WRITTEN QUESTION No. 149/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. Telecoms liberalization (infringement proceedings)
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: EU law - national law, complaint to the Commission, infringement procedure (EU), liberalisation of the market, national implementing measure, public awareness campaign, telecommunications

9. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 310/29

(98/C 310/32)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0149/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Telecoms liberalization (infringement proceedings)

On 6 November 1997, the Commission announced that it had initiated infringement proceedings against certain
Member  States,  having  identified  over  20  cases  where  Member  States  had  failed  to  implement  elements  of
European directives which are essential for a truly liberalized market in telecoms. It was the Commission(cid:146)s stated
intention at the time to speed up the transposition of relevant directives into national law before the deadline of
1 January 1998 for the establishment of a fully-liberalized telecoms market in the EU.

Is the Commission confident that these measures will lead to early remedial action, and what evidence is there to
support this?

As of 1 January 1998, in how many cases has the necessary legislation not been adopted by Member States;
which Member States and which pieces of legislation are involved?

What timescale does the Commission currently envisage for the completion of transposition into national law of
all the requisite measures?

What measures does the Commission have in place for the provision of public information on these matters?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 1998)

On 21 November 1997 and 2 December 1997, the Commission sent letters of formal notice to seven Member
States regarding twenty cases of non-transposition or incorrect transposition of the Community telecommuni-
cations directives. This initiative has had significant results in that, in the meantime, fourteen out of these cases
appear to have been dealt with satisfactorily by the Member States concerned.

As for the situation on 1 January 1998, the Commission adopted on 18 February 1998 a report on the state of
implementation  of  the  Community  telecommunications  directives  which  will  soon  be  transmitted  to  the
Parliament.

The  Commission(cid:146)s  assessment  is  that,  except  in  a  small  number  of  cases,  transposition  has  been  completed.
Where there are delays, drafts awaiting adoption will in general ensure transposition. As regards the application
of the rules put in place in the Member States, the Commission(cid:146)s initial conclusion is that, despite a number of
complaints, there is widespread evidence both that the necessary steps are being taken to ensure market entry,
and that regulators are taking action to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework. However, if delays or
incomplete transposition persist in certain Member States, the Commission will have to open new infringement
proceedings.

The Commission intends to issue further communications on the state of implementation, in which the focus will
shift  away  from  transposition  towards  effective  application  and  fuller  reporting  of  the  opening  of  national
markets,  on  the  basis  of  a  wider  range  of  indicators  and  more  extensive  data  from  the  national  regulatory
authorities. These reports will continue to be made available on the Internet for the broader public.

(98/C 310/33)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0154/98

by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 1998)

Subject: Tobacco production in Andorra

How much does the EU pay out in aid for unprofitable and unhealthy tobacco production in Andorra?