WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/00 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Cyprus.
Date: 2000-04-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, free movement of persons

C 46 E/112

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2000)

The Commission has not produced any studies on the costs for individual Member States for the transition
to the euro, neither does the Commission plan to produce a study on the subject. The Commission does
not believe that studies focusing on the costs for the transition to the euro could be complete or relevant.
Although it is true that the change over to the euro results in costs, it should be noted that the transition
to euro also has a revenue side. Reports focusing on costs only would therefore not be able to provide a
complete picture of the question.

As for the question of independent studies, there are a number of studies made by banks, accounting firms
and law firms. However, the Commission cannot and should not recommend one or other of these studies.

(2001/C 46 E/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1053/00

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(4 April 2000)

Subject: Draft proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the

protection of pedestrians and other road users in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle

I understand that this subject was discussed at a meeting of the Working Group on Motor Vehicles.

What was the conclusion of these discussions, and when will the proposal for a Directive be forwarded to
Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 2000)

The matter of pedestrian protection was tackled at the meeting of the working party on motor vehicles
held in March 2000. A certain number of factors was examined at that time. Since no conclusion was
reached the discussions will have to continue on 5-6 June 2000. The comments and suggestions
concerning pedestrian protection made on that occasion will be taken into consideration when a text is
finalised.

The Commission shall not fail to inform all involved of the long-term progress made, and thus of the
timetable adopted for this matter.

(2001/C 46 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/00

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 April 2000)

Subject: Cyprus

Could the Commission confirm or deny reports that Cypriot citizens will be denied their right to freedom
of movement when Cyprus joins the EU unless Turkey joins simultaneously?

In the House of Commons on 15 February 2000 (Hansard Column 781), the Rt Hon Robin Cook MP, Her
Majesty(cid:146)s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, made the following announcement in
relation to the accession of Cyprus to the EU:

Freedom of movement between the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied northern sector would apply
only if Turkey simultaneously joined the EU.

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/113

Does this statement reflect the views of the Commission? Could the Commission state whether any citizens
of the Republic of Cyprus will be denied their right to freedom of movement when Cyprus joins the EU?

If the answer to this question is yes, could the Commission explain why Cypriot citizens are to be denied
(on an indefinite basis) the basic rights afforded by the Treaties? Could the Commission justify the decision
to discriminate against Cypriot citizens in this way?

Could the Commission explain why the decisions on the accession of Cyprus are being linked to EU
relations with a foreign country which maintains an illegal occupation force in the Republic of Cyprus,
contrary to the stated position of the UN, the European Parliament, the European Council and the
overwhelming majority of the international community?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 2000)

The European Council meeting in Helsinki in December 1999 concluded that (cid:145)(cid:133) a political settlement will
facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. If no settlement has been reached by the
completion of accession negotiations, the Council(cid:146)s decision on accession will be made without the above
being a precondition. In this the Council will take account of all the relevant factors.(cid:146)

As the Honourable Member is aware, the result of the de facto division of the island into two strictly
separated parts is that the fundamental freedoms laid down by the Treaties and in particular freedom of
movement of goods, people, services and capital, right of establishment and the universally recognised
political, economic, social and cultural rights cannot today be exercised over the entirety of the island(cid:146)s
territory. These freedoms and rights would have to be guaranteed as part of a comprehensive settlement
restoring constitutional arrangements covering the whole of the Republic of Cyprus.

Without prejudice to a case by case appraisal of requests for transitional measures, the Commission takes
the view that transitional arrangements can be negotiated provided that they are necessary, appropriate
and do not put into question the acceptance of the acquis communautaire by the new Member States. In
some cases they must be accompanied by a plan with clearly defined stages for the application of the
acquis including investments.

The Commission considers that the enlargement negotiations and the attempts currently being made in the
United Nations to find a political solution to the Cyprus problem are mutually reinforcing processes
between which coherence should be assured. While a political solution to the Cyprus question is not a pre-
condition for accession,
it is the objective of the Union that a united Cyprus joins the Union. The
Commission recalls the invitation of the Cypriot government to the Turkish Cypriots to take part in the
accession process.

(2001/C 46 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1058/00

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstr(cid:246)m (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Exemptions from the ban on leaded petrol

(4 April 2000)

The fuels directive which came into effect in October 1998 lays down strict limits for the sulphur content
of both petrol and diesel motor fuels. In that directive it was also decided to abandon the use of leaded
petrol. The time limit for the use of leaded petrol expired at the end of last year, but France, Spain, Italy,
Portugal and Greece were granted an extension for the use of leaded and high-sulphur fuels.