WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4160/97 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Concern about deterioration of the EU's relations with Suriname
C 304/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 10. 98 Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1998) The Honourable Member refers to a waste management strategy for islands which restricts the production and the import of products with excess packaging and non-returnable containers. The Commission draws the attention of the Honourable Member to Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste (1), which was to be transposed into national legislation by 1 July 1996. One of the main aims of this Directive is to prevent or reduce any impact of packaging and packaging waste on the environment. Therefore, in order to tackle the problems caused by the waste arising, national and local authorities should focus primarily on means to avoid the generation of waste. To this end, Member States shall ensure that preventive measures are implemented (Article 4 of the Directive). In addition, Member States may encourage re-use systems of packaging, which can be reused in an environmentally sound manner, in conformity with the EC Treaty (Article 5 of the Directive). The choice of the specific instruments to promote preventive measures and to encourage reuse systems lies with the Member States, provided they are in conformity with the EC Treaty. A first possibility to limit the generation of packaging waste to be disposed of consists of the implementation of deposit-return systems. Such systems have been recognized by the Court of justice to be legitimate under Community law. As regards mandatory measures on returnable packaging, they are in principle possible, although certain specifications of such systems might be in conflict with the principles of the free circulation of goods. Such measures must be non-discriminatory (thus apply to both domestically produced and imported products) and proportionate to the objective. The Commission assures the Honourable Member that, in assessing the proportionality of these measures (which are to be notified to the Commission under Council Directive 83/189/EEC of 28 March 1983 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (2) and Directive 94/62/EC1), it will take full account of the specific problems incurred by islands in managing their waste (including distance from the mainland, lack of space, risk of groundwater contamination, and dependence of the economy on tourism). The Commission fully recognizes the great problems of waste generation in islands, particularly in highly touristic locations and for this reason has started a specific programme áwaste management on islandsí and published a manual on ácodes of practice for waste management on islandsí. The aim is to provide decision makers with a practical tool containing suggestions and relevant examples which can help setting the framework for the development of local or national initiatives. (1) OJ L 365, 31. 12. 1994. (2) OJ L 109, 26. 4. 1983. (98/C 304/14) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4160/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (22 January 1998) Subject: Concern about deterioration of the EUís relations with Suriname Is the Council aware note of the arrest of 27 civilians and military personnel on 25 October 1997 in 1. Suriname in response to the planning of an alleged coup? 2. Does the Council share the fear that the allegations concerning the planning of the coup of 25 October 1997 are a reaction to the international investigation and arrest warrant put out recently by the Netherlands judicial authorities concerning the Surinamese state councillor, Desi Boaters, and also a manoeuvre by the Suriname government to halt domestic criticism of the failing financial policy of the current Suriname government? 3. Is the Council not seriously concerned about the comments of the former Suriname dictator and current state councillor, Desi Boaters, that foreign powers, including the Netherlands were responsible for planning the alleged coup in Suriname? Is the Council aware that the allegations made by Boaters will cause considerable deterioration of relations 4. between the countries of the European Union and Suriname?