WRITTEN QUESTION E-0386/00 by Vasco Graça Moura (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Payment to the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA).
C 303 E/186 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 The Commission is not aware of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. The information supplied by the Honourable Member does not allow a thorough examination of the situation. At this stage, there is no evidence of the existence of discrimination on grounds of nationality. Notwithstanding, the Commission is ready to look into this case if more information becomes available. (2000/C 303 E/211) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0377/00 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission (14 February 2000) Subject: Tax exemption for small firms Can the Commission state whether it is preparing legislative proposals whereby small firms would be exempt from the requirement of Commission clearance for State aid? If so, does this include tax exemptions? When are these proposals likely to be finalised? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (22 March 2000) By Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty (now Articles 87 and 88) to certain categories of horizontal state aid (1) the Commission was enabled to exempt by Commission regulations certain types of horizontal aid measures from the notification requirement. The categories covered by this Regulation include aid to small and medium- sized enterprises (SME). On 28 July 1999, the Commission adopted a draft exemption regulation for SME aid which is about to be published in the Official journal. The Commission intends to adopt the regulation by July 2000. The regulation will define up to which intensity certain aid to SME is exempted from the notification requirement. These intensities apply no matter in which form the aid is granted and therefore also apply to tax reductions or exemptions in favour of SME. (1) OJ L 142, 14. 5. 1998. (2000/C 303 E/212) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0386/00 by Vasco Graça Moura (PPE-DE) to the Commission (15 February 2000) Subject: Payment to the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) Why has the Directorate-General for Education and Culture not yet paid the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) 50 % of the cost of projects for 1998 and 1999, contrary to the commitments given? When will these payments be made? What type of support will be considered for the EJTA from the year 2000 onwards? 24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/187 Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (30 March 2000) The Commission has a good relationship with the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) and values its programme for the training of future European journalists. The Commission has given annual financial support to a series of Euroreporterí projects amounting to some € 200 000 per year for the past decade. Late payments from the Commission are mainly due to the late submission of the final reports from the EJTA secretariat, without which no commitments for new applications can be made. The EJTAís final report for 1997 and the application for 1998 arrived too late to ensure a financial contribution from the Commission for 1998. The Commission is prevented from giving retroactive support to projects. As for Euroreporterí 1999, the first 50 % of the contribution has already been paid and the remaining balance will be paid as soon as the Commission receives the final 1999 accounts from EJTA. No formal request has yet been submitted by EJTA to the Commission for the year 2000. (2000/C 303 E/213) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0389/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Council (16 February 2000) Subject: Genetic tests on immigrants in Switzerland On Sunday the Mise au Point programme broadcast by the Swiss French-language television channel TSR broke the news about a draft law which is already in the hands of the Federal Councillor Ruth Metzler. According to the programme, would-be immigrants wishing to enter the country in order to join other members of their family will in future (if the law is adopted) be required to undergo genetic tests in order to establish kinship. In view of the fact that an Agreement exists between the European Union and Switzerland: 1. What is the European Union intending to do about disturbing evidence of a xenophobic attitude towards foreigners which, in this particular case, brings Nazi practices to mind? 2. What will the Council do in the light of the fact that many foreign nationals live in Switzerland, including nationals from a number of EU Member States? Reply (13 April 2000) It is not for the Council to express an opinion on broadcasts by the television channel mentioned by the Honourable Member. (2000/C 303 E/214) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0390/00 by Liam Hyland (UEN) to the Commission (8 February 2000) Subject: Israeli refusal of entry visa to EU citizens On 10 October 1999, 25 members of a Catholic charity from Co. Wexford, Ireland were denied entry to Israel, manhandled by police and defamed in the media. Following high level intervention by the Irish government and Catholic church leaders, Israel proposes allowing the group to enter its territory but not