WRITTEN QUESTION E-0492/00

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) and Fernando Pérez Royo (PSE) to the Commission

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Statements made by Commissioner Monti in Spain concerning state aid granted by the Spanish Government

One of the undertakings given by the Prodi Commission was that the European Parliament would be notified of agreements and decisions before the press was informed. During Mr Monti's appearance before the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, we asked for information concerning the issue of the CTCs (costs of transition to competition) of the Spanish electricity companies. As time was short, the Commissioner stated that he would reply to the question in writing. To date, no response has been received.

On 4 February Commissioner Monti travelled to Madrid where he met with members of the Spanish Government. Afterwards, he held a press conference, during the course of which he gave certain information on this issue, before the European Parliament was informed. Some of the information given possibly distorted by the Spanish Government implied a certain degree of agreement between the report of the independent expert and the position of the Spanish Government. This information is at odds with the views expressed by officials in the Commission's Directorate-General for Competition, according to whom the conclusions of the independent report differ from the estimates of the Spanish Government on four points, which would imply a substantial reduction in the figure. In addition, the Commissioner himself according to press reports at least intends to investigate the issue, which hardly squares with the triumphalist interpretation of the Spanish Government.

On what points does the independent expert's report differ from the estimates of the Spanish Government? On what points does the report differ from the estimates of the Spanish Electricity Commission? Will a copy of the report be provided to the European Parliament? On what factors is the Spanish Government basing its assumption that the Commission will find in its favour? Does Commissioner Monti consider that he has fulfilled the undertaking to inform Parliament before the press?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2000)

The consultant's mandate was to check that the assumptions taken as a basis by the Spanish authorities to calculate the costs of transition to competition (CTCs) complied with internationally recognised standards; it was not to calculate all admissible CTCs anew. Thus, a comparison cannot be made between the consultant's report and the report drawn up by the Comisión Nacional del Sistema Eléctrico. As was stated in the answer to Written Question E-348/00 by Ms Diez Gonzalez(1), the Commission is studying the results of the assessments and has requested the Spanish authorities to provide additional information. As regards the questions which were put to the Member of the Commission with responsibility for competition at the meeting of the Economic and Monetary Committee held on 11 January 2000 and to which he could not reply for want of time, the Commission would point out that, as agreed at that meeting, it sent a written answer to the chair of the Economic and Monetary Committee on 24 February 2000.

Given that the consultant's report is confidential, the Commission does not plan to send a copy to Parliament. The Commission would emphasise that it is not in the least responsible for any views expressed in the report. The Commission is continuing to examine the matter and has not yet taken a decision. Parliament will be duly informed.

(1) OJ C 303 E, 24.10.2000, p. 179.