WRITTEN QUESTION No. 289/99 by Paul RÜBIG Protection for the European granite industry
Date: 1999-02-10
Institutions: European Parliament, RUEBIG
Subjects: China, India, World Trade Organisation, anti-dumping legislation, competitiveness, earths and stones, import, mining industry, restriction on competition, third country

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/101

(1999/C 325/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0283/99

by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission

(5 February 1999)

Subject: European identity card

Given that Article 17, and in particular its second paragraph, of the Treaty of Amsterdam concerned with
European citizenship establishes citizenship of the Union, that every citizen of the Union has the right to move
and reside freely on the territory of the Member States, that every citizen has the right to vote and to stand for
election at local authority elections in the Member State where he resides, would it not be appropriate * since
there is no European identity card * for every citizen of the Union to be able to use any other probative
document, such as a residence permit? Should not the Commission modify Regulation (EEC) 1612/68 (1)
accordingly?

(1) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968, p. 2.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 1999)

In conformity with the rules of international public law, Community legislation at present provides only for
two documents which fulfil sufficiently the legal requirement for proof of nationality of citizens of the Union
when travelling in exercising the right of freedom of movement. These are identity cards and passports.

In the framework of the legislative recasting of the right of residence the Commission will however examine
the suggestion made by the Honourable Member.

(1999/C 325/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0289/99

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(10 February 1999)

Subject: Protection for the European granite industry

In recent years, firms quarrying granite in Europe, most of which are constituted as small or medium-sized
undertakings, have had to cope with substantial changes. Competition on the domestic market, as well as from
third countries, has resulted in average price falls of between 30 % and 40 % and has left a permanent mark on
this sector.

The most recent developments have resulted in this sector being faced by new challenges; resolute action is
required from the Commission and the Member States. China supplies large amounts of granite for road and
bridge construction, as well as for buildings, and India does the same for tombstones. Because of the different
level of wage costs, these imports are much cheaper than European products. What is more, these third
countries protect themselves in part by means of export duties against the export of raw materials for
processing.

What measures has the Commission taken to date with a view to counteracting this trend? How does it intend
to react to the new situation? Will it take anti-dumping measures?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 1999)

The Commission is closely monitoring developments as regards the trade in granite products.

Indeed, India and China are two countries that are known for their massive granite exports to the Community,
whether in the form of raw or processed products. In 1997 those two countries accounted for, respectively,
63 % of the raw granite and 21,5 % of the processed granite imported into the Community. As compared with
the imports from those two countries in 1995 processed-granite imports have increased by 85 %. Other