Definition of 'minority' and 'community' according to EU legislation

P-2267/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Social solidarity in Athens and Thessaloniki E-2268/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Threats by Turkish officials E-2269/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Low growth rate of France, Germany and Italy E-2270/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk More power to EU E-2271/06

Marco Rizzo Syndial E-2272/06

Hélène Goudin Protective tariffs on leather shoes E-2273/06

Josu Ortuondo Larrea Security Service administrator - Physical Security Unit P-2274/06

Sajjad Karim Michael Shields and the Bulgarian justice system P-2275/06

Thijs Berman Swine fever P-2276/06

Raül Romeva i Rueda Andorra E-2277/06

Raül Romeva i Rueda Andorra E-2278/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Referendum on independence for Montenegro E-2279/06

Hiltrud Breyer Quarantine of birds E-2280/06

Glyn Ford Asia-Europe Foundation E-2281/06

Hiltrud Breyer Inter-country adoption in Romania P-2282/06

Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra

Death in the Atlantic P-2283/06


Sexual exploitation in Liberia E-2284/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Discrimination against women in Greece E-2285/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Deceitful national leaders E-2286/06

Richard Corbett Protection of dolphins E-2287/06

Richard Corbett Fines imposed by the Commission E-2288/06

Frank Vanhecke Composition of the new UN Human Rights Council E-2289/06

Dimitrios Papadimoulis Concerted practice by shipowners on Greek island routes E-2290/06

Vittorio Agnoletto Cooperation Agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Turkish Cypriot authorities

E-2291/06

Vittorio Agnoletto Cooperation Agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Turkish Cypriot authorities

E-2292/06


27

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

Iles Braghetto Derogation for the use of small-scale fishing gear from 1 April to 31 July each year, pending the adoption of the regulation on the Mediterranean

P-2293/06

David Hammerstein Mintz LP-2 Highway Scheme, La Cumbre-Los Llanos, La Palma E-2294/06

Czesław Siekierski Direct payments for Polish farmers E-2295/06

Kathy Sinnott Rest points for truck drivers, Ireland P-2296/06

Alyn Smith Block insurance policy in Scotland E-2297/06

Monica Frassoni Alterations to the former SS 504 Scalea-Mormanno road in Cosenza

E-2298/06

Kathy Sinnott Accommodation for intellectually disabled people, Ireland E-2299/06

Eva-Britt Svensson EU traffic data law, the FBI and the undermining of fundamental legal principles

E-2300/06

Eva-Britt Svensson EU traffic data law, the FBI and the undermining of fundamental legal principles

E-2301/06

Nikolaos Sifunakis Delay in completion of studies for provincial roads linking Kalloni-Eresos-Sigri and Kalloni-Petra-Mithimna (island of Lesbos, Greece)

P-2302/06

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis Amendment of the Seveso II Directive E-2303/06

Stavros Lambrinidis Illegal abduction of Pakistani citizens in Greece P-2304/06

Marc Tarabella Bad management of funds intended for specific projects by consumer associations (contd)

P-2305/06

Maria Badia I Cutchet Information concerning product labelling E-2306/06

Stavros Lambrinidis Illegal abduction of Pakistani citizens in Greece E-2307/06

Konstantinos Hatzidakis High cost of mobile telephone services in Greece E-2308/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Inflation in Greece E-2309/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Freedom of Sikhs E-2310/06

Alyn Smith Number of Scots employed in the EU institutions E-2311/06

Marco Cappato Arrest in Laos of a Christian leader and persecution of two Christian families from the village of Tabeng

E-2312/06

Marco Cappato Rule of law, democracy and repression of opposition groups in the Maldives

E-2313/06

John Bowis Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes P-2314/06

Christine De Veyrac Freezing of EU aid - Palestine P-2315/06

Marie-Arlette Carlotti Current proceedings on the Entressen landfill P-2316/06


28

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

David Hammerstein Mintz Cable and tyre dump in Léon E-2317/06

Mogens Camre The Commission's desire for the admission of Bulgaria to the EU

E-2318/06

Klaus Hänsch Investigation into alleged cases of the State-sanctioned killing of persons trying to flee Bulgaria during the period from 1975 to 1989

E-2319/06

Georgios Karatzaferis INTERREG IIIA Programme (Greece - Turkey) E-2320/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Relocation of EU-subsidised companies away from Member States

E-2321/06

Marie-Noëlle Lienemann Mrs Nelie Kroes compromised in an inquiry in the Netherlands

E-2322/06

Marie-Noëlle Lienemann Scheme for a goldmine in French Guyana run by a Canadian multinational

E-2323/06

Bart Staes Protection of animal species which are listed in Annex II to the Habitats Directive but do not live in a Habitat area

E-2324/06

Paulo Casaca Ocean teledetection E-2325/06

Jonas Sjöstedt Support for poor countries in the context of global warming E-2326/06

Edite Estrela Controversy over agri-environmental measures P-2327/06

Adeline Hazan Decision of the JHA Council of 27-28 April 2006 to step up joint flights for the expulsion of illegal immigrants

P-2328/06

Adam Gierek Interpretation of patent law P-2329/06

José García-Margallo y Marfil EU-Bolivia relations: Bolivian Government decree affecting the Spanish BBVA Group

E-2330/06

José García-Margallo y Marfil EU-Bolivia relations: Bolivian Government decree affecting the Spanish BBVA Group

E-2331/06

Antolín Sánchez Presedo and María Sornosa Martínez

Bird flu developments E-2332/06

Antolín Sánchez Presedo and María Sornosa Martínez

Bird flu developments E-2333/06

Antolín Sánchez Presedo EU reaction to the supposed AFINSA and FORUM FILATELICO swindle

E-2334/06

Antolín Sánchez Presedo EU reaction to the supposed AFINSA and FORUM FILATELICO swindle

E-2335/06


Sahara, Aminetu Haidar and the 'black prison' E-2336/06


29

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015


Use of dynamite in fishing E-2337/06

Karin Scheele Support for a small-scale project under Article 6 of the ESF, pilot project, funding agreement with the association Telechance, Kirchenstr. 7, 8380 Jennersdorf, OLAF investigation CMS OF/2003/0543

E-2338/06

Georgios Karatzaferis Commissioner Barrot and Olympic Airways E-2339/06

Hiltrud Breyer Aspartame and Ramazzini study E-2340/06

Adeline Hazan and Martine Roure

Decision of the JHA Council of 27-28 April 2006 to step up joint flights for the expulsion of illegal immigrants

E-2341/06

Luis Capoulas Santos Controversy over agri-environmental measures P-2342/06

Francisco Millán Mon Political dialogue and cooperation agreement between the EU and the Andean community and the Bolivian nationalisation decree

P-2343/06

Thomas Ulmer Further development of metropolitan regions by the European Union

P-2344/06

Thomas Ulmer Further development of metropolitan regions by the European Union

E-2345/06

Chris Davies Killings in Palestine E-2346/06

Chris Davies Killings in Palestine E-2347/06

Albert Maat Use of EU aid to Aceh E-2348/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Fishing agreement with Morocco E-2349/06

Robert Kilroy-Silk Pollution permits E-2350/06

Marco Rizzo Documents concerning Nazi extermination camps E-2351/06

Marco Rizzo Documents concerning Nazi extermination camps E-2352/06

Cristiana Muscardini Parks: 'European adoption' for excess animals E-2353/06

Cristiana Muscardini Biofuels vs petroleum E-2354/06

Cristiana Muscardini Renewed flare-up of violence and anti-Semitism E-2355/06

Erik Meijer and Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven

Intimidatory and dangerous escorting of visiting delegations from the EU on the roads of States seeking accession to the EU

