WRITTEN QUESTION E-2531/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Foundation of a centre for the promotion of classical studies and the teaching of ancient Greek and Latin at educational institutions.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/177 (2000/C 219 E/225) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2526/99 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Albaniaís membership of the WTO According to information from a variety of sources, the EU as a body has concluded that Albania meets the requirements for membership of the WTO and has therefore decided to support the countryís application to join that organisation. However, it now appears that one of the Member States (France) has said within the WTO that it is not in favour of allowing Albania to join. Can the Commission confirm this information? Will it provide full clarification in respect of a matter which may be regarded, from several points of view, as extremely serious? If the information proves to be accurate, what action would the Commission take in order to bring the Member State concerned into line with the decision taken by the Union? Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission (7 January 2000) The accession of Albania to the World trade organisation (WTO) is in its final stages and could be completed soon. This accession has proceeded very rapidly in the course of this year thanks to the efforts of the Albanian authorities and of the Community. Albania has shown a great determination to apply WTO consistent rules in its legislation. Discussions with the interested parties continue with a view to finalising the negotiations. (2000/C 219 E/226) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2531/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (4 January 2000) Subject: Foundation of a centre for the promotion of classical studies and the teaching of ancient Greek and Latin at educational institutions In 1995 a Memorandum was submitted to the Council of Education Ministers of the European Union on the foundation of a centre of studies for promoting the teaching of Latin and ancient Greek studies at educational institutions in the European Union, especially at secondary level. Representatives of the Italian, French, Greek and Spanish Governments stressed that átoday more than ever before classics constitute an extremely valuable educational tool with which to educate the young who could acquire through this common intellectual heritage a genuine European outlook alongside their legitimate national feelingsí. However, five years have now elapsed without the European Union having taken any practical measures to achieve this objective. Moreover, classical studies cannot be allowed to disappear from secondary education in the next century: distinguished figures in classical studies such as Jacqueline de Romilly of the French Academy and Jean-Pierre Vernant, both professors at the CollŁge de France, have expressed their disappointment at the disappearance of classical studies from secondary education (See Le Monde of 12. 11. 1999). In view of this situation, will the Commission say what initiatives it intends to take to make a positive contribution towards the establishment of such a centre? C 219 E/178 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (24 January 2000) The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible. (2000/C 219 E/227) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2539/99 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Report on animal welfare required under Council Directive 98/58 Article 8 of Council Directive 98/58 (1) concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes requires the Commission, before 30 June 1999, to submit to the Council a report: (a) comparing animal welfare provisions in the Community and in non-member countries which supply the Community, (b) on the scope for obtaining wider international acceptance of the welfare principles laid down in Council Directive 98/58, and (c) on the extent to which Community animal welfare objectives may be liable to be undermined as a result of competition from non-member countries which do not apply equivalent standards. Bearing in mind that the above report is closely connected to the impact on animal welfare of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and that the new WTO Round is to commence shortly, when does the Commission intend to submit the report required by Directive 98/58? (1) OJ L 221, 8. 8. 1998, p. 23. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (27 January 2000) The Commission is aware of the relevance of the report in respect of the priority given to animal welfare policies inside the Community and the importance of obtaining a wide international acceptance of these policies. To draw up this report, the Commission has sent letters to those third countries supplying red meat, poultry meat, fish products and live animals to the Community, requesting information on their legislation or guidelines in the field of animal protection on the farm, during transport and at the time of slaughter. The Commission has written to 104 countries and has received information from 73 of them. The analysis of the information is continuing and it is anticipated that the report will be presented to the Council shortly. (2000/C 219 E/228) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2546/99 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Council (22 December 1999) Subject: Former frontier cities Protracted piecemeal research involving many officials from different Directorates-General of the Com- mission has revealed a total absence of any study by the European Union institutions concerning all those