WRITTEN QUESTION E-0108/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Crisis in the financial system and the Euro-Asian Development Bridge.
Date: 2000-01-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Asia, EU aid, development aid

C 303 E/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2000)

The Commission welcomes the resumption of direct talks between Israel and Syria and hopes that further
rounds of talks will soon be possible.

The Commission shares the view that the Community must actively contribute to the peace process to
help consolidate the progress made and thus help pave the way to a permanent settlement. It will seek to
make an active contribution at the current crucial stage, not least in view of the implications that the new
phase might have on the Community.

On 24 January 2000, the General Affairs Council invited the Presidency, Special Envoy and Commission to
pursue contacts with the parties to the peace process, as well as with the United States, with a view to
maximising Community constructive input to all tracks of the peace process.

In addition, the High Representative, Special Envoy and Commission were invited to examine in detail a
number of issues on which the Community would be better placed to make a significant contribution,
including security, water and refugees. The Commission will actively participate in such assessment with a
view to further consideration by the Council in due course.

(2000/C 303 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0108/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(26 January 2000)

Subject: Crisis in the financial system and the (cid:145)Euro-Asian Development Bridge(cid:146)

It is no secret that the entire international financial system is in a state of crisis, since the (cid:145)financial bubble(cid:146)
has expanded to more than US$ 160 thousand billion and is probably about to burst. In the countries
affected by speculation the adverse effects are obvious: a fall in production and the suspension of any
innovative investment have brought about a rise in unemployment and the spread of poverty, with highly
volatile social consequences. Furthermore, the Commission doubtless knows about the project called the
large-scale infrastructure, which is
(cid:145)Euro-Asian Development bridge(cid:146), consisting of
apparently being discussed by China, Russia, India, Iraq, Turkey and most other Asian countries, joined
recently by Japan, who are drawing up measures for taking part in the project(cid:146)s implementation. Since the
project(cid:146)s success depends on the use of advanced technologies and American and European machine tools,
it seems obvious that the project cannot be executed without the active participation of Europe.

the creation of

Can the Commission say:

1. whether it has had the opportunity to assess the project;

2.

if so, whether it does not consider that Europe(cid:146)s participation would have a stabilising effect on the
real economy and employment in the Union countries;

3. whether it does not also consider that a project of this kind would help to reverse the current
tendency to focus exclusively on the financial aspects of the economy, with all the attendant risks, the
symptoms of which have been apparent in the last two years, and to promote a return to the real
economy;

4. what might be the reasons militating against Europe(cid:146)s participation in the execution of the project;

5. what steps it intends to take to involve Europe in this major international debate?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2000)

Current opinion on the financial crisis in Asia and its impact on the real economy and the societies of the
countries concerned is that the worst is over and that growth has recommenced in some of the countries

24.10.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/143

worst affected. There is general agreement that the spectre of world recession following the crisis and its
repercussions on the rest of the world has faded. The Community(cid:146)s position has been expressed on
numerous occasions:
the temptation of
it stresses the need to keep the markets open and fight
protectionism (the EU-Asia (ASEM) (1) trade deficit was EUR 87 000 million in 1998, double that of
1997), the importance of international aid and of bilateral as well as multilateral Community aid (including
via the ASEM trust fund), and the need to continue with reform of the financial system in countries
affected by the crisis and measures to deal with its social consequences.

The Commission has had the opportunity to assess specific proposals relating to the major Eurasian
landbridge project, notably in regard to transport. The Commission carried out an in-depth study which
concluded that given the very long distances involved, for the foreseeable future maritime transport was
more economical in linking Europe and the Far East than road, rail or canal transport, even if the Trans-
Siberian remains the only real alternative (less attractive in current conditions than maritime transport).
Under no circumstances should the Community participate financially in any transport objective relating to
trade between Europe and the Far East. In regard to the building or rebuilding of infrastructures, it has
been recommended that no Community financial commitment be undertaken to achieve transport
objectives relating to Europe-Caucasus-Central Asia trade before a full financial and market study on the
potential viability of the project is made. Any Community-financed measures to improve transit reliability,
security and time-scales, on the other hand, must aim at bringing recipient countries into line with the
acquis communautaire.

In line with the general recommendations approved by the Commission, a project entitled Traceca has
been launched. It concerns technical assistance for the creation of a west-east transport corridor, going
from Europe, through the Black Sea, Caucasus and the Caspian Sea to Central Asia (22 projects for a total
of EUR 30 million and 7 investment projects for infrastructure rehabilitation for a total of EUR 25 million
have already been launched). Traceca supports the development of regional cooperation between the
recipient countries and facilitates their integration into international economic trade. Synergy between it
and the Trans European Network projects will be ensured. Traceca has also been a catalyst in leading such
international financial institutions as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and
the World Bank to finance ports, roads and rail infrastructure on the Traceca route.

(1) ASEM: Asia Europe Meeting. Asian partners: China, Japan, Korea, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand,

Philippines, Vietnam.

(2000/C 303 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0118/00

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Cost of processing a litre of milk

Does the Commission know how much it would cost to process a litre of milk in Denmark and Holland?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 2000)

The Commission does not have at its disposal data on the cost of processing a litre of milk in Denmark,
the Netherlands or in any other Member State. It should be underlined that these processing costs may
vary considerably depending on the type of product manufactured or on the size and structure of the
processing plant.