WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1389/98 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Evaluation of Helios II: Preparations for a new disability programme
11. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 386/121 Has the Commission been approached by the Belarus authorities for such help or, conversely, for support to carry out destructive activities such as river management and drainage, and with what result? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1998) The Commission is aware of the existence of peat mines in the Polesia region of Belarus and their impact on the environment. At this stage, given current bilateral relations with Belarus, the Commission is not envisaging specific action in relation to such peat mines. (98/C 386/164) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1388/98 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (7 May 1998) Subject: European race relations proposal on the basis of the Amsterdam Treaty Following the Commissionís welcome proposals for European-wide action on race relations on the basis of the unratified Amsterdam Treaty, when does it intend to come forward with a similar proposal on discrimination against disabled people? Does the Commission accept that there should be no hierarchy of discrimination and that, therefore, other proposals should be brought forward to combat discrimination against groups referred to in the Amsterdam Treaty? (98/C 386/165) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1389/98 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (7 May 1998) Subject: Evaluation of Helios II: Preparations for a new disability programme When does the Commission expect to consult the European Parliament on the evaluation of the Helios II programme for people with disabilities? Given the fact that, in 1997, the Commission said it would delay any proposal for a new disability programme pending completion of this evaluation, in what timescale does the Commission now intend to make the proposal? Given the European Parliamentís support for such a programme and the restriction of the European Social Fund and equal Community Initiative to employment initiatives, can the Commission confirm its support for a new programme which promotes equal opportunities for disabled people in relation to all discrimination? Joint answer to Written Questions E-1388/98 and E-1389/98 given by Mr Flynn on behalf fof the Commission (22 June 1998) The Commission is continuing to examine possible options concerning the future strategy in favour of people with disabilities. This examination coincides with the new proposals for the structural funds (1), the plans for a new Community initiative and the implementation of Agenda 2000 (2)