WRITTEN QUESTION P-2575/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Lack of infrastructures and facilities at Patras Port.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European undertaking, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, UNO, international law, nationalisation, political morality, telecommunications industry, telephone

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/155

(2000/C 170 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2439/99

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Protection of European companies in Kosovo

In reply to my oral question H-0608/99 of 16 November 1999 (1) to the Commission concerning
protection of the interests of European Union companies in Kosovo, Commissioner Patten indicated that
he had no information concerning pressure being brought to bear or threats being made against European
companies in Kosovo. To fill the gaps in his information concerning the subject, I personally gave him a
copy of correspondence between the (cid:145)Mytilinaios(cid:146) company and Mr Kouchner and Mr Dixon. I also asked
him to investigate the current situation regarding the functioning of telecommunications in Kosovo in
order to obtain a full picture.

Effective communications between the European Parliament and the Commission will help to protect the
interests of the EU wherever they may be under threat. The sovereign rights of European companies are
currently what is at stake in Kosovo. The Greek Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and the Italian
STET International, which have respectively a 20 % and 29 % holding in Srbija Telekom, are suffering
losses as a result of non-payment of fees to Srbija Telekom for use of telecommunications services in
Kosovo, while, at the same time, the UCK and its covert supporters are insisting on the restoration by the
two companies of the damaged network and its subsequent nationalisation by Albania, in violation of
international agreements. However the most serious breach of the law occurred recently when a (cid:145)special
committee(cid:146) made up of UN representatives and Kosovar Albanians quite illegally transferred mobile
telephony rights to the French company Alcatel. These rights are the exclusive property of the OTE and
in accordance with international agreements currently in force, which state that
STET International,
Kosovo is part of the key area in which these two companies are entitled to operate and export their
profits.

What action will the Commission take to protect the legitimate rights of European companies in Kosovo
which at this moment are under threat by illegal networks in which even UN officials are starting to be
involved, contrary to their instructions regarding observance of the law in this area?

(1) Verbatim report of proceedings of 16.11.1999, p. 60.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2000/C 170 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2575/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Lack of infrastructures and facilities at Patras Port

The recent tragic accident involving the passenger ship Superfast III in which 12 people died in a fire
which broke out 14 nautical miles from Patras Port has highlighted the chronic problems facing this port.
The very poor infrastructures and facilities pose a threat to the health and safety of passengers and hamper
passenger embarkation, disembarkation and control procedures as well as basic control procedures on
freight vehicles.

C 170 E/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. Does it intend to demand that the Greek Government take immediate action to improve Patras Port
facilities for the benefit of passengers, especially given that Greece receives Community funding for the
improvement of ports, funding which however is usually channelled solely into the freight sector?

2. Does it know why the relevant Greek ministry has failed to carry out improvements to Patras Port
facilities, as the Commission had suggested on the basis of proposals made in studies carried out by
the relevant service in the port of Dover and, if not, does it intend to seek clarification on this point?

3.

Even though Directive 1999/35 (1) becomes mandatory for the Member States only on 1 December
2000, does the Commission intend to ask the Greek Government as a gesture of goodwill to publish
the findings of the inquiry into the Superfast III tragedy and to forward a copy to the Commission, in
accordance with Article 12 of the above directive?

4. Does the Commission have any proposals for improving the basic safety and health infrastructures for
passengers at other ports in Greece (Piraeus, Igoumenitsa, the ports of various islands, etc.) and what
commitments will it ask the Greek Government to provide in this connection?

(1) OJ L 138, 1.6.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.