do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2698/99 by Ole Krarup (EDD) to the Commission. Control over currency reserves.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: reserve currency, third stage of EMU

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/109

The Commission is closely following this exercise in particular, since it will have to evaluate whether
Regulation (EC) no 1475/95 functions in a satisfactory manner in the Member States. It will, to that effect,
issue a report by 31 December 2000. The impact of this Regulation on consumers will be one of the key
elements of the evaluation. This report will serve as a basis for determining the future legal framework for
the car industry and for a possible revision of Regulation (EC) no 1475/95.
the
Commission firmly intends to take all the necessary measures to arrive at the most satisfactory distribution
system for cars in the interest of the European consumers.

In this respect,

See for example Press Release IP/99/554 of 22 July 1999.

(1)
(2) OJ L 145, 29.6.1995.
(3) OJ L 124, 25.4.1998.

(2000/C 280 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2698/99

by Ole Krarup (EDD) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Control over currency reserves

The national central banks of countries taking part in the Euro (third stage) are to transfer control over a
specified proportion of their currency reserves to the ECB.

If a Member State is obliged to leave the Euro, will control of its currency reserves automatically return to
its central bank free of any charges, financial penalties or the like?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2000)

The EC Treaty makes no provision for a State in the euro area to leave that area. Consequently, it contains
no provisions covering the possible repayment of reserves to the national Central Bank.

(2000/C 280 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701/99

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Legal action on British beef in the French market

the Commission expedite an action in the European Court of

Will
Justice in order to obtain an
interlocutory ruling which will enable British beef to re-enter the French market from which it has been
unlawfully excluded?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2000)

The Commission has already opened the infringement procedure under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the
EC Treaty against France and on 4 January 2000 brought the case before the Court of justice (case
reference No C-1/00).

The Commission decided not to lodge an application for interim measures with the Court. A number of
very stringent conditions have to be fulfilled for the successful pursuit of such an application. Taking
account,
in particular, of the caselaw of Court of justice in past cases involving the issue of interim
measures, especially in relation to public health, the Commission reached the conclusion that there was
little likelihood of the Court ordering such measures in the present case.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2661/99 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Developing countries and world trade.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, developing countries, liberalisation of the market, public contract, tariff negotiations

C 374 E/8

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.12.2000

(2000/C 374 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2661/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Developing countries and world trade

Given that most developing countries do not have the human resources and technical capacity to manage
is the
the existing WTO agenda and are not participating in the voluntary GPA Working Group,
Commission providing any kind of support that would enable developing countries to participate in this
debate?

(2000/C 374 E/009)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2662/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Impact of procurement liberalisation on developing countries

Has the Commission produced any studies that illustrate the impact of procurement liberalisation on
developing countries? If not, does it intend to do so?

(2000/C 374 E/010)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2663/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Public procurement liberalisation

Is it a correct understanding of the EU negotiating mandate that the EU intends to introduce public
procurement liberalisation into the next WTO round?

If so, how does the Commission intend to square this objective with its commitment to developing
countries, particularly in Article 178 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, which states that its external policies
should be coherent and should not undermine efforts to assist developing countries. Given this legal
obligation, how does the Commission believe that procurement liberalisation will benefit poor countries?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2661/99, E-2662/99 and E-2663/99
given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 2000)

Money spent on government procurement (not including defence purchasing) accounts for at least 10-15 %
of gross domestic product (GDP) in most countries. The fact that there are no multilateral rules governing
how this money is spent means that governments are able to maintain procurement policies and practices
which are discriminatory and trade distortive.

Opaque and/or discriminatory procurement procedures adversely affect the longer term development
objectives of countries because they are subsidising uncompetitive industries and creating an environment
conducive to corruption and bribery. This is backed up by empirical research which has been carried out
by other countries and organisations. In addition, the trade liberalising effect achieved by the World trade
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2665/99 by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Restructuring of ABB Alstom Power.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU control, control of State aid, industrial restructuring, job cuts

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/1

I

(Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

(2001/C 340 E/001)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2665/99

by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Restructuring of ABB Alstom Power

The management of the ABB Alstom Power group, which was formed in a merger on 30 June 1999, has
announced a restructuring programme. In some countries where the undertaking operates job cuts have
already been announced.

Have this group and/or its pre-merger constituent groups received any EU aid?

If so, could the Commission give details of the amount and the conditions under which it was granted?
Was such aid conditional on job creation? Is the Commission prepared to ask for it to be repaid?

(2001/C 340 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0233/00

by Luigi Vinci (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: Restructuring of the group ABB Alstom Power

The management of the group ABB Alstom Power, which is the product of a merger of 30 June 1999, has
announced that it is to undergo restructuring, involving job losses in some regions where the company has
branches. The group ABB Alstom Power or the companies involved in the merger have benefited from
Community aid. Will the Commission give details of the amounts and conditions involved and say whether
this aid was conditional on jobs being created? Should it transpire that all the relevant conditions have not
been met, will the Commission demand repayment of the aid granted to the group?

