WRITTEN QUESTION P-1415/00 by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission. Investigation regarding state aids to the Crédit Mutuel.
Date: 2000-05-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, common commercial policy, control of State aid, cooperative bank, public service, regional development, savings, subsidised housing

28.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374 E/219

It should, however, be pointed out that this question, and that of the other concessions referred to by the
Honourable Member, must be viewed within the more general framework of the motorway concessions in
all the Member States, which the Commission is currently studying.

The Italian authorities have already provided the Commission with information on the general regulatory
framework governing extensions of existing concessions. Under Ministerial Directive No 283 of 20 October
1998, existing concessions can be extended only if there is a financial settlement of the dispute deriving
from the freezing of charges which entitles the concessionaires to a refund. In addition, under the same
Ministerial Directive, any motorway concessionaire would be obliged by law, as well as by each individual
agreement, to award all works contracts according to the Community award rules, and to award at least
40 % of the work to third parties.

This information, and that from the other Member States, is currently being examined by the Commission
with a view to devising a consistent approach to all motorway concessions, having regard to the major
economic and social implications of the matter at stake.

As regards the environmental impact assessment, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable
Member, the Commission is not in a position to take a view on the subject matter. Should the modified
Asti-Cuneo motorway project have been authorised in order substantially to comply with the criticisms
made in the original environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure, it would not necessarily need to
have been made the subject of a new EIA procedure. The Honourable Member is kindly requested to give
more information on the matter in order to enable the Commission to assess the case.

(2000/C 374 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1415/00

by Marie-Noºlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Investigation regarding state aids to the (cid:145)CrØdit Mutuel(cid:146)

(3 May 2000)

To what extent is it possible to speak of state aids in the case of the French cooperative bank, (cid:145)CrØdit
Mutuel(cid:146), since the bank in question raises funds and supports private savings and the sums concerned are
allocated to general interest purposes as defined by the public authorities, such as local development and
low-cost housing. Furthermore, CrØdit Mutuel(cid:146) is required in return to comply with a number of specific
additional requirements (notably restrictions on its network and field of operation).

In the very few disputes concerning savings examined by the Commission, the solutions reached have
never involved fines. Does the Commission not believe that in such cases emphasis should be placed on
finding a fair and progressive solution to any dispute, since support for savings, particularly private saving,
must be a major priority for Europe and indeed is recognised as such in most Member States?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(24 May 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to her oral question H-0386/00
during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s Mai II 2000 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (May 2000).