WRITTEN QUESTION E-0395/98 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Effects of Agenda 2000 on the existing Community of Fifteen

When Agenda 2000 was published, there was extensive discussion of the pros and cons of the Union's enlargement to the East for its prospective members. Not enough consideration was given to the impact of enlargement on the existing fifteen Member States.

Do any studies exist concerning the impact of enlargement to the East on the existing Community of Fifteen?

If so, where can these be found and who carried out the research?

Have any studies been conducted concerning Austria's special position as the country with the longest common frontier with the candidates for accession?

Have studies been made of the impact of enlargement to the East on the employment situation in the Community of the Fifteen and in Austria, particularly its frontier regions, and if so, where can the findings of any such research be consulted?

Have studies been made of the impact of enlargement on salaries and wage rates in the Community of the Fifteen and in Austria, particularly its frontier regions, and if so, where can the findings of any such research be consulted?

Have studies been made of the impact of enlargement on population movements in the Community of the Fifteen and in Austria, particularly its frontier regions, and if so, where can the findings of any such research be consulted?

Have studies been made to ascertain how many citizens of the acceding States will seek work in the Community of the Fifteen and in Austria, particularly its frontier regions, and how many of them wish to settle there, and if so, where can the findings of any such research be consulted?

Have studies been made to ascertain the impact of enlargement to the East on the various branches of the economy in the Community of the Fifteen and in Austria, particularly its frontier regions, and if so, where can the findings of any such research be consulted?

Have studies been made to ascertain the effects of enlargement to the East on the internal security of the Community and Austria, particularly its frontier regions, and if so, where can the findings of any such research be consulted?

If no research has been conducted into these various topics, why has none been commissioned?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (19 March 1998)

When preparing its Agenda 2000 ((COM(97) 2000 final. )) proposals, and in the current preparatory work for enlargement, the Commission has carefully evaluated a large number of studies investigating the various likely effects of enlargement on the Community. This includes the research undertaken by such well-reputed Austrian institutes as WIFO, WIIW and IHS, which concur on the long term beneficial effects on the Austrian economy subsequent to the accession of countries in which reform is well advanced.

The Commission's analysis of the impact of enlargement on the Community and its policies has been published and submitted to Parliament and the Council as an integral part of Agenda 2000 (Volume II).

The effects on regional structures, the labour market and various sectors mentioned by the Honourable Member have been addressed in detail in the Commission's above-mentioned communication.

As regards the effects on Austria's border areas, the Honourable Member is referred to the answer given by the Commission to written question P-293/98 by Mr Swoboda ((OJ C 223, 17.7.1998, p. 159. )).