Parliamentary Agenda of 18-22 January 1993 The following RTD-related topics are included in the Agenda of the European Parliament for the Session of 18-22 January 1993: - A report from the Economic and Monetary Affairs and industrial Policy Committee on satellite communications, urging the Commission to bring forward ... The following RTD-related topics are included in the Agenda of the European Parliament for the Session of 18-22 January 1993: - A report from the Economic and Monetary Affairs and industrial Policy Committee on satellite communications, urging the Commission to bring forward appropriate legislation to enable the EC to exploit fully the potential of this sector (see COM(92) 360 of 23.9.1992). The Committee feels that urgent action is necessary if Europe is to be a leader in this area. A common EC approach to liberalization and harmonization of standards would ensure that the Community would be well placed to meet the urgent satellite communication needs of Eastern European countries. - A report from the Energy and Research Committee encouraging the Community to recommit itself to the promotion of renewable forms of energy, such as wind and wave power, thus enabling the energy sector to develop along environmentally sound lines. Note: The ALTENER programme (1993-1997) for renewable energy projects (COM(92) 180 of 20.5.1992) sets a target for renewable energy sources of 8% of total energy use by the year 2005 via increased electricity production plus a 5% market share for bio fuels. - A report from the Environment Committee on the North Sea and oil pollution, with regard to the Commission's proposed amendments widening the scope of the 1983 Bonn international agreement (COM (92) 133) governing pollution of the North Sea. - A report from the Environment Committee advocating urgent international action to prevent further increases in salt levels and man-made pollution in the Baltic sea. A motion for a resolution will urge EC and Nordic countries to aid Poland, the Baltic states and Russia with anti pollution measures, via the creation of a Joint Baltic Environmental Fund, the establishment of a separate Community budget line for the Baltic and the extension of the PHARE programme to this area. A further major concern of the Committee is damage caused by the dumping of Soviet nuclear waste in the eastern Baltic. - In response to the Commission's proposal to introduce a voluntary eco-audit logo to encourage European companies to examine their environmental impact in terms of energy consumption, production processes, use of raw materials, waste and recycling (COM (91) 459 of 6.3.1992) a motion for a resolution put forward in a report from the Environment wishes companies to be actively encouraged to participate in this initiative, and for the scheme to be extended to cover not only the industrial sector, but all economic activity. - A report from the Youth Committee will support the Commission's proposed HDTV programme (COM (92) 154 of 5.5.1992 see also SEC (92) 1085 of 29.9.1992) arguing that the production costs of 16:9 format programmes justify a large subsidy from the Community's budget. - The Environment Committee will report on means to ensure that full account is taken of environmental needs when Community finance is allocated to development projects. The report is presented in the context of the upcoming revisions of the regulations governing the use of the Community's Structural Funds. The Community having recently stated its commitment to sustainable development in the Fifth Environmental action Programme, the Committee considers that regional policy should reflect this commitment explicitly. - Parliament will adopt its own recommendations on reforming the Community's institutional structures to take account of future enlargement. Article 238 of the treaty covers association agreements for close ties and links with potential Member States. These may provide a transitional period for cooperation in domestic and foreign policy while applicant Member States adapt to Community procedures and policies. Such states could also participate in educational or research programmes such as ERASMUS (1987-1995) or SPRINT 1 (1989-1993), as do EFTA countries at present. - The Transport Committee has tabled a resolution calling on the Commission to prepare a ten-year action plan to promote the use of electric vehicles in towns. Incentives in the form of subsidies and tax relief would encourage major manufacturers to produce these vehicles, which consume less than half the energy required for petrol or diesel powered cars. A target of 7% of the market is suggested for the year 2002. - A report from the External Economic Relations Committee on the conclusion of a five year cooperation agreement with Mongolia (held over from the Parliamentary Session of December 1992). The agreement aims to encourage trade and closer cooperation in areas including energy, science and technology, agriculture, and the environment (COM(92) 50 of 21.2.1992). Countries Mongolia, Poland
