WRITTEN QUESTION No. 629/98 by Yves VERWAERDE to the Commission. Financial support for an information campaign to publicize Natura 2000
Date: 1998-03-09
Institutions: European Parliament, VERWAERDE
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, EU publication, dissemination of EU information, ecology, environmental protection, non-governmental organisation, public awareness campaign

C 310/106

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

On this last point, the project has attempted to shelter children from abuse by setting up a unit where any such
incidents can be reported, investigated and dealt with through magistrates and the courts.

Without impinging on national sovereignty, the Commission will continue to use its aid to support government
efforts to protect the young. A project to reform the administration of justice in Guatemala is due to be launched
in an attempt to support those bodies responsible for implementing the law, especially the children(cid:146)s code.

(98/C 310/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0626/98

by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission

(9 March 1998)

Subject: Charge levied by Russia on motorists crossing the border

According to a newspaper report (Helsingin Sanomat, 17.2.1998), the Russian customs have instituted a charge
on motorists crossing the Finnish-Russian border. The charge is 25 Finmarks, and is levied from all foreigners
crossing the border.

What will the Commission do to secure the abolition of the Russian customs authorities(cid:146) latest border levy on
European  Union  citizens?  Let  it  be  stressed  that  Member  States  of  the  European  Union  do  not  levy  any
corresponding charges from Russian motorists.

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 1998)

The Commission has conducted investigations into the matter raised by the Honourable Member.

It  appears  that  the  charge  which  is  levied  relates  to  assistance  in  completing  customs  clearance  formalities
provided on request to drivers crossing the Finnish-Russian border by a service company linked to the Russian
customs.

According  to  Russian  customs  legislation,  foreigners  crossing  the  border  with  their  private  cars  have  to
undertake formally to go back by car within one month. After Russian customs introduced a computer based
information  system  at  border  crossings,  this  undertaking  is  now  filled  in  an  electronic  form  directly  at  the
computer and not in a paper form by hand.

Drivers have at present two options: they can either go directly to the Russian customs where they can personally
fill in the electronic document free of any charge, or they can seek the assistance of the company against payment
of a 25 finmarks fee. The advantage of the second option is that it normally guarantees quicker clearance of
customs procedures.

This charge is therefore a commercial fee for the provision of an optional service, rather than a special levy on
foreign drivers crossing borders.

(98/C 310/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0629/98

by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission

(9 March 1998)

Subject: Financial support for an information campaign to publicize Natura 2000

The  Commission  is  cognizant  of  the  fact  that  certain  socio-professional  groups  (farmers,  industrialists,
hunters, etc.) throughout the European Union have voiced strong reservations about the installation of the Natura
2000 network, principally in view of the lack of transparency and information as to the network(cid:146)s purpose.