WRITTEN QUESTION E-2839/99 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Climate change in previous research programmes and in the Fifth Framework Programme.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/119 (2000/C 303 E/118) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2839/99 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Climate change in previous research programmes and in the Fifth Framework Programme Are there areas of research or research methodology relevant to understanding the processes of climate change which have been represented in previous research programmes and are also in the Fifth Framework Programme? If so, are they included because resources devoted to this area in previous years were inadequate, or too few applications for the funding were received, or because the research required is very extensive and was unlikely to have been adequately dealt with in a single Framework Programme? Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission (11 February 2000) Climate process research continues in the Fifth framework programme, in particular, in the context of climate variability and abrupt climate changes. Understanding of such processes is a basic requirement to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic variations of climate. Indeed, the research required is very extensive and long-term. (2000/C 303 E/119) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2847/99 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Return of the Elgin marbles According to reports in the UK press, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has taken a áfirm decisioní not to return the Elgin marbles to Greece, paying no heed to the legitimate aspirations of the Greek nation, long supported by European public opinion and most members of parliament in the Union. Will the Commission not make a timely intervention and offer its good offices to resolve the dispute, by persuading the United Kingdom to withdraw its decision? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (10 March 2000) Article 151 (ex-Article 128) of the EC Treaty gives the Community jurisdiction to encourage cooperation in the cultural field. The question raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within the Communityís jurisdiction but is rather the sole concern of the Member States, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. However, as the Commission is anxious to quickly resolve this issue, which divides the United Kingdom and Greece, it is willing to play the part of political mediator in this case if the two Member States so request