WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3105/97 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. VAT levied on women's sanitary protection products
16. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 117/151 (98/C 117/202) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3096/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (2 October 1997) Subject: Olympic Games and the Second CSF Will the Commission confirm that the decision to hold the Olympic Games in Athens will not result in the diversion of funds provided for under the Second CSF or the following CSF away from projects being undertaken in the Greek provinces? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1997) Under the rules of the Structural Funds, a mid-course review of the Community Support Frameworks (CSFs) is to be carried out on the basis of the outcome of monitoring and evaluation and of any new relevant information. The review procedure for the CSF for Greece for the 1994-99 period is in progress. There is no reason, in the Commission’s view, for the fundamental objectives of the CSF to be called into question as a result of this review. As for the period after the year 2000, it is clear that Community structural policies, by their very nature, will continue to support the development of less-favoured regions like the outlying Greek provinces. (98/C 117/203) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3097/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (2 October 1997) Subject: Olympic Games and Directive 85/337 Will the Commission say whether it is aware of the contents of the package for the Olympic Games submitted by Greece and the projects included therein? Have any environmental impact studies (Directive 85/337/EEC (1)) been submitted, and can it guarantee that it will continue the relevant investments and ensure that Community legislation is complied with well before work on the projects commences? (1) OJ L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40. Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (3 November 1997) There is no Community competence over the Olympic games so the Greek authorities have not submitted a file to the Commission. With respect to Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, there is always an obligation for its correct implementation by Member States irrespective of the context in which projects are carried out. The Commission will therefore continue to ensure the respect of the provisions of this Directive in case it would be applicable to Olympic games projects. (98/C 117/204) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3105/97 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (13 October 1997) Subject: VAT levied on womenís sanitary protection products Concern has been expressed that VAT should be levied on such items which are essential for millions of women in the EU. Does the Commission consider that there is an overwhelming case for these products to be zero rated?