E-2356/06

Georgios Papastamkos Chat rooms and internet cafés E-2357/06

Georgios Papastamkos Corridor X E-2358/06

Dimitrios Papadimoulis Taxation of labour and capital in Greece E-2359/06


30

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

Proinsias De Rossa EU domain names E-2360/06

Proinsias De Rossa Bushmeat E-2361/06

Willy Meyer Pleite Urban development threat to an SPA and SCI in the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia natural park (Miranda del Castañar, Spain)

E-2362/06

Hiltrud Breyer Mouse bioassays for marine biotoxins E-2363/06

Dimitrios Papadimoulis Storage of nuclear waste in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

E-2364/06

Glenis Willmott Anti-inflationary measures for adoption of the Euro in Slovenia

E-2365/06

Struan Stevenson Turkish subsidies to bass farming E-2366/06

Catherine Stihler EU action on E-coli infection E-2367/06

Catherine Stihler Nanotechnology and health E-2368/06

Catherine Stihler Smoking and discrimination E-2369/06

Albert Maat Contaminated poultrymeat in Romania E-2370/06

Véronique De Keyser State of medical and paramedical training in Belgium's French-speaking community

P-2371/06

Eva-Britt Svensson Does the EU consider all members of Hamas, which is on its list of terrorist organisations, to be terrorists?

P-2372/06

Jacques Toubon Gambling activities P-2373/06


Euro-African Summit E-2374/06


Euro-African Summit E-2375/06


Mauritania will not accept repatriation E-2376/06


Mauritania will not accept repatriation E-2377/06


Measures to combat illegal immigration E-2378/06

_____________________


31

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

QUESTION TIME (B6-0207/06) on 16 and 17 May 2006 20 Questions (Rule 109)

Author Subject No QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL Bernd POSSELT

Croatian accession

H-0300/06

Paulo CASACA

Expulsion of European families from Canada

H-0348/06

Elena VALENCIANO MARTÍNEZ-OROZCO

Detention of women and children in Iran

H-0364/06

Laima ANDRIKIENĖ

Need for effectively coordinated/common EU energy policy

H-0396/06

Mairead McGUINNESS

Direct taxation

H-0032/06

Katerina BATZELI

Greater uniformity of rules on taxation

H-0314/06

Eoin RYAN

Tax harmonisation

H-0333/06

Robert EVANS

Tax havens

H-0324/06

Gay MITCHELL

Economic and fiscal framework

H-0339/06

Othmar KARAS

Uniform assessment basis for corporation tax

H-0373/06

QUESTIONS TO THE COMMISSION Michl EBNER

Anti-competitive nature of mobile phone ringtone advertising

H-0360/06

NICHOLSON OF WINTERBOURNE

The need for a common minimum standard for children in Europe

H-0362/06

Neena GILL

Consumer information and consultation on the issue of GMO

H-0374/06

QUESTIONS TO DESIGNATED COMMISSIONERS Mrs REDING Maria BADIA i CUTCHET

Community regulation to reduce international roaming mobile telephone charges

H-0328/06

Seán Ó NEACHTAIN

Reduction in roaming charges in Europe

H-0336/06

Gay MITCHELL

International roaming charges

H-0340/06


32

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

Brian CROWLEY

The safest use of the Internet

H-0330/06

Mr MANDELSON Margarita STARKEVIČIŪTĖ

Financial services in WTO Doha round

H-0366/06

Mr PIEBALGS Bart STAES

Biofuels

H-0299/06

Bernd POSSELT

Energy dependence

H-0301/06

_____________________


33

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS TIME

MAY 2006

Institution

No. of questions

tabled

No. of questions

taken

Questions with

written answer

Supplementary questions

Lapsed questions (author absent)

Questions withdrawn

by the author

Questions already on the agenda

Representatives of the other Institutions

Council

47

10

36

20

0

0

0

Mr WINKLER Mr FINK

Commission

63

10

52

27

1

0

0

Mrs FISCHER-BOEL Mr ŠPIDLA Mrs REDING Mr PIEBALGS

Total

110

20

88

47

1

0

0


34

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

WRITTEN DECLARATIONS1

No.

EP No.

Author

Subject

Tabled

Closed on :

Signatures

13/2006

371.053

Maciej Giertych

On the call for all countries to open their archives pertaining to World War II

6.3.2006

6.6.2006

32

14/2006

371.059

Janusz Wojciechowski, Caroline Lucas, Ioannis Gklavakis and Thijs Berman

On genetically modified food, seeds and fodder

13.3.2006

13.6.2006

125

15/2006

371.060

Andreas Mölzer

On mutual respect

13.3.2006

13.6.2006

17

16/2006

371.061

Matteo Salvini

On naming the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels after the writer Oriana Fallaci

13.3.2006

13.6.2006

10

17/2006

371.713

Daniel Strož

On the need to pursue a balanced European foreign policy

13.3.2006

13.6.2006

18

18/2006

372.500

Roger Helmer, Ashley Mote, James Hugh Allister and Anna Záborská

On the rights of women in Saudi Arabia

30.3.2006

30.6.2006

28

1 Situation as at 18.05.2006


35

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

19/2006

372.501

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven, Michael Cashman, Erik Meijer, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff and Geoffrey Van Orden

On protection of people in Bulgaria against neo-totalitarianism</Titre>

3.4.2006

3.7.2006

65

20/2006

372.502

Konrad Konrad Szymański, Philippe Morillon, Charles Tannock, Ari Vatanen and Bastiaan Belder

On the protection of subsidiarity in European and overseas health care policies

3.4.2006

3.7.2006

45

21/2006

372.503

Iles Braghetto and Panayiotis Demetriou

<Titre>On the protection and preservation of the religious heritage in the northern part of Cyprus</Titre>

3.4.2006

3.7.2006

203

22/2006

372.504

Daniel Strož

On condemnation of the activities of former Nazis and their supporters in certain EU Member States

3.4.2006

3.7.2006

35

23/2006

372.505 Claire Gibault, Jean-Marie Cavada, Antoine Duquesne, Charles Tannock and Enrique Barón Crespo

On international adoption in Romania

3.4.2006

3.7.2006

196

24/2006

372.706

Robert Navarro, Jean-Luc Bennahmias, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Luigi Cocilovo and Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann

On the Europe Statute and the promotion of active European citizenship

3.4.2006

3.7.2006

64


36

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

25/2006

373.357 Fernand Le Rachinel

On the processing and dismantling of ships no longer in service

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

7

26/2006

373.358

Jean Lambert, Raúl Romeva i Rueda and Carl Schlyter

On an international day for the victims of chemical weapons

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

17

27/2006

373.559

Daniel Strož

On the unacceptability of disrupting between EU Member States on the basis of allegedly unresolved problems connected with the Second World War and its direct consequences

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

5

28/2006

373.560

Paul Vergès, Margie Sudre and Jean-Claude Fruteau

On the chikungunya epidemic affecting Réunion

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

81

29/2006

373.561

Bogdan Golik and Boguslaw Sonik

On the environmental threat posed by the construction of the North European gas pipeline

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

34

30/2006

373.815

Caroline Lucas, Jean Lambert and André Brie

On the punitive treatment of political and human rights activists in parts of India

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

17


37

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

31/2006

373.816 Caroline Lucas, Janusz Wojciechowski, David Hammerstein Mintz and Robert Evans

On the welfare of stray animals in EU member States, EU accession countries and other European states

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

31

32/2006

373.817

Jean Spautz

On the rights of the Child

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

34

33/2006

373.818

Richard Corbett, Alexander Christopher Heaton-Harris, Cecilia Malmström and Cem Özdemir

On holding meetings of the European Council in Strasbourg

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

89

34/2006

373.819

Andreas Mölzer

On German as a working language of the EU

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

7

35/2006

373.820

Anna Záborskà, Stephen Hughes and Gérard Deprez

On the situation of European Parliament staff working in manual of administrative support jobs

