WRITTEN QUESTION E-0291/00 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission. Phare programme for Croatia.
Date: 2000-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Croatia, EU programme, economic reconstruction

C 303 E/172

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

Does this arrangement contravene the principle of equality implied in Community law?

Could any steps be taken under Community law to change the provisions?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2000)

Rules on acquiring or losing nationality are governed exclusively by the national law of each Member
State.

This was made quite clear in Declaration No 2 annexed to the Treaty on European Union, which states
that (cid:145)the question whether an individual possesses the nationality of a Member State shall be settled solely
by reference to the national law of the Member State concerned.(cid:146)

(2000/C 303 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0285/00

by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Proposed merger between Worldcom and Sprint

The proposed merger between Sprint and MCI Worldcom constitutes a market threat to the European
Internet backbone network. Together, the two companies would hold a dominant position in the USA,
enabling them to charge increased fees to network operators and users. The new merged company would
be able to take advantage of its control over critical intersections to make a profit from the provision of
data transmission and data switching services worldwide on Internet.

How does the Commission intend to respond to this anti-competitive arrangement?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2000)

The proposed merger between Spring and MCI WorldCom was notified to the Commission on
11 January 2000 so that it could be scrutinised for compatibility with the common market. As in 1998
when examining the merger between MCI and WorldCom, the Commission will carefully study the effects
of combining the respective activities of Sprint and MCI WorldCom on the Internet market.
If the
Commission found that the proposed merger would create or reinforce a dominant position, the parties
concerned would have to suggest appropriate ways of resolving the competition problems which this
would pose.

(2000/C 303 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0291/00

by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Phare programme for Croatia

In view of the positive outcome of the elections in Croatia on 3 January 2000, will the Commission
reconsider the suspension of the Phare programme for Croatia?

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/173

Reply given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2000)

In view of recent political developments in Croatia the Commission has introduced a number of measures
clearly indicative of its full support and encouragement for the democratisation process. This process
marks the beginning of a new stage in relations between that country and the European Union.

High-level representatives such as the new leaders of Croatia, the President of the Commission and the
Member of the Commission responsible for external relations have exchanged visits. The first meeting of
the Joint EU-Croatia Consultative Task Force set up by the General Affairs Council on 24 January 2000
was held on 15 February this year. The Council has also asked the Commission to draw up a report on the
feasibility of starting negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement.

A Commission fact-finding mission to Croatia at the beginning of March will make an initial assessment of
the country(cid:146)s needs and priorities as a preliminary to drawing up a programme of Community aid for
Croatia for this year.

On the particular question of Croatia(cid:146)s eligibility for Phare aid, it should be remembered that this spring
the Commission will be presenting a new programme for the Western Balkans as a whole. Thereafter the
Phare programme will focus on the applicant countries whilst the new programme will replace the Phare
and Obnova programmes for the Balkan States including Croatia. Croatia will receive aid under this
programme as soon as it enters into force.

(2000/C 303 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0310/00

by Lutz Goepel (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Studies by the Institute for Economic and Consumer Law for the Commission

Can the Commission provide a list of the studies it had carried out by the Institute for Economic and
Consumer Law in Berlin from 1991 to 1999?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2000)

Between 1991 and 1999 the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection commissioned three
studies from the European Institute for Economic and Consumer Law (Vereinigtes Institut f(cid:252)r Europ(cid:228)isches
Wirtschafts- und Verbraucherrecht).

The first study concerned the collection and analysis of German case law on unfair terms in consumer
contracts. The contract, concluded in 1995, was for 81 000 Euro. The second study concerned doorstep
selling, pyramid sales and multi-level marketing. The contract, concluded in 1998, was for € 67 900. The
third study concerned the feasibility of a general
legislative framework on fair trade. The contract,
concluded in 1999, was for € 78 400.