WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1003/98 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Aviano airbase : request for information
22. 2. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 50/5 (20) Whereas Member States are bound, when introducing or maintaining more stringent protection measures, to respect the principles and rules of the EC Treaty, as they are interpreted by the Court of justice; Thus the Commission confirms that Member States are entitled to set stricter standards for their water supply systems (tap water) provided the principles mentioned above are respected. After ratification of the Treaty of Amsterdam these provisions of the EC Treaty will not change. However, environmental legislation subject to Article 130s(1) will then be adopted under the co-decision procedure instead of the present co-operation procedure. (1) OJ L 229, 30. 8. 1980. (2) OJ C 131, 30. 5. 1995. (3) OJ C 213, 15. 7. 1997. (1999/C 50/006) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0960/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 March 1998) Subject: Incorporation into Greek law of directive on the protection of cultural objects The Commission has sent Greece a reasoned opinion for failing to incorporate into national law in due time Community Directive 93/7, as amended by Directive 96/100 (1), laying down the terms and conditions for the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State of the EU. 1. What grounds has Greece cited for not having implemented the Directive? Could failure to incorporate the Directive into national law entail adverse repercussions and, possibly, risks 2. for the cultural objects belonging to Greece and, if so, what are they? (1) OJ L 60, 1. 3. 1997, p. 59. Supplementary answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1998) It is not appropriate for the Commission to disclose information concerning the grounds relied upon by a 1. Member State in infringement proceedings initiated against it for failure to notify measures transposing a directive into national law. No. Failure by a Member State to transpose a directive into national law does not affect the rights and 2. obligations arising under that directive in other Member States which have transposed it. (1999/C 50/007) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1003/98 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (2 April 1998) Subject: Aviano airbase: request for information With reference to my previous Written Question E-3480/96 (1) and Commissioner Bjerregaardís replies of 20 January 1997 and 4 July 1997, has the request for information referred to in those replies been met and have the Italian authorities responded, in the light also of the serious accident in Cermins caused by a US military aircraft from that base? (1) OJ C 83, 14. 3. 1997, p. 130 and OJ C 60, 25. 2. 1998, p. 7