WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2905/98 by Marie-Noëlle LIENEMANN to the Commission. Creation of an international therapeutic solidarity fund
C 135/136 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 14. 5. 1999 Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (30 November 1998) Portuguese law (Decreto-loi (Decree-Law) No 28 − B/96 of 4 April 1996 and, subsequently, Portaria (Ordinance) No 317 − A/96 of 9 June 1996) offered a special scheme for access to Portuguese universities for the families of members of the Portuguese diplomatic corps and other equivalent services. The families of EU officials were also covered by this special scheme, since the Community institutions were classed as equivalent services. However, a new law published recently (Decreto-loi No 296 − A/98, of 25 September 1998) repeals the previous law and no longer offers a special scheme for access to Portuguese universities, but only a general scheme. The organisation of educational systems, including the establishment of conditions governing access to university, is a matter for the Member States. In the present state of Community law, the Commission intervenes only in cases where access conditions are different for national students than for students who are nationals of other Member States and who wish to pursue their higher education in another Member State. As regards a Member State treating its own nationals differently one from another, the Commission has no power to intervene. (1999/C 135/166) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2905/98 by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission Subject: Creation of an international therapeutic solidarity fund (2 October 1998) Following on the conclusions of the Presidency of the European Council of 13 December 1997 (paragraph 58) on health and the procedure for establishing a therapeutic solidarity fund to combat AIDS in the developing countries, what action is the Commission taking to set up this therapeutic fund rapidly so that pilot programmes are available to give access to treatment for people with HIV/AIDS in the developing countries? It is becoming extremely urgent for the most industrialised countries to implement a concrete policy of international solidarity to combat AIDS. Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1998) The European Council of 13 December 1997 asked the Commission to look into the establishment of a therapeutic solidarity fund under the aegis of UNAIDS to help combat AIDS in developing countries. The Commission analysed this issue in its Communication to the Council and the European Parliament for increased solidarity to confront AIDS in developing countries (1). The Communication gives a survey of work to date to combat the human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the light of the success of targeted preventive operations, it stresses the importance of supporting and reinforcing health-care systems. It also looks at a number of possibilities for creating new solidarity mechanisms, taking account of the need to prepare any such mechanisms collectively. This Communication is currently being discussed by Parliament and the Council, and particularly by the group of Member State experts on this subject. (1) COM(1998) 407 final