WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3691/98 by Anita POLLACK Reproductive rights in applying for accession
6. 11. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 320/65 The liberalisation process in recent years has opened up air transport to greater competition. This has also facilitated the entry of new low cost airlines. Allowing the consumer greater choice places the onus on each airline to offer a product that meets the requirements of each passenger at a competitive price and serves as a deterrent to abusive pricing. In order to enable airlines to react quickly in this more dynamic environment, the liberalisation measures have also introduced the principle of pricing freedom. Nevertheless airlines are not allowed to apply excessively high basic fares. Parties with a legitimate interest may ask the Member State(s) concerned or the Commission to investigate very high fares in the light of the applicable regulation. (1999/C 320/087) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3691/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (7 December 1998) Subject: Reproductive rights in applying for accession Does the Commission have any information on the situation of reproductive rights in countries applying for accession? Are there any EU projects in these countries to extend family planning services? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (28 January 1999) The Commission has not carried out any specific studies on reproductive rights in candidate countries. It is not aware that reproductive rights are denied to anybody in the candidate countries. The definition of family policy does not fall within the competence of the Community. It remains the responsibility of the Member States. Notwithstanding this general principle, family planning is part of the activities of some micro projects funded in the framework of the LIEN programme which targets non- governmental organisations (NGOs) in the social sector. (1999/C 320/088) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3692/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (7 December 1998) Subject: Agenda 21 Given the commitment to sustainability in the Treaty, does the Commission agree that it would be useful to have a local Agenda 21 coordinator in the Commission? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (24 February 1999) In addition to the commitment to sustainable development in the EC Treaty, the Commission and the Member States are signatories to Agenda 21 and so have signalled their approval of the Local Agenda 21 process set out in Chapter 28. Article 10 of Decision No 2179/98/EC of the Parliament and Council of 24 September 1998 (1) on the review of the 5th action programme (2) has strengthened the Community’s commitment to Local Agenda 21 which is seen as especially important in relation to urban issues. The Communication ‘Sustainable