Supplementary joint answer
to Written Questions E-2665/99 and E-0233/00
given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(7 June 2001)

The information received from the competent authorities in the various Member States shows that the
ABB Alstom Power group has received the following Community aid.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 64/2000 of 12 January 2000 altering the export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar exported in the natural state
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: export refund, raw sugar, white sugar

L 9/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

13. 1. 2000

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 64/2000

of 12 January 2000

altering the export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar exported in the natural state

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2038/1999 of 13
September 1999 on the common organisation of the markets
in the sugar sector (1), and in particular the third subparagraph
of Article 18(5) thereof,

(1) Whereas the refunds on white sugar and raw sugar
exported in the natural state were fixed by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 14/2000 (2);

(2) Whereas it

follows from applying the detailed rules
contained in Regulation (EC) No 14/2000 to the infor-
the export
mation known to the Commission that

refunds at present in force should be altered to the
amounts set out in the Annex hereto,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The export refunds on the products listed in Article 1(1)(a) of
Regulation (EC) No 2038/1999, undenatured and exported in
the natural state, as fixed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No
14/2000 are hereby altered to the amounts shown in the
Annex hereto.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 13 January 2000.

Article 2

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 12 January 2000.

For the Commission

Margot WALLSTRÖM

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 252, 25.9.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 3, 6.1.2000, p. 4.

13. 1. 2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 9/7

to the Commission Regulation of 12 January 2000 altering the export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar
exported in its unaltered state

ANNEX

Product code

1701 11 90 9100
1701 11 90 9910
1701 11 90 9950
1701 12 90 9100
1701 12 90 9910
1701 12 90 9950

Amount of refund

— EUR/100 kg —

43,38
43,72

43,38
43,72

(1)
(1)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(2)

1701 91 00 9000

0,4716

— EUR/1 % of sucrose × 100 kg —

1701 99 10 9100
1701 99 10 9910
1701 99 10 9950

— EUR/100 kg —

47,16
49,75
47,53

1701 99 90 9100

0,4716

— EUR/1 % of sucrose × 100 kg —

(1) Applicable to raw sugar with a yield of 92 %;

if the yield is other than 92 %,
the refund applicable is calculated in accordance with the provisions of Article 19
(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2038/1999.

(2) Fixing suspended by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2689/85 (OJ L 255, 26. 9.
1985, p. 12), as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3251/85 (OJ L 309, 21. 11. 1985,
p. 14).
Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2000 of 12 January 2000 on the issuing of import licences for bananas under the tariff quotas and for traditional ACP bananas for the first quarter of 2000 (second period) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: ACP countries, import licence, tariff quota, tropical fruit

L 9/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

13. 1. 2000

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 65/2000

of 12 January 2000

on the issuing of import licences for bananas under the tariff quotas and for traditional ACP
bananas for the first quarter of 2000 (second period)

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 of 13
February 1993 on the common organisation of the market in
bananas (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1257/
1999 (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2362/98 of
28 October 1998 laying down detailed rules for the imple-
mentation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 regarding
imports of bananas into the Community (3), as amended by
Regulation (EC) No 756/1999 (4), and in particular Article
18(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Article 2 of, and the Annex to, Commission Regulation
(EC) No 2697/1999 (5) fix the quantities available for the
first quarter of 2000 under the second period for the
submission of applications provided for in Article 18 of
Regulation (EC) No 2362/98;

pursuant to Article 18(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2362/
98, on the basis of applications submitted during the
second period, the quantities for which licences may be

issued for the origins concerned should be determined
forthwith;

(3)

this Regulation should apply immediately to permit
licences to be issued as quickly as possible,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Import licences shall be issued under the arrangements for the
importation of bananas,
tariff quotas arrangements and
arrangements for traditional ACP bananas for the first quarter
of 2000 (second period)
in respect of new applications as
referred to in Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 2362/98:

1. for the quantity indicated in the licence application multi-
plied, for the origin ‘Panama’, by the reduction coefficient
0,3606;

2. for the quantity indicated in the licence application for an

origin other than that mentioned in point 1.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publica-
tion in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 12 January 2000.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 47, 25.2.1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80.
(3) OJ L 293, 31.10.1998, p. 32.
(4) OJ L 98, 13.4.1999, p. 10.
(5) OJ L 326, 18.12.1999, p. 47.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2684/99 by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Air transport.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air transport, economic development, peripheral region, public service, regulation (EU)

C 225 E/192

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 2000)

The Commission feels that, should it prove necessary, it could recover the aid already paid under Article 14
of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application
of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (1). For the moment, and for the same reasons set out in the answer to
written question E-2681/99 (2) by the Honourable Member, the Commission considers that there are no
grounds for exercising the power conferred by Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999.

(1) OJ L 83, 27.3.1999.
(2)
See page 191.

(2000/C 225 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2684/99

by Carlos Ripoll y Mart(cid:237)nez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Air transport

In the view of the Commission, what conditions must regional inter-island flights fulfil for the purposes of
the public service obligation declaration? In general, what are the Commission(cid:146)s views on this type of
declaration?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2000)

Under Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air
carriers to intra-Community air routes (1), a Member State may impose a public service obligation in
respect of scheduled air services to an airport serving a peripheral or development region in its territory or
on a thin route to any regional airport in its territory, any such route being considered vital for the
economic development of the region in which the airport is located.

