WRITTEN QUESTION E-2444/99 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Early retirement scheme.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/165 Reply (31 January 2000) An Evaluation Report on the Humanitarian Situation in Northern Iraq of June 1999, commissioned and financed by the European Commission, gives an overview of the humanitarian situation in Kurdish controlled areas of northern Iraq. It is clear from the report that there are numerous necessary and urgent basic humanitarian needs that must be attended to, such as mine clearance, malnutrition and rehabilitation of water plants. To these necessary activities must be added study and assessment of the effects of chemical and other weapons of mass destruction on the overall living conditions in northern Iraq. The implementa- tion of the oil-for-food programme needs to be speeded up and streamlined which requires the full cooperation of the Iraqi government. An effective implementation of humanitarian assistance would also be facilitated by an improvement of the political situation in northern Iraq. The recent normalisation measures agreed between the two main Kurdish Parties are important in this context. The Council, assisted by the Secretary General/High Representative for the CFSP, will continue to closely monitor the situation in Iraq, including the northern provinces, and contribute to ensuring an adequate response from the European Union when circumstances so permit to the needs of the Iraqi people. (2000/C 219 E/209) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2444/99 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Early retirement scheme Has the Commission made a decision as to when farmers will be paid compensation following the 5,055 % reduction in the Early Retirement Pension Scheme arising from the introduction of the Euro in January 1999 to participants who joined the scheme prior to 1998? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 December 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No E-2170/99 by Mr McCartin (1). (1) See page 110. (2000/C 219 E/210) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2448/99 by Ilkka Suominen (PPE-DE) to the Council (13 December 1999) Subject: Future of the EUís Youth programme and of the Council of Youth Ministers Putting the EUís youth programme into practice has been one of the Finnish Presidencyís major objectives. However, it now appears that the implementation of the youth programme, which was intended to be launched at the beginning of next year, may be postponed owing to intervention by some Member States in the programmeís budget. In his report, the Secretary-General of the Council proposes the holding of Council meetings on an irregular basis and the abolition of the Council of Youth Ministers. This formation of the Council has brought about significant programmes which have noticeably improved the freedom of movement of young people in Europe, and this in turn has actively helped ensure that ácloseness to the citizení has found a place on the European Unionís agenda