WRITTEN QUESTION E-2329/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) and Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission (7 July 1997)

Subject: Hindrances caused to heavy goods traffic by Russian customs

The Russian customs have announced that they will not permit articulated lorries to cross the border between Finland and Russia if their tractor and trailer are registered in different countries. This new practice by the Russian customs is arbitrary and does not tie up in any way with the safety regulations for heavy goods traffic adopted either by the EU or by Russia. The Russian customs are merely trying by means of harassment to create difficulties for transport, trade and the delivery of goods. The Commission has promised to take action to influence the activities of the Russian customs. This promise was made in writing in an answer to an earlier written question by Mr Ilaskivi on the same subject. The present situation shows that the Commission's action has had no effect.

That being so, what specific action has the Commission in fact taken to persuade the Russian customs authorities to improve their practice and what follow-up measures does it propose to take to eliminate the new problems for heavy goods traffic caused by the current situation on the Finnish-Russian border?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997)

The Commission is aware of the various problems and delays which road goods transport faces at border crossings. Specific attention is paid to the border between the Union and Russia with a view to improve transport infrastructure and facilitate customs and border control procedures. Preliminary results of actions and programmes undertaken by the Commission and Russian authorities indicate some positive developments on waiting times, although the situation is still far from being normal.

The Commission continues therefore to reiterate such concerns related to border crossing obstacles which have an impact on trade and transport relations with Russia. In a meeting between the President of the Commission and the Russian Prime Minister on 18 July 1997 in Brussels both sides identified a number of joint initiatives for the further modernisation of border and transit controls and for increased cooperation in the customs field. The issue was also discussed with regional representatives in St. Petersburg on 30 August 1997 by the member of the Commission responsible for external relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The Commission is also informed about various specific problems of road hauliers in bilateral transport between certain Member States and Russia. The announcement that the Russians will not permit articulated lorries to cross the border between Finland and Russia, if their tractor and trailer are registered in different countries, is one of these problems.

The Commission understands that for the present the few Member States most directly concerned are trying to solve problems on a bilateral basis. Furthermore, in a Resolution of 1994 on road goods transport the members of the European Conference of ministers of transport (ECMT) already addressed the question of permits in case of different registration of tractor and trailers. The solution found there (the permit is obtained from the authority in the country in which the tractor is registered, covering the coupled combination of vehicles even in case of different registration) may become relevant in this case, with Russia a member of ECMT since July 1997.