WRITTEN QUESTION E-0344/00 by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reorganisation of the DG for Energy and Transport.
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European official, administration of the Institutions, common transport policy, energy policy, institutional reform

C 330 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

(2000/C 330 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0343/00

by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Ageism in the aviation industry

Would the Commission indicate the action it proposes to take to ensure a level playing field for pilots over
60 in the Community, given the refusal of the French authorities to allow pilots between 60 and 65 to fly
over their territory?

Would the Commission confirm that this directly contravenes Article 39 of the Treaty on European Union,
which reads:

Such freedom of movement shall entail the abolition of any discrimination based on nationality
between workers of the Member States as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of
work and employment.

Would the Commission indicate how it has encouraged coordination of employment policy in this field
under Article 140 of the Treaty?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(11 April 2000)

The Commission considers that,
there is no
discrimination based on nationality which is prohibited under Article 39 (ex Article 48) of the EC Treaty.

in the case referred to by the Honourable Member,

Measures by the Member States to promote employment are coordinated in accordance with Article 128
(ex Article 109 Q) of the EC Treaty. The employment guidelines adopted by the Council on 13 March
2000 pursuant to this Article do not make any reference to the matter raised by the Honourable Member.

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission(cid:146)s answer to written question P-1797/99
submitted by Ms Sanders-Ten Holte (1).

(1) OJ C 203 E, 18.7.2000, p. 50.

(2000/C 330 E/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0344/00

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Reorganisation of the DG for Energy and Transport

(14 February 2000)

In view of the merging of the Directorates-General for Transport and Energy into a single DG and the
reduced importance of the energy sector, in particular the new energy technologies repeatedly supported
by Parliament, can the Commission say what proportion of the staff of the new Directorate-General will
deal specifically with energy, and of these how many will be devoted to renewable energy?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2000)

Following the merger of the Directorates general for energy and transport 142 officials of categories A,
B and C deal specifically with energy (of whom 26 officials deal specifically and exclusively with renewable
energy sources) and 189 officials of categories A, B and C deal specifically with transport.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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tasks on energy and
Moreover, approximately 200 officials are dealing with important horizontal
transport, including internal market issues, international co-operation, environmental protection, informa-
tion, communication and dissemination of technologies, as well as Trans-European networks. Because of
the integrated approach to energy and transport issues, it is not possible to specify the exact breakdown
between energy and transport for these officials.

It should be noted however, that a significant number of officials working in horizontal directorates have
important tasks related to renewable energy policy and technology promotion, for example with regard to
environmental protection and dissemination of innovative technologies. In total, therefore, promotion of
renewable energy has been strengthened in the new organisation.

(2000/C 330 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0347/00

by Jaime Valdivielso de CuØ (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Trade

French lorry drivers started a protest including, among other things, blocking the most important roads in
France. This behaviour constitutes a violation of one of the principles of the European Union (cid:129) the free
movement of goods (cid:129) and is affecting Spain in particular, since its products have to pass through France.

Can the Commission explain what steps it will take to ensure the free movement of goods in the European
Union?

What sanctions does it envisage imposing to punish such behaviour?

What compensation is envisaged for the businesses which have suffered?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2000)

The Honourable Member has drawn the Commission(cid:146)s attention to the serious economic impact of the
border blockades imposed by French lorry drivers in recent weeks.

The Commission would like to stress that under Community law it is the responsibility of the Member
States to take all necessary and proportionate measures to restore the free movement of goods in their
territory when events of this nature occur. The Commission would also point out that it is for the Member
States to pay compensation to individuals who have suffered as a result of violations of Community law
for which these Member States are held to be responsible.

Moreover, the entry into force of Council Regulation (EC) No 2679/98 of 7 December 1998 on the
functioning of the internal market in relation to the free movement of goods among the Member States (1)
provided the Commission with a legal instrument which gives it the power to take rapid action in this type
of situation. It should also be emphasised that this Regulation obliges Member States to inform the
Commission of unforeseen actions by private individuals which might have a serious impact on the free
movement of goods.

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that, with regard to the dispute of
31 January and 1 February 2000, the French authorities sent a note to the Commission on Friday
28 January in which they undertook to give their European partners as much real-time information as
possible and to facilitate the free movement of goods, whilst respecting the workers(cid:146) right to strike.