WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1766/98 by Paul RÜBIG to the Commission. Improving the arrangements on the Rhine-Main- Danube Canal
Date: 1998-06-05
Institutions: European Parliament, RUEBIG
Subjects: Bavaria, Germany, Western Europe, common transport policy, inland waterway shipping, inland waterway transport, network of navigable waterways, trans-European network, waterway transport

22.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 50/87

(directly) from the Member States in the Commission(cid:146)s calculations are gross domestic product deflators and
exchange rates. However they are calculated applying a standardised methodology.

Diverging results between calculations of the Commission and some Finnish research institutes on economical
indicators have their source in differences of the applied methodology of data compilation and data selection. As
far as is known to the Commission the Finnish institutes, quoted by the Honourable Member, apply a
methodology which is not in congruence with the methodology the Member States agreed in the committee
on agricultural statistics.

(1) Statistical Office of the European Communities, European System of Integrated Economic Accounts › ESA, 2nd edition, Luxembourg 1979.

(1999/C 50/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1765/98

by Bernd Posselt (PPE) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Different prices in associated countries

Does the Commission believe that the practice in several countries which are candidates for accession to the EU
of charging different prices to nationals of those countries and foreigners for entrance to cultural establishments
and events or in restaurants, is compatible with membership of the EU?

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

(14 July 1998)

The Commission considers the application of different prices on grounds of nationality, as referred to by the
Honourable Member, incompatible with the EC Treaty and an unacceptable practice in the applicant countries
after their accession to the European Union. In short, any discrimination between Member State nationals on the
basis of nationality is prohibited under the terms of the Treaty.

(1999/C 50/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1766/98

by Paul R(cid:252)big (PPE) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Improving the arrangements on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal

In its Green Paper on the subject, the Commission lays down the framework conditions for future transport
policy. It has been established in this connection that compared with traditional means of transport, shipping is
cheaper, has a lower accident rate and emits conspicuously lower levels of pollution.

In 1992 the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal was opened, making a navigable inland waterway network of 10 000 km.
We are pleased to note that since then there has been a great increase in freight transport on the Danube.

It is nevertheless important, especially in view of the enlargement of the EU, for the Danube to be made even
more profitable for European trade and to safeguard its role as a natural, ecological and inexpensive transport
route.

It is particularly necessary to eliminate the stretch of shallow water between Straubing and Vilshofen, ensuring a
minimum depth of 2,50 metres in the shipping channel. Likewise, warehouses for buffer stocks must be
specifically promoted so that industry can receive continuous supplies of goods and raw materials even at times
when the water level is low.

What support does the Commission intend to give to these proposals?