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

80

36/2006

373.821

Anna Záborská, Stephen Hughes and Gérard Deprez

On the situation of European Parliament language teachers

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

77

37/2006

373.822

Anna Záborskà, Stephen Hughes and Gérard Deprez

On the situation of freelance European Parliament staff in technical areas, such as audiovisual services

26.4.2006

26.7.2006

71


38

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

38/2006

374.553 Carl Schlyterm Oaulo Casaca, Karl-Heinz Florenz, Mojca Drčar Murko and Caroline Lucas

On banning seal products in the European Union

15.5.2006

15.9.2006

45

39/2006

374.554

Christiana Muscardini

On the Differentiated Browsing system for the protection of minors on the Internet

15.5.2006

15.9.2006

16

40/2006

374.805

Margrietus van den Berg, Jean-Marie Cavada, Harlem Désir and Caroline Lucas

On forced labour in Chinese prisons

15.5.2006

15.9.2006

55

41/2006

375.006

Feleknas Uca, Raül Romeva I Rueda, Karin Scheele, Jürgen Schröder and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne

On Female Genital Mutilation

15.5.2006

15.9.2006

73

COMMITTEES

39

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

COMMITTEES

COMMITTEES

40

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

APPOINTMENT OF RAPPORTEURS AND DRAFTSMEN (Referral: R = Responsible / O = Opinion) Name Subject Committee Date Proc.

Beer Angelika (Verts/ALE)

Nuclear safety and security assistance

AFET (O)

30/05/2006 2006/0802(CNS)

Daul Joseph (EPP-ED)

Protocol on Mountain Farming attached to the Alpine Convention

AGRI (R)

25/04/2006 2006/0059(CNS)

Seppänen Esko (GUE/NGL)

Establishment of the European Globalisation adjustment Fund

BUDG (O)

25/04/2006 2006/0033(COD)

Staes Bart (Verts/ALE)

System of own resources CONT (O)

20/04/2006 2006/0039(CNS)

Andersson Jan (PSE)

Law applicable to contractual obligations (Rome I)

EMPL (O)

19/04/2006 2005/0261(COD)

Sornosa Martínez María (PSE)

Measuring devices containing mercury

ENVI (R)

25/04/2006 2006/0018(COD)

Sjöstedt Jonas (GUE/NGL)

The protection and welfare of animals 2006-2010

ENVI (O)

11/05/2006 2006/2046(INI)

Markov Helmuth (GUE/NGL)

A European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy

INTA (O)

18/04/2006 2006/2113(INI)

Seppänen Esko (GUE/NGL)

Nuclear safety and security assistance

ITRE (R)

30/05/2006 2006/0802(CNS)

Cavada Jean-Marie (ALDE)

Convention against Transnational Organised Crime: Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons

LIBE (R)

01/06/2006 2003/0197(CNS)

COMMITTEES

41

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

Cavada Jean-Marie (ALDE)

Transnational organised crime, protocol against the smuggling of migrants

LIBE (R)

01/06/2006 2003/0196(CNS)

Grabowska Genowefa (PSE)

Jurisdiction and cooperation in maintenance obligations

LIBE (R)

01/06/2006 2005/0259(CNS)

Cashman Michael (PSE)

White paper on a European communication policy

LIBE (O)

15/05/2006 2006/2087(INI)

Guerreiro Pedro (GUE/NGL)

Improving the economic situation in the fishing industry

PECH (R)

19/04/2006 2006/2110(INI)

Morillon Philippe (ALDE)

Aquaculture: alien and locally absent species

PECH (R)

03/05/2006 2006/0056(CNS)

Galeote Gerardo (EPP-ED)

Basic information on purchasing power parities

REGI (O)

25/04/2006 2006/0042(COD)

Madeira Jamila (PSE)

Establishment of the European Globalisation adjustment Fund

REGI (O)

02/05/2006 2006/0033(COD)

Le Rachinel Fernand (NI)

Double-hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil tankers

TRAN (R)

02/05/2006 2006/0046(COD)

_____________________

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

43

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

44

Bulletin 12.06.2006

- EN - PE 369.015

COMMISSION DOCUMENTS Reports and Communications Subject Referral Doc.

Communication from the Commission: Report on progress at 31 January 2005 of the modernisation of the accounting system of the European Commission

BUDG CONT ECON

COM(2005)0090

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Bridging the Broadband Gap

ITRE EMPL IMCO CULT

COM(2006)0129

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Report regarding the outcome of the Review of the Scope of Universal Service in accordance with Article 15(2) of Directive 2002/22/EC

ITRE ECON IMCO

COM(2006)0163

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: i2010 eGovernment Action Plan: Accelerating eGovernment in Europe for the Benefit of All

ITRE ECON EMPL IMCO REGI CULT JURI LIBE

COM(2006)0173

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Towards a Global Partnership in the Information Society: Follow-up to the Tunis Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

ITRE DEVE IMCO CULT LIBE

COM(2006)0181

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

TRAN ECON

COM(2006)0196

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC

ENVI AGRI

COM(2006)0197

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1287/2003 on the harmonisation of gross national income at market prices (GNI Regulation)

ECON BUDG

COM(2006)0199

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Commentary on the articles of the proposal for a Council regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations

LIBE JURI

COM(2006)0206

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Delivering on the modernisation agenda for universities: education, research and innovation

ALL COMMITTEES

COM(2006)0208

Communication from the Commission to the European Council: a Citizens’ agenda: delivering results for Europe

COM(2006)0211

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Report on the promotion by Member States of voluntary unpaid blood donations

ENVI

COM(2006)0217

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

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Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Improving consultation on Community fisheries management

PECH

COM(2006)0246

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure - Early warning system - No 1–4/2006

CONT AGRI

COM(2006)0260

Commission Staff Working Document: Annexes to the Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on the application of Council Decision 2001/470/EC establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters

LIBE JURI

SEC(2006)0579

Commission Staff Working Paper: i2010 - First Annual Report on the European Information Society

ITRE ECON EMPL IMCO CULT

SEC(2006)0604

Commission Staff Working Document:Technical Annex to the convergence report 2006 on Lithuania

ECON

SEC(2006)0614

Commission Staff Working Document : Progress towards the Lisbon Objectives in Education and Training – Report based on indicators and benchmarks – Report 2006

CULT EMPL

SEC(2006)0639

Commission Staff Working Document: Annex to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European economic and social Committee: EU relations with the Pacific Islands - A strategy for a strengthened partnership - Impact Assessment

DEVE INTA ENVI ITRE PECH

SEC(2006)0642

Commission Staff Working Document: Revised Action Plan on Terrorism

LIBE AFET ECON ITRE TRAN

SEC(2006)0686

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

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Commission Staff Working Document: Report on the Analysis of the Debate of the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency

ITRE DEVE INTA ECON ENVI IMCO TRAN REGI

SEC(2006)0693

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COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY 68/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Togo Brussels, 11 May 2006

The European Union is pleased to note the start of the dialogue process in Togo on 21 April this year, followed by the adoption of an open agenda which fully addresses the fundamental questions which should contribute to laying the bases for lasting national reconciliation. This event represents an important step towards full compliance with the twenty-two undertakings made by the Togolese authorities. The European Union welcomes the efforts made to achieve this by President Faure Gnassingbé, the Government, Togo's political class as a whole, and representatives of Tongolese civil society. It strongly encourages all participants to bring the dialogue to completion, and to find ways and means of effectively implementing its conclusions. The European Union points out that it stands ready to support the action of the Togolese authorities in implementing the twenty-two undertakings, in compliance with the Council Decision of 15 November 2004. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

_____________________ 69/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union

on the Solomon Islands' new government Brussels, 17 May 2006

The EU congratulates the Hon. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare on his appointment as Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. The EU wishes the new government of the Solomon Islands every success in fulfilling its democratic mandate. The EU stands ready to support and help the Solomon Islands wherever possible, provided that the conditions for good governance are met.

