WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1693/98 by Kirsi PIHA to the Commission. Finland's alcohol policy and the European Union
Date: 1998-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, PIHA
Subjects: European Commission, European Union, Finland, alcohol, application of EU law, approximation of laws, competition law, import restriction, infringement procedure (EU), transitional period (EU)

22.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 50/73

The allocation to education amounting to ECU 6,5 million represents 18,5 % of the overall budget for the
Czech Republic for 1997.

(1999/C 50/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1693/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Finland(cid:146)s alcohol policy and the European Union

Finland has received a complaint from the Commission about its alcohol policy as regards import restrictions.
Finland has also been granted a transitional period to bring its imports into line with the level normal in the Union
by the end of 2003.

How will the Commission monitor that the Finnish Government takes the proper measures to effect the transition
to the normal European Union alcohol policy?

How does the Commission view the fact that Finland(cid:146)s alcohol policy does not comply with the basic principles
of competition law?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 1998)

In 1996, Finland unilaterally introduced, for travellers from third countries (in particular the Baltic States and
Russia), restrictions on the quantity of alcoholic beverages which travellers arriving in Finland may bring with
them.

Community legislation, however, does not permit such restrictions. The Commission, therefore, shares the
Honourable Member(cid:146)s view that, in applying these national measures Finland has failed to comply with
Community law, and that there are other ways of combating forms of abuse that, according to the Finnish
authorities, have an adverse impact on public order and public health.

Hence, on the basis of the powers conferred to it under Article 155 of the EC Treaty, the Commission has initiated
an infringement procedure under the terms of Article 169 of the EC Treaty to oblige Finland to comply with
Community law and abolish the restrictions in question.

As regards the restrictions on alcoholic beverages from other Member States, accorded by the Council for a
transitional period,
the Commission will monitor closely the
harmonisation process due to be completed in 2003 and will take any measures required at that time, if
appropriate.

to which the Honourable Member refers,

(1999/C 50/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1696/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Tibet and human rights

Tibet has once again come to the notice of the public owing to further revelations of human rights violations.
Since China is an important trading partner it seems to Western countries as if human rights issues with regard to
Tibet are very much taking second place to economic considerations.

How is the Commission monitoring the human rights situation in Tibet, and what is it prepared to do to promote a
peaceful settlement between China and Tibet in which Tibet is granted the right to an autonomous area, so as to
enable the Tibetan government to return home?