WRITTEN QUESTION E-0347/00 by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Trade.
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, free movement of goods, indemnification, infringement of EU law, road transport, strike

21.11.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/135

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.

C 330 E/136

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

Also under the above Regulation, on Monday 31 January 2000 the Commission requested more
information from the French authorities concerning the dispute and the measures which were likely to
be implemented in order to restore the free movement of goods.

The French authorities provided this information in their reply of 1 February 2000, pointing out that
instructions had been given to the law enforcement authorities to set up alternative routes and to distribute
the necessary information to those concerned. They also added that measures would be taken to allow any
subsequent claims for compensation to be dealt with under Article L. 2216-3 of the general code for local
authorities.

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the fact that the blockades set
up during the recent disputes were lifted in a relatively short time compared with other occasions in the
recent past. The Commission believes this is certainly due in part to the implementation of Council
Regulation No 2679/98 and the steps taken by the economic operators involved.

(1) OJ L 337, 12.12.1998.

(2000/C 330 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0350/00

by Rosa D(cid:237)ez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE)
and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Public aid in the electricity sector in Spain: costs borne by the consumer

To date Spanish consumers have paid more than Ptas 300 000 million for the CTC (costs of transition to
competition) approved by the Government and defined by the Commission, in principle, as illegal public
aid. Does the Commission consider that action must be taken to put an immediate end to this situation?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2000)

The Commission is closely examining this very complex dossier which would in fact appear to be a case of
state aid granted without prior notification. However, as the Commission pointed out to the Honourable
Members in its reply to written question E-0165/00 (1),
in accordance with the Court(cid:146)s case law the
unlawful nature of a state aid measure, i.e. the fact that it was granted without prior notification to the
Commission, does not prejudge its compatibility with the common market. The Commission consequently
does not plan at
this stage to apply Article 11(1) 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 (2) to request
the Member State to suspend payment of the aid. Needless to say, it will take account of the amounts
already paid when it takes its final decision on the case.

(1) See page 96.
(2) OJ L 83, 27.3.1999.

(2000/C 330 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0354/00

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) and Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Rising cost of motor vehicle liability insurance

(14 February 2000)

Since 1994, the year in which charges for compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance were deregulated,
there has been an alarming increase in the premiums charged to motorists. This year insurance charges in
Italy are set to rise by between 30 and 60 %, an increase which will applied by all the companies present