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However, the EU strongly encourages the formation of a government composed of ministers beyond reproach in order to assure Solomon Islanders and the international community of their commitment to reconciliation and good governance. The EU recalls that it committed around EUR 35 million to the Solomon Islands since our aid programmes resumed as a result of the improved law and order and governance in the country following the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). We believe that these funds, disbursed in the framework of the Cotonou Agreement, to which Solomon Islands is a signatory, have served to improve the quality of life of ordinary Solomon Islanders. The EU would like to express once again support for the efforts of Pacific countries via the RAMSI to help the Government of the Solomon Islands to strengthen law and order, improve governance and foster economic prosperity. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

_____________________

70/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU

on measures by the Egyptian authorities against civil society activists Brussels, 15 May 2006

The EU has followed with concern developments in Egypt, where several demonstrations have taken place in the context of the recent prolongation of the State of Emergency in Egypt as well as the ongoing disciplinary proceedings against two Egyptian judges for, inter alia, criticism relating to the conduct of the Egyptian Parliamentarian elections of 2005. The scale of the police operation and the harsh manner in which these demonstrations have been policed appear as disproportionate. The European Union expresses its concern that many persons taking part in these demonstrations have been arrested and are being held in custody. The European Union is particularly concerned that, according to lawyers of the detainees, a number of those held have been arrested under the provisions of the Emergency Law, for instance without an arrest warrant which is a procedure only authorised under the State of Emergency. The European Union notes the decision to extend the State of Emergency for another two years, together with the announcement that it will not be extended beyond 2008. The European Union recalls the pledges of political reform contained in the election program of President Mubarak in 2005, especially the promise to lift the State of Emergency.

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Following the prolongation of the State of Emergency, the government of Egypt stated that the State of Emergency would not be used against political opponents but only to combat terrorism. The European Union urges the Egyptian authorities to limit the application of the law on the State of Emergency to cases of terrorism and to end the State of Emergency as soon as possible. The European Union calls on the Egyptian government to allow civil society activists and other political forces to express themselves freely, to permit peaceful demonstrations and freedom of assembly and to maintain public order by transparent and proportionate legal procedure. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia * and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova, align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

_____________________

71/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding the recent arrests in Syria

Brussels, 19 May 2006

Recalling the Presidency’s statement of 19th January, the European Union expresses regret that the positive steps taken in January 2006 regarding the human rights situation in Syria have not been continued. On the contrary, the situation has substantially deteriorated. The EU expresses its deep concern about the recent widespread harassment of human rights defenders, their families and peaceful political activists, in particular arbitrary arrests and repeated incommunicado detention. The European Union calls on the Syrian government to fully respect freedom of expression and assembly as laid down in the Syrian Constitution and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Syria in 1969, which should be fully in force in light of the recent limitation of the emergency law to matters strictly concerning state security. The European Union urges the Syrian authorities to reconsider all cases of political prisoners and immediately release all prisoners of conscience. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries, Turkey, Croatia * and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, align themselves with this declaration.

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* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the

Stabilisation and Association Process. ______________________

72/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU

on the formation of the government in Iraq Brussels, 22 May 2006

The European Union warmly welcomes the formation of an Iraqi government of national unity following the elections of 15 December 2005. This completes the political transition process in Iraq, as foreseen in United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1546 and 1637. The European Union firmly believes that the formation of this government of national unity and a swift subsequent confirmation of the ministers of interior and defence will contribute significantly to the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq in a spirit of reconciliation by promoting inclusiveness and anti-sectarian policies. This will represent another important step towards national consensus and will contribute to the stabilisation of the country and its further integration into the international community. The European Union conveys to the newly formed government its best wishes for success in view of the challenges ahead. The European Union reaffirms its commitment to assist in building an independent, secure, stable, unified, democratic and prosperous Iraq. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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73/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding the referendum in Montenegro


The European Union welcomes the successful organisation of the referendum on the independence of Montenegro. The EU notes the ODIHR assessment that the referendum was conducted overall in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and other international standards for democratic electoral processes. The conduct of the referendum was a sign of maturity of the political forces and people of Montenegro. The EU calls on all sides concerned to accept the result. For its part, it will fully respect the decision of the people of Montenegro. The European Union calls on Belgrade and Podgorica to take up, as rapidly as possible, a direct dialogue on the way ahead. The European Union stands ready to support this dialogue. The European Union reconfirms the European perspective of the Western Balkans on the basis of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

_____________________ 74/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the current situation in Burma/Myanmar


The EU notes with deep concern that the process of democratisation in Burma/Myanmar has recently suffered a worrying setback as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has stepped up its pressure against ethnic groups and the two main political parties, the National League for Democracy and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy. The EU notes that the actions of the SPDC clearly contradict its professed intention to establish a genuine democratic nation.

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The EU remains deeply concerned that NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained continuously for three years without charge since the attack on her convoy on 30 May 2003. The EU notes that the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will expire on May 27 and urges the Burmese government to fully restore her freedom and civil liberties. The EU is hopeful that the Burmese government will use this opportunity to enter again into a dialogue with the NLD leadership. The EU considers the recent statements made by the NLD a clear signal of the NLD’s commitment to reaching a peaceful transformation and urges the SPDC to respond positively and constructively. The EU is concerned about the detention of numerous elected members of Parliament and calls for the immediate release of all of the estimated 1150 political prisoners in Burma/Myanmar. It is particularly concerned to learn that humanitarian conditions in a number of prisons are deteriorating. The EU urges the SPDC to cease its harassment of politicians and human rights defenders, to lift restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, and to accelerate the democratisation process in Burma/Myanmar. This process should engage all political and ethnic forces of the country in a genuine dialogue and lead to the speedy completion of a constitution under civilian rule, which commands popular support and promotes a peaceful and sustainable development. The EU welcomes that UN Undersecretary General Gambari was able to meet the most senior leaders of the SPDC as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of her party during his recent visit to Yangon. The EU reaffirms its support for UN efforts to help Burma/Myanmar move in the direction of an all-inclusive democracy and true national reconciliation and calls on the SPDC to co-operate with the UN and its agencies. The EU will continue to closely monitor the situation in Burma/Myanmar and will coordinate its action with other countries and organizations, including Asian States that have shown keen interest in encouraging Burmese authorities to engage in a credible reform process. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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75/2006

Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on recent arrests of demonstrators in the Maldives

Brussels, 30 May 2006 Over the last months, the Maldivian security forces have repeatedly cracked down on peaceful gatherings in Male. The EU is very concerned over recent numerous arrests of peaceful demonstrators by security forces. These arrests create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among the civilian population and go against the spirit of the Government’s Road Map for the Reform Agenda published in March 2006. The EU considers freedom of expression and freedom of association fundamental democratic rights which only serve a purpose if the people can exert these rights free from fear and intimidation. The activities of the Maldivian Government’s security forces cast serious doubts on a full commitment to the reform process. The EU calls upon the Maldivian Government to act in the spirit of its Road Map for the Reform Agenda and to create a favourable atmosphere for the political reforms it has committed itself to. The EU considers it important for the government at this stage clearly to show the people of the Maldives a more accommodating approach to political opposition. As it does for the opposition to engage constructively in return. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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76/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Timor-Leste

Brussels, 29 May 2006 The European Union is concerned over the deteriorating security situation in Timor-Leste. The EU calls on all parties involved to refrain from any further violence and to contribute towards re-establishing public order and tranquillity. The EU welcomes the positive responses by the Governments of Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia to requests made by the Government of Timor-Leste to dispatch defence and security forces with a view to assisting Timor-Leste in restoring and maintaining security. The EU also welcomes the initiatives of the Secretary-General of the UN, including his intention to send a special envoy to Timor-Leste in order to facilitate the political dialogue. The European Union will continue to monitor closely the situation in Timor-Leste.