The services to the islands are particularly well suited to treatment under those provisions. Indeed, the
islands frequently emerge as peripheral or development regions. In addition the traffic to them is often of
low density. Finally, the routes in question are as a general rule considered to be vital to the economic
development of the islands in question.

Under those provisions France, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom have imposed public service
obligations on several routes serving islands in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.12.1992.

(2000/C 225 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2687/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Composition and funding of the Commission President(cid:146)s communications team

The Commission President has called in a communications team to put across his political message. This
approach (cid:129) not unintentionally (cid:129) displays many similarities with the British prime minister(cid:146)s methods.
One of Mr Prodi(cid:146)s advisers is apparently a former press secretary of Tony Blair.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655/99 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Flight delays.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air transport, common transport policy, length of journey, means of public conveyance

28.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374 E/7

(2000/C 374 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655/99

by Guido Podest(cid:224) (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Flight delays

This year flight delays in Europe have reached unacceptable levels. Suffice it to say that from July
to September over 30 % of flights on European routes were delayed by over 15 minutes. According to
some estimates these delays may cost over EUR 5 billion per year, and they cause considerable
inconvenience and loss to passengers.

Thus it is clear that urgent measures need to be taken to protect air transport users, for instance by
adopting Community legislation similar to the law on overbooking, and redefining the concept of (cid:145)delay(cid:146) in
the Warsaw Convention.

1.
Can the Commission provide information on the specific measures it intends to adopt to protect
passengers and the timescale involved, particularly as regards their right to be informed of the reasons for
delays and to obtain adequate compensation in the event of unjustified delays?

Can the Commission also say if it intends to adopt (cid:145)ad hoc(cid:146) measures to protect consumers in other

2.
public transport sectors?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2000)

With regard to delays to air traffic, on 1 December 1999, the Commission adopted a communication to
review the current situation and propose new initiatives to be taken to provide the Community with the
air traffic management system it needs to ensure the proper functioning of its internal market (1).

The question raised by the Honourable Member, regarding information to passengers on air traffic delays,
is answered in this document which has been communicated to the Council and the Parliament. During
this year, the Commission will propose a system of publication of punctuality indicators to give passengers
the means of forming their own opinions as to the situation and its causes.

The Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention is drawn to Council Regulation (EEC) No 295/91 of 4 February 1991
establishing common rules for a denied-boarding compensation system in scheduled air transport (2). That
Regulation already provides for compensation in the case of overbooking.

As to the broader question of
the Commission has just released a
consultation document on air passenger rights with the aim of collecting views to help develop future
policy. This activity so far covers air transport only, but consideration will also be given to similar work on
other modes of transport. While problems vary between the modes, it will still be important to ensure that
all passengers generally enjoy similar rights.

the protection of passengers,

(1) COM(1999) 614 final.
(2) OJ L 36, 8.2.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2681/99 by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Statements by the Spanish government on the unresolved issue of state aid to the electricity sector.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, State aid, competition policy, control of State aid, electrical industry

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/191

against the decisions of a supervisory authority is possible before the courts is left to Member States. The
proposed directive does however contain guidance on how to police cross-border take over bids which
involve supervisory authorities in more than one Member State.

(1) OJ C 378, 13.12.1997.

(2000/C 225 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2681/99

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Statements by the Spanish government on the unresolved issue of state aid to the electricity sector

The Spanish government, and in particular the Minister for Industry and government spokesman,
Josep PiquØ, have stated on numerous occasions that the Commission is to adopt a decision on state aids
to the Spanish electricity sector in respect of the costs of transition to competition by the end of 1999.

Can the Commission confirm the Spanish government(cid:146)s assertions?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 2000)

In discussions between the Spanish Minister and the Member of
the Commission responsible for
competition policy the intention was indeed to reach a decision on this case before the end of 1999.
However, the search for an independent consultant and the complexity of the case made it impossible to
meet this target. The Commission still hopes to be able to adopt a decision shortly.

(2000/C 225 E/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2682/99

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Decision on an unresolved case concerning state aids

The Spanish press has published information taken from the Ministry for Industry(cid:146)s Bolet(cid:237)n de Energ(cid:237)a
ElØctrica (electricity newsletter), stating that electricity companies have already received a total of
PTA 387 223 m in the form of state aids. Spanish consumers are paying for this through higher electricity
bills.

In reply to an earlier question of mine, the Commission reported that it had not considered it appropriate
to rule that payment of the aid be suspended, given,
(cid:145)the absence of a pre-existing framework, the
complexity of the issue and discussions currently taking place(cid:146). Meanwhile, consumers continue to foot the
bill for what is in principle considered unlawful state aid, and companies have received approximately
30 % of the total amount, which will be difficult to recover, should a decision be made to that effect.

Does the Commission agree that the time has now come to rule that payments be suspended?