WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2329/97 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM , Raimo ILASKIVI to the Commission. Hindrances caused to heavy goods traffic by Russian customs
Date: 1997-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, ILASKIVI, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: EU programme, Finland, Russia, commercial vehicle, cross-border cooperation, customs formalities, customs inspection, technical barriers to trade, vehicle registration

C 102/28

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 4. 98

(98/C 102/40)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2329/97

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) and Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Hindrances caused to heavy goods traffic by Russian customs

(7 July 1997)

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(cid:146)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.

(98/C 102/41)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2338/97

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Operational problems at La Hague nuclear waste and reprocessing plant

Reports in Le Monde of 17 April 1997 indicate serious operational problems at the La Hague nuclear waste and
reprocessing complex on the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy.  Amongst the detailed allegations are radiation
measurements up to 3000 times background close to the liquid discharge pipeline outlet into the sea.