WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/99 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The fight against synthetic drugs: Community initiatives and application of Parliament's resolution.
C 219 E/118 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 How does the Commission intend to obtain more information on social exclusion and extreme poverty? What measures does the Commission intend to adopt to combat these problems in the light of Article 137 of the Treaty and the undertakings given at the 1995 Copenhagen summit on social development? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (5 January 2000) The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member about the importance of reliable indicators and statistics for strengthening policies and measures against social exclusion and poverty. Social exclusion and poverty are multidimensional problems which change over time and therefore require comprehensive data and indicators which can be analysed over time (longitudinal analysis). Data and indicators must also be gender sensitive. In many Member States as well as at Community level efforts are being made to make better use of existing data as well as to improve the data. Following a meeting in Stockholm in January 1998 of the Community high level think tank on social exclusion and poverty statistics, a Community task force was established. Its work has resulted in a first set of guidelines, endorsed by a meeting of directors general of national statistical offices, for improving statistics and indicators on poverty and social exclusion in Member States as well as at Community level which are now being implemented (1). Community cooperation can make an important contribution and action has been increasing and will continue to intensify as a result of the new provisions in the EC Treaty (Article 137 ex-Article 118). During 1999, the Commission has engaged in broad discussions with all concerned on a Community strategy against social exclusion and the priorities and scope of Community action to implement such a strategy. These discussions have confirmed áfull participation and social integration of all people in societyí as the fundamental principle of an inclusive and cohesive society, as also emerged from the world summit on social development in 1995 in Copenhagen. Launching the strategy and action will be a priority of the Commissionís work programme for 2000. It is envisaged that the strategy and programme will include the aim of strengthening cooperation on statistics and indicators. An issue of Statistics in focusí entitled Social exclusion in the Member Statesí will be published shortly by the Commission. (1) Statistical Programming Committee. Document No 98/31/2 - 11/98. (2000/C 219 E/150) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/99 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission (29 November 1999) Subject: The fight against synthetic drugs: Community initiatives and application of Parliamentís resolution There is considerable alarm in Italy once again over traffic in and consumption of synthetic drugs, which have flooded the market and have taken particular hold amongst young people. Each year 180 000 ecstasy tablets are confiscated; this represents a mere 5 % of total consumption. In 1998 the European Parliament (in its resolution on the control of new synthetic drugs ü OJ C 167, 1. 6. 1998) urgently raised the issue of the traffic in and consumption of synthetic drugs and called on both Member States and the Commission to gather information on such drugs, notably with regard to their impact and side-effects, as well as any long-term damage they might cause, and to promote research in this field. 1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/119 Article 129 of the Amsterdam Treaty stipulates that Community action, which should complement national policies, should be directed towards reducing the harmful impact of drugs on human health and should promote information and prevention. How does the Commission intend to set about curbing and drastically reducing the manufacture and consumption of synthetic drugs? Has the Commission ascertained whether all the Member States have brought into effect international legislation on the control of synthetic drugs? What has the Commission done to inform European citizens, particularly young people, of the often irreparable damage caused by the use of such drugs? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1999) The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member about the rising problems caused by synthetic drugs. In its recent communication of 26 May 1999 on a European action plan to combat drugs (2000-2004) (1), great attention is given to the increasing trends in use and production of synthetic drugs. This communication shows that the problem can be reduced using legislation; action against production and trafficking, including improved co-operation between national authorities and the chemical industry, in particular concerning precursors; international co-operation; and action on demand reduction through information and other preventive approaches. On 16 June 1997, concerned that differences in legislation on new synthetic drugs between the Member States would lead to legal vacuums and problems of co-operation and control, the Council adopted a joint action 97/396/JHA regarding the information exchange, risk assessment and control of new synthetic drugs (2). This joint action establishes an early warning system which identifies and exchanges information on new synthetic drugs as soon as they arrive on the European market, co-ordinated by the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (Emcdda) and Europol. Although this system is primarily intended to control the consumption and production of new synthetic drugs, it also constitutes a relevant and timely tool for the rapid adoption of prevention strategies and activities particularly directed to young people. So far, risk assessments have been carried out on two synthetic drugs MBDB and 4-MTA. On 13 September 1999 the Council (3) adopted a unanimous decision defining 4-MTA as a substance to be placed under control in all Member States, stating that Member States shall take the necessary measures in accordance with their national laws. In addition, all Member States have ratified the three relevant United Nations (UN) conventions and report yearly to the UN on their implementation. The Commission has no information on any non-compliance with these conventions. As for preventive measures, the Commission has launched and co-financed three European drug preven- tion weeks, all with strong elements of realistic information on the risks and damage caused by illegal drug use. The 1994 and 1998 weeks were specifically addressed actions against new synthetic drugs and young people. In addition, a number of large scale preventive networks have been set up on a transnational level, with financial support from the Commission. Many of these networks produce and distribute information, in the form of brochures, booklets and on Internet. C 219 E/120 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 In the Community action programme on the prevention of drug dependence (1996-2000), new usage trends, multiple drug dependence and young people have been and still are a priority, stated in the annual work programmes. Several projects have been funded aiming at improving methods and practices in order to cope with the use of ecstasy, amphetamine and other synthetic drugs. The new European Union Drug Strategy (2000-2004) adopted by the Council on 6 December 1999, underlines that the situation concerning new synthetic drugs requires constant attention. (1) COM(1999) 239 final. (2) OJ L 167, 25. 6. 1997. (3) COM(1999) 307 final. (2000/C 219 E/151) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2210/99 by GØrard Caudron (PSE) to the Council (30 November 1999) Subject: Bank charges on cross-border payments I wish to voice my exasperation to the Council at the attitude of some banks which continue to apply scandalously high bank charges on cross-border payments in euros, with an intolerable lack of transpar- ency. The Commission is itself seriously concerned with these problems, which jeopardise the proper integration of the euro into our citizensí daily lives, and which show a lack of public-spiritedness among the banking institutions. The Commission has accordingly been carrying out a number of investigations since the beginning of the year, and their results are to say the least unsatisfactory. It is true that some banks have reduced their costs, but they are still the exception. This is why the Commission is continuing to carry out ásurpriseí investigations, as it did a fortnight ago in the Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium. It is clear that there is a lack of will in the banking sector, and also among the Member States. Directive 97/5/EC (1) on cross-border transfers, which provides that costs should be transparent, should have been if one wishes to consult the national transposed into national transposition measures, the reply from all the Member States is the same: áno reference available!í And yet the Member States had two years to transpose the directive into their legal systems. The deadline has passed, and they are therefore liable to proceedings for failing to carry out their Treaty obligations. When do the Member States propose to comply with their obligations under Community law? law by 14 August 1999. However, (1) OJ L 43, 14. 2. 1997, p. 25. Reply (31 January 2000) According to Article 11 (1) of Directive 97/5/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 on crossborder credit transfers Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 14 August 1999 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. According to (2) of the same Article they shall also communicate to the Commission the text of the main laws, regulations or administrative provisions which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. As for the specific question raised by the Honourable Parliamentarian, it is not for the Council to collect that type of information. As a matter of fact, according to Article 211 of the Treaty it is the task of the Commission to ensure that the provisions of the Treaty are applied, and, according to Article 226, to take the necessary measures if it considers that a Member State has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Treaty