WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1958/98 by Mirja RYYNÄNEN to the Commission. Knowledge of EU Member States in official circles
Date: 1998-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, RYYNAENEN
Subjects: Finland, Sweden, accession to the European Union, common tariff policy, dissemination of EU information, enlargement of the Union, fixing of prices, postal charges, postal service, single market

C 13/124

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.1.1999

Consumption of energy in buildings represents a high proportion of total Community energy consumption and
accounts for a significant proportion of the Community(cid:146)s carbon dioxide emissions. The reference to the building
sector accounting for 40 % of total Community energy consumption mentioned in the report is based on certain
assumptions concerning the definition of energy use in relation to buildings. It is generally recognised that there
is significant potential for energy saving and thereby emission reductions in the building sector. It is evident that
if the Community and its Member States are to meet their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, measures will
be necessary to improve energy efficiency in the building sector.

The possible saving of 450 million tonnes of CO2 by 2010 set out in the report, is probably the upper technical
potential. However, in developing appropriate measures at both national and Community level, other criteria such
as cost effectiveness also need to be taken into account in order to establish the economic potential. This
dimension was not presented in the report.

A list of some possible actions that could be appropriate for the building sector is contained in the recent
Commission communication (cid:145)Energy efficiency in the Community. Towards a strategy for the rational use of
energy(cid:146) (1).

(1) COM(98) 246 final.

(1999/C 13/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1954/98

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Eritrea and the ratification of the LomØ Convention

Would the Commission confirm that Eritrea is not prepared to ratify the LomØ Convention? Has Eritrea given any
indication of why this is the case and how does the Commission plan to proceed?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 1998)

The Commission has not yet received official confirmation in writing from the government of Eritrea of its
intentions with respect to ratification of the Lome IV bis Convention.

The Commission understands that discussions within the government of Eritrea have centred around the issue of
not accepting grant financing from the European development fund (EDF) or any other donor, as it does not wish
to become dependent on grant financing.

The Commission attaches great political importance to the participation of Eritrea in the Lome IV Convention, to
which Eritrea remains a party, and will continue to work with the Eritrean authorities on the implementation of
the 7th EDF and maintain close contacts with the government of Eritrea to continue support for development
efforts within Eritrea.

The Commission will continue to ensure that the government of Eritrea is associated with the current discussions
and future negotiations on relations between the Community and the ACP after 2000. The Commission considers
it necessary to leave all options open and give the government of Eritrea the necessary time to clarify its position
on Community cooperation.

(1999/C 13/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1958/98

by Mirja Ryyn(cid:228)nen (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Knowledge of EU Member States in official circles

In many EU Member States the charges set by the authorities for services to other EU countries are harmonized at
the same level. However, the experience of many Finnish nationals has shown that in practice the postal charges