WRITTEN QUESTION P-0540/00 by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission. WTO ‐ agriculture, environment.
Date: 2000-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European Parliament, environmental cooperation, interinstitutional relations (EU), non-governmental organisation, power to negotiate, tariff negotiations

C 374 E/100

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.12.2000

The Commission has drawn up a list of projects cofinanced in 1998 and 1999, broken down by the three
types of beneficiary, which will be sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.
The Commission would recall that a report on the implementation of all the programmes in 1998 has
been sent to Parliament (2).

With regard to the monitoring of the implementation and financing of projects, the fact that payments are
made in instalments enables the Commission to ensure that the various stages of the projects are carried
out properly. The last instalment is conditional on the beneficiary producing a report on implementation.

The Commission participates as far as possible in the projects, which enables it to make sure on the spot
that implementation of the projects matches the award criteria and decisions. The Commission found that
the beneficiaries were highly motivated, with the result that targets were met and cooperation often went
far beyond the projects financed. Moreover, independent experts are currently evaluating all programmes,
and this will make it possible to assess the results of the projects already completed under the Falcone
programme since it came into operation at the end of 1998.

(1) OJ C 355, 8.12.1999.
(2) SEC(1999) 1955.

(2000/C 374 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0540/00

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2000)

Subject: WTO (cid:129) agriculture, environment

As the negotiations on a comprehensive WTO Round in Seattle were unsuccessful, it is certain that the
issues on the (cid:145)built-in agenda(cid:146) (cid:129) agriculture and services (cid:129) will at least be discussed. On the other hand,
there is uncertainty about how the negotiations on a new WTO Round will continue.

Does the comprehensive approach adopted by the Commission in Seattle retain its validity for the new
WTO Round?

How does the Commission intend to meet the need for the issue of the environment to be included in the
new WTO Round?

What steps will the Commission initiate with a view to involving NGOs in the WTO context?

Will the Commission forward to the European Parliament all information relating to the negotiations?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2000)

As the Honourable Member is aware, the Community(cid:146)s approach with regard to a new World trade
organization (WTO) Round was reconfirmed, both by the Council and by the Parliament in its resolution
of 15 December 1999. The overall approach with regard to a new Round therefore remains valid.

This includes the need to make sure that the WTO is responsive to legitimate trade-related concerns, such
as in the area of environment. Although this is still a controversial issue, the Commission is convinced that
the basic objectives remain valid. It is currently reflecting on how to take this particular theme forward in
its continued efforts to launch the New Round, for instance through intensified efforts to explain more
clearly the objectives, to engage in a confidence-building exercise to alleviate concerns of some trade
partners, particularly developing countries, and to evaluate the means to achieve these basic WTO
objectives.

28.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374 E/101

It is also continuing, as part of the preparations for the launch of future negotiations, the sustainability
impact assessment, which includes an examination of the potential impact on the environment of further
liberalisation and changes to WTO rules. The Parliament has been kept informed of the progress of this
project and members have been invited to meetings with Member States and civil society on it.

The Commission has sought
to involve non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society
organisations both at the level of the WTO and at the Community level. The Member of the Commission
responsible for trade held a number of consultations with NGOs before Seattle.
In the WTO the
Commission has made proposals for increased transparency in terms of document availability. It continues
to reflect on further means to improve transparency and dialogue with the NGO community, both at the
level of the Community, and in the context of the WTO.

Regarding the transmission of information to the Parliament, the Honourable Member is aware of the
commitment by the Commission to provide documents and information on a regular basis to the
Parliament, both during the preparation and in the course of negotiations, as appropriate.

(2000/C 374 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0543/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(2 March 2000)

Subject: Draft new Community framework on State aid for environmental protection

The Commission is currently discussing with the Member States an important document on a Community
framework for State aid for environmental protection. This is to come into force in July 2000. The
Community framework is essential for the management of State environmental aid, for example with
regard to Member States(cid:146) promotion of renewable energy sources.

1. What are the main criteria by which the Council judges State aid for environmental protection?

2. More precisely, what approach to support for renewable energy sources underlies the Community
framework?

How will the Council ensure the transparency and cooperation with Parliament promised by the

3.
Commission President, Romano Prodi?

Reply

(18 May 2000)

The Council has, on many occasions, emphasised the importance of promoting renewable sources of
energy as a means of achieving the goals of both energy policy and environment policy. In this context,
the Commission is to submit a proposal for a Directive on access for electricity from renewables to the
internal electricity market in the very near future.

With respect to state aid, the Council recalls its Resolution on renewable sources of energy (1), adopted on
8 June 1998 in which it noted (cid:145)that Member States choose the most appropriate means of promoting use
of renewables (cid:133) which are best suited to their national circumstances and are in conformity with Treaty
obligations and comply with Community state aid guidelines for environmental protection(cid:146). Moreover, the
Council welcomed the intention of the Commission (cid:145)to consider appropriate modifications in favour of
renewable energy sources during the revision of the guidelines for Community state aid(cid:146).

(1) OJ C 198, 8.6.1998, p. 1.