_______________________

77/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union

on the presidential elections in Colombia Brussels, 31 May 2006

The European Union welcomes the holding of free elections on 28 May 2006 and extends its warm congratulations to President Alvaro Uribe Velez on his clear victory and his second mandate as President of Colombia. The European Union is confident that President Uribe’s second mandate will allow the Colombian Government to continue its efforts to establish the rule of law throughout the country and to continue its fight against terrorism, illicit drug production and trafficking. The European Union reaffirms its solidarity with the Colombian people. It calls upon all illegal armed groups to sincerely engage in the search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict. In the meanwhile, the European Union stresses again the necessity to reach a humanitarian agreement. The European Union reaffirms its commitment to continue its excellent relations with Colombia and to further enhance political dialogue, trade relations and economic links in particular within the framework of regional cooperation with the Andean countries. It will continue its full support for the democratic, economic and social development and the return to peace in Colombia.

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The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

______________________

78/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation


1. The Council of the European Union (EU) decided on 29 May 2006 to include the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) on the EU list for the application of specific measures to combat terrorism. This list contains the names of persons, groups and entities against whom, for reasons of their involvement in terrorist acts, specific restrictive measures have to be taken, including: - the freezing of funds and other financial assets or economic resources of the persons and entities specified, - a ban on the provision of funds, financial assets and economic resources, and a ban on the provision of financial or other related services, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of these persons, groups and entities, - police and judicial cooperation between EU Member States. 2. The decision of the EU to list the LTTE should come as a surprise to nobody. Several warnings have already been provided to the LTTE, which the LTTE has systematically ignored. In its statement of 27 September 2005 (12669/1/05) the EU stated that “it was actively considering the formal listing of LTTE as a terrorist organisation”. The EU then called upon all parties to show commitment and responsibility towards the peace process and to refrain from actions that could endanger a peaceful resolution and political settlement of the conflict. Unfortunately, this appeal has gone unheeded. The decision of the EU to list the LTTE is based on the actions of that organisation. The EU still sees a need for the LTTE to amend its violent course and return to peace talks, and will maintain its dialogue with the LTTE where such contacts, in the pursuit of the peace process, may help to bring about a return to negotiations and an end to violence. Listing the LTTE will not diminish the EU’s determination to play its role as one of the Tokyo co-chairs [1]. The EU stresses that its decision is directed at the LTTE, and not at the Tamil people.

1 The Tokyo co-chairs are Japan, Norway, the United States and the European Union. They are so-called because of their role in co-

chairing the conference on "Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka", held in Tokyo on 9-10 June 2003.

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3. At the same time, the EU calls upon the Sri Lankan authorities to curb violence in Government controlled areas. In this regard, the EU stands by all of the findings in the reports of the SLMM (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission). The EU urges the Government of Sri Lanka to act effectively on the commitment of President Rajapakse to put a stop to the culture of impunity and to clamp down on all acts of violence in areas controlled by the Government. The EU further urges the Government to ensure law and order for all citizens of Sri Lanka, and to investigate and prosecute all cases of violence that have so far not resulted in arrests or convictions. 4. The upsurge in violence is not caused by the LTTE alone. The EU strongly urges the Sri Lankan authorities to curb violence in Government controlled areas. The EU notes with concern the growing number of reports of extrajudicial killings. The EU views the activities of the Karuna Group in the gravest possible light. These are clearly contributing to increased instability in Sri Lanka, and further endanger the peace process. The EU intends to keep the activities of the Karuna Group under close review, with a view to considering possible further steps. 5. The EU will keep the situation in Sri Lanka under active review, taking account of the activities of all parties to the conflict. It will remain ready to adopt further measures as and when they may be warranted by changing circumstances. 6. The European Union firmly believes that only a peacefully negotiated settlement can ensure a lasting solution acceptable to all. In this connection, the EU recalls the agreement reached in Oslo by all the parties involved to explore a specific institutional solution for Sri Lanka. It is the responsibility of all those concerned to act in the interests of all the people of Sri Lanka. The EU remains fully committed to the peace process in Sri Lanka. The EU sincerely urges all parties to put an end to violence and to return to the negotiation table, so as to relieve the Sri Lankan people from the ordeal of twenty years of persistent conflict. 7. The EU remains firmly committed to assisting the Norwegian facilitator in his work and to helping the two parties to the Ceasefire Agreement in Sri Lanka to resolve their conflicts and find a long term peaceful settlement for Sri Lanka. This, however, requires real commitment to the peace process from both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. The EU clearly expects all parties to respect the role and physical safety of the SLMM monitors.

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79/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the request of the Belarusian Ministry of Justice

to suspend the activities of the Belarus Helsinki Committee Brussels, 1 June 2006

In a Presidency declaration of 4 January 2006, the European Union expressed its disappointment at the decision of the Belarus Supreme Economic Court to reinstate penalties against the Belarus Helsinki Committee (BHC). The European Union is therefore very concerned at the request put on 24 May 2006 by the Belarusian Ministry of Justice to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus to suspend the activities of the Belarus Helsinki Committee for alleged tax evasion and other charges which appear to be politically motivated. The EU calls upon the Belarusian authorities to immediately cease their campaign of harassment against the BHC which would lead to the closure of the only remaining registered Human rights NGO in Belarus. The EU also urges the Belarusian authorities to withdraw without delay the charges levelled against the BHC in order to comply with Belarus' international commitments. The EU recalls that as a beneficiary of the TACIS programme, the BHC is exempt from taxation and custom duties as stipulated by the framework agreement signed between the EC and Belarus in 1994. The European Union restates its full support for the work of the BHC which plays an important role in promoting human rights in Belarus. It looks forward to continued cooperation with them. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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80/2006

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Council Common Position 2006/318/CFSP

renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar Brussels, 6 June 2006

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova, declare that they share the objectives of Council Common Position 2006/318/CFSP of 27 April 2006 on renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Common Position. The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE PLENARY ASSEMBLY 17 AND 18 MAY 2006 SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ADOPTED

Full text versions of EESC opinions are available in the official languages on the Committee's web site at the following address: http://www. eesc.europa.eu/documents/summaries_plenaries/index_en.asp

1. FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION – PERIOD OF REFLECTION

• Draft opinion on the contribution to the European Council of 15-16 June – Period of reflection

– Rapporteur-general: Mr Malosse (Employers - FR)

– Reference: CESE 513/2006 fin - CESE 745/2006 – Key points:

At the European Council of 15 and 16 June 2006, the heads of state and government will conduct a review of the initiatives taken during the period of reflection, which was decided on at the European Council of June 2005 after the failure to ratify the Constitutional Treaty in France and the Netherlands, and they will also have to agree on the next steps of the process.

In this context, the EESC wanted to contribute to the debate, not just by reaffirming its previous position in favour of the Treaty, but also by putting forward various recommendations both for the European Council and the Commission. These recommendations are based on the assumption that the identity crisis which the European Union is currently experiencing and public scepticism relate more to the EU's functioning and current policies than to the Constitutional Treaty itself. The EESC therefore feels that:

• on the one hand, the solution aimed at resolving the crisis must maintain the advances and

balance achieved by the constitutional treaty, and take into consideration the fact that the treaty has so far been ratified by 15 Member States, and

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• on the other, it is up to the European Commission and the European Council, within their respective responsibilities, to make appropriate proposals to lay the foundations for a forward-looking vision of the future of Europe for its citizens, and to flesh out the Union's policies so that they meet the expectations of the peoples of Europe.

