WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/99 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Community Interreg III initiative.
Date: 1999-11-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU initiative, regional cooperation, sustainable development, town and country planning

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/65

say what progress discussions have made so far as regards the incorporation of the (cid:145)acquis communautaire(cid:146)
in the legislation of Cyprus and Cyprus(cid:146) position compared to that of the other five applicant countries of
Central and Eastern Europe? When are the accession negotiations due to be completed? Finally, if it deems
that Cyprus meets all the preconditions, will the Council give assurances that it will be accepted as a full
member, even if the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey continue to refuse to contribute to a solution to the
Cyprus problem?

Reply

(31 January 2000)

Progress with Cyprus in the accession negotiations has been above average so far, with around a third of
the
the total negotiating chapters not requiring further negotiations for the moment. Furthermore,
European Council in Cologne expressed its firm resolve to open negotiations in all chapters as early as
possible next year.

As is the case for the other candidates, the date for the conclusion of the accession negotiations and the
subsequent accession of Cyprus depends on its progress in preparing for membership and on the Union(cid:146)s
ability to assimilate new members.

Finally, the Council reiterates its belief that Cyprus(cid:146) accession to the EU should benefit all communities,
including the Turkish Cypriot community, and help bring about civil peace and reconciliation on the
island. It trusts that progress towards accession and towards a just and viable solution to the Cyprus
problem will naturally reinforce each other.

(2000/C 219 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Community Interreg III initiative

(9 November 1999)

How does the Commission intend to consolidate and manage European spatial planning under the
Community(cid:146)s Interreg III initiative?

What impact are current transnational interregional cooperation projects for the large European areas
covered by Interreg II C likely to have in the future in the context of Interreg III?

Will these geographical areas be amalgamated for the new Interreg III initiative in the same way that they
were for Interreg II C?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1999)

Initiative (1), approved by the Commission on
The draft guidelines for the Community Interreg III
13 October 1999, state in points 6 and 12 that the objective of this new Initiative is to promote (cid:145)balanced
development of the EU territory(cid:146), aiming (cid:145) to promote a higher degree of territorial integration across large
groupings of European regions, with a view to achieving sustainable, harmonious and balanced develop-
ment in the European Union(cid:146).

In point 14, the guidelines specify that the measures (cid:145)must underpin an integrated territorial approach that
responds to common problems(cid:146) and that programmes should take account of (cid:145)the recommendations for
territorial development of the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP)(cid:146).

C 219 E/66

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

Point 14 of the draft also states that (cid:145)the transnational cooperation proposals should build on the
experience of Interreg IIC(cid:146). The Commission will therefore ask the Member States to give priority to
continuing the cooperation arrangements which proved fruitful under Interreg IIC and to set up those for
which the initial study phase is finished. It is indeed desirable that recommendations made under Interreg
IIC should be translated into action and take concrete form under Interreg III.

On the basis of experience gained in particular with Interreg IIC, the Commission has made a proposal for
geographical groupings in the guidelines. It is up to the Member States to make specific, duly motivated
and justified proposals on this basis according to their priorities.

(1) COM(1999) 479 final.

(2000/C 219 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2005/99

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) and Rosa D(cid:237)ez GonzÆlez (PSE) to the Commission

(9 November 1999)

Subject: Replacement of drift nets

Council Regulation 1239/98 (1) prohibiting the use of drift nets from 2002 states that there must be a
gradual reduction in the use of these nets by fleets currently using them. No more than 60 % of fishing
boats which used one or more drift nets during the period 1995 to 1997 would be allowed to use them in
1998.

The regulation also obliged Member States to provide the Commission with a list of those boats authorised
to fish with drift nets by 31 July 1998.

Given the tensions that the use of these nets tends to generate in the fleets fishing in the Bay of Biscay and
reports from various fishermen(cid:146)s organisations in the area indicating that nothing like the planned gradual
reduction has occurred, would the Commission honour statements made by President Prodi and the
undertaking given by Commissioner Fischler to the Committee on Fisheries to provide reliable, transparent
information to this Parliament, and answer the following question:

What are the figures on boats operating in the area which have used drift nets from 1995 to the present
given to the Commission by Member States in accordance with Regulation 1239/98, or compiled
internally?

What figures does the Commission have on developments in coastal fishing for albacore tuna in 1998 and
1999 as regards catch, nets used and the level of stocks in ICES areas 5b, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a? What
boats from which countries have fished in these zones during the two years in question?

Would the Commission give details of compliance with the ICCAT recommendation on the fishing effort
for albacore tuna?

(1) OJ L 171, 17.6.1998, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 1999)

The Honourable Members are requested to refer to the answers given to written questions P-1537/99 (1)
and P-2067/99 (2) by Mrs Fraga EstØvez and E-1945/99 (3) by Mr Varela Suanzes-Carpegna.