WRITTEN QUESTION E-1481/99 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Pollution resulting from the war in Kosovo.
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, Kosovo, air quality, radioactive pollution, war, water pollution

C 203 E/2

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

Th(cid:252)ringen is eligible both as an Objective 1 region under the structural funds and as an area eligible for
state aids under Community competition policy. Th(cid:252)ringen receives support from the structural funds in
order to promote catching up with the rest of Europe in socioeconomic terms, and some of this support is
used to attract capital investment to the region. The award of a subsidy to AKROS Chemicals is intended
to enable around 150 jobs to be safeguarded at the Greiz plant. Total public support per job amounts to
around DM 28 000.

For the next round of structural funds programmes beginning next year, under Article 30 of Regulation
(CE) no 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999, laying down the general provisions of the structural funds (1), new
conditions will apply to the granting of Community aid in such circumstances. In effect, the regulation
requires that the Member States seek reimbursement of Community aid granted to an operation if there is
a substantial modification resulting notably from a cessation or change in the location of a productive
activity within five years of the date of the decision granting such support.

In the guidelines for the new programmes published by the Commission in June 1999, it is also stated that
the structural funds should not be used for the mere relocation of existing activities.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2000/C 203 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1481/99

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Pollution resulting from the war in Kosovo

During the war in Kosovo, NATO bombing attacks were deliberately targeted on refineries and chemical
plants, in other words industries which pose a serious risk to the environment.

The levels of pollution caused are extremely high on account of the strong concentrations of nitrogen and
sulphur oxide and other toxic chemicals which have polluted the air, the ground water and all the rivers in
the region, including the Danube which is now full of toxins which are discharged into the Black Sea.
The use of impoverished uranium weapons (containing 97,8 % Uranium 238) has created clouds of
radioactive dust which give off radiation and may lead to the development of tumours.

Has the Commission prepared a specific emergency aid plan to combat the environmental pollution

1.
which has affected all of the region(cid:146)s inhabitants indiscriminately?

2. What sum of money has it set aside for the implementation of such a plan?

3. What urgent action has it taken to monitor air flows which are capable of transporting the
radioactive dust?

4. What urgent action does it intend to take to clean up sources of drinking water?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to Oral Questions H-429/99
by Mr Alavanos and H-431/99 by Mr Papayannakis during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s September 1999
part-session (1).

The Commission would add that it has taken a leading role in the broader international effort through
actions carried out by its humanitarian office and the task force for reconstruction of Kosovo (TAFKO).
The problem of polluted drinking water is recognised and being addressed in particular through the

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/3

Community(cid:146)s integrated rehabilitation programme for Kosovo where the financing of the repair and
including a new pumping station at Gracanica is underway.
reconstruction of various water facilities,
Additional funds are earmarked for water projects especially in the area of Mitrovica.
In addition a
municipal development fund is planned, for the financing of local infrastructure projects, including water
treatment.

The United Nations environment programme/United Nations centre for human settlements (habitats)
(UNEP/UNHCS) Balkans task force has conducted a technical mission to assess the environmental situation
in Kosovo and a full report is expected in September 1999. The Commission will examine the findings.
intervention may be envisaged in the field of
It is,
environment.

too early to say at this stage what

therefore,

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (September 1999).

(2000/C 203 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1504/99

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Customs duty on fishery products produced by EC-Argentinian joint enterprises since the expiry of

the EU-Argentinian fisheries agreement

The expiry of the EU-Argentinian fisheries agreement in 1999 may lead to a spectacular increase in duty
on imports of fishery products produced by the EC-Argentinian joint enterprises set up under the terms of
the agreement. This may cause insoluble supply problems for the Community market and adversely affect
a large number of enterprises and fishermen in Galicia. Customs duty on certain types of fish may increase
by nearly 300 % which would make it difficult to maintain trade relations between the EU and Argentina.
Furthermore, there is no other economic sector in which there have been such dramatic increases in
customs duty in such a short space of time.

For these reasons, can the Commission say what the prospects are for the imports of fishery products from
ships belonging to EC-Argentinian joint enterprises? Was any provision made for adopting measures to
prevent these increases in duty?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the reply to question No IV.5 in the questionnaire presented
by the Fisheries Committee in preparation for the hearing of the Commission Member responsible for
Fisheries on 30 August 1999. This can be found at: http://www.europarl.eu.int/dg3/com/fr/answer.htm.

(cid:145)The expiry of the EU-Argentina Agreement in 1999 may entail a spectacular increase in the customs
duties for imports of fisheries products produced by EU-Argentinian joint ventures constituted under
that Agreement. What arrangements have been made for imports of fisheries products originating
from vessels belonging to EU-Argentinian joint ventures? Are there any plans to adopt a method
whereby possible increases in customs duties might be curbed?(cid:146)

As a result of the deterioration of the hake stocks in Argentinian waters and the measures adopted to
redress that situation, we can expect a substantial reduction in imports of hake from joint venture sources
in Argentina in 1999.

Tariff reductions were granted on an erga omnes basis to fisheries products of interest to Argentina in the
context of the Fisheries Agreement and these concessions formed part of the overall balance of that
Agreement.