In view of this, the EESC is formulating a series of recommendations for the European Council in four main areas aimed at: • contributing to the establishment of good governance by pressing ahead with the most

innovative aspects of the constitutional treaty, in particular by giving civil society organisations and the institutions representing them more of a role in Community policy and decision-making;

• fleshing out Community policies and European citizenship, and developing real common

policies in areas where the added value of the European dimension no longer needs to be demonstrated;

• making full use of the existing treaties by using bridging clauses in the Treaty of Nice which

allow for qualified majority voting in certain areas of social policy and justice and home affairs, by strengthening economic governance and by addressing the delays and indeed gaps that remain in a number of areas of Community activity;

• encouraging Member States to develop a credible and consistent European information

policy, based on networks of civil society organisations.

To conclude, the EESC feels that it is essential to give the European project new credibility and to confer new legitimacy on the integration process if the EU is to overcome its current identity crisis.

− Contact: Mr Patrick Fève

(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 96 16 – e-mail: [email protected]) 2. THE INTERNAL MARKET AND COHESION

• Car taxes in the EU

– Rapporteur: Mr Ranocchiari (Employers - IT)

– Reference: COM(2005) 261 final – 2005/0130 CNS – CESE 749/2006 – Key points:

The EESC fully supports the proposal for a directive, which sets out to improve the functioning of the internal market and, at the same time, to promote environmental sustainability. The EESC also

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welcomes the use of the third pillar (fiscal measures) to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and agrees with the European Commission's assessment of the beneficial effects that the proposal may have on free movement for citizens and on the car industry.

The EESC therefore calls upon the European Commission to pursue ongoing cooperation with the Member States in order to ensure that the new car taxation system is implemented in a coordinated way and to adopt an integrated approach to enhanced environmental sustainability in road transport.

− Contact: Ms Imola Bedő

(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 62 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Strategy for taxation in the country of residence

− Rapporteur: Mr Levaux (Employers - FR) − Reference: COM(2005) 702 final – CESE 742/2006 − Key points:

The EESC notes that it supports the harmonisation of tax rules in the EU in the long term. However, unfortunately many obstacles still stand in the way of harmonisation and consequently the EESC:

• reiterates its approval for the Commission's guidelines and efforts to foster the development of

SMEs, but questions the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and its limits; • feels that it would be more relevant, for a pilot experiment, to propose more detailed

provisions, which build on experience gained in the field, are based on voluntary commitments by Member States and SME business organisations and limit the trial period to five years, in order to obtain useful and replicable information;

• suggests that, in the longer term, the Commission draws from various EESC opinions to

formulate long-term guidelines that would serve as a basis for coherent solutions for SMEs, including ones advocating the drawing up of a European SME Statute.



• Cohesion fund (codified version)

– Rapporteur general: Mr Grasso (Various Interests – IT)

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– Reference: COM(2006) 5 final – 2003/0129 (AVC) – CESE 743/2006 – Key points:

The EESC confirms its opinion, previously expressed on several occasions, that the codification of EU rules helps to bring the European public closer to the EU's instruments. This is all the more important in the case of cohesion policy, which is central to the process of European integration. − Contact: Mr Roberto Pietrasanta


• Public passenger transport services

– Rapporteur: Mr Buffetaut (Employers - FR) – Co-rapporteur: Mr Ott (Employees – DE)

– Reference: COM(2005) 319 final – 2000/0212 COD – CESE 734/2006 – Key points:

The European Economic and Social Committee feels that the proposal for a regulation on public passenger transport services by rail and road submitted by the Commission is an improvement on previous versions in terms of the option for direct award of contracts. In order to achieve the objective of legal security, the following points still need to be clarified:

− specific implementation of the geographical limitation on public transport activity and

specific clauses on non-distortion of competition in the event of direct award to a local government-controlled operator;

− derogation from the general principles for the direct award of rail transport contracts, which

seems legally unjustified and which should at least be better managed; − a return to the spirit of the proposal for a regulation of February 20022 with regard to the

quality of service and compliance with social legislation, without calling the subsidiarity principle into question;

− clearer definition of regional and long-distance transport; − application of the regulation to all public transport contracts (including the rail sector)

involving public service obligations or granting exclusive rights; 2 COM(2000) 7 final -2003/0212 (COD), as amended by COM(2002) 107 final.

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− Contact: Ms Anna Wagner (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 06 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Place of supply of services

– Rapporteur: Mr Metzler (Various Interests – DE)

– Reference: COM(2005) 334 final – 2003/0329 CNS – CESE 741/2006 – Key points:

The proposal under review aims to make some particularly controversial VAT rules concerning the place of supply of services simpler and more transparent. The Committee welcomes this initiative on the sixth VAT directive; it is a step in the right direction towards implementation of the Lisbon process and achievement of the objectives set out in the Internal Market Directive.

On the other hand, shortcomings need to be addressed (for example, by developing an alternative system capable of ensuring more effective tax collection, remedying the unequal treatment of individuals/consumers, eliminating distortions of competition, and overcoming confusion in the establishment of basic concepts).



• Exemption from taxes for small consignments

– Rapporteur: Mr Danusēvičs (Various Interests – LV)

– Reference: COM(2006) 12 final – CESE 733/2006

− Contact: Mr João Pereira dos Santos (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 45 – e-mail: [email protected]) 3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• Conservation of biodiversity

– Rapporteur: Mr Ribbe (Various Interests – DE)

– Reference: Exploratory opinion – CESE 752/2006 – Key points:

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Biodiversity is the foundation and guarantee of life on our planet. Economic self-interest alone dictates that humanity must strive to keep ecosystems stable. We also owe a debt of responsibility to the natural world to maintain species diversity. Protecting biodiversity is not some "luxury" to be indulged in or dispensed with at will. The EESC welcomes the commitment of all the European institutions and, as contracting parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, of the EU Member States not only to halt but also to reverse this decline. That said, however, the EESC laments the huge gulf that has grown up between ideal and reality: public authorities have so far failed to make the contribution to conserving biodiversity that might have been expected of them. In fact, in this field, it is their duty to be role models; instead, planning decisions and support schemes are often instrumental in imperilling biodiversity still further. Moreover, in the 2007-2013 funding period, particular savings are to be made in precisely those EU policy areas that are of key importance for biodiversity protection. More overtly positive, practical examples and prototype projects are needed. There must be more action to raise awareness of the intrinsic and practical value of landscapes and of biodiversity in general. Commitment is also needed by public role models. It is, after all, a question of preserving the very foundations of human existence. − Contact: Ms Annika Korzinek


• Review of the sustainable development strategy

– Rapporteur: Mr Ribbe (Various Interests – DE) – Co-rapporteur: Mr Derruine (Employees – BE)

– Reference: COM(2005) 658 final – CESE 736/2006 – Key points:

The EESC has repeatedly mentioned the importance of sustainable development for Europe's future and for global development, and therefore welcomes the presentation of a "platform for action" in which the Commission addresses the issue. However, the EESC deplores the fact that the communication fails to bring sustainable development policy forward, but rather proves that the process currently seems to have stalled. The Committee notes that the links between the Lisbon strategy and the sustainable development strategy are unclear. Measures to provide information and improve coherence are needed to ensure that these links are understood by the general public. The impact analysis tool must be adapted so as to take account of the social and environmental dimensions to the same extent as the economic dimension. The research and innovation advocated under the Lisbon

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strategy should explicitly support sustainable development. A strategy should normally describe the means of achieving objectives. The absence of objectives is bound to result in gaps when it comes to identifying instruments. This is a definite problem with the communication: if you do not know exactly where you are going, then you cannot decide how you will get there. The EESC for its part intends to contribute to the debate by building up a database that can be used to promote best practice, identifying obstacles encountered by operators, etc. This should enhance the expertise which the Commission and other parties can draw on. − Contact: Ms Annika Korzinek


