WRITTEN QUESTION E-2571/99 by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Council. Secretariat of the Energy Charter.
Date: 2000-01-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Energy Charter, administration of the Institutions, audit, management, operation of the Institutions, secretariat of an Institution

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/169

(2000/C 225 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2569/99

by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Crisis in the SISMA (Societ(cid:224) Industrie Siderurgiche Meccaniche) undertaking in Villadossola,

Piedmont

fifty years,

For the last
industrial
undertaking in the Ossola Valley because of its high production capacity, the fact that it specialised in
the production high-quality special steels, and the numerical strength of its workforce.

the SISMA undertaking in Villadossola was the most

important

From 1947 to 1980 the undertaking(cid:146)s employment policy was one of expansion, so that it ultimately
employed 1 800 people.

In 1989, the undertaking was taken over by the Leali Group.
In 1993, the Leali Group sold the
hydroelectric power plants. The sale of those plants, which produced low-cost electric power, coincided
with the start of a management policy which led to the dismantling of the undertaking. Nevertheless, a
night shift and working on public holidays were introduced so as to save on the cost of electricity. At the
same time, Dario Leali informed the local authorities of the commune of Villadossola that he also wished
to take account of other factors affecting the steel industry and that he did not intend to put the SISMA
undertaking in Villadossola on the list of undertakings to be restructured as provided for in the European
plan for the restructuring of the steel industry. He nevertheless confirmed that the undertaking would be
able to continue production

In October 1999, the Leali Group announced that as it did not have the 200 thousand million lire
necessary for the restructuring of the Villadossola undertaking, the latter would cease production on
31 October 1999. As a result of this unexpected decision, 320 workers immediately lost their jobs, but the
Leali Group still owns all the production plants in Villadossola.

It also appears that the Leali Group received aid from the Regional Fund and /or the Funds for the
conversion of undertakings and /or the Funds for the restructuring of the steel industry.

Can the Commission provide the following information:

1. What was the amount of that aid?

2. How did the Leali Group use that aid?

3. What checks does the Commission carry out with regard to aid which has been granted?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2000)

According to the information forwarded at this stage by the Italian authorities to the Commission, it
appears that the (cid:145)Gruppo Leali(cid:146) has not received aid from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Commission has, however, requested additional information from the Italian authorities and will pass
it on to the Honourable Member.

(2000/C 225 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2571/99

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 January 2000)

Subject: Secretariat of the Energy Charter

The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported on 20 November that the Netherlands Government is
concerned at
in Brussels. A year ago the
management consultancy firm of Arthur D. Little issued a report on the management of the Secretariat
at the request of the then chairman of the Governmental Council of the Energy Charter, Mr Rutten.

the Energy Charter Secretariat

the poor management at

C 225 E/170

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

1. What progress has been made on the Energy Charter Protocol?

Is the Council aware of the Arthur D. Little study on the operation of the Secretariat of the Energy

2.
Charter?

3. What is the status of this report, and when can it be made available to the Member States and the
European Parliament?

Is it true that the Finnish Presidency has requested Mr Sch(cid:252)tterle, Secretary-General of the Energy

4.
Charter, to communicate the report to the Member States?

5.

Is it true that Germany considers it inappropriate to publish this report?

Reply

(28 February 2000)

The Energy Charter Treaty and the Energy Charter Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environ-
mental Aspects were signed in 1994. In accordance with Article 44 of the ECT, the Treaty and the
Protocol entered into force on 16 April 1998, i.e. on the 90th day after the date of deposit of the 30th
instrument of ratification with the Portuguese Republic, acting as depositary of the Treaty.

At this stage, 40 countries have ratified the Energy Charter. As far as the European Union is concerned, all
the Member States and the European Communities have ratified it.

With regard to the report drawn up by the management consultancy firm Arthur D. Little on the
operation of the Secretariat of the Energy Charter, this report falls within the internal management remit
of that organisation. It is therefore not for the Council to comment on whether and when the report
mentioned could be made available to the Member States and the European Parliament.

However, in connection with the preparation of the last session of the Energy Charter Conference which
was held in Brussels on 7 December 1999, the Finnish Presidency did express the desire to have this
report. It should be noted that the Conference unanimously decided to appoint a new Secretary-General to
replace Mr Sch(cid:252)tterle. The person in question is Ms Ria Kemper, who took up her duties on
1 January 2000.

(2000/C 225 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2573/99

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(11 January 2000)

Subject: Commission reports on veterinary missions carried out in Belgium and Ireland

On 22 February 1999, the Commission published a Mission Report on a veterinary mission to Belgium.
The Report revealed serious breaches in Belgium of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) on the protection of
animals during transport,
including the transport of unfit animals and the acceptance by the Belgian
authorities of route plans for long journeys for pigs, even though the plans made no provision for the pigs
to be rested, fed and watered after 24 hours(cid:146) travel, as required by Directive 91/628/EEC.

On 18 August 1999, the Commission published a Mission Report on a veterinary mission to Ireland. This
revealed serious breaches in Ireland of Council Directive 91/628/EEC.

What steps is the Commission taking to require the Belgian and Irish authorities to ensure compliance
with the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.