WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1279/97 by Ulla SANDBÆK to the Council. Implementing provisions and the intergovernmental conference
Date: 1997-04-10
Institutions: European Parliament, SANDBAEK
Subjects: Court of Justice of the European Union, EU national, drafting of EU law, free movement of persons, intergovernmental conference (EU), residence permit

22. 1. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 21/35

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 1997)

The  legislation  alluded  to  by  the  Honourable  Member  (Article  2  of  Law  No  2465/1997  issued  by  the  Greek
Ministry of Transport and Communications › Greek Official Gazette No 28 of 26 February 1997, p. 415) would
indeed seem to reinforce the restrictive nature of the earlier measures adopted by the Greek authorities limiting
the sale of certain heavy vehicles previously registered in another Member State. The relevant earlier measures
comprise, in particular, Article 1(5), (6) and (7) of Law No 2052/1992 (as amended), and Ministerial Decision
No 12792/958.

The  Commission  has  instituted  infringement  proceedings  under  Article  169  of  the  EC  Treaty,  since  the
legislation in question may constitute a measure having equivalent effect to quantitative restrictions and so be
contrary to Articles 30 and 36 of the EC Treaty. The Greek authorities’ response is currently being examined.

(98/C 21/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1279/97

by Ulla Sandb(cid:230)k (I-EDN) to the Council

(10 April 1997)

Subject: Implementing provisions and the intergovernmental conference

Is it possible that changes to the Treaty arising from the intergovernmental conference will affect the current
formulation of implementing provisions governing restrictions on travel and residence within the Community for
nationals of the Member States?

Would the existing directives on residence then be automatically repealed, or, if not, will the Court of Justice be
able to make the provisions directly applicable and thus repeal the implementing directives?

Answer

(6 August 1997)

The Council is not in a position to reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question regarding the course taken by the
Intergovernmental Conference, since it does not fall within the Council(cid:146)s competence.

(98/C 21/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1287/97

by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Commission

(11 April 1997)

Subject: Developments since the Cork Declaration on Rural Development

With reference to the European Conference on Rural Development in November 1996, what progress has been
made towards formulating a programme that places emphasis on sustainable rural development and meets the
objectives as laid down at Cork?

It will be necessary to adjust the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the agricultural sector accordingly to
implement  this  rural  development  programme.  Will  the  Commission  therefore  confirm  that  the  development
programme will be introduced as part of its reform of the CAP, and that the principle of subsidiarity and the need
to preserve and improve the quality of the rural environment will be observed?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 1997)

As  stated  at  the  Cork  conference,  rural  development  policy  must  be  integrated,  substainable,  coherent  and
efficient. It must be simple and transparent and cater for the wide range of landscapes and activities in rural areas.
Moreover,  the  Commission  is  convinced  that  rural  development  policy  must  help  promote  socio-economic
cohesion  within  the  Community  and  facilitate  the  necessary  adjustments  of  the  common  agricultural  policy
(CAP) which will have implications on agricultural production at large.