• Biomass action plan – Rapporteur: Mr Voss (Various Interests – DE) – Reference: COM(2005) 628 final – CESE 747/2006 The European Economic and Social Committee strongly supports the biomass action plan, which is intended to make a key contribution to achieving the EU's goal of having renewable energy comprise 12% of overall energy consumption by 2010. A key requisite for enabling farmers to gain greater access to the energy production market is a coordinated agricultural policy, structural policy, regional policy and energy policy; this should also include trade policy (instruments providing for qualified market access under the WTO treaties) and fiscal measures (harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to a reduced rate of value-added tax on heating and cooling systems powered by renewable energy). In addition, the share of the resources of the EU Structural Funds set aside for investment in the use of biomass and other renewable sources of energy should increase and amount to 10% of Structural Funds resources – as an average figure for the Member States – by the end of the planning period in 2013. There is also scope for action to be taken in the short term within the framework of the CAP with a view to adjusting the energy plant premium. The need to make it mandatory to draw up biomass action plans in order to identify potential in the Member States is emphasised. The EESC proposes that the requirements in respect of safe certification of the origin of products be defined. It welcomes the fact that, according to the Commission, the same emission standards will apply to bioenergy as apply to fossil fuels. The EESC advocates the uniform application of proven marketing instruments throughout Europe, with the aim of making the use of biomass competitive. − Contact: Mr Siegfried Jantscher


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• Thematic strategy on air quality – Rapporteur: Mr Buffetaut (Employers - FR) – Reference: COM(2005) 447 final – 2005/0183 COD – CESE 750/2006 – Key points: The EESC can only endorse the overarching objectives of the thematic strategy on air pollution and the proposed directive, which is its legislative expression. As regards the thematic strategy, which cannot be looked at in isolation from the legislative proposal, as is clearly indicated in section 4.1.1 of the strategy: − the Committee fully endorses the desire to mainstream air quality objectives into other

Community policies.

As regards the proposed directive: − air quality; − proposes that the dates set for complying with the obligations laid down in the directive be

postponed from 2010 to 2015 for the concentration caps for PM2.5 and from 2015 to 2020 for the reduction in human exposure in view of the time required for the successful completion of the legislative process and the establishment of measuring stations in the Member States, and the cost of the necessary investment;

− believes that, before fixing binding ceilings, it would have been useful to provide for a transition period during which Member States would have been required to move towards "target" concentration values;

− requests that natural fine particulate matter be excluded from the scope of the directive.

− Contact: Ms Annika Korzinek (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 80 65 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Assessment and management of floods

– Rapporteur: Ms Sánchez (Employees – ES) – Reference: COM(2003) 15 final/2 – 2006/0005 COD – CESE 737/2006 − Contact: Ms Yvette Azzopardi (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 18 – e-mail: [email protected])

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• Alternative fuels for road transportation

– Rapporteur: Mr Ranocchiari (Employers - IT) – Reference: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 748/2006 – Key points: The European Commission's objective, namely 20% alternative fuels by 2020, rests on two established technologies/products: biofuels and NG, and on one promising development, i.e. H2 and fuel cells. Biofuels and NG have the qualities to take on the challenge both with respect to fuel distribution know-how and with respect to engine technology. Biofuels bring about environmental benefits because as a rule they have a much lower impact on the climate and ideally have no impact at all. The EESC therefore warmly welcomes the Communication on "An EU strategy for biofuels" calling for a new drive to boost biofuels production. However, a huge increase of biofuels use must also be evaluated in the light of environment effect. As regards NG, the EESC recognises that greater use of NG as an automotive fuel is a sensible alternative to petroleum until such a time as hydrogen technology is applicable. The measures adopted until now are not sufficient for the diffusion of NG as an automotive fuel. The present barriers to the diffusion of NG vehicles are mostly due to the insufficient and not uniform distribution network. The European Commission and the Member States should set a good example when they acquire vehicles themselves. The EESC recommends that binding measures are adopted by the European Commission in case the revision of Biofuel directive foreseen in 2006 shows that Member States action was not sufficient to attain the expected targets both for biofuels and for NG. Hydrogen seems to be the best answer but much more R&D is required to come up with a safe and cost-effective "Hydrogen Economy". Long term alternatives such as hydrogen are the object of intense development efforts: in other words, biofuels and NG are a bridge to the sustainable fuel mix of the 2020 and beyond. − Contact: Mr Siegfried Jantscher (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 94 – e-mail: [email protected])

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• Clean road transport vehicles – Rapporteur: Mr Ranocchiari (Employers - IT) – Reference: COM(2005) 634 final – 2005/0283 COD – CESE 735/2006 − Contact: Mr Siegfried Jantscher (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 94 – e-mail: [email protected])

4. HEALTH AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

• Strategy on mental health for the European Union – Rapporteur: Mr Bedossa (Various interests – FR) – Reference: COM(2005) 484 final – CESE 739/2006 – Key points:

The EESC supports the Commission initiative on developing an integrated European strategy on mental health. There can be no ambiguity about the importance of mental health in Europe or the need for a strategy in this area. The Committee highlights the need to: − Cover several different aspects, namely:

• improving health education, • reacting more rapidly to health threats, • reducing health inequalities, • guaranteeing a high level of social protection and good health by means of an

intersectoral strategy. − Define objectives:

• promoting the mental health of all, • putting prevention to the fore, • improving the quality of life of people with a mental illness or psychiatric disability, and • developing a mental health information system and research programme for the EU.

− Draw up recommendations, specifically:

• a pilot project on the creation of regional information networks linking all the various players,

• promoting the process of deinstitutionalisation, to make better use of available resources. − Determine best practice for promoting the social inclusion and protecting the rights of

people with a mental illness or psychiatric disability, which should be one of the responsibilities of the European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency.

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− Contact: Ms Anna Redstedt (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 33 – e-mail: [email protected])

• The placing on the market of pyrotechnic articles – Rapporteur: Mr Cassidy (Employers - UK) – Reference: COM(2005) 457 final – 2005/0194 COD – CESE 730/2006 – Key points: The draft directive is intended: to ensure the free movement of pyrotechnic products within the EU, to improve safety of consumers and professionals, to harmonise safety requirements in all Member States. The EESC in general supports the Commission draft directive but makes the following recommendations. • The Commission should consider a longer period for transposition

• The responsibility for testing and for CE marking should rest with the manufacturer with the

importer having a secondary responsibility

• The RAPEX system could also be used as an interim measure until the directive comes into force

• Automotive pyrotechnical devices should be covered by a UN/ECE regulation under the

1958 Agreement (WP 29 in Geneva) rather than in a standard

• The Committee believes that for automotive pyrotechnical devices, the Commission should be prepared to accept some form of type approval.

− Contact: Mr Václav Navrátil (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 82 33 – e-mail: [email protected])

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• Perfluorooctane sulfonates

– Rapporteur: Mr Sears (Employers - UK)


The EESC supports the Commission's proposal, but believes that the derogations should be subject to review on a case-by case basis by the Commission on the advice of the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER). The timing of any risk or impact assessments should be consistent with the increasing demand for chemicals risk assessment under REACH.

− Contact: Ms Magdaléna Bělařová-Carabin (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 03 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Medical devices

– Rapporteur: Mr Braghin (Employers - IT)


The proposal amends Directive 93/42/EEC in order to clarify certain existing requirements and to provide a legal basis for planned initiatives. Also, in order to align the text of the framework Directives on medical devices, it amends Directive 90/385/EEC relating to active implantable medical devices. The EESC endorses the Commission's proposal. However, it offers a number of practical suggestions aimed at furthering the aims of legal certainty, clarity, simplification and health protection.

