WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2599/97 by Bill MILLER to the Commission. Enlargement of the Union
C 102/68 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 4. 98 However, very few studies have been published concerning the possible skin effects due to nickel release from coins. Also, there are no formal epidemiological studies available. At the request of the Commission, the scientific committee for the toxicity and ecotoxicity of chemical compounds has considered the risk arising from handling coins containing nickel. The committee agreed that there was no evidence to suggest that current coinage had been associated with the initiation of sensitisation. As for people already sensitised, analysis of the very limited information available led the scientific committee to the conclusion that very few cases of dermatitis may be caused by the release of nickel from present day coins, both in the average consumer and in workers professionally handling coins. Further studies appear necessary to obtain statistically significant evidence concerning the eventual role of nickel release from coins in relation to aggravation of hand eczema. However, it should be pointed out that the technical characteristics proposed by the Commission for the new euro coins will reduce the percentage of nickel containing coins in circulation from a current 75% to 8% in the Community. (98/C 102/100) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2599/97 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Enlargement of the Union Does the Commission agree that monies from the Structural Funds earmarked to assist Central and Eastern European countries towards accession to the European Union are now not so urgently required because of the results of the Amsterdam Treaty? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (29 September 1997) The success of enlargement to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will largely depend on the preparation of applicant countries during the pre-accession period. This effort will be mainly shouldered by the applicant countries, but technical and financial assistance from the Union will also be necessary. In its communication Agenda 2000í, the Commission proposes a reinforced pre-accession strategy, linking in an overall approach the instruments of granting aid and the conduct of negotiations. The proposed pre-accession aid includes an annual amount of MECU 1000 from the heading 2 of the budget for the period 2000-2006. This aid is intended, in particular, to help bring the applicant countries’ transport and environmental infrastructures up to Community standards, and to enable the countries concerned to become familiar with structural operations. Reflecting the fact that enlargement is an inclusive process, it will be granted to all applicant countries, irrespective of the date when each of them will be involved in negotiations. The Commission’s proposals included in Agenda 2000í take account of the results of the Intergovernmental conference. At the same time, it stresses that all the Community’s policies must be developed and deepened in order to build a wider and stronger Europe. Above all, the institutions and their functioning must be deepened in good time, as foreseen by the Protocol annexed to the Treaty. The task to accomplish the necessary institutional reforms complicates the enlargement process, but does not necessarily delay it. Meanwhile, the enlargement timetable has a definite link with the success of the pre-accession effort. Hence, implementing the reinforced pre-accession strategy, including its structural aid element, is as urgent as ever