WRITTEN QUESTION E-0006/00 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission. Recognition of Commission President Romano Prodi.
C 225 E/214 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 (2000/C 225 E/244) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/99 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: The elderly in the United Kingdom While respecting the principle of subsidiarity in operation in the health sector, the Community institutions have a duty to see to it that Member States ensure a high level of quality in the services supplied to their citizens. From this perspective, I would like to draw the Commissionís attention to the accusations, reported in all the Member Statesí main daily papers, made by a well-known London doctor, who states that in some British hospitals downright áinvoluntary euthanasiaí is being practised. From the serious allegations made it would appear that the situation is of the utmost gravity, with elderly people being left to die, deprived of the slightest assistance and even of food, to allow beds to be freed. In the light of this: ü does the Commission not think that the practices revealed constitute a brutal breach of human rights and that because of this they fall within the Commissionís sphere of authority? ü What action does it therefore consider advisable in this particular case? ü Does it not consider it essential to set in motion a thorough investigation in all Member States which would finally throw light upon the actual circumstances in which elderly people who are no longer independent live in European Union countries? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (22 February 2000) It is for each Member State to organise their health systems as they wish, and to determine the conditions for entitlement to benefits under those systems. Therefore, although the Commission is not aware of the details of the press coverage cited, there does not seem to be an obligation arising from Community law that would be involved. Therefore it would be more appropriate to contact the United Kingdom authorities directly with any further questions on this subject. (2000/C 225 E/245) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0006/00 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Recognition of Commission President Romano Prodi Is it true that when Romano Prodi, President of the Commission, arrived at the royal wedding on 4 December 1999, the Belgian television French language service (RTBF) introduced him as the Prime Minister of Portugal? If so, what steps will the Commission take to ensure that Belgian television recognises the Commission President in future? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (11 February 2000) It is true that when Mr Prodi, President of the Commission, arrived at the Cathedral for the royal marriage on 4 December 1999, the commentator for the Belgian television channel RTBF referred to him as the President (not the Prime Minister) of Portugal. 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/215 The Commission does not feel that this slip, which was quickly corrected, constitutes a major incident. Moreover, the Belgian television subsequently showed pictures of the President sitting at the table of honour not far from the Belgian Sovereigns and the royal couple. The Commission endeavours to develop a communication policy based on transparency and the right of the citizen to be informed on Community institutions and the Unionís policies. In this, it cooperates fully with Parliament. (2000/C 225 E/246) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0013/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Creation of a Greek service on Euronews (19 January 2000) Since 1 November the news agency Euronews has been broadcasting in a sixth language, Portuguese. In his statements, the channelís managing director has stressed that Euronews has the capability to expand its activities into other languages too. Is the Commission looking into the possibility of the creation of a Greek service on the channel, so that the large number of Greeks and Greek speakers abroad who are interested in the broadcast of news in Greek could be kept informed? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (21 February 2000) The question as to the creation of a Greek service on the Euronews information channel is not a matter for the Commission but for the management of Euronews. However, the Commission agrees that it would be a good thing for Euronews to broadcast in as many Community languages as possible. The fact that it now broadcasts in six languages is a significant step in the right direction. The Commission will pass on the Honourable Memberís views during its contacts. (2000/C 225 E/247) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0041/00 by Marie Isler BØguin (Verts/ALE) to the Commission Subject: Extension of the dock at Escombreras, Murcia (Spain) (13 January 2000) The Commission is currently examining the case for Cohesion Fund aid for the project for extension of the dock at Escombreras, Murcia (Spain) and the rehabilitation of PortmÆn Bay submitted by the Cartagena Port Authority. This project has not been made the subject of an environmental impact assessment, despite the fact that it affects the Punta de Aguilones/Isla de Escombreras area, which is considered an important area for bird life by Directive 79/409/EEC (1), and is, furthermore, a threat to the underground vegetation (Posidonia oceanica) of the Costas de Calblanque, an area classified as a priority natural habitat by the habitats directive (92/43/EEC) and proposed as a location of Community interest (2). Virtually no attempt has been made to consider alternative proposals, and the official reports drawn up by the regional authorities and other bodies (3) have not been forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment for use in preparing the environmental impact statement. In addition, the regional authorities have failed to comply with Directives 85/337/EEC (4) and 97/11/EC (5), the national regulation on the same subject (6), and Regional Law 1/1995 (7) on participation in the transmission of public information and provision of information to the Regional Environmental Council. One of the key objections made by the above-mentioned bodies concerns