− Contact: Ms Magdaléna Bělařová-Carabin (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 03 – e-mail: [email protected])

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5. EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Employment Guidelines

– Rapporteur: Mr Greif (Employees – FR)

– Reference: COM(2006) 32 final – 2006/0010 (CNS) – CESE 746/2006 – Key points:

The Committee has already welcomed the 2005-2008 guidelines with the new integrated approach and multi-annual cycle. Success depends on Member States taking their responsibilities seriously and actually putting the agreed priorities into practice, with the involvement of national parliaments, social partners and civil society. Unfortunately, there is little sign in many Member States of labour market improvement and more and better jobs. The EESC advocates more effective measures to stimulate the economy, including public investment, and which respect workers' rights and obligations, which really involve the social partners and relevant social players, and which include binding timescales and responsibilities. Participatory democracy must be properly integrated in the drawing-up and implementation of national reform programmes and in the Employment Guidelines procedures. The employment pillar of the Lisbon process will largely depend on this.

− Contact: Mr Alan Hick


• Flexicurity: the case of Denmark

− Rapporteur: Mrs Vium (Various interests – DK)

− Reference: Own initiative opinion – CESE 740/2006 − Key points:

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Danish-style flexicurity appears to provide an example of how to achieve economic growth, a high level of employment and sound public finances in a socially balanced way. Danish-style flexicurity provides security through a high level of unemployment benefit and flexibility through liberal dismissal rules. Importance is also placed on an active labour market policy. Danish-style flexicurity cannot be seen in isolation from the overall context of the welfare state and a strong organisational set-up. This applies to the key role of the social partners in political decision-making and to the application of labour-market and training policies, the broad-based publicly funded welfare system, and the skills level of the population. The Danish flexicurity system is based on a macroeconomic policy-mix that fosters growth and employment. High tax revenue is a sine qua non of the Danish flexicurity system.

If we consider Danish-style flexicurity within a European context, it is obviously impossible to copy the system blanket-fashion, given the cultural, structural and economic differences involved. That said, some general features may be considered for adoption as a political strategy in other Member States, particularly in places where social capital – –understood as the full gamut of standards and networks, combined with a relationship of trust among individuals and among organisations – has developed along similar lines to Denmark, including a tradition of cooperation between the government and the social partners and a readiness by the people to embrace change. − Contact: Mr Gilbert Marchlewitz

(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 93 58 - e-mail: [email protected])

• Key competences for lifelong learning

– Rapporteur: Ms Herczog (Various Interests-HU)

– Reference: COM(2005) 548 final – 2005/0221 (COD) – CESE 754/2006 – Key points:

The EESC strongly supports the Commission's recommendations concerning key competences for lifelong learning, which are fully consistent with the Lisbon strategy for a knowledge society and with the Employment Guidelines 2005-2008.

The EESC feels that the proposal, if implemented, could help to overcome current problems on the labour market. The EESC feels that it is especially important to ensure that young people dropping out of school should have the opportunity through non-formal training programmes of receiving assistance in acquiring the key competences outlined in the proposal.

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Given the ageing population, older workers must be kept on the labour market longer, so the EESC also feels that it is particularly important for older workers in the Member States to have the opportunity to acquire competences which they lack, and for Member States to set up learning infrastructures to enable competences which have already been acquired to be maintained and developed. The EESC acknowledges the cardinal role of the social partners, as the main players in the labour market, in the process of implementing and monitoring the goals set. The EESC also calls for a more active participation of NGOs in the whole process and recommends strengthening dialogue with civil society. It is extremely important for reliable statistics to be available in order to monitor and evaluate progress towards achieving lifelong learning objectives.

− Contact: Ms Ewa Kaniewska (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 81 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

6. EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Situation of civil society in the western Balkans

– Rapporteur: Mr Dimitriadis (Employers - EL)

– References: Exploratory opinion – CESE 751/2006 – Key points:

The EU lost credibility in the Western Balkans during the 1990s, but it has a key role to play in supporting civil society organisations in the region. Political instability, corruption and the lack of investment are holding economic development back. The EESC is prepared to support the development of networks of civil society organisations and to set up Joint Consultative Committees with all the states of the region. The EESC calls on the European Commission to intensify its support, and financial support in particular, for civil society organisations in the Western Balkans, and to ensure closer coordination between the various EU bodies and institutions which are active in this field. The EESC calls on the governments of countries in the regions to pay more attention to the views of civil society organisations.

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− Contact: Mr Loïc Defaye

(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 57 – e-mail: loï[email protected])

• The need to treat Africa as a priority: the views of European civil society – Rapporteur: Mr Bedossa (Various Interests – IT) – Reference: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 753/2006 – Key points: The EESC endorses the main principles of the EU strategy for Africa, adopted by the European Commission in 2005, and welcomes this ambitious, exhaustive document.

However, in view of the number of promises that were made to Africa in the past only to be subsequently broken, the EESC would take a cautious approach: the biggest favour the EU can do for the African continent is to keep all its new promises.

The EESC has identified two crucial areas where civil society organisations can make a difference: governance, following precise specifications; and the fight against AIDS. In both cases, the EESC calls on the major international development players to be constantly engaged, and for easier access to Community funding for African civil society organisations working in these areas. − Contact: Mr Loïc Defaye

(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 57 – e-mail: loï[email protected])

• External action of the Union: the role of organised civil society – Rapporteur: Mr Koryfidis (Employees – EL) – Reference: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 744/2006 – Key points:

The objective of the own-initiative opinion is to identify and define the new role of the EESC and, more broadly, of organised civil society in relation to the external action of the Union, including the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

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The opinion is the result of lengthy theoretical analysis and practical investigation, as well as of the experience acquired by the EESC in the relations it has established with the consultative bodies and other organisations of civil society in the candidate countries and non-member countries. The EESC takes the view that the globalisation of the economy and developments in science and technology – especially information technology translates into structural integration of relations between societies into traditional relations between states. In this context, the EESC as the mouthpiece of organised civil society at the European level is entrusted with a triple role: − that of organised civil society's voice on matters of external action vis-à-vis the Union's

political bodies, based on its democratic acquis and a process of reconciliation of different interests;

− that of active participation in the planning and development of the Union's policies involving external action;

− that of monitoring the external policies implemented by the EU and their economic and social effects.

The EESC calls upon the Union's political bodies to adopt a method of continuing interinstitutional dialogue for the purpose of:

− acquiring reliable collective knowledge about the Union's external action; − achieving a consensus on the what, the why and the how of the activities to be developed.

− Contact: Ms Beatriz Porres

(Tel: 00 32 2 546 91 31 – e-mail: [email protected]) 7. JUSTICE

• Civil protection

– Rapporteur: Ms Sánchez (Employees – ES)

– Reference: COM(2006) 29 final – 2006/0009 CNS – CESE 738/2006

− Contact: Ms Annika Korzinek (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 80 65 – e-mail: [email protected])

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8. RESEARCH

• Assessment of Community research activities – Rapporteur: Mr Braghin (Employers - IT) – Reference: COM(2005) 387 final – CESE 729/2006 – Key points: In the second half of 2004, a Panel of thirteen high-level experts carried out the Five-Year Assessment covering Community research activities 1999-2003, as foreseen in the 6th Framework Programme.

• The EESC values and supports the efforts made in the third five-year assessment and the

engagement on a large scale of such high-powered intellectual resources. • The EESC has repeatedly expressed its support for substantially increasing the European

R&D budget and therefore regrets the proposed reduction of this sum. • The EESC stresses the importance of greater commitment by industry to research and

innovative development to achieve the Barcelona Council goal. • The EESC calls for instruments to be developed to encourage private funding of research and

development. • The EESC agrees with the panel's position on the need to offer researchers greater autonomy

and responsibility. − Contact: Mr Václav Navrátil (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 82 33 – e-mail: [email protected])

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ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Summary of resolutions and decisions adopted,

subjects discussed in plenary and action taken

This document is available at :

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

Section produced by the Directorate-General for Committees and Delegations