WRITTEN QUESTION P-2695/99 by Ilka Schröder (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Nuclear programme in Morocco.
Date: 2000-01-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Morocco, Spain, energy policy, energy transport, nuclear power station, nuclear research, research body

C 225 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2000)

The question of transforming leasehold, granted in the course of privatisation, to full property rights is not
covered by the acquis. In particular, it is not subject of Article 157 (ex Article 130) EC Treaty and thus not
subject of the accession negotiations. For this reason, the Commission is not in a position to inform the
Honourable Member on this question.

However, under the negotiation chapter (cid:145)Industrial Policy(cid:146), the European Union highlighted the importance
of complying with the principles of Community industrial policy based on open and competitive markets.
In that respect the European Union noted Poland(cid:146)s statement that it will apply effectively Article 157 of the
EC Treaty and conduct privatisation and industrial restructuring in conformity with these principles. The
Commission will, throughout the negotiations, monitor general progress in the privatisation and restruc-
turing of Polish industry.

(2000/C 225 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2695/99

by Ilka Schr(cid:246)der (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 January 2000)

Subject: Nuclear programme in Morocco

The Commission stated, in its answer to Question H-0570/99 (1) on the nuclear programme in Morocco
and the Spain/Morocco electricity link, that there is no connection between the Moroccan programmes
and the cable link. It emphasised, however, that the quantity of energy which this link has the potential to
transport is equivalent
to that which could be produced by a major power station. What did the
Commission mean by this reference to a major power station? Was it by any chance referring to a
medium-sized nuclear power station?

In the same answer, the Commission also said that the use of nuclear energy is only acceptable provided
law are guaranteed. How can the Commission
the high safety standards laid down in international
guarantee and monitor nuclear safety standards for the Moroccan nuclear energy industry?

The Commission has stated that the objective of the cable link is to supply Morocco with energy at
competitive prices during the summer period. If this is so, what possible justification can there be for not
using the trans-Morocco gas pipeline which supplies Spain with Algerian gas to cover Morocco(cid:146)s summer
energy requirements, rather than transferring energy from Spain to Morocco?

In 1995, the Moroccan government met with the French Atomic Energy Centre (CEA), as well as with
several other French bodies and enterprises, to plan the construction of a nuclear research centre in
Maamora. What stage has been reached in the construction of this centre? What are its research objectives?
Do its objectives include the development of civil and military nuclear energy? What EU enterprises and
governments are associated with the project for this centre? To what extent does the Commission view a
Moroccan programme for expanding nuclear energy as a threat to stability in the region, especially for the
Western Sahara, in the present delicate pre-referendum conjuncture? What action has the Commission
taken, and what action does it intend to take, in support of peaceful management and of the acceptance of
the results of the referendum in the Western Sahara?

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

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2000)

In its answer
to Question H-570/99, put by the Honourable Member during question time
in November 1999 (1), concerning the capacity of the Spain/Morocco electricity link, the Commission

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/195

explained that the link could potentially transport power equivalent to the output of a major power
station, to wit some 750 Megawatts (Mw). The Commission stressed that the link made the construction of
a nuclear power station unlikely: by carrying electricity from Spain to Morocco it rendered the construc-
tion of a nuclear power station with an equivalent capacity uneconomic.

Nuclear power stations normally have a capacity of at least 600 Mw. The largest have a capacity of
1000 Mw or more.

A nuclear power station naturally has to offer every possible guarantee that safety requirements have been
satisfied. This is the province of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). France(cid:146)s department of
nuclear safety is quite probably sharing its know-how too. The link permits more effective use of the
capacity available. Were Morocco to build a nuclear power station, it would not be for the Commission to
carry out checks incumbent on other bodies.

As for the use of gas, Morocco and Algeria would appear to be negotiating the supply of gas to cover
Morocco(cid:146)s future energy needs.

The French government would indeed appear to be involved with the Moroccan government in this
project. The Ma(cid:226)moura nuclear research centre is not a secret project. Construction started last August,
and the centre is to be devoted exclusively to civil applications, primarily in the fields of health and food-
processing. Since the project lies outside the Commission(cid:146)s sphere of competence, it cannot provide the
Honourable Member with detailed answers.

The Commission has consistently supported UN efforts to organise a referendum on the future of the
Western Sahara. It intends to pursue this policy or any other course of action decided by the UN with a
view to settling the question of the Western Sahara peacefully.

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

(2000/C 225 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2697/99

by Rosa D(cid:237)ez GonzÆlez (PSE) to the Council

(3 January 2000)

Subject: Information on European Union citizens condemned to death

Is the Council
in possession of information on the numbers, the identities, the legal situations, the
conditions of detention and the personal and family situations of nationals of Member States of the
European Union condemned to death in other countries? Has it attempted to obtain this information, and,
if so, will it forward it to the author of this question and to the European Parliament?

If the Council is not in possession of such information, does it not agree that steps need to be taken to
establish a system for keeping proper records of these cases? What action does it intend to take to remedy
this lack of information?

Reply

(28 February 2000)

The Council is not in possession of the information requested concerning the number of European Union
citizens condemned to death in third countries.

The European Union, which is campaigning resolutely for the universal abolition of the death penalty,
regularly intervenes to prevent third countries concerned from imposing or executing the death penalty, in
particular following initiatives taken along such lines within the Council, by its members and/or its
Presidency.