WRITTEN QUESTION E-2448/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 September 2001)

Subject: Ratification of protocols to the Alpine Convention

In its reply to the previous written question E-3599/00(1), the Commission reported on relations between the EU and the Alpine Convention and basically stated that the commitment to the Convention would be maintained, as illustrated by the decision to sign the transport protocol. Discussions between the various signatories to the Convention now mainly focus on ratification of the protocols which have been signed, an essential step for their actual implementation. This also applies to those protocols which the European Union has already signed (regional planning and sustainable development mountain farming, conservation of nature and the countryside) or plans to sign (transport). In an interesting interpretation of the principal of subsidiarity, the Commission's reply also states that the EU will not sign the other protocols (mountain forests, tourism, soil conservation and energy) because their implementation will be better guaranteed at the level of the Alpine area member states and their regions than at Community level.

This being so, what stage has the EU reached in signing the transport protocol?

The reply to question E-3599/00 seems to infer that there are obstacles in the way of the ratification of the protocols already signed by the Union. This ratification is essential in order to give practical effect to the Community's commitment, particularly in areas, such as agriculture, which clearly come under its sphere of competence. What are the obstacles in question?

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 19.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2001)

With regard to the signature of the Transport Protocol to the Alpine Convention, the Commission adopted on 16 January 2001, in accordance with the provisions of Article 300 (ex Article 228), second paragraph of the EC Treaty, a Proposal for a Council Decision(1) on the signature of this Protocol. This proposal is currently being considered by the Council Working Party on Land Transport.

It should be clear, however, that the fact that the Commission is giving priority to the ratification of the Transport Protocol, should not be seen as a lack of interest in the promotion of sustainable development in the Alpine region. Indeed, the Commission stresses the interest it attaches to mountain regions. This interest is exemplified by the fact that the Commission, in its second Report on Cohesion(2), recognised that mountain regions are already at a disadvantage and have, as such, been included as one of

ten priorities in the Community's cohesion policy. Other Community policies including environment policy or rural development policy are also contributing to the sustainable development of mountain regions including the Alpine region, and to the conservation of mountain eco-systems and biodiversity.

In addition, in order to better assess the situation of mountain areas, the Commission is about to launch a study to delimit, in a precise way, the mountain regions within the Community and to collect statistical data. This should enable the Commission to diagnose, in an objective way, the actual situation. The first results of this study are expected in the second half of 2002.

(1) COM(2001) 18 final.

(2) COM(2001) 24 final.